Vant turned pale like a sheet of paper as the blood drained from his face.

“A hundred thousand? W-where can I find so much money…?!”

“If I defeat you in an official match, won’t the payout be one hundred thousand gold anyway?”

“T-that’s from the empire! That’s not a sum of money that a single chess player like myself would have.”

“So, you’re saying that you don’t have the money, right?”

“T-that’s right…”

“I understand. Then let’s end this deal here. I have no intention of intimidating someone who has no money. I will formally submit my letter of challenge as soon as the sun rises tomorrow.”

Henry stood up without any hesitation. Seeing Henry about to pack up and leave, Vant grabbed him by the arm, his face much paler than before.

“S-sir Henry! W-wait! Just a little longer! Let’s talk a little bit more.”

“Why are you being like this? I need money, but you don’t have any, do you, Sir Vant?”

“There is another way!”

“Another way?”

Only when pushed into a corner did people have no choice but to reveal their final card, and Vant had been pushed into the tightest corner of his entire life.

“Let’s hear you out,” Henry said reluctantly as he sat down on the sofa again.

Vant lifted the teacup in front of him to calm his trembling body, but his hands were so...