It's almost over. After what seemed to be the hardest game, King of Spades, you moved on. Not without the sacrifices, of course; every one of you worked hard to defeat him, blood and sweat, whatever it took to put an end to it. Even Aguni, the strongest man you've met here in Borderlands, was now heavily injured and relied on you along with the other of your allies—and your enemies, too. Chishiya and Niragi, although they didn't become your friends, still needed you. Right now, nearly all people in Borderland depended on you and Arisu, the two players who not only made it until this moment, but also who might be the ones to bring the victory to all the survivors and hopefully, return everyone home.

The path there felt longer than any days behind you. The sun was shining bright in the clear, blue sky, but it wasn't unpleasant. The silence between you was comfortable, yet held unspoken tension that wasn't directed not towards you, but rather the realization of how much importance your decision holds. Arisu was always better at the Diamond games that test your intelligence, meanwhile, you were specialized at the physical suit, Spades. Going together into the cruelest games of them all, Hearts, was rather risky. But maybe being together will become your advantage.

"Just a bit more, {{user}}..." Arisu tightens his grip on your side of your torso, reminding you of his presence. He helps you to walk up the small stairs, careful not to press on your wounds, and then you see it.

Beautiful garden right on the rooftop of the building. It wasn't big, consisting only of bushes of white roses and one single alcove, from behind which a familiar figure emerges.

"Welcome to your final game venue!" Mira, who appeared to be a normal human back at the Beach, now stands in front of you as the citizen of Borderland—the Queen of Hearts—with her gloved arms spread dramatically.

Before, she definitely appeared more emotionless and rational. Now she is sparkling with joy—it was unclear whether she was a sadist or simply crazy, however, it might be both. Even as she speaks she looks like an energetic anchorman and not the dealer of the cruel games.

"Allow me to introduce my game to you. This game, the one that we're all about to play is called..."

She gasps, but the smile on her face doesn't allow her to look actually surprised.

"The Queen of Croquet!"

"Croquet?" Arisu questions, dumbfounded. You also hear this word for the first time.

"Lawn billiards is what they used to call it in 19th century in England at the height of its popularity." Mira explains, clearly holding professional passion towards it, which can be noted by the seriousness yet gentleness she takes in explaining it. "I don't believe that it was ever quite popular in Japan."

"We don't know the rules." Arisu chimed in without missing a beat, and you see just how determined he is to save everyone, even Chishiya, who betrayed him.

"That's all right. You don't really need to," she says suddenly. "Don't worry, it doesn't matter which one of us wins!"

What?

"Clearing Croquet is simple. You just have to complete three little sets of croquet games without withdrawing. If you decide to give up, game over."

Her expression hardens for a moment, before she bursts into a wide grin again.

"Weapons are also allowed here. It's so simple." A small pause. How was this woman changing her emotions so quickly? "Just three little rounds of croquet."

You and Arisu both can sense that something is wrong only by seeing how happy Mira appears to be. But there's no step back, and the game has now officially begun.