I : III

The crowd attention was steered back to Smith explanation.

As if the whole conversation never exist between me and the crowd, Smith resumed his explanation. "First, I like to stress out that the riddle couldn't be solved if we used only a key for each attempt."

"So from the first attempt, substitute each key to any of the three box. By doing this, there is one third possibility that all of the box was unlocked in only single attempt."

"Lets assume, that our first try unlocked no box, well, it certainly pose no problem if our first try unlock just one box right?"

Mr. Zacharia Lion, detective from Romania, butt into the explanation, "But of course. If only one key hit the right box, meant that the other two box just has its right key simply crossed to each other."

Mr. Anthony Smith : "That is exactly what I meant. See, a box opened in the first try meant that key 'A' happen to come across box 'A'. The fact that only one box opened also tell that key 'B' was in box 'C', and vice versa, simple."

"Now, with assumption that we failed our first attempt, in second try, we should substitute each of the key to a different box. If that leave us with the same result as the first try, keep on doing the same and ensure that in our last try, the selection of the box and the key will be different from first and second try. By doing this, we will secure 2 box by the third try."

"And by the fourth try, we will open all of the box."

Amid the gathering of the world renowned detectives, Rudolph actually teased mr. Anthony for his explanation. Mr. Holmes just silently watched his son from where he seated.

"Mr, I think that you have forgotten the rule, you know?", Rudolph said.

While Erza almost fallen asleep for waiting mr. Smith to complete his deduction, the crowd turn their attention to rudolph, and started to laugh.

Rudolph : "Eh? Why are you guys laughing? The rule clearly mentioned that after three fails attempt, all three box will be locked for the next 7 years."

Mr. Smith : "My my, you are truly perceptive aren't you?"

Rudolph was confused to those replied by mr. Smith.

Mr. Smith add, "Mr. Dexter, care to explain?"

"Yeah, yeah."

Mr. Dexter : "Boy, see how those rule should be understood first."

"The rule by itself was a bit deceiving, while in fact was not. If the statement, 'After three failed attempt' were to mean 'The box need to be unlocked in just three attempt', then the riddle is impossible."

"But if the rule actually meant 'After three consecutives failed attempt', then the riddle is not impossible.

Mr. Adam Smith add, "And well, since someone made the riddle, of course the person intended the riddle to be solved, isn't?"

The Owner : "Amazing. Amazing. It was truly spectacular. I would have expected no less from all of you wise gentleman."

The owner gave a round of applause to all of the detectives for their explanation. As the owner decided to open the box in the way suggested, Erza asked the curious question.

"Before you open the box, may I ask a question?"

The owner : "Go ahead."

Erza : "Sir, if I'm not mistaken, have you been holding onto this box for 20 years?"

The owner : "Yes."

Erza : "Isn't strange in this span of 20 years were you unable to think of a way to open it?"

The owner was stunned with those question.The crowd began to notice them too.

The boy : "Sir, you see, even if you do not know how to solve it the way we are, you can try using the same key to unlock different box each for 7 years."

Except for Holmes who silently watched the reaction of the crowd of the detectives,

6 of the world renowned detectives,

Anthony Smith, world number one from Germany,

Jack Clinton, world number six from Denmark,

Johnny Dexter, world number two from Ireland,

Zacharia Lion, world number five from Romania,

Isaac Watson, world number three from France,

Abell Ferrell, world number four from Belgium,

all taught of the same thing;

"That is true.."

Once again, the crowd were amazed by how delicate Erza's mind goes for noticing such detail. As the atmosphere began to tense up even more, the world number six asked the owner,

Mr. Clinton : "His point is that, what was your real intention for inviting us all?"

The owner remain silent.

Mr. Watson : "Certainly it was not for us to unlock the box, right?"

The owner continued to remain silent.

"Ahem."

As I intentionally clears my throat to draw the owner's attention to ask again, the whole crowd turned their attention to me again.

*Duh, I didn't put this disguise on so I can draw attention!*

"Sir, I know that you didn't mention it but, the inside of this box is not a treasure, right?"

The crowd was surprised. One of them asked the owner,

"Mr. Owner, are you telling us a lie? Did it not mention in the invitation card?"

~Those who solve the riddle will be granted a treasure~

The crowd yelled and began to voice out their disappointment,

"Is it pointless to come here?"

"Are you lying the whole time?"

As they anxiously waiting for the answer, the owner spoke.

The owner : "Indeed. What lies inside of the box is not a treasure."

Almost all of the crowd were angered and felt they were lied by the temptation of getting the treasures. The atmosphere was getting to tense even more, that I felt the air was getting hotter by second.

In order to cool down the situation, the owner started to explain what the reason was behind those suspicious act.

Mr. Owner : "Hold on, hold on."

"I did mentioned in the invitation card, that those who solve the riddle will claim the treasure. But I don't say there is only one riddle you need to solve."

"The three box, if there is way to put it, is a first riddle out of thirteen riddle you need to solve, before securing the treasure."

"But kid," the owner turned his focus towards me,

"You are correct."

"I did unlock the box, 20 years ago."