Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic
Chapter 905 - 905: Shard's Riddle

After the dart game, the two princesses planned to return to the mansion at Lakeside Manor to rest. Shard accompanied them and then "happened" to encounter Dorothy in the banquet hall on the first floor.

The blonde Miss Writer was not alone; she was with her writer friends. Shard knew most of them, except for a gentleman with a southern appearance, whom Princess Margaret recognized instead.

He looked around thirty, with black hair tied into a short ponytail at the back, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and sporting two stylish mustaches.

This image can be described as a typical "artist."

"This is Sir Lakin Prisia, his grandmother and my grandmother were twin sisters."

Princess Margaret introduced him to Lecia, Mr. Prisia circled his right hand in the air twice, then bowed, placing his right hand on his left shoulder:

"Good evening, Princess Lecia Cavendish."

"Lakin Prisia?"

Shard was taken aback and then realized:

"Guiding Moon?"

This was the Correspondence Circle Mage from Xerxes Higher Medical Academy, who possessed the "Guiding Moon" core spirit rune.

Although Shard was following the princesses, there were actually many people around them, so Lecia did not abruptly introduce Shard's identity. Although he did not shake hands with the gentleman, Shard roughly judged that the other person should be a Five-Ring Sorcerer.

"Very well, first contact tonight. After returning, contact Miss Danester and have her gather the spiritual light alchemical items for me. Next time at another salon or gathering, find a way to make him reveal the Ring of Fate..."

Shard thought silently, Mr. Prisia seemed to sense something and looked towards Shard, only to find the young knight was bowing his head, playing with the cat.

Sir Prisia was a well-known poet from Carsonrick. At the banquet, he met Miss Yewa Swift, a writer from Carsonrick resident in Tobesk (Chapter 497), and through this lady's introduction, gathered with Dorothy and the local writers of Tobesk.

Although this was not a literary salon, the two princesses didn't mind talking with these prominent writers and poets. The group sat in the large banquet hall on the first floor by the window sofas, with everyone revolving around the two princesses, the true stars of the event.

Taking advantage of the time, Shard introduced himself to Sir Prisia, establishing a preliminary connection.

At this moment, Princess Margaret had already brought up the topic of the recently popular detective novel "Hamilton Detective Stories." She already knew Shard was the story's prototype, but only now learned the writer was Shard's companion, couldn't help but exclaim:

"This is truly a wonderful combination. Miss Luisa, I presume Hamilton Knight provided you with plenty of inspiration?"

"Indeed."

Dorothy nodded, praised:

"Shard is a well-known detective in Tobesk, with no failed cases since he started."

"No, no, I am not a famous detective."

Shard modestly responded in time, while Dorothy's friend, the prose writer Professor Mulder Goethe immediately praised,

"Recently, I accompanied a friend to a funeral at the public cemetery in the East District, where I heard at the church about Hamilton Detective solving 'The Disappearing Third Gold Coin' story. He is truly remarkable."

Professor Goethe not only is a university professor but also hired at Yordle Palace as a lecturer for literature and grammar to the royal family, so his praise carried significant weight.

Princess Margaret curiously inquired about that detective case, and Dorothy recounted the story after her "adaptation," excluding Shard's necromancy and adding the reasoning she arranged for the story.

The gold coin in the mouth of a dead body, the mortuary room that should have been inaccessible, the father who willingly suffered insult to the corpse for his child; these aspects astonished people. Although noble life was affluent, it was generally dull, making such thrilling stories highly interesting to everyone, even Princess Margaret, as a Circle Sorcerer, praised,

"Detective stories can indeed be considered a knight's legend happening within the city."

The most famous games at the banquet, apart from Roder card, also included "riddles." After Dorothy finished her story, it was suggested to pass time by solving riddles. Lecia's sister Mona Iceberg happened to be there, so she was to host the game.

This wasn't a game originally prepared by the manor, hence there were no specific rules. Everyone could take turns presenting their riddles, guessed collectively. If solved, then it was the next person's turn. If three riddles in a row weren't guessed correctly, then it was considered a victory, and Mrs. Iceberg provided a bottle of red wine as a prize.

"Let me start then."

Lecia said, glanced at Shard hinting him to be ready, and then continued:

"Close your mouth, and you have said my name; if you can say my name with words, then I am no longer myself."

"Your Highness, could it be the tongue?"

Mr. Miles Garoff, renowned for the 'Fallen Leaves Collection,' raised his hand to ask.

"No."

Lecia replied with a smile and shook her head, so Shard said:

"It's silence. Not speaking is silence, to speak silence, is to end silence."

Lecia had mentioned this riddle to Shard, so he answered quickly.

"Yes, you got it, Knight."

She regrettably shook her head, then gestured for Princess Margaret to continue with a riddle, the Anjou Family princess contemplated:

"A gust of wind, a ship, six sailors rowing together."

This time Shard didn't immediately figure it out, Mr. Sharply raised his hand and said:

"A six-holed flute, I'm good at this."

"Indeed."

Princess Margaret smiled and nodded, and people applauded in appreciation.

The princess signaled for Dorothy to proceed, the blonde Miss Writer, aware of what Shard intended to do at the banquet, said:

"I can't think of a good riddle at the moment, why not let the detective go first?"

"Alright."

Thus, Princess Margaret turned to Shard again, she had a good impression of Shard, also curious about what kind of riddle Shard could pose:

"Mr. Hamilton, a detective's riddle should be quite interesting, right?"

Others also looked at Shard. Due to Dorothy's introduction of the detective story topic, Shard was currently the man who spoke most to the two princesses. Although others did not mind this, they couldn't help but have a competitive spirit, preparing to 'challenge' the detective.

Shard thought for a moment. Even though he had no intention of showing off, he produced a classic riddle for tonight's mission:

"In the morning, it has four legs; at noon, it has two legs; in the evening, it has three legs. What is it?"

No one spoke immediately but rather pondered carefully. Only Mia, cradled in Shard's arms, squirmed restlessly, not quite used to such crowds.

"Is it some kind of magical creature?"

Lecia asked curiously after a long moment, not having anticipated what kind of riddle Shard would ask.

"It's a creature, but not a magical one."

Shard replied with a smile:

"At least it's no more magical than my cat; the answer is simple."

"Oh, Mr. Hamilton, are you sure this is a normal creature and not something from a mythical story?"

Professor Goethe confirmed, and Shard nodded:

"I'm sure. So, does anyone have the answer?"

He glanced around at the people present. Lecia shook her head slightly, Princess Margaret was still pondering, Mr. Plisha shook his head with a smile, and Dorothy regrettably said:

"Knight, you can reveal the answer."

"The answer is a person. As an infant, they crawl on four legs; as an adult, they walk upright on two legs; in old age, they walk with a cane, making three legs."

Upon hearing Shard's explanation, people gradually understood.

"Oh, that's quite good!"

Princess Margaret even spoke faster than Lecia, her praise very sincere. Although it was just a few party games, she began to understand what made this handsome young man in front of her win the favor of the Duchess.

"Please continue."

Princess Margaret said again, and Shard pondered:

"Your Highness, the next question may not be a riddle, but I think it'll still be interesting. This question is only for you to answer, and you can only answer once. Are you willing to accept the challenge?"

Princess Margaret blinked:

"Of course."

So, Shard, holding his cat, said:

"First, please say 'mouse, mouse, mouse' three times with me."

"Meow?"

Before Princess Margaret could speak, Mia meowed first, causing those around to smile.

"Alright, mouse, mouse, mouse."

Princess Margaret said in a very good mood.

"What do cats fear most?"

Shard asked again, and the princess almost immediately replied:

"Mouse."

After speaking, she blinked and then covered her mouth, laughing at herself.

Those around tried to control themselves from laughing, to avoid being misunderstood as mocking the princess.

Lecia, somewhat reproachfully, said to Shard:

"Knight, that was quite rude."

"Yes, that wasn't really a riddle, just a little joke. I can present another. How about..."

"No, no, it's alright. That was fun, and I indeed answered incorrectly."

Princess Margaret shook her head with a smile. The atmosphere at the wedding banquet was lively, and she did not feel offended; rather, she found such a party interesting:

"Then Rejed's Hamilton, proceed with the third riddle. I still want to challenge you."

She thought for a moment and added:

"Let's add some conditions. If I still lose, you can choose a piece of jewelry from me. But if I win, you must lend me this adorable pet cat in your arms for three days."

She wasn't angry but was clearly spurred into competitiveness and was very confident, assuming she had seen through Shard's charade.

Of course, Margaret Anjou genuinely took an interest in Shard's cat.

"Meow?"

Mia lay on Shard's lap, mewing softly, seemingly unable to comprehend what was happening.

"That won't do, Your Highness. It's not that I want to refuse you, but this cat is not mine, it's a client's cat."

Shard hastily declined.

[You finally remembered this matter.]

"I always remembered, no matter what, I can't gamble with Mia."

He quickly thought to himself.

"A client's cat? It's alright; I believe your client would understand."

The princess urged with a broad smile:

"Knight, please begin. But if I really answer correctly, I believe this cat will receive the best treatment with me."