Becoming a Phantom Thief from the World of American Comics

Hearing Barbara's words, Dick's pupils shrank instantly.

"Listen to your implication, have you already solved it?"

Dick asked anxiously.

"What do you think, if you don't solve it, wouldn't it be meaningless for me to ask you?"

Barbara smiled triumphantly, "You must be racking your brains to understand the notice letter now, and you can't wait to know what is written on it, right?"

"Stop teasing me, just tell me!"

Dick hurriedly urged.

Seeing that he was in such a hurry, Barbara stopped keeping her secrets and asked seriously, "Do you know Roman numerals?"

"Roman numerals? Of course I know, but what does this have to do with Kaitou Kidd's notice?"

Dick frowned and asked, "But even with the Roman counting method, 20 times 3 doesn't equal 4."

"That's because the real values ​​of the three numbers '20', '3' and '4' are not what they appear on the surface. They may not be specific numbers, but a serial number!"

"Serial number?"

Barbara reminded: "Do you remember the seven basic symbols of Roman numerals?"

"I(1), V(5), X(10), L(50), C(100), D(500), M(1000)...etc!"

When Dick recalled the seven symbols, a flash of inspiration came to his mind.

"If '20', '3' and '4' are regarded as serial numbers in Latin letters, it means that they must be replaced with corresponding letters first, and then substituted into Roman numerals...Huh? Not right!"

Just halfway through the deduction of inspiration, the joy on Dick's face suddenly stagnated, "If you interpret it according to the alphabetical number, then 3 is C which is equivalent to one hundred, 4 is D which is equivalent to five hundred, but 20 is T, not in the basic symbols of Roman numerals."

Hearing this, Barbara's eyes flashed, and she said meaningfully.

"The orthodox polytheism based on Roman mythology has been gradually replaced by Christianity since the time of Constantine the Great, and has been reduced to the afterglow of ancient Rome. The two symbols of ancient Roman culture, Mars and Caesar, appeared on the notice letter. In fact, Kaitou Kidd is reminding us to use ancient Roman knowledge to interpret."

"Numbers should be replaced with ancient Roman numerals, and letters should also be replaced with ancient Roman letters!"

In ancient Rome, the three letters J, U, and W did not exist!

In other words, the number 20 of the alphabet is not 'T', but 'V'!

Bringing in Roman numerals, its true meaning is the number 5.

20 times 3 equals 4, that is, V times C equals D, and 5 times 100 equals 500, which is perfect.

At this time, Dick suddenly became enlightened, and his thoughts instantly became active.

"If 20 multiplied by 3 equals 4,

Then I shall visit at times that do not exist,

When Mars passed his tenth day and night,

Following the guidance of Julius Caesar,

Come and claim the blood-stained eggs. "

"If the first sentence means Roman numerals, the non-existent time in the second sentence refers to zero, because there are no zeros in Roman numerals!"

Without further explanation from Barbara, Dick understood the meaning of the latter sentence.

"Looking at the first three sentences together, Kaito Kidd's action time is at midnight on March 11, which is twelve midnight on March 10!"

Speaking of this, Dick frowned again.

"Then what is the guidance of Emperor Caesar?"

"I actually didn't understand this sentence. If this sentence is just to guide us to focus on the knowledge of ancient Rome, it would be superfluous. After all, mentioning Mars can also play the same role."

As soon as the words came out, Dick nodded. He also felt that the words were not just a reminder.

"but--"

Barbara suddenly changed the subject.

"After I came to the Natural History Museum, I probably understood what he meant."

In the ancient Rome special exhibition hall, Barbara looked at a sculpture of Julius Caesar in front of her, and a faint light flashed in her eyes.

This statue of Julius Caesar seems to be waving his hand to the enemy when he is leading the army.

If Barbara remembers correctly, the direction the sculptor is pointing should be the Jungle Pavilion on the east side of the Cultural Relics Pavilion where the 'Dragon Egg Ruby Necklace' is located.

"You mean that Caesar's guidance is just a literal guidance, and Kaito Kidd will start operations in the Jungle Pavilion at twelve o'clock midnight on March 10?"

After listening to Barbara's narration, Dick asked suspiciously.

"I know, it's a bit too straightforward, but at least for now, only this one can be explained, and I haven't found any other 'Guides from Caesar' here."

Barbara shook her head and sighed.

"Well, anyway, it seems that there is no other way to solve the puzzle. In short, the time will never be wrong."

After thinking for a long time, this is indeed the only explanation, and Dick nodded in agreement with Barbara's idea.

So far, the two of them have even interpreted the entire content of Kidd's notice letter.

After discussing the details of some follow-up arrangements, Dick cut off the call with Barbara.

At this moment, Dick suddenly heard someone calling himself in front of him.

"Hey! Dick! Dick! Come to your senses, Mrs. Anderson is here to find you!"

I saw Dean in front of him whispering his name, and at the same time all the students in the class looked at him with gloating eyes.

Dick's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly realized that something was wrong.

"It seems that you have finally come to your senses, Mr. Grayson. I have called you four times, but you have not responded at all. I have to wonder if your study attitude is correct..."

A thick middle-aged woman's voice sounded from the side.

Dick's face froze suddenly, and when he looked up, he met Mrs. Anderson's gloomy face.

Mrs. Anderson, their math teacher, has a bad temper.

Dick secretly thought something was wrong, he was too focused on talking about the notice letter with Barbara just now, so that he didn't hear his name being called at all.

"Can you give me a reasonable explanation, Mr. Greg Rayson?"

Mrs. Anderson asked word by word, eyes full of oppression.

With cold sweat on Dick's face, he forced a smile and said, "Uh... Mrs. Anderson, I... I was just fascinated by your lecture just now, and I was still immersed in the ocean of mathematics knowledge until a few seconds ago. "

Mrs. Anderson looked into his eyes expressionlessly.

"You can only lie to yourself, not anyone else, I think I have to confiscate your earphones now, and next time you get distracted, I have to talk to Mr. Wayne about your education .”

After finishing speaking, Mrs. Anderson snatched Dick's earphones without saying a word, turned around and returned to the podium.