"Even with such blank eyes, you can still feel it..."
Ging gave a very pertinent evaluation: "Even if her eyes are not blind and she can see the truth clearly, it will not affect her ability to play."
The previous champions in Shogi and Go had been severely restrained and threatened by the terrifying appearance and power of the Chimera Ants, as well as concerns for their own safety.
The moment they stepped into this room, they trembled in fear.
Even with a high level of skill, in such a state, they could never perform at their best.
But this blind girl was different. Because she couldn't see anything in front of her and simply thought she was called here to play Gungi, she never realized her life was in danger.
As a result, she was able to perform at her full potential.
However, in Lan and Ging's eyes, even if this girl, who was ignorant of societal changes, could see what was happening before her, she would still be terrified and afraid.
But the moment she sat before the chessboard, she would instantly enter a state of deep focus.
Just as Ging said, she was born for strategic board games like Gungi.
Because of this, even Meruem himself raised an eyebrow as he looked at her.
"Can you see with your eyes?"
Even Meruem couldn't help but ask this question despite it being obvious at first glance.
"I have been blind since birth. If you make a move, I have to trouble your majesty to tell it to me."
At this moment, the blind girl no longer showed any of her previous nervousness or unease. Instead, she was completely calm.
Her words carried a sense of composure and strength.
"But as long as I start playing Gungi, my eyes will open involuntarily."
"If your majesty finds it an eyesore, I can close them."
"..."
Meruem stared into her eyes for a while and then whispered: "It's okay; you can open it."
Clearly, Meruem had noticed that the atmosphere in the room had changed the moment she opened her eyes.
The blind girl raised her hand and picked up the Gungi piece with great familiarity as if she had done it countless times, and it was engraved in her bones.
She placed the piece onto the board.
"Pawn!"
The match officially began.
Meruem, showing great magnanimity, announced his moves out loud as the girl had requested.
And as the game progressed, he clearly felt just how formidable her Gungi skills were.
However…
"Deploying pieces around stealth to use as an offensive and defensive stronghold is not particularly unique as a strategy."
"The initial move setup is also at an entry-level, as described in books... Which means she doesn't think I'm worthy of her playing at full strength."
Looking at his nearly certain defeat in this game, Meruem realized he had been underestimated.
"One more round."
He swept the Gungi pieces on the chessboard away.
With a casual sweep of his hand, he scattered the chess pieces from the board.
Being beaten by an entry-level strategy and technique, it was clear she assumed he was a beginner and had not shown her true strength to crush him.
Even so, losing to an entry-level tactic left Meruem feeling somewhat underestimated.
Of course, he did not feel angry or embarrassed about it.
He was, after all, just a beginner. Losing the first game was completely normal.
Besides, his opponent was a world champion in this type of strategy game.
For a beginner like him to lose to a world champion, it wasn't shameful at all.
Meruem had confidence. He knew that the more games he played, the faster his skills would improve.
Soon, defeating this so-called world champion and becoming the strongest would only be a matter of time.
"Yes!"
Hearing the order for another game, the blind girl sniffled and broke into a wide smile.
"It would be my honor to serve!"
As long as she could play Gungi, she was willing to do anything!
"Alright, but you don't need to play a teaching game with me anymore."
In Go, there is a concept called a teaching game.
It's when a student plays against a teacher, and the teacher explains each move, analyzing why it was played, where mistakes were made, and how the student could improve.
This method helps players refine their skills by reviewing their matches.
In Gungi, a similar teaching approach existed, and the blind girl had been playing this way earlier.
"Huh? No need for that...? Understood!"
The blind girl obediently followed the order and started playing a normal game.
And so, the two continued playing from day into night.
Yet, Meruem did not win a single match.
However, with each game, he was improving.
Every time a match ended, the blind girl would happily clean up the board because it meant one game was over and a new game was about to begin.
She could start playing all over again.
"You may leave now."
After she finished tidying up the board, Meruem gave her the order to leave.
"Your majesty, do not worry, I will not play poorly!"
The blind girl seemed unwilling to stop, saying enthusiastically: "Once I start a match, I can go three days and nights without sleep!"
"This isn't about rest."
Meruem replied casually.
"I have someone else to take care of. We'll continue later."
"I see... In that case, I will take my leave."
Even though she was reluctant and unsatisfied, she did not dare disobey the king's orders.
After bowing deeply, the blind girl picked up her cane and walked out of the room.
Only then did Shaiapouf close his book and watch her leaving figure.
"What do you think?"
"It's only a matter of time."
Meruem replied indifferently.
"Although there are many possible strategies, in essence, this is just like any other game."