Chapter 30

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I advanced through the Reversi tournament and finally made it to the finals.

I thought my opponent would be Carla, the daughter of Seria, just like in the previous tournament, but Yurina, the man with the slitted eyes, defeated Carla and advanced to the finals.

From watching Carla's match, Yurina seemed to be the type who carefully calculates two or three moves ahead and plays solidly.

Not as much as my brother Silvio, but this seems to be a tough opponent. I sound so confident, but I can't beat my brother Silvio in either shogi or Reversi anymore. It's a bit frustrating.

Anyway, the final match is about to start.

Spectators and those who had lost in previous rounds gathered around Yurina and me.

"Hey Roland, who do you think will win?"

"Of course, it's Master Alphriette. He was so relaxed against Carla last time."

"Be quiet. Reversi was created by Master Alphriette, so he's bound to be strong."

"But Yurina also easily defeated Carla. This time it might be a close match."

"Can you stop talking about how I lost miserably?"

"It can't be helped. That's the easiest standard for us."

"Yeah, it's simple."

"So, who did you bet on?"

"Master Alphriette with five silver coins."

"Alright."

'I bet one copper coin on Master Alphriette!'

'I bet two copper coins on Yurina!'

The villagers were happily discussing who would win and who to bet on. I could hear voices raising the betting amounts like an auction.

It's fine, but please no trouble.

"Please do your best, Master Alphriette."

"I'll do my best too, Yurina."

After we exchanged greetings, Elman came to the table.

"Please start the final match of the Reversi tournament."

'Yaaaaay!'

As Elman announced the start, the villagers let out a mysterious, rough voice.

What is that? Is it a trend?

"I'll take black."

"Then I'll take white."

While placing the stones, I was puzzled by the villagers' strange voices. Well, how should I proceed from here? Yurina probably won't fall for simple traps. It will likely be a battle of reading and seeing who can capture more stones.

Even though it's a Reversi tournament, it's a bit dull, but the villagers are watching and talking without being too noisy.

"Huh? Why did you place it there when you can only flip one stone?"

"That's why Roland is so weak."

"You can't just flip as many stones as possible, you know?"

"Oh, right. I see."

"Well, you'll understand as you watch."

As the game progressed to the middle stage, the time spent thinking increased, and the time to place stones became longer for both of us. It's still unclear at this point. Yurina has more stones, but in Reversi, the number of stones at any given time isn't a reliable indicator. My white stones are neatly placed at the edges and corners, which are key positions. From here, it's my turn to attack.

Yurina grabbed a black stone and moved it around the board.

"...This is..."

Yurina probably just realized that her only options are the X positions. If she places a stone anywhere else, my stones will take the edges.

I was flipping stones one by one, guiding Yurina to place her stones in the X positions, which are the squares diagonally inside the corners.

This is called X placement.

If Yurina can only place stones in the X positions, she will lose the corners. This is a tough situation, especially in the middle of the game.

"Key positions are being secured."

Yurina narrowed her eyes even more and stared at the board.

"Hey, are you using some amazing technique?"

"Hmph, Roland wouldn't understand."

"Tell me, Westa."

"Carla, teach Roland the fool."

"Westa, you don't understand either, do you?"

"...No, I just don't want to say it."

"What's with you, Westa? You usually talk a lot of nonsense."

"Haa. Master Alphriette guided Yurina to place stones in the X positions, so no matter where she places them, she will lose the corners."

"Is there such a place?"

"..."

"No, you guys have played Reversi many times, so you should know that placing a stone diagonally inside the corner is dangerous, right?"

"Kind of?"

"I knew that."

"Westa didn't know either. Why are you being so stubborn? Use your head a little."

"‘We feel it. Trust your instincts. That's our Reversi.’”

"...Why are you two being so dramatic?"

While listening to Roland, Westa, and Carla, I waited for Yurina. Today, I've noticed those three often talking together.

They look mismatched, but they might actually be a well-balanced trio.

Roland brings up topics and questions, Westa expands on them with a mix of jokes and lies, and Carla points out the flaws.

It's good. I wonder if they could do stand-up comedy. Alphriette could produce it. Ideally, they would be idols, but since music isn't widespread here, it might be difficult. I wonder how it is in the capital.

"It's tough."

Yurina frowned but placed a stone in a position other than the X positions.

But it was still difficult. Placing a stone there would result in losing the edges, making the situation even worse.

"Then here..."

"I can't imagine winning."

Yurina placed black stones with a wry smile. Her face seemed to accept defeat, but she looked calm.

From then on, the game proceeded smoothly according to my calculations, and I won 51-13.

Surrounded by the villagers' applause, we stood up and shook hands.

"Thank you."

"I thought I could do better."

Indeed, Yurina's thinking ability is the best among the villagers. She can predict well where to place stones and what will happen. However, she lacked experience. If she gains more experience playing against strong opponents, she might become as good as my brother Silvio.

I thought to myself that I would arrange a match between Yurina and my brother Silvio if I had the time.

'My two copper coins!'

'Hehe, now I can drink more.'

'Alright! Let's have a party!'

'Oh, let's drink!'

'Seria, bring us ale and tamagoyaki, and meat. No sugar in the eggs.'

The villagers were making a fuss and placing orders.

Seria and Carla looked very busy with the sudden influx of orders.

"Hey, champion. Want to eat something? I'll treat you."

Next to me, Merna, whom I had played against in the second round, was sitting with a pouch in her hand.

"Sure, I'll take you up on that."

"Can I join you?"

"Sure, Yurina, come on over."

Invited by Merna, Yurina and I sat down. Are they acquaintances?

Merna called Seria and was about to order three ales, but Yurina stopped her. Unfortunately, although mentally an adult, physically she is still a child, which is not good. She's like a famous detective, but her mind isn't as sharp.

"Then, fruit water and, Master Alphriette, do you want to eat something?"

"Maybe some spaghetti."

Since the stalls are open even at night, I don't want to eat too much and get full.

"I'll do the same. I want to try various types of spaghetti since it's a specialty of this village."

"Well, it was created by Master Alphriette, you know."

"Is that so?"

Yurina looked surprised at me. Her eyes are narrow, so it's hard to tell, but her eyebrows raised and her voice changed, indicating surprise.

"Sure."

"Three servings of spaghetti and one fruit water, two ales. Make mine a large serving."

Seria replied, "Sure," and passed the order to Carla, preparing the fruit water and ale.

As soon as the fruit water and ale arrived, we toasted.

"Wow, you drink like ale."

"Unfortunately, it's just fruit water."

"Oh? Do you want ale? How about it?"

"No, Master Alphriette is still a child."

"Oh, that's right. How old is Master Alphriette now?"

"Six years old."

"For a six-year-old, you're very composed."

Yurina looked at me with a surprised expression.

"Well, I have a strict upbringing."

Women, sisters, maids, mothers... Oh, they're all the same.

"To have such weary eyes at that age... You must have had a tough time."

Merna gently patted my back.

"Here, drink this."

Yurina must have ordered more, as she handed me a cup of fruit water.

Both of them are good people. Today's fruit water seems to have a stronger sour taste.

The author's favorite scenes are clear from the density and pace of the writing.