Chapter 71: - Warm Southern Territory (2)

༺ Warm Southern Territory (2) ༻

Roulette King Tannian didn't stop. And by not stopping, I meant that he hadn't reached a level of satisfaction where he could leave. I saw him spin the roulette four times. How long is he going to stick around?

I'm starting to get worried. I've only seen him play four times, so he must have played more rounds than that. Sadly, the amount of money Tannian had lost wasn't even 10% of what I had just paid to the Imperial Family.

"Take it easy. It's not good to see a priest behaving like that."

"It's fine. I'm just enjoying it lightly."

Lightly? Have I been misunderstanding the word 'lightly' all this time?

"Brother, gambling is despised for risking everything on uncertain odds."

"If you know that, then why don't you stop?"

This was worse because he knew better.

But despite my reaction, Tannian just laughed and shook his head.

"I don't bet on the odds. I just pay money to enjoy the fleeting hope of making a fortune at once and the excitement during the game."

"What...?"

What nonsense was he saying?

I couldn't complete my sentence. It was my last bit of sanity trying to avoid making a scene.

"Don't people spend money while watching a play or going to a cafe? I just spend money on a game for a brief moment of joy."

After uttering such madness, Tannian shrugged his shoulders. I stared blankly at him. If I didn't know he was a candidate for becoming a Saint, I would've thought he was a cult member. Was this the next Saint?

Wasn't he just a lunatic?

Mesmerized, I approached the roulette and was able to return to the resort with Tannian after losing five more great silver coins. I only needed to pay 50, but I ended up paying more extra tax. I didn't expect to win, but I never thought I wouldn't be able to win anything at all.

"So you also don't have good luck, brother."

"Yeah..."

If I'd been lucky, I wouldn't be here with all of you at the Academy in the first place.

We saw some students wandering around as we entered the resort. It was a big resort, so they probably wanted to explore the interior. Even the lobby alone had spaces to sit and cafes, so I wondered how the other places were.

"Oh, that's an unexpected pairing."

After hearing Tannian's voice, I looked over and saw Louise and Marghetta sitting together. It was truly an unexpected pairing.

The two had bright expressions. Taking into consideration their first encounter, this was quite a dramatic turnaround. Originally, Marghetta had no animosity toward Louise, and vice versa. Louise didn't hate Marghetta; she was just intimidated by her.

"Ah, Oppa! Tannian!"

As Louise found us, Marghetta also waved her hand while smiling.

"Shall we go?"

"Sure."

I nodded at Tannian's question. I had no pressing issues, so avoiding them was unnecessary. I looked around and saw that Irina wasn't in sight, so it should be fine if I sat with them.

As we approached, Louise and Marghetta moved aside to make room. I sat down next to Marghetta, and Tannian gladly sat next to Louise. Marghetta let out a soft chuckle. Was this what you call the happiness of the majority?

Louise opened her mouth after looking at me and Tannian.

"It's the first time I've seen the both of you together."

Just like I was surprised by the combination of Louise and Marghetta, it seemed like Louise was surprised by Tannian and me walking together. After all, I haven't hung out alone with the other club members very often.

"We happened to meet outside. We didn't go out together."

"Really? If Tannian went straight there, it must be a fun place!"

'Ah.'

I couldn't help but remember our past conversation when I heard Louise's cheerful and expectant voice.

"The continent's best casino?"

"There are many other places you can enjoy besides that, so don't worry about it."

I ended up worrying about it. Back then, I didn't think I'd go to the casino right at the beginning of the school trip.

I looked at Tannian, who was sitting across from me. He nodded while smiling. Yeah, you probably don't want to give Louise the bad image of a priest who went to the casino for fun. I believe you'll handle it well.

"I was in the casino. Brother was also there."

Fuck. I didn't leave it to you so you could talk on my behalf.

Startled, Louise laughed awkwardly and looked at me. I could also feel Marghetta's sharp gaze from the side.

"I went there to meet someone. After all, it's safer than most places."

The casino was overflowing with security personnel prepared for situations like the casino absorbing funds and customers causing disturbances due to the instantaneous change of game outcomes. In fact, it's quite safe and secure. It was no coincidence that the Gold Duke wanted to meet people inside the VIP room.

My only wrongdoing was answering the call. I looked at Louise as if I were innocent, and she seemed to understand.

"Tannian, did you also go because of an appointment?"

"Ah, no. I went because it's famous."

Louise seemed to be taken aback by such a frank statement. If the opponent was too confident, one tended to accept their reasoning. I also felt the same way.

"How could God's servant discriminate between places? That place is also a place where God's children gather."

Just like how he explained to me, Louise also nodded. Although he was definitely using excuses, it had a strange persuasive capability because the one talking was the next Saint.

"It was fun. I lost quite a bit because I got carried away."

The problem was that he added unnecessary details. Because he publicly said that he had gambled, both Louise and Marghetta coughed awkwardly.

"R... Really? That must have been tough."

Louise looked around and gave a vague answer. She's probably struggling with how to answer such a statement.

I hope you get better results next time? That would imply going back to the casino. Don't worry too much? It wasn't normal for a priest to like gambling. I felt pity for Louise, who was caught in extreme ambiguity.

"In fact, brother's probably feeling bad, too. He lost as much as I did."

"Huh?"

"Yes?"

'You bastard.'

Tannian's comment, which had no ill intent, was directed toward me. Because of that, the gazes of the other two became fixated on me. They seemed to be questioning me with eyes that looked as if they'd been betrayed.

"Junior, could you tell me how much Carl has spent?"

"He used about five great silver coins."

After hearing him casually say the amount, Marghetta momentarily became silent before turning her body to face me.

"Carl, can we talk for a moment?"

"Ah, yes."

Marghetta's eyes had become much sharper.

* * *

This is bad. I never imagined something like this would happen.

'I was planning to entrust the finances to Carl once we got married.'

The future I took for granted was shaking a bit. Carl was someone who worked at the Ministry of Finance, and that's why I thought he'd be better at managing funds than me.

'What should I do...?!'

I understand that no one's perfect. I thought that Carl might have some flaws I hadn't noticed, and I vowed to embrace any flaws with a smile. But gambling? Isn't that one flaw a little too much?

Of course, I've heard that the fortune Carl has amassed over the years isn't small. Also, the title of Earl that Carl will inherit belongs to a prestigious family with territories located near the capital. With the power of the Valenti Duke, they could easily buy a few casinos and give them to Carl.

But that can't be. If the father's addicted to gambling, there's a chance our children might be affected too. They might even start looking down on their father, and that can't happen. Absolutely not.

"Carl."

"Yes, Mar."

Seeing Carl's slightly lowered gaze as he replied pained my heart, but I can't back down on this. For the sake of our happy future and our children's future, I must firmly address this issue. I don't mind if he blows a few silver and gold coins now, but there's no telling what will happen in the future.

"Is what Junior said true?"

"Yes..."

My hand tightened around the fan. This was Carl's last chance to deny it, but it was true. Still, I appreciate Carl's honesty.

No. That's not the point.

"Carl, nobles should always maintain their dignity. We should walk the right path even in tough times and not hope for shortcuts."

I know the madness that goes around in casinos very well and the kind of people they attract. It's a vile place. It was surprising that there was such a big casino in the city where the Gold Duke resides, especially when he was someone very noble.

However, the Gold Duke doing something unexpected doesn't mean Carl can do the same. Regardless of the surroundings, one must remain steadfast. A role model for all. That's what a noble is.

"I think Carl's an excellent noble."

"Thank you for your kind words."

"And I believe you will continue to be one."

I carefully extended my pinky finger to Carl, just to reassure myself.

"Although I won't change my thoughts, Carl, can you promise me one thing?"

Promise me that you won't go back there in the future.

* * *

I felt overwhelmed as I watched Marghetta extend her little finger with a tense expression. I don't have a gambling hobby or anything like that. I did that earlier because of external influence.

But regardless of that, it's true that I played roulette today. Even if I say I only did it here, it would just sound like a weak excuse an addict would give.

'I don't have the choice of not going.'

I felt sorry for Marghetta, but I must go to the casino. The reward for defeating the Kraken will be given there. And I have to visit it occasionally to deposit and withdraw money afterward.

Marghetta would probably understand these circumstances if I explained them to her, but the fact that the Boyar Duchy's casino was the Imperial Family's ATM was a closely guarded secret.

People from all over the continent came here to spend money. Imagine the chaos that would happen if rumors which said that the money you spend there would strengthen the Empire's military strength. It would be chaos. The casinos would immediately collapse, and the Emperor would seek to punish the leaker.

"Carl...?"

As I hesitated, Marghetta's voice trembled. Her eyes were moist. She looked like a pitiful woman who'd just discovered that her lover was a severe gambling addict.

'This is going to drive me crazy.'

I have no choice. I'll have to be careful and make sure I'm not caught.

As I silently linked my pinky finger with her, Marghetta finally smiled brightly. Louise, who was across the room, also sighed in relief while Tannian quietly clapped as if he was glad about the development.

Was the virtue of the future saint candidate telling the truth? That bastard. I would've considered throwing him into the sea if he'd done it maliciously, but he hadn't.

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