As I continued walking through the bustling streets of the village, my stomach growled louder, reminding me of my lack of preparation. "Crap, I should've come more prepared," I grumbled under my breath, feeling the pangs of hunger intensify. My gaze wandered around, taking in the diverse array of villagers that populated this extraordinary world.
There were graceful elves, their ethereal beauty captivating as they moved gracefully through the crowd. Towering orcs displayed their strength and presence,
drawing both respect and caution from those around them. Creatures of all shapes and sizes mingled harmoniously, creating a tapestry of cultures and beings that I had only read about in books.
In the midst of this vibrant spectacle, something caught my eye. Turning my head to the left, I was astonished to see a real dragon. Its majestic form loomed large,
and I couldn't help but be awestruck by the sight. The scales glistened under the sunlight, and its powerful wings were folded neatly at its sides.
"Woah," I breathed, taking a hesitant step forward. My curiosity got the better of me, and I found myself approaching the magnificent creature. As I extended my hand, a few of the dragon's caretakers quickly intervened, slapping my hand away with a gentle but firm gesture, wiggling their finger. "sorry" I said
I found a comfortable spot on the ground and settled down, feeling the fatigue of my journey weighing on me. As I gazed up at the sky, thoughts swirled in my mind, and I couldn't help but wonder if this place truly deserved the name
"Land of the Games." Would I be thrust into battles, wielding a sword against fearsome dragons? I chuckled softly at the thought, realizing that reality might be even stranger than my imagination.
In the enchanting world of Veritaria, every individual is granted a spell known as "Veritas Deal," a powerful enchantment that facilitates the establishment of wagers before engaging in any kind of game or competition. Once activated,
a mystical contract is conjured, appearing in the palm of the caster's hand. This contract serves as the foundation of the wager, outlining the terms and conditions of the bet.
The uniqueness of Veritas Deal lies in its infallible nature. No matter the magical prowess or strength possessed by the participants,
the terms of the wager remain irrevocable. If one party is unable to fulfill their end of the bargain, they become bound by the spell's magic, becoming subservient to the other party until the debt is fully repaid.
Once the Veritas Deal is forged, the magical energies within the spell ensure that neither party can escape the consequences of their wager.
The consequences may vary depending on the agreement, ranging from temporary servitude to more substantial obligations, but the magical bond formed by the spell ensures that the terms are fulfilled.
Suddenly, a burst of noise erupted from my left, catching my attention. Intrigued, I rose from my resting position and turned towards the source of the commotion. There, in the depths of the alleyway, a group of four orcs had gathered, engrossed in a spirited gambling session.
"Alright, put down your Brill credit!" bellowed the orc dealer, his voice commanding attention. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as the orcs eagerly placed their bets, their voices ringing out in a chorus of wagers. "One hundred Credit on higher," one orc declared with confidence, while another boldly staked "two hundred Credit on lower." The excitement continued to mount as yet another orc wagered "two hundred Credit on four," filling the air with their cheers and jeers.
"Alright, bets are over!" The leader declared, placing three dice on the table and slamming them down. The dice revealed triple twos. "TRIPLE TWOS! Matching dice go to the dealer," he announced, prompting the three defeated orcs to let out a sigh.
"Come on, another round?!" the dealer eagerly suggested, and the other orcs echoed their agreement. Just as they were about to place their bets, I approached them, intrigued by the game. "This looks like fun. Can I join?" I asked, hoping to be a part of the action. The four orcs fell silent, and then the leader spoke up.
"Heh, beat it, kid. This ain't a game for children. Go play somewhere else!" the orc leader dismissed me, accompanied by mocking laughter from the others.
"Veritas deal!" I exclaimed, causing a contract paper to materialize in my hand. The orcs stood there, stunned and speechless. "Sorry, Mr. Orc, I may not have any money, so how about this?" I began to write on the contract paper before sliding it toward him.
The orc leader cautiously read the paper, discovering the terms of the wager. If Hiroshi wins, he will gain 10,000 credits, but if he loses, he will be bound to be the orc leader's slave until the debt is paid.
The orc leader grinned at this proposition. "Very well," he declared, taking the pen and signing the contract as the paper gradually faded away. "Deal accepted."
The orcs erupted in cheers and applause. "Wow! Good job, kid!" "Man, you're one lucky boy!" they exclaimed, patting my shoulder in admiration. However, their excitement was short-lived as the orc leader interjected with disbelief.
"W-wait! That's impossible!" the orc leader protested, his voice trembling. I couldn't help but snicker before picking up one of the dice and slamming it on the ground.
revealing a surprising secret. "There's a magnet in the dice!" the orcs exclaimed simultaneously, their astonishment evident. The orc leader started to sweat, his confidence wavering in the face of the unexpected revelation.
I then lifted the sheet above the table, revealing a hidden magnetic plate. "He's been hiding a magnetic plate under the sheet all along. He had it set up so that when he placed the bowl over the sheet, the magnet manipulated the dice to match," I exposed, pointing at the evidence.
The three orcs glared at their cheating leader, their anger boiling over. "What the hell!" "You cheater!" they exclaimed, their voices filled with righteous fury.
"Also," I added, raising my hand to draw their attention, "the pin in my sleeve has a magnet. I used it to manipulate the dice inside the bowl when I brought my sleeve closer."
The orcs, their anger fueled by the leader's deceit, converged around him, pinning him against the wall with relentless force. Their fists struck him in swift retribution. "Give me back my thousand credits!" "Come here!"
they shouted, their voices filled with a mix of anger and betrayal, demanding the return of what was rightfully theirs. The leader, now facing the consequences of his actions, could only cower under the weight of his deceit.
I looked down, and to my surprise, 10,000 credits appeared right in front of me. A sly smile formed on my face as I picked up the credits, relishing in my victory. In Veritaria, one of the rules was that cheating was allowed as long as you weren't caught.
After the intense match, I decided to treat myself and headed to the nearby market to buy some food. With a flick of the coin, I paid the seller before taking a satisfying bite. However, my peaceful moment was abruptly interrupted by the sound of voices screaming. "Princess Charlotte is here! Everyone, quick, bow down!"
Panic rippled through the crowd as citizens, including orcs, elves, and humans, halted their activities and hurriedly lined up on the sides of the street, bowing in fear to the approaching princess.
As a massive procession emerged on the city street, my eyes sparkled with awe. Knights on horseback, majestic elephants, and at the center, the princess herself, graced the scene. I stood there, captivated by the grandeur of it all.
The princess had golden locks cascaded down, framing her regal face, while her piercing red eyes commanded attention. She donned a white suit, with a black jacket accentuating her presence. With an air of confidence, she crossed her feet, emanating an aura of authority and poise. She truly embodied the essence of royalty.
However, my moment of wonder was abruptly interrupted when a person forcefully grabbed my head and pushed me down to bow.
"Hey, what the hell?" I protested, annoyance evident in my voice as the person forcefully pushed me into a bow.
"Bow, you moron!" the person snapped, urgency lacing their words. Reluctantly, I groaned and reluctantly assumed the proper position of reverence.
"Hey, by the way, who is she?" I whispered to the person beside me, hoping for some answers.
"What? You don't know?!" the person exclaimed, a mix of surprise and disbelief in their voice. "That's Princess Charlotte, the first in line to the throne, the epitome of power and command. She's the princess of the Kingdom of Everdawn," they replied, their voice carrying a sense of awe.
"Wow... What's she here for?" I asked, curiosity tinged my words. The person's expression turned solemn as they looked down.
"Probably another discussion with our mayor," they said, their tone tinged with frustration. "Damn it's been 2 months already!" They clenched their fist, anger evident in their gesture.
I looked at them, a mix of confusion and concern in my eyes. "Two months of what?" I asked, eager to understand the situation.
"Two months of her... conquering this village,"
To be continued