Harem Stealer: Reborn with the God-Tier Sharing System Chapter 489 - Deck of Providence [2]

"I shall know soon."

The Pale Lady's face eased back to its usual calm, seeing no need to reveal her genuine nature. She merely fixed her gaze on Noah before shifting her eyes downward to the Deck of Providence.

From the deck, cards emerged and arranged themselves along both sides of the table. Seven cards appeared on each side.

Every card featured a distinct form and hue encircling it. Once all cards had floated out and suspended in the air, the deck morphed into a chessboard.

The cards shimmered with intense light, darted to the chessboard, and landed in place. As the radiance faded, Noah and Pale observed that the cards had become tiny figures positioned on the board. For Noah, their hues were a vivid crimson-gold; for Pale, they were ghostly pale.

Both of them observed their pieces intently until Providence's voice echoed through the space, drawing their attention to her explanation.

<Before the game commences, all rules will be clarified to ensure fairness.>

At that moment,

"You're quite assured, aren't you?" Pale remarked, a chilly smirk twisting her lips. "You gambled on ignorance of the rules just to strip everything from your foe."

Noah shrugged casually. "I'm greedy."

"And foolish." Pale shot back.

"If a fool can deceive a Queen, does that make him foolish still?"

"You've deceived nobody."

Any comeback Noah prepared died in his throat as Providence's irritated tone boomed around them again. <You each possess seven cards, now turned into seven pieces. Each holds a special role, and paying close attention would serve you well.>

They listened intently.

<Your pieces include a King, a Queen, a Knight, a Priest, a Herald, a Soldier, and a Historian.>

As Providence named each one, the matching piece for both glowed to highlight itself. The demonstration felt redundant.

Noah examined his figures, noting the King and Queen adorned with crowns and opulent garments. The Knight gripped a sword while clad in complete plate armor, his expression grave and resolute.

He positioned himself near the Queen.

The Priest occupied the center, draped in a hooded robe and clutching a tome.

The Herald grinned with a broad, mad expression, his eyes gleaming with deadly craving. He took the foremost spot on the right among the seven pieces.

Noah nearly overlooked the Soldier, whose look was so

ordinary that he could blend in as mere shabby ornament, and Noah might have accepted that illusion.

The Soldier wore battered leather armor, his features etched with exhaustion and scarred by endless trials and brutal battles. He lingered right behind the Priest.

Last came the Historian, seated at a desk with a ledger and quill, diligently writing. The King stood nearest to him, yet he remained distant from the rest.

All these details sank into the minds of Noah and Pale, their thoughts already connecting the pieces.

Providence went on,

<Every piece carries a purpose, and losing one brings repercussions. They connect in certain ways, and uncovering those links would be smart. But one loss you'll probably want to prevent is the King's demise. It could lead to immediate defeat or lasting debility for the other six pieces.>

<To claim victory, as you might guess, simply eliminate or force your rival's pieces to forfeit.>

Pale gave a nod, whereas Noah pondered why he'd let the Blessing turn this into a game rather than something simpler.

The situation grew increasingly intricate.

Even Providence, the game's overseer, felt unease while reciting the guidelines. She projected omniscience, yet she knew only what her script demanded.

"How do we command the pieces?" Pale inquired, her tone laced with assurance that grated on Noah.

<Through your Will.>

"And who goes first?" She pressed further.

<A coin flip will decide once everyone is prepared.>

Pale turned to Noah with a smile.

"Son of Heretic, I can't remember the last time The Interpreters' gaze fell on me

with such delight or thrill." She stated. "This

game promises excitement. And after it's done, I'll allow you to pick your destiny."

"What choices?"

"Become my sustenance or my servant."

"No other path?"

"Nothing else."

"Businesslike, I notice. I pass on the deal, then."

Pale's icy grin held steady. "Ready to face the game you crafted

now?"

Noah mirrored the smile. "Don't rush toward defeat."

Then, he shut his eyes as Pale chuckled. Abruptly, she appeared genuinely pleased by the setup.

That insight heightened Noah's unease. He breathed out and

reviewed every rule and detail of the game.

'So, I direct my seven pieces via Will to secure a win. By wiping them out or forcing surrender!

Noah wasn't naive; he grasped that victory hinged on targeting the right pieces and strategies to prompt quicker or easier forfeits from the foe.

With that in mind, the Prince breathed deeply before flinging his eyes open.

'Now, Noah, face the consequences of your choices!'

He flashed a contrived grin.

"I'm set. Let's start."

"Finally." "You've grown chatty. Can you hold your tongue?"

"That irritating yap of yours will be my first target, Son of

Heretic."

"You took the words right-!"

<Let's begin.>

Noah rolled his eyes, irked by Providence cutting off his retort.

Providence's announcement came with a golden coin materializing between the players.

Each side of the coin displayed the likenesses of Pale and Noah.

Without notice, the coin spun upward, tumbled repeatedly until peaking, then descended. In a humiliating twist, Noah's nerves made him yearn to go first for the edge it would provide. Yet his own creation seemed against him, as the coin landed for Pale.

Noah's right eye spasmed at Pale's profound, taunting expression. Briefly, he craved nothing but to reach across and smack the arrogance from her.

With her frame so gaunt like a brittle rod, snapping her like a stray limb would be effortless.

But Noah restrained himself and observed with a parched throat as gradually...

<GAME! START!>

...Pale giggled like a kid on her debut play and executed her opening move.

And to Noah's misfortune, her style was far from childish.

-End of Chapter 489-