Chapter 139: Chapter 139 Strip Poker_1
"Finally made up your mind?" This was the first line Melifilia said to Aiden when she saw him again.
"I just want to protect myself," Aiden replied expressionlessly, "I’ve encountered some issues. Now, in addition to ’that person,’ there might be other controllers of divine words after my life..."
"I know that," Melifilia cut in before him, "That’s why I suggested you find a way to gain control of the ruler’s authority."
"For mortals to ascend to divinity, that’s not something you can do just by making up your mind, is it?"
"Daili, Presia, Vila, and Habanis," the four Great Witches, each with their own extraordinary skills, all yearn to become the controllers of divine words, yet they haven’t gained even a semblance of divinity, which shows how rare and difficult divinity is to obtain.
After all, the divinity Aiden possesses was also a free gift from Melifilia. It could be said it was just part of the welcome package he got when he crossed into this world.
"It’s difficult for others, but for you, it’s like reaching into a bag and taking what you want," said Melifilia solemnly, "because you have me. As long as you pull the holy nail out of me, not only can I teach you the maxims, but I can also share my divinity with you... Ah, if you can please me, maybe I’ll even share the unique authority with you?"
Aiden stared at her, silent.
After a prolonged silence, Melifilia sighed, "It was just a joke. Your sense of humor has gotten worse."
"From what you’ve said, you hold more than one authority?" Aiden extracted information from her words.
"Ah, yes. Although I am the god of wisdom, it doesn’t mean I hold only the authority of wisdom," Melifilia smiled.
"What are the other authorities?"
"That information isn’t very valuable to you right now. Don’t you want to ask something more useful?" Melifilia replied, "Like the specific steps to become a ruler?"
Aiden realized Melifilia wasn’t going to reveal this information for now and was about to ask something else when she, seemingly on a whim, spoke up, "Always giving you free advice is quite boring, why not add a gaming element to it?"
"What game do you want to play?" Aiden understood her intention and looked towards Melifilia’s "toy box."
"The one with the royal flush."
"Texas hold’em?"
"Exactly, but let’s tweak the rules a bit. No betting or folding, no community cards, each person draws five cards. You can exchange cards freely from the deck until either person calls a stop or the deck is exhausted. After a stop call, the other can exchange one last time before comparing the hands," Melifilia said enthusiastically, "If you win, I’ll answer one question truthfully, but if I win..."
"What are the stakes?" Aiden eyed her excitement warily.
"For every round I win, you take off an article of clothing," Melifilia said with a knowing smile.
Aiden was taken aback, "What?"
"I think I made myself quite clear," Melifilia smiled and said, "Strip poker, haven’t you played it before?"
"...I take my leave." Aiden was ready to turn around and leave.
This goddess was simply toying with him, wasn’t she?
"Hey hey, don’t be such a drag!" Melifilia tried to stop him. "It’s just a little game to spice things up. You’re not that chicken, are you?"
"A ruler like you, that interested in the nudity of mortals?" Aiden frowned at her.
"I’m not interested in that at all, but I am very interested in seeing the embarrassed reaction you’ll have after losing all your cards," Melifilia said bluntly.
"Your tastes are really quite terrible," Aiden commented coolly. "Excuse me, but I refuse. The stakes are completely unequal."
"You think the chips I’ve offered aren’t big enough?" Melifilia raised her eyebrows. "Just to take off a few clothes to gain information about the path to godhood, the line of people wanting this opportunity could stretch from the easternmost to the westernmost point of this continent."
"Sounds like the people closest to the ruler’s power in this world are strippers... By the way, if I lose I really take off my clothes, but if I win, the information you give me might still be false," Aiden spread his hands. "How is that equal?"
"Do I really have no credibility with you?" Melifilia looked somewhat surprised.
"I’m not your follower; I’m your watcher. Why would I easily trust the prisoner I’m watching over?" Aiden spread his hands.
"You’re really good at haggling, so I’ll make a concession," Melifilia sighed. "Win one round, and I’ll tell you directly the specific method for becoming a ruler. And if you lose, just taking off one piece of clothing will do. How about that? With enough chips on the line, we can have a proper bet, can’t we?"
"Alright," Aiden considered briefly before finally agreeing.
Removing open cards and switching to all blind cards, this rule was closer to Closed Poker than to Texas Hold’em. Moreover, without the psychological warfare of raising bets or folding, whoever can compile a strong enough hand first could decide the outcome. Luck would play a much larger role, and Melifilia’s computational ability would have less influence - this was also in line with Melifilia’s usual gaming style.
He just needed to win once, and Melifilia had to win several times in a row. Statistically speaking, his overall chances of winning were much greater...
This naive thought was completely shattered when he lost his shirt.
"Hmph, the lines of muscle on your body aren’t bad at all, just my type," Melifilia began to tease him mercilessly. "Once you’re completely undressed, I’ll take a photo and frame it here as a keepsake."
"You must have cheated," Aiden, with his upper body bare, looked at Melifilia with suspicion.
He had lost his hat, two gloves, and his coat before losing his shirt - in other words, he’d lost five rounds in a row, which was statistically very unlikely.
"I would take offense at that accusation. Why would I do something that ruins the gaming experience?" Melifilia’s face showed a hint of smug satisfaction. "Besides, even though we take turns dealing, it was you who shuffled and cut the cards."
Aiden realized he might have underestimated Melifilia’s abilities; this goddess was definitely not just good at counting cards.
After a moment’s thought, he changed his strategy: "Forget it, let’s continue."
"Oh? Looks like you’ve got a plan," Melifilia narrowed her eyes.
Aiden didn’t reply, just reshuffled the cards and dealt again, and then, he didn’t check the facedown card but instead went straight for, "Flip the cards."
"What?" Melifilia was taken aback.
"I said flip the cards," Aiden insisted.
