Chapter 72

Roulette King Tanian did not stop. And not stopping meant he hadn't reached the point of being satisfied and ready to leave. I saw him spin the wheel about four times, but I wonder how many times he actually did it.

I'm starting to get worried. If I saw him four times, he must have done it even more in reality. The sad part is that the money Tanian lost is less than 10% of what I just paid to the royal family.

"Stop it. It doesn't look good for a priest to act like that."

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

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

"Brother, gambling is despised because it involves dedicating everything to unpredictable odds."

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

It's even worse that a kid who knows that says it.

But even with my reaction, Tanian shook his head and smiled lightly.

"I'm not betting on the odds. I'm just paying money to enjoy the brief hope of winning a large sum in one go and the thrill of the game as it progresses."

"What."

Bullshit.

I couldn't finish my sentence to avoid causing a commotion.

"When you go to the theater or a café, don't you spend money? I just spent money on a game for a moment of enjoyment."

After making this crazy statement, Tanian shrugged his shoulders, and I stared at him blankly. If I didn't know he was a candidate for the next saint from the Holy Kingdom, I would have thought he was a new cult leader. Is this the next saint?

No, is he just a madman who has entered the mode of just enjoying himself? But thinking about it, it does seem to make sense.

As if enchanted, I approached the roulette and added five gold coins, allowing Tanian and I to return to the resort. I paid the tax as well, even though I only needed to spend fifty. I didn't expect to win, but I didn't know I would lose so badly.

"Brother, you don't seem to have much luck either."

"Tell me about it."

If I had good luck, I wouldn't be here with you guys at the academy.

As we entered the resort, I saw students wandering around. It's a pretty big resort, so they seem to be exploring the inside. Even the lobby has places to sit and relax or a café, so it must be quite a well-designed place.

"Oh, an unexpected combination."

Hearing Tanian's voice, I turned to where he was looking and saw Louise and Margareta sitting together. It is indeed an unexpected combination.

The two of them, sitting face to face, looked quite cheerful. Considering how Louise was sniffling after being shaken down by Margareta, this must be a dramatic improvement in their relationship. Margareta didn't really have any animosity towards Louise, and Louise was just intimidated by Margareta, not really disliking her.

"Oh, big brother! Tanian!"

When Louise noticed us, Margareta also smiled and waved.

"Would you like to join us?"

"Sure."

I nodded at Tanian's question. Since there's nothing urgent to do, there's no need to avoid them. I checked the surroundings just in case, but I didn't see Irena. It should be fine to be with them.

As we approached, Louise and Margareta made room for us to sit. I sat next to Margareta, and Tanian sat next to Louise, looking satisfied. I could hear Margareta's small laugh. Is this what they call the greatest happiness for the greatest number?

Louise, who had been alternating her gaze between me and Tanian, tilted her head and spoke.

"I've never seen you two together before."

Just as I found the combination of Louise and Margareta surprising, Louise seems to find the combination of Tanian and me surprising. Although I haven't been out with the other members of the club much either.

"We met by chance outside. We didn't go together."

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

'Ah.'

Ah.

Hearing Louise's voice filled with cheerfulness and expectation, a past conversation flashed through my mind.

"Is it the continent's best casino?"

"There are many other places to enjoy, so don't worry about it."

I didn't expect to go to a casino from the start of the school trip.

I glanced at Tanian, who nodded with a smile. Yeah, you probably don't want to give Louise the image of a strange priest who goes to casinos. I trust you to handle it well.

"I was at the casino. I met Brother there too."

No, I didn't look at you to say that for me.

Louise, who was startled, laughed awkwardly and looked at me, and I could feel Margareta's gaze from the side. It was a bit uncomfortable.

"I went there to meet someone. It's safer than most places."

Casinos are overflowing with guards to protect the funds they absorb and to prevent customers from causing trouble when they can't accept the sudden change of losing a game. The security is actually quite good. The Golden Ball didn't suggest meeting in the VIP room for no reason.

So, I only went because I was called. Sending a look of innocence, Louise seemed to accept it.

"Did Tanian go there for an appointment too?"

"Ah, I went because it's famous."

His straightforward and unapologetic statement seemed to make Louise back off. When the other person is too confident, your brain accepts it as 'it could be true.' I did the same.

"How can a servant of the Lord choose where to go? It's a place where the Lord's children gather."

As he started to spout the usual rhetoric, Louise's expression became blank, and she nodded repeatedly. It's clearly an excuse, but since he's the next saint, it has a strange persuasive power.

"It was fun too. I lost quite a bit because I played too much."

The problem is that he's undermining his own credibility by adding unnecessary details. Louise and Margareta awkwardly laughed or cleared their throats at his natural gambling declaration.

"R, really? That must have been tough."

Louise, looking around awkwardly, gave an ambiguous answer. She must be wondering how to respond to such a statement.

Next time, it will turn out well? It's a suggestion to go to the casino again. It could happen, so don't worry too much? It's not unusual for a priest to enjoy gambling. Poor Louise, who is now under the influence of a strong guilt trip.

"Brother, you probably don't feel good either. You lost as much as I did."

"Huh?"

"What?"

'Hey, you bastard.'

Tanian's innocent but concerned smile was directed at me, and the two of them looked at me with a mix of doubt and betrayal.

"Junior, do you know how much Karl Youngshik spent?"

"Probably five gold coins."

Hearing the amount, which was like a tax, Margareta fell silent for a moment and then turned to face me.

"Karl Youngshik, can we talk for a moment?"

"Ah, yes."

Margareta's gaze became much more intense.

***

This is a big problem. This is really something I never imagined.

'I thought I would entrust my finances to Karl when we got married.'

The future I took for granted is starting to wobble. Karl, who has worked in the Ministry of Finance and even the Inspection Department, was supposed to be more thorough with financial management than me.

'What do I do...!'

I know no one is perfect. I thought there might be some flaws in Karl that I hadn't discovered yet, and I promised to embrace them with a smile. But gambling? It's too much, the one flaw is too big.

Of course, I heard that Karl has accumulated a considerable fortune, and the Crassius family he will inherit is a prestigious martial family located in the capital region. Not to mention the Baronti Dukedom. A few gambling losses, the Baronti Dukedom's resources could buy a few casinos and give them to Karl.

But that can't happen. If Karl, the father, is a gambling addict, the children might turn out badly. They might even look down on their father. That can't happen. Absolutely not.

"Karl Youngshik."

"Yes, Mar."

Karl, who answered with a slightly lowered gaze, made my heart ache, but I can't give in on this. For the sake of my and Karl's happy future and the future of our children, I need to address this problem firmly. Right now, Karl can afford to lose a few gold coins, but we don't know what will happen in the future.

"Is what the junior said true?"

"Yes..."

I tightened my grip on the fan. If he had said no, it would have been the last chance to laugh it off, but it was true. Still, I appreciate Karl for not lying and being honest─

No, this isn't right.

"Karl Youngshik, nobles must always maintain their dignity. Even if it's difficult, they must walk the right path and not seek luck."

I know the madness of the casino well. I know what kind of people gather there. It's a despicable place that doesn't fit the nobility. I wonder why there is a huge casino in the city where the Golden Ball resides. He is a truly noble person.

But just because the Golden Ball acts strangely, it doesn't mean Karl can do the same. Nobles must move steadily and proudly, setting an example for everyone. That is what it means to be a noble.

"I think Karl Youngshik is an excellent noble."

"Thank you."

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

I cautiously extended my pinky finger to Karl. I need to do this to feel at ease.

"I won't change my mind, but can Karl Youngshik make one promise to me?"

The promise not to go there again.

***

Seeing Margareta, who looked tense, close her mouth and extend her pinky finger, I felt a wave of confusion. I don't have a gambling habit. I was just lured by the mouth fighter earlier.

But apart from that, it's true that I went to the roulette today. Saying something like "I only did it today" would just sound like a gambler's cheap excuse.

'I can't stop going.'

I'm sorry to Margareta, but I can't stop going to the casino. I receive my reward for the Kraken extermination at the casino, and I often visit to deposit or withdraw money.

If I explain the situation to Margareta, she would understand, but the fact that the casino in the Baronti Dukedom is the royal ATM is a secret that must be kept, not a public one.

If tourists from various countries come to the casino and spend their money, and the rumor spreads that "the money you spend here strengthens the empire's military," the casino would immediately collapse, and the emperor would try to find and kill the kid who spread the rumor.

"Karl Youngshik...?"

As I hesitated, Margareta's voice trembled. Her eyes were moist, and she looked like a pitiful woman who had just learned that her lover was a severe gambling addict.

'I have to lie.'

I have no choice. I'll be more careful not to get caught.

Finally, I quietly hooked my pinky finger, and Margareta could finally smile. Louise, sitting opposite, sighed in relief, and Tanian clapped softly, looking pleased.

Is it a virtue for Dawn Sect priests to tell the truth? That bastard. If he had done it maliciously, I would have thrown him into the sea, but he did it without any malice.