Andrei’s sudden declaration.
As if the person had changed, the Muscle Masked Man hesitated.
“Wait, Guardian? Why on earth──”
“Do you have a problem with what I said?”
“Problem or not, suddenly telling us to kill each other…….”
“If you were a Support Unit, you wouldn’t have anything to say about what was just said. It seems you’re not a Support Unit, are you?”
“………!!”
In fact, it’s not something to be surprised about. Everyone here has already played Bang several times since they passed the preliminaries.
In a normal game, it’s natural for the Guardian to take the lead.
It’s just that Andrei’s performance in the first game left a strong impression.
Even though he was the Guardian, he kept his head down and said nothing, not even using a card, just passing his turn.
For others who didn’t know that Andrei was overly conscious of the higher-ups, it was a situation where they might even hold a grudge against Andrei.
A player who made it to the finals wasn’t even properly participating in the game.
So, they thought the same situation would play out in this final game.
But it seemed that Andrei had finally decided to properly participate in Bang.
“Well… of course! I am a Support Unit, but even if you tell us to fight each other, isn’t it disadvantageous for the Support Unit? Even if the Secret Society is like that, there are three Magicians.”
The polite speech that naturally came out.
In fact, considering Andrei’s current position, it was unavoidable.
Andrei had 0 victory points. No matter what he did, he couldn’t win, but the Muscle Masked Man was different.
He already had 2 victory points, so just one more win would bring him closer to victory.
As long as Andrei, the Guardian, held the role of kingmaker, even if the Muscle Masked Man was the Grand Master, he had no choice but to use polite speech to a mere porter.
Because the prize was that valuable.
For some reason, Sir Embryo suddenly opened his eyes wide, trembled, and alternated his gaze between the Muscle Masked Man and Andrei, but it was understandable.
“……….”
“Gu…Guardian, please believe me. I………am not that person, this time I am the Support Unit.”
“Guardian? I am the Support Unit. Of course, I will fight according to your words.”
“Guardian? Don’t believe the old hag. The Support Unit is me──”
“No need for sweet talk.”
“…………?”
Thud.
The card Andrei put down was <Life Vessel>.
An equipment card that allows you to flip the top card of the deck when attacked and avoid the attack if it’s a circle.
Thud.
In addition, he equipped <Residual Magic>.
A card that makes others see Andrei as 1 distance further away, meaning that even the players next to him can’t target him unless they have a weapon with a range of 2 or more.
Andrei, determined to hold out.
He looked around at the Muscle Masked Man, Sir Embryo, a nodding masked man, and the other two masked men who seemed somewhat flustered, and declared.
“The first player to eliminate another player.”
“…………….”
“……….”
“………Gulp.”
“I will consider you as the Support Unit for now.”
And that.
Was the beginning of a bloody battle where everyone tore into each other.
*
The atmosphere in the tournament hall heated up.
Unlike the bland first game due to Andrei’s attitude and the somewhat ordinary second game, the final game was a melee that showed why it was the finals.
‘That player, Andrei, right?’
A player who had shown unusual skills since the preliminaries, so I kept an eye on him.
I thought he would perform well in the finals, but he was so excessively bowing his head and not participating in the game that after the first game ended, I approached him at Olfin’s request.
‘A commoner and a noble’s board game…….’
In the end, even within the framework of a board game, the difference in class and status is unavoidable.
But at least for the board games unfolding before my eyes, I wanted to pursue true equality.
It seemed that my sincere words had an effect, which was a relief.
Thanks to Andrei’s awakening (?), the final game was proceeding unusually.
“Magic Missile!”
“Blink, huh.”
“Profit, with the ability of <Dragon Heart>, Magic Missile again!”
“This time,
“I’ll dodge the Magic Missile by treating it as a Blink.”
“Ahhh! The last Magic Missile!!”
“That’s the effect of <Life Vessel>. Hmm… a circle, huh.”
“Ahhh!!!”
“Waaaaah!!!!”
As the female masked figure, Stella Varnicion, unleashed her full-powered triple attack in vain, cheers erupted from the audience.
The male masked figure, Olfin, who had dodged her attacks, still had cards to spare. Even though he took the last attack head-on, he avoided the damage thanks to the ability of <Life Vessel>, which was enough to make Stella burst with frustration.
“By the way, Kyle Byron, isn’t it fascinating how luck works? Don’t you think?”
“Indeed… it certainly is.”
However, Bantain was amazed for a different reason. In this final game, all the character cards had returned to their respective owners.
Olfin had <Master Olfin Glassburn>, Stella had <Stella Varnicion>, Knight Roland had <Knight Roland>…
Even Embryo had his own character card, so for the only one who knew who was behind those masks, it was impossible not to laugh.
“Ollllfiiiiin!!!!”
The audience probably thought Stella’s scream was due to <Master Olfin Glassburn>‘s ability to use Magic Missile as Blink and Blink as Magic Missile. In reality, she was screaming at the real Olfin.
Ever since Stella won by combining her character ability with <Dragon Heart> to create infinite Magic Missiles, she seemed to have gotten a bit too serious about Bang.
Her over-immersion made every reaction of hers utterly delightful.
‘I wonder what expressions people would make if they knew that the person screaming as if they lost their country is the Archmage?’
Probably similar to Bantain’s. He was rarely seen covering his forehead with his hand and sighing.
“Archmage Stella… this is embarrassing…”
I think it’s good to be immersed in board games.
But… frankly, it was a bit cringe. Especially since she was banging her head on the table while playing the shotgun.
“Now, now, Sky Guy. Calm down.”
“…You.”
“It’s my turn now, so give me some cards.”
“Huh?”
“Did you forget my character ability? Let me see… I’ll take a Magic Missile! In exchange, give me two of your cards.”
“Rolannnndddd!!!!”
As if pouring oil on the already burning Stella, the next masked figure, Knight Roland, used his character ability to steal the remaining cards from Stella.
A scream erupted from Stella, whether directed at the character card or herself, it was hard to tell. With the mask and clothes covering her, it was hard to believe that the dignified Archmage I knew was inside there…
‘Looks like she’s determined to take Bang with her when she leaves.’
There was an offer from Stella, and it seemed like a good idea to go to the Astron Magic Tower together when we returned. I was also curious about the floating island in the sky and the magic tower built there.
Anyway, as I was enjoying the show while munching on popcorn, the Water Tiger sleeping next to me lifted its head.
[Grr…]
“Oh, you’re awake? Sorry, was I too loud?”
[…No. I woke up in sync.]
“Princess?”
[What did you just say?]
“………Leisha.”
[That’s my husband. I’ve been hearing a lot from the Water Tiger, and I was curious about the tournament you’re holding with your board game.]
“Ah…”
[By the way, since my body is smaller, it’s hard to see. Can you hold me?]
“If that’s what you want.”
It felt strange hearing Leisha’s voice coming from the small and cute Water Tiger.
Anyway, I picked up the Water Tiger as requested and held it in my arms.
The Water Tiger then buried its face in my chest.
“…Didn’t you say you wanted to watch?”
[I’ll stay like this for a while. I’ve been tired lately.]
“Even so───”
[I was just talking with the maid. It’s exhausting to keep facing my trauma. Being in my husband’s arms makes me feel a bit better.]
“………Understood.”
How could I push her away when she said that?
As I nodded with a sigh, I suddenly felt a chilling presence behind me.
“Oh, Sally?”
“…Ah, it’s a female.”
“Huh?”
Was that directed at the Water Tiger, or at Leisha?
When I heard the news of Leisha’s engagement, Sally’s eyes, which had always shown strong hostility towards Leisha, looked somewhat gloomy.
She kept fidgeting with something behind her back with both hands. That’s not a dagger, is it? Do you trust me?
“Young Master, if you get… tainted by that female…”
“…I’ll take care of you later.”
“Ah, understood!”
At least she didn’t stab the Water Tiger, so that’s a relief.
Whenever Leisha syncs with the Water Tiger and asks something of me, Sally also has to do the same or even more to calm her anger.
I chuckled and smiled at Sally, who was happily laughing, but when I turned my head, I locked eyes with Bantain.
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Nothing, I just thought using charm might not work. I was looking for a magician with outstanding beauty from our Terra Magic Tower to somehow invite Kyle Byron here.”
“No need.”
“Yes, I thought so. It seems like we’d be eliminated before even getting close to Kyle Byron.”
“…Huh?”
“Anyway, let’s keep watching the game. It looks like someone’s about to be eliminated soon.”
“Y-yes, let’s do that.”
…By the way.
When I felt that eerie vibe earlier.
I think I felt it not just from Sally but also from outside the door… or was it just my imagination?
*
“Magic Missile…!”
“…Sigh, I lost. I can’t hold on any longer.”
“Nice…!!”
The Female Masked Man, who had drawn Shisha Glesia’s character, was eliminated by the Muscle Masked Man’s attack.
Even without the Dragon Heart, she had an aggressive ability to use multiple Magic Missiles, but in the end, she was defenseless when attacked.
Perhaps her ability to concentrate firepower when the number of players decreased made her a target, so it couldn’t be helped.
“Well, I had enough fun.”
It seemed she wasn’t aiming for the win or the prize, as she showed no regrets. She flipped over her role card for everyone to see.
The Female Masked Man’s revealed role was…
“Magician! Guardian, did you see that?”
“As expected, I believed in you. You were a reliable Support Unit.”
“Haha! Since we eliminated the Magician, I get to draw three more cards…!!”
“…Then it’s my turn.”
The Muscle Masked Man’s next turn. Knight Commander Embryo seemed oddly distracted from the game.
He kept glancing at the Muscle Masked Man, who was using honorifics with Andrei, and gave him a fearful look.
But in the end, he targeted the player right next to him, who had almost no cards or health left.
“Farewell, debt collector.”
“…I don’t know why you’re saying that.”
As Knight Commander Embryo struggled to withstand the Female Masked Man’s triple Magic Missile assault, he delivered the final blow to Master Olfin Glassburn. Meanwhile, the Muscle Masked Man teased him for some reason.
Master Olfin Glassburn, who had been relying on the Life Vessel as his last hope, also gave up.
“The Life Vessel… is a diamond. I lost.”
“Behold. This is the difference between a magician and me.”
“Same as before. By the way, why are you acting up when Knight Commander Embryo is just sitting there?”
“The voice of the eliminated magician cannot be heard.”
And so, Master Olfin Glassburn, who was also a Magician, was eliminated.
The next turn was the Female Masked Man who had drawn Stella Varnicion.
She, who seemed the most immersed and desperate in the game, drew a card and looked at the Guardian, Andrei.
“…Guardian, I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“That musclehead, Knight Roland, is not the Support Unit. Absolutely not.”
“Nonsense! How could I not be the Support Unit when I eliminated the Magician!?”
“Because I am the Support Unit. Since Magicians don’t know who the other Magicians are, it’s certain that you’re either a Magician or part of the Secret Society.”
“That’s ridiculous…!!”
“…It’s not entirely unbelievable.”
“Guardian!”
“Guardian.”
“…Guardian.”
The Muscle Masked Man, the Female Masked Man, and Knight Commander Embryo all looked at Andrei at the same time.
Each of them, filled with their own desperation, urgency, and greed, waited for Andrei’s decision.
A presence unlike anything in the first game.
Everyone was so busy fighting…
When he was all worn out, Andrei, who had never been attacked even once and built an iron fortress with multiple equipment cards, smiled.
“It doesn’t seem like something someone who couldn’t eliminate a single person should say.”
“That’s right…! I believed in you, Guardian!”
“Well, I thought you’d say that.”
“Even if you slander me with nonsense, the Guardian won’t be shaken!”
“…It’s incredibly awkward hearing you speak formally. Anyway, that means… if I eliminate someone, it’s fine, right?”
“Huh?”
The Female Masked Man, who had prepared a combo practically like a finishing move with <Dragon Heart> and the character ability of <Stella Varnicion> to draw one card directly from the deck when out of cards, targeted Knight Commander Embryo.
Even the ability of <Knight Commander Embryo>, which allowed him to draw a card every time he lost health, was useless against the overwhelming firepower of <Stella Varnicion>‘s combo.
“Magic Missile! Magic Missile! Magic Missile!”
“…I lost. This is a shame.”
For some reason, even though he was eliminated, Knight Commander Embryo looked relieved. It seemed like something about the game had been really burdensome for him, just like Andrei in the first round.
In any case, Knight Commander Embryo, who raised both hands in surrender, had the role of…
“…Magician.”
“That settles it.”
The last remaining magician.
As if the final match of the finals had to be like this, by a strange coincidence, the remaining roles were Guardian, Support Unit, and Secret Society.
With all magicians eliminated, Andrei had to make a choice.
“Guardian, now is the time to eliminate that magician! If we just get rid of him, it’s over!”
Should it be <Knight Roland>, the Muscle Masked Man who had been loyal to Andrei from the start, addressing him formally and being the first to eliminate a magician?
“Guardian, I believe in you.”
Or should it be <Stella Varnicion>, the Female Masked Man who had also eliminated a magician and had been the most actively immersed in the game, attacking other players?
One was the Support Unit, the other the Secret Society.
Depending on the choice, it could either be a smooth victory or a threatening one-on-one situation.
Andrei made his decision.
“I’ve already made up my mind long ago.”
“That’s right! Guardian, let’s take out that cunning woman first…!!”
“Guardian, I’m the Support Unit! That muscle guy is the Secret Society!”
“It’s fine. I will respect both of your wishes.”
“………?”
“Huh?”
At Andrei’s incomprehensible words, both the Muscle Masked Man and the Female Masked Man were stunned for a moment.
Andrei, who had been using the character card <Hellfire>‘s ability to take the cards of eliminated players, nodded.
“You two, just fight now.”
“Me…?”
“…Ah!”
“If you’re the Support Unit, you’ll win with me anyway, so there’s no problem. If possible, eliminate your opponent, but it’s fine if you just fight and deplete their health.”
With <Life Vessel>, <Residual Magic>, <Magician's Armor>, and the high-quality hand he had gathered using <Hellfire>‘s character ability, the Guardian declared like an emperor watching a gladiator match.
“What are you doing?”
“………….”
“……………”
“Enjoy the fight.”
At those words, the Female Masked Man aimed the three cards she had drawn by eliminating Knight Commander Embryo at the Muscle Masked Man.
“…Oh no.”
The Muscle Masked Man quietly broke into a cold sweat.
