As we walked, I observed our surroundings. The Casino Strip of the Shopping District was filled with places to gamble. The various venues established by several foreign countries and cities also had hotels attached to them. Many buildings had been designed to emulate the aesthetics of different cultures and climes. For example, there was one that resembled an oasis in a desert. Buildings more than three stories tall towered over the elliptical plaza on every side. Yashi trees from the south were growing here and there. In the center, a breathtaking giant fountain launched sprays of water into the air, almost like a giant wave at sea.
The moment Ryuu and I passed through the giant arch to enter the Casino Strip, a flood of light greeted us. The highest-quality magic stones the city had to offer sparkled in red, blue, purple, and gold, illuminating the casinos in the darkness. Unlike the Guild Headquarters at the Pantheon or Babel, even the exteriors were vibrantly glowing.
I was sure that if viewed from the sky, there would be no mistaking it: the Casino Strip was the brightest spot for miles around, shining like a sparkling, nightless castle protected by countless guards. This was a different world, set apart from the normal districts of Orario, crowded with adventurers and citizens.
"There are a lot of people," I said as we slipped into a crowd of the privileged elite who were walking around as if they owned the place, both our arms linked under the pretense of a foreign noble couple.
"Yes, all of them are extremely wealthy patrons hailing from outside the city." Ryuu scanned the different buildings, her eyes resting on a certain establishment. "That's the El Dorado Resort. That building over there."
She whispered, and I turned to face the building that stood out even in this plaza. Its sumptuous, gorgeous, shining facade could trick one into thinking it was a massive mound of gold. It seemed to have a magical ability to raise the spirits of anyone who looked at it. Statues of deities that symbolized wealth or success were installed around the entrance, either as a perfunctory show of respect or to share in their blessings. A billboard lit up by magic-stone lamps displayed the words THE GOLDEN CITY in the universal language, Koine.
El Dorado Resort. Financed and established by the Paradise City, Santorio Vega, this was Orario's number one gambling establishment.
The Grand Casino.
It was also run by the man who was our target, the one who had captured Anna.
Passing through the foyer, we were greeted by employees of the El Dorado Casino and stepped out into an enormous hall.
"It's quite grand…" I muttered.
The first thing to come into view was a breathtakingly large magic-stone chandelier, followed quickly by a luxuriously vibrant, elaborately patterned carpet, and a variety of tables where people were playing all kinds of attention-grabbing games.
Cards glided from the dealer's hands as though they moved along a flowing river. Colorful dice danced through the air while roulette wheels spun madly, their balls dancing wildly around. Employees in stylish uniforms and guests in dazzling outfits alike gathered around each table, sighs of despair mingling with thunderous cheers, creating a never-ending din. The casino was in full swing.
To be completely honest, it was my first time in a place like this. Establishments like this were never on my list to visit. The most I had done was go to a club a few times, and that too when my colleagues had practically dragged me there. Then I remembered Ryuu had mentioned that she had done several similar missions and investigations before.
"You've been to places like this before, right, Ryuu?"
"I have slipped into gambling halls countless times, yes…but it is my first time in one so large."
Both of us looked around, passing countless wealthy demi-humans in the narrow space as we moved through the hall. Guests walking around with armfuls of chips were trying their hands at all kinds of games. Just one of the chips they were betting equaled a full day's pay for a normal laborer in Orario, but the players could lose them in a single wager.
An obscene amount of money was being thrown around, as if it amounted to nothing. But I understood expediting the free flow of money in the form of enormous bets was the casino's raison d'être as well as the source of its profit.
A wealthy prum groaned as his chips were taken away, while the booming laughter of a woman who had just won big rang out from another counter.
Ryuu and I noted the layout of the building as well as the number of guards and their positions around the room while maintaining a composure befitting a count and countess.
"Ryuu, you remember our plan?" I asked.
"Yes, first we will draw their attention," Ryuu responded simply. "We will make a show of being wealthy. Once people think we might be good customers, they will come to us on their own."
"Excellent," I praised, though I had wanted to pat her hair, but I refrained. "Also, us being from a rural no-name noble family will be convenient as well. Asfi clearly put a lot of thought into this, since they won't have much information on us. Remember, our current goal is to get inside that door."
At the back of the main hall, past countless tables, was a dignified set of firmly shut oaken doors. Only special guests could enter. Two sturdy guards stood on either side of the door like gatekeepers.
This was the VIP room. Every casino supposedly had one—a place only for high-stakes games and gamblers who were very free with their bets.
"Funds are also not a problem for us," Ryuu said. "All we have to do is keep winning the games."
"Yes, and if that doesn't work, then well, we have the more violent form of extraction."
Ryuu nodded as we started playing games. Though it was mostly Ryuu tearing through table after table, making full use of her poker face and the teaching Lyra had imparted to her.
While I played games that depended more on luck, I won one game after another. It seemed my luck slot was working fine; I wish I had it in my old world. I thought wistfully.
We kept playing, occasionally losing on purpose, and then, like disinterested elites, we would bet even more chips as if to declare the loss had meant nothing.
"Haha! Look at that! My dear wins again!"
Whenever Ryuu would win, I would laugh loudly, my hand draped around her slim waist, trying to get as much attention as possible from our surroundings while ignoring Ryuu's glare that clearly said I was overdoing it.
As the rumors started to spread through the casino, All according to plan, the entire hall started watching as Ryuu and I won game after game with towering stacks of chips on the line.
"Excuse me, sir, madam."
Just as we were about to bet even more money, an older human wearing a well-tailored black suit appeared in front of us.
"The owner, Mr. Cervantes, would very much like to meet you."
Ryuu and my eyes met as we exchanged the thought: So, it's begun.
Without letting our expressions shift, I responded.
"It's an honor for the owner himself to say that about fledglings like us. Where should we go?" I asked.
"Please, this way."
Apparently, a manager, a middle-aged human, led us toward a stout dwarf who was circling the floor, greeting the guests.
"Oh! You're Lord and Lady Averin, I presume?"
Noticing us, he approached with both arms raised. He had a typical dwarf body shape; the top of his head didn't even reach my chin. His beard was in perfect condition, and his brown hair was slicked back. His high-quality black suit bulged slightly from his thick arms, legs, and broad chest. A bodyguard was standing nearby him, his sharp eyes fixated on us, searching for a potential threat.
But despite his high-quality clothes, I noticed a certain stiffness to his body movements, as if his body wasn't used to acting in a grandiose, elegant way—the way a noble or wealthy person might move.
I tried hard not to frown at this as he introduced himself.
"I am Terry Cervantes, the owner of this casino. Thank you very much for coming tonight from so far away."
"Likewise, thank you very much for inviting us. I am Alric D'Averin, and this is my wife, Rielle."
"Thank you for giving my husband and me a chance to be here, Mr. Cervantes."
Except for his slightly stiff body language, the man who greeted us wasn't lacking in charm. At first glance, he had a hard face, but he was adept at encouraging people to let their guard down, speaking without breaking his smile.
However, Ryuu and I had dealt with countless people who wore masks like this, so inducing us to lower our guard was an impossible feat.
"I wanted to meet you earlier, but there are so many guests tonight… Allow me to welcome you once again, and please enjoy yourselves."
As the manager who had led us here left, Terry extended his right hand, palm up, reaching for Ryuu's hand to kiss its back as a formal greeting.
Ryuu remained in her spot, not moving an inch, her arm linked with mine.
"My apologies, I have sworn my love to my husband. I'm not permitted to touch anyone other than him."
"It's fine, it's fine. It's understandable since you are a pure elf. Your wife certainly loves you, sir."
He backed off, but I noticed the way his face had scowled for but an instant.
He must be one of those dwarfs who don't get along with elves.
"Haha, of course, I am lucky to have her," I replied, hugging Ryuu closer—an unconscious act on my part.
"By the way, Lord Alric, I have heard you've had incredible luck today, especially Lady Averin. With that in mind, do you think you'd like to come to the VIP room over there?"
"VIP room, you say?" I quirked an eyebrow.
"Ah, don't worry, it's simply a place where guests like you can enjoy games with even greater stakes. You'll find people of similar wealth there, along with the highest-class service and games that can only be played in that room. Plus, plenty of conversations and connections that can only be had with your peers. May I interest you in something like that?"
As we had expected, he was naturally inclined to invite a prosperous guest with a large number of chips to the VIP room. I pretended to think about it for a second and shifted my gaze toward Ryuu.
"Dear, I would really like to try it."
"Well, if my wife says so," I turned to face the dwarf again, "then if you don't mind."
"Ga-ha-ha, it's decided then!"
With Terry leading us, we moved out, heading to the back of the hall while cutting through the crowds of guests.
The tightly shut doors swung open.
Following the dwarf, Ryuu and I stepped into the enemy stronghold.