Chapter 68: Rhodes and the Doctor |
The Prophets’ Association releases no more than three special series card decks each year. The number of cards in each deck varies, but there will be at most 54 special-rule cards in total, with no more than one card per suit and number. It’s even possible for an entire deck to contain only two special cards, which might not even be sold on the market but directly gifted to individuals with special ties to the association.
Thus, obtaining a special series card is already challenging. If the card also has unique rules for use, it requires either luck or wealth to acquire.
Although Baron Lavender and Baron Rwanda are wealthier than Shad, they are not rich enough to purchase rare Rhodes Cards outright. However, both are skilled players, relying on their card-playing prowess to win cards from friends and Rhodes enthusiasts from other regions. Today’s game was not their first such event.
The competition followed a best-of-three format. Baron Lavender and Baron Rwanda each had to play at least once, with other rounds allowed to be played by their respective friends.
Since only two players were involved, each used their own deck. Mr. Candela, who worked at the Tobesk branch of the Prophets’ Association and was Baron Lavender's friend, was responsible for shuffling and dealing the cards.
Each round began with two cards dealt. Players could then decide to stand or draw more cards. A round ended when one player won five games, scoring one point. The first to reach two points won the match and claimed the opponent’s wager.
Cards from the decks could be included as wagers, provided both parties presented certificates of authenticity to prove their legitimacy. Once verified, the game officially began.
“My deck has been with me for five years, winning over a hundred matches for me!” Baron Lavender boasted, leaning against the stone table as the cards were shuffled.
“My deck has accompanied me onto the battlefield. Though it bears no visible scars now, it has been stained with my blood,” Baron Rwanda retorted, clenching his fists with no intention of backing down.
Under the grape trellis, the atmosphere reached its peak as the two barons exchanged heated words. Both decided to play in the first round. The fervor also attracted some banquet attendees nearby, but once they realized it was a Rhodes Card competition, only a few gentlemen stayed to watch.
Forced to stand by the stone table, Shad showed little interest in this flashy form of gambling. After memorizing the rules, he briefly examined the bloodstains on Baron Rwanda’s cards before losing interest. Despite the tense smiles and excitement among the crowd, Shad remained unaffected by the atmosphere.
“What’s so fun about cards?” Shad couldn’t understand the people of this world, attributing the difference to cultural variance.
He divided his attention, casually following the game’s progress while mostly observing his surroundings. He wondered what major event the woman in his mind had mentioned might occur.
Halfway through the first round, as Baron Lavender began to sweat while holding his cards, Shad noticed a small team of True God Church Ring Warlocks arriving along a dimly lit side path not illuminated by the elegant gas lamps and candles in the garden. They appeared to have come from the direction of Lake Schluch, likely having been there for some time without Shad noticing.
The team consisted of six members, three of whom Shad recognized. He had encountered them near the exploded silverware store close to the Silver Parrot Milk Distribution Company.
One was exceptionally burly, another had a scholarly air, and the third had handed Shad a church flyer for relief food on the day he arrived in this world.
“They’re Ring Warlocks from the Church of War and Peace under the True God Peaceful Father,” Shad concluded, averting his gaze to avoid detection. Although the warlocks noticed the gathering under the grape trellis, they bypassed the area, taking an inconspicuous garden path toward the front courtyard of the manor.
“Now there are two teams of Ring Warlocks here, likely from different churches… What’s going to happen?” he wondered, startled by the men’s sudden cheers. Baron Rwanda had drawn the special card Ancient Fairy Tale: Matchstick Girl.
Both parties had brought dice for the game. Although Baron Rwanda rolled a 13, which prevented him from using the card’s special rules, the crowd was still thrilled. The diminutive baron himself was quite pleased.
Shad couldn’t understand the excitement, as the rules weren’t even triggered.
Baron Rwanda’s “good luck” persisted as he won the first round with five victories, defeating Baron Lavender. The latter’s forced smile and begrudging compliments on his opponent’s skill only added to the hilarity, heightening the joyous atmosphere under the trellis.
Despite his win, Baron Rwanda chose not to continue playing himself, instead delegating to his friend, Mr. Sick, a local flour mill owner. Similarly, Baron Lavender called upon his friend, Sir Solar, a garden artist who had worked at Cold Spring Palace.
These two were genuine friends, unlike Shad, who was merely a hired companion.
The second round began. Baron Lavender, already down one round, was visibly tense. Meanwhile, Sir Solar remained relaxed, even chewing on a toothpick while fiddling with his mustache, casually mentioning he was trying to quit smoking.
By now, night had fully descended, with three moons high in the sky. Under the trellis, the light came primarily from the elegant gas lamps scattered around the garden and a candelabra fixed to the table.
Under the warm yellow glow, the Rhodes competitors squinted at their cards while the onlookers eagerly awaited each reveal.
Shad alone remained indifferent. His gaze wandered to the ripe, purple-red grapes hanging from the trellis. He wondered if the manor's owner would mind if a guest took some of the luscious fruit.
“By the way, can cats eat grapes?” Shad’s thoughts drifted quickly, but his main focus was still on scanning the area for anything unusual.
His wandering eyes caught sight of two middle-aged gentlemen in black suits, carrying wine glasses as they walked down a garden path near the trellis. They were discussing psychiatry, debating whether a blow to the back of the head with a holy silver implement could treat severe mental disorders.
Shad spotted Dr. Schneider among them, also holding a wine glass. Amid a casual exchange with his friends, Schneider glanced toward the crowd under the trellis and immediately spotted the youngest detective among them.