Chapter 55: Beginner's Luck |
While waiting, Shad found an empty single-seat sofa and sat down. Nearby, a group of men, seemingly strangers who had just met, gathered to discuss current affairs.
Shad eavesdropped on their conversation and discovered they were debating the likelihood of a full-scale war breaking out again between the Northern Kingdom of Drarian and the Carsonrick United Kingdom to the south. However, the topic soon shifted to maritime trade between the Old and New Continents, and eventually to pirates. One of the men, a middle-aged, overweight individual who appeared to be a manager at a trading company, seemed particularly knowledgeable about the New Continent. He confidently claimed that adventurers bold enough to set sail would inevitably gain wealth.
The New Continent, he explained, was rich in resources. Though it had no indigenous inhabitants, it contained numerous remnants of past civilizations. Coldwater Harbor, the most important port city in the western Drarian Kingdom and the bridge between the Old and New Continents, was always brimming with opportunities.
After the middle-aged man was called away for an appraisal, the group’s conversation shifted to Rhodes Cards. The men, who barely knew each other, began comparing their decks, bragging about rare and unique cards they had recently acquired, and laughing over humorous stories about the city's Rhodes Card collectors.
The group’s dominant speaker was a man with a black bowler hat and a golden-handled cane placed beside the sofa. He sported a neat mustache and proudly showcased his rare collection of Rhodes Cards, including a special card: "Flower 13 of Northern Cities – Art Capital Arteque." The card had a unique rule:
“When used, roll a 20-sided die. If the result is 20, you can redraw unconditionally.”
Although its effect was relatively simple, it had been authenticated by the Prophets’ Association as genuine, making it a source of excitement for the Rhodes Card enthusiasts around him.
Introducing himself as Mr. Lavend, the mustached man, noticing the lively atmosphere and a lack of other distractions, suggested, “Why don’t we play some Rhodes Cards using the simplest rules? If I win, you owe me 5 pennies. If I lose, I’ll pay the winner 10 pennies. Come on, gentlemen, let’s kill some of this dull morning!”
The "simplest rules" involved each participant drawing three cards in sequence, with the winner determined based on a modified Blackjack system. If both players exceeded 21 points, they would continue drawing three cards each until a winner emerged.
Shad also moved closer out of curiosity but refrained from participating, as he despised gambling and wouldn’t partake even for small stakes.
Three men accepted Lavend’s challenge.
First up was Mr. Luke, an employee at a tobacco company in the city’s southern district. He had earlier mentioned the taxation and trade of tobacco between Drarian and Carsonrick but unfortunately busted with a score of 25 and was eliminated right away.
The second challenger was Mr. Ponton, an older man who lived off rental income from local properties. With thick-knuckled fingers and a crooked right eye covered by glasses, he proved to be a skilled Rhodes Card player. After three intense rounds against Lavend, he emerged victorious, winning 10 pennies and earning cheers from the spectators.
Lastly, Captain Sewell, a robust man whose ship conducted river transport between the Old Continent waterways, stepped up. A frequent visitor to this venue, he was well-known, including to Lavend. Unfortunately, Sewell had terrible luck, with his first two cards exceeding 21 points, resulting in a 5-penny loss.
“Anyone else want to play?” Lavend asked, clearly in high spirits after defeating his third opponent.
Though Lavend was a well-known Rhodes Card expert who often frequented local clubs and the Prophets’ Association, no one dared to accept the challenge, not even for 5 pennies.
Eventually, Lavend noticed Shad, whose unfamiliar face marked him as a first-timer.
“Sir, would you like to play a round with me?” he asked kindly.
“Sorry, I don’t gamble,” Shad replied with a shake of his head.
Lavend, however, smiled and suggested, “Then let’s not gamble. Just one round, for fun. My waiting number is 21, and my turn is coming up. What do you say?”
Encouraged by the surrounding onlookers, who nudged him forward, Shad thought about it. Since no money was involved, he decided to give it a try as a way to pass the time. He sat down opposite Lavend, handing over his business card.
“Shad Hamilton, detective.”
“Detective? I hear detectives are often good at card games,” Lavend commented as he glanced at the card. Upon noting the address of Shad’s office, he was visibly surprised, realizing the young detective could afford such a prime location.
“But I’ve hardly played before,” Shad admitted as he retrieved a deck of cards he had found when picking up Mimia.
Both men shuffled each other’s decks before drawing three cards. Lavend, grinning with anticipation, revealed his cards first:
“Look! Sun 5, Silver Moon 8, and Star 4. That’s 17 points. Not bad!”
The spectators murmured their congratulations.
With no money at stake, Shad felt no pressure as he flipped over his first card: Sun 13. A chorus of disappointed groans erupted from the audience; drawing two more cards without busting would be extremely difficult.
Undeterred, Shad turned over his second card: Star 7. He now had 20 points, but under the simplified rules, he couldn’t stand and had to draw a third card.
Curious about his luck, Shad revealed the last card: Star 1.
The crowd erupted in astonishment. Even the voice in Shad’s head chuckled softly, reminding him of her constant presence.
Shad smiled, feeling the tension from the previous night’s events fade away. Playing cards was indeed a good distraction.
“21 points,” he declared, placing the card on the table.
Mr. Lavend leaned forward, staring at the cards with the same amazement as the onlookers.
“Oh, 21 points. Beginners always have this kind of luck. Detective Hamilton, care for another game? It’s been ages since anyone beat me with 21 points!”