The uneasy champion and the envoy's arrival

Wendy was utterly baffled by Akweiler's "confusing" remarks.

Wait, what?

What do you mean, I won?

What did I do? How was that a Miracle?

Has this old man fried his brain with a fever?

Why else would he be spouting nonsense?

Just as Wendy was debating whether to use her magic to examine the old geezer, lest he pass out and then extort money from her, Akweiler turned and left without a moment's hesitation under everyone's astonished gaze, as though he had already glimpsed the outcome of their duel. Wait, what the fuck is going on?

You're forfeiting a match you were guaranteed to win?

Even match-fixing shouldn't be this blatant!

Up in the stands, John was dumbstruck as he watched Akweiler walk away.

The situation had gone completely beyond his expectations. He could rack his brains all day and still never figure out why Akweiler had suddenly forfeited. Was the man afraid that John, as governor, would retaliate against him if he beat Wendy?

Or had Wendy tracked him down before the match and somehow threatened him into throwing the final? In fact, John was far from the only one thinking this. Most of the spectators in the stands also believed Akweiler's forfeiture was evidence of a fixed match. But before the indignant crowd could start cursing the shady dealings, whether out of curiosity or a desire to demonstrate the fairness of the competition, Bababo Yi instinctively turned over both players' cards at the table. Their hands immediately appeared on the big screen. Yet when everyone saw the contrast between them, those who had suspected match-fixing all sucked in a sharp breath. Some even leaped to their feet in shock, staring at the projection screen in utter disbelief.

The reason everyone was stunned speechless was simple.

Wendy's hand