Chapter 68: Lord Cards and the Doctor

The Prophet Association issues no more than three sets of special series cards each year. The production quantity of each set varies, but there are never more than fifty-four cards with special rules mixed into each set—meaning at most one card for each suit and numerical rank. It is even possible for an entire set to contain only two special cards, which bypass the market entirely and are gifted directly to individuals with special ties to the association.

Consequently, acquiring a card from the special series is difficult enough; if that card also possesses special usage rules, one must rely either on luck or wealth to obtain it.

Although Baron Lavender and Baron Rwanda are more affluent than Hader, they do not possess the vast sums required to purchase precious tarot cards. However, both are adept tarot players, accustomed to winning cards from friends and out-of-town enthusiasts through sheer card-playing skill. Today's match is far from the first time such an event has taken place.

The match follows a best-of-three format. Baron Lavender and Baron Rwanda must each personally play at least one game, while the remaining games may be played by chosen proxies.

Since only two players participate at a time, each side uses their own deck. Mr. Candela, a friend of Baron Lavender who works at the Tobesk branch of the Prophet Association, is responsible for shuffling and dealing.

Two cards are dealt initially, after which both sides decide whether to stand or hit. In each game, the first to achieve five victories wins the round, earning one point. The first player to score two points wins the match and claims the opponent's stake.

The wagers are integrated directly into the decks. Therefore, after both parties present tarot identification certificates to verify the authenticity of the cards, the game officially commences.

"This deck of mine has been in use for five years, and it has won me over a hundred matches!" Baron Lavender says, leaning sideways against the stone table while waiting for the shuffle.

"This deck of mine has been to the battlefield with me. Though the signs are no longer visible, it has been stained with my blood," Baron Rwanda counters without hesitation, clenching his fist.

Hader activates the fate ring within his soul and casts the incantation [Echo of Blood] to inspect Baron Rwanda's deck, maintaining a deadpan expression devoid of any reaction.

The atmosphere beneath the grape trellis reaches its peak during this exchange of boasts. Both Baron Lavender and Baron Rwanda choose to play the first game themselves. The lively atmosphere attracts partygoers near the garden trellis, but upon discovering it is a tarot competition, only a handful of gentlemen choose to linger and watch.

Hader is forced to stand beside the stone table, though he has zero interest in such flashy gambling. After noting the rules and observing the distribution of bloodstains on Baron Rwanda's cards, he ceases to pay attention to the game. Even as everyone around him smiles with nervous anticipation, he remains untouched by the infectious atmosphere.

"What is even fun about playing cards?"

Hader cannot quite comprehend the mindset of the people in this world, attributing it to cultural differences.

Thus, while only half-heartedly monitoring the progress of the game, his main focus is scanning his surroundings, eager to discover what major event the woman in his mind mentioned is about to transpire.

Halfway through the first game, just as Baron Lavender begins to sweat while clutching his cards, Hader spots another team of orthodox church ring-術士 emerging along a side path unilluminated by the garden's elegant gas lamps and candles. They come from the direction of Lake Schluch, likely having lingered by the lake for quite some time without Hader noticing.

This squad consists of only six members, yet Hader recognizes three of them. The two parties had previously crossed paths outside the exploded silver shop near the Silver Parrot Milk Delivery Company.

One is exceptionally burly, another possesses the demeanor of a scholar, and a third handed him a church flyer for relief food on the very afternoon he arrived in this world.

"These are ring-術士 from the [Church of War and Peace], followers of the orthodox [Peaceful and Merciful Father]."

Hader looks away from the group to avoid detection. Although the ring-術士 notice the gathering beneath the grape trellis, they do not approach, instead bypassing it via the unassuming garden path toward the courtyard in front of the manor.

"That makes two teams of ring-術士 appearing, presumably from different churches... Just what on earth is going to happen?"

He muses inwardly, only to be startled by the exclamation of the men beside him. It turns out that Baron Rwanda has drawn the special card [Ancient Fairy Tale: The Little Match Girl].

Both participants in the tarot competition naturally brought dice, and although Baron Rwanda's initial roll of thirteen means he cannot utilize the special rules, it nonetheless sends the onlookers into a frenzy of excitement, leaving the short-statured baron looking quite smug.

This, too, is beyond Hader's comprehension, especially since no rules were actually triggered.

Baron Rwanda carries this "good fortune" forward, securing the first five victories in the opening game to defeat Baron Lavender. The latter presses his lips together, looking thoroughly miserable, yet manages to force a fake smile upon standing up to praise his opponent's card skills. That comical expression only deepens the jovial atmosphere beneath the grape trellis.

Although Baron Rwanda wins, he chooses not to play the next game himself, instead sending his friend Mr. Sikh, a local flour mill owner, to compete. Likewise, Baron Lavender invites his friend Sir Solar, a garden design artist who once managed the Cold Spring Palace, to take his place.

These two are genuine friends of theirs, unlike Hader, who serves as a hired hand.

The match resumes. Having lost the first round, Baron Lavender is terribly nervous. The garden designer, however, remains remarkably relaxed, even chewing on a toothpick while twirling his mustache with his fingers and explaining that he is currently trying to quit smoking.

By now, night has fallen completely, and the three moons hang high in the night sky. The illumination beneath the grape trellis is provided primarily by the garden's elegantly styled gas lamps and the candelabras secured to the tables by the guests.

Under the warm yellow glow, the tarot competitors squint at their hands, while the observing men anticipate the unveiling of each card.

Only the bored Hader remains unaffected by the card game. He gazes at the purplish-red grapes hanging from the trellis, wondering if the master of Lake View Manor would mind guests discreetly taking a few of these plump fruits.

"Come to think of it, can cats eat grapes?"

Hader's thoughts drift quickly, though his primary focus remains on watching for any anomalies in the vicinity.

As his gaze wanders, he spots two middle-aged gentlemen in black formal wear strolling down the garden path beside the grape trellis, holding wine glasses. They are discussing a topic in psychiatry—specifically, whether delivering a heavy blow to the back of the head with consecrated silverware can cure severe mental illnesses.

Hader catches sight of Dr. Schneider. Coincidentally, Dr. Schneider, holding a wine glass and glancing toward the grape trellis during a lull in conversation with his friend, locks eyes with the youngest detective among the crowd.