The Match
Captain, there is no need to accept such a proposal.
Right! When things get complicated, the easiest solution is to smash everything!
That's how we do things in the Valley of Dragons!
All right... I accept your challenge.
Captain?
Captain!
If we keep pushing head on, we'll end up taking losses.
We don't know if the guards in front of us are all there is, or if more reinforcements can arrive.
We may even have to call for support from the Voyager Savior Party outside.
If that happens, it will turn into a full-scale fight.
I'll be fine.
More importantly, this is exactly why I joined the infiltration team in the first place.
Even if we lose the game, the only thing we lose is that I stay in Deep Field for a while.
And we can just win, right?
Of course! It's impossible for a great Dragon to lose a game to humans!
If that's your decision, Captain... then I'll follow your lead.
We will proceed with utmost determination.
We steeled ourselves and accepted Hubble's proposal for the match.
Although it's called a match, it seems none of you are familiar with card or dice games.
That would give me too much of an advantage...
So I will propose a game with simple rules where luck matters more than skill.
...I appreciate that.
Don't mention it.
We will play [Queens].
Queens? I've never heard of it...
Nor have I.
Then perhaps you know [Blackjack]?
Think of it as a simplified version of Blackjack.
We will begin with a single deck of cards here.
The rules are very simple.
Each player receives one card, and the goal is to reach a total of 15...
Or to have the closest value to it.
Hubble plays alone, while the three of us form a team.
Once the game begins, each side receives a card and reveals it. Then we check the number on the card.
Ace cards count as 1. K, Q, and J all count as 11.
Taking turns, if you want another card, you choose to hit, and if you want to stop, you choose to stay.
When both sides declare they stay, the side with the number closest to 15 wins. The winner takes all the chips that were bet.
If the sum of your cards is 15, that is called Queens and you win automatically. You also receive 2x the bet chips from the opponent.
Lastly, if the total exceeds 15, it is a Bust, resulting in an automatic loss. You must pay 2x the bet chips to the opponent.
...That concludes the rules.
...The rules are certainly very simple.
Two dealers brought chips on trays and placed half on our table and half on Hubble's.
The side that runs out of chips first loses.
Now then, let us begin the match.
Bust!
We lost again!
That makes six consecutive losses.
Our chips were already down to half.
Tch...! I should have chosen to stay earlier.
Is it not hard to win if you stay at 9!
But if we bust, we have to pay double...
Stopping might have been the better choice.
I-is that so?... Human arithmetic is difficult...
Indeed...
The rules are easy to understand, but mastering the game is not.
Was it the experience gap...?
When to stop, when to push.
Whether to choose safety, or to choose risk.
At each of these crossroads, Hubble's experience vastly outstripped ours.
...I did not expect it to be easy.
Whenever the next step seemed risky, Hubble chose to stay without hesitation.
It was always us who pushed one step further toward 15 and ended up busting.
Well? Enjoying yourselves?
That is the charm of this game.
The desire to reach victory always urges you to take just one more step...
Yet ironically, only those who know when to stop can claim victory.
Hmph, then I shall master my desires completely, just as you say!
I will show you that the great Dragon possesses willpower on a completely different level from humans!
Stay at 5!
...
...No, that's not even taking a step forward.
We lost again!
Of course we would lose like that!
Tch... At this rate...
...
You called it a match...
Fine...
I will accept that match!
Before I knew it, we were nearly out of chips.
We won here and there, but nowhere near enough to turn the tide.
...This is a problem.
...Captain.
When I turned to Claire, I froze for a moment.
This match.
...Will you entrust it to me?
C-Claire...?
It must have been my imagination, but it felt like a dark aura was emanating from her eyes and body.
I had forgotten for a moment.
Sometimes, when you feel like looking back...
That is when you must move forward!
I cannot allow us to lose here and send the Captain away!
Captain, I will show you.
What a true match is!
...Captain, do you understand what she is saying?
No, I have no idea...
Phew... What a shame I don't have my match attire.
Even though she was saying incomprehensible things, an intense fighting spirit overflowed from Claire.
Her face was filled with determination to never lose.
...All right! I'll leave it to you, Claire!
You can count on me!
Hubble, from this point on, we will double the chips.
Very well. I accept.
Claire stepped forward confidently, but luck did not seem to be on our side.
Hehe, I got an 8. That makes 14 total.
I will stay.
Urgh!
Claire's total was 13.
I thought it was a strong number, but to lose like this...
...Just as I was thinking that.
...
...The wind is blowing.
I will make my move here.
Hit.
...Yes?
What?
What?
I said Hit.
Give me one more card.
Scarlet! Stop Claire!
Claire! What are you doing?!
If you bust, we have to pay double!
No. If I draw a 1, it's a tie. If I draw a 2, we win double!
There is only one path here! Forward!
Do you really think it will work out that conveniently?!
...Well, yes. There is a chance the next card could be a 1 or a 2.
It's a play that relies heavily on luck...
No, this is not about relying on luck.
Somehow, Claire's tone had changed.
This is not about clinging to luck!
A match... Is about momentum!
No, her tone had definitely changed completely.
Mo...mentum...?
We're already being overwhelmed by momentum, so the match isn't even fair!
A match is ultimately about running toward the cliff!
What if you brake too late and fall off the cliff...
...Those who worry about that have no right to claim victory!
What you need is the courage to trust yourself and step on the accelerator!
The wind blowing from the cliff, the spirit to ride that wind!
Only then can it truly be called a charge!
Scarlet and I stared blankly at Claire, whose entire presence had changed.
Hubble likely felt the same.
...W-well, yes.
Personally, I believe running full speed toward a cliff...
Is more the mindset of someone with a death wish than an act of courage.
I completely agree.
But since it was your choice, let us see it through.
Dealer, please deal the card.
Yes, understood.
Additional card drawn.
The number is...
No way!
The number was 2.
Woooow! Claire! We won! Amazing!
Momentum...! It's momentum! That's what mattered!
No, no, no! That cannot be right.
This is simply called good luck. Nothing more than probability at play.
But believing that such luck will continue...
Didn't I say earlier that it isn't luck?
I... will not...
A match is all about momentum!
Watch closely.
I will not hit the brakes from here on!