Chapter 580: Kingdom, Spy, Substitute

The two continued to draw cards. Before Xia De had a chance to look at his second card, Mr. Cameron laughed again:

"Look at my luck. I bet the final match this year will be talked about by people for many years to come."

He revealed his second card:

"Special Card - Star 6 【Great Steam Era · Platform in the Whistle】. When drawing this card, if you hold 1 or 2 other special cards in your hand, you may guess the suit of any unrevealed card held by the opponent. If correct, you can prevent the opponent's next card that adjusts the card's number from taking effect. This is ineffective against the 【Founding】 series."

It sounded like a very good effect, but the probability of this card actually taking effect was probably the lowest among all the cards Xia De had encountered.

"It seems you have many 【Great Steam Era】 series cards in your deck?"

"Yes, three in total. I look forward to obtaining the entire set of 13 【Great Steam Era】 cards before I die... I guess the second card you drew is Moon!"

"Incorrect."

Xia De flipped the card:

"It is Wang Hou."

"Hmm?"

Mr. Cameron was stunned, then he laughed himself:

"Should I consider this good luck or bad luck?"

He had already drawn a 【King】 in the previous rounds of this game, so he could only rely on getting 21 points to defeat the 【Wang Hou】. But obviously, not everyone could draw a 21.

Therefore, after five rounds of the second game, Xia De led 8 to 2. And if he continued to win, he would be the champion of 1853.

Xia De took a deep breath, twisted his neck to relax, and then stroked the cat that didn't understand the game at all and was just leaning on the table looking around. Mr. Cameron frowned, pondering his winning percentage, looking completely unwilling to admit defeat.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, the reporters who came to interview them, after obtaining permission, took a group photo of the two from the side. They were both facing the camera in profile, so their appearance in the photo was not as complete as the cat staring at them with wide eyes.

"Then gentlemen, the sixth round of the second game begins. This round counts as the match point. Good luck to you both, gentlemen."

Vice President Ma Ke, acting as the referee, announced loudly. At this moment, the surroundings became quiet instead, and the dealer quickly handed the first hole card to the two.

Xia De lifted the corner of the card and took a look: Flower 10. In this way, the number of cards he would need this round probably wouldn't exceed four.

"Continue dealing."

After looking at his hole card, Mr. Cameron showed the same cautious expression as Xia De.

For the second card, Xia De got Star 3, while Mr. Cameron got a Star 13. Under these circumstances, both continued to ask for cards.

For the third card, Xia De got Flower 2 【King's Order · Substitute】. Mr. Cameron got a Star 7. In an instant, a look of wild joy appeared on his face:

"Mr. Hamilton, I knew my luck was better today. This round, it is me..."

"Wait a moment."

Xia De immediately revealed his third card:

"【King's Order · Substitute】. When drawing this card, you may swap this card with the opponent's unrevealed hole card, but you cannot stop drawing in this game."

He pointed to Mr. Cameron's hole card:

"Because I revealed this card before you flipped your hole card, your hole card must be swapped with this Flower 2."

Mr. Virgil Cameron opened his mouth slightly, looking at the card in Xia De's hand in disbelief. The onlookers were whispering. With the first card unknown, the second being 13, and the third being 7, Mr. Cameron had shown a look of wild joy; now everyone knew what his hole card was.

"Please swap the cards."

Seeing Mr. Cameron stunned there, Vice President Ma Ke, acting as the referee, reminded him in a low voice. The former closed his eyes and took a deep breath:

"It doesn't matter. According to the rules, you have to continue drawing cards. You still have the possibility of busting."

He flipped his hole card: it was Star 1. If they hadn't swapped, he would have had 21 points, but after Star 1 became Flower 2, he had already busted.

"Is that so?"

The three cards in Xia De's hand were Star 1 and Star 3. Because the opponent could no longer draw cards, he flipped his hole card in advance, which was Flower 10:

"I have 14 points now. As long as the next card is within 7, I win."

"The probability is close to one-half."

Mr. Cameron squinted at Xia De; he was very nervous.

In fact, not only was he nervous, but the dealer, the referee, and the onlookers were also very nervous. The result of the next card would determine whether this game would end here.

Xia De could even clearly see sweat appearing on Vice President Ma Ke's forehead. People outside the cordon were stretching their heads as hard as they could, wanting to see what would happen next.

The cat licked its paw; now it was the only one not nervous at all.

"The prize money is 3000 pounds..."

Xia De said in his heart, then looked to the side:

"Please deal the card."

The iron ruler lifted the card and placed it in front of Xia De. The table was covered with a soft tablecloth, and under the light of the crystal chandelier overhead, it seemed that all the light at this moment was concentrated on this card.

"What will it be?"

Xia De carefully reached out and stroked Xiao Miya again, causing the cat leaning on the table to meow in dissatisfaction. People knew that the young knight was praying for good luck.

Xia De finally pressed his hand on the card. He had to admit that he was also a little nervous.

【Nervousness is normal.】

Her voice came close to his ear, and Xia De almost felt the wind of her speaking beside his ear. He turned his head, and Difa was looking at him with an inquisitive gaze. Xia De, feeling a sense of loss, said to the black-haired girl:

"Miss, could you open this card for me?"

Difa looked at Vice President Ma Ke, who was acting as the referee, and the Vice President looked at Xia De's opponent, who immediately nodded:

"Open the card quickly, I feel like my heart can't take it anymore."

The small joke made the onlookers laugh, but the laughter quickly disappeared, and everyone held their breath and looked at the table.

Difa came from behind Xia De to his side, picked up the card, and took a look.

"Miss, what is the result?"

People who couldn't wait were already asking.

"Xia De, congratulations."

The maid placed the Flower 4 on the table. 14+4=18; Xia De had won.

After a moment of silence, discussions and cheers like an explosion erupted from the room. Xia De let out a long breath and took Difa's hand:

"You really are my lucky lady."

The black-haired girl showed a serene smile.

And amidst the cheers, according to the pre-arranged process, Xia De and Mr. Cameron stood up and came to the referee's side, and the referee held Xia De's right hand high:

"In the name of the Prophet Society, I announce that the champion of the 1853 Great City Player is — Knight Xia De Su Lun Hamilton!"

People applauded enthusiastically, and prepared ribbons and balloons were thrown out. The reporters' flashes lit up in succession, and everyone's face was full of joy and excitement. This was truly a legendary match.

Mr. Cameron covered his head, but there was a smile on the corners of his mouth.

He generously extended his right hand to Xia De. Vice President Ma Ke took a step back, allowing Xia De to shake hands with Mr. Cameron face-to-face, so that the scene of the two shaking hands could be recorded by the camera.

"A good game, Mr. Hamilton."

The lover of Duke Sete said sincerely.

"You played well too."

The rumored lover of Duchess Miss Jia Lin Na said the same.

The two men shook hands, their powerful grips locked together. Although their ages and orientations were different, they really appreciated each other. Mr. Cameron couldn't help but sigh again; these were words only the two of them could hear:

"To lose to you even with 21 points at the end, you are worthy of being a Kingdom Spy."

"Not a Kingdom Spy, but a King's Spy, and it's a Spy · Substitute. Oh, not a spy either, it's 【King's Order · Substitute】."

Xia De corrected, and the two men showed knowing smiles:

"Knight, I am really glad to have met you during my trip to Tobeisike this autumn."

The photo of the two shaking hands would be published in tomorrow's newspaper, and the title of "King of Rod Cards of 1853" would follow Xia De for the rest of his life. Although the Outsider still looked down on the lack of entertainment in this era, he had to admit that he really liked Rod Cards.

"Meow~"

Xiao Miya leaped, and actually jumped from the card table onto Xia De's shoulder. People in formal wear and suits around them screamed, scrambling to catch the cat that was about to fall. Xia De was also startled, his body tilted to one side, but he was supported by someone.

The lively celebration scene became a mess in the blink of an eye, but everyone had a smile on their face.

Of course, he liked Little Xiao Miya even more. ===== CHAPTER 581 =====