Chapter 56: The Allure of Beast Cards and Golden Apples

Ever since striking up a friendship with Qing Yu, Eden had made it a daily habit to visit the room shared by Qing Yu and Aldoran. His visits often brought an assortment of oddly shaped fruits, or perhaps a new tabletop game from Alastor for Qing Yu to discover.

The game that had captivated Qing Yu most deeply was called Beast Cards. While reminiscent of Earth’s poker, this game featured fifty-six cards divided into three distinct categories: Beast, Fowl, and Fish. Each card bore a number, with eighteen cards allocated to each category. Beast cards ranged from three to twenty, Fowl from two to nineteen, and Fish from one to eighteen. When comparing cards of identical numerical value, a trump card outranked a Beast, a Beast outranked a Fowl, and a Fowl outranked a Fish. Analogous to aces in poker, Beast Cards featured two “Fate” cards, which held the highest value and could represent any number from one to twenty across any category. The game was designed for four players, who would take turns playing cards and vying for the highest value. The initial player was restricted to a single card, while subsequent players were required to play combinations to surpass the preceding hand. No combination could consist of more than three cards, and victory was claimed by the first player to empty their hand.

For Qing Yu, an Earthling, delving into games from an alternate world proved to be an utterly novel experience. Compounding this, a relentless downpour had persisted outside ever since his return from that particular mission, ensuring that the past few days had been spent almost entirely indoors.

Such was their current repose: in the cozy warmth of the room, after a satisfying midday meal, Qing Yu, Liliya, Thrud, Eden, and Aldoran sat together. They listened to the distant clamor of voices from outside, sipped on the refreshing juice Eden had provided, and engaged in lighthearted chatter while playing Beast Cards. It was an afternoon imbued with both leisure and tranquility.

As a novice, Liliya had opted to observe from the sidelines, her gaze fixed on the game with keen interest.

“Oh, by the way, my dear Qing Yu,” Eden began, “didn’t you mention wanting to visit the Slime Farm? When are you thinking of heading out?”

Once each player had drawn their fourteen cards, it was Eden’s turn to lead. With a relaxed air, he played a card depicting a tiger, clearly marked “Beast” with the number fifteen, as he posed his question to Qing Yu.

The turn then fell to Qing Yu. He thoughtfully scratched his head, surveyed his hand, and laid down two “Fowl” cards, numbered three and thirteen respectively.

“We’ll go once the rain lets up,” he declared.

Pausing, Qing Yu considered for a moment.

“Thrud, Liliya, and Eden, would you all like to join us?”

“I’m certainly game!” Thrud affirmed, tapping the table with her finger as a signal to skip her turn in the game.

By the rules of the game, it remained Qing Yu’s turn to play, though he could only lay down a single card.

“I’m absolutely fine with it too,” Eden said with a smile. “Slimes are truly adorable creatures; I even keep a green one in my room.”

“Ew, they’re so slimy and gross,” Liliya retorted, her expression one of distinct distaste.

“Yet, their taste is quite delightful,” Eden added with a mischievous glint in his eye.

“So, is everyone planning to go then?” Qing Yu inquired, simultaneously playing a “Beast” card numbered one.

This time, Thrud made her play, laying down a “Fowl” card bearing the number two.

“However, if our destination is the slime farm that caters to nobles,” Eden interjected, his gaze sweeping across the group, “an invitation is required. Do any of you happen to possess one?”

Aldoran, seizing her opportunity, played three “Fish” cards, numbered five, six, and seven. This combination, akin to a “bomb” in traditional poker, was known as a “Sea” in Beast Cards. It held the power to overwhelm a three-Beast “Land,” though it would itself be countered by a three-Fowl “Sky.”

With the “Sea” laid down, all remaining cards in Aldoran’s hand were automatically reclassified as “Fish.”

“Of the four of us, I am the sole possessor of an invitation,” she stated.

“That’s no problem at all,” Eden quickly interjected. “I have plenty, and can get as many as we need. My inn frequently hosts nobles, so I maintain quite a good relationship with the farm; I often procure supplies from them.”

Upon hearing Aldoran’s declaration, Eden promptly patted his chest in earnest assurance. Unexpectedly, in his momentary distraction, the poetry collection he had been cradling slipped from his grasp, landing on the floor with a startling “thump” that made Qing Yu jump. Eden, clearly distressed, swiftly retrieved the book, gently blowing on its cover and meticulously brushing away any specks of dust with his hands.

“Oh, my precious poetry collection, please tell me you’re unharmed—”

“Eden, you always seem to be carrying that poetry collection,” Qing Yu observed, seeing Eden’s tender concern for the book. This reminded him of a question he had long harbored about the volume, filled as it was with characters Qing Yu couldn’t decipher, yet which Eden always seemed to read with such profound enjoyment.

“Naturally, this is my most cherished possession,” Eden affirmed.

Raising his head, Eden’s eyes gleamed with affection as he spoke, his voice brimming with adoration. He then casually tapped the table, prompting Aldoran to continue her turn.

Aldoran played a card bearing the number “three,” and with that move, all the cards remaining in her hand were now considered “Fish.”

“What exactly is written in there?” Liliya inquired, her curiosity piqued. She leaned closer to Eden, took the book, and flipped it open, scanning the rows of peculiar characters. A wave of dizziness washed over her; she had always favored picture books, maintaining a distinct aversion to texts composed solely of words. Consequently, after a fleeting glance, Liliya promptly returned the book to Eden.

“Why, of course! This was written by my beloved!” Eden declared, his eyes sparkling with immense pride. “These are words only she and I can truly comprehend.”

“Ah, a secret shared between lovers, then,” Qing Yu murmured, his gaze drifting to Aldoran. At that very moment, Aldoran happened to look his way, and their eyes met in a brief, unspoken exchange.

“Precisely!” Eden affirmed, his head held high with pride as he gave himself a hearty thumbs-up. “My beloved composes a poem for me every single day, using our own special script, and even recites it to me in person.”

“Hmph hmph, and she’s drawn me countless pictures too!” he added with a smug chuckle.

“Honestly, if I had such an adorable wife, I’d probably do the same,” Thrud mused, propping her chin in her hand, a wide smile gracing her features. The cards she held slipped from her grasp and scattered across the table, yet she paid them no mind, even as everyone else saw them.

“Oh, when will I ever find such a sweet wife for myself~” she sighed dreamily.

“Don’t you worry, Sister Thrud,” Eden reassured her, “being so tall and beautiful, you’re bound to be incredibly popular with all the boys.”

Thrud was, in fact, remarkably tall, towering a full head above Qing Yu. Her disposition was bright and cheerful, her demeanor heroic and valiant in battle, and her beauty utterly flawless, perfectly embodying the image of a ‘princess on a white horse’ that many men envisioned.

Eden, beaming, lavished Thrud with compliments, causing her heart to swell with delight.

‘What an endearing fellow,’ Thrud thought, a soft smile on her lips.

“By the way, Eden,” Liliya chimed in after Eden and Thrud’s conversation concluded, “why don’t you invite your beloved to join us? Wouldn’t it be much livelier with everyone together?”

Though Eden had long spoken of his marriage, he had always appeared solitary, his beloved never once seen by their eyes. This disparity had always puzzled Liliya.

“My beloved passed away, you see,” Eden revealed, quite unexpectedly, without a hint of hesitation. His face remained wreathed in a gentle smile, completely devoid of any sadness or displeasure.

Yet, the moment those words left his lips, Liliya instantly felt a flush of acute embarrassment.

“Oh, it’s quite alright, really, don’t you worry about it!” Eden reassured her, patting Liliya’s shoulder. A gentle smile, brimming with warmth, softened his features. “It happened a long, long time ago, so please don’t fret!”

“It’s never good to dwell solely in the past, and I’ve long since made peace with it! So there’s no need to be so reserved!” Eden always wore such a genuinely happy smile, as if untouched by any sorrow.

“Oh, I-I see…” Liliya managed an awkward chuckle before settling back into her seat.

“Now, now, don’t be so hard on yourself, my dear Liliya,” Eden said kindly, suddenly producing a gleaming golden apple from seemingly nowhere and tossing it into Liliya’s outstretched hand. “Here, have an apple and relax a bit.”

“Oh… oh, thank you,” Liliya murmured, accepting the apple. She took a bite, and immediately, a burst of sweet, delectable juice flooded her mouth, its honey-like flavor washing over her senses with overwhelming intensity.

“It’s so, so delicious!” Liliya exclaimed, her eyes wide with astonishment as she gazed at Eden.

“Naturally,” Eden replied, his grin widening to reveal a perfect set of pearly white teeth. “These are truly splendid things!”

As he spoke, Eden proceeded to offer a golden apple to Aldoran, Qing Yu, and Thrud, ensuring each received one.

“Please, everyone, do try them,” he urged. “Don’t be shy; consider it my apology for making the atmosphere so awkward.”

With a shy scratch of his head, Eden then conjured another golden apple from seemingly nowhere and began to eat it himself, utterly absorbed.

The distinct “crunch, crunch” sounds resonated pleasantly in everyone’s ears; merely listening to the crisp snap of the fruit as it was bitten was enough to whet every appetite.

“These are truly magnificent,” Eden declared, speaking through a mouthful of apple. “Eating them brings a multitude of benefits.” With every bite he took, the room became infused with the crisp, sweet fragrance of the apples.

Aldoran had never before encountered, nor even heard of, such a fruit. Yet, she could distinctly sense a remarkably pure and unusual energy emanating from the one in her hand, prompting her to take a tentative bite.

A burst of exquisite sweetness and flavor danced upon Aldoran’s tongue. Though she had savored countless culinary delights, from mountain feasts to ocean treasures, not a single dish could rival the sublime taste of the small golden apple now held within her grasp.

Once everyone had finished their apples, the room was left imbued with a peculiar, refreshing aroma.

The weariness of the afternoon had vanished entirely, leaving each person feeling utterly invigorated and revitalized.

Within this joyful atmosphere, the tranquil and delightful afternoon gently slipped away, filled with the fresh scent of apples and the happy chatter of friends.

Later, Qing Yu and Aldoran inquired, only to discover that these extraordinary golden apples were exclusively supplied by Eden’s inn. Consuming them was said to revitalize the spirit, strengthen the body, and cure any ailment. No one knew how Eden procured these items, yet everyone acknowledged his immense generosity. Despite their precious nature, Eden never refused anyone who sought a golden apple, regardless of their background. Coupled with his everyday benevolence and the aid he offered to countless individuals facing hardship, Eden and his golden apples gradually became a household name across Alastor. Given Alastor’s status as an information hub, with its immense daily foot traffic, Eden’s reputation even spread to the kingdom’s borders. Whispers claimed Eden had once been invited to the royal court by the Queen herself, sharing a private dinner where the princess even proposed marriage to him. For reasons unknown, Eden declined the princess’s proposal, a topic that sparked fervent discussion among the populace. After all, a proposal from the princess was the stuff of countless young men’s dreams, yet Eden had so easily turned her down. Some even asserted that the princess had sought out Eden on numerous occasions, each time bringing a trove of jewels. By all accounts, the princess was destined to inherit the throne, young, beautiful, skilled in all the arts, and a celebrated warrior. That such a perfect young woman was repeatedly rejected by Eden truly astonished everyone. However, these were, after all, mere rumors and not entirely credible. Yet, they undeniably painted a picture of Eden as a genuinely good and immensely popular man. Moreover, Eden seemed to be a remarkably devoted individual.