Anthony Herzen

"A true warrior always keeps hid blade in hand."

- Anthony Herzen

Anthony Herzen is an anti-villain in the Professor Layton series, who acts as the main antagonist of the second game, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box.

Backstory
Once Anthony was in love with a girl called Sophia. Before they could marry, she moved away from the cursed town Folsense, where he had become the Duke, without telling him why, as she was pregnant and didn't want to cause Anthony more pain. That drove him so angry that he retired and spreat rumours he was a vampire. Everytime visitors would come, he would scare them away.

This went on for 50 years without him noticing, as the gas that had "cursed" the town made him look like a young person, so he didn't notice how much time passed.

The Diabolical Box
When Professor Layton and Luke came to ask him about the Elysian Box they had from Don Paolo, he, as always, tried to scare them away at first, but when he saw Katia, who resembled Sophia very much, he though Layton had stolen her from him and attacked him into a sword fight. However, Layton could clarify that Katia was actually Sophias and Anthonys granddaughter, as Sophia herself had died a year ago. When Anthony realised how much tome had passed he decided to rebuild Folsense and to care for his granddaughter.

Manga
In the manga series Professor Layton and the Cheerful Mystery, Anthony has only minor appearances in the third and fourth book.

Personality
Before being abandoned by Sophia, Anthony was apparently a polite and well-educated man, loving his city and family. His love for Sophia meant everything to him. However, it turned into anger after she left him. This made him retire from public life, but he always hoped for her return, despite his bitterness. Fifty years later, when he finally learned the truth, his old feelings came back and he lost all his anger and rage.

Powers and Abilities
Like many Professor Layton villains, Anthony has high intelligence, shown for example through challenging the Professor with very complicated puzzles. He also was a very skilled fencer, however, due to his true age, he isn't capable of very long figts, as he soon runs out of stamina.

Quotes
"Good evening. Welcome to my house."

- Anthony Herzen

"Oh, lovely, You're awake. It's been far too long since I've encountered prey so... feisty."

- Anthony Herzen, having captured Luke and the Professor

"LAAAAYTON! Sophia belongs to me! You can't have her!"

- Anthony during his sword fight with the Professor

Trivia

 * In a special puzzle challenge in Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, Anthony reappears in his young form for a rematch against the Professor.
 * Furthermore, he has a cameo appearance in a Weekly Puzzle in Professor Layton and the Last Specter, along with Clive.