Recently, feeling worshipped by people, I found myself thinking about how to lessen their faith just a little.
This wasn’t just a thought I had for a day or two.
Now, I’ve really reached a level where I feel desperate if I don’t take action.
But no matter how much I think, I can’t come up with a solution.
Bothering and berating people?
I’ve been doing that every single day. I’m still doing it nowadays!
I’ve even gone as far as tormenting Mama right in front of everyone; what more can I do here!
But still, my reputation hasn’t changed at all!
Besides, if I cross the line and commit a crime, my conscience pricks at me, and I worry it will affect those around me!
I’m no longer alone like I used to be! If I do something bad, naturally, it will also harm those close to me!
I’ve already caused enough trouble; I don’t want to go deeper into debt here!
What kind of crime do I have to commit to affect my current reputation?
Anything less might just be brushed aside by Karia, right!?
Even doing something as ridiculous as what Agra did is a bit much!
If I’m not going to start a war on the continent, it’s better to just give up.
“I can’t give up! I can’t live like this!”
Even if I resign myself to it, I wanted to try something first, so I thought it might be better to do whatever I could right away.
Rather than giving up on things based on preconceived notions, trying various things seems more beneficial.
And while I’m at it, I could finally do some things I couldn’t do since entering the Soul Academy world.
The first attempt was, of course, to visit a gambling house.
Common sense tells me gambling isn’t exactly a good hobby.
Let alone if it involves betting real money.
Ah, of course, I have no intention of losing any money. My luck is the best!
I just randomly picked cards and trampled on that gambling addict Halbae; do you think something will change by going to the casino?
It’s a different story if they try to scam me.
Well, if they can scam me and Joy without getting caught, I guess I might as well fall for it.
If you’re not planning to get angry and ugly over losing money, then what are you going for?
“I’m going to buy some resentment.”
Just by entering casinos throughout the continent would be meaningful; what if I also robbed everyone in there?
Gambling addicts aren’t in their right minds. Even if the opponent is the Daughter of Lord Jushin, they’ll show their grievances just as they are.
Even if they act scared of me in front, they’re sure to spit out all sorts of horrible things behind my back.
That would put even a tiny scratch on my reputation.
That seems like an overly optimistic expectation.
“Then what? I have to try whatever I can!”
Anyway! I’m going to the casino to rob not just the establishment but the customers too!
I’m gonna watch the casino that never went broke even when I kept winning in the game crumble before my eyes!
*
At a corner of the Soladin Kingdom, the casino stood. Baston, a guard of the Golden Mirage, frowned as he observed the long line of people waiting before sunset.
Those fools, with bloodshot eyes, were not proper humans.
Most of them were idiots unable to forget a single stroke of luck.
Those who mistakenly believed they wielded great fortune due to one lucky break and lost everything they had earned.
And now, with great misfortune upon them, they were stupid enough to believe happiness was just around the corner.
When he had just become a guard, he had tried to dissuade people, persuade them, and stop them with force, but now, he did none of that.
There was only one way to save those madmen who had lost their minds.
Death.
Whether it’s by hanging, stabbing, or starving, those fools wouldn’t stop until they died.
Knowing that, Baston did his job dryly.
He chased away those unworthy of entering, sent those hoping for a last chance inside to sign a waiver, and quelled fights with a few blows to both sides.
“These stinky folk are a real annoyance.”
“Hold on a bit. You won’t see them once you’re inside anyway.”
During this time, a voice filled with disdain reached his ears.
It was nobles.
Those who could toss gold coins for a night of entertainment without a care.
Even if they lost a large sum, their families could cover it; they were good marks from the casino’s perspective.
If handled correctly, you could extract lots from those overconfident nobles when they were left in pitiful states, clinging to their pants.
Having seen nobles in distress time and time again, Baston scoffed internally while keeping a polite expression.
The notion that anyone could earn money from this casino was simply a fantasy spread by the casino itself.
Those who continued to enter here would never reach a happy ending. Absolutely not.
“Kyah!”
“Could that be…?”
“O great Lord Jushin…”
“I can’t believe I met that person on my casino day!”
Baston turned his head towards the commotion coming from far away, understanding the crowd’s excitement.
The girl standing out, even against the backdrop of the evening glow, revealed her identity with her wicked laughter.
Lucy Allen.
The most famous name on the continent, a powerful figure backed by the Lord and acknowledged as a beauty by the Goddess.
Baston, who had seen all kinds of people while working as a guard in the casino, felt powerless before Lucy.
When she took her place before him, he quickly regained his posture.
“The casino’s doors are open, right?”
“Y-yes! Of course!”
“There are a lot of customers. Should I wait?”
“No! Nobles may use the door inside!”
“Good to hear that. The eyes of others are simply too burdensome.”
As her light laugh made him gulp, Baston noticed the corner of Lucy’s lips lifting.
“Heh, you’re cute.”
Despite the tonality bordering on sarcasm, Baston couldn’t escape Lucy’s youthful charm.
What was fortunate was that the others around them were the same.
Just moments ago, those who wanted to rush into the casino were now chasing after Lucy like dogs seeing off their master.
*
Wondering what would happen since I had been banned in the past, I was relieved no one stopped me this time.
Maybe it’s because I was treated as a spoiled item back then, but now I’m not.
Anyway, having easily entered the casino, I leisurely looked around.
If my memory serves right, this is the noble area.
A place where those who seldom visit casinos gather. You had to achieve a certain level here before entering a big-money game.
“Gambling or whatever, everyone is busy gawking at Lucy.”
“True.”
Having gotten used to receiving people’s attention, I quickly moved to the next location, searching for the roulette.
If luck is high, spinning the roulette haphazardly gives the best efficiency.
“I’m sorry, Young Ladies.”
At that moment, a tanned Middle-Eastern man approached, clearing his throat.
“Could I trouble you for a moment?”
Seeing his confident smile, I raised an eyebrow.
Wow. It’s been a while since someone came to me asking to be bothered.
“Not okay, so can you just scram? I don’t have time to waste on idiots like you.”
I would love to smack him right away, but since there are many onlookers, I’ll let it slide this time.
Just leave quietly, idiot.
“Haha, calling me an idiot? You may not know this, but I belong to a royal lineage.”
“Tariq al Asfahani. I greet the prince who will open a new era.”
“Thank you for remembering a distant foreign guest, Ducal Young Lady Partlan.”
Seeing Joy politely bow, it must mean he’s a true prince. But it’s not my concern either way.
“Now that the greetings are done, can you really just leave?”
“Do you not like me that much?”
Sigh. This guy really must have his brain in his lower regions.
With such a clear dislike being expressed, just vanish already. What kind of good feelings do you think it’ll bring to share pleasantries like this?
“Yeah. I hate idiots who can’t read the room.”
“What am I lacking? I hope you could let me know.”
If he’s still not leaving after all this, it’s clear he’s begging to be bothered. Right? Fine. I’ll give this idiot what he wants.
“Take off your prince hat~♡ You’re just a perverted idiot who stares at a girl half your height with lewd eyes♡”
“I think you’re mistaken, but I would never…”
“So being pampered by those around you makes you feel like you’ve made it, huh?♡ Nope♡ No matter your status, you’re just an idiot♡”
“…”
“Running around like a prince, trying to hit on girls, huh? How exhilarating for you!♡ Oh no!♡ What will I do?♡ I’m far more special than the Daughter of Lord Jushin~♡”
“What a terrifying headdress.”
“Yep♡ That’s right~♡ Perfect to bother a nobody who can’t do anything without status, right?♡”
Even while asking lightly, the other party didn’t open their mouth.
However, what is he doing then? His trembling hands are saying it all.
“Are you mad?♡ Feeling angry?♡ Not too happy meeting someone more remarkable than you?♡”
“…I…”
“Then come at me if you dare♡ Look~♡ You’re just a little girl♡ If you can’t even beat a child you can grab with one hand, then come at me if you dare♡ Come on!♡”
As I spread my arms to show off, the self-proclaimed prince instead charged at me.
Though it seemed he had received some combat training, he was nothing in front of me.
Easily dodging his punch, I grabbed the Middle-Eastern prince by his collar and threw him up to dangle from a chandelier.
Watching the prince struggle to escape while I chuckled heartily, I started whistling a tune, all while the screams filled the background.
“You’ve become quite a hazard. I was worried you’d try to cripple him or something.”
“Come on, I’m not that bad of a person.”
Even if I somehow broke something, my intention would never be to break both.
As I joked around trying to talk, those attempting to intervene hesitated and retreated, making me nod satisfyingly as I headed towards the roulette.
Maybe it’s an easy gambling device; the roulette machine was packed, but the moment I stood behind, the person in front abruptly got up from their seat.
“Are you going to do this? Not good.”
“Have you played it before?”
“When I was younger. My brother told me to try it since he thought I would spend all the money, and I did, only to lose it all.”
“So you cried, right?”
“…how did you…”
Seeing Joy flustered made me laugh as I put the maximum bet in the roulette and pulled the lever. And… well, the result, naturally, was.
“Are you kidding me?! Jackpot from the start!?”
It was a jackpot.
“Oh? Why twice?”
The next one was also a jackpot.
“What… what did you do?”
The one after that was a jackpot again.
“Wooah.”
By the next one, I had already hit a jackpot again.
“A—Allen Family’s Young Lady!”
The casino owner’s head popped up, bowing deeply in front of me.
