Chapter 46: A Strange Chess Game
***
Hearing the elder's remark, Vlad started contemplating what information he knew about the West Blue, and outside of the world, and apart from what he got from the two Yonko's who he stumbled on in his first life, where they didn't mention much about those obscure places as the Four Weak Seas.
Those two guys were born inside the New World, and were familiarized, knowing any crevices of that place, which Vlad couldn't help to check the "treasure" places of those two guys.
Yet, in those moments, the subject on his mind was West Blue, and as if noticing what was on his mind, Elder Greenwood who watched Vlad's expression.
"It's a rustic place, where traditions are above anything else in the lives of the people. The architecture of Kano is different from the one in South Blue. Overall, there is a whole shift in culture which gives a different view to my homeland."
"I see, and which one do you prefer from your experience? West Blue or South Blue?" asked Vlad, who was stroking his chin, a habit he still didn't lose after so many years.
When this habit of his would awaken, he would always remember his full beard and mustache.
"Heh, I can't choose from those two since both are my homes. However, I will be fair with you, young one. South Blue is a far peaceful place where old people like me can choose to retire."
Vlad saved this information for later uses, and as he took out his gold pouch from his trousers he started paying for the herbs and plants.
"You aren't using banknotes?" asked Elder Greenwood, who observed how full the bag Vlad was carrying with him.
"Right, right, big brother, wouldn't it be easier if you use the banknotes? For example, the big one of 10.000 đť”…, even though I have never seen one, you could fork some of those and be done." commented Arkhan who was surprised by how full the coin pouch was.
The young boy was ignored by the black-haired man who opened the pouch to take coins of 500 đť”…, filling in the small table of the elder who counted in his mind the sum of money, and after about 10 minutes where Vlad pulled about 900 coins.
"That would be all, sir. Keep the change." said Vlad, tying down the pouch and placing it back in his pocket.
Elder Greenwood also took out a wooden box, where he scooped swiftly all of the coins, and without any business to attend to Vlad, he invited him out of the Temple.
"Young man, if there's nothing more to be discussed with me. You are free to climb down and return to the city."
Nodding, he turned to walk out of the room, but then Grabert who watched how the business was conducted remembered something that Vlad told him.
[I want to get my hands on some books. The only place that might have books should be the Temple, right?]
Remembering why Vlad wanted to get to the temple to get himself some books, and seeing how he wanted to leave the Temple, he brings this up.
"Ahem, young man, didn't you also want to read some books from the Temple?" added Grabert, making Vlad to instantly stop, turning his head at the old blacksmith.
"That's right, I also wanted to read some books. But, I can return to another time, more importantly, it's preparing your ointment, sir."
"Don't worry about me, I can wait for my treatment. If I haven't kicked the bucket at my 72 years, I will for sure not rush to kick it now. Besides, my body is still okay, apart from the leg pains."
*Chuckle*
Hearing the old man, Vlad couldn't help but laugh a bit, and the same could be said for Greenwood who remembered how Vlad mentioned how he also wanted to check the Library.
"Indeed you mentioned wanting to check the Library, read some books. What are you interested in?"
"Usually old books that people throw away. As for the generic ones, I go with medicine, alchemy, navigation, legends, adventuring books. Those are the books I am interested in."
"Understood, to my surprise you are a young man who likes to read books. That's rare nowadays. Especially looking forward to so many subjects."
"Elder, I like to think of myself as someone who is at up to date with the new trends of the world when it comes to those specific subjects. Medicine, Alchemy, Navigation, those are subjects that are constantly changing, bringing along new techniques and methods of doing things."
"A good approach at looking at things, young man." remarked Elder Greenwood, stroking his long beard, watching this black-haired youngster with some interest, before hearing him ask.
"So, what challenge am I supposed to pass to receive permission to enter the library?"
"A challenge?"
"... You told me, I have to pass your challenge." replied Vlad, remembering the conversation he had initially with the Elder at the Temple's entrance.
"Ahhh, yes, that is correct. It's simple. Play a match of Xiangqi with me, and if you win, you are allowed to enter the library."
Vlad never heard of such a thing, and started brainstorming for information, and after reaching the conclusion his mind had no information about such a concept, he asked Greenwood who went up from his chair, walking toward another part of the room to retrieve a small wooden box.
"Xiang… qi … If I may ask? What could that mean?"
"Sorry, you people from the South should know the game as Chess. You know about Chess right? Or at least heard of it?"
"Ohh, so you meant Chess. Sure, I don't mind such a challenge."
Elder Greenwood nodded in a pleased manner, returning back on his seat, revealing what was inside the box. Various wooden pieces with symbols carved on them could be seen, and as Greenwood was arranging them on the table, it did resemble the Chess he knew to play.
'This isn't normal chess … Never seen pieces carved like this, or arranged in such a manner. Should I tell him I have no idea how to play it?'
"Are you ready? Hmmm, from the way you are staring at the pieces, I take it you don't know this variant of Chess? Ahh, I am getting senile. How could someone from the South know this variant of chess from Kano?"
"No, it's fine. I'll learn it in the play."
"Hahaha, stubborn. Fine, as you wish, but I will still talk a bit about how each piece moves and the general rules of the game."
Vlad frowned a bit when he was called stubborn, but it eased up once the old man began telling him the rules of the game, what each piece could do and move, and right in front of everyone he called out a name.
"Titania, you can come out. We'll play this game together against sir Greenwood."
Seeing herself being acknowledged publicly by Vlad who no longer bothered himself to have her hide, she revealed herself flying off from his long black hair, landing on his nose bridge.
"Interesting… You want to be assisted by the young miss against me? Sure, I don't mind."
Both parties watched the gameboard where Greenwood and Vlad seemed relaxed, only with Titania being tense since she could see how the chess pieces were moving. She moved the chess pieces according to what Vlad was seeing in his mind, and in about 5 minutes the first match of Xiangqi was lost by him.
"One more." called out Vlad in a calm tone, not bothered that he lost.
"Sure thing."
In this manner, Vlad played Xiangqi for about one hour straight, all of the matches being lost, but the ones watching from the side could see that it took Greenwood more time to defeat him after each match as if he was improving in real-time.
'This brat … He only learned how to play Xiangqi one hour ago, and he is already showing such signs of improvement. From a Beginner, he already reached an Intermediate Stage. No wonder I had this somber feeling when I first met him.'
'This young man is sharp, ruthless, and calculative. Each of his movements as a "General" is exactly how a leader should view a battlefield. Still, you are too young to beat me at my own game.'
Greenwood was pondering about Vlad's move-set and his own choices, moves which reminded him of the initial encounter he had with him at the entrance, where he felt his Spirit.
.
.
Another match, another loss for Vlad, but this match was the longest so far, taking about 20 minutes. Yet, he learned a lot, and as if he was in a real battlefield experiencing losses, he adapted his strategy, until it happened.
After about 2 hours of gameplay, the shocking defeat of Greenwood happened, who couldn't believe that his general was checkmated by a General - Rook tactic.
"NO WAY! HE DEFEATED THE OLD MAN!" screamed the monkey boy from the top of his lungs not believing the fact Vlad has won.
"..."
His friend was also watching with astonishment the upset happening in the small room of Elder Greenwood.
"Ahhhha, you got me, young man. To think you'll bait me into that tactic."
Titania, who was the one moving Vlad's pieces, jumped up feeling thrilled after suffering defeat after defeat, and to celebrate she flew to land on Vlad's nose bridge, later on doing a high-five with his forehead.
"We did it! We did it!"
"Mhm. Let's not make this too big, Titania. It shows we are low-class by celebrating so much over such a struggling victory."
Greenwood heard Vlad's calm remark and couldn't help but smile a bit, thinking in his mind that playing half-focused was the cause of his defeat. Nonetheless, a victory was a victory, and he made sure to tell his mind out.
"A victory is a victory, young man. For an amateur who never played Xiangqi and to beat me … must mean only a single thing, your chess skills, the game you Southerns play, should be masterful."
"Thanks, and indeed they aren't half-bad. Do you want to try them?" asked Vlad, making Titania slap him on the nose, telling him with worry.
"Bad. Don't be arrogant."
"..."
"Hahaha, young lady he has all the rights to be. With what I've seen so far, the roles would be reversed if I play his game."
Both Titania and Vlad didn't comment, instead watched the old man who took a brush and a sheet of paper, writing on it something Titania couldn't understand, being written in a language she couldn't decipher.
"It was really pleasant playing against you, young man. And to keep my word with you, I'll allow you entrance to the Library of the Temple. You can go read anything you might like from there, but you have to present this to Elder Woodworm, the one in charge of the Library."
Saying that, he handed Vlad the sheet of paper wrapped in a roll, and to end the pleasantries with those guests of his, he turned at Arkhan and Akam.
"You two will guide the guests toward the Library. I don't want to hear complaints."
"... Fine, old man." responded Arkhan rather quickly, which made the Elder smile a bit, as if having an understanding as to why.
"Big brother, follow me." said Arkhan gazing at Vlad who wasn't following him at all, in fact it was the beautiful small lady on his nose that looked at him.
*SMACK* "He can't see you, dumbass." mentioned Akam after slapping his friend behind the head, which almost ignited him into wanting to fight his friend.
Nevertheless, Vlad stepped forward, passing by the young boy and exiting the office, yet before doing that, he turned his head and opened his abyssal eyes.
"Elder, it was truly a pleasure meeting you."
"Heh, likewise, young man. I will remember your name, Vlad … Dracul. If your name ever makes a splash on the world, it will remind me of my loss at Xiangqi against a player who only learned playing for 2-3 hours."
Vlad just waved his hand dismissively before exiting the office, followed by Grabert, leaving out the two boys who were bickering.
*AHEM* "The ones you are supposed to guide have left the room."
"AHH! Yes! Wait for me, big brother!" called out Arkhan leaving his friend alone, running out from the office room followed by Akam to catch with Vlad and his group, who were on their way to the base of the Temple.
After he caught up with them, Arkhan asked Vlad who stopped in place, clicking his tongue and turning his head around the temple entrance hall.
"You can begin taking me to the Library, child." said Vlad in a serene tone, after stopping his tongue clicks which perplexed the boy, who wanted to find out why he was doing this on their way to the Library.
Vlad didn't respond the Arkhan, as he didn't want to waste his energy by explaining to the kid the whole story, as he expected he would ask about how he got blinded and so on. Instead, it was Titania who responded to Arkhan's questions.
"That's how Vlad can see his surroundings. By clicking his tongue."
"Blind people can see?"
That curious question gave Titania a hard time, since she didn't know what Vlad's Inner World looked like, and what the images he saw seeing by clicking his tongue looked.
"Child, I only found out recently that I can use this technique to see. And, indeed I can see, but not like a normal person."
"What do you mean, big brother? Also don't call me child, I am Arkhan."
"Trivial, you are a mere little child to me. As for what I mean, it is simple.
In my head, I can't see colors, but instead the shapes of the objects I pass by while clicking. By creating a soundwave using those high-pitched clicking sounds, I can perceive after that sound is reflected back, an object's distance, direction, and size."
"Woww, this is cool. As cool as me transforming into my monkey form."
"... You think this is cool? Living in total darkness is fun?" asked Vlad while his tone turned cold, even slightly murderous, even though he understood it was a child he was talking to, but the fact this boy was telling him his ability to barely be able to see something, cool, touched him where it hurt the most.
Arkhan felt the cold intent coming from Vlad which gave him a chill, but then when the Fairy called out, things got easier on him.
"He is only a child, Vlad. There's no need to be angry with him."
"I know, it's just annoying that I have to spend 8 years in total darkness for only a brat to tell me I am cool for being able to finally see something."
Arkhan lowered his head, especially after hearing Vlad's remark, about how he spent 8 years living in darkness, and without saying much, he guided the group to the Library building which was situated at the base level of the Skyfruit Temple, in a wing at the outside of the Main Temple building.
Entering inside this building, Vlad was quick to pick up even before entering inside the Library, the presence of a man snoring loudly, and as he entered inside, with his first clicks he made out an image of the actual size of the building.
'Decently big. There should be a lot of books here.' thought Vlad, who was taking his time to explore what his echolocation ability could allow him.
Yet, the loud voice of Arkhan, who noticed the old man seated on a chair sleeping while supporting his upper body on an old table, made him close his eyes a bit.
The one called Wormwood, was an old person with short white hair, a long white-full beard, and wearing a monk's robe with some praying beads wrapped around his right hand that he used as a pillow.
Titania, who could see this old person, focused on his wrinkled face where a wide smile appeared, some droll getting out from his mouth, while he was gesturing with his left hand with a grabbing motion.
"Yes baby, you have the best tits in the entire South Blue. Felicia, your beauty is unmatched by any slut in Kaysang."
The young boy who saw this old man acting creepy, walked closer to him, and taking a deep breath of air, he was later on released.
"BOOKWORM GRAMPS!! WAKE UP WE GOT GUESTS!"
From nowhere a hand strike came from the old man's left hand, who began grumbling, annoyed that he got woken from his beautiful dream where he was fucking one of the most beautiful women of South Blue, who had her residence in Kaysang Kingdom.
Yet Arkhan was crafty and transformed himself into the little Red Monkey, vanishing from the old man's side, by sticking to Vlad's back as he knew that the old librarian was rather crazy.
He was one of the craziest from the bunch, even more than Greenwood.
"LITTLE MONKEY!!! I told you to not come here if you are too dumb to read books! ARGHH! I had such a good dream. DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IS TO MEET LADY FELICIA? HOW MUCH MONEY I HAD TO SPEND FOR A NIGHT IN THE PLEASURE PALACE?"
*Click*
While the old man started raging, Vlad was clicking his tongue constantly which made Wormwood to gaze annoyed at him, and comment while moving his hand to catch Akam and punish him, since he couldn't catch the cheeky monkey.
"Let's leave the violence against little children, sir. It's low-class taking your frustration on a child." remarked Vlad, who moved to stop Wormblood palm which would land on Akam's little head.
"And who you might be, young man? What business do you have with Skyfruit Temple? Ohh, could it be? If you are with that little devil, it could only mean you are here to steal the books and scriptures of the Temple?"
Arkhan, who was holding on to Vlad's white shirt, slowly climbed up his back, peeking from his shoulder to see Elder Wormwood being stopped by Vlad from attacking his friend. His little eyes shined with amazement since he knew Wormwood wasn't weak by any means."
"Come here, little boy. You'll be safe here."
When Vlad ended saying that, he removed his hand from Wormwood's hand, and as he disengaged from the conflict, switches to hold Akam without any force taking him at his right side, and giving him a head pat.
"Sir I should say that you are still with your thought process left in your dreams. Maybe you should return back and catch whatever lady you say you had in your bed."
"Hmph, brat, are you in the mood of mocking me?" asked Wormwood who took a step toward Vlad, and immediately both kids could feel the atmosphere in the library shifting.
"Maybe, maybe not. But this isn't the point. Here, I've received the right of entry from Elder Greenwood, so I could read from the library." replies Vlad, handing the letter written by Greenwood in a language Titania didn't know.
On the other hand, Wormwood, who received the letter, calms down when reading the contents.
After he was done with the message, a crooked smile could be seen on his face, while his response was sharp.
"Aaaa, you should have said it like this, youngster. Of course, you can enter the library and read. It will cost 10.000 đť”… per hour."
"HEY!! Wormbook Gramps, this isn't fair, you are taking advantage of this brother here. He even had to beat Greenwood Gramps to be allowed inside the library. This was the condition and he passed them." remarked Arkhan in his red, little monkey form, while pointing at the old man with his tail.
"Ohh, of course. I can only congratulate him for beating that annoying old man. However, in these parts of the Temple, especially the Library, I make the rules. Not even Greenwood can tell me what to do or not to do. Understood, little devil? If you do, quiet."
Arkhan was showing his sharp teeth annoyed at the shameless tactics the old man was resorting to take money from Vlad's pocket. Yet, his worry was only met with a cold laugh from Vlad, who opened his black, abyssal eyes which stared at Wormwood.
"Nothing is free in this world. Besides, I am satisfied I could enter the Library, so if I reached this part, there's no reason not to agree. Also, out of curiosity, sir."
"Yes?"
"Do you by chance also sell books? Books that the Temple doesn't need and would rather throw them in the garbage or make fire from them."