Chapter 406: Questions And Answers
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Veronica, what are you doing? To be more precise, what are you trying to do?”
Even though Watson was angry, he still let Veronica sit next to him and asked in a low voice.
First, it was Count Gray, then Basher. Then, Veronica appeared. Were they not afraid that others would find out that those Severed Fingers higher-ups had appeared in front of him?
“We don’t have any special thoughts, Black Emperor. We just want to make you appear more elegant in front of your friends, so we prepared those things to make you happy. Did we do something wrong? ”
Veronica blinked pitifully, her charming face extremely moving.
‘So it was to make me happy!’
Only then did Watson understand that the members of the broken fingers were not dissatisfied with him, but just the opposite. If Veronica had not said that at that moment, he would not have realized it. Subconsciously, he reached out and rubbed the s.p.a.ce between his eyebrows, “I see.. Well, I’ll forgive you this time. Don’t let it happen again. ”
Considering the Severed Fingers Gang’s higher-ups were also kind-hearted and that Basher and the others had already done something out of line, it seemed impossible to save them. It was better to let nature take its course.
Just as he was thinking about that, Basher, who had just left the room, suddenly returned. He was holding a unicorn with a halo on its head and s.h.i.+ning fur all over its body. “Young Master Watson, you guys are fortunate. Our shop has obtained another white gold-tier magical beast, the angelic unicorn! You did not seem to enjoy the dragon tail very much just now. Do you not like dragon meat? How about I cook that angelic unicorn instead?”
“Shut up, Basher. That angelic unicorn is mine. If you dare to cook it, I will cook you.” A woman’s voice came from outside, forcing Basher, who had just entered the room, to walk out with the unicorn and close the door.
“Elven, it’s just a magical beast. Is it not worth it if it can make Young Master Watson happy?”
“It’s not your magical beast. You really don’t have to stand there and talk. That is a reward given to me by Young Master Watson. If that magical beast was yours, would you have killed it?”
“Elven, why are you asking such a stupid question? Is it not obvious? If that magical beast were mine, I definitely would not have killed it.”
“You!”
The sound of Elven and Basher’s argument could be faintly heard from outside. Because the private rooms in the red dragon region had excellent soundproofing, the two’s words could not be heard clearly. However, Watson still managed to hear it with his outstanding strength; his face kept twitching.
“What’s happening outside? It seems like someone is quarreling. Furthermore, what did that chef just say? A platinum-tier unicorn? I just ate a dragon tail, and now I can eat unicorn meat. I’m too lucky. Unicorn is known as a holy beast. It can only be found in the Forest of Eternity in the south. Its meat should be very delicious since it eats fruits and nectar.”
Casey glanced outside and licked his lips, looking very expectant.
“Watson, do you have anything to do with that shop?”
Charlotte looked at Watson with a strange gaze.
At that moment, she had already noticed some clues. The Holy Dragon Tavern did not initially sell platinum-tier magical beast meat. That day, there was platinum-tier magical beast meat and wine brewed from magical fruits from the Forest of Eternity. Those things were given to them for free. Everyone who came to the private room, including Count Gray, claimed to be a disciple of Antonio and the Sword Saint. They were also very respectful to Watson. It was hard not to think that Watson had anything to do with that shop.
“Why would I have anything to do with that shop?”
Watson picked up his knife and fork, ready to destroy the dragon tail meat on the plate in front of him. Although the dragon tail meat in front of him was a dragon from the kingdom that Basher had killed, it would be difficult for him to explain if the King pursued the matter later. However, it would be a waste if he did not eat it after killing it.
As he was thinking about that, the moment he picked up his knife and fork, the door opened again. Basher walked in with a bruised and swollen face. “Young Master Watson, I’m sorry. Due to some reasons, we can’t cook the angelic unicorn for you. Please wait for the dragon steaks; they will be ready soon! As compensation to everyone, the dragon steaks will be free of charge.”
“Hurry up and go.”
Watson inserted the dragon tail meat into his mouth and chewed a few times before swallowing it. He took out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth. Then, he asked Veronica for parchment paper and a quill pen. He used the quill pen to write his name on the parchment paper. After satisfying the request to sign Veronica’s name, he waved his hand.
“It’s enough to have dragon meat and the dishes we just ordered. Focus on serving the dishes and don’t come in again.”
Watson’s words were equivalent to a banishment. Basher and Veronica could only helplessly get up with the signature and slowly walk out of the door.
“Young Master Watson, by the way, there’s one more thing—”
“Get lost!”
“Yes, Master Watson.”
When Veronica walked to the door, Basher seemed to have thought of something. He turned around and showed his head in front of the door. When Watson reprimanded him, he was immediately frightened. He hid his head outside the door and closed the door.
“Everyone, why are you looking at me like that? Let’s eat.”
Watson turned his head and saw that Charlotte and the others around him looked at him with a very strange gaze. He smiled.
He knew that he was acting a little strange, but in the eyes of ordinary people, those people with broken fingers should be people from the Holy Dragon Tavern. Even if Charlotte and the others were puzzled about why those people were so respectful to him, they probably would not have thought that those were from the Severed Fingers Gang.
In fact, Charlotte and the others did not think so. Their expressions were strange because, in their eyes, those people from the Holy Dragon Tavern were too respectful to Watson. They were already too respectful. They did not know if the people of the Holy Dragon Tavern treated the king with such good service. However, under such circ.u.mstances, Watson still flew into a rage out of dissatisfaction. Clearly, he felt that that kind of service was not very good. They also did not know how much high-end aristocratic education Watson usually received at home.
Initially, Charlotte and the others did not say it out loud, but in their hearts, they were secretly proud of their status as descendants of the three archdukes. However, after comparing themselves with Watson, they felt like they were country b.u.mpkins who did not know anything. The feeling of showing off completely disappeared.
Soon, the dishes that Watson and the others ordered and the dragon steak were served. Everyone praised the dishes again. That meal lasted for about half an hour. During that time, there was no sign of anyone breaking into the private room. That made Watson feel relieved.
“I’ve really learned a lot by following Watson today. Not only did we find a shop that sells good weapons, but more importantly, we experienced what it means to be a real n.o.ble.” After the meal, when it was time to pay the bill, Charlotte stood up first. She wiped her mouth elegantly while lowering her head to look at her slightly bulging stomach.
As a n.o.ble lady, she would usually only eat 50 to 80% of her fill. However, she was 120% full. The food in front of her was simply too delicious.
“Yes, yes. Previously, there were people in the capital who said that the border was very poor. They’re really ignorant. Even Watson’s maid eats Phoenix eggs and platinum-tier magical beast meat. If there’s a chance, I really want to go to the border to take a look,” Lily said, her eyes filled with envy.
“Wait for the chance then.”
Watson smiled. After a meal, his relations.h.i.+p with those youths had become closer. After all, they were of similar ages and were all students of the Royal Academy. It was very easy for them to get to know each other.
“Lily, you only know how to eat. Since the borders are so rich, there must be many things that we can’t imagine. That place might even be more prosperous than the capital.”
“It’s too much to be more prosperous than the capital. At most, the taxes there are not as heavy as those in other parts of the kingdom. In addition, the border is close to other countries, so it’s convenient to trade. That’s why there are some things that the capital doesn’t have.”
As soon as Charlotte’s voice fell, Lana interrupted with a parasol. She looked indifferent. Even Charlotte, who was complimenting her, had a similar expression. Even if the border was rich, in terms of prosperity, it could not be compared to the prosperity of the capital.
Watson could tell that those people were too lazy to explain their thoughts. Whether the capital was prosperous or not, he would know once those people went to the border to see it for themselves.
Everyone chatted as they walked and left the Holy Dragon Tavern. Lily was supposed to treat them that day, but because of the tavern’s operations, almost all the food was given to them for free, so Lily almost did not spend any money.
“Today is really a fulfilling day. The weapons we bought at the weapons store must have been delivered to our mansion. Charlotte and I have to go back to take a look first, so let’s part ways here.”
“Brother Casey and I also have to go home to study and prepare for the Royal Academy’s opening in two days.”
“Then let’s say goodbye, everyone. We’ll meet again.”
Watson waved at the teenagers and sighed in relief. Those people had finally left, and the Severed Fingers Gang leaders no longer fooled around in front of him.
Just as he thought that, a m.u.f.fled bang sounded not far from him. It sounded like something had exploded.
Turning his head, Watson realized that a few hot air balloons had exploded in midair. Dressed as a magician, Klein leaned on his crutches and came in front of Watson. He took off his top hat and bowed, “Dear guests, I am the President of the capital’s Central Bank. Our bank is currently holding an event. As long as you can answer the questions we have prepared, then you will get a million gold coins.”
A million gold coins? Really?
Charlotte and Company, who were about to leave, stopped in their tracks when they saw that scene. They turned around.
“Can I partic.i.p.ate?” Lily asked as she raised her hand.
“Of course.”
Klein revealed an amiable smile. “Anyone can partic.i.p.ate, but if you want to receive the prize, you will have to answer our questions. Our questions are very difficult.”
“I want to give it a try.” Lily did not care about Klein’s words at all. As a member of one of the three archduke families, she had read many books since she was young, and she knew a lot of things due to her education. Whether it was the kingdom’s history or military and political matters, she would know a thing or two about it.
“I’ll give it a try as well. I’ll get a bonus for the question and answer session that is practically prepared for me! It just so happens that I’m a little short of funds recently. With my profound knowledge, it’ll be easy for me to get a million gold.”
Casey also pushed his hair back and spoke with a smug look on his face. He headed toward the place Klein had mentioned where there would be a bonus question and answer session.
Everyone began to step forward when they suddenly realized that Watson was standing in place with a dark expression. Immediately, they revealed a puzzled look. “Watson, that is a million gold coin prize event. Aren’t you planning on joining?”
“I’ll pa.s.s. It’s only a million gold coins. It’s too troublesome to answer the questions,” Watson replied perfunctorily.
He was lamenting in his heart that he was fine when Klein suddenly appeared. It seemed like he could not escape them no matter what.
“Watson, it can’t be that you don’t know much about the kingdom, right? Don’t worry. I’m here. If I pa.s.s the test, I’ll give you a portion of the reward. After all, it’s all because of you that I could eat so much delicious food today.”
Thinking that Watson might not be good at answering questions, Lily patted her chest and did not give the young man a chance to respond. Instead, she charged straight into the venue for the question and answer session.
There were a few other people who were partic.i.p.ating in the question and answer session. They were all biting their fingers and looked troubled. Obviously, the question was very difficult.
A few staff members holding huge wooden boards with questions written on them stood before those people. When someone answered the question, they would change a batch of wooden boards. If the answer did not come up, those people would be asked to leave the venue after some time.
The most challenging question on the wooden board was written as such.
[There is a cage with chickens and rabbits in it. The total number of heads is 35, and the number of feet is 94. How many chickens and rabbits do you have?]
Not a single partic.i.p.ant had been able to answer it.
“It seems like that is a math question.” Lily bit her finger and did not look as relaxed as before.
In that world, only the aristocrats could learn math. Other than that, only the finance department and the bank staff in the country knew basic math. The people living at the bottom would only count with their fingers when they were buying things. That kind of problem was too difficult for them.
“That problem is too difficult.”
“I’ve been counting for an hour. D*mn it, is there anyone selling chickens and rabbits nearby? Let me buy some to practice with.”
Many of the partic.i.p.ants who were answering the questions were cursing the person who came up with the question. Some wanted to take advantage of the situation.
“D*mn it, I can’t even calculate that question.” Lily fiddled with her fingers and soon scratched her hair.
“Silly Lily, you’re not that smart, so don’t boast. You will not get the reward.” Charlotte walked behind Lily and patted her head. After looking at the question, she did some mental calculations and came up with the answer. It should be 23 chickens and 12 rabbits. That kind of question was difficult for people who had never been exposed to mathematics, but it was still something that a well-educated n.o.ble could solve.
Just as she was about to answer, a male voice suddenly sounded beside Charlotte. “Chicken 23, Rabbit 12.”
Turning her head, Charlotte realized that the person who answered was Watson. She could not help but feel a surge of emotions. She did not expect Watson to be able to calculate so quickly. It seemed like Watson was not only powerful, he was also very smart.
Watson looked calm as he answered the question, but his heart was the complete opposite. Klein’s question was a typical chicken-rabbit cage problem from his previous life. Even elementary school students knew how to solve it. For Klein to ask such a simple question, was it not obvious that he wanted to give away a million gold coins? What if someone had answered the question before him? Although a million gold coins was not a lot for the Severed Fingers Gang, it was a surge of income for other people.
Although he could understand the actions of the Severed Fingers leaders who were trying their best to please him, their efforts were too foolish. Watson made up his mind to gather them once the matter was over to give them a good scolding.
“Young Master’s answer is correct. That is the right answer. ”
Klein came in front of Watson and announced excitedly, “That is one of the three most difficult questions we prepared. Next, you only need to answer the other two questions, and you will be able to take the million gold coins! As for the others who did not answer that question, they are all disqualified.”
“Chicken 12, Rabbit 23. I knew it was that answer! D*mn it, I was about to calculate it. It’s all Watson’s fault for being ahead of me.” Casey pounded his chest, clearly regretting the one million gold coins he had missed.
There were many people like Casey. They looked regretful as they looked at Watson curiously, guessing who that youth was.
“Who is that person? We can’t answer the question, but he seems to have answered it all at once.”
Some people asked their companions around them, and some thought of something after carefully observing Watson’s appearance. “He seems to be Watson, the guy who became Master Antonio and Master Sword Saint’s disciple at the same time.”
“Brother Casey, you have the answer backward. You did not calculate it. There’s no need to lie.” Lana comforted Casey with a helpless look.
So he was the Astrologer and the Sword Saint’s disciple. It was fine then. Becoming the disciples of both of them required a lot of talent, so it was not surprising that Watson could solve the difficult question quickly.
“The next question is even more difficult.”
Klein waved his hand, and his subordinates immediately walked out. They held a chessboard eight times eight in their hands and placed it in front of Watson. “The second difficult question is to use coins to fill up that chessboard. The requirement is that the number of coins placed in the back of the chessboard must be twice that of the previous one, and the total number of coins must be copied in each of the squares.”
“That problem is simple. I can do it.” Lily began to take out money from her pocket, but Charlotte stopped her. “Silly Lily, you have been eliminated. There is no chance.”
Then, Charlotte turned her head. “It seems that that problem is much simpler than the previous one. As long as there is enough money, it can be placed and completed. Watson should be able to complete it easily.”
“Is that problem really that simple? Why does it feel wrong?” Lana frowned and stroked her chin with her fingers.
“What kind of problem is that? It’s too simple. I think we can complete the challenge with a few hundred gold coins. Let me do it.” Nightingale, who was standing next to Watson, was yawning because arithmetic was not her strong point. When she saw that there was actually such a project, she immediately became interested and wanted to take action. Before she could take out her money, Watson stopped her. “Nightingale, don’t act so rashly. The problem is not that simple. It is an unsolvable problem! To use coins to fill up the 64 squares, even gold coins that can cover the entire royal city would not be enough.”
“Young Master, are you sure that is the answer? You’re the only one who pa.s.sed the question just now. If you answer that question incorrectly, the one million gold coins will be gone.” Klein fanned the flames as he revealed a regretful expression.