“Hey!” Tartaglia crossed his arms with a helpless expression.
However, he did not say anything more.
Meanwhile, Arlecchino carefully watched Sandrone’s card-playing movements and target selection, deep in thought.
He played a [Hidden Observation].
[Effect: Non-directional reconnaissance, can randomly view the top two functional cards of the deck and obtain vague information about a player’s non-identity cards, such as holding an attack card or holding a defense card]
He chose to obtain information on Sandrone’s non-identity cards.
The card surface showed that Sandrone “holds defense/interference type cards”.
This matched the characteristics of the Moon or the Guardian, but it could not be determined yet.
Arlecchino noted down this information.
Capitano played a [Reinforced Position].
[Effect: Provides a layer of temporary protection for all players, blocking one low-level attack.]
Although Tartaglia was “silenced”, he still observed everyone’s expressions and card-playing logic with keen interest.
At the end of the first round, the effect of [Mirror Refraction] used by Columbina on Sandrone was delayed until the second round.
Sandrone felt even more puzzled inside.
What on earth was Columbina trying to do?
[Second Round]
At the start of the second round, Columbina activated his [Mirror Refraction] effect from the previous round.
He said with a smile: “I choose to transfer Sandrone’s’silence’ effect from the previous round to Mr.
Tartaglia.
Hmm…
which means’silencing’ him for another round.”
Tartaglia: “…?”
Everyone was targeting him, weren’t they!
Everyone was stunned.
This operation seemed nonsensical, but Sandrone’s heart suddenly jolted.
Columbina did not use this delayed effect to do anything more aggressive or investigative, but instead chose an action that upheld her previous round’s decision, and it even felt a bit like…
transmitting a signal of cover to her.
“Look, I’m cooperating with you, even if your decision was just to make someone shut up.” Sandrone could almost hear Columbina’s inner voice.
This feeling of being meticulously cared for made her ears warm, but her face grew even more tense, afraid of leaking a trace of emotion.
This time it was Arlecchino’s turn to closely stare at Columbina.
This roundabout protective behavior was too obvious.
She could almost conclude that at least one of Columbina and Sandrone had a special identity, and their relationship was profound.
She played a more direct [Mind Probe], targeting Columbina directly.
[Effect: Designates a player; if they are the Moon or the Guardian, the back of the card will glow slightly — but it cannot distinguish which one specifically] Read this novel at NovelPing for the best experience.
The back of the card emitted an extremely faint glow.
The hunter side could almost be certain that Columbina was the ‘Moon’ or the Guardian.
The moment Sandrone saw that glow, his heart felt as if it had been clutched.
Exposed!
Although the specific identity was not certain, Columbina had already been marked.
He had to do something.
He had originally planned to play [Misleading Information] to claim he had an attack card, pretending to be a hunter.
But now, he changed his mind.
He took out that [Moon Shadow].
A defense card dedicated to the Moon, using it at this moment was somewhat risky, but it could protect a specific target from one reconnaissance or attack.
He said in a deep voice: “I am using [Moon Shadow], and the effect is designated as — — nullifying all reconnaissance or attack effects against Columbina this round.”
As his voice fell, he himself was somewhat startled.
This was practically openly indicating his connection with Columbina.
But when he saw Arlecchino’s reconnaissance pointing toward Columbina, the emotion of not wanting him to be exposed and bear risks overwhelmed the consideration of his own concealment.
The table fell silent.
Arlecchino revealed a knowing smile.
Tartaglia’s eyes lit up, as if she had found a breakthrough.
Capitano observed steadily.
As for Columbina, she turned toward Sandrone, who was completely stunned.
Although she did not open her eyes, that “gaze” seemed able to pierce through everything, precisely falling on the other’s face.
She did not speak, but silently watched Sandrone, expressing her gratitude to her in her own way.
At this instant, all guesses and uncertainties vanished.
Sandrone clearly knew that Columbina was her Guardian.
And her almost instinctive defense had also completely bound them together on the same front.
A close sense of connection was silently established between the two, resisting the scrutinizing gazes of the surrounding hunters.
[Third Round]
On this side, the hunter side had locked onto the target.
Tartaglia and Arlecchino prepared to join forces, playing the attack combination [Tracking Arrow] + [Deadly Sniper].
[Effect: Ignores one layer of defense, designates a target]
[Effect: If the target is tracked, the attack will definitely hit unless there is an absolute defense type card].
Faced with the strong pressure from the hunter side, Sandrone only had ordinary interference cards left in his hand.
He looked at Columbina, his gaze involuntarily carrying a trace of reliance and nervousness that even he himself had not noticed.
Columbina smiled soothingly at her, that smile containing a reassuring certainty.
She played her last two hand cards.
First card: [Substitute Marionette]
[Effect: Exclusive to the Guardian, can transfer one effect applied to the Moon onto himself.]
[Effect: Ultimate card of the Guardian.
After activation, substitutes for the Moon to endure all attack-type effects within this round, but the Guardian’s identity is exposed after use]
He said calmly: “Activate [Substitute Marionette], transferring any attacks against the Moon to me.
At the same time, activate [Absolute Guardian Domain] — — this round, I take everything in place of the Moon.”
The light of the hunters’ combined attack lit up, but before touching Sandrone, it was guided by a soft yet firm force, all falling upon Columbina.
The Moon survived, the Guardian died.
Game over.
“The Moon was not captured.
The Guardian succeeded.”
Columbina announced, her voice gentle.
Her identity was exposed, yet she smiled even more happily, as if he had completed an unfinished matter.
Tartaglia whistled: “Brilliant!
That final sacrifice play was absolute perfection.”
Arlecchino clapped gracefully: “Wonderful judgment and dedication.
I admit defeat wholeheartedly.”
Her gaze looking at Sandrone and Columbina was already filled with understanding and a faint blessing.
Capitano nodded: “An admirable will to protect.”
Sandrone stared blankly at Columbina.
Watching her cheeks glowing slightly from winning the game, watching that softness and smugness in her expression reserved only for her.
That thrilling game of wits just now, the pressure of almost failing, and Columbina’s unhesitating determination to block in front of her…
All complex emotions finally surged into a scalding wave of heat, collapsing the habitual indifference on his face.
She abruptly stood up, and amidst the surprised gazes of everyone, grabbed Columbina’s wrist.
Sandrone’s voice was slightly hoarse due to emotional excitement, but it was no longer complete annoyance, instead mixed with a certain sentiment that even he hadn’t noticed: “You…
you…
idiot!
Who told you to act so recklessly!”
It was called a reprimand, but that tightly clenched hand and slightly reddened eye sockets leaked all her inner thoughts.
Columbina let him hold on, and backhanded to gently grasp Sandrone’s slightly trembling fingers, his voice as light as a feather, brushing past only his ear:
“Because the rules said so, my Miss Moon.
The Guardian’s task is to keep you intact, whether in the game, or…”
“And…
you saved me the exact same way once before.”
The last half of the sentence was submerged in Sandrone’s sobs.