Volume 8 Chapter 7 (1/2)

Despite the unreasonable deadline, the Dwarf Smiths were working hard to build the casino and also to prepare for today's exhibition event. They had only received the request last night, and yet I had been informed that they were already finished with the plans for the casino building.

The ornaments for the Darkness Dragons were finished too. According to Duke, test flights with it on seemed to have been successful.

Everything about the casino was going well.

At the moment, I was heading to the [Plains] room.

I wasn't alone though. With me were Conanna, the top members of his Curtrude Company, as well as executives from other companies that were present in Avalon.

Last night, I made it known that I was looking for participants in the demonstration today. Along with that notice, I also notified them that the casino's volume limit was now going to be 2,000 people instead of the initial 500.

It was a sudden notice and yet so many people arrived. Excitedly, I might add. Everyone was anticipating my every movement.

After a while, we arrived at the site where the casino was going to be built. When I turned to face them, I found them all to be surprised.

”Hooh, they're making a building of this size…”

”This is but a glimpse of what Procell-sama is capable when he's serious.”

”…how many thousands of gold do you think this all cost?”

The golems were already laying the foundations. There was even a sign denoting that this site was going to be the casino.

That said, it was far from finished. For the demonstration today, since we couldn't use the actual facility, there was a makeshift building that was furnished with tables, chairs, and various equipment that an actual casino might use. There was even a simple mechanism for opening up the ceiling.

”Everyone, please take a seat. Please enjoy the alcohol and light snacks we've prepared.”

They all sat down, but their attention was focused onto one point. And that point was a large screen display.

In order for lots of people—hundreds or even thousands once the casino was fully operational—to be able to watch the race simultaneously, we were going to use [Divine Revelation]. Not only could it project 3-dimensional holographic images into open space, it could also project 2-dimensional images via a screen. I had thought of using the former, but decided against it in the end because using a screen display provided better image quality.

”Procell-sama, just what is that thing?”

Conanna asked me the question that was on everybody's mind.

”You'll know once you see it running.”

I patronizingly replied so.

Seeing it for themselves would have better impact anyway.

Taking that answer as my cue, I stood in front of the screen and spoke.

”Thank you for participating in today's event to see the casino and its main draw, the flying dragon races. Well then, let's start watching as soon as possible!”

Right after I moved to the side, the screen became lit with a peculiar glow.

With just that, the merchants leaned their bodies forward in curiosity.

The screen then vividly displayed the images of the majestic Darkness Dragons.

To say that the merchants were in awe was an understatement.

”And so, let us proceed to the race. It won't be an ordinary race though. After all, it's not often we see flying dragons race against each other. Please, take a look up. Do you see those balloons?”

Floating in the sky were a great number of balloons that were attached together with wires. They were of special make, were of varying colors, and were much bigger and more durable than ordinary.

Even the wires holding them together were coated with special fluorescent paint. This paint absorbed surrounding energy, thus allowing the wires to shine and be noticeable at any time of day, whether it be at night or noon.

These made up the race course that the dragons were going to compete in.

”The dragons will fly between those balloons, and you will get to see this as though you were right there through that large screen. The course will be over a hundred kilometers long, but it won't even take the dragons five minutes to finish it. Now, rejoice, you shall be the audience members of the world's first flying dragon race! …But before that, simply watching will be rather dull, won't it? Let's bet on it. As of now, each dragon's odds of winning are the same, so let's do it like this: the house shall match your bets fivefold.”

Originally, minor details like popularity and whatnot could be used to estimate the odds of winning. However, since this was going to be the very first race, there was no data whatsoever to use.

Upon hearing my proposal, the merchants became wide-eyed, and then earnestly, naively looked at the dragons through the screen.

”Alright, to introduce the dragons participating in the race,”

The screen then displayed a close-up image of one dragon after another.

At the bottom were the nicknames the Dwarf Smiths assigned to them. Looking at it, I smiled wryly.

Red Rouge

Blue Sky

Green Woods

Yellow Gold

Argent Silver

Black Darkness

There were six participants in total.

Each wore ornaments related to their assigned name.

The merchants talked among themselves on which to bet on, using only dragons' countenance, physique, and whatever else the image might tell.

After a while, the merchants lined up to a table, gave the maid Mythological Foxes their wagers and were then given tickets corresponding their wager.

Them being who they were, the bets they placed were staggering. It was a matter of keeping appearances. Their pride wouldn't let them place a low bet no matter what.

”It looks like everybody has chosen their dragons. Now, please direct your attention to the screen. Soon enough, the race will begin.”

Music was playing from the speakers beside the screen. It was a rousing tone, one that would incite a rush of blood. This was composed by Ruhe.

It wasn't just the music that was being played though. There was even the sound of wind coming from the speakers. The intent was to give a better sense of immersion via stereophonic sound.

When the countdown being displayed reached zero, a loud sound was heard. That signified the start of the race, and with that, the dragons simultaneously—and majestically—flapped their wings.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the dragons as they acrobatically flew through the race course in the sky. In the lead were Red Rouge and Black Darkness. Not too far behind though was Blue Sky.

Each of the dragons were serious and giving it their all. After all, an all-you-can-eat buffet was waiting for them in the Forest as a reward if they came in first.

Three minutes in and the end of the race was already in sight.

The merchants kept on watching the screen with their full attention. They even forgot to blink.

”Alright, the race is about to reach its climax. After coming out of the series of curves, the dragons will come into a long, straightforward path. That also means that soon, the dragons will fly over our heads. In ten seconds, look up and see them fly with your own eyes.”

As I said those words, a mechanism activated and began to open up the ceiling, letting the rays of sunlight in.

It was just a makeshift casino, but this gimmick or a variation of it would be used in the real one as well.

When the merchants looked up…