Herald of Steel

Alexander was stuck on the puzzle for a good five minutes, unable to come up with an exact answer. He knew he was close- the sentence had to have either the son or army in it, but the final format still eluded him.

Hence he racked his brain, while also beginning to appreciate the man who came up with it, feeling quite impressed that the capital actually had such intelligent men.

All while behind him, many of his soldiers were starting to 'break down' into hushed and excited whispers.

They had never come across such a situation before and thus after trying for a bit and seeing they were making no progress, thought the puzzle had no answer.

And this was perhaps a very good example of how most of the people felt about the meister exams- nonsensical and fathomless.

This was also one of the main origin points of statements like, 'These high level learning stuff are not for us. We lowly peasants and these lords and priests are different! It is best we each stick to our own!'

As for how they reconciled the fact that many of these priests were also once peasants and commoners, well, it was quite easy really.

They thought these commoners were 'misplaced' by the gods and those who passed the exams had always belonged to the elite- it was just they did not know it.

You had to give it to the general populace- despite their many shortcomings, they were anything if not imaginative.

Far less creative however were Alexander's bodyguards, who by now had moved away from trying to solve the puzzle and were instead debating who would be brave enough to step up and inform the Pasha of this heinous trick.

Naturally, their very first pick was Hemicus but the man turned down the whole thing with a glare- 'Your job is your stand guard. Not advise the Lord.' was the message.

Although that did not deter some of the most determined men, who were eager to 'save' their Pasha and boost their careers.

'Imagine catching a fraud Meister priest in front of the pasha. Even becoming a legion commander is not impossible!' Many salivated.

Fortunately, before someone foolish tried to call Darrus out, Alexander chimed in a slightly testing voice,

"This statement is false. Can it be something like this? It is both true and false at the same time."

Darrus lightly shook his head with a pleasant smile, "I am afraid not my lord. Remember, I said the giant hates paradoxes."

The crisp voice sounded a bit amused as if the man had heard this answer dozens of times.

Alexander had half expected this, but it still put him in a ruminative daze.

While seeing the Pasha struggling, the meister priest's smirk broadened, and offered with a cunning glint, "Would you like to wish for a clue my lord? You can ask….. Only then my price will double."

Now if Alexander wanted, he could easily afford this- 70,000 ropal or 140,000 ropal was not that much of a big difference for him, he was that filthy rich.

The only barrier was his pride.

"...." Always feeling inherently superior to the rest, Alexander could never lower himself to buy the answer. Not when he knew it was quite simple and he just had to think a bit.

Thus he simply gritted his teeth and dimmed his eyes in thought.

While from the opposite, Darrus continued to tempt in a smooth silky voice,

"This puzzle is actually from my graduation exam. And it came with a hint. There is no shame in asking my lord."

It might have sounded like he was coaxing Alexander, however the latter took it as a kind of gloating.

Who knew if this was actually true and even if it was, Alexander could never settle for being equal to Darrus, he had to be superior.

So there was a great battle of gear grinding going on inside his head as Alexander tried to compute all the relevant possible combinations,

'Hmmm, I could say, "You will let my army enter the cave,' and the giant could say, "That's true," and let me enter. The same could happen for my son.'

'But conversely, the giant could say "That is false. I will not let your army enter the cave. Hence I will let your son go." And the same thing would happen for my son.'

'What to say… what to.. Wait! Will the statement for my son really be same?.. Hmmm.. No, no it won't!'

Alexander had been repeatedly skipping the last sentence to save time, thinking it was just a repeat of the former conclusion.

But now that he decided to take his time and actually 'show his work'...Alexander was at last able to hit the eureka.

A great big grin instantly bloomed on his face.

"Hahaha, it seems my lord has found the five worded magic sentence," While seeing this Darrus cleverly sneaked in his clue, hoping to see what kind of reaction the Pasha would have hearing this.

If he faltered and paused, then obviously his conclusion was wrong. And the meister priest would 'win'. As for the lost money… well Darrus did make it very clear he was not that interested in it anyway.

Unfortunately for the man, Alexander gave an agreeing nod to the words, his wild grin further widening,

"Indeed, the saying is- 'You will free my son'!"

"Hahaha, indeed, indeed, as expected of my lord." Darrus gave a heart laugh vigorously nodding his head, "None of the noble lords managed to give me the answer. The Matbar (Marquis) had but it was not from his own. One of his retainers helped."

It was only then Alexander understood that the no comment about the restriction on collaboration was a trap.

If Alexander had decided to consult his men about the problem, Darrus would probably say something like,

'I am sorry, as my master, you are supposed to be better than me on your own. What? There was no barring about it? Of course, there was not. This is common sense. I said I would belong to the one who answers the puzzle. So if twenty people answers the puzzle together, should I belong to twenty people?'

As he understood this, Alexander thoroughly became impressed by Darrus's intelligence.

'So that's how it is! There were actually two puzzles combined into one, that's how you got three puzzles!'

'The 'second puzzle' had one part open and flashy, and the other hidden and covert. It tested not only one's logical skills but perhaps more importantly social and political skills as well- one's ability to pick out of the meaning of the unsaid. What a genius!'

'The puzzle itself should indeed be something that can be found on a test paper, but the latter…. I am sure Darrus added this on his own. What brilliant intelligence!'

Alexander repeated this conclusion by praising the man twice, feeling a surge of excitement in him as he felt he had just discovered a gem.

He always appreciated talent, especially high level talent like Darrus.

But then again this level was hardly surprising when you recalled the priest had managed to slip through a god king's grasp with all his body parts intact.

People had ended far worse for far far less.

So there was really no question that Darrus was really, really smart.

And this smart man now decided to once again test Alexander, posing,

"Then my lord, might you explain why your answer is correct. Hehehe, the men behind you appear very confused."

Alexander was so chaffed with the man and so happy at the solve that he momentarily forgot his position as the pasha and decided to answer the enslaved man with a quick, almost obedient nod,
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"Because the statement is both true and false depending on how one interprets it. If the giant does not release my son- then the statement becomes false and the giant, by its own rules, has to free my son. But then that would make the statement true, making the statement paradoxically true and false."

"The giant however hates paradoxes and would never willingly create one. So his only option is for the statement to be true."

"And if, "You will free my son" is true, then the giant by its own rules, will also have to let my army enter the caves since it was a true statement."

"Hahaha, indeed, indeed, brilliant, brilliant," Darrus clapped his hands in glee, then narrowing his crystal blue eyes, smiled,

"The name of the Pasha of Zanzan reverberates like thunder even in the capital. It is said his skills both in court and battlefield are legendary. I never doubted it. But still to see it for myself… it is my honor to serve your Lord Alexander!"

At this point, the man gave a regal bow while Alexander became a little stunned.

He at last replied with a deep chuckle,

"Pasha of Zanzan. Hehehe, why do say that?" not confirming nor denying the words.

"There were various clues my lord. First of all, when you heard me offend the king, your first reaction was of curiosity. Most nobles would go horrified. Then there were several times you forgot to add Your Majesty to his mane. And lastly, there was your accent and your huge entourage."

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