Crassa Episode

Ah, I really don't want to get caught in the rain.

I wonder if it'll stop by tomorrow morning...

At this hour?

You took your sweet time opening the door. Were you asleep?

...Out of nowhere? You?

What? Did you think you could just leave me out in the rain?

I'm a little hurt.

Well, you didn't exactly seem like a guest who'd show up at this hour.

A guest?

I'm just a passerby who wanted to get out of the rain.

You didn't actually expect me to believe that, did you?

What does it matter? The door is already open, and I'm out of the rain.

Don't you think?

.......

...Fine, you win. Come on in.

Fufu. Look at you being so cooperative.

If I left you outside, I'd look like the bad guy. There's no other reason.

I'm going to charge you for letting you shelter here, you know.

Mmm, I like that attitude.

So, how do you plan to collect?

How much, how, and where?

...Keep your voice down.

You'll wake up the guests sleeping upstairs.

Hmm... Are the people upstairs more important than me?

That's a little disappointing.

...I'm just saying, whatever we do, let's keep it quiet.

As long as we're quiet, right? Heh.

Give me a break.

Take off your coat. It's warm near the fireplace over there, so go sit down.

I just need to quietly warm myself up, right?

Exactly.

But in return, you'll have to cure my boredom.

This isn't a casino.

It's not a casino, but...

You don't dislike mind games, do you?

...And why should I play with you?

Hmm...?

...Fine, I get it.

Let's see. You know how to play chess, right?

I barely know how the pieces move.

Then you can learn.

It's a joy to still have things to learn at an old age.

...I'm not that old, you know.

Fufu. Getting defensive about it is proof that you're an older gentleman.

Is that so?

You must have learned a lot then, Crassa, since you're so up there in age.

.......

Am I right?

.............

...So that's how you're going to play it, huh?

.......

...My bad. Could you please stop smiling so creepily?

As long as you understand.

But in exchange, you'll have to cooperate to make this a bit more interesting.

You'll agree, won't you?

.......

Fine...

I don't know what we're betting, but let's hear it.

Just no "elopement" or anything. I had more than enough of that last time.

Ahaha! True, that was quite fun.

But we shouldn't cause such a "commotion" tonight, right? We wouldn't want to wake everyone up.

Thank you for understanding...

Okay, let's see...

Then, let's bet on <questions>.

One question per game. The winner asks, and the loser must answer.

That sounds dangerous.

I have my own secrets, you know.

Things I can't exactly share with an influential figure of another nation.

Oh?

It's no fun if I ask about such sensitive matters.

I'll ask something purely, purely personal. How about that?

...Fine.

I'll ask something purely, purely personal. How about that?

This side is wide open, you know.

My knight!

If you do that, you'll lose your bishop.

Could you go a bit easy on me?

Check.

If I block like this...!

Queen takes rook, checkmate.

Ah...

Ahaha! You're really terrible at chess!

You're just way too good.

Well, I have been playing chess for quite a long time.

Even within the Empire, there are only a few who can match me.

I thought you only knew how to play poker.

Oh dear. Did you think poker and chess were that different?

......?

The cards your opponent plays are gone from the deck. The cards in your hand are also out of play.

That way, you can narrow down the remaining cards.

You calculate the possible combinations for both yourself and your opponent based on what's visible...

...And then you bet when your chances of winning are above a certain threshold.

Poker is a mind sport too, "Holy Swordbringer."

Must be nice to be so smart.

Heh. Shall we play a second match, then?

Hmm... Okay. Knight here.

Wait.

Why?

That move just now, it's weird.

Fufu. What's weird about it?

I just moved it.

No. If you move there, you're putting yourself at a disadvantage.

Even I can see that much.

...You have quite a sharp eye.

You've been playing a step behind on purpose since we started.

I hate it when people go easy on me.

There's no value in a match like that.

.......

How unexpected. I thought you'd be happy to win.

What, do you think I'm a kid?

As if I wouldn't notice when it's that obvious.

Fine. Shall we play for real this time?

Ugh...

A comeback victory! Success!

This is completely suffocating.

It feels like you're slowly tightening a noose around my neck...

You actually have a decent feel for the game.

Up through the opening and the middlegame, you even tried to copy my style.

I don't know any standard moves, so I had to copy what I saw.

It was a good attempt. But...

You're weak in the <endgame>.

Endgame?

A chess game progresses in three distinct phases.

The opening, where you set up your pieces and establish your position.

The middlegame, where you actively exchange pieces and engage in battle.

And the endgame, where both sides target the opposing king to finish the match.

Targeting the king, huh...

By the middle of the middlegame at the latest, you must decide how to exchange your pieces.

The endgame is when you face the consequences of those decisions.

Consequences, huh...

Yes. Leading a nation is no different.

Choosing, deciding, and taking responsibility.

So how could you possibly beat me? Fufu.

That last comment was a bit provoking.

Let's go again.

I like that you don't back down.

How did this even...

Heh. I won, didn't I?

But you put up a fierce fight.

Sigh...

I couldn't win a single match.

For someone who's just learning, it's actually quite impressive.

Usually, people get crushed by the time they reach the middlegame.

You have talent.

I don't really want to hear that from the winner.

So, what's your question?

I have to pay my dues.

Fufu, good.

I had something I was curious about.

Our great and chosen "Holy Swordbringer"...

Why exactly are you helping the Queen of Britannia?

.......

That's an interesting question.

And a very... "political" one at that.

Well, I am a born politician.

In that case, I don't really need to tell you.

Look at the chessboard.

......?

Oh?

Like you said, I'll have to learn the endgame again.

I was just a bit too late this time.

...In chess, that would be true.

Yes. In chess.

Interesting.

The Queen of Britannia has a much better man by her side than I thought.

I'm glad you see it that way.

Okay. That was interesting.

It was definitely worth coming.

Then you can leave without any regrets.

Hurry up and leave before everyone else comes down and gets a shock.

Fufu. Being treated so coldly is a bit hurtful, you know.

That won't work on me anymore.

Too bad. See you next time, then?