Casino Wizard

Click!

The slot machine reels spun excitedly.

Three slot machines had been installed in the VIP room of the main casino today.

They were a bit different from the ones in the second casino.

Twenty spins per gold coin. Even the reel compositions were different.

Unlike the usual machines with fruit, bells, and sevens, these had roses, eagles, and sevens.

And on top of that, there was a wild symbol—a dragon that could match with any other symbol.

It was a small difference, but differentiation like this was essential.

“Ooh… Ah! White rose!”

“So close.”

“Come on, dragon!”

It was only the first day, but the VIPs were already hooked on the slot machines.

The foreigners, especially those introduced by agents, were loving it.

In the past, even when foreigners came, they often didn’t know the rules for baccarat or blackjack, making for awkward starts…

But now, even they could blend into the VIP room naturally.

They could start with the slot machines and then gradually learn other games.

Slots, baccarat, blackjack.

The moment the casino’s three major revenue drivers came together.

That part was definitely satisfying.

However…

Watching the foreigners getting excited over the slots didn’t sit entirely well with me.

It was because of the price I had to pay in exchange for the monopoly license.

That price was likely a political marriage.

In fact, something was already happening today.

“Marquis Tripolia is nowhere to be seen.”

“Oh, he was summoned to the royal palace.”

“An audience with His Majesty?”

“Who else but His Majesty could summon the Marquis?”

Marquis Tripolia, summoned by the king.

There was no solid evidence, but somehow I had the feeling it was about me.

****

Royal Palace. Corridor leading to the Audience Chamber.

“Sigh. It’s already past opening hours.”

“Marquis?”

“No, it’s not him.”

Marquis Tripolia clicked his tongue and followed the attendant.

Still, he was nervous. Honestly.

Why did His Majesty summon me now, of all times?

If only he’d called earlier in the morning—it would’ve been over quickly. I could’ve gone straight to the casino afterward. Why now?

How much time was he going to steal from me? It was a real concern.

“Huuu.”

Of course, the Marquis could tolerate it for a day.

But today was special.

It was the day the VIP room—the Marquis’s sanctuary—was getting slot machines.

They’d cleared the chess table from the lounge and were planning to install three slot machines worthy of a VIP room.

The one who picked the exact spot for them? The Marquis himself.

He was, after all, the unofficial representative of the VIP clientele.

“And now I don’t even get to see them?”

Absurd. A bitter chuckle escaped the Marquis’s lips.

Still, it wasn’t like he could ignore a royal summons.

Marquis Tripolia arrived before the Audience Chamber and steadied himself so as not to appear displeased before the king.

“You’ve come.”

It was Carlo III, who had recently become noticeably aged.

The Marquis began his customary flattery—“May Alvinia prosper…”—and stepped forward to stand before the king.

He prayed that it wasn’t about granting him a title or asking him to accompany a royal inspection. The latter would be the absolute worst.

“The same blood flows in your veins as in mine.”

“Your Majesty?”

Carlo III, out of the blue, brought up the Marquis’s lineage.

While they may not have literally shared blood, there certainly was a deep connection.

The Marquis’s great-grandmother had been a princess, and his wife was the king’s cousin. Like most of the major nobles of Alvinia, his family had close royal ties.

And the reason for this reminder was soon made clear.

“Hyden Sadie.”

“You mean Baron Hyden?”

“What kind of man is he? You must see him often at the casino.”

Just the casino owner. Why ask now?

Ah.

Marquis Tripolia wasn’t oblivious—he picked up on the situation quickly.

The king wanted insight that only someone who saw Hyden regularly could offer.

Even though he’d recently clashed with Hyden over casino matters, as a loyal noble of the realm…

It wasn’t likely the king planned to give a major post to a mere casino owner. That left one possibility:

Marriage.

The Marquis hesitated briefly before speaking with a smile.

“Your Majesty, I don’t have any unmarried daughters.”

“Forgive the misunderstanding, but I’m not trying to arrange a match for your children. I simply want your impression of Baron Hyden.”

“I’m afraid I don’t really know him.”

The Marquis had little interest in Hyden as a person.

Sure, he appreciated him—Hyden had created entertaining games like baccarat, built a safe playground for them, and even listened to the Marquis’s suggestions.

But that was it.

He believed that getting too close to the casino boss would spoil the thrill of gambling.

“You say you don’t know him?”

“Yes.”

“Still, you can answer this: is he ambitious for power?”

That was easier. The Marquis’s expression brightened a little.

“I can’t say for certain. But he does know how to use politics.”

“Is he a resentful man?”

“Some of the VIP patrons once treated the Pierrot Party cruelly in the past—mocked them, even bullied them. But Baron Hyden has never shown any sign of discomfort toward them.”

“Oh?”

“In the end, he’s a businessman.”

The Marquis replied sincerely, fulfilling his duty to the sovereign.

Since the king had taken such a direct interest, he was likely planning to marry Hyden into a distant branch of the royal family and give him an honorary position. Cooperation seemed prudent.

“A businessman, you say? Then is he money-obsessed?”

“He’s not a vulgar nouveau riche, no. He’s generous with what he earns. Hyden Casino is likely the most desired workplace for common women in the capital. …And if a young noble from the provinces squanders all his money there, he’ll often cover their travel expenses home.”

“Is that so? Then this is…”

The king’s questions were starting to feel overly detailed.

Still, the Marquis answered them dutifully, and time flowed like a river.

“Come, let us dine together.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Marquis ended up sharing dinner with the king.

In the end, his entire casino evening had been stolen away.

By the time he left the palace that evening, he was awash in complicated feelings.

Still, there was something he had to do.

“I should inform Baron Hyden about this.”

Not out of concern for Hyden himself.

But if something changed with Hyden’s circumstances, the casino might close again. He had to give his friend a heads-up so he could prepare.

Tomorrow, no matter what—I’m going!

The Marquis swallowed his disappointment and made a mental note.

****

I received a letter from the Marquis of Tripolia in the morning.

It was while I was overseeing the second casino.

“The marquis asked me to deliver this to you.”

The contents of the letter were brief.

…Yesterday, His Majesty asked many questions about you. Whether this is something to celebrate or something to worry about, I’ll leave that to your judgment, so I won’t comment. Just be aware and prepare accordingly, so it doesn’t interfere with casino operations. I’m truly in trouble without the casino…

That was all.

I could feel his love for the casino.

Right about now, the Marquis of Tripolia was probably inspecting the new slot machines installed in the VIP room.

Baccarat addicts only play baccarat, so the marquis would eventually return to his hometown, but he might pull the lever a few times just for fun.

In any case, it was useful information for me.

‘He’s far more proactive than I expected.’

The king himself gathering personal opinions in order to tie me down with a political marriage?

He might pair me with a young lady from a collateral noble family with royal titles.

Or perhaps the daughter of a royalist noble who lives solely for the royal family.

Given my background, it would be normal for their side to decline, but—

You never know. Not all royals or nobles are wealthy.

If the king offered a dowry, some family might be more than willing to take me as their son-in-law. Gladly, even.

An opportunity to marry into a decent family?

Honestly, it wasn’t a bad deal.

If used well, it could benefit my business, and I wouldn’t have to worry about conflicts with the royal family.

If the cost of dominating the kingdom’s gambling market was just a political marriage, it honestly wasn’t an unreasonable demand.

I didn’t take it as an insult either.

There was just one thing that weighed on my mind.

Lucy.

I couldn’t call her an archer or the youngest anymore.

I’d temporarily escaped to the branch casino because I felt like she’d see right through my worries if I stayed with her.

Just needed a moment to think alone.

‘I never thought this kind of thing would bother me.’

Letting out a dry chuckle, I slowly looked around the second casino.

Click, click from all directions. Then came a commotion.

“Kyaaaaaa!”

It seemed someone had hit the jackpot.

The lucky one was a woman in her thirties.

Overjoyed, she screamed gleefully with her friends. Since it was the kind of noise that helped business, there was no reason to stop it.

“Here! One silver coin for each of you in celebration of the jackpot. Two silvers for you, Sophia.”

“Huh? Just me?”

“You started this, didn’t you? Ah, should I treat everyone to cocktails too?”

Watching the friendly camaraderie among friends…

It seemed a lovely custom had taken root—being generous to friends when winning a meaningful sum.

As I watched the cheerful housewives for a moment—

“Baron Hyden?”

A voice called me from behind.

Turning around, I saw a man with an indescribable expression. He looked to be in his thirties.

“I’m Louis Boniato, manager of the Iron Hawk Knights’ barracks. And that woman over there with the cocktail glass, dancing around, is my wife. Her name is Sophia.”

“Ah.”

“Please… return Sophia to me. She’s a mother. She doesn’t even make breakfast anymore because she’s lining up to come here.”

He was asking for his wife to be sent home.

One of the staff tried to intervene, looking troubled, but I waved them off and handled it myself.

Just because I had a noble title now didn’t mean I could neglect my duty to guests.

“We’ll soon be implementing time limits for usage. Your beloved wife will—”

“Sorry to interrupt, but I don’t love her.”

“…What?”

“That woman… before we got married, she lied and said she had land to inherit. But by the time I found out the truth, she was already pregnant… No, why am I even saying this? Anyway, I’m glad to hear you’ll limit the hours.”

He glanced at his wife sitting by the slot machine, a bitter look in his eyes.

A very complicated expression on his face.

“Can’t turn back now… Guess I’m the idiot for falling for it.”

Muttering “I’m such a fool,” he finally left the casino with a lonely air.

His wife continued enjoying the slot machines with her friends.

It was a brief incident.

But the man’s words lingered in my mind.

Can’t turn back. If you fall for it, you’re an idiot.

It was the kind of thing someone might say after losing a gamble. And while I felt bad for the guy, marriage did carry a gambling element. Even more so in a world where divorce was nearly impossible.

‘Yeah. Gambling.’

I felt a bit lighter.

Approaching this messy situation like a gamble gave me hope for finding a solution.

And if it was a gamble, there was no way I’d lose.

After a brief moment of thought, I took action.