the moment their eyes met, Doctor Schneider and Xia De both widened their eyes. Xia De even read the meaning of “Why are you here?” from the other’s gaze.
Xia De had indeed informed the Doctor when discussing his attire that he needed to attend a rather formal banquet due to a task from his office, but he hadn’t mentioned it was the Lakeview Manor banquet. The Doctor also hadn’t asked him where he was going, probably not expecting Xia De to appear in this place.
Xia De wanted to leave the card table and go to the Doctor, but the Doctor sternly shook his head slightly at Xia De, while his conversation with his friend about the difference between heavy strikes of silver and gold items didn’t stop.
They passed by the grape arbor, and there were also friends of Doctor Schneider’s companions by the card table, who greeted each other a few times.
The Doctor didn't have any conversation with Xia De, but instead, very discreetly, gestured a series of rather complex movements with both hands. Only after confirming Xia De had seen them clearly did he leave with his companion.
“But what do those gestures mean?”
Xia De pondered, staring at the grapes hanging from above, feeling confused.
Although he saw them clearly, he didn't understand them at all. He didn't know sign language, nor did he understand hints. It was useless no matter how clearly Doctor Schneider gestured.
“However, now Mrs. Lasoya of Mercury Blood, the Ring Sorcerer team of the Orthodox Church, ‘The Lady’ a High-Ring Sorcerer of unknown level, and Doctor Schneider have all appeared in Lakeview Manor. What exactly will happen here… I’ll try to find the Doctor after finishing this card game… Will Miss Louisa and Priest Augustus also be here?”
The second round of rhode cards between Horticultural Artist Sir Solar and Mr. Sik, the owner of the flour mill, was clearly more interesting than the first round between the two Barons. The two were almost neck and neck, winning one round each, and by the end, both their foreheads were sweating.
And when the second round reached its climax at four-four, not only the participants but even the onlookers dared not breathe loudly.
“This round, I win.”
Sir Solar used a face-up “Flower 12” to flip open a face-down card, let out a long breath, and turned over “Sun 9” to face up. Mr. Sik, sitting opposite him, sighed deeply and turned over his face-down card. Even Xia De couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.
Mr. Sik’s face-up card was not important, because the face-down card he flipped over was surprisingly a “Queen.” In the competitive rules of rhode cards, once one side draws a “Queen” or “King,” they must stop drawing cards. Although the other side can continue to draw cards, unless they can ultimately reach exactly 21 points, they are the loser in any other situation.
And if both sides draw Kings and Queens, they compare the size of the other card in the same situation, while in different situations, King is greater than Queen. If one side holds both a “King” and a “Queen” at the same time, they automatically win, though this situation is only possible when dealing the cards.
Therefore, Mr. Sik drawing a Queen but losing to Sir Solar’s 21 points, such a card game was enough for the bystanders to discuss for several months as a topic of conversation.
Baron Lavende, his face flushed, leaned over to look at the cards on the stone table, and slapped Sir Solar heavily on the shoulder, almost knocking out the toothpick the Sir was holding in his mouth.
The two players stood up and left, and compared to the atmosphere of the first round, the atmosphere at this time was clearly much better. Sir Solar and Mr. Sik had no conflict of interest; they shook hands amicably, and the latter kept expressing his regrets.
So the game became one win each, and the final selection was particularly important. The seemingly shrewd Baron Rwanda decided to play again himself, while Baron Lavende deliberated carefully, and finally took out a deck of cards, letting his “friends” each draw one, and in the end, let Xia De, who for some unknown reason drew a King, play.
Even Xia De was speechless now:
“However, this luck is already a bit strange.”
But Baron Rwanda had something to say. He was a bit shorter than his friends around him, and after sitting down, he looked even more like a glowing potato:
“Lavende, we agreed to fair competition, inviting only our respective good friends, not rhode cards masters hired with money, otherwise this game would be meaningless.”
He didn't directly say that Xia De was problematic, but he clearly didn't approve of Xia De, a stranger, playing against him.
“Yes, this young Detective is my friend; we had a very pleasant chat just now.”
Baron Lavende said without changing his expression. Xia De took the opportunity to hand his few remaining business cards to the somewhat short Baron. The latter, upon seeing the address “Saint Delan Square Six,” was as surprised as the others and carefully put away the business card.
“You see, I am a native of Tobesk, not an out-of-town rhode cards player. If I were some very powerful player, it’s impossible you wouldn’t have heard of me. Oh, Baron, if you don’t believe me, I can swear to the Orthodox Church that I am absolutely not a rhode cards master.”
Xia De said very seriously. Baron Rwanda still looked at him suspiciously but still nodded, indicating that the game could begin. But before Mr. Candra of the Prophet Association could start shuffling, Baron Rwanda said to Baron Lavende again:
“Since Hamilton Detective is your friend, why don’t you give him my stake if he wins? I’ll give you 20 pounds as an additional stake.”
Baron Rwanda was all smiles:
“Since you two are friends, I imagine this must be no problem, right? You don’t need to increase the stake.”
Although 20 pounds was a large sum of money, it couldn't compare to the value of that 【ancient fairy tale - match girl】. According to the market price Xia De understood, once 【match girl】 with special rules could find a suitable buyer and be sold, its value would not be less than 50 pounds, which was a true collection for wealthy people.
Baron Lavende certainly didn't want to agree, and there was no reason to agree to such a request now. But seeing everyone looking at him, he hardened his heart, and the issue of face instantly took precedence. He said, with his head held high:
“Of course, Hamilton Detective is my friend. If he wins this gamble, the stake goes to him… Your 20 pounds will go to Sir Solar.”
As he spoke, he heavily patted Xia De’s shoulder, who had already sat down. Xia De understood that Baron Lavende would definitely ask for the card back afterward but would compensate him with a sum of money.
“I have no objections either.”
Xia De said, and Sir Solar, who was standing by watching the game, also nodded indifferently.
So the third round officially began. The deck was still the two Barons' deck, so after the shuffling ended, Xia De, whose right eye had a faint red glow, roughly knew the content of the opponent's first two cards.
Of course, he couldn't remember the bloodstains of all 54 cards, but after using the spell 【Echo of Blood】, not only did he gain a keen observation of subtle bloodstains, but his memory of bloodstains was also strengthened, which is why he dared to confidently believe he roughly knew.
“The opponent’s first two cards are Flower 10 and Flower 9, so they are unlikely to continue drawing cards…”
Xia De thought to himself, seeing his face-up card was sun 1, and flipping over his bottom card was Star 9. He gestured to Mr. Candra to continue dealing cards, and the result was Moon 11 when flipped over.
“No, this luck is definitely not right. What’s going on?”