(Extra Info: Yes, I know Rhyne played chess before, and I even called it that, but that's for writing convenience; this is just to expand the worldbuilding more.)

Marquis Donovan looked proud, almost smug, as if wearing the ring itself made him part of some ancient legend.

"Mithral bestowed it to me personally, at the Grand Pilgrimage of Silver Gate," Donovan explained dramatically, leaning forward. "A blessing upon my lineage, and proof that my house will prosper."

"Really? What does it do?" Maria curiously asked.

"W-Well... I'm not sure, really."

"You're not sure?" Justinian rested his hand on the armchair.

"According to the priests, it gives a great boon to whoever can fulfill its requirements."

Donovan sighed, shaking his head. "But I can't seem to get it to work, and it's been five years since I had this ring."

Justinian tapped his arm. Of course, he couldn't get it to work; in fact, it's one of the more annoying artifacts that Julius had to use. The amount of arcs it spanned just to be able to use it was longer than preferred.

In fact, the ring of wealth had three simple requirements, at least, for Justinian.

First was to visit the tribes at Frostruin fall, the former center of Mithral's worship.

Second was... obviously gold, and not just any gold, but gold directly mined from the Frostruin itself.

Third... was the blood of an arcanist, one of the more difficult requirements.

And from the requirements alone, it was no wonder that Julius stumbled upon it through pure accident while he was trying to save the natives there due to a sudden invasion from frost dwarves.

"You should give it to me."

Justinian spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.

"I can't possibly do that; this is from Mithral himself."

"Then... how about a game? I'll gladly offer every single one of the gold coins I have in my treasury if I lose." Justinian smiled.

Maria, however, didn't understand what was happening at all. Wasn't he supposed to help her stop Donovan's advances towards her? How in the world was this related at all?

"W-What game...?" The prospect of gold definitely tempted Donovan.

"You pick."

Justinian said, it was an offer that most wouldn't refuse, you could even pick the most vague sport possible in humankind.

But... Justinian already knew what Donovan was going to pick; in fact, this was the same tactic that Augustus used to take the ring from Donovan.

Then subsequently handed over to Julius.

"Let's play Battle of Kings."

Battle of kings... this world's version of chess.

And... Justinian had an overwhelming advantage; he came from a world where that literal game was studied countless times already, every single move mapped out.

While he wasn't an expert himself, he was still a fairly good player due to gambling money using it.

***

The chessboard had been set, a servant placing it onto the table, along with an hourglass.

Instead of a timer, in this world, if you don't make a move and your sand runs out, you lose immediately. As for the rules of the game itself? It wasn't any different from chess.

"Are you ready, Lord Justinian?" Donovan asked.

But just about Justinian was about to reply, Maria immediately stopped him, whispering in his ear.

"How is this at all related to helping me!" She whispered.

"Relax, I've got it all under control, just wait for my signal." He whispered back.

"Of course, your move, Marquis."

And just like that, Justinian's devilish smirk was as clear as ever, and his horns did not help hide it at all.

Marquis Donovan made the first move.

Opening with the king's pawn, textbook and aggressive.

Justinian didn't even look at the board when he made his move. Instead, he lifted his cup of tea, sipping leisurely.

He played from memory; it was the most common move that opponents had used against him, and he had everything ready.

Maria, meanwhile, sat stiffly beside him, confused but intrigued. She didn't know chess strategy, but even she could tell Justinian had barely looked at the pieces.

Ten moves in, and it was already becoming obvious to even the onlookers.

Donovan leaned closer to the board, studying each turn like his life depended on it, while Justinian sat back, tapping his fingers, not rushed in the slightest.

He was baiting him.

And Donovan didn't even realize it.

Maria looked between them, her eyes narrowing. Then, she realized something.

He's not just trying to win.

He's building an audience.

Footsteps echoed outside.

Servants. Courtiers. Some soldiers. Even a steward carrying documents paused when he saw them playing.

Maria glanced at Justinian, and the subtle smile on his face finally made sense.

He wanted people to watch.

And with every move Donovan made, his frustration grew. His polite composure began to crack.

At move twenty-two, Donovan finally slammed his hand on the table.

"You're mocking me, aren't you?"

The room quieted. Even the servants paused.

Justinian didn't look offended. He only smiled.

"I don't 'mock' people, Marquis. That requires them to be on even footing." Justinian purposefully taunted, to make him mess up even more.

While he was confident in his skills, it didn't hurt to gain more of an advantage.

Donovan's eye twitched.

Maria turned her head away to hide a grin.

But Justinian wasn't done.

He moved a knight, placing Donovan's king in check.

Donovan jolted.

"This quickly…?"

He scrambled, trying to find a way out, but Justinian's pacing became faster. Elegant, clean, merciless.

All of his pieces were just waiting. It wasn't even a good strategy. Justinian wasn't playing for an easy victory; he wanted a decisive one, to ensure Donovan wouldn't dare show his face to the princess ever again after such a humiliating defeat

He wasn't just winning.

He was performing.

"Marquis," Justinian said calmly, resting his chin on his hand.

"You wear the Ring of Wealth, yet you don't know how to use it. You are blessed by Mithral, yet you've never sought the core of Mithral's power. You ask for power, but won't move for it."

Donovan swallowed.

Hard.

Justinian moved his queen.

"Check."

Maria leaned back, now smiling openly, thoroughly entertained.

"And even here," Justinian continued, "You call this Battle of Kings, but all you're doing is defending. A king cannot spend his whole life reacting."

Final move.

He didn't even touch the queen.

He moved a pawn instead.

The simplest piece on the board, yet it was the one that ended the game.

"Checkmate," Justinian finished, placing the pawn with a light tap.

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