Chapter 1244
"Recreation...?"
Runaan gazed at Martha, her eyes blinking in a daze.
"What are you bringing up so suddenly..."
She raised her heavy, dark eyelids, looking entirely perplexed.
"Exactly what I said. Let's play a game."
Martha gave a firm nod, verifying that Runaan hadn't misheard her.
"Inviting me to play... with eyes that look ready to kill...?"
A faint, breathless laugh escaped Runaan as she noted Martha’s chilling expression, which seemed more suited for a lethal confrontation than a pastime.
"My gaze has always been this intense."
Martha gave a casual shrug, claiming her eyes had been sharp since the day she was born.
"......."
Runaan squinted her misty eyes, attempting to decipher Martha's true motives.
"What... sort of game... do you have in mind?"
She shifted her entire frame to face Martha, silently prompting her to elaborate.
"Well, the choice is already made."
Martha ran her tongue over her lips and reached down toward her waist.
"Hmm..."
Assuming Martha was reaching for her blade, Runaan’s hand instinctively tightened around her own weapon's grip.
"Take a look!"
Instead of steel, Martha produced a pack of cards from her pocket and brandished them in front of Runaan.
"We’re playing cards."
She licked her lips again, remarking that card games were the natural choice for passing time outdoors.
"Hmm..."
Runaan let out a small sniff while staring at the deck. She awkwardly released her hold on the hilt of Snow Flower, having fully anticipated that Martha was about to demand a duel.
"Did you assume I was picking a fight?"
Martha let out a short laugh, noticing the position of Runaan’s hand.
"We just traded blows recently; there’s no point in a repeat so soon. Even if we do fight, we'll do it when we're both fully prepared."
She stroked her chin with a calm air, appearing certain that she would emerge victorious in their next actual clash.
"Don't know how to play..."
Runaan gave a slow, negative shake of her head.
"I’m... going to sleep..."
She turned away once more, showing a complete lack of enthusiasm for gambling.
"Don't be like that, just play with me."
Martha crowded into Runaan’s personal space, making it clear she wouldn't accept a refusal.
"This is just as thrilling as a sword fight."
Her lips curled into a smirk as she offered to explain the rules.
"I won't... I don't understand it, so it won't be fun..."
Runaan gave a weak wave of her hand, appearing desperate for rest.
"Too bad, because I want to play."
Martha seized Runaan’s wrist, her expression turning stubborn and focused.
"Hmm..."
Runaan uttered a soft groan, feeling the palpable intensity radiating from Martha’s dark eyes.
"Just one game then..."
She gave a resigned sigh, realizing Martha would likely keep her awake regardless. However, her eyelids continued to twitch as if her body was craving unconsciousness.
"Smart move. Let's get to it."
Martha took a seat against the trunk of a tree and gestured for Runaan to join her on the grass.
"Hmm..."
Runaan slumped down next to Martha, her eyes fluttering with the constant urge to drift off.
"Poker requires too much memorization. How about blackjack?"
Martha began to mix the cards, noting that the game was straightforward yet entertaining.
"To put it simply, we both pull cards, and the goal is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. If you hit exactly 21, you yell 'blackjack.' If you exceed it, you're out."
She handled the deck skillfully, explaining that beneath the simple rules lay a deep layer of mental strategy.
"But when... did you... learn to play?"
Runaan tilted her head, find this hobby of Martha's unexpected.
"I picked it up."
Martha gave a curt nod, offering no further explanation.
"Now, let's start."
She dealt a single card to both herself and Runaan from the expertly shuffled stack.
"Hmm..."
Runaan moistened her lips as she inspected her starting hand: the 10 of hearts and the 3 of diamonds.
"Do you want another? I'm sticking with what I have."
Martha arched an eyebrow, waiting for Runaan’s decision after she had checked her own hand.
"Give me another..."
Runaan nodded, feeling she had plenty of room to improve her score.
"Here you go."
With a grin, Martha slid another card toward her.
"Hmm..."
Despite her lack of experience, Runaan seemed to recall the motions from somewhere as she peeked at the worn card. It was the 4 of clubs.
"One more..."
Sitting at a total of 17, Runaan felt she could risk one more draw and took another card.
"Ah...!"
Upon seeing the fourth card, she let out a sharp gasp of disbelief and let it fall to the ground.
"How is this possible..."
Runaan began to stammer, her composure crumbling as the 9 of diamonds was revealed.
"10, 3, 4, and 9. That makes 26."
Martha looked over the cards and let out a triumphant chuckle.
"What about... yours..."
Runaan’s eyes darted around, anxious to see what Martha was holding.
"Mine?"
Martha smirked and flipped her cards over.
"A 5 of hearts and a 10 of clubs...?"
Runaan’s eyes widened; Martha’s total was a mere 15.
"Why...?"
She sighed heavily, baffled that Martha had stopped at such a low number.
"Amateurs always destroy themselves with greed."
Martha giggled, admitting she had banked on Runaan’s desire to keep pushing.
"I knew I'd win if I just stayed put, so why would I risk a bust?"
She shrugged, having read Runaan’s psychological state perfectly.
"Ugh..."
Runaan’s fingers shook slightly, clearly more stung by Martha’s teasing than the actual loss.
"Again..."
She bit her lip, demanding another round.
"Anytime."
Martha looked satisfied as she began to gather the deck for a reshuffle.
"Oh? Is that blackjack I see?"
Krein strolled over, a look of interest on his face.
"Mind if I join the circle?"
He dropped down next to Runaan, clearly wanting in on the action.
"I'd... I'd like to play a round too..."
Dorian followed suit, sitting beside Krein. Unlike Martha, who was mostly trying to keep Runaan awake, these two seemed genuinely competitive.
"......."
Runaan ignored them, focusing solely on Martha and the deck. Her competitive spirit as a warrior was beginning to flare up.
"The more the merrier!"
Martha clapped her hands and began distributing the cards.
"No one is sleeping tonight!"
Under the shade of the tree, the rhythmic sound of cards being flicked continued until the morning sun began to crest over the horizon.
"Hmm..."
The individual obscured by the horned bear mask shifted his jaw uncomfortably.
"It appears she isn't coming today."
He had been awaiting a meeting, but he clicked his tongue in disappointment and prepared to leave.
"If this keeps happening..."
The masked man dug his long nails into his throat, appearing anxious. It seemed to be a compulsive habit, as his neck was covered in raw scratches.
"It doesn't matter."
A deep, steady voice echoed from across the clearing.
"She has already been compromised enough."
A striking young man with silver hair and piercing violet eyes gave a dismissive wave. His features bore a haunting resemblance to Runaan.
"There is no turning back now. Not even for Raon Zieghart."
This was Syria Sullion. Runaan’s brother had survived a lethal wound to the neck, though the encounter had left him with jagged, burn-like scars circling his throat. He pulled his red lips into a chilling smile.
"Hmm..."
The man in the bear mask remained unconvinced, his eyes narrowing in doubt.
"You understand the nature of this magic. Dream Illusion is difficult to initiate, but once the target is submerged in that realm, there is no escape."
Syria Sullion wore a faint, confident smirk.
"Initially, she was guarded, lingering at the threshold of that world. But after months of subtle encroachment, she has fully integrated into the dream."
He explained that he had spent a long time baiting Runaan, like a patient fisherman.
"You witnessed it yesterday. Previously, the slightest touch would wake her, but now she welcomes the embrace within the dream."
Syria’s tongue flicked over his lips, seemingly reminiscing about the contact he felt the day before.
"When the Dream Illusion merges with the waking world, she will love me even in this state. Oh, Runaan!"
He laughed, sensing that the day he could be with her was drawing near.
"In that case..."
The man in the bear mask looked toward Syria with a glimmer of hope.
"Yes. My companion's empty helm will soon find its wearer..."
Syria traced a finger over two Baphomet helmets resting on a table.
"A matched set will be completed."
He let out a ghoulish laugh, folding his hands as he envisioned the outcome.
"And of course, your objectives will be met as well."
Syria gestured toward the masked man, assuring him his efforts would be rewarded.
"I will give it my all!"
The man in the horned bear mask vowed to keep enticing Runaan, scratching at his neck once more.
"Excellent."
Syria’s smile widened as he caressed one of the Baphomet helmets.
"Two separate lives..."
He chuckled softly, noting the subtle differences in the second helmet's design.
"And a single soul."
Whooooo.
Karoon inhaled the biting air of the dawn and settled onto the throne to manage the affairs of the house. He appeared natural in the role of temporary head, moving through vital paperwork with a focused intensity.
"Is that the last of it for today?"
By noon, Karoon had cleared the massive pile of documents and set aside his ink-stained pen.
"Any word from the Light Wind Palace?"
He inquired about the group that had traveled toward Birdnew Village.
"A report arrived this morning. They are currently stationed near Pilshu Village. They chose to rest there to prepare for any potential ambushes from Eden rather than rushing the journey."
Chad, the leader of the Shadow Agents, bowed as he collected the finished scrolls.
"A wise decision."
Karoon nodded, showing approval of Burren's leadership during the mission.
"Burren has adapted well to his role as Vice Palace Master under Raon."
Sheryl smiled, thinking of how much Burren had matured.
"He still has a long way to go. However..."
Karoon grunted, his high standards for Burren still intact.
"Watching the Light Wind Palace Master from the sidelines will continue to improve his judgment."
He felt a sense of pride, believing Raon’s influence was pushing Burren to new heights.
"Now, regarding..."
Karoon began to ask Chad another question when he was interrupted.
Thump.
A sudden, heavy footfall resonated through the chamber, though only the four of them should have been present.
Thump.
The sound persisted, though none of the occupants had moved. The noise seemed to vibrate through their very senses, momentarily freezing them in place.
"It sounds like..."
Karoon started to turn his head, his expression tense.
Thud!
The side door of the audience hall swung open. Raon emerged, clad in training gear that was heavily stained with crimson blood.
Though his body was battered and his face showed signs of deep exhaustion, his eyes burned with a fierce, brilliant clarity.
"I have returned. My thanks for handling things in my absence. But from this moment on...."
Raon walked toward the dais and gave a respectful bow to Karoon, who sat upon the leader's throne.
"I will be taking that seat."
