I Am the God of Games

Having been given strict education at a young age, even though Gerald would not decline any offered in social events amongst nobles, he was strictly prohibited from losing himself in such enjoyments that paralyzes the spirit.

As a personal guard serving the mayor of Lancaster, Gerald had relatively strong self-discipline and would keep himself to short sips despite his fondness for alcohol.

Still, today’s circumstances were special: the feasts held by the Players who were born as the dregs of society were not as cagey as the banquets of noble families. Even if they did not sink to the level of debauchery, there was still a considerable lack of restraint.

Hence, affected by the Players, Gerald—who had been drinking away his troubles—couldn’t help breaking his usual alcohol limit.

One should mention here that the process of brewing itself wasn’t difficult. Even if it’s a normal family, they could brew some fermented alcohol in secret with enough surplus ingredients and didn’t have to fear inspection.

Of course, there is no assurance when it came to quality.

In this world, fine wine would have to bought from the believers of Stoff.

And many might have forgotten by now that Stoff, the God of Craftmanship and Fine Wine was Xi Wei’s fellow member of the Invisible Pantheon, who had also provided a master craftsman who strengthened item for the Players.

That was why the Church of Games didn’t lack a good brew, although that was mostly thanks to the trade of the two brands of colas with Stoff’s church.

Be that as it may, Stoff’s believers still had no idea how they could mass-produce colas.

Stoff himself was no different. Even if he could create a brew with the same taste as cola, it was basically a divine brew that was impossible for mass production…

Xi Wei felt pressure about all that. In the very least, the recipe of colas would not be easily unraveled as long as the mortals never discover what carbon dioxide was.

…Back to the topic at hand.

Either way, Gerald himself had tasted much fine wine as a noble. He had assumed that he would only have just a few mouthfuls of the sour peasant brew in the Players’ feast, but he was surprised to find that it was the Wine Church’s not for sale item, and he couldn’t help having a few more goblets in his depression.

As the stupor kicked-in and he felt a little light-headed, a voice spoke beside him.

“Why are you hiding in a corner here?” Edward, who was passing by, greeted him with a barbecue skewer in hand.

Unlike the wildly ambitious Angora or Princess Leah who was less ambitious but always getting dragged along by Old Vanke, Edward had always kept to his original ideals as a Player. Even though he had contributed the most in this Event, all he wanted was to accomplish more quest and go on adventures in new places, having no interest at all in politics or other complex affairs.

Therefore, he had slipped away before either Angora or Leah could pull him on stage, running into the heart of the chaotic feast and gluttoned away.

“Won’t you join the Rabbitfolk’s folk dancing?” Edward asked cheerfully, passing Gerald several meat skewers. “It doesn’t look exciting, but your mood would life if you go up and dance a few bouts. It’s fun!”

“Forget it. I’m not in the mood.”

Gerald naturally recognized Edward, who had fought masterfully with his fire magic in the previous event. He even salvaged some dignity in the battle against the Revived Nightstalker even though the Roaring Blaze Tiger Warrior’s fire immunity had deflated him, and was definitely one of the top champions of the Church of Games.

In Gerald’s opinion, Edward might even be stronger than the Flatfish Swordsman who easily defeated him in a duel before.

He shook his head, refusing the goodwill.

“Don’t decline in a hurry. You wouldn’t lose flesh in trying.” Edward pressed warmly. “Life is about trying new things.”

That being said, his offer wasn’t entirely in goodwill—at best, he wanted to see what the young noble who constantly pulled a long face would look like when he goes for a folk dance…

But despite being unaware of Edward’s intention, Gerald just wasn’t interested in dancing

“Well, I’ll try this meat skewer in my hand. Please don’t mind me, I need to calm myself for a bit.”

What had he not experienced as a knight of Lancaster’s city watch anyway? Most nobles were refined in the arts, and as such elegant and conservative even when they dance-he himself had seen the performance of acclaimed dancers and artists, and could be considered knowledgeable.

Compared to that, the Players’ peerlessly silly dances hold a certain degree of strength and technique—the wildness as if being freed from some shackles couldn’t be replicated easily. Even if not many could admire it, there was no denying a certain extent of appreciation and aesthetic.

On the other hand, the folk dancing was nothing else other than a group of people making a circle, hand in hand and kicking their feet, which wasn’t really all that meaningful.

“Moods are improved by your own. If you keep it in yourself for too long, your troubled feelings won’t fade no matter how long you take to calm yourself.”

Despite being younger than Gerald, Edward looked more mature even as he spoke frankly and assuredly. “Since you’re going to feel bad whatever you do, why repeatedly chew on those horrible feelings alone instead of doing something so that your mind would be too busy and forget those feelings?”

Edward’s words handily disarmed Gerald’s refusal, leaving the young knight unable to find another excuse at once.

And when he saw that Gerald was about to keep refusing, Edward briskly dragged him in the direction of the bonfire.

“It’s fine if there’s something you’re sad about. Everyone faces such things, and if there’s something that really stumps you, you can tell me so that I could post… ahem, I mean help you.” Edward added.

Gerald was moved since Edward had put it that way, while a figure quietly appeared in his mind’s eye.

“May I ask… what was Marni like in life?”

“You’ve asked the right man. Let me tell you this, I was the one who pulled him into our church…”

Every time that topic surfaced, Edward would unwittingly go arms akimbo.

In the distance and with a sinister look on his face, Gou Dan thought about the title for his new post even as he captured the image of those two tugging and pulling as they headed towards the bonfire.

He had the feeling that his post would explode in popularity!