Dorothy had initially thought Xia De had prepared in advance for this conversation, but as he spoke, she realized that Xia De seemed to genuinely understand.
“The predecessor of knight novels was epic poetry. However, unlike traditional hero legends, the protagonists of knight novels mostly fight alone for personal endeavors, sometimes purely for adventure, and these adventures usually unfold in imagined environments. As knight novels developed into the contemporary era, with the decline of the knightly class, the adventurous component in the stories continuously diminished, while the components of love and lust strengthened, thus giving rise to some dirty creative genres.”
Xia De shook his head slightly:
“In my opinion, compared to the ancient knight novels of several centuries ago, contemporary knight novels are gradually abandoning the spirit of chivalry, as well as the adventurous spirit displayed to defend love, honor, or religion. But this is also understandable; after all, the true knightly class has disappeared. When the root of creation vanishes, literary creation is like duckweed without roots on the water’s surface—no matter how good it looks, you’ll know it’s empty underneath once you touch it.”
“Very well said!”
Professor Mulder Gothe said, raising his wine glass.
This bearded middle-aged man indeed possessed some of the temperament of a literary master; he had not only made unique contributions in essay writing but also showed considerable attainments in popular literature.
The others also quietly agreed with Xia De’s view. This wasn’t because what Xia De said was particularly profound, but rather because in this era, it had become common for upper-class literati to criticize knight novels. Although not all knight novels leaned towards the lower strata, literature that gradually became reliant on eroticism and vulgar language as selling points was indeed no longer suitable for this era.
Xia De chose to talk about knight novels because he knew that no one would defend knight novels in a public setting at the Queen’s birthday banquet.
“However, Mr. Hamilton, it’s quite a strange thing for you, an ennobled Knight, to say that knight novels have declined.”
Said Lady Yeva Swift of Carson Rick, whose delarion was not very good, and she spoke relatively slowly.
“But that is also the truth. However, in my opinion, the decline of old-style knight novels also represents the rise of new-style knight novels.”
“Oh?”
His words naturally attracted the attention of many people, and even Dorothy looked at Xia De in surprise.
In her opinion, Xia De was not the kind of person who would boast in an unfamiliar field, and saying such things in a gathering of many Writers seemed inappropriate no matter how she heard it.
“Then, Knight, how do you define what you call new-style knight novels?”
Asked playwright Mr. Proxy Newman. Although his appearance and attire leaned towards the feminine, his voice was quite normal.
“It’s simple. Old-style knight novels focused more on depicting battles against powerful enemies or even monsters in the wilderness and countryside, returning triumphantly after winning the highest knightly honor, becoming prominent figures, and marrying Noblewoman or a distant princess. But for our era, where would anyone still adventure in the countryside and wilderness? Gentlemen, literature must align with the background and tone of the times.”
His words indeed garnered agreement from the people.
“Therefore, I believe that in so-called new-style knight novels, the main stage of adventure should be placed in the City. This is the most familiar place for civilized people who can read and enjoy reading to pass the time.”
“Makes sense.”
Poet Miles Garoff said, stroking his chin. Most people were now listening to Xia De’s “lofty pronouncements.”
“Secondly, the trope of the Knight defeating bandits, monsters, and evil spirits to gain honor is too cliché. In City adventures, where would there be opportunities to casually kill people? Therefore, the stories of new-style knight novels should not aim to kill a powerful target as before, but rather to fight evil with more civilized means on the main stage of the City.”
Xia De, quickening his pace before others could react to what he was about to say, continued:
“A man living in a steam City, skilled in combat, proficient in mathematics, grammar, astronomy, and mechanical engineering, using his private apartment as a base, traversing through mist and steam, mingling in slums and the Lower City, frequenting clubs and aristocratic salons. He has close ties with the poor but can also win the favor of important figures. He fights crime, earns rewards, disguises himself in the night and shadows to gather information, targets mysterious criminals as his number one enemy, and even meets Noblewoman and princesses through missions, ultimately achieving a happy life at the end of the story…”
“Isn’t that just Detective novels?”
Finally, someone understood what Xia De was trying to say, and people broke free from the scene Xia De’s words had created. For the people of this era, the scene Xia De depicted had a sense of reality and vividness.
Everyone laughed because Xia De was a Detective, and Xia De nodded very seriously:
“Yes, so I believe that the new-style knight novel that should become popular in the coming era is the Detective novel. Detective novels are bound to succeed.”
As he spoke, Xia De turned his head and smiled at Golden-haired girl again, and people seemed to understand something, revealing kind smiles.
His previous words sounded a bit boastful, but Xia De’s purpose seemed to be to win the favor of his companion, as Dorothy Louisa was currently the most popular Detective novel Writer.
Thus, Xia De’s earlier statement could be explained as romantic, so it wouldn’t cause people to dislike it. Moreover, what Xia De had just said seemed to have some truth to it.
Dorothy’s eyes seemed to sparkle as she looked at Xia De:
“So, the Detective is the contemporary Knight?”
She asked softly, but before Xia De could speak, the foreign Lady from Carson Rick said:
“Then, Mr. Hamilton, as a Detective, aren’t you the Knight living in this chaotic and complex Northern Pearl?”
Perhaps because the words slipped out, she used carson rick. Xia De could understand carson rick, so he curled his tongue and said with a smile:
“Yes, madam.”
This was also carson rick; he could manage such simple expressions.
Lady Yeva Swift covered her mouth and chuckled, continuing to praise Xia De in carson rick, while the people around them also expressed their views on knight novels.
Only Dorothy remained there, looking at Xia De:
“Detective…”
“What’s wrong?”
Xia De looked at her too, the gaslights and crystal chandeliers above illuminating them both. In Xia De’s eyes, Dorothy was exceptionally pretty today, and in Dorothy’s eyes, the spirited Xia De seemed somewhat different from usual.
After a slight daze, she smiled and shook her head:
“Queen Diana will be out in five minutes.”
Xia De, the “illiterate” who gained his Knight status by “saving Queen Diana,” seemed to have been immediately regarded as one of their own by the Writers here after his critique of knight novels and insights into new-style novels.
While the Queen had not yet appeared, Xia De took out his prepared business cards and exchanged them with people, also to expand his network and solicit business. These wealthy people generally offered high prices for commissions.
People were naturally happy to get to know the Detective of Saint Delan Square. Aside from the relationship between Xia De and Jialinna, which no one dared to mention yet, Xia De himself had some skill as a Detective. In the past two months, every commission he had taken was successfully completed.
When the sound of a horn suddenly blared, the lively banquet hall fell silent, and then everyone stood up. This was a sign that Queen Diana was about to appear.
First, a small squad of Yodel Palace guards swiftly descended the stairs from the third floor. They were all clad in heavy armor painted with the royal crest, with longswords and pistols at their waists.
After clearing a path from the third-floor stairs to the second-floor balcony, horn players wearing soft hats and red cloaks with a strong old-era style also came down from the third floor, standing on either side of the cleared path.
Reporters gathered on the balcony, setting up their cameras aimed at the third-floor staircase entrance. Half of the people on the first floor moved to the second floor, while the other half went directly into the courtyard to look up.
Amidst whispers, the low sound of the horn gradually faded to an extreme low, but after a few turns, its tone suddenly became clear and loud again.
The guests’ voices completely quieted down, and everyone looked up towards the top of the third-floor stairs.
First, several maids came out, followed by Marchioness Xiula, Duchess Randall, and several other Noblewoman. They stood on the middle of the stairs and looked up with everyone else. As the horn sound reached its crescendo, Queen Diana, wearing a crown and a silver-white gown, finally emerged, surrounded by several princesses, and the person supporting her hand was Angelina Cavendish, dressed in a blue princess gown.
Although Queen Diana was no longer young compared to her daughter, appearing here at this moment, adorned with her attire and accessories, she seemed to be sparkling.
She smiled at everyone below, and the applause almost drowned out all the horn sounds at this moment. And the smoke and flashes from an entire row of exploding flashlights made the scene even more wonderful.
Xia De and Dorothy stood together with the other Writers at the back of the crowd, looking up, and applauded along with everyone else.
After lightly applauding, Dorothy turned and hid behind the taller Xia De to avoid seeing Leia. Xia De, on tiptoe, looked up at the stairs. He first saw Leia pulling the Queen’s skirt, and the red-haired girls and youths around her were likely the princesses and princes of the country.
Then he saw Miss Jialinna; the Witch followed behind Queen Diana. She was also dressed elegantly today, and although she maintained that graceful and proper smile on her face, no matter how Xia De looked, he felt that the Witch seemed a bit distracted.
