Volume 8 Chapter 16 (1/2)
When I went to exchange monsters with Stolas, we had talked about how the [Dragon] Demon Lord was starting to distribute his monsters and assets before his remaining time was up. So, before it was too late, I thought we should go eat and drink at least once.
However…
”I didn't expect to have that chance so soon.”
”…Sorry about this, Procell. Yesterday, he just came to my dungeon and said we should go to yours. I did try to tell him to not go as that will be a bother to you, but he just won't listen.”
[Wind] Demon Lord Stolas, my ally and friend, said so with an apologetic look on her face.
In contrast with her, [Dragon] Demon Lord Astaroth had quite a merry look on his face instead of his usual serious countenance.
”So, this is Avalon's casino, huh. Ooh, it's giving me the chills.”
”Ast, curb your enthusiasm. I don't think I need to tell you that it's inappropriate to be so excited.”
Chiding the middle-aged Astaroth was the fine-looking young man, [Time] Demon Lord Dantalian.
”Dan, I'd say it's more inappropriate to try to act cool and adult-like in a place like this. Besides, those clothes you're wearing, aren't you the one most excited?”
The [Time] Demon Lord was exquisitely dressed with a very stylish suit. It nicely complemented his beautiful and mature form.
And, to complete the line-up…
”Really, this kid. Why would you build such an amusing thing and not invite me? Can you imagine my surprise when I came and saw this?”
”…like I said countless of times before, don't treat me like a child.”
…was [Beast] Demon Lord Marchosias, the brown-skinned beauty with white wolf ears and white wolf tail.
Yes, all together in front of the casino were the three strongest Demon Lords.
”Procell, well, let's save why we have come here for later. First, why don't we enjoy your casino?”
”I didn't have much choice in coming here as Ast's chaperone, but being a wet blanket is another matter. So, I say, we go have fun… I hear you have Carulet and Banyatta here in your casino. Why don't you show us those first?”
Dantalian seemed excited.
The Carulet he mentioned was a card game where the players try to build a winning hand. Much like poker, psychological warfare was vital to success in this game.
As for Banyatta, it was a dice game where players competed not against the dealer, but against other players. It was a very popular gambling game at the moment.
”Dan, you seem well-versed in gambling games.”
”Only as much as someone with a small interest in it.”
”…I see”
When talking with [Dragon] and [Time], I didn't use honorifics anymore. Instead, I called them Ast and Dan respectively.
To save Marcho back then, I didn't ask them for their help, I offered fair trades to them. Since then, the two had asked to not be addressed so formally.
”As for me, I want to see the flying dragon races first. I hear it's the most popular one.”
”Ohh, you have that kind of thing here? Well, as the [Dragon] Demon Lord, I have to go see that.”
”Marcho, Ast, the next dragon race isn't until two hours from now. Until then, why not play inside to your heart's content? Dan seems to prefer that, and I think it's better to be together.”
Marcho and Astaroth laughed when I pointed out that Dantalian was already walking toward the casino.
These are very important guests. I have to do my best to please them.
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”Gahaha, Dan, this casino thing sure is fun”
”It's just beginner's luck. Don't get carried away!”
”Fumu, despite calling yourself a first-class gambler, you're just losing this whole time.”
”It's not over yet. It's only just begun.”
After enjoying card and dice games, they were now playing roulette.
Employing no strategy whatsoever except perhaps relying on blind luck, Ast had been winning bets one after the other. So much so that piles of chips had accumulated up in front him.
On the other hand, Dantalian was constantly losing. He observed, calculated, and predicted, but it ended up backfiring on him. Out of the many, many chips he bought, only one remained in front of him.