Everything went according to Envy's plan. As Ophelia and Delta fainted due to the smoke from the fire choking their breathing, they were unable to complete the maze and ended up with 0 points when time ran out. On the other hand, Envy, or Vif who was a fire dragon, could freely move amidst the smoke and flames without suffering any impact on her body.
She was able to complete the maze as quickly as possible. Thanks to her two fallen opponents, Envy no longer needed to aim for the big points that slowed down her time. She always chose the wrong answer so that the path wouldn't get any further so that she could complete the maze as quickly as possible.
And just like that, the Decision Maze ended in a clear victory for Envy.
Envy
863 points + 100 completion speed points = 963 points.
Ophelia
547 points + 50 completion speed points × 0 = 0
Delta
439 points + 20 completion speed points × 0 = 0
Right after each Avatar's points were calculated, the three people who entered the labyrinth were teleported back to the stadium stage.
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! ENVY-SAMAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"ENVY-SAMA, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!"
"ENVY-SAMA! ENVY-SAMA!!!!"
"SASUGA ENVY-SAMA!!!!!!"
"ENVY-SAMA!!! YOU DO THE BEST!!!!!!"
"LADY CALLIOPE, YOU DO THE BEST TOO...."
"THE OTHER ONE IS ALSO EXCITING...."
"SUGOI, SUGOI!!!!"
"YESSSS!!! I MADE A BIG PROFIT!!!"
"HURRAY!!! THANK GOODNESS I BET TO ENVY-SAMA!!!"
"ENVY-SAMA, I'M WITH YOU...."
The cheers that were so loud and deafening could be heard throughout the stadium, no, throughout the 3rd floor.
Everyone was happy with Envy's victory even though it ended in a way that surprised them. But everyone was quite satisfied because this year's gambling match was more interesting than the previous ones.
Before entering the finale, the MC mobilized the medics to take Ophelia and Delta who fainted from inhaling too much smoke to the hospital.
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****OOO****
Character Information
Name: Madam LinNova: III OrangeRace: OniAge: UnknownStatus: Eastern Lord of the 3rd FloorAffiliation: 3rd Floor Eastern Region [https://img.wattpad.com/f53ba7864b4193f6afb2b5bb1d6d2277a3b77847/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f36696b47686554325574776c34673d3d2d313334393134393435372e313739373237613038646239303534373535303139393631353232322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Name: Madam Lin
Nova: III Orange
Race: Oni
Age: Unknown
Status: Eastern Lord of the 3rd Floor
Affiliation: 3rd Floor Eastern Region
-------------------------------------------------
Name: DurrenNova: UnknownRace: UnknownAge: UnknownStatus: Western Lord of the 3rd FloorAffiliation: Western Region 3rd Floor [https://img.wattpad.com/0edff7c534cef79d75fb6632b56db572bcc76bf9/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6e2d5f76777a4f495f56775270673d3d2d313334393134393435372e313739373237396230313931353265313431313038383931353338342e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Name: Durren
Nova: Unknown
Race: Unknown
Age: Unknown
Status: Western Lord of the 3rd Floor
Affiliation: Western Region 3rd Floor
-------------------------------------------------
Name: Rouge VifNova: IX BlueRace: Dragon (?)Age: UnknownStatus: Envy [Fake]3rd Floor Northern Lord [Fake]Affiliation: 3rd Floor Northern Region [Fake]Nemesis Guild [Fake] [https://img.wattpad.com/3964fcdd7fd4c10ba984aefa0ce32f711edd3fd1/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f357039426f752d4d735050754b513d3d2d313334393134393435372e313736353665346637643937646633303837343635313133333534302e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Name: Rouge Vif
Nova: IX Blue
Race: Dragon (?)
Age: Unknown
Status: Envy [Fake]
3rd Floor Northern Lord [Fake]
Affiliation: 3rd Floor Northern Region [Fake]
Nemesis Guild [Fake]
****OOO****
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{ Uwaahhhh! Guyss!!! I'm speechless guys!!! } excited the MC. He stopped hovering and jumped onto the stage.
{ Congratulations on your victory, Envy-sama!!! Sasuga!!! }
The MC's mic was aimed straight at Envy.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
{ How could you do that!? You really showed that strength + intelligence can defeat all sorts of tricks!!! Amazing!!! }
Envy ignored him. She just walked back to her chair and sat there.
{ Isn't there anything you want to say? }
The long straight blonde haired girl with a mask on her face looked at Madam Lin who was scowling in annoyance and Lord Durren who didn't seem to care much about winning and losing.
".... Do you guys really think you can beat me with that?" provoked Envy.
The MC took a few steps back.
{ Whoops, whoops... }
Madam Lin smiled in annoyance.
"Yes, yes... Your level is much different from ours. Even though your original power is sealed for the sake of gambling balance. Ha~ahh... How could you still be able to perform AoE in other ways."
"It's my loss for not predicting that."
{ I-I didn't hear it wrong, guys!? Madam Lin admitted defeat!!? Are you so shocked until-- }
Madam Lin, "💢"
"Continue, Class... Until what?" Madam Lin smiled creepily.
{ No-Nothing Madam...} shrank the MC.
The MC immediately turned to Lord Durren, for distraction.
{ Well then, what do you think Lord? You're taking it easy and acting like you don't care what you win or lose}
"Hahahahahaha! Don't care you say? Of course I do. I also want to win and defeat someone of Envy's level," Lord Durren's laughter boomed.
"But I've also predicted this. If defeating a ranker was that easy, the 3rd floor would already be filled with them."
{ But for you, it is indeed that easy! How many hundreds of tankers have you defeated since becoming the Lord of the West! } denied the MC.
Lord Durren smiled mysteriously.
"Those stupid bastards don't deserve to call themselves tankers."
{ W-What a bold statement... As expected from a Lord who has slaughtered rankers in gambling}
The MC twisted his body to the center of the stage.
{ Why are you guys more casual than I expected? :") }
{ Even though the stakes are up to trillions... Don't you love that kind of money?"}
Madam Lin, who was still upset about her defeat, replied with a bitchy expression.
"Money can be found easily."
"What's more annoying is..."
The woman clasped her hands tightly.
"I couldn't get Envy after planning all that. Just because of a stupid thing like fire smoke..."
"But yeah... Losing is also what I expected. I'll have to come up with a plan B to minimize the loss. Don't let her get Calliope too."
"It's a good thing she didn't realize the loopholes in the stakes," Madam Lin glanced at Envy who was calmly sitting in her chair.
Madam Lin glanced at Lord Durren in turn. Understanding the meaning of that look, Lord Durren gave a small nod.
{ The speech of people who gamble up to trillions is different, guys } saddened the MC.
{ I don't think ordinary people who are poor like me can understand them }
{ Let's get this over with!!! Usapong!! } exclaimed the MC.
The Usapong came to bring all the gifts that were placed on the table earlier to Envy.
{ Once again, congratulations on your victory, Envy-sama!! }
The secretary stood in for Envy to receive all of her gifts.
PROK PROK PROK PROK
The applause and cheers that Envy received echoed. People were even happier about her victory than Envy herself. Those who came from various floors felt grateful to come to this year's Meeting of the 3 Rulers. Although the match did not end as epic as they thought it would because Envy's power was sealed, just being able to see one of the 7 Deadly Sins in action was already a rare moment.
Lord Durren, Madam Lin and their servants joined in clapping their hands despite feeling a little upset about the outcome.
"Since this year's gambling is over, may I pick up Delta and bring her home today?" smiled Lord Durren as he rose from his chair. Zeta's expression immediately became anxious.
{ Huh? You're in such a hurry. There's still a closing ceremony}
"I can't leave my woman alone in the hospital for too long. Is that okay, Envy-sama?" he smiled at Envy.
{ Lord Durren... Pussycat guys!!! Uhhh, want a girlfriend!!! }
Envy was frozen in place. She didn't say anything and just looked straight at the man.
"........"
"He really wrapped his words up nicely," Envy thought.
At first glance, there was nothing wrong with Lord Durren's words. He only asked for permission to return to his mansion. That was all.
But that was if this was a normal gamble and the bet was over just like that.
Envy already knew everything from the letter Zeta sent. As she had explained earlier. What was at stake was not limited to the trillions worth of goods on the table.
Risking everything on the table also meant risking ownership of the Avatar itself. In other words, since Envy had won now, Lord Durren's slave, Delta and Madan Lin's slave, Ophelia were also her now. But with a word of encouragement--
"Since this year's gambling is over, can I pick up Delta and bring her home today?"
-- that is, Lord Durren indirectly asked for permission to take back ownership of Delta from Envy. If Envy allowed that in front of Usapong, Usapong would take it as Envy agreeing to the withdrawal of the bet. According to gambling rules, as long as both parties agree, bets can be canceled or withdrawn.
Simply put, if Envy allows it, the ownership of Delta will return to Lord Durren.
Madam Lin also got up from her chair.
"Are we done? Then I'll also take my leave to go home with my dear Ophelia."
"Do you mind if we say goodbye first, Envy-sama?" smiled Madam Lin.
{ How come two of the three rulers want to go home already? What's the closure! }
"The competition is over, so what else is there to do?" replied Madam Lin casually.
{ But! But!!! } The MC was unhappy, but he couldn't say anything to prevent them from leaving.
{ E-Envy-sama... You're not going straight home, right? } Finally he asked Envy for help.
Meanwhile, Envy herself was sitting quietly even though her body was trembling. Trembling from holding back her laughter.
"Those two are really good together..."
"Want to go home quickly? So eager to get your slave back?" Envy smiled from behind her mask.
"How good is that?"
"....!"
Envy noticed the heated gazes of several people.
Zeta and Lenarya who were looking at her hopefully and felt starry to the point of being somewhat dazzling. As well as the worried eyes of Lord Durren's two servants who seemed to be showing the slaves of the lords who would return to their owners if Envy agreed.
"Pfftt..."
Envy's stomach tingled.
"Those kids are adorable... you guys have planned the best to achieve this result, huh? If I agree here, how devastated would you feel?" Envy wondered.
Envy smiled with satisfaction.
"Well... I managed to win and maintain Envy's reputation also thanks to this kid's information, although without it I would have won anyway."
"But..."
Envy recalled a moment when she was in the maze. It was the first time she saw Calliope's eyes up close.
"Maybe I won't be able to get Calliope without that letter."
"A Calliope, huh... Information from her will definitely be useful for Theria-nee."
Envy smiled happily, the result she got from this gamble was quite good. It was not in vain that she accepted the request from the real Envy to replace her.
That woman also got up from her chair.
"What's the hurry? The MC already said there's still a closing ceremony."
{ Envy-sama...! } the MC exclaimed.
"Eh?" surprised Madam Lin and Lord Durren.
"What's wrong with her!? All of a sudden!?"
"Envy always disappears quickly once the event ends, why doesn't she leave immediately!? Isn't her schedule busy!? This is bad... If he stalls any longer..."
Madam Lin glanced at Usapong.
"Usapong will be back first."
"Don't you have anything scheduled after this? We don't mind, but someone with a busy schedule like you, is it okay to join the closing ceremony?" asked Lord Durren naturally.
Envy grinned, she started walking to the door.
"No problem, until tonight's party ends, my time is free."
{ Envy-sama!!! Yeahh!!! Finally!!! }
{ Did you hear that, guys!? ENVY-SAMA JOIN THE CLOSING PARTY!!!! } screamed the MC excitedly.
"HORAAAAYYYY!!!!!!"
"ENVY-SAMAAAA!!!!!!!!"
This was followed by another excitement created by the crowd. Unlike the audience who seemed to be very happy with Envy joining, the other two rulers began to break out in cold sweat and almost made wry faces.
Envy, who realized that, walked past them, then whispered softly.
"Do you really think I'm so stupid that I didn't know I was risking myself in this gamble?"
"!!"
When Envy whispered that, the two immediately turned to stare at Envy with horror.
Envy smiled kindly, though it was not visible due to her mask.
"I won't agree to any bet withdrawals."