Chapter 43: Lagrite (3)

"Gambling?"

"Yep."

"Me?"

"Yep."

"Why?"

Phiri's eyebrows wriggled like worms. It seemed that the infallible method of refusal was not working.

"Why? Don't you want to?"

"Should I be honest, or should I lie?"

"Hmm... lie."

Seeing Phiri's playful smile, I realized I had said the wrong thing.

"I'll just be honest. I'm bothered by it. I want to rest."

"If it's a lie, then your true intention is that you want to do it, right?"

"No matter what I say, you would have made me do the gambling, right?"

"That's not certain. Time has already passed, and you can't turn back the past."

I had a bad feeling from the moment I was called. I didn't enter the casino because I knew it would be like this.

Since it was a fight I couldn't win anyway, I just nodded.

Still, should coming into the game world be considered as going back to the past? It felt like a bone-chilling statement.

"By the way, is it okay to gamble here? The imperial guys might notice."

"It's fine. They only manage the casinos near the capital. This is a Lagrite noble's place."

I tried to find a way to slip away, but Phiri's defense was as solid as a bolt.

I sighed deeply.

"Alright, let's go."

"Good, you made the right decision."

Phiri nodded solemnly and patted my shoulder twice.

Another sigh was added on top of the one I had just let out.

"Don't sigh like an old man. What? At your age, you should be excited and running around."

"...Yes."

"Let's show them what we're made of. Those guys up there are annoying as hell."

Players? There shouldn't be players in a game with magic cards. It's just that you can't play the game.

"Did you lose a lot?"

"What do you mean 'a lot'? I only bet small amounts."

"Is the small amount you're talking about the same as what I think?"

Phiri glared at me. I quickly changed the subject.

"By the way, why did you specifically call me...?"

"It's money that doesn't matter if it's lost, but these guys are really annoying."

Phiri pouted in annoyance.

"Annoying?"

"There are such people. I was planning to let them win a bit and then take their money, but they're just annoying."

I see. Can you really let them win in a game with magic cards?

I didn't press the question. Phiri walked ahead and turned her head.

"Oh, and I'm the daughter of a merchant here, so act accordingly. You're my bodyguard."

"Yes."

We agreed on the signals we would use inside and entered the casino.

As we went up to the second floor, the men who had been playing with Phiri greeted us with mocking laughter.

"Oh, our lady came back so soon. I thought you left in a huff."

"Since you rarely come to Lagrite, what will you do if you lose money again? Your heart must be aching."

From their words, it seemed she had lost money before. Maybe she came here often because of Hamal.

I glanced at Phiri, but she avoided my eyes.

After all, personal strength or hand skills don't matter much in front of magic cards.

They shuffle and deal the cards themselves. The cards react if a certain amount of magic power is detected.

Even a strong person can't do much unless they're a grand mage.

'They're designed not to reflect in the eyes.'

Phiri must have expected such a comment. She called me because she was that annoyed.

Hmm. Maybe Phiri is a better person than I thought.

Honestly, someone like Phiri could have secretly killed me or stolen money.

Embarrassingly, I once started a war with a city and destroyed a casino out of anger during a game.

'But back then, it was just a game.'

Still, seeing my superior being humiliated in front of me didn't make me feel good.

Though it wasn't my intention, now that we were here, I had to do it properly.

"Who's this guy?"

"He's my bodyguard, and they say he's good at cards."

"Bodyguard, huh? Is that what you are?"

A man with a greasy beard spoke lecherously, and the others chuckled.

Phiri shrugged.

"If it looks strange, we can have a match. How about a duel bet?"

Standing there calmly, the man with the greasy beard took a step back.

"Hehe. Just kidding, just kidding."

* * *

As expected, I could naturally read the opponent's cards.

When using mystic powers, magic power is also used, but the amount is extremely small.

In any case, since magic cards confirm a certain amount of magic power, there's no problem with mystic powers.

"Hehe. The bodyguard can't use his strength. Are you really good at playing? Does your father know you're losing like this?"

"None of your business."

Our plan was simple. We would gradually increase the losing ratio and then win big.

We agreed on the signals and were about to raise the stakes when I realized something was off.

"What's going on? Does the boss's bodyguard have a lucky streak? The cards aren't sticking."

The opponents were intentionally losing.

They had confirmed they had better cards than us and were trying to send a signal at the right time, but they were the ones who lost.

The person with a low hand was pretending to bluff, raised the stakes, and then lost.

'Could these guys be cheating?'

I chuckled inwardly. It seems they really believe Phiri is the daughter of a merchant.

Phiri must have noticed something was off.

I don't think so. The acting was flawless. They didn't even send signals to each other.

Perhaps they had agreed on a certain amount of money beforehand.

Since I knew the opponent's hand, I could see it. I subtly signaled Phiri to take a break.

Just then, the man with the greasy beard spoke with a regretful look.

"Tsk. The cards aren't sticking today. Should we take a break and raise the stakes later?"

"The second biggest winner's cards aren't sticking? What's not sticking?"

"If the boss wins the most, then none of us have good cards."

Phiri stretched and shook her head.

"No. I'm going to rest now. I'm tired."

"Boss, how can you just leave after winning money?"

A man nearby quickly interjected. Phiri shrugged.

"I've played enough. And we just arrived today, why are you trying to go all out?"

Phiri, who had stood up, nodded at me. I pushed my chair back and stood up.

"I'll be here for two weeks. I'll come often. We can play then. If you're so unsatisfied, you can challenge me then."

Phiri returned the mocking laughter she received when we came in and walked away.

The faces of the men left in the room were filled with forced smiles. I glanced at them and followed her.

"Boss, bring more money next time!"

A meaningful statement hit our backs.

* * *

"You didn't have to stop and leave..."

My words were vague, and Phiri shook her head.

"I was about to eat and rest. You're always tired, so you should rest now."

Just as I was about to be moved, a mischievous smile followed.

"And I was satisfied just seeing those guys' faces rot."

It seems she was convinced that we won thanks to our plan.

I briefly considered whether to tell her or not.

"By the way, why did you call me?"

"Those guys seemed to be cheating?"

"What?"

"They had good hands but just lost. The one with a low hand was bluffing."

Phiri frowned.

"Do they know our hand?"

"No. That's not it. We came and went, but suddenly the flow changed."

"Damn, those guys... Did I look that gullible?"

Phiri didn't hide her disbelief. A faint blush of embarrassment was visible, a first for me.

Well, no one can be perfect.

Just because you can't use hand skills doesn't mean you're bad at gambling. The timing of betting is different for each person.

Naive people become prey. If I didn't have mystic powers, I would have been the same.

"Should I be honest? Or..."

"Never mind."

"Since you said you're the daughter of a merchant, they probably looked down on you. Did they notice you were acting as the guild leader?"

Phiri glared at me with wide eyes.

"But we were going to win anyway, right? Since we knew the hand."

"Yes. That's why I was going to suggest we take a break and talk. You hadn't decided how much to win yet..."

"Never mind. I wasn't planning to win a lot anyway. If it wasn't for Lagrite, we could have made a big profit."

It seems she doesn't want to cause a big stir. Maybe it's because of Hamal, who makes equipment for the Inquisitors.

If you win too much at the casino, it could cause problems.

"Let's eat and go to the hot springs. Oh, you need to brush your teeth, right? Should we go to the inn first?"

"Thank you, that would be great."

Phiri sighed as if she was fed up. Still, it was a thoughtful gesture, so I thanked her.

* * *

As a famous hot spring resort near a dormant volcano, the hot springs had various grades.

We were in the highest-grade private hot spring, which required a reservation to enter.

Considering our stay in Lagrite, we had booked it for two weeks.

It was my first time, but it was perfect for its grade.

It was excessively large and luxurious for one person, and the water temperature was just right.

The fatigue that had accumulated since leaving the duke's mansion seemed to be washed away by the hot spring water and steam.

"Hmm."

Only after soaking in the hot spring did I deeply feel that this was a vacation.

My limbs felt weak.

The worst condition.

The fatigue I had endured and suppressed with iron will and mental strength seemed to have reached its limit.

Even though I had been on consecutive missions, I couldn't show a weak side because I was with Phiri.

I had tried not to show my deep fatigue.

Only after entering the hot spring did those worries wash away.

"..."

In the midst of the fatigue that enveloped my body and mind, I suddenly felt lonely.

Denif, Orhen, Marhan, and Phiri.

There were always people around, but there was no one I could share my deepest thoughts with.

'There's no one I can talk to.'

Most of my current life is a lie. My actions are for the benefit of the people around me.

Is that really a genuine relationship? Or, can I even have a genuine relationship?

Intelligence chief, Phiri, Denif, Sedric...

Better than strangers, but my attitude towards them was always intentional.

Even if I understand them, they won't understand me.

Vague thoughts sank into negativity.

'Damn.'

Things are going well, and I always try to think calmly.

But I still had many worries.

The countless things that will happen in the future. I have to bear all of it alone.

Of course, it was a pointless worry.

Didn't I resolve to survive no matter what when I came here?

But human beliefs are not always straight and solid.

Just the fact that I'm caught up in such thoughts shows how far I have to go.

I clenched my teeth and shook my head forcefully to stop thinking.

A wave of loneliness flooded the space where my worries had disappeared. I closed my eyes in deep loneliness. The demons immediately found me.

It was a deep sleep, without any nightmares.

I realized this when I opened my eyes again. So, it meant I was in the best condition.

'Why, of all times, when I'm resting...'

I chuckled in disbelief. Still, it wasn't bad. I could use it for self-improvement through training.

It might even be better, since I'm with Phiri.

"Our little brother, you slept like a log. I've never seen you sleep like that before."

I turned my head sharply at the sudden voice. The water, which had risen to my neck, splashed through the steam.

Phiri was sitting on a chair next to the hot spring.

Had she been waiting for me to wake up? The sky was already dark.

Since my condition had changed, it meant at least a day had passed. It was a clear mistake.

Even on vacation, I had relaxed too much.

Phiri looked at me with a complex expression, a mix of concern and pity.

"I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry on a vacation?"

Her sad smile made me sigh inwardly.

But even if it was a mistake, it had already happened. I needed to use this time wisely.

"Guild leader."

"What is it?"

"Are you tired?"

"Huh? No."

Phiri's face seemed to say, "What are you talking about?"

"Can you help me train?"