Chapter 910 |
Chapter 910
"Akit. Please inform me."
Uttering the name 'Akit' with emphasis was a deliberate attempt to link it to the memory of the street card game Kishiar had shown him on the day he first heard that name. Yuder's recollections of how swiftly and skillfully Akit manipulated outcomes in those games, making it hard to discern whether he was a member of the imperial family or a professional gambler, remained vivid.
Yuder himself had never lived a life where he indulged in card games with others. His philosophy had always been to devote time to training instead, finding it far more interesting and enjoyable.
Yet, that didn't mean he was ignorant of what card games were. They were quite popular among the Cavalry members, often involving small bets. During his time as the Cavalry Commander, Yuder knew several members who were deeply involved in using their abilities for gambling. Those caught in the act invariably faced severe consequences from Yuder, but there were always those who couldn't resist using their skills for gambling.
This exposure made Yuder almost an expert in recognizing different types of games, their rules, and the telltale signs of a seasoned gambler, despite not actively participating himself. Judging from his numerous experiences, Kishiar's skills in card games surpassed any gambling addict he had seen in his previous life, both in cunning and proficiency.
Kishiar had demonstrated an astonishing ability to win and lose in equal measure, in a pattern unnoticeable to others, during a game with fellow players. What chilled Yuder the most was that Kishiar achieved these results using mere sleight of hand, without any use of his abilities. No one present, not even Yuder with his keen eyesight and observation, could figure out how Kishiar had manipulated the game. Despite analyzing the game process afterward, Yuder was still at a loss about the methods used.
With such a skilled individual at hand, was there really a need to seek others to learn the art of deception in cards?
Facing Yuder's determined gaze, as if he wouldn't budge until taught, Kishiar remained silent for a moment, then covered his eyes and bowed his head.
"I take it you're willing to teach me, then. Shall we start right away?"
"Just a moment. Let me calm my heart, which almost stopped from the shock."
Kishiar let out a laugh, indicative of defeat, and lowered his hand from his eyes. The sight of his red pupils, now focused and clear in both eyes, stirred something deep within Yuder's chest.
Ever since the day Kishiar's eyes rapidly returned to near-normal using a medium infused with the power of the Red Stone, Yuder hadn't had the chance to confirm if the recovery was complete without any aftereffects. However, in these moments indoors, there seemed to be no misalignment in his focus.
Yuder never voiced it, feeling it too sentimental, but he had felt as if he had regained something lost at the moment Kishiar unwrapped his bandages and looked straight ahead.
And now, he felt that same sensation.
Perhaps, even stronger than before...
"..."
"Let's begin."
Startled by Aton's wide-eyed declaration, Yuder paused in thought. The heap of cards allocated to him lay in front of him.
Leisurely flipping them over, Yuder focused on the sensations at his fingertips. The words Kishiar had taught him the previous night surfaced one after another in his mind.
"Each game has its own set of tricks you can pull off. For this task, it's easier to master one thoroughly than to learn many superficially. I think the easiest to manipulate would be the 'Cloverleaf' game, so let's try that."
"You're learning quickly. Is this really all? Ha, anyone else would still be grappling with the first sleight of hand."
"The skill is important, but what really determines success or failure is how well you can distract your target's attention and emotions. So, don't teach the game to Lusan in advance. His genuine reactions will be enough to confuse Aton."
Kishiar had mentioned that Aton's frequent victories in gambling circles weren't due to his exceptional skill, but rather the help of colleagues who manipulated the games without the other nobles' knowledge.
"Aton often won because his colleagues, unknown to the other nobles, rigged the games. His gambling prowess was merely a means to make the other nobles reliant on him, not a sign of true skill."
Duke Tain utilized the gambling houses frequented by the high nobility. And among the nobles, card games were not very popular these days.
"Use Aton's overconfidence and arrogance, and exploit the vulnerabilities he's unaware of. With the emotions that inevitably sway all humans and the few techniques I've taught you today, you should be able to achieve your goal..."
Yuder would certainly be able to grasp what he desires. The confident red eyes whispered so.
Following Kishiar's advice, Yuder methodically shook Aton's foundations, exploiting every moment his attention and mind wandered to employ the techniques Kishiar had taught him. The game had already begun with Yuder's calculated remark to Aton, "I usually don't label others as persistent or terrible, but I've come to think you're an exception."
Blinded by the illusion of his own abilities, a mix of anger and excitement stirred within Aton, who held unwavering faith and pride. He showed little curiosity about Gloe, the card game's mastermind. It was Gloe who had shuffled the cards at the game's start, emerging victorious in the first round. This oversight proved to be Aton's critical mistake.
Between Yuder, who skillfully captured Aton's attention, and Lusan, who innocently acted the novice, Gloe played her part well.
Gloe, using her abilities, shuffled and selected five cards, which Yuder ensured ended up in Aton's hand using the techniques learned from Kishiar. The hardest part was making Aton continuously pick specific cards without realizing it, but Lusan's contribution was invaluable here.
As Kishiar had said, Lusan, unknowingly participating in the game, brought chaos to the table with his unaccustomed, erratic style. Of course, he tried his best, oblivious to what he was doing right or wrong.
According to Kishiar, the 'Cloverleaf' game appeared simple but became more intricate the deeper one delved into it. Unfamiliar players could only exhibit up to twenty-four patterns, no matter how hard they tried, and it was this fact that made Kishiar recommend the game.
"If you weren't confident in memorizing all the patterns, I would have recommended a different game. But that's not the case, is it?"
Indeed, it was true. Thanks to memorizing all the patterns overnight, Yuder was able to ensure that Lusan never finished last while dealing with Aton.
The ability of the card he so desired was simple. It was a card that, if blessed, would have protected the bearer from adverse speech and actions. However, it had rarely been used for blessings; in his previous life, Gloe mainly utilized it for curses. Those cursed by the card would lose consciousness or fall asleep unknowingly, and until they awoke, they would answer all questions truthfully.
The card's drawback was the unpredictability of how long it would take for the target to lose consciousness, but its value lay in the fact that the cursed person would have no recollection of what they had disclosed upon waking. Yuder, from his experiences in his past life, had already proven the veracity of the information gleaned this way.
Yuder informally called it the 'Card of Truth,' but it had another name, which was...
"Are you going to flip over the card you just snatched in the exchange?"
"Yes."
"What a pity. It doesn't seem to be the card you were hoping for, is it?"
"…Shut up."
In the second game, Aton had been duped by Yuder's trickery into forcibly exchanging a specific card, believing it to be of importance due to Yuder's manipulation.
Yuder, having forcibly exchanged cards with him, flipped the card and, seeing Aton's frown, coldly curled the corners of his lips.
Aton placed the card back down, flipping it so that everyone could see, following the rule that cards snatched in specific situations must be openly displayed until the game's end to prevent deceit.
Gloe, seated closest to Aton, spoke up with a slightly trembling voice, eyes downcast.
"The exchanged card is revealed, confirmed. It's the 'Faded Song of Joy'..."
As soon as Gloe pronounced its name, Yuder saw a faint haze swiftly enveloping Aton. However, in that critical moment, Aton's focus was not on the card but on Yuder. What mattered to him was the leaf and number on the stolen card and Yuder's reaction, not the card's name.
Aton's anxiety over having failed in his crucial move, thinking it was Yuder's important card, distracted him. He growled at Yuder to shut up, unaware of the subtle energy secretly infiltrating his being as the game concluded.
And now.
"It's your turn, isn't it? Don't you have anything to play?"
Yuder slowly asked the question, looking at Aton who was slumped over with his head bowed. The sight of Aton, who had only gambled to deceive others, sprawled helplessly on the board created for his own capture, was amusing to Yuder.
After a long silence, Aton, still with his head down, responded in a barely audible whisper.
"...I don't know what to play."
His voice was distant, devoid of emotion.
Gloe and Lusan, witnessing the 'Mouth of Truth' open for the first time, both inhaled sharply in unison.
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