Chapter 316: Chess game

Words : 1394 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

"And so we took another one" Jocelyne and Sobek were lying together in a clearing. The woman had brought a chess set and opened them in front of him, then they started playing. In reality only Jocelyne moved the pieces: since her claws were too big Sobek just said where he wanted the pieces to be moved, and she did it for him. But it was still a nice way to relax, and they both needed it. Two days earlier, the Gardarikian Federation had declared the independence of the four warring regions and its abandonment of the NMWA. The news had been welcomed with joy from all over the world: even if a new government was still to be formed, it was clear that the Federation was preparing to join the Eden Union. The title 'PRESIDENT ANOKE LEAVES THE NMWA' was printed in large letters in any newspaper, magazine or leaflet. The media wallowed in such news. Not only had the Gardarikian government surrendered to the rebellions, but another superpower had given in and left the NMWA. When the new government formed, four of the five superpowers would be part of the Eden Union, leaving the Almagna Empire alone and isolated. "Standard bearer in C4. Yes, it looks like we've got another victory" Sobek said. "RE/SYST has been up to his word, apparently. Another nuclear power has fallen. I hope they will also have their word in hacking those missiles" Even if he didn't show it, she was radiant: another enemy had fallen. And with it another threat to coexistence, and therefore to peace, disappeared. The fewer enemies left standing, the less blood would be required. Jocelyne moved one of the towers. "With the defeat of the Gardarikian Federation, another nuclear power has stopped aiming missiles at us. Now only the Almagna Empire remains. Perhaps the emperor will follow the example of President Anoke and surrender. We could really avoid the atomic war" "I'm starting to believe it too. Horse in D7, and I'll eat you the queen" Sobek replied. It was true: given how things were progressing, he had concretely begun to hope that the shadow of the war would remain just a shadow. However, he didn't really believe it: the System was designed to help him, so what was the point of giving him [Radiation absorption] if he couldn't use it? He doubted that God had provided him with that ability just to speed up terraforming projects. No, it was unfortunately much more likely that the situation would soon degenerate. After all, the Almagna Emperor was a hothead and now he no longer had anyone to keep him on a leash. It was possible that he would decide out of the blue that bombing Eden Union was a smart move. Even though the world was sighing with relief, then, Sobek was bracing himself for the worst. Jocelyne castled. "I hope to be able to see the end of this climate of tension before my mandate expires" "Queen in A5. It's your last term, if I'm not mistaken" "Yup. I have already been elected three times, and a year has already passed since my last election. In two years I will have to abandon that chair for good". She moved one of the horses to shield the king. "Standard bearer in B6. Are you displease?" "Are you joking? I can't wait. I hate that chair. If it weren't because I'm afraid of what could happen to my country if tensions escalated, I would have already signed my resignation. I can not stand it anymore". He moved the tower again. "When this is all over I'll take a nice vacation. I want to rest for at least a year. My parents have lived for some time in a seaside resort on the southern coast of Beleriard; I really think I'll join them" "Queen in A8, and I'll eat your horse. You are right. You have done far more for your nation than many other men, and how old are you? Nineteen, right?" "Yes. I'll be twenty in three months" "By the standards of your species you are considered very young. Most of your generation at that age is preparing to go to university. Yet you have already done so much. I would say that you deserved a leave" "Thank you. I'll eat your bishop. And you? What will you do when the Almagna Empire also surrenders?" "I still have a lot to do. I will have to continue working to realize my ideal of coexistence. At least this time I won't have to worry about a conflict anymore; at least I'll be able to sleep peacefully. I will rest properly when truly humans and animals live side by side in harmony" "Yeah, I figured. After all, that's your mission" "Queen in C8 and check to the king" "Oh, heck! I didn't notice it!" Sobek let out an amused growl as he saw Jocelyne scream in surprise after realizing she had fallen into her trap. Quickly the queen moved a pawn to protect the king, but Sobek's pawns encircled her on all sides. Jocelyne hated losing at chess, but after years she still hadn't managed to beat Sobek despite her challenging him at least once a month. Unbeknownst to her, the spinosaurus had been a champion of that game in her previous life. "Anyway, even if I say I'll rest, I don't think I'll do it forever" Jocelyne said. "I want to take a gap year, maybe even two, but then I'll probably start to get bored" "And what will you do?" "I have some projects in mind. I was thinking of enrolling in university" "For real? At what faculty?" "Law. With my current knowledge I would pass all exams effortlessly. Once I have graduated, I will have the requisites to attempt competitions to enter the judiciary, and maybe when I am the right age I will also apply for the Court" "Knight in F7, and it is again check to the king. So you want to stay in politics? I thought you wanted to follow in your father's footsteps and continue his business empire" "I've been worried enough about my family fortune. I want to take care of what matters most to me, and that's justice. When my parents die, hoping it will happen as late as possible, I will sell their properties and put the money in the bank. It will last for many generations of my family, so I can do the work that makes me happy. I don't want to go back to dealing with the drama of politics, but I don't mind being a judge. And then, who knows... maybe one day I could even enter the judiciary of my country, or even join the Court" "This world needs justice. I would be happy if you'll operated it, at least in a small part" "Thanks for the compliment. And by the way, I can finally eat your queen" Jocelyne said with a triumphant smile as she took the piece away, but her pride died away when Sobek spoke again: "Too bad you didn't notice that you exposed yourself. Rook in C5, and it's checkmate" Jocelyne nearly dropped the token in her shock. "What... how!?" she exclaimed staring at the board with wide eyes. "You can be my strategist, but don't forget who the pack leader is. I'm used to fielding every single variable" Sobek replied amused, knocking the opposing king down with a flick of his claw. Jocelyne gritted her teeth and closed her eyes furiously. Even though she had learned to accept defeat, she still possessed a pride and a strong sense of competitiveness, and she hated losing. Seeing the three-time elected president of one of the founding countries of the Eden Union sulking like a three-year-old girl was a spectacle that defied the imagination. "When will I be able to beat you?" she exclaimed. "When I'll be dead" Sobek replied. "No, wait... let's do it a few hours before. I don't want to miss the chance to see your smiling face when you'll finally win"

Chapter 316: Chess game

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