Chapter 165: Inroad (2)

Of course, the officials of the Imperial Palace were learning Go. To put it bluntly, it was at the level of scrambling before an exam. In the Empire, the Emperor’s favor was no different than royal benevolence, and the only hobby that the indolent Emperor enjoyed was Go.

“Let’s start.”

Therefore, all the ministers watched this match with nervous expressions. This professor was the only one who was a match for Sophien.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Deculein, on the other hand, nodded, far from nervous or anxious. Sophien handed him the stone’s box. The Emperor would be black, the Professor white. The two, each pulling their stones, faced each other.

“Referee.”

“Yes.”

At Sophien’s call, an old man in a uniform appeared. He was a master from the archipelago who could write commentary and notations.

“I’m Aldo, the interim referee. Then…”

He looked to Sophien and Deculein, amused, and announced the start of the match.

“Let’s start the third match of Her Majesty Sophien and Professor Deculein.”

Tap-!

Simultaneously with the game’s opening, Sophien, the black side, placed her stone in the lower-left corner first. Deculein, the white side, chose the upper right corner. Next, the black stone at the lower right corner and the white stone at the upper left corner… it was an ordinary exploration, but everyone watched it breathlessly.

“…Surely. It seems that Professor Deculein is a match to Her Majesty.”

“Look at Her Majesty’s seriousness. It’s very impressive, and it deeply moves me. She grew up so well…”

The ministers admired it, but the old vassals, including Romellock, were quite displeased with Deculein’s show of force.

Tap-!

“Your Majesty. I have a question.”

Suddenly, Deculein spoke. Sophien slowly raised her head to look at him. Facing that cold gaze, Deculein asked.

“Why is Your Majesty so passionate about Go?”

Then he placed the thirtieth move. Sophien felt a little annoyed, wondering if it was bullshit to distract her, but she answered.

“It’s because it’s fun.”

Tap-!

Sophien made the thirty-first move. It was a move combining offense and defense to penetrate the gap in the upper right corner.