The final match was played in a traditional best-of-three format, with each game awarding 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. The first to reach 10 points won a game.
Additionally, there was a ten-minute break after each game. However, players were not allowed to leave the floor during the break to prevent cheating through other means.
The first game progressed quickly; not only Xia De but even Tifa noticed that Virgil Cameron was clearly distracted. The most obvious sign was in the third round of the first game, after Cameron's second card was a Queen, he still asked for another card. Although he apologized sheepishly after being reminded, it still led to quiet discussions among the spectators.
“If I didn’t know I was innocent, I’d suspect I drugged him,” Xia De whispered to himself, but he knew very well that the other party was likely preoccupied with meeting Gray Headed Eagle.
“I didn’t meet him beforehand, which caused him to be distracted while playing. I wonder if this counts as a form of cheating outside the game.”
With Cameron distracted, Xia De easily won the first round 10 to 4, but this kind of victory didn't give him much satisfaction.
Cameron seemed completely indifferent to winning or losing. After President Stan, acting as the referee, announced the end of the first game and a ten-minute break, he immediately stood up, and in a suitably low voice, told his female companion behind him that he was going to the restroom, then hurried out of the competition hall.
Before leaving, he distinctly glanced at Xia De, the implication undoubtedly being for Xia De to follow him.
Xia De's initial thought was to avoid getting involved in Gray Headed Eagle's affairs, but upon seeing that special coin, he had already made up his mind. Although he didn't move, the maid behind him seemed to read his mind, sensing that Xia De wanted to follow.
She leaned in again and whispered in Xia De's ear:
“I need to remind you that Cameron is associated with the current Grand Duke of Stan.”
“I know… Hmm? Oh, don’t worry, I only like women…” Xia De said casually, glancing at Tifa, then suddenly joked, “Especially girls with your figure.”
Tifa didn't blush; instead, she smiled: “Then I’m relieved. Although The Lady herself prefers her own gender, she would absolutely not allow you to do that. So, do you and Cameron have any other relationship?”
“Yes, I want to get a coin from him, Tifa. Do you think it’s worth risking getting involved in trouble for a coin that can be very useful?”
The black-haired girl thought for a moment, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear:
“Is the ‘trouble’ you’re talking about also related to people like us?”
This was a public place, after all, so even when whispering, the two avoided using sensitive words.
“No, it’s ordinary people’s business.”
“Then it’s absolutely worth it,” Tifa said.
Xia De nodded, stood up, and also said in a suitable volume: “I’m going to the restroom and will be right back. Please look after Mia for me.”
“Okay.”
The orange cat Mia was not used to crowded places and had been lying by Xia De's hand. Now that Xia De stood up, it also wanted to follow, but Xia De picked it up and handed it to Tifa.
Although the cat and the maid were not very familiar, perhaps because it was comfortable being held by her, it only meowed sadly at Xia De and did not struggle to insist on following him.
Subsequently, Xia De very naturally walked out of the third-floor hall. After politely asking the staff at the door, he went to the public restroom located around the corner on that floor.
Virgil Cameron was not the only one in the restroom, of course. When Xia De entered, Cameron was at the sink, drying his hands with hot steam from the steam pipe.
Seeing Xia De enter, he deliberately took out a cigarette case and showed it to Xia De, who nodded slightly in understanding.
He checked the note in the restroom, which read: 【Is that you?】
Clearly, the other party was somewhat confused by Xia De's continuous refusal to meet.
Xia De used the restroom normally, and after leaving, he did not immediately return to the main hall but walked towards the smoking room on this floor. The Prophet Association, like other formal clubs, prohibited smoking inside but also provided a special smoking room for guests who smoked.
At the entrance of the smoking room, Xia De saw Cameron.
After they shook hands, Cameron asked quietly again: “Is that you?”
“I think we need to hurry,” Xia De said with a serious expression. Only then did Cameron's eyes widen, and he gasped for air, as if he couldn't breathe, probably truly under immense pressure: “Is that you?” He asked again.
“Don’t inquire about my identity,” Xia De said coolly. “You just need to do what you’re supposed to do.”
He extended his hand, and Cameron nodded quickly while wiping sweat: “Yes, you’re indeed professional. I’m almost dying of nervousness, yet you really look like you’re just here to play cards. However, did you foresee that we would both make it to the finals? I tried to talk to you alone a few days ago, but you always avoided me.”
“Don’t ask so many questions; this is also for your safety,” Xia De warned again. Cameron nodded in agreement: “I understand, I understand. I’ve read in novels that you might be their person, or you might be our person, or you might not even know who you are. The you I see might not be you, and the you I think you are is definitely not you. But you are really amazing. The Lady behind you, is she Grand Duke Jialinna’s personal maid?”
As he spoke, he reached for his belt, then pulled out a slender steel pen from his side. Xia De closed his eyes and took it.
It was brass-colored, about as long as Xia De’s middle finger, but only about one-third the thickness of his middle finger: “The information is inside the pen, but don’t open it casually. There’s a very fine metal wire inside, and once it breaks, it cannot be restored.” Cameron warned; this was likely to prevent leaks during intelligence transfer.
“I know,” Xia De replied coolly.
“Remember, according to our agreement, you cannot reveal my identity to anyone,” Cameron said, uttering what Xia De had wanted to say. Then he sighed with relief, patted Xia De’s shoulder, and started to leave.
“Wait a moment,” Xia De called out to him, his eyes sharp. “We’ve been here alone for so long. To avoid suspicion, we need an excuse.”
“What excuse?” Cameron asked. Xia De pretended to think: “I want to buy those two commemorative coins from you.”
“Hmm? Oh, okay, that’s a really good excuse.” He reached into his pocket and handed the two coins to Xia De. As he tried to leave with light steps, Xia De called him back again: “I haven’t paid yet. Our wallets were checked earlier. If they are investigated later and the coin count is off, it will also arouse suspicion. How much are these two coins worth?”
“How professional! These coins aren’t worth much. A few days ago, I suspected I was being secretly monitored, so I just wandered around the city. I bought these at a second-hand shop facing the street back then.” It seemed these were relics that had somehow fallen into ordinary people’s hands.
Xia De then took out two one-shilling coins and handed them to the other party. Cameron smiled as he took them: “Thank you.”
Virgil Cameron put the two shillings into his wallet.
“You’re welcome.” Xia De Hamilton put the coins, which were relics that could sell for at least double-digit pounds, along with the real commemorative coin, into his pocket.
“Please allow me to express my respect and gratitude to you once again.” Cameron shook Xia De’s hand gently again, then left with light steps. If it weren’t a public place, he might have even hummed a tune.
Xia De stood still, watching his back disappear, then looked down at the pen in his hand.
