The Miracle That Would Never Appear

In the second round of the first game, the earl still stood after just two cards, and their total was somehow still 18.

Shade's first two cards totaled 13, so he took a third card.

"Have you given up Blood Brew now?"

He spoke with a laugh.

"Look, Sun 6. I have 19 again."

"Looks like my luck isn't very good today."

The earl shook his head regretfully, tossed his two cards aside again, and accepted the first face-down card for the third round of the first game.

"I know that drink isn't healthy, but ever since my lung disease healed, even the hidden ailments I had before seem to have vanished. Even my personal doctor says I'm in excellent health, so..."

He shrugged, indicating that he had not quit.

Shade had no comment on that. Strictly speaking, the current Earl of Darak was dead. Blood Brew mixed with prohibited drugs naturally could no longer harm his health.

"Speaking of Sun 6..."

Shade glanced at his face-down card and signaled for Priest Augustus to continue dealing.

"Among the Founding Series cards, Sun 6 is Founding."

"Yes, I have seen the artwork of the Founding Series countless times in the Seer Association's oil paintings. Look, my second card is Queen. My luck has turned."

The earl said this with a smile, while Shade's third card was Moon 12, causing him to bust immediately. The first game was temporarily two to one.

"I have seen Founding with my own eyes. It is in Middlesburg."

Shade spoke softly, and the earl's eyes widened at once.

"In this city? Mr. Watson, do you mean that card is less than twenty-five miles away from us?"

"Yes, but I cannot reveal who owns that card."

"That is truly enviable. You have actually seen a Founding Series