Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic
Chapter 909 - 909: Lakeside Manor Early Winter Roder Card Tournament

"Shard's stories are many, but I'm not ready to tell you now."

The recollection ended temporarily, Miss Galina softly said to her "colleague," and Miss Sylvia understood her meaning, so she didn't pursue further.

The two witches talked a bit about the upcoming matters, and just as they were about to get up and head to Lake Schluch, there was a knock on the door.

After the maid opened the door, Princess Margaret entered. In the hour or so that Shard had been reading, she'd already met with Mr. Alan Madison from the local Xerxes Higher Medical Academy. Upon entering, she first respectfully greeted Miss Galina, and then asked Miss Sylvia:

"Teacher, sorry to interrupt you. I have a math problem I'd like to consult with you."

"Asking a math problem at a banquet?"

Miss Sylvia laughed:

"Duke, you see, Her Highness Margaret is indeed so studious."

Then she let Princess Margaret present the problem, upon which the Princess repeated Shard's "missing penny" challenge. Miss Galina only chuckled on the side, not joining the conversation, and after hearing it, Miss Sylvia merely frowned slightly before understanding:

"Your Highness, do you really not understand this problem?"

There was indeed a full display of "math teacher" authority when she said this.

Princess Margaret subconsciously bit her lip:

"Teacher, this problem only involves the numbers 27, 2, and 30. You said before that numbers don't lie, but I don't understand why there appears to be a missing penny."

"Your Highness, your question is truly disappointing."

Miss Sylvia's gaze was sharp:

"I've told you countless times, although numbers don't lie, you find it hard to truly understand them. This problem is clever, but in essence, it's just a kind of illusion similar to magic, yes, it's just an illusion."

The witch's fair and beautiful face showed dissatisfaction:

"Let me tell you where the missing penny went.

The three gentlemen staying at the inn returned to the Three Cats Inn after three days, paying 10 pennies each for a total of 20 pennies. Again, the inn owner Mrs. Sangmi offered a discount, kept 15 pennies, returned 5 pennies, and the boy secretly pocketed 3 pennies, handing the remaining 2 pennies back to the two gentlemen. Thus, the two gentlemen spent 18 pennies, the boy kept 3 pennies, making a total of 21 pennies. The missing penny is here."

Though Princess Margaret couldn't figure out the answer, she knew Miss Sylvia was mocking her.

Miss Galina mediated on the side:

"Miss Sylvia, Her Highness Margaret is just troubled by a simple little problem, we all encounter problems we can't solve."

"But this problem is really too simple, she shouldn't be unable to solve it."

Miss Sylvia fully displayed the "obsession" of mathematicians:

"Duke, I am Her Highness's math teacher, I must be responsible for her."

After saying this, she attempted to encourage:

"Your Highness, this problem is completely within your knowledge. Remember, it's a clever trick; once you understand it, you'll realize how ridiculous it is. I believe in my student, so once you grasp it, remember to tell me the answer."

The princess, with long, light golden hair, nodded pitifully:

"Yes, teacher, I will solve this problem."

"Who provided this problem? Though the problem itself is simple, the way of manipulating numbers is indeed clever. If it's from a lady, I'd be very interested in meeting her."

Miss Sylvia asked again.

"It's not a lady, it's Mr. Shard Hamilton. Now everyone at the party is discussing this problem, but no one has given an answer yet."

After saying that, Princess Margaret stealthily glanced at Miss Galina. The conversation between Miss Sylvia and Miss Galina here did not make Her Highness the Princess suspicious of Miss Galina's identity, for the relationship between Miss Galina and Shard was known to almost everyone in Tobesk, and witches certainly couldn't associate with men.

Her Highness the Princess just considered it her teacher's intention to ally with the Duchess for some purpose.

"It's Hamilton, ah. Oh, I mean, really surprising."

Miss Sylvia said, in the laughter of Miss Galina, feigning a surprised look:

"So it was that gentleman. I originally thought the knight had some courage and power, but didn't expect wisdom as well."

(Mia running...)

The Rod Card Game tournament at Lakeside Manor wasn't held indoors, but under the grape trellis in the garden at the back of the manor. Although in this season, the garden's grape trellis no longer has the sight of a lush summer, the round stone tables under the trellis, hung with oil lamps and positioned near seated gas lamps, indeed were perfect for card games.

To make his wedding banquet appear very formal, Mr. Esberg even specifically invited staff from the Prophet's Society to act as referees before the banquet and bought a special rule Roder Card from the auction house as the prize for the Rod Card Game.

It's said the auction price for that Roder Card was 87 pounds.

In short, though Shard didn't admit that he came to be attracted by the special rule card, he still eagerly arrived in the back garden on time with Tifa and Mia.

His friends, Baron Lavende, former owner of [Ancient Fairy Tale: Flower Girl], and Baron Rwanda, prior former owner, were already in the garden waiting for Shard.

Besides them, local noble Rod Card players were also poised, awaiting the champion of Big City Player 1853 to arrive. Though no one was confident to definitely beat Shard, even a small victory against him in a round would be enough to boast about to friends for quite some time.

"Mr. Hamilton, this is your first public Rod Card game after being a Big City Player."

At this time, the ball inside the manor mansion had already started, but many guests still gathered in the garden, waiting to watch the exciting Rod Card game. Not only gentlemen fond of playing cards, but even ladies were laughing and gathering together, waiting to witness whether tonight would bring interesting moments.

Due to the large number of people signing up for the card game, it's unknown how Mr. Esberg managed to have the Prophet's Society agree to name tonight's competition the "Lakeside Manor Early Winter Rod Card Tournament." This means the competition's proceedings will be included in the Tobesk Region's yearbook by the Prophet's Society, becoming an officially recognized regional-level contest.

The competition followed an elimination format, meaning single-player card games were held according to groups, and two out of three wins would advance the winner. Among 32 registered players, after three rounds of knockouts, four would proceed to the finals for the ultimate multiplayer card game.

The victor would not only earn honor but also win the card [Life Ritual: Wedding].

This special card was now placed in a glass frame, set on the central most round table under the grape trellis, with two servants carrying oil lamps responsible for its guard. Shard, although arrived late, also got the opportunity to inspect the card:

"[Life Ritual: Wedding], Suit: Flower 5. Roll two 20-sided dice, if the numbers differ by less than or equal to 2, the card's points can be adjusted between 4 and 5."

He read out the card's rules, a smile unconsciously spread on his face:

"This card is truly beautiful."