Chapter 164 – Games and Friendship

Since this was a trial run, I explained the rules. With me knowing the theory and everyone else touching cards for the first time, the handicap would be too great. I decided to let everyone get accustomed first before joining in to play.

As the games progressed in each group, you could start to see who had aptitude for this kind of game.

In our party, Sheila was strong. She was good at keeping a poker face and would immediately seize opportunities to make decisive moves, which really showed her personality.

Ophelia and Monica from Forestbird also seemed suited for this kind of thing.

On the other hand, Talcott, Chester, and Fitz were relatively easy to read since their reactions were quite transparent.

After playing several rounds, I started to understand everyone’s tendencies, so I suggested mixing up the groups and trying Old Maid, or taught them games like Memory, Poker, Speed, and Sevens.

Meanwhile, I was challenged by those who had won in their respective groups to join as the lowest rank, so I started playing Daifugō. As expected, Alfred was strong at this kind of game.

Once he gained momentum with strong cards, he would discard cards that would be difficult to handle in the late game, demonstrating solid play. When a strong player becomes the dealer, it becomes quite difficult for rankings to change.

“Being first really makes things much easier from the next round onward, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. So if you end up in last place, rather than desperately trying to take first, it’s easier to escape if you focus on raising your rank even a little.”

For example, by targeting moments when others overextend themselves trying to take first.

The card on the table was a Jack, but I passed and let the turn continue.

“Theodore, you look like you’re struggling.”

“Well, he did give away two of the strongest cards.”

Alfred played a Queen. Sheila played an Ace, and after everyone passed once around, the round reset.

Alfred… seems to be conserving his hand. He’s not pushing too hard to become dealer. We’re in the mid-game now. Alfred probably already has a certain path to victory in mind.

The flow changed on the next turn. Sheila played a pair of Jacks. Numerically decent, and quite powerful as a pair. But—

“How about this?”

I played a pair of Queens. Currently the strongest two cards in my hand. My winning move.

Three Aces have already been played. The Joker too. What I gave Alfred was one 2 and one Ace. So it wouldn’t be strange at all if he had a pair or better of 2s, but this is where the gambling aspect typical of card games comes into play.

Alfred… his expression clouded for a moment, but he didn’t move.

The passes continued until I became dealer. The others continuing to pass was probably because they didn’t want to risk disrupting their path to victory by overextending.

With the situation somewhat solidified, as someone with nothing to lose, all I could do was go all-in.

“Then, with this—”

“Whoa!”

“…You’d gotten quiet partway through, so I thought you were planning something.”

Four of a kind of 4s. Revolution—or rather, reversal. If someone had reversed the reversal, my defeat would have been certain, but that didn’t happen.

The reason nobody interfered with my Queen pair—

“…If we forcibly stop Theodore, we’ll fall to last place.”

—was perfectly summarized by Sheila’s words.

I then proceeded to play my now-reversed strong hand cards in pairs, cutting through them one after another to decisively end the game.

Alfred, who apparently intended to play his 3 second-to-last to become dealer, managed to discard his pair of 2s and secure second place. By keeping the 3 in his hand rather than giving it to me—he got second place precisely because he was preparing countermeasures against reversal. Alfred really is quite something.

“…Haa, that was fun.”

Alfred stretched his arms contentedly. The successful reversal had created quite the excitement.

I stepped away for a moment to check the other tables. At the table where Auria, Chester, Talcott, and Cindy were playing Sevens, Talcott was groaning as he declared his second pass after Auria passed and blocked his number.

Irmhild, Flagia, Justia, Dominique, and Penelope. This group was playing Memory harmoniously. Penelope had taken the card Dominique missed, and they were having fun. Penelope and Justia seem to have gotten quite close.

Next to them was Old Maid. Hmm. The Memory and Old Maid tables are quite peaceful. It feels more like they’re building camaraderie and having fun rather than engaging in strategic play.

The Old Maid group consisted of Grace, Ashley, Marlene, and Claudia. Marlene was smiling cheerfully as she offered her hand, with only the card next to the Joker sticking out slightly, and Claudia who received it was laughing happily—the classic scene was unfolding. Hesitating whether to take the protruding card or not, smiling when seeing the drawn card… I’m glad they’re enjoying themselves.

Forestbird’s Robin and Fitz were getting excited over Speed… Everyone was playing as they pleased. It was worth creating these games.

I had prepared several sets of cards and papers with various game rules, and planned to let everyone take them home. They should make good entertainment and help spread card games later.

“Hmm…”

I wake up.

I returned after it got light and slept… When I woke up, the sun was already high. Yesterday we were making merry until dawn.

Since everyone had finished preparations early yesterday too, they were still breathing softly in sleep.

I’m used to all-nighters for research purposes… or rather, I’m stronger at night than everyone else, so I seemed to have woken up first. Grace… is she already up?

Trying not to wake anyone, I slip out of bed.

I run my fingers through the hair of Ashley and Marlene, who are sleeping nestled together like sisters, then change clothes and head downstairs.

“Good morning.”

Grace was downstairs preparing breakfast… or rather, lunch. When our eyes meet, she smiles.

“Though it’s a bit late to say good morning. I’ll help after I wash my face. What should I do?”

“Yes. Then could you please cut the ingredients?”

After first getting ready, I progress with preparations like cutting ingredients together with Grace when Claudia shows her face.

“Good morning… I suppose?”

“Yes, good morning. I’ll help too.”

Claudia helped with plating and carrying dishes.

“I have something to discuss after lunch, if that’s alright.”

Once preparations were complete, Claudia speaks.

Something to discuss. Claudia’s golden eyes were fixed on me with a serious expression. In that case, it’s probably about the Labyrinth Village matter.

“Is it about yesterday’s discussion?”

“That too. I understand you’ve been thinking about various things. So before I ask for your cooperation… I thought I should tell you more about various things first.”

“That’s not really necessary… I trust you even if you don’t say. If there are things you want to keep hidden, I don’t intend to force you to tell.”

But Claudia shook her head.

“Just as you have your objectives, I have my reasons and purposes too. After considering your reasons… and watching how you fight Demons, I thought you could be trusted.”

It’s about Grace, I suppose. Claudia probably has similar issues regarding the Labyrinth Village, so it’s easy to imagine.

“What do you mean by how I fight Demons?”

“Because you always head straight for the most dangerous places yourself. I’m expecting that you won’t betray what you want to protect.”

…Expectations, huh. Being told that directly is somewhat awkward to respond to… Certainly, gaining Claudia’s trust and cooperation would be desirable for me too.

If it’s during King Melvin’s reign, the rule will probably continue. But… far into the future, even with succession, stability isn’t guaranteed.

Yet Claudia’s surroundings could be considered stable. She stands apart from political matters and the flow of time, and considering the connection between the Nation Protecting Ceremony and the Labyrinth, the Labyrinth exists in a sense above the Verdgar royal family.

Claudia probably… even if something happens regarding the Labyrinth’s affairs, won’t change her motivations and objectives. After all, she’s been protecting the Labyrinth Village residents since ancient times.