All the participants were required to check their decks before the tournament began. Because Shard had been delayed a bit at the Witch's place, when he arrived at the garden, the others were already there.
The first round of 16 tables was scattered in various corners under the grape arbors, with large crowds surrounding them, so Shard had no chance to know who the participants were.
After checking the [Life Ritual: Wedding], he temporarily bid farewell to Baron Lavende and Baron Rwanda and found a long table already set up in the middle of the garden path on the west side of the arbor. Sitting at the other end was the 42-year-old Colonel Lisbon, who didn't possess much of a military aura, possibly because of his glasses.
The two didn't say much. After Shard sat down, under the illumination of the gas lamp, Mr. Sic from the Prophet's Society immediately announced the start of the match.
"Mr. Hamilton, I've long heard of your great name."
