The Fourth Kingdom, Orange Gallery, had no shortage of buildings with historical and artistic value. Naturally, its royal castle held many magnificent works of art, both on display and safely stored away. For that reason, security was high in every part of the castle, even around the first gate that led to the plaza that was open to civilians. In most royal castles, security was there to protect the important people inside—the sovereign, first and foremost—but this castle was different because of the current ruler’s fondness for rarities.
Somehow, despite everything mentioned so far, a certain demon had made his way inside as if he were taking a stroll in the park.
“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Isabella Stuart. I am one of the New Seven Black Stars, Adek the God of Games.”
Silently, the man emerged from the shadow of a pillar. He was tall and slender, and handsome enough to turn heads. His polite speech, coupled with his tailcoat and excellent posture, gave him the air of a first-rate butler. His ability to conceal his mana must have been enormous, because not even Isabella, the best at sensing mana among the Seven Heroes, could perceive a speck of it from him.
Regardless, she could understand after assessing him directly. The quantity and quality of mana was overpowering; he was, without a doubt, a shenmo.
“I believe my security is rather tight, is it not?” Isabella said.
“Indeed it is. My game with them was rather tedious.” Adek shrugged his shoulders in response to Isabella’s question. “I’m expecting a more pleasant game with you, Queen.”
Isabella spent a moment observing Adek in silence. “Adek the God of Games, you say. From that name, I can more or less infer what kind of abilities you possess,” she said with a faint smile.
After a moment, she snapped her fingers. In response, several walls in the room flipped over and more than fifty fully armed guards appeared. “Did you think I would choose to play a game against someone calling himself a god?”
Isabella’s guards all rushed at Adek as one.
“Oh my, you’re a rather violent individual.” Adek shrugged and shook his head as if disappointed. While he stood idle, the guards kept charging at him with their spears. He didn’t lift a finger to defend himself, inevitably allowing the guards to turn his body into a pincushion.
However, the strangest thing happened next. One of the paintings hanging on the wall shattered into tiny pieces for no apparent reason.
“Oh no, you went and broke Her Majesty’s favorite work of art. You’ll need to be disciplined,” Adek said. Despite scores of spears stabbing into his body, he was unharmed.
Even Isabella was surprised at this state of affairs.
“I know you aren’t actually of royal blood. You share joint ownership of this castle and the kingdom’s works of art with the Minister of Culture, who is part of the royal lineage. Although, since you have full control over the ministry’s human resources, the minister can never really oppose you,” Adek said in a clear voice. “To better enjoy my game with you, I first played a game with the Minister of Culture over the ownership of this castle and the works of art. To be more precise, we forged a contract where any damage I suffer will be redirected to this castle or the kingdom’s works of art.”
“Cease your attack,” Isabella ordered her guards in a calm manner. She then addressed Adek. “Your ability isn’t as simple as killing an enemy you’ve defeated in a game, is it?”
“Correct. My Ex-Skill is called Destiny Bind. When I win a game, I can take ownership of any possession my opponent bet. That includes objects, lives, and anything else you can imagine. I’m free to use the things I take in any way I’d like. I can even have them take damage in my place,” Adek said with a smile. “Of course, if I lose, I have to hand over what I bet. Now, let me formally make my request: Won’t you have a game with me, Queen?”
Isabella spent a moment in thought. “Very well, I accept.”
“Are you certain, Mistress?” her trusted attendant Alicia asked. Isabella nodded in response.
A wicked grin formed on Adek’s elegant face. “I have received your consent.”
No sooner had Adek spoken than the scenery around them changed. While they had been in the queen’s room only moments ago, they now found themselves in a bizarre dimension as dark as the bottom of the ocean. Isabella, Alicia, and even Isabella’s guards had been forcefully swallowed up by this space.
“Let the game begin. Our delightful, oh-so-fun game.”