Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Aigo, Duya
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Oh dear, Duya.
The moment I rush into the casino, the scene that greets me makes my head throb.
“G-Get on your knees and bow your head right now, and I might let you off!”
“Why should I?”
Thank goodness the night market boss I contacted via siren got here fast since he was nearby.
Otherwise, I might’ve ended up seeing Dmitri chopped into pieces—or maybe even eight.
Look at those ferocious eyes...
“Cain, Zero.”
“Yeah.”
“Understood.”
While Cain and Zero split up to approach Rachel from both sides,
I snuck up behind Dmitri, who was acting like his crisis detection instincts were broken, and lightly kicked the back of his knee.
“Huh? Huh?!”
“Long time no see, Dmitri.”
I grabbed his squishy shoulder as he staggered backward and flashed a grin.
“Y-You...!”
“What do you mean, ‘you’? Isn’t this a bit much for an old friend from the same region you haven’t seen in ages?”
As his waist bent backward, the moment I let go of his shoulder, Dmitri was about to topple over. He flailed his arms to steady himself, but I pretended not to notice and let out a hearty laugh.
“Hey, let go!”
“Let’s head over there first.”
In the meantime, Zero and Cain had grabbed Rachel’s arms and were dragging her off somewhere like she was under arrest, while Luna and Leaf stuck close to my side.
“Young master...”
―Manager.
“Eutcha. Yeah, did you both have fun?”
I shoved Dmitri aside like he was trash and stroked the heads of Luna, who was looking at me with anxious eyes, and Leaf, who stared at me in utter confusion.
Even though Luna’s timidity trait was gone, she must’ve been pretty rattled.
Her eyes were just like before, so I smiled like it was no big deal and told them to head out first, but then a chubby hand grabbed my shoulder.
“Adelian!”
“There’s a lot of people here—why act like this? No shame?”
The crowd, who’d been circling at a distance like it was prime entertainment for a while, turned away pretending not to notice when I met their eyes and glanced around.
I snorted and shot a look at Dmitri, who was pulling a scary face, then at Dubona, who was glancing between me and the exit before coming over to my side.
“Bring back that insolent wench right now.”
“Long time no see, Adelian. You’ve grown a bit taller... and filled out more, huh?”
“Yeah. It has been a while. You’ve gotten even prettier.”
Dubuona covered her mouth with one hand and let out a tinkling laugh at my words.
“Eek! You bastard, bring that wench back now!”
I twisted my body slightly to dodge Dmitri as he stomped his foot and reached for my collar.
Ah, thirsty.
Right where Rachel had been, a few chips lay scattered on the floor. I picked them up, placed them on a passing waiter’s tray, and downed a glass of liquor in one go.
“Now that we’ve run into each other like this, want to grab dinner together? With drinks on the side.”
As I slipped away, Dmitri, even more enraged, swung his hand like he was trying to grab my clothes, so I took a step back and tilted my head.
Hmm, I’ve heard about this. Was it at the auction house where I went to buy Cain?
Then or now, they must still see me as the wastrel Adelian.
‘Fun.’
All that caution I’ve been taking lately is paying off.
“Aw, too bad. I already ate dinner early.”
“Hmm, what a shame. By the way, that black-haired slave you bought. That was her who just left, right?”
“Didn’t you hear me?!”
Dmitri, frustrated at not being able to grab me, started pounding his own chest.
Dubuona showing interest in Cain.
Come to think of it, what villains were these two in the academy arc?
As I racked my brain for a moment, I caught Dmitri’s round, Doraemon-like fist mid-swing and grinned.
“What’s got you so mad? Huh? Let’s talk it out.”
“Huff, huff. You... Pant... You bastard. That insolent...”
He was panting hard, out of breath. After watching him for a bit, I grabbed a few glasses from a passing waiter like I was snatching them and continued as Dmitri downed them stacked in his hand.
“No way, Dmitri. You didn’t hit on her, get shut down, and pick a fight calling her an insolent wench, did you?”
I hadn’t heard the full story yet, but that had to be it.
At my words, Dubuona backed away a bit with a face like this was the best show ever.
“W-What? What nonsense is that? I’d never. That wench just—huh? Staring at a noble like that with her eyes wide open was insolent, so I was going to educate her for you!”
“Right? I mean, no way you’d get mad over something so tasteless and filthy.”
His cheeks trembled at my smiling words. Dmitri pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped off the sticky sweat, folded it neatly, and put it back before speaking.
“Fine, whatever with that redhead wench. But the other one too—didn’t even say a word, huh? So insolent.”
“She’s got a weak body... so talking’s hard for her. As a gentleman, you can understand that much, right?”
I let out a sigh like there was some untold backstory, and Dubuona along with a few women who’d been pretending to gamble while eavesdropping let out sympathetic “Oh my”s.
Dmitri, who’d been glancing around, straightened up proudly and thumped his chest.
“Of course. I’m a magnanimous man. But Adelian.”
Dmitri stepped closer and muttered.
“That doesn’t mean I’ll let it slide quietly. That redhead wench disrespected a noble—it’s a fact.”
“So?”
“I’ll dress her up nicely, give her a good scolding to make her obedient, and send her back. The other wenches too. You’re not thinking of settling it just with the redhead, are you?”
This guy. Not satisfied with quartering Dmitri—now he wants to be chopped into eighths?
He doesn’t even know I spared his life once. Can’t let him off.
Though I never planned to anyway.
I draped my arm over Dmitri’s shoulder like it was natural and replied calmly.
“Why should I?”
“What?”
I don’t know how the original Adelian acted toward Dmitri. But with that arrogance trait, he wouldn’t have groveled.
What makes this punk think I’ll do whatever he says?
I smirked at Dmitri as his face soured again.
“Let’s not be uncool about this. No sending this or that.”
“Adelian...”
“Instead, you seem to like the casino since you’re here.”
Can’t have you getting all the good stuff.
I grinned wickedly.
“Want to bet what you want and play a game?”
* * *
“Ah, let me go for a sec. Just one good smack. Huh?”
“Hold it in a bit, Rachel junior.”
“Causing a scene here would be hard to clean up.”
Rachel growled, clenching her fists as she huffed and opened her mouth.
“...Secret assassination is legal, right?”
“Like hell it is.”
As I clicked my tongue and approached, Rachel—who’d been waddling along with Luna and Zero on one arm, Cain and Leaf on the other—came to a stop.
She’d had a blast playing around and left me stuck in there?
She looked embarrassed now that her mood had settled after some bickering, scratching her head with the hand Luna and Zero were holding. I pressed my forehead.
“No, I mean, that sleazy guy was there.”
“Sorry, young master...”
―Manager. Seniors Rachel and Luna are innocent.
The three started blurting out apologies—how it was their fault, the others were innocent, sorry about that—but what could I say?
I just chuckled aimlessly and opened my mouth.
“It’s fine. Since you feel so bad, I’ll give you a chance to make it up. You know words alone aren’t a real apology, right? Show it with actions, yeah?”
Rachel froze at my words, Luna’s mouth opened slightly then closed, and Leaf tilted her head to the side.
“And you too, Cain.”
“Why me all of a sudden?”
Well...
“Dubuona wants you.”
Cain’s eyes darkened instantly at my words. Don’t tell me he’s gonna turn me into Adelian?
“I’ll explain. Let’s head to the inn first. I’m starving.”
All I’d eaten all day was tea in the academy parlor and snacks at the night market—my stomach was practically kissing my back.
Whether because I said I was hungry or decided to hold off on yelling, Cain nodded toward the way and Rachel sidled up next to me.
“W-What’re you gonna make me do? Huh? Tell me ahead of time.”
“Nothing big.”
I pulled a carrot from my subspace and crunched on it, and this time Luna edged closer.
“Is it something hard?”
“Hmm, probably not?”
Like I’d play a game I could lose.
“Nothing much—Dmitri was whining so much, I just said fine, let’s play a game if you want it that bad.”
I turned my head. Slowly lifting the corner of my mouth, I took in the four following me.
“My comrades. This party leader trusts you all.”
For a split second, it looked like hooks appeared over their heads, but I laughed loudly to myself and faced forward again.
“We agreed to bet what we want and play games against each other.”
And one must forge their own fate.
‘That’s the higher win rate anyway.’
With Valbus, I’d prepared somewhat and crushed them with money—literal money press.
But with Dmitri, it’s different.
I’m secretly the acting family head of Kruger right now, so throwing around that much cash doesn’t make sense.
‘There’s no way to guarantee a win.’
Coldly put, with my traits fixed for unknown reasons, even if I train as hard as anyone, it doesn’t solidify into true talent.
In other words, unlike this continent’s people—where traits turn into bonuses the moment they manifest—mine stacks like on Earth, pure effort.
My stamina’s improved, basic swordplay’s familiar now, but I’ve got nothing standout enough to draw eyes.
So, the only ones I can rely on are my party members.
“First, Dmitri’s side named Luna, Leaf, and Rachel, so dice games, picture matching, and cards for the three of you.”
“Yes? Yes. Got it, young master.”
―Yes. Manager.
“No, why me?”
Ignoring Rachel’s protest, I glanced at Cain and Zero before speaking.
“Cain, you’ll probably have to prep for a duel or something.”
“I don’t understand. Why?”
Because Dubuona said that handsome black-haired guy seems more talented at other things than swordsmanship, so if she wins, lend him for a while.
But saying that would just tire me out, so like Rachel, I pretended Cain didn’t hear.
Zero wasn’t named since they dragged Rachel out before Dubuona could see properly...
But on the day, they’d obviously demand Zero too.
“Um, young master... If we win, there won’t be bigger problems, right?”
Luna pondered my vague explanation and asked. Nodding, I pushed open the inn door.
“Yeah. I told them if they want to crush that arrogant attitude, win and take them after.”
Luna sighed in relief at my words, but Rachel shoved her face right in.
“But it’s weird. You? Huh? You’re not the type to do this without gain.”
Ah, startled me.
I pushed her face—filling my vision—aside with my hand and replied.
“Of course not. Why would I play along without getting something out of it?”
As the inn staff followed with food, I continued while eyeing them.
“Those twins—they’re imperial faction.”
This looks tasty. I picked up a firm bread that seemed grilled after being sliced long, coated in a sauce of minced garlic and veggies, and popped it in my mouth.
―Does that hold significance, Manager?
“Something similar to what happened to my sister this time is about to—or already did—happen to one of the royals at the academy.”
I laughed, saying it was from my foresight, but they either ignored it or just took the garlic bread I offered.
“If we win all the games they proposed, they’ll arrange a meeting with the imperial they’re connected to.”
If I revealed I’m Kruger’s acting head, that’d be a free pass.
But publicly, I’m the total wastrel with no talent or drive—not even attending the academy—a discarded card.
At my words, they all nodded like “knew it” and pushed my back toward a chair to eat.