Chapter 2125: Chapter 2125
Neither the [Blight of Man] nor the [Flower of Evil] could be resolved. Since they were classified as [Threats], it was obvious they would erupt sooner or later. Jenkins understood perfectly that if the [Blight of Man] were to break out, it would likely leap right out of the card game and manifest in the wax museum around them.
The black dust that drifted from the card table at the end of each year was most likely the spores of the [Blight of Man]. Although it had only appeared in the game during the fourth year, it had probably been influencing everything from the very beginning.
This Beast of Calamity had no definite physical form; it was more akin to a curse or a plague. Theoretically, the [Blight of Man] had never truly been sealed—every sentient being was its potential host. But there was a world of difference between its dormant state and an active outbreak.
If the [Blight of Man] erupted in the wax museum and allowed the Beast of Calamity to take form, Jenkins was certain he stood no chance of winning.
But the danger wasn't limited to the [Blight of Man]. From the very start, the card game had been subtly, intentionally or not, guiding the kingdom's development toward [Steam]. Jenkins hadn't forgotten that his primary objective was to pass through this Mysterious Realm. He had a strong premonition that the increasingly powerful steam industry would give him a nasty "surprise" in the ninth or tenth year, wiping out all his progress in one fell swoop.
In other words, this card game had two traps, and he had to overcome both of them to continue his journey.
"So, not only do we have to gradually eliminate the influence of [Steam Revolution] and the three [Steam] cards, but we also have to figure out how to counter the two Threats?"
After Jenkins shared his thoughts, the elven lady summarized his points, her expression tinged with dismay:
"Solving one of these problems is hard enough, but we have to deal with two."
In the fourth year, through the influence of the [Royal Marriage], Jenkins once again received a [Maintain Stability] card from the princess. His soul was unique, so he remained unaffected by the [Blight of Man]. The elven lady, however, was susceptible. Fortunately, this year's influence was a positive one, granting her a rather enigmatic card: [Flower Speaker].
According to the living statue's explanation, the influence of the [Kingdom of Wisdom] enhanced the inspiration and intellect of all life within its borders. Consequently, individuals could suddenly acquire knowledge they never possessed before, which made her transformation into a [Flower Speaker] seem perfectly normal.
"After hearing its explanation, I feel like our kingdom might really be finished next year."
The elven lady was being pessimistic, but her logic was sound. If anyone in the kingdom could suddenly acquire knowledge they shouldn't possess, Jenkins wouldn't be the least bit surprised if a kingdom-destroying catastrophe occurred in the very first season of the coming year.
Compared to the fourth year, which had been fraught with unexpected events, the fifth year was relatively peaceful. The four events of the year were [Day of the Lunar Eclipse], [Rampant Thieves], [Locust Plague], and the [Festival of Blossoms].
Of these, [Day of the Lunar Eclipse], [Rampant Thieves], and [Locust Plague] were all events that could be resolved with ease. However, under the influence of the [Flower of Evil] Threat, even after dealing with the [Rampant Thieves], a doomsday cult emerged within the kingdom. These cultists were not yet numerous enough to form a new Threat, but their presence increased the likelihood of negative events occurring.
The final event, the [Festival of Blossoms], was no national holiday. Instead, it marked the day the [Flower of Evil] was set to bloom. If they failed to prevent it, and the bizarre flower blossomed in the dead of winter, the first season of the following year would inevitably be struck by a [Mass Hallucination - Premonition of Doom].
Fortunately, their elven bloodline, a benefit from the [High Noble] influence card, amplified the power of the [Horticultural Knowledge] cards played by both Jenkins and the elf. Jenkins only had one such card, but Miss Silf possessed three.
With the combined power of the four cards, they successfully prevented the [Flower of Evil] from blooming. As the plant withered after its flowering season, the [Flower of Evil] Threat vanished. In its place, the [Doomsday Theory] Threat re-emerged. However, the roots and stems of the flower were entirely poisonous. Because they hadn't realized this and taken preventative measures, a new Threat appeared as the old one faded: [The Hallucinogen Craze].
A red 'accident' card appeared in every season of that year. Three new [Steam] cards, combined with the two already in play and the one [Steam Revolution] card, generated a new kingdom influence: [Tide of Steam Technology].
But it didn't end there. The [Tide of Steam Technology] card flickered above the table, resonating powerfully with the influence of the [Kingdom of Wisdom]. Before Jenkins's eyes, the two influence cards merged, giving birth to a brand new, unique card.
It was a card of pure gold. According to the living statue, this was how a top-tier influence was born—the [Steam Kingdom].
The final red 'accident' card for the year was one that specifically targeted the male king—Jenkins. It was the [Assassin].
"The kingdom's rise has drawn much attention, which has led to this assassination attempt," the living statue explained. "Because you yourself are powerful, the attempt will not kill you, even if it succeeds. However, should it succeed, you must discard half of the cards in your hand."
Discarding his cards at this stage would mean that by the ninth year, Jenkins would almost certainly be left with nothing to play.
"Then how do I prevent the assassination? I still have a few [Personal Might] cards."
"No. Since this is an assassination, the killer will not confront you directly. They have taken your wife, the northern princess, hostage. After setting a trap, they committed suicide. Now, you must drink from one of two goblets to save the princess. If you refuse, the assassination will fail, but the [Royal Marriage] influence will disappear. One of the goblets contains poison; the other contains ordinary wine..."
"Wait," Jenkins interjected, "why would the assassin do that?" Newest update provıded by novᴇlfire.net
"Because your own power is so great, the assassin cannot force you into a situation where defeat is guaranteed. Therefore, the game simplifies the confrontation into a test of luck."
The living statue drew a red 'accident' card:
"Choose. The effect of this card can only be one of two things: entirely beneficial to you, or entirely detrimental. You must guess which it is. If you guess correctly, you will not drink the poison, and the assassination fails. If you guess incorrectly, you will drink the poison, and the assassination succeeds. Furthermore, this card, once revealed, will be discarded. It will not be returned to the deck, nor will its effect be triggered."