The elf called Nina Clive. She’s an excellent and sharp person, also the best
caster of the current generation.
----Riku read those thoughts beforehand; that’s exactly why I chose you as the
opponent I would make contact with.
“You’re wondering if each other’s information is certain or not, since it won’t be a bet if the chips don’t have any guarantee, right?”
“--------------Yes, that’s right.”
Nina was concerned about the possibility of her thoughts having been read and
carefully complied---- That’s obvious.
If a sharp person goes against something with its [true identity unclear], first
thing they’l do wil be to consider the worst possibility.
In other words---- they will consider the possibility of it being a race ranked
higher than its own.
But it’s because of their good head, that they won’t honestly back off.
A higher ranked race, a lower ranked race, or from the same race, it’s because
those three possibilities overlaps.
That’s exactly why, the [ghost] laughed and thought---- This one wil definitely
join the game.
“Then have one in advance. Let’s prove that the game can be held if it’s
information that can’t be ignored regardless of its veracity.”
For example, right, if I say this word----she’l definitely join the game.
“How about---- “Arka-shi-anse [Void Zero Divine Protection]’s existence is being
leaked to the Dwarfs”?”
“---------!!?”
The[ghost] can’t sense it, but surely she once again used magic to search for
lies---- but it’s useless.
“...Did you find that satisfactory? There’s no problem with the veracity of the
information. Since it’s you, who is the caster of the logic of the Arka-shi-anse,
also its formula editor, it’s possible for you to probe it without the veracity----
there wil be no difference right?”
The elf created a calm face while thinking in a hurry. The [ghost] knew that as if
picking it up with the hand.
----Arka-shi-anse is, a super important secret being concealed even from the
logic caster.
Even confidential documents that could lead to the ones involved in its
development had been recorded as “encrypted”.
It was recorded in the few documents----which ShuVi found left behind in the
subterranean room, in the elf ruins.
In the her eyes who didn’t knew that---- the [ghost] was being reflected as an
existence who knew everything.
That’s right, no matter what it may be---- it was as an existence which she can’t
carelessly lay her hands on.
“............-----------“
As expected he can’t sense it, but the elf must be doing a lot of searches in the
words of the [ghost] right.
But---- it’s useless. There are no lies.
The information is certainly being leaked. But it’s because that “the one who is
leaking it is no one but the [ghost] himself”-----
“...Fine. It seems like, I can’t leave without knowing what you are, right.”
After saying that, she seated in front of the [ghost], folded her hands and asked.
“Well then, about the game---- judging from the use of chips, wil it be a card
game?”
“No, it wil be a [fast move chess]---- it’s easy to understand since there won’t be anything wrong for both sides right?”
After saying that, the elf let her gaze fall to the chess board above the table, and said.
“----Fine, then, let’s start.”
“Yeah, but before that...”
And the [ghost] said, with a voice that was as if making fun of her.
“Could you return the piece? The first player is me who is the white you see. My
apologies.”
“------------Yeah, I’m sorry. I’m not that wel -informed about chess.”
----With that said she clicked her tongue inside her heart at the fact that she was
“seen through”, and her expression distorted slightly.
Even after deceiving with her supposedly “full power”----the power of an Octo-
Caster, her lies were stil seen through.
The elf called Nina wil think---- As expected, is it dangerous to test out an
opponent whose true identity is unclear?
And then she wil return the piece, and at the same time she’l surely think
this----
“Well then my chip will be...the Arka-shi-anse’s logic caster is actually----“
“Not you----I already have that information.”
Try to test him with a bluff---- the elf who was laughing inside, against the
following words----
“I also have the information that it was a lie, and I too have the information that
you used a magic in that lie to make me believe it.”
----Was seen having the color drained from her face.
“Well, you already finished confirming that lies won’t work against me right. How
about we start the game already?”
For the [ghost] who was asking joyfully, she understood that he could pick up the
opponent’s heart even without using magic.
What is him, just what is this guy---- it’s because she was making such a face.
At such a appearance, the [ghost]---- Riku smiled bitterly.
----As if he would reveal that.
Riku is human, he can’t sense magic---- he couldn’t even confirm that the piece
was moved.
But the current generation’s sharpest elf, and also number one caster, looked at
the chess board.
If she outstretched it towards the one with the true identity unclear, what would
happen, she could predict---- therefore.
She became unable to move “any of the pieces”, nor able to use a magic to
make him believe in a lie.
----It’s just a bluff. But it won’t reflect that way in her eyes---- There’s no way it would.
Al those bluffs---- if even a single one of them gets read wrong, it’s over.
The necessity of pressing it that much, she definitely…can’t even imagine it.
There was no choice but to press it to that point; the humans who are called the
weakest... she can’t even imagine it.
Hence, I’m examining the information carefully like this----
----The [ghost] couldn’t sense something like disguising magic, also, he couldn’t
detect lies either.
But it was a magic that the current generation’s number one---- she, who
possessed magic considered to be in the legendary level since past times,
called [Octo-Caster], wasn’t able to break through.
If such a thing is really being used then, either way, there’s no method to oppose
it.
Grabbing the initiative even in the psychological warfare---- But even so he let
her peek at information she can’t ignore.
Neither an enemy nor an ally---- For now there’s no choice but to believe those
words and draw out information.
Just like this [ghost] said, it wil be fine if she confirm the veracity on her own----
she thought.
But since she managed to sort her thoughts to that point, now is----
“The information that wil be betted wil be decided on your own accord. How
about, in case of the information being judged as worthless, it’s possible to
request a change?”
----The concern of drawing out information too much inconvenient.
The elf clicked her tongue, at how Riku was talking as if waiting for her thoughts
to follow.
----Why, did Riku choose her as the opponent he would make contact with.
She looked like the editor of Ark-shi-ense, the Elf’s weapon for the decisive war,
and someone that possessed a huge amount of information.
And also, a very excellent caster, and a sharp person----she was the possessor
of excellent “intelligence”.
That’s why she was chosen----it was “just because of that”.
It was safe even though she possesses incredible power, and could just destroy
everything if it came down to that---such “intelligence”.
Survive from the weakness and foolishness. That itself is the human way of
life----such “intelligence”.
Doing something like hitting off using intelligence against humans----against the
weakest, it’s a useless effort.
Therefore----this one, wil definitely think like this.
“In other words----in case I request[your true identity]...”
“As a compensation for that, I’l request that you bet information very
inconvenient for you too.”
----That’s right; that is your real objective---- the elf wil think like this.
Throw away the optimistic thoughts, and assume that the [enemy] wil “reveal
all” of your lies.
On top of that, draw out all the information that can be drawn, and then it should
be possible to pursue the self-proclaimed [ghost]’s intention, and true identity, by exploring the information obtained---- like that.
“Fine let’s start the game. Neither an enemy nor an ally---- I’l assume that you
have no wil to harm me.”
Riku laughed inside with those words----Right, I’l definitely do that.
It’s because she have an excellent intellect. It’s because she’s strong. It’s
because there is pride there.
----That’s exactly why---- she is easily read. She can easily be induced.
And then as expected, showing a smile as if seeing through everything, Riku
held up his hand.
“Then---- Announcing in the traditional way of the [ghosts], let’s start the game.
Could you recite for me?”
In other words,
“----Aschente[Swear upon the Agreement]...”
-------------............
“...Now then, let’s start with the information you presented----“
“I request the background from the leaking of Arka-shi-anse to the Dwarfs and, if
possible the presentation of evidences.”
“That was the chip presented in advance... I will share it without even needing to
bet it.”
Saying that, Riku handed out the recording stone on which was recorded the
transmission sent from the Dwarfs’ crashed battleship.
The information that Riku (the one leaking) is telling can’t be betted. That’s
exactly why---- he turned it into a bait...
“More importantly---- the information that I’m offering is----“
And then---- he let her take a glance of a hook and bait even greater than that.
“Let’s bet the reason for why, on top of knowing about Arka-shi-anse, the Dwarfs
concluded that there’s no problem.”
“----------what, was it?”
----Arka-shi-anse was “confirmed to not be a problem”.
What it meant, can be only three things.
It was undervalued, there’s something to deflect it----or maybe, it can’t be----
“----It’s exactly that “it can’t be”.”
That’s right, after waiting for the elf called Nina think---- Riku said.
The thoughts are being read----In order to deepen that il usion even more.
That’s why---- she complied again.
“...So you say that you’re holding it. That information, I mean.”
----Returning fire with a bluff, by avoiding the specifics of that “it can’t be”---- but Riku laughed.
equivalent or greater than Arka-shi-anse.”
----That’s right, if it’s Riku he wil answer.
Towards the answer that was exactly what she considered that “it can’t be”
thought to be, she clenched her teeth.
But...again she fell to a childish induction right, or so Riku laughed inside.
Evaluating an absolute weapon as [no problem]---- the possibilities that can be
imagined are limited.
But she didn’t notice---- the importance of the meaning of mentioning “that
information”.
If she, who held confidence that there’s no way they could have something to
deflect it, were to be asked without the presence of specific information then.
-----By method of elimination, that “it can’t be” is----the [existence of a weapon
greater than that].
She was upset; with the fact that her own thoughts, were being read by some
unknown method.
While being the current generation’s number one caster, she had a reputation of
being a sharp person, yet was being played one-sidedly in intelligence warfare.
That fact wounded her pride---- her ability of thinking calmly was being stolen...
About that, Riku thought----what an odd person.
If it were the absolutely strong ones then, they would be fine if they just kil ed
him without a word in the instant they come across each other.
Regardless if that’s possible or not, if it’s just a half-assed power that can do
nothing but use tricks and measure your enemy then----don’t boast about
intellect.
If you don’t boast about foolishness, about weakness itself then, on the moment
that that [half-assed power] gets sealed----
----Trying to hit off against humans with only “intellect”, such a thing---- It won’t even become a talk.
“The magic system lost due to a Flügel---- after that a new system was created,
and I respect that it’s your pride that conceitedly thinks that it overcame the first one by far, but if I win let’s talk about details. What is it that you wil bet?”
With a sigh towards Riku, who was yet standing in an advantageous position,
talking about the information gathered by ShuVi and the [ghosts].
The elf called Nina bit her fingernails and tied her thoughts.
“----Arka-shi-anse’s current number of continuous uses possible, and the
number of machines capable of loading it, how about this information?”
“It helps that you understand fast. As expected of the Elf’s sharpest person.”
A weapon that surpass the Arka-shi-anse. That by itself is tremendous
information.
So she understood---- that if she wants those details to be revealed, anything
besides an appropriate compensation won’t be accepted.
----As for how much dangerous of a bet that is, Riku too could imagine, but.
After grabbing and using this much advantage---- he aksed, intentionally
shaking her up.
“By the way, if this leakage of information gets found out, may I ask what would
happen to you?”
“...An omitted court judgment for top-secret leakage, along with treason, and
then execution, I guess.”
After answering the obvious question made to steal the concentration in the
middle of the game, the elf glared at Riku----
But, Riku thought [wow~] inside his heart, surprised at how that was more than
he imagined.
To be honest, it’s because that thing about the details of the Arka-shi-anse----he
isn’t holding anything like that.
The name and developer...that was something the Dwarfs randomly blew out in
reaction to the horror called [ultra-scale destruction weapon].
And then----with this one’s reaction he was finally able to see the whole picture.