Our footsteps echoed through the room, slightly muffled by the red carpet beneath our feet.
I glanced at the Head Butler, who had been angry with Big Brother Kufuro earlier. It was a bit strange, but he seemed to have forgotten about the incident.
"…"
My eyes slowly moved to her left waist. There, hanging from a fabric belt loop hidden beneath her outer clothing, was an object.
A katana.
Its handle was wrapped tightly in black cloth, contrasting with the sheath used to cover its sharp blade.
"… Sir." I shifted my gaze directly to his face. "Why does the master have a katana hanging at his waist?"
His gaze didn't waver from looking ahead. "…Because it's my weapon."
My gaze lowered upon hearing that, my fingers interlacing anxiously at my chin. "...In that case." My gaze returned to his face. "Why didn't I see his sword when you picked me up—"
"Because you would have been frightened," he interrupted.
My gaze immediately fell upon hearing that. My fingers intertwined again. From what he said, perhaps almost all of it was true. If he had come to me with a katana, I probably would have immediately given him a lot of negative speculation upon first meeting him. But, it wouldn't have made me scared.
I turned my gaze towards him, wanting to ask about his opinion further. But seeing his sullen face made me change my mind. My gaze returned to the path ahead. I shifted my gaze to the right. The clouds above were already turning orange. The sun was beginning to set. The forest below was slowly being swallowed by darkness—signaling that it was already late afternoon.
I let out a short sigh. My gaze lifted to the upper corner. There, the small, luxurious blue lantern lights spaced along the wall had automatically turned on, illuminating me with their yellowish light as I walked. And that light mingled with the light from outside the window.
I turned my gaze back to the front, the Duke's door at the end of the corridor slowly came into view—small at first, then growing larger, until I finally stood before it. I turned my gaze back to the head butler; it seemed he would do as before—advance a few steps, lean forward, and knock on one of the door panels.
The sound of knocking echoed three times. Briefly, before finally being greeted by the voice of a servant calling out.
"Sir, we are here."
For a moment, the corridor felt a bit quiet, before a voice from inside greeted him—instantly dispelling that feeling.
"Please, come in, Razoru!"
The head butler immediately responded to that voice with a movement. He grasped the cold doorknob, pushing it open. A light scraping sound was briefly heard, before the door opened wide. There, the Duke was already seated in a long chair—in the same position, facing me.
I walked inside, then stopped not far behind the chair opposite him. The Head Butler stopped right near the door panel.
And in front of the Duke, I saw right on top of the table there was something lying there. A wooden object in the shape of a box, with alternating black and white colors as its base, and a wooden carving of various shapes—Chess.
My eyes sparkled for a moment, before finally returning to normal. I cleared my throat, twice, before bowing ninety degrees—performing Seikerei to him.
"GOOD AFTERNOON, DUKE!"
This time I addressed him only as "Duke." Because from looking at his attitude, he wouldn't mind that. Besides, adding "Honorable" is too much in my opinion.
The Duke's eyes widened for a moment after hearing that. He laughed heartily for a moment, before finally stopping with a smile at the corner of his lips.
"Stand, Kid Touji."
My eyes widened for a split second before I obeyed his command—standing up. After I stood, he scrutinized my sweat- and dust-covered clothes before looking at me with a faint smile. I didn't understand why he was like that, but it was clear he was about to say something—evident from the small gap forming in his lips.
"…It seems you've forgotten what I said earlier, Kid Touji…"
My eyes widened. Forgot? What exactly— Ah. That's right.
I just remembered. After the Duke told the Head Butler to take me to "Big Brother Fukuro," specifically when I was just about to leave—the Duke had said something to me. And that, reminded me again of the incident.
"He said you're good at playing chess, right?" the Duke asked.
I nodded, softly.
He smiled. "In that case… after greeting that person, you come straight back here. I want to test you."
That's roughly what I remembered before leaving.
I scrutinized him with a feeling of guilt. I didn't expect to forget something as important as that.
For a moment he looked at me while smiling. His elbow propped on his knee, displaying his fingers intertwined with each other. I knew he was waiting for something from me. Without further ado, I bowed again—performing Saikeirei.
"I APOLOGIZE, DUKE!"
He looked at me who immediately bowed towards him. His face and smile were still the same. I did that for a moment, before finally he sighed—displaying a more relaxed face when looking at me.
"…Stand."
Hearing his instruction, without many words I immediately did so. I saw his gaze in front seemed to fall downwards, observing the "Chess Pieces" that he was arranging with his right hand—from the upper right corner, second square, to the lower left, first square. After he arranged them, his gaze returned to me—slightly narrowed.
His hand extended to the long sofa in front of him. "Please, Kid Touji."
I looked at him. The instruction he gave, I heeded. For a moment, I shifted my gaze to the back, seeing the Head Butler nod once. I, who noticed that code, returned my gaze back to the front. My footsteps echoed in the room. I circled the long sofa, then sat down, first straightening the back of my clothes with my hand. A moment after I touched the sofa below, I felt it—
softness surpassing the bed in my old world.
…It seems this is premium quality.
A moment after I felt the softness beneath me, I immediately looked at the person in front of me—the Duke. He now seemed to be observing me seriously, before pointing towards the "Chess Board," telling me to go first.
"Please."
I fell silent. My gaze immediately fell downwards—looking at the position of the white pieces in front of me. From the "Chess Pieces" alone, they were very detailed, almost matching their original form in the real world. I swallowed my saliva. My hand began to hold the white "Pawn" in position E2, trembling slightly, advancing it two steps. For the opening I used was the "Italian" style. Because it was a style that was easy to take the center.
The Duke observed my movement. He advanced the pawn with position E5 two steps, holding my "Pawn". I countered it by advancing my "Knight" to position F3, trying to threaten his black "Pawn" in position E5.
The Duke saw it. He immediately directed his black "Knight" to position C6, also threatening my pawn.
I observed the Duke out of the corner of my eye. …Is he using the same opening?
I didn't know yet.
To make sure, I will play first.
I advanced my white "Bishop" to position C4. And the Duke, responded with his black "Bishop" to C5.
My eyes widened, scrutinizing him from the corner of my eye. Turns out he's… using the style, 'Giuoco Piano'.
I smirked slightly. 'Well, he's certainly not an opponent to be underestimated.'
The game continued. I pressured the Duke with my "Italian" style, which was more aggressive than his. Several times I was also pressured by his calm style—which was typical of the 'Giuoco Piano' style.
In the middle of the match, I remembered the incident at that time. Where, when the Duke whispered softly about his daughter. In which every word had the word "Dear" slipped in.
My eyes narrowed towards him. …He seems like a different person, when his daughter came in at that time.
The Duke, who seemed engrossed in the game, began to lift his gaze—making me flinch for a moment.
"Kid Touji. It's your turn."
I swallowed my saliva, then smiled normally at him. "Ah, yes, Duke."
My gaze fell back down. My hand began to touch one of the pawns—indicating the game resumed.
***
Several minutes passed, now approaching the most tense session. For the pieces that I had eaten, about eight pieces. And the pieces that the Duke had eaten, about seven pieces. Only one piece different. My position was now somewhat advantageous, with the position of the white "Queen" at G6 and the enemy position—the black "King" was at G8, which meant my white "Queen" could check him.
A smile adorned my face. Great, I can win this! But… I let out a short sigh, my gaze returned to normal. Don't be happy yet. There's still potential to lose.
I looked at the Duke for a moment, before changing my gaze back to the chessboard. 'I have to be serious.'
The game continued, I kept trying to trap the Duke's black "King" using my white "Queen." From position G6 to H5—closing the movement of the black "King" in position H8. The black "King" dodged to G8, I greeted him with the white "Queen" to G4.
I swallowed my saliva. The surrounding air became more pressing. I kept trapping the Duke, but he kept dodging. If it's like this, it could be a 'Draw'.
The Duke started his move again. This time he moved his black "King" to square H7. I smiled broadly after he moved his piece in that direction. …It seems the game will be over.
Without further ado, I immediately moved my white "Rook" to E1.
I covered my smile with my left hand. Now just move the 'Rook' to square E6!
Because if I put my "Rook" there, my potential for victory will be great. Especially since there is already queen support that leads directly to it, making any piece that wants to eat it—he has to make a replacement. And that's just as advantageous.
I looked at the Duke for a moment, he looked very pressured with my position, before finally my gaze returned to the chess table. I looked at every position of the pieces on the board. My white "King" at G1. Six white "Pawns" occupying positions A2, B2, F2, G2, H3, and D4. The rest are the same as before.
And for the black side, the "Rook" is at A8. The "Queen" is at D8. The "Bishop" is at B6. And for the remaining three "Pawns" they are in positions, A5, D5, and B7.
Even if he moves, he will probably shift the 'Rook' at A8 to square C8. Because there is not much way other than there.
A moment later, I saw the Duke's movement. He moved his "Rook" towards C8.
I smirked slightly. As I predicted.
Without further ado, I immediately carried out my plan—moving my white "Rook" from square E1 to position E6. The sound of friction between the same materials was heard briefly, before I finally placed my white "Rook" in its position.
I changed my gaze towards him. He seemed to narrow his eyes even more, before he let out a long sigh. His gaze was changed towards me, a thin smile on both sides of his lips was visible from him.
"…You win, Kid Touji. I give up."
The servant behind heard something like giving up from the Duke, unable to keep his eyes from widening. I who was in front of the Duke, hearing something like that—couldn't hold back my wide smile anymore. I immediately stood up, performing Seikerei as a form of respect to him.
"THANK YOU, DUKE!"
I didn't expect this chess game to end with my victory.