Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Only Gamble on What You Can Win (1)
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With a gentle tone and gesture, the boy timidly entered. Then he approached her with quick little steps.
"......"
Due to the recent string of events, William had become extremely sensitive.
As he moved to block Elice's path, she reached out a hand to stop him.
"It's fine."
William shot her a dissatisfied look, but he stayed put at her command.
The boy who approached in front of Elice fidgeted with his hands.
A foul smell emanated from his grimy clothes and filthy body, unwashed for who knows how long.
At a glance, he was clearly a homeless street urchin. There was no reason for him to come here on his own.
So Elice rephrased her question.
"Who sent you?"
"Uh...... But how did you know?"
The boy startled and asked back. Elice smiled softly.
"You can tell just by looking. So, who was it?"
"I don't really know that much......"
The boy scratched his messy, tangled hair and added,
"They just told me to go find the big sister."
"......"
"They said you'd know if I mentioned 'big sister.'"
Elice narrowed her eyes slightly.
"'Big sister'?"
She didn't look the part at all. These days, she was more accustomed to being called aunt or ma'am than big sister.
'It must be Young Master Abel.'
Elice quickly grasped the situation. William and Dexter exchanged glances at about the same speed.
'It's Young Master Abel.'
'Seems like it.'
Elice asked the boy,
"How did you meet that person?"
"Wow."
The boy suddenly gaped.
"Why?"
"No, it's just... You said exactly what that person said you would......"
The boy spoke in an impressed tone, then promptly bowed his head.
"I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay."
All she could do was let out a hollow laugh at Abel's orchestration of the entire situation.
Without showing any displeasure, Elice continued.
"Tell me the rest. How did you end up meeting that person?"
The boy hesitated, reluctant to speak. He seemed frightened by something.
"I won't scold you if you tell the truth. Go ahead and speak freely."
At Elice's kind words, the boy finally opened his mouth.
"Really?"
"Yes, I promise."
"Actually, I was trying to pick that person's pocket......"
"What, their wallet?!"
Dexter, who had been listening from the side, clutched his stomach laughing.
"Hahaha! This kid's something else!"
"Dexter, be quiet."
"Ah, this is hilarious. How's he still alive? Must be lucky?"
Dexter only quieted down after Elice smacked his back.
"......So, they told me to deliver this."
After explaining everything, the boy pulled something from his pocket hem. It was a note folded two or three times.
Elice unfolded it and furrowed her brow.
"......Why does it say to get this?"
"What's that?"
Instead of answering, Elice showed them the note. The two men frowned upon reading it.
"Well...... We do have some already organized documents."
"It's a bit much, but not impossible to obtain."
"But why go through this kid to deliver it?"
Elice was staring intently at the bottom of the note. There, Abel had written a small line.
"Use him well."
It was a comment about the boy delivering the note.
"He's so mischievous......"
Elice murmured softly and rose from her chair.
"Let's hurry. It's the first mission from Young Master Abel."
"Isn't it actually the second? The first was the auction house......"
William's rough hand clamped over Dexter's mouth. Elice turned to them with a gentle smile.
"Yes, technically the second."
Dexter froze in place upon seeing Elice's smile. He knew well when she flashed such a bright smile.
"William, follow me. Dexter, you......"
Elice's finger pointed at the boy.
"Find a place for this kid to stay. The end room in our lodging should do. You, what's your name?"
Caught up in the sudden flow, the boy stood there blankly, uncomprehending.
"Kid?"
"M-Me? My name?"
"Yes. Your name."
"Uh...... I'm Jack."
"Right, Jack."
Elice smiled and pointed at Dexter.
"Go with this big brother. He'll show you where you'll stay."
"Whaaat?! Why me?"
Dexter wailed,
"R-Room?"
While Jack gaped dumbly.
Ignoring Dexter entirely, Elice replied to Jack in a kind tone.
"Yes. From today, you'll be with us."
"Huh? Why all of a sudden?"
"Why? Don't you realize what you brought was a letter of introduction?"
"L-Letter of...... introduction?"
Jack's eyes filled with confusion. He clearly had no idea what was happening.
"Do you have a home somewhere? Doesn't seem like it."
At Elice's question, Jack slowly lowered his head.
"I don't...... have anything like that."
A tent by the riverbank where kids huddled together.
That wasn't a home. It was just a place to lay one's weary body and pray tomorrow wouldn't come.
"Alright. Then you'll live here from now on."
Elice smiled and patted Jack's shoulder.
"Welcome to the Vendetta Guild."
❖ ❖ ❖
"Hmm. This is pretty good."
Wearing the mask, I fiddled with my face.
It fit perfectly, covering exactly half my face and exposing only my cheeks and chin.
Its jet-black surface featured delicate gold filigree. At the top, feathers slightly darker than my hair—a deep blue—were attached.
"This part's especially nice."
I liked how the feathers softly tickled my forehead with every movement.
"It's a far cry from the one I used in Cader."
The texture against my skin, the sturdy yet lightweight material—it all screamed high price.
Above all, this mask wasn't something you could buy at just any shop.
"Have you decided?"
It was only sold at [Piascere], the casino prominently located in the heart of the capital, Magiore.
Upon entry and showing my ID, I was immediately ushered into this small room. Then, under the staff's polite guidance, I selected the mask.
"This one."
I gestured to the attendant watching beside me.
"Yes, understood."
The staff approached and reached for the mask.
"Pardon me."
He grasped both ends and securely fastened it.
"To remove it, pull this clasp."
"Got it."
"Yes, then."
The staff scanned me up and down, his gaze lingering at my waist.
"Sir, apologies, but the sword......"
Ah, right. No weapons allowed here.
It felt awkward removing the one I'd constantly worn since leaving Ovest Territory.
"Here okay?"
I unbuckled and set it down without fuss. My real weapon was elsewhere anyway.
"Yes, thank you."
The staff bowed politely and began guiding me.
"You may enter now. Please follow."
As I followed, I caught my reflection in the mirror-smooth walls.
My top, woven from fine central mountains fabric, shimmered subtly with gold thread stitched in the capital's latest fashion. The fitted pants hugged my toned legs perfectly.
'Not bad.'
Anyone would peg me as a rising noble from the central region. They wouldn't easily guess who I was.
On my hands, I wore my usual gauntlet. The premium leather blended seamlessly.
'No sword feels a bit empty.'
Well, I wouldn't need it anyway.
This wasn't some sleazy illegal den like in Cader.
"We've arrived."
At the corridor's end, the staff flung open the door.
"Enjoy your time."
I stepped past him into the new space. The moment I did, bright lights stabbed my eyes.
"......Ho."
After blinking a few times, the vast area came into view, almost illusory in its brightness.
The base colors were vibrant beige and luxurious red. Chandeliers hung high from the ceiling, illuminating below, with expensive decorations enhancing the opulence everywhere.
It was grand enough for a high-end banquet hall.
In the hall's center, party foods and drinks were laid out for constant indulgence. People sat there hydrating or chatting.
"How's it going today?"
"Don't ask. Looks like the goddess of victory's ignoring me today."
"Did you see Room 21 earlier? Did they come?"
"Not yet. But probably soon."
Their attire and appearances varied, but they shared one trait.
All wore masks covering half their faces. Just like me.
"Ah, one more thing in common."
Their speech and gait exuded polished etiquette, and the jewels adorning their dresses were exorbitantly pricey.
In short, they were all nobles.
"As expected, the certified playground for nobles."
One run by the imperial family, no less.
Of course, the public face was a noble, but no noble was unaware it was a front.
"It's basically no different from a social club, just with gaming tables."
Here, you could enjoy various gambles. Tire out, then rest in the upscale lounges inside, or order room service for meals.
Nobles visiting the capital whittled away time here, splurging freely.
"Anyway, the pastimes of the filthy rich."
I descended the stairs leisurely, surveying the first-floor central hall.
Around the central hall's perimeter were entrances to rooms, numbered above and arched openly for clear views inside.
"I'll bet on odd."
"This time, black."
"Hehe, the one in the 'wolf mask' seems eager today."
"Well, the one in the 'red gem mask' is no different, is she?"
Nobles eagerly gambled at dealer-run tables. Chips worth 10,000 gold each rolled and vanished from their hands repeatedly.
"Nobles' hearts are impossible to read."
I snorted at their masked faces.
No two identical masks were sold here. Varied colors and decorations allowed distinguishing opponents.
Women had gems densely encrusted on theirs; men sometimes wore preserved animal leather masks.
"They enjoy hiding their identities that much?"
They never revealed names or houses. Just referred to each other as "the one in the whatever mask."
Only the entrance staff truly knew their identities, bound by strict confidentiality.
"This must be the secret to the casino's booming success."
It let them shed rigid hierarchies and etiquette for a free, enjoyable vibe.
Of course, they didn't truly not recognize each other.
"Unless they have eyes for decoration."
I scoffed.