Chapter 338
Chapter 338
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 338
Chapter Title: The Witch of Sloth (3)
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What do witches do in their free time?
This question isn't all that different from asking, "What are your hobbies?"
Tastes and preferences vary, leading to different choices and unique answers from each person.
Some read books, some ride horses across the hills, some watch plays, and others soak in the bathhouse.
But what if two witches were spending their free time together? That's a whole different story.
In Gehenna, where entertainment options are somewhat scarce and witches often get bored, there's one folk game that reigns supreme in popularity: Witch Board.
The most basic form involves a crystal orb storing mana, above which floats a translucent holographic regular dodecahedron.
This large floating dodecahedron is packed full of smaller dodecahedrons inside.
This hologram serves as the game board—think of it like a chessboard where the action unfolds.
The rules are as follows.
1) On the given board, each edge represents a single 'path,' and runes—essential for drawing magic formulas—are randomly placed at the vertices using a random number algorithm within the crystal orb.
2) Paths and runes alone aren't enough to complete a spell. Each player starts with three 'mana sources,' which they place wherever they choose.
3) Once the game truly begins, players take turns like in Go, using the runes at vertices and paths along edges to construct spells.
4) These spells are used to attack the opponent's mana sources or defend against their assaults.
5) The first to seize all three of the opponent's mana sources or force a surrender wins.
Diana wrapped up her explanation as quickly and concisely as possible.
"It looks kind of complicated..."
Diana expressed her desire to play Witch Board against Siu.
Since Witch Board was such a popular game, several sets were available in the third-floor café, but...
It felt a bit messy.
Siu shared his honest impression after hearing the rules.
"You'll get the hang of it once we play. Since it's your first time, I'll give you a good look."
In essence, connect these lines inside and arrange the runes suitably to form spells.
Use them to destroy the opponent's power sources and defend against attacks.
It seemed like a simulation game akin to chess or Go...
He tried roughly connecting a few lines to form a spell by eye.
It wasn't that hard.
With this rigid board and randomly scattered runes, the possible spells were inherently limited.
"It's a fair game. Unlike real magic battles, you can only make one move per turn."
"That's true."
That was precisely why the game was so popular.
Real magic combat involved far too many innate factors.
No matter how exceptional one's magical thinking, if there was a gap in hierarchy or mana quantity, the fight wouldn't even stand a chance.
In contrast, on Witch Board, whether apprentice witch or grand witch, everyone could only take one move at a time.
Moreover, high-level spells beyond a certain complexity were restricted.
Implementing intricate nature magic required hundreds of turns, and opponents wouldn't just wait around.
In other words, it was a game that purely tested magical thinking and flexibility.
"Is this your first time?"
"Yes, first time playing for real."
"I'll spot you nine turns. Go ahead freely."
For reference, Diana was extremely confident in this game.
Witch Board was one of her few hobbies.
With her shining talent, she even traded close matches with Count Yesod.
On this board where all conditions were equal, she felt she could take on any witch.
"I just place them anywhere?"
"You need to decide where to put your mana sources first. There are three spots each at the vertices of the large dodecahedron."
"Hmm, got it."
As first player, Siu took the black stones.
He marked three spots without much deliberation.
The moment she saw it, Diana tilted her head.
Because the vertices he'd chosen for his power sources were all clustered together.
It deviated wildly from standard play and was inefficient even with basic magical thinking.
To utilize the board more broadly, mana sources at vertices needed to connect to as many edges as possible.
Cramming them into the same pentagonal face limited space and restricted spell variety.
Her expectations had been too high, it seemed.
"Nine moves done."
"......"
Diana's assessment solidified as Siu used up his nine spotted turns.
Efficient placement of those initial nine could corner one of her mana sources right from the start.
That would create a mana quantity disparity from the get-go.
Even a beginner with magical knowledge should see that angle.
But he couldn't even manage that.
Rumors were just rumors—clearly overhyped.
"My turn now."
From there, they alternated moves.
Diana's plays were near-standard.
Ultimately, diverse spells hinged on effectively claiming the scattered runes.
She read her opponent's intentions, controlled key runes, and steered the game advantageously.
With her amassed runes, she built varied constructs, forcing easy choices on her foe and racking up gains.
Even the same move yielded higher-efficiency attack spells for the rune-rich player.
Defense worked the same way.
This final move sealed it.
Outmaneuvered from the opening, Siu naturally fell behind in the slugfest.
All his attacks were blocked, all defenses shattered by Diana's assaults, losing all three mana sources.
The utter rout took less than ten minutes from start to finish.
"Easy."
Diana proudly declared her victory.
The win itself was a foregone conclusion.
Beginner versus expert—the nine-move handicap couldn't bridge that.
What mattered was the process.
She'd perfectly shut down his desperate midgame pushes and claimed victory—like winning chess without losing four pieces.
Siu silently stared at the ended board.
He seemed to be reviewing the game.
His demeanor was quite serious.
"Hm... a bit disappointing."
Did he really intend to win with those absurd moves?
Diana was slightly dumbfounded.
In a situation begging for learning, he calls it disappointing.
Regretting her leniency, she pressed the button on the fixed crystal orb board to reset the game.
"Shall we go again?"
"Yes, I'd like a rematch."
Trouncing a newbie wasn't the way of a veteran, but strictly speaking, he wasn't a total beginner.
He claimed to understand the laws of magic.
Someone hawking 'male witch' services to drum up business should at least put up a fight.
As she mulled that, Diana realized another reason she'd subconsciously disliked him.
Proclaiming to walk the path of magic, only to exploit it for cheap commercial hype.
That grated on her too.
"Nine moves first again."
"Thank you. I'll learn from this."
Siu swiftly marked his three mana sources.
Identical to before.
A self-sabotaging cluster in cramped space, stifling expansion.
His subsequent nine moves showed no improvement.
"Hoo..."
Should she say something?
After hesitating, Diana spoke up.
"Um, placing mana sources so close limits your later plays. Too much path overlap. Here's your chance—redo it. Grab vertices from different pentagonal faces, spread them out. It'll be much easier to start."
Truth be told, advising or spotting moves mid-game wasn't her style.
Still, she offered a redo because she didn't want another hollow win like before.
His response, though, was utterly off-base.
"Ah, it's fine. Trying a slightly different approach this time. Starting to get a feel for it."
Different approach?
Get a feel?
Her rare goodwill ignored, Diana grew even more exasperated.
Different or not, it flew in the face of standard play...
Standards existed for a reason.
They were highly generalized principles born from countless trials and errors—proven tactics.
"Fine. Do whatever."
Moreover, that sycophantic sweet talk had turned into a serious tone and gaze.
It irked her more, like he was posturing as a real witch.
Diana passed judgment.
This male witch was done—no need to look further.
All flash, no substance. An idiot.
End it quick and head home.
So they waited out the nine moves, then traded plays steadily.
Easy again.
Diana followed a slightly varied standard line, methodically building toward victory.
Smooth sailing.
She'd secured fifteen paths for offense and optimal runes.
Defensive measures were in place against surprise attacks too.
Time to show him what happens when mana sources clump like that.
She planned a mana cannon spell to obliterate them in one go.
Five more moves, and victory was hers.
"...Huh?"
Diana spoke up because she'd finally noticed something amid her focus on her own plays.
"Ah, you caught on. I was hiding it pretty well."
Amid the tangled points, lines, and runes lurked a vicious trap, baring its teeth.
A snare she hadn't spotted at all.
If she'd played just one of those five planned moves, it would've triggered.
"......"
Diana's spell was a mana cannon amplified to the extreme.
Siu's counter was a massive tunnel ring to redirect it back.
Had she pressed the attack, her prized ultimate strike would've swept her own mana sources instead.
Why hadn't she noticed?
Carelessness?
No.
Siu's ploy was ingeniously concealed.
"Of course."
Diana lied calmly and adjusted her strategy.
She dismantled his ring-tunnel formula first, then spent about twenty more turns forcing his surrender.
It was a shock.
His playstyle strayed from standard.
A high-risk joker card with no fallback if it failed.
She'd underestimated him as a total greenhorn.
And nearly let that joker reverse the game.
"To spot that... I can't beat you after all. Your win, Diana. I concede."
"......"
Victory, but a nagging one.
Diana quickly hit the reset button.
"One more. Nine moves again."
She needed to confirm something.
If that play was intentional.
If he could pull similar off again, she'd have to revise her assessment.
Fired up for once, Diana faced Siu's troubled expression as he held up the hourglass.
"Sorry, but our time's up. Reserved witches will be arriving soon."
Her concentration lapsed, and the surrounding bustle grew audible.
"I'll pay extra. Extend the time."
"You're Diana, apprentice of the great Yesod Count family, aren't you? I'm sure you understand the importance of appointments."
Stubbornness faltering, Diana schooled her frown into haughty poise and nodded.
"I'll come before opening tomorrow. Be ready."
"Understood. Allow me to escort you out. Take care."
Receiving Siu's send-off as she stepped toward the host bar's entrance, Diana resolved.
She would definitely return tomorrow.