Chapter 1520

The competition event on Wednesday was the most important and also the most spectacular, "Jousting." 36 people were divided into 18 groups for duels, and the winners advanced to the next round until the final winner was determined.

Of course, because one of the contestants had passed away ahead of schedule, a lucky person received a bye in the first round. Everyone who heard the news of the death during the drawing of lots hoped they would be the one to get a bye, and even Xia De felt it would be best if he could save some effort, but unfortunately, he didn't have that kind of luck this time.

Because it was an armored duel, all contestants arrived early to prepare their armor and horses. Because Dorothy was not there, Tifa led the maids to help Xia De put on his armor, and then watched him ride his horse into the arena.

Xia De's first opponent was Mr. Duen Wiswo, his "teammate" from the first two rounds. This gentleman rode a purebred Mirtilis prairie black horse. In addition to being armored himself, he had also prepared metal blinders and a quite beautiful-looking horse blanket for his horse.

The two gentlemen stepped on the stirrups, holding a sword in one hand and the reins in the other. They first made simple contact to test each other, and then carried out their first clash. Then, while gripping his wooden sword with a numb hand, Mr. Duen Wiswo reached a terrifying conclusion:

"My speed and strength are far inferior to his."

Thus, Xia De won the first match without any surprise.

The competition for the 35 contestants required a total of 5 rounds, which meant the competition started at 9:00 in the morning and lasted until sunset, and it had only just reached the end of the third round. The four contestants who advanced to the semi-finals included Xia De and Mr. Eric Follen, whose younger brother was unfortunately defeated by his own hand.

Throughout the day's competition, the cheering in the arena stands never ceased. The terrible accident that occurred around the arena last night did not affect the lively atmosphere at all. And every time a contestant appeared, the audience would shout their names loudly.

For an Outlander, the feeling when the name "Xia De Hamilton" was shouted out loudly was quite subtle. Although he had never liked being the focus of too much attention, he did not dislike chasing honor and rewards in such a festive atmosphere.

The remaining matches would be held on Thursday, which would also be the final day of the 1854 Tobesk City Round-the-City Equestrian Competition. Therefore, when the sun set, all the "Knights" led their horses to gather in the arena to express their gratitude to Queen Diana, who had been present for three consecutive days, and then they left the arena through different exits.

"Xia De!"

The blonde writer lady who had come over in the afternoon waved her handkerchief excitedly to welcome Xia De's return. Tifa held Mia, smiling as she stood beside her and nodded at Xia De.

Xia De had worn this set of armor for almost the entire day. Although this was nothing for his physical strength, he still breathed a sigh of relief when he took it off.

And just as Dorothy and the maids were helping Xia De change his clothes, just as Dorothy had said yesterday, the handkerchiefs, letters expressing admiration, and even garters sent by servants were already piled up on the table closest to the tent exit.

"You are probably the most popular contestant this year."

While straightening Xia De's collar in front of the mirror, the blonde girl said with a smile:

"Handsome, young, with strength in your waist and arms, and although your family assets are not much, you have a house on St. Deran Square. Except for the rumors with Galina Cavendish, you almost never hear any negative news about yourself, and you are still unmarried. Xia De, you have no idea how popular you are in the city."

"I don't think I'm as popular as Lei Qianya. Tomorrow is the last day of the competition. I think Lei Qianya should have already prepared for the activities at the banquet tomorrow night, right?"

Xia De asked, and Dorothy in the mirror winked at Xia De:

"Of course it's prepared, but there can only be a reward if you win the championship. This is what we agreed on from the beginning."

There was a small interlude before returning to Galina Manor that evening. Hou Jue Ensis, a local of Tobesk who had been defeated by Xia De in the afternoon, came to entrust Xia De with helping to find lost items, introduced by Xia De's good friend, Baron Lu Anda.

"Miss, Mr. Hamilton, the visitors are Mr. Michelson Scott, Deputy Chief of the Ridgewich Police Station, Mr. Malin, a senior detective from Ridgewich Yard, and Mr. Roman, an attendant from Yoder Palace."

"What are these people looking for me for?"

Xia De did not quite understand either, but he still had the maid invite the three of them up.

The three gentlemen soon arrived on the second floor. When they saw Miss Jia Jia Lin Na sitting with Xia De, they all stopped in panic and bowed respectfully to greet her:

"Good day, Miss Jia Jia Lin Na."

The Duchess had no intention of talking to them, and Xia De did not get up from the dining table:

"Gentlemen, good morning. May I ask what is the matter?"

He asked.

"Good morning, Mr. Hamilton."

The Deputy Chief of Ridgewich Yard, whom Xia De had only seen in newspapers, greeted him quite nervously:

"It's like this, there is a matter that requires your cooperation in the investigation. Something happened last night, but it hasn't hit the newspapers yet. His Majesty is very concerned about this matter, so he sent Mr. Roman to visit the suspects with us... I mean, people related to this matter."

He did not hide the gist of the matter:

"The second son of the Duke of Serich, Mr. Enhor Serich, was murdered outside the Edward III Arena outside the city last night."

"Who is that?"

Xia De blinked, and then thought of it. That was the person who had specifically provoked him because of his admiration for Princess Lei Qianya before the competition yesterday morning. It was just that after Xia De won first place in the horse race in the morning, that young Mr. Serich did not come to find him again.

He noticed that Miss Difa and Miss Jia Jia Lin Na both glanced at him. They also knew about this, and then both thought of the topic of the "accidentally lost handkerchief" at the dining table just now.

But this time Xia De really didn't do anything:

"That gentleman was murdered?"

He said with great surprise. At least ten people saw the "conflict" between Mr. Serich and Xia De yesterday, so he did indeed have some suspicion. And the reason why the King attached importance to this matter was because this was the first contestant to die during the competition this year. This gentleman unfortunately used up the only death quota for this year:

"No problem, please ask me. However, if my suspicion is ruled out, please also tell me more details about the case."

"Of course that's fine."

Deputy Chief Michelson Scott nodded, then turned to signal Senior Detective Malin to speak, and the latter was obviously not very willing to accept this job:

"Mr. Hamilton, may I ask what time you left the Edward III Arena last night?"

Xia De recalled:

"Around 5:30, after the competition ended, I left with my friend, Miss Dorothy Louisa, and the maids. Afterwards, we went to Miss Jia Jia Lin Na's manor for dinner, and returned to the city from outside the city around 7:00."

"May I ask if it is convenient to describe your itinerary after returning to the city in detail?"

"Of course, but there's nothing to say. After returning to the city, I sent Miss Dorothy Louisa to Quill Street in the University District—her apartment is there—and then I returned to 6 St. Theresa Square. After that, I didn't go out."

Xia De said, and Mr. Malin confirmed cautiously:

"That is to say, between 8:00 last night and 1:00 this morning, you were in this house the whole time?"

"Yes, I am very sure of that."

"Then, is there anyone who can prove your whereabouts?"

The senior detective asked, and the Duchess, who had been silent, spoke up:

"I can prove it."

She glanced at Xia De, the corners of her lips curling into a smile: