Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 214 Night Banquet
The stone gate opened.

Then, a scene he had never seen before appeared before Li Wei's eyes.

The magnificent hall, teeming with people, looked as if a grand banquet were being held. People from all walks of life wore clothes Li Wei had never seen before, resembling styles from ancient Greece—like those depicted in frescoes…

"What is this place?"

Just then, Katie's voice rang out from the side. Levi turned around and found that not only her, but also Olivia and Anne were standing beside him with surprised expressions, looking around curiously.

“Mr. Li Wei? What’s going on? I remember I was just sleeping…”

Katie looked around, puzzled. Annie, on the other hand, frowned and pondered for a moment.

Are we dreaming?

“That’s right.”

However, the answer she received wasn't from Li Wei, but from an unexpected, leisurely voice. Hearing this voice, Li Wei raised an eyebrow, looked up towards the source of the sound, and saw a woman dressed like a cat lying on a shelf not far from them, her arms crossed, her tail swishing back and forth, watching them with a grin.

Cheshire cat.

"you again?"

"Yes, it's me again."

The Cheshire Cat chuckled as it faced Livy.

"But unfortunately, it's me, and yet it's not me."

"What do you mean?"

"It means that it is indeed me here, but I have nothing to do with this dream, so it is not me."

"You mean, you didn't bring us into this dream?"

"Of course, I'm just a dream observer. You see, like the Cheshire Cat, just watching with a grin, that's all..."

"So what exactly is this dream...?"

"Ah, hello, distinguished guests."

Just as Li Wei was about to ask something else, a friendly servant walked over, so Li Wei had to turn around and look at him.

"Welcome to the King's Palace. I suppose you're here for the banquet as well."

"Yes."

Li Wei nodded, then looked at the girls beside him.

"I'm sorry, we came in such a hurry that we didn't prepare any decent gifts."

"Ah, please don't worry about that. The King welcomes all guests. Distinguished guests, please follow me."

As he spoke, the servant gestured for the four to follow him. Li Wei glanced at the stand again; the Cheshire Cat that had been lying on it was nowhere to be seen.

It seems that there is no other way but to follow the other party.

Following the servants, the group left the hall, passed through the corridor, and arrived at the banquet hall at the back. It looked almost exactly like the palace used for New Year's banquets; hand-woven carpets hung on the walls, inlaid with colorful jewels. The surrounding firelight was exceptionally bright, illuminating the entire banquet hall.

The place was bustling with crowds of people dressed in all sorts of ways. Most of them wore robes, while some wore armor. Li Wei even saw a man who looked like a barbarian warrior from a game, shirtless.

"That's really surprising."

Seeing this scene, Annie's eyes widened, and a hint of excitement appeared on her usually expressionless face.

"These costumes are from the time of Emperor Arthur... We could only admire them from murals before, I never imagined that one day we would be able to witness them in person..."

"So, we're here for a banquet?"

Katie glanced to the side, then hid behind Levi.

"We don't have an invitation, do we? What if the owner finds out and kicks us out?"

"That's hard to say. In any case, let's take a look around first."

Li Wei gestured for the three to calm down, then he walked to the side to listen to the conversation of the others.

Regardless, gathering intelligence is the most important thing first.

Li Wei's first target was a group of men in long robes not far away. They all had beards and gleaming scalps, clearly high-ranking officials. He imagined they were discussing something important in this setting. So Li Wei moved closer, carefully maneuvering himself out of their line of sight, and stood behind a pillar a short distance away, beginning to listen to their conversation.

"Is the king really going to embark on this expedition? I still don't quite agree with it."

“That’s right, that guy named Arthur deceived the king with sweet words, but what can we do? We’ve advised the king more than once, but he remains stubborn…”

"That's understandable. Just think about it: to completely conquer this continent and unify the entire world! How wonderful that would be! Those who achieve this will surely be remembered in history!"

"However, there can only be one king."

At that moment, a cold, hoarse voice rang out.

"Could it be that everything our king has done was merely to benefit that scoundrel?"

"It's still uncertain who will emerge victorious. Who can guarantee that the smooth-talking guy will be the last one standing?"

At this point, the group had nothing more to say and gradually dispersed, while Li Wei also changed direction.

Hmm…it seems I guessed right. This must be King Solomon's banquet, and judging from the looks of it, King Solomon's men are very dissatisfied with Emperor Arthur. Thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. Olivia mentioned that, according to records, King Solomon was highly respected, so those who respected and loved him certainly wouldn't be content with simply offering their loyalty and becoming someone else's subjects.

As he pondered this, Li Wei approached another group of people and began listening to their conversation.

"If the king leaves here, what will happen to this territory?"

"Without a king, can we govern this territory well on our own?"

"The king will announce his successor to govern this territory at this banquet. Let's wait and see." "I think the eldest prince will stay."

"How could that be? The eldest prince is clearly going to go on this training trip with the king. I think the king might choose one of his close advisors as his proxy..."

"That's impossible! You mean that treacherous owl? If we let him be our proxy, this country is doomed! I still support the eldest prince! We've already lost our king; we can't afford to lose the eldest prince too!"

"but……………"

It seems this is indeed a banquet rife with undercurrents.

Li Wei gradually pieced together the current situation from these conversations.

King Solomon, persuaded by King Arthur, was about to lead his army on a journey to conquer the entire continent, despite the dissuasion of many of his ministers. This banquet was King Solomon's final farewell feast before his departure.

At this banquet, King Solomon will not only announce his departure but also appoint the successor to rule his kingdom. Therefore, the people gathered here are discussing matters of concern to them.

Some were worried about the status of King Solomon and Emperor Arthur, some were concerned about the future of the land after King Solomon's departure, and others were racking their brains over who would rule the land next.

Well, I have to say, ruling a region is a lot of trouble.

So Li Wei never liked this job. Being a detective was so much better; there was always free gossip to be had, and he didn't have to take any responsibility.

In Li Wei's view, this is why most detectives like their job: people beg you to solve cases, uncover all sorts of secrets, enjoy the spoils, and then leave the mess for others to clean up.

No need for condoms, no responsibility, just enjoy yourself.

Li Wei returned to the three girls and told them what he had learned.

"Wait, could this be that banquet? I heard that King Solomon went berserk at this banquet?"

Olivia clearly remembered the story she had told Levi.

"Maybe so, we'll just have to wait and see."

"But why are we here? We don't even know this Solomon."

Katie raised her question with a puzzled expression.

"Perhaps it's because this monastery is where Solomon was sealed? Who knows? Anyway..."

Li Wei glanced at Anne beside him, who was staring intently at the maid next to her, muttering to herself as she carefully examined the maid's clothes from head to toe.

If Li Wei hadn't known that Annie was an archaeology major, she would have been a monster.

However, considering that Annie didn't pounce on him and tear off his clothes, it can be said that she was quite rational.

"Waaaaah—!"

Just then, a series of horn sounds rang out, and then the gate opened. Li Wei then saw several nobles dressed in fine clothes and adorned with jewels walk in through the gate.

Leading the way was a man with dark brown curly hair and a large beard. He looked to be in his fifties, with a muscular build and a golden longsword hanging at his waist.

Beside the man was a woman about ten years younger than him, who looked very elegant and had a smile on her face.

Behind the two men stood a young man in his twenties, also muscular and robust, looking almost identical to the man in front. However, unlike the former, this young man had a very serious and focused expression, making him appear completely unprepared for a banquet.

Beside the young man was a girl who looked about the same age as Katie and the others. She had fair skin and was beautiful and lovely. However, at this moment, the girl looked worried and distressed, which was a pity.

"That was King Solomon."

Annie also came to her senses at this moment, and like a tour guide introducing a historical mural, she began to explain it to Li Wei and the others in a low voice.

"Beside him was his queen, Lülana, and behind them were his son and daughter. Unfortunately, history doesn't record much about them..."

"Everyone!"

As they were talking, King Solomon arrived before the throne, and he looked at the guests before him with a warm smile.

"As you all know, I am about to lead my army away from here on a journey to conquer the entire continent! Some may say this is just wishful thinking. But I want to live out this dream! To conquer the world, to eliminate all divisions, and to unite everyone in harmony! Gentlemen, is there any dream greater than this?"

"Oooo!!"

As King Solomon spoke, the crowd raised their hands and cheered loudly. Then King Solomon clapped his hands, and several servants carried out a wine barrel.

"This is a gift from Arthur, golden honey from the City of Gold! Today, let us drink this golden wine to our hearts' content and strive for a better tomorrow!"

As King Solomon spoke, he reached out and smashed the lid of the barrel. Then a servant brought him a cup, and King Solomon took the cup, scooped up the wine from the barrel, and distributed it to his wife and children.

Then, the guests also received their share of the wine from the barrel, including Li Wei and the others.

Finally, King Solomon took the wine cup and raised it high.

"Gentlemen, for a better future!"

"For our king!"

The guests raised their glasses, and then everyone looked up and drank it all in one gulp.

After finishing his drink, King Solomon sat down on his throne with a smile, and his wife sat down beside him and coughed softly.

"What's wrong? My beloved wife?"

"I, I..."

Lyrana raised her head and looked at King Solomon. She opened her mouth as if to say something. But the next moment, Lyrana's expression changed drastically. She reached out and covered her throat, her eyes widened, and she coughed up a mouthful of blood.

The next moment, she collapsed to the ground!
"Lülana!"

Seeing his wife's strange condition, King Solomon was horrified. He rushed forward and helped Lyrana to her feet. But Lyrana's eyes were wide open, blood was flowing from her seven orifices, and she was completely unresponsive.

Everyone was stunned by what they saw.

King Solomon's wife just died in front of everyone like that...?
(End of this chapter)