episode_0012

‘Lightning spirit, water spirit, wind spirit, earth spirit, and water spirit again.’

“This… … It is the spirit of lightning.”

“No, right?”

“… … I will put it in front of me.”

And now the Lightning Spirit card.

Lacia guessed the card six times in a row.

If that was all it took, you could consider yourself very lucky.

“… … … Hehe.”

That confident attitude, and the answer without the slightest hesitation.

It is very different from the attitude I had just a little while ago when I made an ignorant choice by leaving myself to the flow of luck.

My senses, having played with numerous players, were whispering.

Princess Lacia is playing foul.

‘… … And if it’s a foul.’

That’s obvious.

[…] … … Ureung.]

[Quarantine?]

[Meow.]

[daughter… … … with.]

Even now, there are spirits surrounding the table where Lacia and I sit.

Perhaps it is a way to share vision with the spirit or to hear from the spirit what my card is.

Of course, we can’t be sure yet. It’s just that Lacia’s attitude may have changed a bit in a moment, or it could really just be luck.

but.

If you really played a board game with such foul play.

And judging by that confident attitude, if Lacia enjoyed it.

“… … … … … .”

… … No, it is still too early.

So let’s check some more.

“This is the spirit of the wind.”

“That’s right!”

“… … This is my defeat.”

“It is also my deserved victory.”

Correct answer 13 times in a row now.

As I kept getting the correct answer, my turn continued, and in the end, not a single card was placed in front of Lacia.

On the other hand, there were more than 3 cards of all types in front of me, and 4 wind spirits.

Do you think I won’t notice something strange? Lacia’s expression was filled with a sense of superiority and intoxication from victory.

As if he covets and desires victory itself.

‘It’s not like I’ve never played a game knowing the opponent’s cards.’

That was only when the opponent made a mistake and accidentally saw the card, and I never used it in the game.

Rather, most of the time I played to give my opponent an advantage. My theory was that board games should be enjoyable regardless of whether you win or lose.

Well, I have no intention of forcing my thoughts on others.

If I had lost due to luck or skill, I could have enjoyed it too, but right now I wasn’t enjoying it at all.

In some ways, it could be said that it was fortunate that Lacia only played board games with spirits.

“You said earlier that we would play one more round, right? It would be nice to have one more round. I will win anyway.”

“… … … Well then, princess. How about playing with different rules?”

“Different rules, you mean?”

“Yes.”

In the end, I also enjoy playing board games, so I’m trying to spread it. I don’t know if it was luck or skill, but it wasn’t a very pleasant experience as we lost one-sidedly due to a foul.

Moreover, Lacia won’t be able to experience the true taste of board games in that way.

Kyle Galya, since such a foul is impossible, she must have enjoyed it purely, and in the spirit poker, because of the spirits everywhere, she may have committed a foul even though she did not want to.

‘… … In fact, there was no sign of hesitation or hesitation about such a thing.’

Anyway, if we play one more game like this, it will be a foul.

That’s why I proposed a different rule.

This rule blocks the opportunity for spirits to steal cards.

“You play it with the card turned over.”

“Yes? that… … … .”

“Honestly, isn’t it a bit much to hold all 27 cards in your hand? You turn all the cards face down on the table without dividing them between you, and play the game without looking at them from the beginning.”

“Without looking… … ?”

“Of course, defeat conditions are also added. In addition to the existing defeat conditions, since it is completely random, you will still lose even if you collect one of each type of spirit.”

“… … … … … .”

“What do you think?”

This is not a rule that was just made up. However, these are not the original rules of cockroach poker.

This was just one of the house rules I often played with my friends.

Since you can’t check the cards, it’s completely random, and if it’s just a lie, you can guess most of the cards.

There is an additional rule that states that after a few turns, a number of cards are randomly selected and turned over. Ultimately, there are only 8 cards of each type, so the beauty of this house rule is that you can gradually increase your odds by knowing the number of cards revealed.

It’s a fun house rule in its own way, but it’s also a rule that gets tiresome if you do it multiple times because you’re so dependent on your luck. In the end, they forcibly added a luck element to Cockroach Poker because it didn’t really fit together.

Nevertheless, there was one reason why Lacia suggested this house rule.

To brighten the mood.

‘If you enjoy the board game itself, you won’t have to commit foul play.’

This house rule is also a rule to be played briefly when you get dizzy from playing too many complex strategy games or when you are tired of mind games.

As almost everything is left to luck, there are quite a few pleasant situations, and since it is based on a masterpiece called Cockroach Poker, basic fun is guaranteed.

It’s not that I’m tired or worn out right now, but if it’s a game based on luck, fouling with spirits would be impossible.

If Lacia can enjoy the fun of various board games in this way──

“──I don’t like it, I don’t.”

“… … … Yes?”

“That rule is… … no, I do not want. Do it the same way as before.”

At Lacia’s words, I had no choice but to freeze.

That’s right, that means… …

“Princess.”

“Why do we have to change the rules? There’s no need for that. Or at least have cards in hand… … … .”

“… … … … .”

… … It was an intentional foul.

It’s not like the spirits forced me to tell them. I guess I peeked at the card of my own volition.

Why is that so?

why?

As soon as she realized clearly that she had committed the foul of her own volition, she felt a cooling sensation in her head.

‘Did Lacia really enjoy board games in the first place?’

Kyle Galli said he had fun all night long, but why does he only play spirit poker when fouls are possible? Kyle Galli can’t even commit a foul like this.

For a moment, the words of the tiger and the wind horse came to mind.

‘I said that Lacia was particularly obsessed with winning.’

How surprised were you when you heard that Kyle Galli had achieved more than 50 consecutive wins?

The unrealistic number of wins made me suspect that it was a entertainment game, but I didn’t ask.

What about the truth?

“Princess.”

“Yes… … ?”

“Princess, why do you play board games?”

“… … … … ?”

Yes, I know this is a sudden question. Also, this is not a question that someone who suddenly came to me and asked me to play a board game would ask.

But I wanted to hear it directly from Lacia’s mouth.

Her thoughts on board games.

“That’s right, I’m trying to win.”

“Win, la.”

“It’s fun if you win. Aren’t you doing it for him?”

It’s not wrong. The pleasure of winning is an essential part of board games.

However.

“Is that victory something you would pursue by entertaining others or even committing foul play?”

“… … Yes?”

“I know that you saw my card through the spirits.”

“What, what, what… … !?”

also.

I’ve only noticed it now, but Lacia is not good at hiding or acting out her emotions.

It’s been like that ever since I first entered the room, and it’s been like that even when I kept guessing the cards unnaturally. Even when playing spirit poker, it was clearly visible, so I made some mistakes on purpose.

I even wondered if it was acting… … … If you think about it, it’s natural. If you live with spirits, there will be no need to hide or fake your emotions. Even if that happened, it wouldn’t have happened often.

So even though Lacia was weak in psychological warfare, she was still very weak. Being so embarrassed right now was part of that.

‘Maybe that’s why I liked Kyle Galli.’

but… … … Rather, I was relieved to see such a reaction.

If I was really only pursuing victory itself, I would have been shameless even at this very moment.

It was still fortunate that the motive for the foul was a pure(?) desire to win.

I smiled slightly at the embarrassed Lacia.

“Princess, are you afraid of losing? This is at best a board game.”

“… … … … … .”

“Did you covet victory that much?”

“… … Never again.”

“… … … .”

“Because I didn’t want to lose again.”

“… … … I see.”

──My daughter… … Lacia was hurt more than I thought. Gradually, I started to lose trust in people and only talked to spirits.

I remember the Duke’s words.

I don’t know what happened to Lacia. There’s no way she could tell me.

However, as a result, Lacia fears contact with people and fear of defeat.

That’s why I committed a foul. I was clumsy at hiding it, but I knew it was wrong.

When this was pointed out to her face, she immediately lowered her head.

“Sorry, I do.”

“… … … … … .”

I handed him an apple.

In some ways, it is a natural apology, but it is also something I only thought about from my perspective.

Lacia, who avoids people and lives only with spirits, finds it difficult and clumsy to deal with people. Especially considering her past, where she was said to have been hurt countless times by people.

Therefore, that apology must have been the result of Lacia’s courage.

… … I had a similar experience when I was young.

Instead of getting angry and asking why she committed foul play or receiving an apology, he continued to wait for Lacia.

“… … … I asked the spirits. Ask me to steal your card. I want to win.”

“You were so obvious.”

“Did you? I didn’t know… … … But, when I think about it now.”

“If you think about it… … ?”

“… … In the end, my behavior was no different from those people. Stupidly.”

I didn’t ask who those people were.

I just faced Lacia calmly.

“Princess, this is just a board game. It is not something that determines the fate of the world, finalizes an individual’s ending, or is an important choice in life. Board games exist just to have fun.”

“… … … … .”

“What do you think? Kyle Galli, did you enjoy playing spirit poker?”

“Fun… … I cried.”

“Really?”

“… … … … .”

“In the end, wasn’t the reason you accepted another round of spirit poker because you thought you could win by stealing cards?”

Breathe.

Lacia’s expression turns pale as if she’s really hit the nail on the head. At the same time, I felt the spirits’ eyes focused on me.

It’s not just about criticizing her. I just want to make sure this opportunity.

Because I always wanted to play board games with Princess Lacia.

“That’s… … … .”

“I hope you enjoy the board game itself. Regardless of the princess’s past, memories, or trauma. I hope you can forget about that for a moment through the joy of board games.”

“… … That’s not true.”

It was Lacia who was listening quietly.

He raised his head as if he didn’t agree with just that statement.

“In the end, you came after listening to your father.”

“That’s right.”

“Take me out of this spire. Get out of the arms of the spirits. That’s why you asked me to come here and play a board game, right!?”

As if this was truly disgusting, Lacia became furious before she knew it.

The duke said he tried numerous methods to get her out.

From the duke’s point of view, it may have been an action for his daughter, but how did it affect Lacia, who was trapped with the spirit in the spire due to the wounds she received from humans?

I could understand the attitude she had towards me when I first entered the room.

“In the end, you are the same. You’re trying to deceive me with superficial words!”

“No.”

“Lie───”

“The tiger and the wind horse can prove that it is not a lie.”

“───Yes?”

That’s why Lacia didn’t want to believe me, but I had strong support.

You probably remember the tiger and the wind horse.

[growl.]

“You guys… … … Really? Is that true?”

From the first day, the duke had told me to just go back. If I had just gone back then, I would have been able to get a decent reward, return to my family, and focus on supplying Kyle Gali.

Nevertheless, I hung out with the spirits for several days and wanted to meet Lacia.

[Sigh.]

“… … … why? why? For what reason? More compensation, or are you targeting my body? Right?”

Lacia’s distrust of humans is at a considerable level. If I hadn’t bought the favor of the tiger and the wind horse in the first place, I wouldn’t have been able to enter the spire.

And I don’t know how to cure her distrust of humanity. I’m not a doctor or counselor or anything like that.

I just.

“I came here to play a board game.”

“… … … … Yes?”

“Kail Gali with the spirits was more fun than I expected, and I wanted to play a board game with the princess who enjoyed Kyle Gali all night long. Aren’t I the creator of Kyle Gali? The princess said she was a big fan, so I really wanted to meet her.”

“That’s the end?”

“Then what more do you need?”

In the act of answering a question as a question.

Lacia glared at me with an expression of not understanding.

“At best… … … It’s a board game.”

“What is a spirit to you, princess?”

“… … … … We’re family.”

[Meow… … .]

[Daughter… … … .]

[…] … Whilick.]

It’s not that she doesn’t have biological family, but Lacia says that the spirits are her real family.

How much past and emotion is contained in that single word calling the spirits family?

In the end, it seems like Lacia feels special feelings toward spirits.

“For me, board games are like that.”

“Board games… … family… … … ?”

“That’s what it says. Anyway, that’s what board games are to me.”

In high school, I did it with my friends, after school I did it with strangers, and when I got home, I did it with my family.

That’s how I lived, and board games were my daily routine.

Lacia looked at me intently in response without the slightest hesitation.

As if he was going to uncover your lies.

Until now, no words could erase Lacia’s suspicions.

“You said earlier that you would like to play another round of spirit poker, right? Is it still valid?”

“Ah… … … ?”

“There’s nothing I can do if you don’t like it.”

Even if you don’t trust people, wouldn’t you be able to trust board games?

Because it was the board game that soothed all my memories, memories, and pain.

I had no choice but to tell Lacia about the board game.

That was all I had.

“… … Board game.”

I said everything I wanted to say. And it was all sincere.

But no matter how sincere I am, it may feel different to others.

What if Lacia refuses? That’s it.

I came here after hearing that Lacia enjoys playing board games to the point where she stays up all night, and I’m just trying to have fun playing board games with her, and I’m definitely not trying to force board games on someone who doesn’t like them.

“… … Kyle Galli, Spirit Poker… … … .”

Princess Lacia had a complicated, confused, trembling, and incomprehensible expression.

He still bowed his head and held the spirits tightly in his arms.

“… … … Come on, come down.”

is it.

Then there is nothing we can do.

“Okay, thank you for your time───

“Today! Going down… … … .”

“… … … Yes?”

Today, if so.

no way?

“Tomorrow… … Please come. Even then, we will only play one round.”

The expression on Lacia’s face as she answered that question was unknown.

She was still with her head down, buried among the spirits.

Still, there was no problem. There was only one answer for me.

“I’ll wait for tomorrow to come.”

“… … … … … .”

Unless Lacia refuses.

Until she truly enjoys board games.

continue.

*

“Then the spirits… … … .”

“If you don’t want them to participate in the game, let’s just watch quietly.”

“… … … Yes.”

Oh, of course that doesn’t work.

Are you trying to sneak away somewhere?