Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Our Gambling Den is Open for Business -1
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From the moment I possessed Heinz's body, I'd thought the world I knew would cease to exist.
If things followed the original story, I'd end up dead—and who in their right mind wants to die?
Especially when I hadn't asked to get isekai'd into this mess without any warning.
That's why I was confident I wouldn't panic no matter what butterfly effects my actions caused.
That is, until I met Maribel.
'Even looking at her again, she's a marvel...'
Just slapping a single illustration of her into Kizen's diary or records would have gamers losing their minds.
I could picture them calling Kizen "father-in-law," attempting Maribel resurrection challenges, or pitting her against top waifus in popularity polls.
But in reality, the only detail was that Kizen had one daughter.
Her appearance was never revealed.
I hadn't thought much of it before, but now that I was in Heinz's body and face-to-face with her, something felt off.
'They create a character who could chew up and spit out most leads just based on looks, then don't use her? Developers, you clueless hacks.'
I clicked my tongue at the developers' lack of detail.
Then Maribel suddenly approached me with a grave expression.
Her clear blue eyes trembled like aspen leaves.
"D-Did I do something you don't like? Just tell me, and I'll fix it!"
"Nothing like that."
"But... you were just looking at me and clicking your tongue! Did I commit some grave offense? If so, I'll gladly accept any punishment. Even if you want my head, I'll give it to you!"
I'd been cursing the developers, but somehow the wrong person was repenting.
And she was taking something trivial as if it were a capital crime—there was a hint of madness in her attitude.
Was it intense obsession? Overwhelming loyalty?
With her bloodstained appearance clinging to me, it was a little scary.
"I just remembered something from the past and clicked my tongue. It has nothing to do with you."
"Ah...! I'm sorry, I jumped to conclusions and embarrassed myself."
"Now that you get it, back off."
Maribel's soft body was pressed right against mine.
The sweet floral scent that masked the metallic tang of blood tickled my nose.
Afraid my male instincts might kick in, I pushed her away with a stern expression.
Survival trumped reproduction right now.
"By the way, where's Kizen?"
"Father went after the man who was in league with the maid I dealt with."
"He's tailing him? How do you know what group they're from?"
"While you were in the capital, Master Heinz, Father and I were keeping watch for any subversive elements."
"You were surveilling me the whole time?"
"If that's upset you, I truly apologize. It's just that Father stubbornly refuses to meet you anywhere but the Altesia estate..."
I nodded, understanding.
Kizen was a fugitive assassin who had killed nobles.
Exchanging greetings with him in the crowded capital could make me a target.
It was a rational decision considering the circumstances.
"You heard I was in the capital and came looking, but couldn't greet me, so you provided protection instead."
"Exactly!"
"Then you spotted a suspicious maid from the Rose Palace and started digging into her."
"Yes. In a deserted alley, I overheard her talking to a man about Princess Rosmel and you, Master Heinz. That's when I was sure—a faction trying to slander you!"
"And then?"
"Father chased the man, and I stayed here to handle the maid. For the record, I tortured her plenty before killing her and squeezed out a ton of useful info!"
Maribel beamed innocently, offering me a blood-smeared note with her stained hand.
I took it and unfolded it. The words were written in blood.
The shaky, crooked handwriting suggested she'd written it with trembling fingers.
"What do you think?"
"Hmm..."
Most of the content was information I already knew.
Approximate hideout locations, organizational structure, communication methods, and so on.
It was barely useful at this point.
But there was one piece that made my lips twitch.
The Nidhogg Cult's funds processing location in the capital.
"Very useful info. Good work."
"If I've helped you even a little, Master Heinz, that's more than enough for me!"
"Nothing you want from me?"
"There is, but it's too soon to ask. Like this time, I'll keep assisting you bit by bit, and when I can claim I've earned merit, I'll tell you then."
I'd expected her to say saving her life once was enough, but she sidestepped it nicely.
Maribel was human too, with desires—and that worldly side made her feel approachable to me.
Right, it wouldn't make sense for her to hand over her liver and gall just for one life saved.
I wanted my subordinates' trust, not blind faith.
I really liked this way of racking up achievements and demanding fair rewards.
"Perfect timing. Since it came up, there's something I'd like to ask."
"Anything! I'll do it!"
"Then come with me somewhere."
"Even if it's hell, I'll follow gladly!"
I wanted to tell her her loyalty was over the top, but I held my tongue.
The place I was headed could be considered hell in a way.
Hell where the specters of money roamed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The empire's commoners generally sought stable lives.
Warm homes, daily bread, and harmonious family time.
But some nobles and tycoons thought differently.
With grand mansions and money left over after three square meals, they craved amusement.
The thrill of dopamine highs, the rush of adrenaline pumping through their veins.
And those types headed to gambling dens, where the wealthy preferred bigger ponds.
"Kuh! This is it! This is sex!"
"Fuck! This can't be happening!"
"Yes! Let's keep it rolling!"
"Call even if I can't afford it! Fold here and I'll cut my dick off!"
Cheers and jeers of joy and despair erupted everywhere.
Piles of gold coins had no fixed spot, and people staked their lives on single cards.
Some even started brawls when they couldn't accept the results.
Colonso, the facility manager and Nidhogg Cult priest overseeing it all, smiled in satisfaction.
"Smooth sailing today. Plenty to send back to headquarters."
The cult's funds didn't come from selling land.
Honest trade wasn't enough, and pioneering new trade routes past pioneers was tough.
So the cult exploited human desires to make money.
Thus, their secret gambling den on the capital's outskirts was booming.
'Blind with greed, they don't even realize they're being led down the path to corruption. How foolish.'
Colonso couldn't hold back his laughter watching detestable elites fall into ruin.
The house always won, yet they drowned in pleasure, pouring in cash.
Watching lives crumble to addiction was pure delight.
Then unexpected news arrived.
"Priest, Heinz, the young master of Altesia, is here!"
"I heard that wastrel was in the capital, but I didn't expect him here! What's his business?"
"H-He says he's scouting to build a new gambling den in his territory!"
"Scouting...? Ha! Interesting. Guide him through the facilities first, then lure him into the games."
"What if he refuses?"
"To scout properly, he needs to experience it himself! Tell him you have to feel like a gambler to run a place well."
"Got it!"
Colonso inwardly cheered—a big fish hooked.
Count Altesia was an unmatched tycoon.
If he could drag his heir into gambling?
The cult would never face money woes again.
'With results like that, I could aim for archbishop... no, cardinal!'
Envisioning a glittering future, Colonso couldn't hide his greed.
He had his staff nudge Heinz toward the tables.
After persistent coaxing, he finally got him seated.
"He knows big fish don't bite twice? Feed him the bait! Make sure he can't leave this place!"
Gambling's appeal lay in the wins.
Constant losses killed interest fast.
So let him taste victory, plant the seed that he's got talent.
"Take the losses if needed—get the wastrel into the high-stakes games! We'll recoup quick!"
To Colonso, the den was a dragnet.
Lure foolish fish from the sea of the world, trap them, toss sweet victory bait to hook 'em deep.
Then, once fattened, strip the meat off the bones.
Having done this thousands of times, he figured a clueless playboy would be easy.
And things were going to plan.
Except for one fact Colonso overlooked.
"Big trouble, Priest Colonso!"
"What is it?"
"The young master Heinz is winning money!"
"I said we'd eat the losses, didn't I?"
"It's beyond losses! At this rate, the den's done for!"
Colonso belatedly realized something was wrong with his net.
He demanded details from his teary-eyed subordinate.
"As you ordered, we lured the wastrel to the highest-stakes table. Problem is, he keeps winning after that!"
"What are the gamblers doing? They should've rigged it!"
"Over ten gamblers already got their wrists sliced by his guard trying to cheat!"
"You idiot! If he's never lost once, that means he's cheating too!"
Colonso bellowed for Heinz's wrists as well.
His subordinate cowered but protested his innocence.
"W-We thought so too and put watchers on him! But they say the young master isn't cheating at all!"
"What? So he's on a pure winning streak by luck alone?"
"Hard to believe, but yes..."
What Colonso had overlooked.
Heinz's luck with money was unmatched by anyone.
Only then did Colonso realize.
What he'd lovingly baited into his dragnet wasn't a golden fish, but a massive kraken devouring all others.