Chapter 568: Gambling
I’m playing a game similar to Uno that’s recently become popular—probably a mix of elements from this world that the Hero introduced.
“Gaaahhh! Fifteen cards!”
Dinoss shouts.
The objective is the same: the first person to discard all their cards wins. However, there’s a twist where if you can’t discard a card, you draw from the deck based on the number rolled on a twenty-sided die.
“Ah, my condolences,”
the Butler says as he discards his cards.
“Why! Why is it always me with double digits! You guys are definitely up to something!!”
“Not at all,”
Haulon replies, looking offended.
Yeah, they’re not doing anything right now.
Sometimes, it feels like the Butler and Dinoss are engaged in a separate game of trickery, but it doesn’t seem to affect anyone else. I just watch, impressed by their dexterity.
“Uno!”
Retze declares, nonchalantly placing his last card down while cradling Daifuku on his lap.
I want to bury my face in Daifuku’s soft belly. I want to squish him. His little pink nose and ears are adorable. Rishu’s pitch-black nose is cute too, of course.
“Why are you so calm about it?!”
Dinoss grumbles.
“Even if you ask me why, my luck isn’t particularly good or bad,”
Retze replies.
Retze’s draws hover around the average, while mine swing between extremes.
While the Butler and Haulon are distracted by their own little squabbles, it’s usually Retze or sometimes me who wins. For some reason, Dinoss is losing due to the influence of the Butler and Haulon’s antics, even if he doesn’t realize it.
It’s not quite that he doesn’t notice; he seems to sense something is off, which distracts him and leads to mistakes in his card play.
What a hard worker!
“I win!”
“Without something to bet on, it’s not exciting,”
Haulon says as he discards his last card, resulting in the rankings: Retze, me, the Butler, Haulon, and Dinoss.
“I refuse,”
the Butler states.
“You haven’t even said anything yet?!”
Haulon retorts, a thin smile on the Butler’s face.
“Isn’t it just about whether you’ll join the tour of the ruins or not?”
Retze says, sounding exasperated.
“That’s true!”
Haulon snaps back.
“Besides, if Note ends up dating Ash and you get dragged into something, it’ll be a disaster, right?”
“No, Lord Jean behaves calmly and normally around Lord Ash. The only change is that Ruta’s feed has been altered a bit.”
Yeah, the grass from the plains looks good for Uma.
“Wait? Are you two dating?”
Haulon asks, surprised.
It’s more like we’re going out together.
“If it weren’t for the Guild’s requests for Lord Ash, we’d be going on rides once a week. But there’s been no change in our interactions. Not even a millimeter of change,”
the Butler emphasizes, his expression unchanged.
“Your situation is worse than my kid’s,”
I avert my gaze from Dinoss’s words.
I’m not at that innocent age anymore!
“Why not try inviting him to something different? But it’s Ash, so it’s probably not shopping or theater. Maybe invite him to hunt a slightly stronger Demon Beast?”
Dinoss suggests, crossing his arms in thought.
Is Dinoss’s advice based on his own experience with Shiva? A success story?
“Alright, how about we go hunt a Dragon…”
“Stop.”
“Why does it always come to that?”
“Don’t use your own standards; stick to what’s generally considered ‘a bit strong.’”
“That’s outside the range of ‘a bit strong.’”
As I try to follow the advice, everyone stops me. Isn’t that terrible?
“Let’s skip the hunting. How about going somewhere with beautiful scenery?”
“We’re already going on rides.”
Dinoss, we are doing that.
“Places where out-of-season flowers bloom, that sort of thing. Lord Ash would be pleased, but he doesn’t show it much…”
the Butler says, looking troubled.
“Got it. You guys are the type who won’t progress unless you propose, so just give up.”
“That’s harsh.”
“Then let’s play a betting game.”
“What do you mean by ‘then’?”
Haulon tries to change the subject with a smile, but Retze shoots him a half-lidded glare.
“Why not? If I lose, I’ll accompany you to gather Herbs, with explanations on collection and processing. It’ll be beneficial for Retze and the kids too.”
Haulon winks.
“The Great Sage’s knowledge of Herbs…”
Two days later, we gather again at Kanum’s House. Participants for the ruins tour are assembling.
“Why do I have to go? Isn’t it enough with just Retze?”
“Since you lost, just accept it! It’ll be more spread out!”
Haulon insists.
“It won’t! Each of us will take damage, right?!”
“You’re being stubborn!”
The back-and-forth continues, sounding like blood pressure is rising since morning. That night, Haulon had won and secured the right to accompany us.
It’s just a simple tour of the ruins before renovations, so it shouldn’t be a damaging experience. We’re not pulling anything up from underwater again.