Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: 42. Weak Sin (1)
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Yuri fixed the three gamblers sitting across the table from him with a cold stare.
One was Pamia, and the other two were gamblers he'd met at the casino.
"Show 'em."
The middle-aged man with a cigarette dangling from his lips was the type who relentlessly spewed dirty talk to rattle his opponents' nerves.
He craned his neck forward, glaring at the back of Pamia's card.
"I spotted that scratch on your card earlier."
"Pardon?"
"Means I know what that card on your far right is. Heh heh heh..."
"Pardon...?"
"If you're curious, check it yourself."
Yuri glanced at the dealer. The man merely shrugged.
He seemed to view it as just part of the game.
Pamia pulled a distressed face.
"Not gonna check?"
"Then the face would show..."
"Guess you're not a total idiot after all. Heh heh..."
"That was a bluff, wasn't it...?"
"Depends on how you look at it. Eh heh heh..."
This time, he turned his sights on Yuri.
"Now you, tough guy, let's see what you've got..."
Yuri shook his head.
"Careful there."
"Nah, cards are all about chit-chat like this, right? Touchy fella. Bet you're playing like a total stiff. Hit me, hit me. Gotta be a hit, yeah?"
"No, that card there is upside down."
"What?"
He startled and looked down at the table. But everything was right side up.
Realizing Yuri had turned the tables on him, the man let out a hollow chuckle.
"Got me good."
The middle-aged woman, who had been sitting quietly, finally spoke up.
"Ugh, shut it already. You'd be better off keeping your trap shut."
"Why should I, sis?"
"Why? 'Cause if you keep bringing me money, then you'd be mine."
"When have I ever given you money?"
"Don't you always hand it over when we meet?"
"Ain't it the other way around?"
"Oh, sure, big talker..."
The woman snorted a laugh and shoved more of her chips forward.
"Anyway, let's go. Call? Fold if you're chicken, and keep your mouth shut if you do."
The man rolled his eyes before matching her bet. Yuri nodded along as well.
Pamia raised the pot further.
"I'll add some chips."
"Oho..."
The dealer dealt another round.
No clear winner or loser yet from the open cards. Even so, Pamia kept betting more.
"Hey, tough guy."
The man grinned slyly.
"Looks like she's with you. You okay letting the little miss play like that? Seems like her first time here..."
Yuri didn't respond. Instead, Pamia made a pouty face.
"H-Hey, this isn't how it's done...?"
"See? She's gonna lose it all like that. Fine by me, though."
"Her hand looks good, though..."
He burst into a hearty laugh.
"Cute kid. Yeah, just think of it as lesson fees."
He revealed his hand.
It was pretty strong.
The middle-aged woman let out a deep sigh and folded her cards face down.
"Aw, hell. You're out. Don't play anymore."
"What's wrong, sis? Heh heh..."
"Don't laugh. It's getting to me."
The man gestured at Yuri and Pamia to show their cards already.
Yuri flipped his.
The man's face hardened. Yuri's hand beat his by one rank.
"Whoa, you pulled that?"
"Luck of the draw."
"No way. Arghhh..."
His reactions matched his big mouth. He clutched his head and wailed. The middle-aged woman smacked his arm, telling him not to make a fuss.
"Drama queen."
"Lost blood money, of course I'm dramatic."
"This the only game today?"
So when Pamia quietly revealed her hand, no one paid attention except the dealer.
"Player 2 wins."
At the dealer's low declaration, the other three turned to look.
Pamia's hand had a joker in it. An incredibly high combination—one that was a rare long shot even after dealing cards all day.
She covered her mouth as she smiled.
"Got lucky..."
The man grumbled sourly.
"This little miss is one scary lady..."
The rest of the games followed a similar pattern.
Pamia toyed with the other players under a naive facade. She'd keep folding until suddenly going all-in, making everyone else bail—turns out it was a bluff.
"Hee hee, you actually fell for it..."
As the games dragged on, winners and losers became clear.
The man slumped into his chair with a sigh.
"Keep losing..."
"Same here. Hands are trash today."
"It's not the hands, sis, it's your skill..."
"No, that little miss was the pro."
"Hee hee..."
Pamia had raked in a lot, while Yuri had broken even at worst. He'd been wary of her from the start.
He'd suspected she had some card savvy when she suggested coming to Baslegas.
"What now? Keep going?"
Yuri, checking his chips, suddenly looked up. A familiar face was wandering around the casino, scanning the room.
"I'm done here."
Yuri stood. Pamia's eyes went wide.
"Wha— you're leaving...?"
"Got an appointment. You've gotten the hang of the casino, so play on your own."
"No way."
Pamia stood to follow Yuri. She bowed politely to the two gamblers.
"Had fun. See you next time."
"Yeah, take it easy next time, doll."
"Sis, didn't you say you'd claim me if I made you money?"
"But I made you money instead? Makes us even, right?"
"Fair point. Eh heh heh..."
Once the game ended, neither dwelled on their losses.
The imperial capital drew the continent's biggest money flows. Folks gambling here were likely loaded.
"Guess I'm done too."
"Me as well, then..."
With all four standing, the table emptied.
Just before parting, the middle-aged woman extended a hand to Yuri.
"Say hi next time we meet?"
Whether she'd recognized him or it was just small talk, Yuri shook her hand anyway.
"Sure."
They exchanged light farewells and split.
Pamia asked Yuri,
"What made you get up...?"
"The guy I was supposed to meet showed up here."
He'd left a note at the reception for Dale: if he wasn't at the hotel, head to Baslegas Casino.
Dale was craning his neck everywhere, searching for Yuri.
"Dale."
Dale jumped back at Yuri's sudden appearance.
"Wah— Your Highness?"
"Why so jumpy?"
"You popped up outta nowhere. Haha..."
"Recognized me through the mask, huh."
"O-Of course. How could I not know Your Highness."
For a split second, his eyes darted busily—from Yuri to Pamia behind him.
Yuri activated his Mana Circulation Method, sharpening his senses.
In that brief moment, some signal passed between Pamia beside him and Dale.
Dale licked his lips and flashed Yuri a bright smile.
"And who might this lovely lady be...?"
"Hold up."
"Pardon?"
Ignoring Dale, Yuri raised a hand.
The casino manager appeared again, bowing politely to Yuri.
"Need something?"
"That private room you mentioned earlier. Need it now."
"Right away."
Without questions, he led them.
Dale and Pamia followed Yuri silently.
They climbed a hidden staircase to the upper floor. A dark hallway lined with unmarked black doors.
Dale whispered,
"Your Highness, what's the business here...?"
"Got something private to discuss. Problem?"
"N-No, sir."
The manager stopped.
"This room. Go on in."
Inside, no sounds penetrated. Magical soundproofing, likely.
"No one can open it from outside till you leave."
"Thanks."
"My pleasure."
The manager bowed once more and descended the stairs.
Yuri opened the door.
The room was spacious, with a massive round bed in the center. Its purpose was obvious at a glance.
"Come in."
Dale and Pamia entered.
The door shut.
Yuri perched on the bed's edge, eyeing them.
Dale froze in tension; Pamia tilted her head innocently.
"Why'd we come here...?"
But her act wasn't as smooth as before. She'd sensed Yuri's off vibe.
Ignoring Pamia, Yuri turned on Dale.
"Dale."
"Y-Yes..."
"House of Avers, right? Which territory do they rule?"
"Baron Maron lands..."
"Small fry."
"Y-Yes, it is, but..."
Yuri chuckled dryly and scanned the room.
Sounds fully blocked, utter silence. No windows either.
"Nice and quiet."
Yuri stood. Dale and Pamia looked up at him.
"Meaning we can settle this nicely among ourselves."
"What do you...?"
"No way you cooked this up solo."
Yuri's gaze shifted to Pamia.
"Who hooked you up with this woman?"
"Pardon...?"
"Drop the act."
Pamia's face slowly changed. The shy, clueless expression clouded over, then twisted into a scowl.
"Busted..."
Dale stared at her blankly.
She pinched her brow and stayed silent awhile before sighing.
"When'd you figure it out...?"
"From the start."
"Ugh..."
Yuri had never trusted Pamia. He'd been briefly flustered by the sudden setup, but a logical think-through made it obvious.
A luxury hotel like Dufouria wouldn't goof up room assignments like that. Both having keys made no sense from the jump.
And Yuri had unpacked. His stuff was right there in plain sight upon entering. Yet Pamia acted like she saw nothing and headed for the bathroom to undress.
The whole setup reeked.
But the clincher was her slip-up.
Grabbing him as he tried to leave after apologizing, she'd said,
"'Dry your hair before you go'? Who says that? You think I'm an idiot?"
Pamia looked baffled.
"No, that was the most natural part..."
"And suggesting the casino? Nailed my tastes like you'd done homework. Made it even fishier."
"Most folks call that 'fate'..."
"Tough luck. I don't buy destiny."
"Worst type ever..."
Dale had gone sheet-white. He backed up a step and yelled at Pamia.
"Y-You said you could pull it off!"
"Misread him."
"You...!"
"Heard he turned down a princess, so I figured fate-believer chasing natural meets. Turns out he's just a rock who ignores girls."
They'd done their homework.
Yuri corrected her.
"Precisely, he turned down an introduction, not the princess."
But they didn't care about details. Dale snapped at Pamia again.
"Th-Then you should've prepped better!"
"Prep? Nah, first impressions are everything. If this face doesn't do it, nothing will."
"You shameless—!"
"For real."
Yuri partly agreed.
Feeling zero attraction to Pamia let him see through it.
But that was Yuri-specific.
Objectively, Pamia was stunning.
Emotions cloud judgment. Any regular guy might've bought her "fate" story.
"Enough talk."
Yuri stepped forward.
"Dale. Who's the mastermind?"
"I-I..."
"Don't have to answer."
"Huh?"
"But you'll die here."
He drew one of his four-wheel swords: the Firebrand Blade.
"Just hit the capital today. Beat as hell. Zero patience left."
"Th-Th-Th..."
Yuri twirled the Firebrand Blade, closing in.
Dale's terrified eyes shook wildly.
He pleaded with Pamia via looks, but she just stood there, eyes closed.
Dale cracked.
"Chairman..."
"Who?"
"The alumni association chairman. Brioll Alumni Association chairman ordered me. I just followed instructions."
Tears streamed down Dale's face.
One scared dude. Yuri patted his shoulder soothingly.
"Right. And who's this alumni chairman?"
Yuri's curiosity piqued.
Someone uniting Brioll expats in the capital had to be a leader-type burned into his memory.
So when Dale named him, Yuri felt a tangle of emotions.
"That bastard's here too?"
Gott Barkbar.
The Brioll Alumni Association chairman—and Akademium exchange student Gott Barkbar—was the puppet master.