Read Novel Full Chapter 1536 Board Game
Chapter 1536 Board Game
"Welcome, newcomers, to the Marquis layer. It is advised that you consult the rules before proceeding. As new entrants, you have been granted two turns each. You may decide who goes first."
Atticus frowned.
The voice hadn't come from any direction.
'Everywhere.'
This wasn't how the previous layers had worked. The Verge had never cared enough to advise anyone. Knowing the rules was your responsibility. Ignoring them was simply stupidity.
But this announcement… it wasn't meant for him alone. It had been broadcast across the entire space.
'Newcomers… so I'm not the only one.'
A thought suddenly struck him, and Atticus expanded his awareness, letting it spread freely, washing over the board.
'Good. It's still intact.'
There was no hint of his territory present, but his awareness was still there. He paused.
'Found them.'
At the far edge of the board stood Anorah and her champions. Some distance away, he sensed Ozerra as well, along with her own.
Aside from Kiara, the figure of additional champions surprised him, but only for a moment. His focus sharpened.
'They're alive.'
That was all that mattered.
He was now starting to understand the situation, but the pieces he had wasn't nearly enough. There were too many powerful presences. Too many enemies. If he didn't grasp the full picture quickly, he'd die without ever realizing why.
'The rules.'
Following the instruction, Atticus summoned them, and a holographic panel unfolded before him.
…
The Great Verge welcomes you to the Marquis Layer, Marquis Atticus Ravenstein.
You have entered the final and highest level of the Verge Games.
In accordance with its stature, this layer has been designed to be both grand and decisive.
Rejoice.
You have been selected to participate in The Marquis Board.
Rules of the Marquis Board
The game is played on a square board with fifteen domains per side.
All players will begin at random positions along the board's outer edge.
Starting Privilege
Newly entered players are granted two opening turns.
Turns and Movement
At the start of a turn, a god must roll the Divine Dice.
The number rolled determines the total number of domains that may be traversed.
Movement may be made forward or sideways only
Backward movement is prohibited
Gods possess absolute authority over how their pieces are moved
The full value of the roll must be expended
Domains
Upon entering a domain, the god must choose one of the following:
Claim
Grants Power Points
Provides immunity from attack or challenge for the duration of the turn
Requires the completion of the assigned order
Deny
Grants no protection
Allows the piece to be challenged by any participant across the board
A piece may not advance beyond its current position unless the domain it occupies is claimed.
Conflict
Gods may challenge gods
Champions may challenge champions
Mixed challenges are forbidden
Power Points
Power Points may be used to:
Reject an assigned order and demand another
Stake a challenge for control of a domain
Escape a challenge
In a contested challenge, Power Points are treated as wagers.
The victor claims both the domain and the staked Power Points.
Victory Conditions
The first god to reach the center of the board is declared the winner
The winner may choose to end the game or propose a new one
Any proposal is subject to the Great Verge's approval
Alternatively, the last remaining player shall also be declared victorious.
All other outcomes will be determined through play.
…
'A board game.'
Atticus swallowed the urge to scream at the Great Verge. He wasn't surprised, of course he would reduce everything to something so trivial. Still, the idea that their lives were pieces to be moved at another's whim scraped against him.
"Well?"
Whisker's voice pulled him back. The others were now silently watching him, waiting.
"Here."
Atticus flicked the rules outward and a projection spread between them.
Their reactions were immediate.
"That rotten bastard!" Ozeroth snarled. "He thinks he can toy with the great Ozeroth?!"
But Whisker only sighed, rubbing his temples. "Why am I not surprised? This is exactly the kind of thing he'd do." He glanced back at the board. "Still… it's not all bad. It buys us time."
Atticus agreed. His earlier read had been correct. The structure of the game prevented the powerful from simply rolling over the weak.
'But it's still dangerous.'
The rules were clean on the surface. Too clean. But there were gaps everywhere, places where meaning was implied rather than stated. Traps hidden in phrasing. He couldn't afford to relax.
"So," Whisker said, eyes fixing on him, "what's the plan, fearless leader?"
All attention returned to Atticus.
He exhaled slowly, surveying the board again. In moments, countless piercing gazes had locked onto him, as though he were the only piece that mattered.
Redflames. Iron. Abyss. Nature. Willguard. And more.
Their detached and silent stares said enough.
Every figure on the board was a Marquis, beings who had lived for millennia, who had endured things most would break under just hearing about.
The weight of it pressed down on him.
This was the final stage. The point where everything they'd fought through would either matter… or be erased.
A calm settled over Atticus, steadying his pulse. He would not allow everything they'd endured to be wasted.
"We reach the middle."
"And the other Marquis?" Whisker asked.
Atticus' fingers closed around the hilt of his katana.
"We kill them."
Whisker's lips slowly spread into a grin.
"As expected… I like it."
"Hahaha!"
The sudden laughter cut through the silence. Atticus turned.
A few domains away stood an aged man, laughing openly without the slightest restraint.
'A champion.'
Atticus didn't recognize his faction. That alone told him enough, he wasn't from a major faction. When the laughter died down, the old man pointed at Atticus, shaking his head in disbelief.
"I've never heard anything so ridiculous in my life!"
His voice carried across the board, loud enough to draw the attention of the Marquis.
"Did you hear that?" he bellowed. "This brat says he's going to kill everyone and reach the middle! Hahaha!"
Atticus felt the shift immediately, the weight of their gazes crashing down on him. Curiosity hardened into hostility. Killing intent surged from all directions.
"Hmph. Children these days are far too arrogant," another champion said coolly. He was a broad man with a rigid posture and a face carved from stone. "They forget to respect their elders. It seems someone must remind him of his place."
Several others like Dravek and the Willguard remained silent, but Atticus caught the cold gleam in their eyes all the same.
He used the moment to observe them carefully.
Aside from Dravek, there were two other Redflame Marquis present. One was unfamiliar, but the other…
'Her.'
Crimson, radiant armor. Scorching eyes. A beauty sharp enough to ignite wars.
It was the same Redflame woman he'd seen at the Willhall, just after his first battle with Viscount Merek's son.
'His daughter.'
Lazio had explained her origins during one of their meetings. Marquis Dravek's daughter. And just like every other time, she wore a faint smile as her gaze rested on Atticus.
'She's an enemy.'