Did I make it in time?

The Gilded Siren had no clocks in sight to indicate the time, and the lighting inside made it hard to distinguish whether it was night or day outside.

I crossed the casino's black basalt mosaic floors and walked straight toward the main counter. Henry's steps sounded softly behind me, overtaken by the voices, laughter, and chips being tossed. The smell of cigar smoke, luxurious perfume, and expensive liquor filled my nose.

Do these people really have nothing better to do than to gamble so early in the morning?

I gazed across at the well-dressed attendants in the casino. I noted a relatively high number of foreigners on the casino floor, and I even recognized a few faces from Princess Evelyn's ball.

The capital is a hub of sorts, so it isn't unusual to see so many out-of-towners.

"I'd like five golden chips." I placed the pouch of phoenix eyes before the young blonde woman behind the counter.

"Of course." Her eyes widened momentarily, and she gave a bright smile. "Please wait just a moment. A concierge is on their way here to help you around the casino."

"Young master, five chips? Are you sure? That won't let you play all that many games." Henry leaned over and whispered.

"It's alright." I winked at him. "And I plan on playing only one game, actually."

I was looking forward to his expression of pure amazement when I undoubtedly won my bet on Kleave again. It was entertaining enough the first time around.

"Young master Luca Frey?" A middle-aged woman with pulled-back black hair appeared. Like the blonde woman behind the counter, I recognized her from Round 7. She wore a bright customer service smile, eager to help me part with my small fortune.

So much for hoping for that outcome, given what I knew.

"Yes." I nodded.

"If you follow me, I'll provide you with complimentary food and refreshments. What games were you looking to play? There's a private card game taking place in the back that you'd enjoy. There's only one spot left."

She escorted me from the counter and motioned towards a set of golden double doors.

That's new. She didn't mention this private card game the last time I had come by. I may have arrived earlier than the previous round. Or had something else changed?

However, regardless of what changed, I was going to stick to my original plan. Why bother with some card game when I had a surefire bet of winning a ludicrous sum within a very short period.

"Oh no. I'm looking for something a little more exciting. Physical. Violent," I said with a smile.

"Ah. I have just the thing." She immediately grasped what I was hinting at. "Please come with me."

She walked me over to the same wall as the previous round, but instead of it being jade, the stone was a polished basalt mosaic design with golden grout depicting an emblem of a mermaid. She pushed on the insignia, and the wall gave way to a hidden door.

"After you, young master Luca Frey." She presented the entrance.

"Thank you." I entered and walked up the spacious stairwell made of luminous yellow stone that shone in the dark.

"Where are we going?" Henry whispered, following behind me.

"You'll see shortly," I whispered back. "And don't act surprised no matter what I say or do."

The concierge closed the hidden door behind us and walked alongside me, leading the way. She whispered into a red mana stone on her sleeve.

Tsk.

I eyed her red mana cufflink with envy.

I ought to get one of those communication mana stones for myself. I should purchase one with part of my winnings from today.

"A table on the third floor has been set up for you," she announced.

Same as before.

She opened another door, and we entered an enormous circular space of seven floors. Black onyx, gold, and crystal covered the interior. The booths on each floor were covered with dark sheer curtains, making it impossible to tell who sat where. However, having lived through this round once before, I already knew that the booth at the very bottom and closest to the arena held none other than Kathy. And that one of the upper booths had Anastasia Genuiver with her entourage.

Just like before, in the center was a caged arena with blood stains across the floor. They could have been wiped clean with ease. However, seeing them again in this round, I concluded that they were left there as a reminder of what sort of entertainment took place in this space. They were as much a part of the ambiance the casino wished to convey as were all the luxurious gold, crystal, and black stone details.

The concierge directed me to the same booth as in the last round, but instead of leather, it was a large weaved green sofa. Even if the style changed, it was just as comfortable as before.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

I dropped down on the seating and picked up a small sandwich from the table full of various delicacies. My teeth bit into soft fresh bread and a creamy filling of cream and fresh cucumbers.

"The first round will start in about fifteen minutes," the concierge said. "Would you like to place a bet or observe first?"

Huh, so I did arrive earlier than last time. Not that this changes anything, either.

"I'll place a bet," I replied after swallowing the sandwich. "Five golden chips on Kleave."

The concierge raised a brow.

"Are you sure?" She asked. "It appears you know of the match that'll be taking place, but then you should know moreso that the type of match we have this morning is a Rampage Round. It is prudent to bet on The Ogre, as he's been the undefeated champion of The Cage for two years."

"Yes, I'm certain," I replied, and held my five golden chips out for her.

"Very well." The concierge didn't continue to try to change my mind as she had in the previous round. She took the chips and spoke something into her sleeve.

And unlike Round 7, Henry didn't exclaim in surprise at my gamble. Instead, he remained standing at attention beside me like any proper guard.

I guess he took my request to avoid unnecessary reactions seriously.

"I shall leave you to your entertainment unless there's something else I can help you with?" She stayed in place, allowing me time to chew the pastry I had just stuffed into my mouth.

"Yes, there is something else," I replied after swallowing the sweet raspberry-filled pie.

"If I win this round, what would be my winnings?" I asked.

I knew the answer but needed a clean segway into my subsequent request.

"As of this moment, the odds on the match are 1:82," she replied. "This may change if any of the other attendees change their bets. However, if the bets remain as they are, excluding the percentage fee taken by the House, your potential total winnings would be 369 golden chips."

It was precisely the same as before.

I suppose no one aside from Kathy and myself bet on Kleave against the Ogre, and everyone that had bet on the Ogre in Round 7 had already placed their bets this round.

"In that case, I'd like to make a Hanged Man's bet," I said.

I heard a deep air intake behind me from Henry, but he didn't say anything useless in protest. He was taking my warning seriously, despite the reckless gamble I was about to make.

The concierge raised a brow.

"Young master Luca Frey, just to make sure, this is your first time visiting the Gilded Siren, correct?"

"It is." I picked up a tea cup and poured myself a hot black tea. A rich aroma of hazelnuts filled my nose.

"And do you understand what a Hanged Man's bet entails?" she asked. "It's not something to bet so lightly."

"I do," I replied after taking a long sip. "A Hanged Man's bet is a request of credit based on the betting on future winnings. And of the 369 golden chips I expect to win, I'd like to collect on thirty as of now."

"Then you understand that should you lose the bet on the fight, you'll owe the casino three times the credited amount: ninety golden chips in total."

"I understand." I smiled and set down my tea cup. "And as you know my family background, you should be well aware that I can cover the loss if it should come about."

A Hanged Man's bet was the most deadly of bets for a gambling addict. It allowed one to extend the amount of credit and bet even more while awaiting the winnings of previous gambles. However, that's all it was. It was a mouse trap that caught gambling addicts and put them into an impossible corner. Should they lose the previous bets, their debt to the casino would balloon to an unsustainable size.

That was how Kathy and Lord Blanche had gotten themselves caught in the Golden Siren's grasp.

It was a stupid type of gamble that only someone with no patience would partake in. However, in my case, I wanted to avoid being in a position where I had to rush out of the casino and up Ebony Alley to make it in time to purchase Leona's egg. The sweat and energy loss wasn't worth it. Especially when I had a sure win.

"Very well, I'll have someone bring out the contract for you," she said and spoke into her cufflink.

Before I finished eating a boiled egg with a creamy spiced topping, a young man in a black cap entered the booth. He held a tablet atop which sat the Hanged Man contract.

"Young master Luca Frey, please look over and sign at the bottom with your thumbprint," he said, and presented the parchment alongside a golden ink pad.

I quickly reviewed the highly unethical contract. The conditions were highly skewed in favor of the casino. The listed cautions regarding if the gambler should fail to pay the casino made my left eye twitch.

What idiot would sign this thing?

But that's of no concern to me.

I finished reading the contents and stamped the bottom with my right thumb, using golden ink.

"Wonderful." The young man took the contract from me and placed a plater with thirty golden coins atop the table in front of me. "It's a pleasure doing business with you. I wish you the best of luck in the coming match."

He nodded toward the concierge and me and promptly left the booth.

"Young master Luca Frey, as the rules state, you may not place the additional thirty golden coins on the same match, as that would fall under the double-dipping clause. In which case, how would you like to proceed?" The concierge asked. "What other game do you desire to play while the current match plays out?"

"LADIES AAAAAND GENTLEMEN!" The announcer's voice boomed through the arena, indicating the match was starting. "Welcome to our first tournament of the day! To our right, we have The Ogre of Adovoria!"

Just like in Round 7, the announcer proceeded to provide an elaborate introduction to the match's star.

I wiped my mouth with a napkin and stood up from my seat.

"Please cash me out," I replied. "And please exchange these thirty chips for phoenix eyes. Then, have the rest of my payout from the winnings of today's match delivered to the Frey Manor."

"You're certainly confident in winning," she commented. "You're not even going to stay and see the outcome?"

"AAAAND to our left is a first-time contender in The Cage!" An announcer's voice boomed again.

I gazed down at Kleave, who had just entered the arena. His short and scrawny frame was a stark contrast to the heavy build of The Ogre.

"No, I'm afraid I have other business to attend to," I replied.

"Very well, I'll have your payout prepared." The concierge picked up the plater of chips from the table and bowed. "Please allow me a moment, and I will return with your payout."

With some time to spare while I waited for her, I leaned against the booth's railing for a better view. I would have enjoyed watching the historic match again, but I wanted to get Leona as soon as possible.

"Bets are closing! In 3…2…1…Closed! Contenders, BEGINNNNNNN!" The announcer rang a bell signaling the fight was to start.

DONG DONG DONG!

"Young master, I know you asked me not to say anything, but aren't you concerned about losing?" Henry spoke up from beside me.

I frowned.

"No," I replied. But two disturbing thoughts occurred to me.

What if my coming fifteen minutes early to the casino changed something? Or any of the other modifications I had already made, for that matter? Who knew what butterfly effects would be brought about this round, apart from the ones I intended?

And the second and more concerning thought was, what if I wasn't alone? What if there was someone else that could remember the different rounds? And what if they brought about their own butterfly effects?

[ Intelligence : +1 ]

[ Intelligence : 59 ]

Damn it.