Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic-Chapter 563 - Opening Ceremony

Chapter 563: Chapter 563: Opening Ceremony Chapter 563: Chapter 563: Opening Ceremony The opening ceremony this morning should be considered a fairly formal cocktail party.

Each of the visiting guests held a glass of wine, sitting or standing as they listened to a brief speech by Mr. Rick, the Vice President of the Prophet’s Society. Afterward, President Yadis Stan of the local association announced the final rules for the Big City Player Roder Card tournament of 1853.

Shard stood together with his friend, Baron Lavende, and next to them was the Baron’s “archrival,” the somewhat shorter Baron Rwanda.

“It’s finally begun,”

Baron Rwanda raised his head, looking very confident, as if he had heard insider news early on. Baron Lavende, on the other hand, held his champagne glass, continuously tapping his fingers against the body of the glass.

Like in previous “Big City Player” competitions, this year’s contest also consisted of three phases.

The First Phase was the qualifying rounds. As of the end of registration yesterday, the 1,273 Card Players who received a Numbered Rod Card began competing today, on the sixth day of the Month of Harvest, under the supervision of the staff of the Prophet’s Society, within the already prepared interiors of the Prophet’s Society.

Shard had heard that not only were all rooms from the first to the third floor dedicated to card games during this time, but even the rooftop had been equipped with Roder Card tables.

Each registrant started with ten points, losing two points for each defeat and gaining one point for each victory.

By next Friday, also after a week, on the thirteenth day of the Month of Harvest by five o’clock in the afternoon, participants holding twenty points could enter the next phase, the semi-finals.

The qualifying rounds were a standard rule for every “Big City Player” event, while invited Card Players, like Shard, could skip the tedious first phase and proceed directly to the semi-finals.

“This year’s Phase Two has a twist—these are entirely new rules specific to Tobesk City!”

President Stan announced loudly, sparking a bout of discussion below. People looked forward in anticipation, and even Shard’s face was alight with a smile, pleased that besides alcoholic beverages, the society had also prepared juice:

“The Prophet’s Society is collaborating with local clubs and stores. The semi-finals will not only take place within the Prophet’s Society. To truly embody the spirit of ‘Big City Player’ and to let the Roder Card Players from all over the world enjoy this city’s autumn, we have set the venues for the semi-finals across different districts in Tobesk. The participants with twenty points, as well as our invited Card Players, can start from next Wednesday and go to six venues in the city to partake in multiple-player card games. The rules for the multiple-player games are as follows…”

The rules for the multiple-player card games he announced were exactly the ones under which Shard had participated and won the “Genesis: Darkness” game at the Queen’s birthday banquet. Of course, then the Queen had offered ten Golden Stars, whereas the society only provided “Big City Player 1853 Bronze Commemorative Coins,” which participants could keep privately after the competition.

It seemed the speculations of the people at the Queen’s banquet were correct: The Prophet’s Society had long been planning to do this at this year’s Big City Player.

“Each player entering the semi-finals must participate in a multi-player card game at each of the six venues. The semi-finals end at noon next Sunday when the quantity of copper coins held by each player will be tallied. The top sixteen players with the most coins will advance to the final stage.”

“Which places are the six venues?”

Baron Lavende, standing beside Shard, asked loudly. Vice President Stan provided the answer while the Prophet’s Society staff lifted large oil paintings and a map of the city to show everyone the locations.

“Eastern District—The estate of Marquis Martinez. The Marquis is also participating in the competition as an invited Card Player; I hope you’ll appreciate the noble architectural style of the Old Continent’s Northern Pearl!

Western District—Shadis Cotton Mill, thanks to the mill owner for owing us a large sum of money; Roder Cards with looms and Steam Engines may match very well!

Northern District—The first floor of the Three Cats Inn, Mrs. Sangmi has generously lent us the venue and hopes we’ll help her promote it; enjoy cards in a common inn, play amidst the lute and songs—for that is a truly interesting game!

Southern District—Hall 3 of the Draleon Royal Opera House, with gratitude to His Majesty the King for his generosity; Roder Cards are a game of elegance, but don’t forget to dress formally!

“”

University District―Tobesk University Assembly Hall, which we’ve rented thanks to everyone’s registration fees; the academic atmosphere in the University District is dense, and playing Roder Cards here might just offer a unique experience!

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

Central City District―on the third floor of the Prophet’s Society at Silver Cross Avenue, which is this very room we’re in now, I hope you won’t find it dislikeable!”

His humorous analogy drew a round of laughter, and Shard was calculating what he needed to do.

From next Wednesday to Sunday, a total of five days, he had to participate in six multiplayer card games, and try to accumulate as many copper coins as possible. Although only the top sixteen players could advance to the finals, according to the ratio of previous years and the intelligence quietly imparted to him by Vice-President Mark, less than one-tenth of the total number of participants would be able to enter the semifinals.

So, securing a spot in the top sixteen out of a hundred wouldn’t be very difficult.

“Finally, the finals! Next Sunday afternoon, the Society will hold a draw based on the rankings, to match the top sixteen players. The following Monday, the sixteenth of this month, will see the matches for the top sixteen to the top eight, Tuesday for the top eight to the top four, Wednesday for the top four to the top two, and Thursday for the ultimate showdown. This year’s winner, in addition to the customary 3,000 pounds prize money, will receive a special regulation card named ‘Big City Player: 1853 Tobesk Champion’, as well as the prizes provided by the Tobesk Branch and the local Roder Card Club.”

President Stan quickly enumerated the list of prizes, which were tangible rewards provided by local shops and clubs to promote themselves. The Three Cats Inn, for instance, promised to offer the final winner a year-long privilege of a 30% discount on accommodation and dining.

It seemed Mrs. Sangmi was quite certain she’d make a handsome profit during this year’s Big City Player competition.

Sometimes Outlanders really are amazed that the people from Otherworld actually have quite the head for business. Even if he were to organize the ‘Big City Player’ competition, he probably couldn’t do it better.

With President Stan’s upbeat voice and the upcoming exciting competition, the Friday morning reception grew even livelier. Reporters from the Threepenny Gazette and the Steam Bird Daily, who were invited to the event, even interviewed Shard separately before the reception concluded.

As a holder of three Genesis Series cards, he had quite a reputation among the Roder Card Players. As a result, both news agencies paid a hefty interview fee of three pounds to specifically get Shard’s insights and opinions on this year’s Big City Player competition.

Shard was of course happy to earn this money and answered the questions seriously, also taking the opportunity to praise the efforts that Vice-President Mark had put into this year’s competition. However, when asked to take a photograph, Shard did not pose for a frontal photo, but instead let the reporters take a picture of his back as he left with other players.

Shard didn’t want his clear photograph to circulate, not because he was a criminal needing to hide his crimes, but simply because he occasionally still needed to make turns at Coldwater Port.

At least for now, he would only stay in this city, in the entire Northern Pearl, enjoying the Steam Age card tournament.

[Are you sure you’re not a criminal?]

Shard turned down Baron Lavende’s invitation to go out for a drink and was walking home when “she” suddenly asked.

Shard pondered his past deeds:

“Indeed, I’m not.”

[Then why did you have to think about it?]

Shard was left speechless by her retort, as the pleasant laughter filled his ears once more.

Taking advantage of the free afternoon, Shard visited Priest Augustus again. The Priest had received definite notice that he would leave Tobesk City next week and was packing his bags these days.

Because of his age, Priest Augustus hadn’t been sent on church errands for nearly ten years. This unexpected errand puzzled not only him but even Bishop Owen, yet the Papacy kept silent about the reason for the errand, stating only that a group of old, devout Clergy Members were being gathered to hold a meeting and training in a southeastern city.