According to records, a widely recognized board game competition called Gungi exists in this country.
The Republic of East Gorteau is the birthplace of this game.
Almost all citizens of this nation play it.
Victory is achieved by capturing the opponent's king, and the rules are similar to chess and Shogi, except that up to three pieces can be stacked on top of each other.
At the start of a match, the placement of pieces is unrestricted as long as they are within the player's territory.
This is one of the key differences from other board games.
About fifteen years ago, the Gungi World Championship was established.
As the game's country of origin, the East Gorteau national team has never lost.
The current world champion has even achieved an astonishing five consecutive championship victories.
"Five consecutive wins?"
Meruem slightly raised his head upon hearing this, showing a faint trace of interest.
"So, if I defeat that person, it means I'm the best in the world."
He lowered his gaze. "A fitting conclusion to an entertainment program."
Meruem gestured to Shaiapouf. "Bring the person here."
Shaiapouf obeyed immediately and looked toward Menthuthuyoupi at the door.
They had long prepared everything to cater to the king's interests.
Before long, a small figure appeared at the entrance of the palace.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sound of a light cane striking the floor echoed sharply in the vast hall.
It was a frail-looking person with white hair, wearing decorations on both sides of her ears resembling flower rolls.
Meruem watched the approaching figure with an indifferent gaze.
Unaware that, with only six days left before the selection process, this girl's arrival would completely change not only the world but also his own fate.
As the lyrics go: Just because I took an extra glance at you in the crowd, Meruem and Komugi were about to embark on an indescribably pure connection that would transcend species.
"She is the five-consecutive champion?"
Meruem looked at Shaiapouf again. The image of this champion was still beyond his expectations.
"Yes."
Shaiapouf replied respectfully: "Despite her frail look, she has won five consecutive Gungi championships."
Meruem's gaze returned to the girl before him.
Upon their first meeting, he felt no particular emotions, just the simple thought that if he defeated her, he would be the best in the world.
"I... I have come at the esteemed call of my master..."
The blind girl, the Gungi champion, was summoned before the throne and respectfully bowed to the noble king she could not see.
"No need for unnecessary formalities."
Before Meruem, the board had already been changed to a Gungi board.
"I will compete against you in Gungi. I need to learn the rules first, so wait a moment."
Completely ignoring the girl kneeling on the ground, he picked up the rulebook Shaiapouf handed him and started reading.
"..."
The blind girl lifted her head slightly. "Your voice is completely different from the supreme leader."
"That guy is dead, and I am the king now."
"... Th-that was extremely rude of me!"
Realizing she had spoken out of turn, the blind girl immediately prostrated herself in panic.
"Please forgive me, your majesty! I—I was terribly ignorant and foolish!"
"I know nothing about the outside world, nor how to behave properly—"
"You're distracting me. Shut up."
As she continued babbling, Meruem, without even looking up, stated: "Or I'll kill you."
"...!"
The blind girl immediately shut up and put her hands in front of her mouth.
Thus, the vast hall fell into an eerie silence.
Meruem continued reading the rules, and even Shaiapouf, who loved playing the violin, refrained from making a sound.
Menthuthuyoupi stood idly at the door, his eyes vacant, lost in thought.
Everyone remained silent, fearing they might disturb the king.
And so, time passed.
"Alright, I got the gist of it."
Meruem casually closed the book and lifted his head. "Let's begin."
At that moment, what entered his vision was the girl lying on the ground, trembling and convulsing.
"... What happened to her?"
"It seems that she fainted."
Shaiapouf said after checking. "I believe she was trying to hold her breath after hearing Your Majesty's order to stay silent, but her nose was blocked."
"As a result, she couldn't breathe and passed out."
"What an idiot."
It was a rare moment when the Ant King gave an evaluation of another being.
After a simple treatment, the blind girl rubbed her head in shame.
"Ahh... That was so embarrassing!"
"Even babies know to open their mouths to breathe!"
"But I didn't even realize it... My parents used to scold me for this all the time..."
As she spoke, she sniffled and wiped her nose.
"Enough. Let's start the game."
"Yes!!"
At the mention of playing, the blind girl immediately straightened up.
"Then please, let's have a good match!"
Her thin body bowed hard to the Ant King in front of her.
Then…
For the first time, Meruem's eyes fluctuated significantly.
The blind girl before him was completely different once she entered a competitive state!
Especially when she opened her eyes, those empty, expressionless eyes that, despite lacking any light, carried an undeniable sense of determination and resolve.
"It's like when Virgo Shaka from Saint Seiya opens his eyes."
Lan murmured in amazement as he observed the scene.
"The moment she steps into her specialized field, she becomes an entirely different person."
"It's as if she was born for Gungi."
Beside him, Ging chewed on an apple and nodded in agreement.
"That's why she's the undisputed world champion."
To make watching easier, Lan shared the vision from his emitted cells, projecting the scene onto a screen for both of them to see.
Now, they could clearly witness everything unfolding in the royal palace.
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