Garrs leaned further forward as he waited for her answer. Teffy bit her lip under the gazes of the crowd. There were already whispers going around, it would be an absolute scandal if someone tried to cheat in the tournament.
“Well?” Garrs asked, clearly growing impatient.
However, Teffania didn’t say anything. Ludo could see the tension in her shoulders and the slight tremor of her hand. He drifted closer to her until he rubbed against her shoulder. It was a shame she couldn’t feel the comfort he was trying to give her.
Just stay calm, Teffy. He has no proof.
“I’m not doing anything,” Teffy eventually spat out between clenched teeth.
“Stubborn,” Garrs sighed with a groan. In the next moment, he straightened up as he turned to the judge. “I didn’t want to do this. Judge, check the dice for tampering.”
The judge wore a solemn expression as he stepped forward with his hand out. “Miss, the dice, please.”
Teffy slowly handed them over and he held them up to his face. The judge studied them one at a time before he turned them over in his hands. Then, he seemed to be weighing them as he rubbed his thumb over the edges. He even held them up to the light before he exhaled a long breath.
“They’re the standard dice we provided,” he announced. “They haven’t been swapped out.”
Excited murmurs spread through the crowd. Ludo could hear them mocking Garrs. Saying he was afraid of young Teffy, and that’s why he accused her of cheating. However, the frown on Garrs’ face told Ludo he wasn’t going to give up that easily.
“Then she rolls them,” he growled. “Right now, before she has a chance to do anything. Roll them ten times, let’s see if your luck holds out.”
Teffania glared at him. She didn’t lash out, but Ludo noticed her fingers curling slightly.
She’s getting angry.
“Fine, I’ve got nothing to hide.”
The judge handed the dice back to her with a slight smile. She took them even as the crowd pressed in closer. Someone near the back even used a crate to stand on. Ludo was honestly surprised at the amount of tension in the air.
Then, Teffy shook her hand and let the dice fall.
They tumbled across the tabletop and came to a stop. Three and a four. She gathered them up and kept going. Jaws dropped as Teffania rolled over and over again. However, not once, not one single time, did she roll a one.
There was silence for a long moment after her final roll. Then, the crowd cheered wildly. Ludo chuckled at the sound of all those people letting their emotions out.
Garrs stared at the dice incredulously. He didn’t say anything while he seemed to consider the meaning behind everything he’d seen. Eventually, his expression changed to something that appeared to be wonder.
“You’re blessed,” he said offhandedly. “The goddess of fortune herself must be watching over you.”
It was Teffy’s turn to look confused now. She wasn’t the only one, since Ludo was baffled too.
How’d he jump to the conclusion a god is involved? Is it sharp wits, or something else?
“It’s not because of Fortunia,” she blurted out as all eyes returned to stare at her. She wriggled slightly under their heated gazes. “His name is… Ludo. He’s the God of Games.”
“Huh?”
“Who’s that?”
Several other voices in the crowd said similar things to each other as they sought an answer.
Garrs frowned. “Ludo?”
“Never heard of him,” someone in the crowd called out.
“She said he’s the God of Games? Was there even a god like that?”
The crowd became restless again as their voices grew in volume. They began debating what being the god of games meant. How would you pray to a god like that? Does he have a temple? What offerings does he like, and what are his beliefs?
Holy shit, is there a need to be so interested?
Boom!
Only Ludo heard it. It arrived at the same time as a small explosion of warmth burst through him. The sensation was overwhelming as Ludo started freaking out.
What’s going on? Ah! Why am I glowing like a damn sun?
He barely caught sight of Teffania squinting as she turned slightly to look in his direction. However, nobody else seemed to notice.
His small orb of a body grew and stretched. Slowly, it took the shape of the golden man it had before. But then, he kept changing. Ludo began to feel his nose twitching as it took in the smells. Fur rubbed against his cheek, and for a moment, he feared he’d become a furry. Not that there was anything wrong with that, it just wasn’t for him.
But it turned out to just be a fur trim on the clothes he was wearing.
What?
He felt clueless as to what was happening as he spotted thick, black hair drifting in front of his eyes. He ran a hand through his hair, only to discover it was quite thick and seemingly messy. Meanwhile, the clothes themselves seemed like something a noble would wear.
Layers… My god, there are so many layers!
There was a deep blue shirt under a brown waistcoat. Which had another long-sleeved blue open top over that. If that wasn’t enough, there was then a dark brown overcoat with golden trims and embroidery over it all. The colour was so dark that it could easily be mistaken as being black without the sun shining on it.
The overcoat had a high collar, and of course, a fur trim that had scared him for a moment. A golden chain connected both sides over his chest where it ended in a brooch with a crown on it. There were grey-brown trousers covering his bottom half that ended in fur-lined boots that covered his thighs.
As Ludo stared down at his body, he caught his reflection in a puddle.
My eyes are green?
You’d think he’d have a more profound thought or feeling in that situation, but apparently not.
Teffy’s jaw dropped as she stared at him. He could see it on her face that she wanted to say something. However, Garrs burst out laughing just then. It cut through all the chatter like thunder as he drew everyone’s attention to himself.
“I’ve been a commander in Baron Lihft’s army for fifteen years,” he announced. “I’ve seen soldiers pray to every god you can imagine. Never, have I ever heard of a God of Games before.”
He leaned back in his chair as he crossed his arms over his chest. A large grin appeared on his face as he stared at the sky. “Still, maybe there’s something to your claims.”
“Oh, the match is back on!”
“This’ll be good.”
“Who’ll bet with me? I’ll wager on the young miss!”
The crowd instantly became riled up again. Ludo could see coins changing hands as people waved to some folks who seemed to be bet-takers. But, he soon began to frown as strange voices started echoing in his head.
Ludo, who should I bet on? Please guide my hand.
All sorts of voices raced through his mind. Although they spoke over the top of each other, Ludo heard each one as if they were talking directly next to him.
Ugh, what the hell is going on?
“Then let’s see what your god can do against a real commander,” Garrs announced as he waved to the judge to start the match.
Ludo barely paid attention as Teffy began arranging her pieces. Garrs set up his own side rather quickly, as if he already knew exactly what he wanted to do without adjusting to Tefannia’s placements.
“First move is yours,” Garrs stated rather confidently.
Teffy studied the board as she chewed her lip. It was only right to be nervous. This was a real, experienced military commander she was up against this time. Her hand hovered over a central infantry piece for a few moments before she moved her hand to her left flank instead. She began with a cautious move of advancing a supply token, just like she’d done against Anvor.
Garrs didn’t hesitate. His cavalry slipped through the gaps to cut through three of Teffania’s supply lines. It looked like an aggressive play, but Ludo noticed the logic in it despite the annoying voices in his head. Garrs hadn’t positioned his cavalry to drive deeper. No. They were set to make a hasty retreat on his next turn.
Teffania frowned at Garrs’ opening move. She was silently kicking herself for noticing that her supply lines were within reach. She was clearly rattled. Next, she moved a scout token forward to probe his right flank. Garrs ignored her probe and moved his infantry to set a defensive line, protecting his supply network. At the same time, this move also threatened Teffy’s forward position.
Ludo eventually managed to suppress the voices while the match continued. It was then that he realised that Teffania was playing overly cautiously. But Garrs was very different. Every move he made simply forced Teffy to respond to him. Anytime she found an opening, Garrs closed it before she could make use of it.
He’s controlling the pace.
Ludo sighed.
Ludo walked over to stand behind Teffania.
It feels weird to be using my own legs again. How long has it been?
He hummed to himself as he bent over, placing his face next to Teffy’s over her shoulders.
Oh, she smells rather nice.
Her warm breath brushed his cheek as her own turned red. Meanwhile, Ludo himself had already become focused on what he could see of the game from Teffania’s position.
And it didn’t look good.
The supply lines she mostly relied on were blocked. Her cavalry was pinned against the board’s edge, and her infantry was spread too thin.
She’s losing.
He could feel her trying to contain her panic. Her breathing became slower as she took more time to plan her moves.
That’s it. You can’t control the match if you can’t control yourself.
Then, she moved a siege token forward, but it was obvious she was still hesitating. Ludo groaned to himself because he could already see what Garrs’ next move would be. And sure enough, he took the token on his next turn and sacrificed a cavalry unit to break through her center.
The crowd was blissfully silent at that moment. However, Ludo knew from what he realised were prayers, that they were more concerned with whether they would win their bets. Now, he knew the feeling of warmth he kept getting was the feeling of receiving Faith from people. However, all the prayers weren’t helping Teffania right now.
Even with his Against the Odds blessing, she was still up against the wall. Noble wasn’t a game that only relied on dice. No. At its heart it was a strategy game. And her opponent was well-versed in it.
Teffania’s hand reached out for the dice. She was going to attempt to roll for a reroute of her supplies.
She’s desperate. It’ll maybe buy her a few turns if she succeeds.
Then, Ludo’s eyes went wide at the notification that popped up.
Faith threshold reached.
You can now create Miracles.
What?
Of course, he knew what miracles were… but how was he supposed to make one?
Maybe I can do something to help her.
Ludo frowned as he rapidly searched his menus for any information on this new feature.
While Ludo searched for answers, Teffy’s hand shook as she raised the dice. At the same time, Garrs shook his head with a confident grin. If something didn’t change, the match would end with Teffania’s loss.
Found you!