The two continued drawing cards. Before Shade had time to look at his second card, Mr. Cameron laughed again:
"Look at my luck. I'd bet people will be talking about this year's final match for many years to come."
He revealed his second card:
"Special Card—Stars 6 Great Steam Age Amid Whistles. When this card is drawn, if you hold one or two Special Cards besides this one, you may guess the suit of any one of your opponent's unrevealed cards. If correct, you may prevent your opponent's next card that adjusts the card-face number from taking effect. This does not apply to the Founding Series."
It sounded quite useful, but among all the cards Shade had encountered, this one probably had the lowest chance of ever taking effect.
"Your deck seems to contain quite a lot of Great Steam Age cards?"
"Yes, three in total. I'm very much looking forward to collecting the entire set of thirteen Great Steam Age cards before I die. I'm guessing your second card is Moon!"
"No."
Shade turned over his card:
"It's Queen."
"Hmm?"
Mr. Cameron froze for a moment, then laughed as well.
"Does this count as good luck or bad luck for me?"
He had already drawn King in the earlier rounds of this match, so he could only defeat Queen by reaching 21 points. But clearly, not just anyone could draw 21 points.
Thus, after five rounds in the second match, Shade led 8 to 2. And if he won again next, he would become the champion of Year 1853.
Shade took a deep breath and rolled his neck to loosen himself up. Then he gave the cat, which could not understand the card game at all and was merely sprawled across the table looking around, another stroke. Mr. Cameron