Chapter 71

Standing at the classroom door, Xiaoming took a deep breath and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

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Amidst the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

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It was impressive that over a hundred carriages gathered at the same resort, but it was even more impressive that the resort could accommodate all of them with room to spare. It seemed they had really planned it out. I can understand why they immediately dismantled the kraken habitat as soon as they discovered it.

"The school trip location must be Boyar."

Margareta said that Boyar would likely remain the location for future trips, but with this level of preparation, it's not just a possibility; it's a certainty. It's impossible to create something this grand and then let it end as a one-time event, even for someone who can print money.

In any case, it is indeed magnificent. I can't guarantee how long I'll be able to stay here, though.

"Will the ship life be okay?"

I have a mission to send a baby kraken, which can't survive alone in a harsh world, back to its parents. This mission inevitably involves a game of hide-and-seek at sea. I don't know when I'll set foot on land again, let alone at the resort, until I catch it.

However, if a kraken is lurking near the resort, it should be eliminated. If left unchecked, it could emerge on the beach where students are playing, causing a disaster.

"Big brother! Let's go in!"

"Ah, I'm coming."

As we entered the resort, Louise, who was part of the carriage group, waved to me, who had fallen behind. Since I have a room assigned to me, I need to unpack and head to the casino quickly.

Arriving at the resort and heading straight to the casino. Without context, I might look like a pretty messed-up person. It's time to put some money into the royal ATM, so I need to play a few games.

'Really messed up.'

My first action upon arriving at the resort is to gamble, which makes me feel petty.

I was assigned a single room, unlike the students. I don't know when I'll be able to use it. It's quite spacious and luxurious, but I don't know when I'll be able to use it.

"My room is not far. Remember, Karl Youngshik."

"I will keep it in mind."

While guiding me to my room, Margareta also told me where her room was. It's a bit scary to imagine what she expects, but I said I would remember. I told her I would visit when I have time, so she probably won't come to my room first.

After unpacking my luggage, I headed to the casino, where the guards greeted me as if they had been waiting.

"Please come in. His Excellency is waiting."

"Already? I'm late."

"He has been here since morning, as he had business at the casino. Don't worry."

I wondered what a duke would have to do at a casino, but I decided to ignore it. It seems he agreed to deposit money into the ATM as a favor for securing a construction project from the emperor. He must have been sitting there since morning to complete the deposit.

The guards led me through the casino, where the sounds of madness, cheers, and screams mingled, to the VIP room. The atmosphere here never gets old.

"He's inside. Enjoy your time."

"Sure, thanks."

The guards left immediately, as if thoroughly trained. After all, this is a place where hundreds of gold coins can change hands in a short time, so it would be strange if the guards were not well-trained.

- Knock knock

"His Excellency, it's the inspector."

"Did you come? Come in."

With the Golden Duke's permission, I opened the door and saw four people sitting and a dealer. The Golden Duke, with his half-gray hair and cigar, and the head of the Boyar duchy's mage corps, who was touching his cards with his staff beside him.

'Who is this?'

I had never seen the last person before. From the atmosphere, it seemed he was related to the kraken hunt.

"Please come in. Take a seat."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

As soon as I sat down, the dealer pushed a deck of cards toward me. When I checked, it was a terrible hand.

"How much will you bet?"

"One large silver coin."

"I see."

I had planned to deposit money today, but the Golden Duke's ruthless approach, taking 100 silver coins at a time, made me shudder. Couldn't we start with regular silver coins?

With a heavy heart, I placed 50 large silver coins on the table and immediately put one as a bet. 50 large silver coins... that's five gold coins... I'm bleeding a lot today.

"Oh, by the way, this is our first meeting."

The Golden Duke, who had been confirming the large silver coins on the table, spoke casually.

"Second Fleet Commander. He's been the busiest recently."

So, he's the one who has been leading the mages to search for the kraken. It makes sense for him to be here. I nodded and greeted him, and the Second Fleet Commander smiled in response.

"It's good to get to know each other. We'll be spending time together, and we'll get along as we play."

"I agree. Thank you for your consideration, Your Excellency."

In gambling, the more you play, the more tense the relationships become, but the people here are not here to win money. They were gathered to discuss the operation before it began.

"The creature's range of movement is expanding."

While quickly playing the game and tossing chips into the air, the Golden Duke mentioned this. An expanding range of movement is not good news. We can't predict when we'll catch it.

"Moreover, the time it spends on the surface is decreasing. It seems to have adapted to staying underwater."

"That's surprising. The kraken usually can't stand being away from the surface and attacks ships and people before disappearing."

"It must have been a significant shock. The problem was that we couldn't eliminate it in one go."

It's natural for a sea creature to stay underwater, but the kraken, known for its instinct to jump out of the water and attack, is now staying underwater and expanding its range.

'Smart kid.'

It seemed to have the intelligence of a bear I saw in a dungeon. Or was it a hedgehog? It was something with a 'Y' sound.

"Dealing a significant blow to the kraken has been a challenge, and it's become even harder."

I nodded in agreement. The mage corps of the duchy is not lacking in firepower. The problem is that the kraken doesn't show itself. Even when we find it and make it surface, it quickly submerges, leaving us no time to deal damage.

That's why the Golden Duke assigned me the kraken hunt. I can deliver a decisive blow to the kraken, even for a short time, to send it back to its parents. Of course, there are others who can do it, but since the school trip is to Boyar, it worked out well.

"Knowing you're here has put my mind at ease. It's fortunate that the people won't be harmed."

While chuckling, the Golden Duke looked like a typical benevolent lord, but his ruthless betting was terrifying. It seemed he wanted me to quickly pay up and leave. Bastard.

"Your Excellency's concern for the people is evident. The people of Boyar must be very happy."

I laughed lightly while going all-in with the remaining large silver coins. The Golden Duke genuinely cares about the people.

If it were a minor issue, it would be about valuing each person, but it's about the loss when people die, the compensation to their families if they die during labor or military service.

Still, a lord who considers it normal to compensate families is in the top 1% of lords.

I lost the 50 large silver coins in an instant and left the VIP room. I only got terrible hands until the end. Damn, let me win just once.

'Tomorrow at noon.'

The kraken hunt will start tomorrow, so I was told to rest today and come to the port at noon. At least I'll get to stay at the resort for a day.

Feeling a strange mix of relief and disappointment, I was about to leave the casino when I saw a familiar figure.

'What?'

I recognized the person, but my heart couldn't accept it. Is it okay for him to be here?

I cautiously approached a white-haired man standing out in the crowd at the roulette table. As I got closer, I confirmed it was the person I knew.

"Tanian."

"Ah, Brother?"

Why are you here?

"I'm surprised. I didn't expect to see you here."

"..."

Why are you saying what I wanted to say?

If he were an ordinary priest, I might tease him about a cleric being at a gambling table, but he's not just a priest; he's the next saint, so I'm cautious. If I say the wrong thing, I might get excommunicated by the Holy Empire.

But why is he really here?

"Ah, you must be more curious about me."

Noticing my questioning gaze, Tanian smiled and answered. But does he have to call me 'Brother' in a casino? It feels a bit off.

"Our Lord teaches us not to turn away from any dark place. As a servant of the Lord, we should not only seek comfortable and good places."

While saying this, Tanian's devoutly folded hands made him look like a saint. The only thing out of place was the roulette table behind him.

"Even in a place of various desires, the Lord's teachings and mercy are sufficient. There is no place in this world that is unworthy."

"I see."

In short, a casino is a place where people gather, and people are worthy of following Enen's will, so he can be here.

...Well, if he believes that, then that's it. It does make sense. I might just be overthinking it and making myself tired.

Suddenly, cheers and shouts erupted from the roulette table. Tanian and I looked at the roulette table simultaneously.

"Oh, this isn't good."

"..."

I closed my eyes quietly as Tanian muttered in disappointment.

This kid, he's not just watching; he's betting too.