"Help me, please."
"I've been sold to wicked people. If things continue like this, I'll..."
"Please, I'll do anything."
"Save me..."
●○●○●
The casino draws elite adventurers and merchants who live for the thrill of the bet. Deities of influential Familias frequent the establishment, alongside those from within and outside Orario who spend money without a second thought.
If any harm befell these wealthy visitors from abroad, it wouldn't just ruin the casino's reputation; it would tarnish the prestige of Orario itself. Fearing a public relations disaster—and driven by a Guild Head desperate to keep his position—high-level adventurers remain on permanent guard duty.
Chief among them is the Ganesha Familia, known as the "City Police." They are Orario's elite troubleshooters, specialized in resolving internal conflicts. They also boast one of the highest numbers of Level 1 adventurers in the city. If Al were to fight their captain, Shakti Varma—one of Orario's most prominent figures—it would take him only a few seconds to neutralize her while unarmed. Deploying such elites proves how much effort Guild officials put into protecting this casino.
The sun dipped below the horizon, and the night landscape sparkled under the countless lights of Orario as the evening shroud fell. In the central district, colored magic stone lamps lined the streets at regular intervals like trees. Beneath them, men and women in elegant attire and adventurers returning from missions chatted cheerfully as they passed back and forth.
The voices of drunken singers echoed from the taverns, and the alluring scents wafting from the pleasure houses in the entertainment district tickled the senses.
The most boisterous spots of all were the entrances to restaurants where adventurers gathered after returning from the Dungeon. Drawn by the scent of ale from attached pubs, adventurers who had secured their day's earnings entered one after another in high spirits. Everywhere, voices rose as people tried to wash away the heat and fear of battle with wine, turning it into energy for tomorrow.
The sight of people praising and comforting one another truly captured the essence of an adventurer's banquet. The crowd gravitated toward the cheerful melodies played by bards, adding to the clamor. Deities and their Familia members ate and talked as they pleased, recounting the day's events. Craftsmen and laborers who had finished their shifts hurried toward the taverns, seeking a drink to quench their thirst after a long day.
On the other side, in the entertainment district south of Orario, the Eldorado Resort sat in a corner of the casino zone. It was one of the "Big Five" establishments among the various casinos opened by foreign nations, a place frequented by the ultra-wealthy. Every staff member there had received the finest training to ensure they never offended a guest.
The exterior mirrored the savannas of the southern regions, planted with unique tropical flora and vibrant flowers that exuded a foreign atmosphere. Stone statues stood at the gates marking the entrance to the casino area, and colorful flowers lined both sides of the main street stretching from there. All passersby wore luxurious clothes, including demi-humans like beastfolk. Each was a prominent figure in finance or the adventuring world.
In this city that never sleeps, gods and goddesses passed by in evening wear, each possessing a beauty as magnificent as their expensive silks. Security adventurers watched the area with sharp eyes, though the casino's safety was so well-established that such caution seemed almost unnecessary. Anyone who caused trouble here, even if not arrested immediately, would see their reputation inside and outside the city placed in grave danger.
Because the world's elite gathered here, bandits had tried to infiltrate in the past, but none could bypass the skilled guards led by the Level 1 adventurers of the Ganesha Familia. Nevertheless, as a precaution, several magic stone alarms and warning devices were installed. They were distributed everywhere as if to advertise the quality of magic stone products only Orario could produce. Despite their high prices, these luxury items were worth every coin.
Deep within the casino district lay a building under heavy guard: the crown jewel of the Eldorado Resort and the most prestigious gambling arena in Orario. While colored magic stone lamps glowed bright enough to erase the night, a massive dome-shaped building stood at the far end. In that place, wrapped in a glamour that felt like a different world from the rest of Orario, those who had made fortunes and those who had lost them gathered once again for their final bet.
Near that gate, the southern gate of the city's massive wall opened. From outside the wall, carriages adorned with lavish decorations entered in succession. The wealthy, the influential, and the nobility from outside Orario reached the resort via the South Main Street.
The humans and demi-humans stepping out of the carriages wore dazzling clothes, adorned with as much jewelry and precious metal as possible. Among them were dignitaries from foreign nations and even those belonging to the lower ranks of royal families representing entire countries. Driven by the Guild Head's desire to boost the economy and promote the city, these were some of the richest people in the world.
The line of carriages continued through the southern gate. Elf gatekeepers conducted inspections, allowing them to pass if no issues were found. Amidst this, one carriage approached the line. It was a large, enclosed carriage drawn by two horses, engraved with exquisite white and gold decorations. It joined the ranks of the wealthy naturally and moved toward the entertainment district. It continued without slowing down past the gate, eventually coming to a halt at the casino area.
The first to emerge was a stunning Amazon woman. She scanned the area with narrowed eyes. Her tanned skin was framed by a black dress that revealed a great deal. Her generous bust was boldly exposed, lending her an air of seduction. The lower half of the dress featured a deep slit instead of a skirt, allowing her leg to peek through from mid-thigh. Her long, sandy hair was swept up, and her features were enchanting, though a light veil hid her mouth.
Next, a young man with light blue hair stepped out. He was handsome, wearing a formal black jacket and a white shirt. He descended with refined movements, looked around, and sighed in admiration. This was Al, disguised using a magic tool he had forced Asfi to make in a hurry. Beside him was Bell, who wasn't disguised but had changed into expensive clothes. Al possessed a beauty that made the ladies around him stare, losing track of time.
Finally, a beautiful woman appeared, looking visibly flustered. her face was pale from tension. The woman, who had long hair and downcast eyes, looked around anxiously, occasionally speaking to Al in a trembling tone. This was Cassandra Ilion, a former member of the Apollo Familia, whom Al had brought along after meeting her on the way.
Since Bell was a poor actor, he came as an adventurer they had met after arriving in Orario. Bache acted as the guard, and Cassandra—a high-level adventurer whose face wasn't well known to the public—was his partner for the evening.
"Th-This place is truly amazing...!!"
"Lord Apollo brought me here before, but every time I come..."
Bell's eyes sparkled as he saw this glittering world for the first time. Cassandra stood beside him, muttering in awe as if overwhelmed. The scene was brilliant, lit by colored magic stone lamps. Both were stunned by this luxurious sight rarely seen in Orario.
"───!! ─────?!"
As for Bache, who had never left the island of rock and blood, Telskyura—where the only entertainment was combat—her eyes were stolen by the beauty of the colorful streets and the crowds of people. Even she, usually cold and stoic, couldn't hide her shock. She looked around, making unintelligible sounds, captivated by the unknown world before her.
"So... where is this lady named Anna?"
"The Eldorado Resort... that building over there."
Al pointed to the massive building at the far end of the casino district in response to Bell's low-voiced question. It was a prominent structure surrounded by a circular wall, its entrance gates wide open. Behind the intricately decorated gates sat a palace-like building glowing under magic stone lamps that nearly erased the night. Golden exterior walls rose up, with fountains surrounding the tower-like structure. The central building looked like a temple. Its exterior alone was enough to show the scale of the facility.
People in dresses and formal suits woven with gold and silver threads flowed into the building, greeted by staff in luxury uniforms. Al and his companions followed them inside.
(Let's finish this quickly and go home.....)
●○●○●
Grand Casino
This was the name of the massive entertainment facility located in a corner of the entertainment district south of Orario. Orario is famous for magic stone products made from stones harvested endlessly from the Dungeon, which serve as its primary source of foreign currency, but another major industry exists alongside it: the casino industry.
In Orario—built as a lid to block the Great Chasm of the Dungeon, where adventurers and their gods gather to challenge the Labyrinth—immense fortunes and massive amounts of money change hands. In this great city, where blacksmithing, catering, medicine, and trade flourish more than in any major nation, "entertainment" is an indispensable element.
For an adventurer risking their life against monsters to earn a living, and for fun-loving gods who hate boredom, entertainment is essential. The Guild decided to create an entertainment district in Orario that included everything from gambling and theater to arts, games, and music to satisfy these desires.
Although entertainment cities like Sanctuary Vega applied to host, the problems Orario faced back then were numerous. Many nations surround Orario, each with a different culture, and the seeds of entertainment from each country were plentiful. The Guild realized it was unrealistic to cover everything within Orario—primarily a city for adventurers—so they established the Grand Casino as an annexed zone.
Despite the existence of other facilities like grand theaters, this casino possessed an incomparable scale. Its profits rivaled even the magic stone industry and continued to grow. It reached a point where the Guild could no longer ignore it. The manager controlling this powerful and privileged casino was a corrupt merchant named Terry.
The casino he managed relied on secret funds obtained from illegal deals alongside legitimate betting. From the outside, it appeared legal, but the reality was pitch black. Because of that immense wealth and power, only a few knew the darkness of the Grand Casino, which had reached a state of judicial immunity.
"So, this is the Grand Casino invitation?"
"Yes, yes, I got it, but Mother Riveria forbade me from gambling. Since throwing it away would be a waste, I'll give it to Al."
In the hands of the unemployed goddess, who had been drinking wine and eating appetizers Al had made in his room since morning, was a lavishly decorated invitation. Al knit his brows as he looked at Loki, who had tossed the invitation to him carelessly.
This invitation was for the VIP room at the far end of the gambling arena—a place only selected elites from various nations could enter. It was true that the Loki Familia, as the city's largest, held more influence in Orario than royal families did in other countries, but getting such an invitation was still not easy.
An entry ticket like this lay before him. Even if someone wasn't a gambler, they would feel the urge to take it without thinking.
"No, I'm not interested in gambling either. Give it to the others."
"Even if you say that, everyone is in the Dungeon right now. Riveria and Finn are there, but they're straining their brains looking for 'that entrance.' The only executive available is Al."
Moreover, giving it to a regular member who wasn't an executive might cause friction. From that perspective, no one would object if Al took it.
"You've been fighting constantly lately, haven't you? Consider it a celebration for reaching Level 8 and go relax a bit."
"No, I don't need it."
Gambling isn't fun because I'll inevitably win. Maybe it would have been better if I had followed them into the Dungeon.
Fine, since it's an opportunity, I'll go...
"Help me, please."
"I've been sold to wicked people. If things continue like this..."
"Please, I'll do anything."
"Save me..."
...Anything? Then, if I die, you must grieve deeply.
●○●○●
"Did Al accept the invitation?"
"He needs to relax every now and then, Riveria. Al has seemed tense and high-strung lately."
"... It seems to be related to the 59th Floor and the Church."
Although many didn't notice, Riveria and Loki realized that Al's eyes lately looked as they did in the past.
"What happened on the 59th Floor, based on what I heard, was an unmatched performance..."
As for the Church, it went without saying that Al wasn't at fault. The two believed he might be worried about what happened on the 59th Floor, when Revis nearly killed them and almost wiped out the entire group.
●○●○●
I got a new entry ticket after blackmailing Hermes... Can I invite several people? Then I'll invite Bell as a cover.
Ah, it's Cassandra. What's wrong? You can't find your pillow? I think it's at the Hestia Familia headquarters. Good timing, I'm planning to go to the casino with Bell. Would you like to come?
"Brother!! I was training with Bache and Welf."
"... Al."
"Why are you here... fine. Bache, you come too."
●○●○●
"This is amazing..."
Bell let out a cry of admiration after passing through the gate. A vast space. The light of glittering chandeliers lit the room, and the interior design was luxurious and precise. The furniture at every table was a masterpiece. The red carpet spread over the marble floor felt soft and expensive under his boots. Behind Bell, Cassandra—who had entered with him—looked around with a tense expression.
As for Bache, the unknown world seemed to have exceeded her capacity to process it, to the point where she regained the cold face of a warrior.
The hall, bathed in chandelier light, gave the impression that one had stepped into another world. Opposite the entrance gate, a massive Roulette table was set up, with dealers in their places receiving chips. Additionally, tables for other games like Poker, Blackjack, and Baccarat lined the room, and the place was teeming with people in every corner.
The customers were of various ages and races; the sight of demi-humans like Elves and Dwarves was common. Bell was stunned by this scene he never saw in Orario. Piles of high-value betting chips—a single one of which equaled a common citizen's monthly income—gave an idea of the immense wealth present. A storm of money vanishing like water. Bell swallowed hard seeing it with his own eyes. Some wealthy demi-humans and those who looked like adventurers were seen, everyone enjoying the games at their preferred spots.
"Are you used to places like this, brother?"
"I've come several times with Loki, though I don't like this place."
... In truth, Al had set foot in this place the day before as well. He had intended to hang around for a bit and then leave, but he had coincidentally met the girl—Anna—who was crying silently near the VIP room and asked him for help. Of course, it would have been easy for Al to save her at that moment, but he thought that using force might cause trouble for the Loki Familia, so he decided to disguise himself and save her "by the book."
"So, how will you save Ms. Anna?"
Cassandra asked, looking even more shaken than Bell because this glittering atmosphere didn't suit her, though she tried to maintain her appearance thanks to her experience during her days in the Apollo Familia.
"First, we need to draw attention."
Using the invitation Loki gave, they could enter the VIP room where Anna was without complications, but that invitation was issued to the Loki Familia. Since he was disguised, he couldn't use it. Instead, he used a new invitation he made Hermes prepare after blackmailing him. To enter the VIP room by the book, he had to act like a generous customer until the casino invited him personally.
"You mean... spending a lot of money?"
"Yes. And of course, I don't want to waste money in a place like this. The easiest way is to keep winning the bets."
Customers who have money flowing through their hands draw attention, especially new faces. Al and his companions had to become valuable bait for the casino. If they received high-level services on the house, they would be directed automatically to the VIP room. That was the plan to save Anna.
"E-Easy? That sounds impossible..."
Gambling games are designed for the house to win in the end. Of course, they let customers win occasionally to lure them in, but winning excessively is no easy feat.
────── That is true, unless the player is Al.
"Don't worry. I've never lost a bet."
'Who is that person who keeps winning?' 'I don't know, I haven't seen him before.' 'He looks like royalty from the Sea Kingdom...'
If he won every single round, he would stand out in a bad way, so he slowed his pace. Nevertheless, Al, who was accumulating massive sums in a short time, began to draw the eyes of those around him. He gently took Cassandra's hand to attract more attention and headed with Bell and the others toward the Roulette table. He placed the entire amount on Red 18.
When the ball rolled, it stopped exactly on the number he targeted. The clamor around him rose for a moment, then silence fell. The dealer returned the ball with practiced movements; it stopped on the target number once again. After that, Al continued to increase the stakes smoothly.
Cries of admiration rose from the surrounding customers, and signs of relief began to vanish from the dealers' faces.
The name Sword Saint is known throughout Orario, for better or worse. He is the strongest adventurer to reach the rank of the Zeus Familia, and few people do not know of him. In addition to the magic disguise tool, the fake identity Asfi had created—after he threatened... I mean, requested her using Hermes' scandals—was that of a nobleman from the Sea Kingdom, Asfi's homeland.
As Al planned, all eyes were fixed on him, and attention grew steadily. After a while, it seemed the casino had taken notice; Al and his companions were invited to the VIP room.
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