""You, once truly were,""
""By my side,""
""I could always see it immediately,""
""The sight of you smiling beside me,""
""Even after loss, I wish to possess you again,""
""I will never leave you.""
The vinyl record spun elegantly, and smooth pop music flowed through the mixer venue. The lively, fast rhythm of the music carried sad lyrics, seemingly an ending theme from a video game.
Ei looked at the two Round Table Knights left in just their underwear, feeling awkward.
"If we don't win their clothes back and they have to leave the mixer naked, won't that bring even more shame to the Round Table?" Ei couldn't help but say.
"Since that is the case, why don't we try a different game entirely? Since we are playing a mixer game, how can we do without alcohol?" Queen Morgan proposed.
"What?"
"The rules are simple. We will continue the Queen's Game, but now it's a team-based drinking contest. You represent the leader of the boys' team, and I represent the leader of the girls' team. Whichever team has a member collapse or forfeit first, that team loses the whole match. And, as the leader, you can drink in place of your team members."
"And if I, as the leader, lose?"
"Then you must accompany me for a second round of drinks. Don't worry, you'll get plenty of rest afterward."
Ei thought, Will you really let me rest? Your ambition is practically bursting in my face.
But she quickly gave him an offer he couldn't refuse.
Morgan held up the two sets of men's formal wear in her hands and spoke confidently:
"If our girls' team loses, I will return all of your clothes. How does that sound?"
"...That sounds fine."
Ei didn't hesitate for long before nodding.
If he won, the Round Table Knights could leave fully clothed. If he lost, he would, at most, be packaged up and taken away by Morgan. Although that might cut off the route to Baobhan Sith, he still wouldn't consider it a loss.
A reward for winning, and a reward for losing. There were only two possible outcomes: profit and big profit.
He looked at the two Round Table Knights to confirm their thoughts.
"Are you two okay with this?"
"Go for it, Ei! We will not yield! More importantly, we absolutely refuse to leave the mixer in this state and bring shame to our King!" The two Round Table Knights said in unison.
It seemed they were fully resolved, making him look hesitant by comparison.
Ei nodded firmly.
This time, he vowed to counter-attack, reclaim their clothes, and repay the humiliation and frustration they endured!
"I agree, but I have one more suggestion."
"What?"
"Since you want a team confrontation, I propose that we allow everyone to use their Heroic Spirit's personal skills during the game to help their leader achieve victory. What do you think?"
Morgan's pale blue eyes revealed a look of intrigue.
"Why would you suggest that?"
"Because if the girls drink too much Water of Life, I worry about their health. Using skills can offset or mitigate the symptoms. Of course, I'm also worried about my own health."
Morgan pursed her lips: "You appear to be quite the gentleman. But let me state this first: as their mother, I had no intention of letting alcohol harm their bodies."
"What about me?" Gawain asked.
"A man should develop a good tolerance for alcohol. It's an essential skill for socializing and networking," Morgan said sternly.
[Morgan's affection for you increased.]
[It is a new round of the Queen's Game.]
[With the restriction on skills lifted, the competition became fiercely intense from the start.]
[Morgan had had enough of the formalities and immediately activated her skill "Protection of the Lake," granting all members of the girls' team a positive buff.]
[You did not back down. You activated "Charisma," as well as "Protection of the Lake" which you secretly learned from Morgan, giving the entire boys' team a significant increase in alcohol tolerance.]
[During the draw, you activated "Instinct C."]
[The roll was B. Instinct activation failed!]
[You did not draw the Queen stick.]
Damn it, so close!
But he looked at Morgan. Although her expression remained composed, she didn't seem to have won the draw either.
The scramble was so intense this time that neither of them gained an advantage.
It didn't matter that he hadn't drawn it, but the crucial thing was that Morgan hadn't either, since she could precisely identify everyone's numbers.
Ei's goal now was clearly to disrupt Morgan!
"It's me."
Tristan held up the Queen stick in his hand.
"Hah, I never thought I would have a turn of luck! Perhaps this is the so-called rebirth. I command: let Number Four drink this bitter wine!"
"You idiot!"
Ei threw his number stick onto the table. It was indeed Number Four.
"You say all these cool things while managing to hit your own teammate perfectly, is that right?"
Tristan: "......"
[You downed a full glass of the Water of Life.]
[The choking, intense liquid flowed down your throat. A simple sip would have been unbearable.]
[Please make an Endurance check!]
[Because you have already had one round of drinks, the alcohol has already blurred your consciousness, making this check very difficult.]
[Endurance check failed.]
[Tristan activated "Harp of Healing." All members of the boys' team received one chance to negate the effects of alcohol. Therefore, you were unaffected this time.]
"You're welcome."
Tristan adopted the demeanor of a master whose good deed went unnoticed.
"You're the one who caused this in the first place!"
[A new round of the Queen's Game began.]
[During the draw, you activated "Instinct C."]
[The roll was A. Instinct activation failed!]
[You did not draw the Queen stick.]
"I am the Queen."
Morgan said with a commanding voice, naturally exuding an aura that matched the Queen stick.
Ei immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
This was bad. Morgan, with her "Fairy Eye," could see clearly and would definitely call his number.
However, Morgan said:
"Numbers Three, Four, and Six—all three of you whose numbers have been called, drink up!"
Pfft!!
Ei, Gawain, and Tristan exchanged glances.
All three of their numbers were called!
"Wait... can this game actually be played this way?!"
"The Queen's command is absolute!" Morgan declared righteously.
Ei conceded. She's right. The rules never said you couldn't call multiple members simultaneously.
[Gawain and Tristan received one chance to negate the effects of alcohol, thanks to the "Harp of Healing."]
[However, you have already used that opportunity and must drink this time.]
[Please make an Endurance check!]