Lily sniffled, drooping her shoulders. “I guess I can’t do it...”

However, a sudden snap rang out, and a fissure appeared in the rock’s surface. A moment later, it split vertically with a crunch, much to everyone’s astonishment.

Surprised, Lily began to jump up and down. “I-I did it! This is the power of love!”

“N-No way,” Zophia said.

“She’s quite the dark horse,” Lynga remarked.

Loewe grunted. “Elves are terrifying creatures.”

Amid the hustle and bustle, the women rushed to the next booth. Zenos, who had been watching the game from behind them, turned his face to the side, casting a half-lidded glance at the wraith beside him. “Hey, Carmilla?”

“Yes?”

“You didn’t just sneak in a helping hand, right?”

“What?! You think the Lich Queen would resort to such underhanded methods?!”

“Yes.”

“You know me so well.”

“So you did do it!”

Carmilla grinned wickedly and chuckled. “I secretly picked up the werewolf’s hand axe and split the rock in two.”

“Isn’t that cheating?”

“Oh, you fool. Since when does the concept of ‘cheating’ apply to the Lich Queen?”

“To be fair, your entire existence is basically cheating.”

“I know not whether to feel flattered or insulted.”

“So you’re siding with Lily, then?”

“Hmph. I merely wish for an exciting competition.” She floated up into the air, crossing her arms proudly. “’Tis far more fun that way.”

***

The night of the festival went on as spirits grew livelier under the moonlight, the rousing sounds of drums and the mystical glow of the lamps filling the streets.

“And now for an update!” shouted Zonde, Zophia’s younger brother, from the stage at the center of the festival. “The current standings for the game booth competition are as follows! We have a four-way tie for first place with ninety-six points each! That’s our leader Zophia, werewolf chief Lynga, orc boss Loewe, and the little elf girl Lily!”

Applause erupted from all over.

“Who will win this four-way battle and claim crown and glory?! Keep your eyes peeled for the result of this epic confrontation! And good luck, sis!”

“Has he always been like this?” Zenos muttered as he looked up at the stage, noticing how the lizardman had just casually cheered on his sister at the end of his announcement of the game standings.

The four women carried on with their fierce competition, remaining neck and neck as they approached the final game.

Carmilla chuckled. “Oh, what fun. This really gets my blood pumping!”

“What blood?” Zenos asked flatly. He and the excited wraith headed to the last game booth.

The battle for Zenos’s affection seemed to be the talk of the festival. A huge crowd had gathered to witness the fight of the century, buzzing with anticipation.

“Get ’em, Zophia! Win this for us!”

“If anyone’s winnin’ this, it’s Chief Lynga!”

“Mistress Loeweee! Show ’em what we orcs can dooo!”

“Lilyyy! You’re so cuuute!”

Each competitor had her own cheering squad, all trying to out-shout the others. Amid all the cries of encouragement, the women headed for the final game booth, manned by the werewolves.

“So, what’s the last game about?” Zophia asked.

“Heh! Check this out!” Lynga replied, pointing to where five dice were placed. The idea was to roll them all simultaneously, and the added total would be the score.

Oh, that’s right, Zenos mused. Lynga and her werewolves run a gambling den.

“Sounds good to me,” the lizardwoman said. “Whoever is luckiest wins in the end.”

“Agreed,” Loewe added. “Straightforward. I like it.”

“I’m glad this game doesn’t require strength,” Lily murmured.

“The maximum score is thirty, right?” Zophia asked.

“Yes, with one exception,” Lynga said, pointing at a chart written on a signboard. “The total is your score in most cases, but if you roll five 1s, you get a special bonus of ten thousand points.”

“Ten thousand?!” Loewe exclaimed. “That’d make every other game pointless!”

“An absurd rule,” Loewe agreed. “Exactly what I’d expect from Lynga.”

“I want ten thousand points!” Lily said in awe.

That being said, rolling five 1s in a row was unlikely, and so they started the game as usual.

Zophia went first. “Come on...” she muttered as if praying, before throwing all five dice into the air. They landed on the ground, showing four 6s and one 5. “Hells yeah!” she cheered, striking a victory pose.

Twenty-nine points was an impressive score indeed. The crowd murmured at the lizardwoman’s incredible luck.

“Not bad, Zophia,” Loewe said, stepping up next. “But don’t underestimate my luck.” The orc tossed the dice high into the air, and they showed the same result: four 6s and one 5. “Ha ha ha! See that?!”