Deformed stories

Chapter 215: 2



Chapter 10: Honest Person's Battle Cards — Part 2: Battle Card Duel

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Warning: This content may contain explicit or mature themes and is intended for viewers 18 and older. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.

Volume 1: Witch Carly Arc

Chapter 10: Honest Person's Battle Cards 

— Part 2: Battle Card Duel

At last, the true game between Aurelius and the boss has begun.

"Well then,"

Aurelius selects a card from those laid out and places it on the table.

The boss follows suit, placing his own card down.

When they reveal them simultaneously, Aurelius has "Magus" and the boss has "Slave."

Aurelius wins, but in the background, the owner's disappointed voice can be heard.

The boss grins.

Aurelius secured a victory, but he used his strongest card, and the boss eliminated it with a weaker one. It was an almost perfect outcome for the boss.

"That's one win."

"Yeah, you're quite strong, onii-san."

"That makes me happy to hear."

When the boss praises him, Aurelius blushes.

"Alright, let's go again. I don't want to lose this time."

The boss plays a card first.

"I want to win too."

Aurelius also plays his card.

When they reveal them at the same time, Aurelius has "King" and the boss has "Citizen."

Once again, Aurelius wins, but the owner looks disheartened, while the boss wears a satisfied smirk.

"That's two wins now. I just need to win four more, right?"

"Exactly. You really are strong, onii-san."

With that, Aurelius has lost two of his strong cards, while the boss has lost two weaker ones.

These two losses brought him very close to victory. With a guaranteed win from a "Magus" and an almost unbeatable "King" card, his two wins felt almost certain.

He was more than happy for him to keep using his strong cards like this. For that, a few losses didn't bother him at all.

"Now it's my turn. I wonder if it's a bad idea to use such a strong card."

Aurelius plays his card.

"Well, is it the truth or a lie, which one could it be?"

The boss plays his card too.

When both cards are revealed, Aurelius has a "Citizen," and the boss has a "Soldier."

"That's one win for me."

The boss sets the winning card aside.

Normally, winning with the weak "Soldier" card wouldn't be much, but for the boss, it was significant.

He thought the victory was sealed at this point. With three favorable turns and two nearly impossible to lose, that would make six wins.

What should I do with that woman? I could use her like a slave myself—giving her to the bossman would elevate my position. My subordinates would likely be happy if I lent her to them as a reward. Ultimately, selling her as a prostitute would yield a considerable profit. He couldn't even entertain the thought of losing anymore.

"Looks like the flow has gotten worse. Maybe I should change my approach."

Aurelius took the cards off the board and stacked them all on the table.

"Eh, what are you doing? Is it fine not to look?"

The boss was flustered but couldn't protest.

"I thought I'd change things up. There aren't any bad rules, right?"

"Umm, it's fine with me."

"Then, play the next card."

"I'll take my time to look, think, and play."

The boss played the weakest card left, the "Great Sword" of "Adventurer." Losing to a "Dagger" would be the worst, but anything else was acceptable.

Aurelius quickly played the card on top.

As they revealed at the same time, it turned out to be "Great Sword" versus "Great Sword." It was a tie.

There was something off, but the boss didn't notice.

"Next card out."

Aurelius calmly lays down a card.

Since he's playing at random, he can't decipher his thoughts. But he only need to consider the remaining cards.

The boss picks up the "Noble." The only card that can beat it is the "Lord," which almost guarantees a win. Even if he loses, Aurelius will lose his strongest card, which could have regained his advantage. It's a smart move.

When they reveal simultaneously, it's "Noble" versus "Noble." Another tie.

Although he should be gaining momentum, the boss senses a heavy atmosphere.

In the sixth round, it's the boss's turn to play first. Eager for a second win, he plays the "Magus." It's a sure win, but the real question is what Aurelius will play. The best scenario would be if he plays the "Lord," but I'd be fine with a "Slave." If he plays the "Adventurer," the boss's "Adventurer" will have the edge. Any of those would work.

Aurelius draws a card from the top of his stack.

When they reveal simultaneously, it's "Magus" against "Soldier."

Naturally, the boss wins, making it two wins and two losses—a tie.

Among the remaining cards, this was the worst outcome.

The seventh and eighth rounds also ended in ties, with "Dagger" against "Dagger" and "Armor" against "Armor."

The remaining cards were three each—the boss had the "King," "Lord," and "Knight," while Aurelius had the "Lord," "Knight," and "Slave."

It was at this point that he finally understood the strategy.

Normally, the boss would be in a favorable position, but if the "King" faced the "Slave," he would lose. Not only would he fail to claim the woman, but all his hard work would be for nothing, resulting in a loss equivalent to his investment.

The "King" must not confront the "Slave" at any cost.

Aurelius once again revealed the top card from his three. It was such a brief moment that there was no time to read his expression.

The boss carefully examined the card that had been revealed. Of course, he couldn't discern anything from the back.

Yet he couldn't resist looking.

If this was the "Slave," then playing anything other than the "King" would mean victory.

Typically, it's hard to play a crucial card first—the opponent might notice if they scrutinize it. So, the "Slave" wouldn't be played. Thus, the boss should simply play the "King."

He understood this, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. It felt like he was being targeted right there.

If it were the "Slave," he wouldn't need to compete—he would simply self-destruct. The temptation to win without any effort was intense.

The boss played his card.

When they revealed them at the same time, it was "Lord" against "Lord."

It ended in another tie.

"Alright, show the next one."

He already knows that without Aurelius having to tell him.

In boss's hand are the "King" and the "Noble." He can't decide which one to play.

If he play the "King" and he comments, he might end up reacting. On the other hand, if he stay silent, he'll figure out it's the "Noble." Either way, it's a lose-lose situation.

Thoughts are spinning in his head, and he can't make a choice.

He should have been able to win easily, yet he's caught in such a struggle.

How did it come to this?

It's too late to change anything now.

All he has to do is pick a card and play it.

"Make your decision already!"

Magnolia told him and he shouted back.

"Shut it! I'll show it right now."

He chose the safe option.

Aurelius quickly revealed his card, as if he had planned it or hadn't thought about it at all.

When they both opened their cards, it was "Knight" and "Knight."

Another draw.

This made six draws out of ten matches.

It was unbelievable.

"Why?"

Now the boss's loss was confirmed. He lost in a game he should have easily won.

It was an inconceivable defeat.

"Since this is the last round, I can play it openly."

Aurelius revealed the "Slave" card.

As the boss stood frozen, Aurelius reached out and revealed a card on his own.

Naturally, it was "King" and "Slave."

"Slave" wins.

With three wins, two losses, and six draws, Aurelius emerged victorious.

"Alright then, I guess I'll take this."

He had his promissory note taken, but he couldn't help himself to end it.

"Hold on."

The boss couldn't let it simply end like this.

"Hold on, not yet.

Not yet, let's duel one more time.

I listened to what you asked. Do you really want to end it with just one win?"

There was still a chance to win, he couldn't help himself to end it now.

"Sure,"

Aurelius easily accepted.

"Sure, but there are conditions.

You can choose what to wager, but I'd like it to be based on a point system according to the win-loss difference."

"A point system?"

"Exactly.

You only need to pay based on the difference in wins and losses.

For instance, if you decide to wager one gold coin and end up with five wins and six losses, you pay one gold coin. If you finish with one win and ten losses, you pay nine gold coins.

In return, you can set the wager amount."

"I see. If you want to take the lead, that also works for me.

The wager amount is—"

Since this is a rare chance, he need to think it through. Normally, with seven wins and three losses, the last outcome is uncertain, so he could win four points. To cover his debts, I'd need to set it at sixty-four gold coins. But if he lose, that's what he'll owe.

He believe he have around two hundred gold coins in hidden assets, so he can manage it, but it's certainly not an insignificant amount.

He need to weigh the potential winnings against what he's willing to risk.

At worst, he can find a way out, and typically, it would yield a good profit.

"What about fifty gold coins?"

"Yes, that sounds good.

I was thinking about another game right away, but the cards are looking quite worn.

Do you have a new set?"

"U-Umm, I do."

The owner quickly fetched the cards. Since it was an inn, they had several sets available for guests.

"Alright, shall we get started?"

Aurelius sat down, and the boss took his place across from him. Each held eleven cards.

Behind the boss were two subordinates, while Aurelius had Magnolia, the owner, and a waitress behind him. With no promissory note remaining and no items at stake, a sense of relief filled the air.

The boss inserted his card into the board, standing it up, while Aurelius kept his face down and arranged them.

"Aren't you going to look?"

"No, I'm just going to play them in order from the edges."

Aurelius maintained a composed expression.

"I'll go first."

As he said, he placed the card from the right edge face up.

Determined not to lose, the boss thought carefully.

He had made a mistake by saving the "King" until the end last time. Not wanting to repeat that, he decided to play the "King" right away.

When they revealed their cards simultaneously, it turned out to be "King" and "Slave".

"How could this happen?"

Losing immediately with the "King" left the boss bewildered.

"I simply defeated your 'King' with my 'Slave'."

Aurelius calmly moved the two cards to the far left.

"Now, it's your turn."

At this point, the boss was at a loss for what to do.

Nevertheless, the game had to carry on.

From then on, it was utterly one-sided.

Every single "card" the boss played ended in defeat. Even the one "magus" card that was supposed to guarantee victory was forced into a draw by the same "magus" card.

In the end, one draw and ten straight losses.

It was an unimaginable, total defeat.

"Why, why—"

He was so shocked that he could barely stand.

"This is the debt agreement. Please sign your name."

Without thinking, he wrote his name on the paper Aurelius had handed him.

Now he was burdened with a debt of five hundred gold coins. There was no way he could ever pay it back.

"This is the end, isn't it?"

Aurelius rises from his seat, holding two promissory notes.

"You'd be better off burning this promissory note."

Aurelius attempts to hand the rolled-up note to the owner.

"Thank you."

As the shopkeeper reaches out to take it, a shadow interjects and snatches the note away. Simultaneously, it also grabs the other promissory note from Aurelius.

"Eh—?"

Disregarding the surprise of the two, the figure with the two promissory notes stands behind the boss.

"How pathetic of you to make such a blunder."

It was the waitress who took it.

"I'm sorry, I really appreciate your help."

"I don't want to waste the setup we went through so much trouble for."

It seemed everything had been planned out.

The waitress had intentionally splashed water on him, and he kept losing in the "Battle Cards" because she was coaching him from behind.

"You really helped out this time."

"That's because I'm doing this for you."

The waitress had originally been the boss's mistress.

"I can't believe you were in on it."

The owner tightened his fist, trembling with rage.

"What's this? Aren't you foolish for not noticing?

Now you have to sell this inn and gather two hundred and fifty gold coins. Good luck with that!"

"Why do I have to do something like that?"

Aurelius remained calm.

"Why? I don't know.

Maybe because I have the promissory note. With proof of the debt, you're obligated to pay.

Even an adventurer should understand that.

"I'm a partner with this person, so you must pay me.

Do—you—get—it?"

The mistress wore a derisive grin.

"No, I don't understand."

Aurelius replied deliberately.

"Are you really that dense? You should comprehend.

If I present this promissory note and take legal action, the authorities will back me up, so you have to pay…"

As she attempted to unfold the promissory note to display it, the mistress halted.

"Where is the promissory note?"

The unfolded paper featured a drawing of a raccoon. It depicted a figurine of a raccoon, complete with a description. It resembled an illustration of the lucky charm figurine she had seen before.

"Eh, what is that?

Pfft."

Faced with the drawing of the raccoon figurine, both Magnolia and the owner erupted in laughter.

"Eh, wait—

Why—

How—

When did this happen?

No way."

As she opened another piece of paper, it showed a drawing of a jar along with some dubious claims about its benefits. It appeared to be the jar sold by the fortune teller they had encountered long ago.

Both were merely advertising papers.

"Could it be that you deceived me?

When did you change them?"

As she tossed the papers aside, the mistress attempted to grab Aurelius.

But when Magnolia behind her pulled out a dagger, she stopped and only glared.

"Is it you who has been lying to me all this time? Why are you saying that?"

"When did you realize?"

"From the very start.

I thought you were suspicious from the very beginning.

Losing nine times in a row in 'Battle Cards' could only mean cheating. If there are no markings on the cards, then someone must be signaling him from behind. You're the only one who could stand there without looking out of place.

You even took the trouble to set up a board to elevate the cards, likely to peek over from behind.

And today, you also made unnatural movements right behind me, didn't you? That's when I knew for sure."

"I thought I was doing it in a spot where no one behind could see.

Damn, you caught on, huh?"

"Kuh, Kuh, Kuh—

Shall I tell you one more good thing?"

Magnolia chimed in.

"Aurelius only played 'Battle Cards' a few times because he's too strong for anyone to compete against. He completely defeated him from the second time onward, didn't he?"

Indeed, Aurelius, who could read minds from even the slightest facial movements, was as if he could see the faces of the cards. Even Magnolia, who had played 'Battle Cards' numerous times, was utterly outmatched. No matter who he faced, he would likely win every match.

"Damn it, you tricked me, you tricked me—"

"So what about my debt?"

"Of course, you'll both pay it off.

After all, you two are partners and all, right?"

When Aurelius said this, the two of them collapsed onto the dirt floor.


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