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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Xrecker
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Tribal Wars.
A card game with a rich history dating back 500 years. It originated from a set of forty ritual cards used by the priestesses of the three goddesses for divination.
Initially, a board game using only these forty cards was popular in taverns. However, people grew tired of the stagnant meta. The Merchant Guild of Nidavellir, recognizing this dissatisfaction, gathered dwarven scholars to develop a new game, and thus, Tribal Wars was born.
With near-perfect balance and endless card combinations, a product of the dwarves’ obsessive craftsmanship, and official tournament rules and ban lists updated every six months, it was a masterpiece of a card game.
It quickly spread across the continent, becoming a beloved pastime for all ages.
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“Direct attack from Blue-Eyes Green Magician! Wind Force!”
“GAAAAAH!”
The score was 2-0.
The captain of the Black Bear Mercenary Company, struck by the final blow, screamed and fell backwards, his chair tipping over.
He put on quite a dramatic performance, which was somewhat embarrassing, considering I hadn’t actually done anything. He looked up at me, groaning,
“I’m defeated. Your mage deck is ridiculously strong.”
I offered him my hand, returning the compliment.
“Your barbarian warrior deck was pretty good, too.”
The mercenary captain, the anger draining from his face, accepted my hand and stood up.
“This seems like fate. How about a drink? As promised, I’ll answer any questions you have.”
“Are you paying?”
“Of course! You’re the first person to ever beat me. I wouldn’t dream of being stingy!”
Unable to resist free food and drinks, I joined him at his table after the crowd of onlookers dispersed, bringing the food and drinks I had ordered earlier.
As expected, the mercenary captain asked how I had become so skilled, and I simply replied, “Believe in the heart of the cards.” Meanwhile, I questioned the goateed mercenary who had acted as the referee, finally obtaining the information I sought.
Lady Esmeralda, my master and the Head Mage of the Emerald Tower, one of the four great magic towers of the continent, had broken through and become the first human to reach the seventh tier.
While I was happy for my master, I was also apprehensive.
She was already monstrously strong. Having achieved enlightenment and become even stronger, she would be impossible to defeat.
I asked if there was any other news, and I heard a rumor that King Oscar’s health was deteriorating.
It was rather satisfying to hear that the tyrannical king of Oz, who constantly demanded the expulsion of demons and the strengthening of the kingdom, was on his deathbed.
After a satisfying meal, I returned to my room.
Having snacked throughout our conversation, I was feeling full and sleepy.
I needed to rest before my late-night activities.
If Camilla had been here, I would have asked her to wake me up at midnight, but unfortunately, I was on my own this time.
“Yawn…”
I threw myself onto the bed.
The soft mattress enveloped me, and drowsiness washed over me.
I closed my eyes, my vision fading.
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“Huh?”
It felt like I had only closed my eyes for a moment, but when I opened them, it was already the middle of the night.
The moonlight streaming through the window was bright, and the clear sky suggested a full moon.
I removed the black robe I had been wearing for disguise and donned the green robe of the Emerald Tower.
I pinned my medals of valor from the Human-Demon War onto the robe and put on my gauntlets, preparing for any potential combat.
While it might seem excessive to dress so formally for a night stroll, I had a method.
Spellweave Armament – Whirlwind Bone Cutter
Whoosh!
Invisible streams of wind enveloped my body, and I altered the refractive index of the light around me.
A perfect optical camouflage spell.
I need to be careful from now on.
No one could see me.
I hadn’t informed the innkeeper of my departure, and I had established an alibi by telling the Black Bear mercenaries that I was going to bed early due to fatigue.
I took a few steps back from the window, then, with a running start, jumped through the open window.
Thud.
“…”
Despite the two-story drop, the wind cushioning my fall made the landing silent.
The streets were quiet.
It was late, and there was no one around.
Unlike the always bustling capital, the people here seemed to retire early.
I slowly stood up, guided by the pale moonlight.
Southeast, was it?
I created a platform of wind beneath my feet and leaped onto the rooftops, traversing the closely packed buildings.
My destination was the largest and most impressive mansion in Hamburg, visible in the distance.
Once I delivered the forged letter to the Margrave, my mission would be complete.
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While the invisibility spell, based on Whirlwind Bone Cutter, was effective, it couldn’t mask sound.
The heavily guarded mansion, with its patrolling guards, exuded an air of impenetrable security.
It was likely the safest place in the city.
I synchronized my footsteps with those of the patrolling guards and entered through the main gate.
I followed the meticulously maintained conifer garden, and as I walked, I encountered the next patrol shift.
The two groups, apparently familiar with each other, exchanged greetings and dispersed.
I continued walking, matching my pace with the guards heading towards the inner part of the mansion.
Thanks to my invisibility and the darkness, no one noticed me.
Having switched groups several times, I found myself deep within the mansion, with no one else around.
The long hallway ahead had echoing acoustics. Walking alone would only amplify the sound of my footsteps.
Someone might mistake it for a ghost, or suspect an intruder and call for the guards.
I considered my options, then decided to approach the Margrave from the outside.
I already knew where his room was.
Despite the late hour, there was a single lit room in the mansion, and the familiar mana signature emanating from it confirmed the presence of the Margrave of Hamburg, the same one I had met at the fortress.
I had an excellent memory for mana patterns.
I climbed out of a window in the hallway, attached a rope to my body, and scaled the wall.
The Margrave’s study was on the fifth floor, but that was nothing for me.
I reached the roof, walked to the railing above the study, secured the rope I had brought with me to the chimney, and rappelled down.
Whirr!
Thump!
The rope tightened, and I stopped in front of the study window.
The Margrave, hearing the sound of my feet against the glass, approached the window curiously.
As he reached the window, I released the invisibility spell.
The Margrave’s face contorted in shock.
I held up the letter I had been carrying.
“Special delivery.”
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