Mr. Elfote said quite seriously, and Shard drew the [Big City Player: 1853 Tobesk Champion] of Star 12 suit, displaying it on the snow:
"I was last year's Big City Player champion. My deck has many special cards."
Mr. Elfote clapped his hands in surprise and laughed:
"The champion of 1853, indeed, 1853 was the year the Big City Player was held. I completely forgot... There was no chance during my lifetime to play cards with the Big City Player champion. I never thought I'd have this opportunity after death. No matter, please use all of your special cards; that respects the dignity of the Roder Card and card players. Life is indeed wondrous, dying here yet having such a marvelous encounter."
Shard also smiled:
"I never expected to encounter an opponent with special cards this afternoon."
He took out a dice and tossed it onto the snow, stopping little Mia who wanted to grab it:
"What rules should we use?"
"Keep it simple. The first to win twice is the victor."
