Chapter 76

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

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

'One hit, 50% increase.'

For a moment, the miraculous calculation of a 150% increase if all three arrows were thrown at once flashed through his mind. Of course, if he said it out loud, it would raise doubts about the intelligence of the head of the inspection department in social circles.

Still, it was an enormous reward compared to the effort put in. Even if he had been on a boat for the entire school trip, he could have accepted it, but he succeeded in the extermination in less than a day. Was it a gift from heaven for all his hard work?

During the process, one female student was left with a deep emotional scar, but at least she wasn't physically hurt.

- I'm glad it's just a matter of the heart.

"I can only express my gratitude for your generous consideration."

The hearty laugh of the Golden Gong was truly the magnanimity of a great man and the generosity of a sage. Indeed, financial therapy is the best when things get tough. The world looks different this way.

- Come to the casino when you're free. It's too much trouble to send it all to the inspection department, so you'll have to take some of it yourself.

'Ah.'

He realized belatedly that he had forgotten something important amidst the surprise of a 50% increase.

"Can I make one promise?"

Margarita, who had extended her little finger cautiously and looked at him with moist eyes, had made the promise at the time with the intention of not being caught, but now, it seemed difficult to keep it without being caught.

With Irena's insane probability already bursting on a secluded beach, he couldn't trust his luck. And he didn't think all the Academy students were diligent enough to never visit the casino. The news of his visit to the casino might reach Margarita's ears.

Margarita would probably forgive him even if she got angry, but he didn't want to disappoint her. It felt like he was taking advantage of her kindness.

"Your Excellency, may I ask for a favor? Can you send the entire amount to the inspection department?"

- It's not a small amount, so it will take longer if it doesn't go through the casino. Is that okay?

"If it's okay with Your Excellency, I would like to request it."

At his words, the Golden Gong, who had been silent for a moment, smiled and said,

- You, are you worried about being tied down? You haven't even been engaged yet.

Xiaoming's mouth dropped open at the casual remark from the Golden Gong. His mind froze for a moment at the sudden change in the situation.

'What can I say?'

Thinking about it, the place where he had made the promise with Margarita was the resort lobby, a place where the Golden Gong's eyes and ears were everywhere. He must have known already.

- A harmonious relationship between spouses is important, but being too tied down is also a problem. Even spouses should have their autonomy, shouldn't they?

"I will take your words to heart."

Hearing it from a man with 12 wives, the words were strangely convincing.

- Well, if that's your situation, there's nothing I can do. If you change your mind, let me know.

"Thank you for your consideration, Your Excellency."

In the end, the Golden Gong agreed to send the entire amount to the inspection department, despite the slight inconvenience. It seemed that there was still some change left from the Kraken extermination reward.

He put the disconnected communication device aside and lay down on the bed. Well, this time, it's just a matter of getting through it. He had visited the casino several times before, but this was the first time Margarita had found out.

This time, it was because of the variable of Tannian and the fact that he was in Boyar. Next time, he wouldn't have to worry so much. He wouldn't have to go to Boyar with Margarita, let alone Tannian.

'Now I can rest a bit.'

The Kraken extermination, his only task, was over, and the reward issue was resolved. The uncertain members would be closely watched by the forces of Villar and the other two countries.

Wow, how long has it been since I could rest peacefully? When he said he was going to Boyar, he thought he was going crazy, but now that he was here, there was no better place.

A man who dominates a club is destined to have a peaceful mind but a restless body. It's a sad fate.

Turning slightly, he saw Louise, who had just gotten off the carriage, approaching him with a wide smile.

"It's a forest designed like a maze. They say the flowers are arranged to match the seasons and are very beautiful."

"That sounds promising. How did you find such a place?"

"Hehe, the staff told me."

A little while after dinner, there was a knock, and Louise came in. While he was away, she had found places to visit. Seeing her excitedly talk about the great places she had chosen, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.

Even though he had never had children or been married, he imagined that a child expecting to go to an amusement park with his father on Children's Day would look just like that. How disappointed they would be if he refused. He didn't want to be a regretful club leader who, focused on club affairs, neglected his members.

Well, since they had come all the way to Boyar, it would be nice to visit various places. He had never heard of a maze forest before. Was it a recent creation?

"Sometimes people can't find the exit."

"That sounds dangerous."

How could they have made it with such determination that people get trapped and can't get out?

Fortunately, they said that if you shoot a signal flare before entering the forest, a rescue team will come, but is that really fortunate? It would be embarrassing to call for a rescue team just because you couldn't escape.

"I thought Boyar was only famous for its sea, but it has all sorts of things."

Erich, who had gotten off the carriage, approached. He had been lounging in the room, but he quickly came down when Louise said they were going. The other four were the same.

"The duchy is so large. The inland areas are also vast, so there are many tourist spots besides the beach."

No wonder the most expensive wine in the empire is produced in Boyar. It's one of Boyar's specialties. Actually, even if the Golden Gong couldn't make wine, he would probably sell seawater as "emerald water."

Anyway, he moved slightly to make room for Louise, and Erich took the seat. When their eyes met, he nodded. His perceptiveness had improved. Please grow up five times faster. I'm going crazy watching you.

"The sun is long, but if we don't hurry, it will get dark."

Tannian, the devil's mouth, looked around and said. Indeed, the days were getting longer as summer approached, but if they played too much, it would get dark before they knew it. Walking through the maze at night would be a bit much.

"Since we're here, we should at least take a look, right?"

"Of course, it's a tourist spot. It's designed for people to look around comfortably. If it doesn't feel right, we can speed up then."

Luthis and Ainter took a leisurely approach. This way, they could stay close to Louise a bit longer. They must be greedy, even though they had played enough during the day.

"That's true. I said something unnecessary."

Even Tannian quickly withdrew his opinion and supported the idea of a long visit. They would probably return to the resort looking at the stars.

Meanwhile, Louise, who was curious about the signal flare, was examining it, while the map was in Lather's hands. He said he would find the optimal route and guide them, so he would do his best.

"Magicians are smart!"

Luthis' voice was as loud as ever. But isn't the map something anyone can see, regardless of whether they are a magician?

'Thinking about it is a waste.'

His thoughts were brief, and his judgment was quick. The map was unexpectedly hard to read. Luthis, being an action-oriented person, might be weak in reading maps. There's no need to use reading skills for a tourist maze map. Anyway, that's how it is.

Of course, the sun set quickly. It was already past dinner time, and there were five of them intentionally dragging their time. How could they last?

'They're a bunch of troublemakers.'

They have a strange sense of unity. Despite the constant rivalry, they seem to be on the same page about this.

"Feels cool and good!"

Turning his gaze to the sound of cheerful footsteps, he saw Louise moving around the forest. She seemed more active, not scared, in the dark forest. Were capybaras nocturnal? Still, it was cooler after the sun set.

"I didn't get to see many flowers."

"That's a pity. The flowers in the maze forest are hard to see in the dark."

"It's okay. I see flowers often anyway."

"Why did you come here then?"

A cheerful answer made him chuckle. Indeed, Louise often walked around the flower beds at the Academy. Unless the forest was paved with gold flowers, it wasn't a particularly interesting sight. She just seemed to enjoy walking around with people.

"This atmosphere is perfect for ghosts."

"Ghosts? With the next saint here, they can't come out."

"Ha ha, I'd like to see one. I've never seen a ghost."

The dark forest seemed to stimulate the emotions of the energetic teenagers, and strange conversations started to emerge. Letting them be, they began to share ghost stories, as if they were filming a summer special.

"─So, the answer is to push them away with overwhelming physical force before they can curse you."

"Indeed, you're learning."

What are you guys talking about?

"..."

"Louise?"

Seeing the members sharing ghost stories, which seemed like a crazy school trip reenactment, Louise had quietly attached herself to his side.

Ah, her expression is stiff. She's weak for this kind of talk.

"Does Lather know any stories?"

"Let's take them one by one. Let's decide whose story is the best."

Regardless, the next target for the ghost story-obsessed teenagers was Lather. He had been quiet, only looking at the map.

"Can you share a personal experience?"

"Oh, even better."

Lather, who had been looking at the map, finally spoke in a low voice.

"I got lost."

"What?"

"I've been going around the same place. I don't know where we are."

Louise's expression became even paler. Even with the rescue team, the idea of being lost in a dark forest and hearing ghost stories was unsettling.

A suffocating silence fell over us, and Lather nodded, seemingly satisfied.

"Just kidding."

"...You win."

Lather was unanimously chosen as the best ghost story teller.

And Louise subtly avoided looking at Lather until they returned to the resort.