Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic
Chapter 910 - 910 Different Opponents

All the participants were required to check their decks before the tournament began. Because Shard had been delayed a bit at the Witch's place, when he arrived at the garden, the others were already there.

The first round of 16 tables was scattered in various corners under the grape arbors, with large crowds surrounding them, so Shard had no chance to know who the participants were.

After checking the [Life Ritual: Wedding], he temporarily bid farewell to Baron Lavende and Baron Rwanda and found a long table already set up in the middle of the garden path on the west side of the arbor. Sitting at the other end was the 42-year-old Colonel Lisbon, who didn't possess much of a military aura, possibly because of his glasses.

The two didn't say much. After Shard sat down, under the illumination of the gas lamp, Mr. Sic from the Prophet's Society immediately announced the start of the match.

"Mr. Hamilton, I've long heard of your great name."

Colonel Lisbon had a brown beard, was dressed in a naval uniform, and wore military boots for the event. The standing gas lamp was nearby, a garden lighting fixture that was roughly similar in appearance to the streetlights on Silver Cross Avenue, just a bit shorter.

The warm yellow light illuminated them as Tifa stood holding Mia behind Shard, and the Colonel, who knew Shard's identity, greeted him politely. They both received their first card, the crowd slightly lowered their voices, anticipating the card game of the Big City Player champion.

It must be admitted, playing cards in the noble manor under the starry sky, in such an idyllic setting, was indeed quite pleasant.

"Colonel Lisbon, I heard you just returned from the New World?"

Shard asked while together drawing the second card with the Colonel.

"Yes, landed at Coldwater Port and took the steam train back. After all, it's almost the end of the year, the season for awarding honors."

The Colonel smiled. Just like Carsonrick, Draleon held nationwide award ceremonies every year-end, strictly adhering to a rule of minor awards every four years and major awards every ten years. This was somewhat akin to the concept of a "year-end bonus" even in this era, and similar to the year-end gifts for core believers by the Church of the Five Gods.

Of course, the workers at the bottom in steam factories could only receive blessings from factory owners; middle-class citizens received partial cash from employers; wealthy merchants and factory owners lavished rewards on themselves; those attending year-end awards gained true status and honor.

"Award season? Yes, before you know it, 1853 is drawing to a close."

Shard agreed, then declared he would stand but did not immediately reveal his cards. By rule, one didn't have to show cards immediately when standing. His friend Captain Lades, who gained merits in the Battle of Midshire Fort, had also written recently saying he would return to Tobesk in winter to receive rewards. It was uncertain if Captain Lades could advance further.

The Colonel, holding two cards totaling 17 points, hesitated for a moment and also chose to stand, then saw Shard's Starry Sky 10 and Starry Sky 8.

"This year has been truly tough, hope every day can be peaceful."

Shard said, drawing the first card of the second round, then smilingly turned it over:

"Empress, [History of New World Exploration: Winds of Exploration]. I can draw a random card again, if it's Sunflower Suit, the Empress is considered a King. But I won't trigger the effect, Colonel, I don't believe you can draw a King or 21. Want to try?"

"Alright, I concede."

The Colonel regretfully stood up, shook Shard's hand as he also rose:

"Hope we can play cards again next time, too bad I didn't get to see those Genesis Series."

Shard's second match was near a small white stone fountain on the south side of the arbor. The fountain, shaped like a little angel lifting water, looked particularly elegant.

Under the gas lamp, Tifa pulled out a chair for Shard, and Shard's opponent only arrived tardily after Shard was seated.

The man in a red coat and white breeches, with a feathered hat, was Viscount Chekhov, a noble from Tobesk. This Viscount had quite a fortune, but his main profession was a somewhat famous poet.

Just like the earlier Colonel Lisbon, Viscount Chekhov first expressed his admiration for Shard, then began playing cards with him. He recognized the maid standing behind Shard as Duke Galina's personal maid, and thus, after drawing the first card, subtly started praising Shard as a handsome gentleman.

But the flattery did not help him win the rounds. In the first round, the Viscount drew cards despite having two cards totaling 16 points and unfortunately busted; in the second round, he cautiously stopped at 16 points, only to be defeated by Shard with 18 points.

The onlookers laughed, pointing out the Viscount had fallen twice in the same place but in different postures. The Viscount, not getting angry, instead graciously stood up and shook hands with Shard:

"I knew it, defeating the Big City Player champion wasn't easy."

"I came a bit late, may I ask if there are any interesting participants in this card game?"

Shard asked with a smile, while Tifa was tidying his deck on the side.

Viscount Chekhov thought for a moment:

"It seems there is a lady participating in the card game, which is rare, but I don't know the lady who apparently came from Carsonrick."

"A lady player?"

Shard frowned slightly.

The third round was at the edge of the garden maze on the west side of the arbor. By this time, with the number of players reduced, the crowd at each table had grown larger. Of course, to avoid suspicion, only their servants could stand behind the players.

This time Shard's opponent was Mr. Vats Belson, a gentleman in his thirties who wasn't a noble but had married Baroness Leanna Pompeii. It's worth mentioning the noble lady was forty-five years old this year.

Mr. Belson was equally admiring of Shard's fame. After they sat down, he even wanted a signed photograph of Shard, which Shard laughingly declined.

Their card match was straightforward, except during the second round when Mr. Belson drew a Special Rule Card, [The Brave's Game: Wilde Wrestling], which intrigued the audience.

This card's rule doesn't involve wrestling, but requires all card players at the table to throw a 20-sided die. If the two dice show identical numbers, this Moon 9 suit card can adjust its number within the range of 7 to 11.

One must know, of all the Roder Cards Shard had seen that could adjust numbers, only his [Genesis: Silver Moon] could span five numbers. This [The Brave's Game: Wilde Wrestling], although it had an extremely stringent activation condition, its rule of adjusting over five numbers meant that if luck truly came, this card would have a decisive impact.

Shard threw a 1, Mr. Belson threw a 13, the card's rule didn't trigger, causing the crowd to sigh in disappointment. When their game ended, while shaking hands with Mr. Belson, Shard expressed interest in buying the card.

"No, Mr. Hamilton, I won't sell this card."

Mr. Belson shook his head, speaking resolutely:

"I will keep it in my hands until the day I die, then let my children open my diary and take this card out, telling them it's the most precious gift I left them."

His words drew laughter from those around, and Shard smiled too. Suddenly, he thought of Detective Sparrow, who left [Genesis: Silver Moon] in his diary for Shard to inherit after his death.

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