"Mr. Hamilton, you really did come into some good luck."
Seeing the 21 points, the two Mr. Follens simultaneously slapped their hand cards onto the table. Neither had busted, but neither had reached 21 either.
Thus, after the first two rounds, Shade led with 4 points, while Eric Follen and Charles Follen had 3 and 2 points respectively. Shade was far from guaranteed victory.
The third round's hand cards were drawn quickly. Since this was the final round, everyone was highly focused. Shade looked at his first face-down card, frowned slightly, and then observed the Follen brothers' expressions. But they were indeed skilled Rhodes Cards players; their faces remained calm, giving Shade no chance to discern their moods.
"By the way, did you see the news? The newspaper says a serial killer has appeared in the city. The culprit is also a man and approaches others under the pretext of 'looking for his brother.'"
Shade drew his third card as he spoke, deliberately probing the two Fifth-Ring Arcanists. Eric Follen nodded.
"Of course we saw the news. Baron Sally from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the man we coordinated with, specifically warned us not to leave the embassy casually at night recently. I never expected Tobesk to be so dangerous."
"It is a large city, after all. All sorts of things can happen. The number of gas explosions here last year would probably surprise you even more."
Shade said, tapping the tabletop with his fingers.
"I think this game should end now. I stand."
The Follen brothers, who also each held three cards, both stood. Charles Follen, who wore a monocle over his left eye, even announced:
"My luck has come too. Look at this card."
He turned over his third card. It was indeed a Special Rule Card:
"Stars