Candlelight, Rabbits, and a Banquet
Yahoo, a Candle Square feast for free!
When we arrived at the dining hall, a lavish spread was set beneath dozens of softly glowing candles.
As expected! The banquet prepared by Candle Square is incredible!
Visually and nutritionally perfect!
Please take your seats.
Originally, this was meant to celebrate the Journey Captain's appointment...
But due to various circumstances, it ended up being held a bit late.
In any case, though it is delayed, we would like to celebrate the Captain's appointment...
On behalf of Candle Square, all senior maids extend our congratulations...
...Hm?
You know, this has been bothering me since you said [everyone is here] earlier.
Aren't we missing someone?
Ah, now that you mention it.
Emily!
Where in the world has Emily gone and why is she still not back?
Emily, Senior Maid of Candle Square. I've just arrived.
Emily! Where have you been?!
We were worried!
You didn't even notice she was missing... Mmmph!
Looks like everyone's here.
Claire, I have brought the [Captain's Appointment Celebration Cake] you mentioned a week ago.
Hehe, my memory has been rather unreliable lately, so I was worried I might forget...
But I'm pleased that even after a week, I completed the task without forgetting the date.
...Are you not forgetting something much bigger?
Something bigger? What might that be...
[Infiltration], [Deep Field Casino], [meeting at the fountain].
Does any of that ring a bell?
...
...Ah.
Now that I think about it, Bell was kidnapped this morning...
We gathered information about Deep Field... and then...
...
My apologies.
I completely forgot.
I knew it!
Still, it's a relief.
Everyone made it after all.
And now we even have a cake.
...Indeed.
Today really did not go according to plan at all...
But in the end, everything worked out.
That is true.
Now then, everyone.
Please take your seats and enjoy the meal.
I've been waiting for this!
It's delicious!
Hehe, it lived up to expectations.
Ah, if I eat any more, I'll never be able to keep my figure!
Spice level, increased.
Captain, you worked very hard today in many ways.
We would be happy if you enjoy this.
If you would like, I can cut this meat for you as well.
Please feel free to ask for anything.
After all, this is your welcome banquet.
Drink up while you eat, Captain! I will personally pour it for you!
To be served by a Dragon is an honor your descendants will remember!
Claire and Scarlet continued attending to me on both sides even during the meal.
They were still wearing their bunny outfits.
Captain? Is there something you would like to request with your meal?
You keep staring like that...
Hm? What is it?
N-no, it is nothing!
I think I know what you're thinking, Captain!
Lavistaaar!
Hahahahaha!
N-nooo!
I just hoped my expression between Claire and Scarlet did not look too foolish.
The pleasant meal and conversation with everyone continued long into the night.
By the time I returned, the sky was fully dark.
Thinking I might have overeaten, I stood in front of my quarters, searching my pockets for the key.
It seems you had an enjoyable meal.
That voice...?!
Startled, I turned around.
By the side of the building, within a shadow untouched even by moonlight, a figure stood.
Their form was obscured by darkness.
...Hubble?
Good evening, Captain.
If you don't mind, may we speak for a moment?
...Sure.
...First, I must apologize.
For our failure to uphold the promise of your safe return.
To take so lightly a [promise] I made myself...
There is no excuse. It was a failure in management.
I am ashamed.
It's fine. Everyone made it back safe and sound.
...That's generous of you to say so.
For your information, I am not as composed as you... I held the head of security accountable.
Accountable?
Specifically... No, never mind.
Let's just say you will never see him again.
...I do not wish to know more than that.
However, I did not come here only to apologize...
There is something I personally wish to ask.
What is it?
About our final game...
What were you thinking when you made that move?
That...
There is a technique in card games called [card counting].
A method of tracking played cards to predict what comes next.
It's hardly a technique, just a simple strategy.
And though I do not mean to boast...
At my level, I can recall every card that has been played without so much as trying.
Before you declared [Hit]...
The [Ace] had already been played and was no longer in the deck.
Are you saying I cheated?
No, not at all.
You're a beginner. I know there was no trick involved.
After you left, I checked the remaining cards with the dealer multiple times.
And I learned the truth.
Though rare, there are cases where duplicate cards end up in a deck.
In other words, a defective deck.
Even then, dealers usually catch such errors when drawing cards.
Of course, they are human and can make mistakes.
But for such coincidences to overlap... what are the odds? One in a thousand? One in ten thousand?
And at the very end of that chain of coincidences, you chose to make your move...
What kind of luck must have been at work?
I realized then...
If I do not resolve this question, I may never sleep again.
So please, I ask you.
What were you thinking... when you made that decision?
Hubble was probably watching me with great anticipation.
But she was mistaken.
It wasn't luck that made me take that risk.
I already told you.
...Yes?
That a match is about momentum. That is what I learned from my companions.
Truly? For such a simple reason...?
It's not that simple.
What mattered was that I trusted my companions.
Claire spoke of momentum... and perhaps she is right.
But more important than that is... facing the match with trust in your companions.
Even if I lost, Claire and Scarlet would still stand by me.
As long as I believed that, victory or defeat did not matter.
On the other hand, without them... I would not have been able to face the match at all.
...
I see... Companions... and trust...
Hahaha!
You truly are someone worth observing, Captain.
Thank you for answering my question.
It may not be much, but...
I will have you and your companions registered as lifetime VIPs of [Deep Field].
That is not necessary...
Of course, I doubt you will ever visit a casino...
But your companions might enjoy it.
Luna certainly would.
I will say thanks anyway.
Hehe, you're too kind.
Ah, that reminds me.
Hearing your words brings to mind a story I once heard as a child.
Long ago, there was someone who could turn strong belief into reality...
That person... was called the [Star Savior].
...
I look forward to the day we meet again, wherever that may be.
Until then, please take care.
In the blink of an eye, the presence in the shadows vanished.
I walked over to check, but as expected, no one was there.
Before entering my room, I looked up at the night sky, gazing at the moon shining over Lavistar.
Thinking that perhaps today had gone well thanks to the rabbits that brought us luck.