Chapter 22: Team Split
["I would never fall in love again until I found her."]
["I said, 'I would never fall unless it's you I fall into.'"]
["I was lost within the darkness, but then I found her."]
["I found you."]
The vinyl record spun gracefully, filling the venue of the joint party with soft melodies.
Eikou glanced at the two Knights of the Round Table who were down to nothing but underwear, looking a bit troubled.
If I can't get their clothes back, and they have to leave the party nearly naked… wouldn't that just humiliate the Round Table even more?
He couldn't help but speak up.
"In that case, why don't we change the rules of the game?" – Morgan suggested.
"What?"
"The rules are simple. We keep playing the Queen Game. You'll represent the men's team, I'll represent the women's. Then we'll have a drinking contest—whichever side has a member pass out or give up first loses. As leaders, we're allowed to drink in place of our teammates."
"And if I—as the leader—lose?"
"Then you'll have to go into round two with me. Don't worry, I'll let you rest properly afterwards."
Eikou thought to himself: Will you really let me rest properly? The word 'danger' is practically flying at my face right now.
But then she made him an offer he couldn't refuse.
Morgan held up two sets of men's suits in her hands, her face full of confidence as she said:
"If the girls' team loses, I'll return all your clothes. What do you say?"
"...Then I've got no problem with that."
Eikou didn't need long to think and nodded in agreement.
If he won, he could let the Knights of the Round Table retreat with honor. If he lost, he'd be "wrapped up and taken away" by Morgan—in which case he probably wouldn't get to continue down Baobhan Sith's route—but it still wouldn't be a loss.
If he won, there'd be a reward. If he lost, there'd still be a reward. It was either profit or major profit—no losing outcome.
He glanced at the two Knights of the Round Table to confirm their opinion.
"You guys okay with this?"
"Go ahead, Sir Eikou! We won't surrender! More importantly, we absolutely refuse to leave the party in this state and shame our King!"
The two Knights answered in unison.
It looked like they'd made up their minds—ironically, making Eikou the only one still hesitant.
Eikou nodded firmly.
This time, we've got to strike back—recover our clothes and make up for the humiliation and injustice they had to suffer!
"I agree. But I have a proposal."
"What is it?" Morgan asked.
"Since we've split into teams, I propose we allow everyone to use their skills during the game to support their team leader in winning. What do you think?"
Morgan's blue eyes showed a hint of deep contemplation.
"Why are you making that proposal?"
"Because if the girls drink too much water of life, I'm worried their bodies might be affected. But if they use skills, it could counteract or ease the symptoms. Of course, I'm also worried about my own body."
Morgan pursed her cherry lips. "Looks like you're quite the gentleman. But just so you know, as a mother, I had no intention of letting the girls suffer harm from alcohol in the first place."
"Mother-sama, what about me?" Gawain asked.
"Men need to build up a strong tolerance for alcohol. It's a necessary skill for socializing and working," Morgan replied seriously.
[Morgan's affection for you has increased.]
[A new round of the Queen Game begins.]
[Now that the skill restriction has been lifted, this competition has become extremely intense from the start.]
[Morgan, fed up with ritualistic formalities, immediately activates the skill "Protection of the Lake," granting all female team members positive buffs from her.]
[You're not backing down either—you activate "Charisma" along with "Protection of the Lake," a skill you secretly copied from Morgan—greatly boosting the male team's resistance to alcohol.]
[While drawing lots, you activate "Instinct C."]
[Check: B – Instinct failed!]
[You did not draw the Queen stick.]
Damn it, one wrong move!
However, when Eikou looked over at Morgan, although her face remained calm as usual, it seemed she hadn't drawn it either.
This round had been so fiercely contested that neither side managed to gain any real advantage.
It was fine if he didn't draw the Queen stick—as long as Morgan didn't either. Because she could accurately identify everyone's number.
Eikou's next objective was clear: disrupt Morgan!
"It's me."
Tristan raised the Queen stick in his hand.
"Heh, never thought I'd live to see the day I could flip my fate around. Must be what they call rising from the ashes. Then—my command is: Number four, drink this bitter glass of wine!"
"Nice job, man!"
Eikou threw the number card onto the table—he was number four.
"You say cool lines like some handsome protagonist and end up hitting your own teammate! What the hell!"
Tristan: "...…"
[You down a glass of Water of Life.]
[The searing, burning liquor slides down your throat. Just one sip is enough to make you feel unbearably uncomfortable.]
[Proceed to a Endurance Check!]
[Since you already had a round of alcohol before, the alcohol is starting to cloud your consciousness—this check will be extremely difficult.]
[Endurance Check: Failed.]
[Tristan activates the skill "Harp of Healing"—all male team members receive one alcohol resistance buff. Because of this, you're unaffected this time.]
"No need to thank me."
Tristan put on the air of a hidden master, modest and mysterious.
"This is your fault to begin with! Don't act cool!"
[A new round of the Queen Game begins.]
[During the draw, you activate "Instinct C."]
[Check: A – Instinct failed!]
[You didn't draw the Queen stick.]
"Queen is me."
Morgan's voice rang out with majesty, her tone naturally carrying the aura befitting the Queen stick she held.
Eikou instantly broke into a cold sweat.
This is bad—Morgan has Fairy Eyes. She can definitely see everyone's numbers. She's bound to call me this time.
But contrary to expectations, Morgan declared:
"Number three, number four, number six—all three of you must drink."
Pfft!!
Eikou, Gawain, and Tristan all looked at each other in shock.
She had called all three of their numbers!
"Hold on… you can play it like that?!"
"The Queen's command is absolute!"
Morgan announced with dignity.
Eikou was completely defeated—She's right, he thought. There's no rule that says she can't order multiple people at once.
[Gawain and Tristan, thanks to the effect of "Harp of Healing," each receive one alcohol resistance buff.]
[But yours has already been used. This time, you have no choice but to drink.]
[Proceed to a Endurance Check!]