The crowd of patrons erupted into deafening cheers as the rotund man, dressed in an extravagant suit adorned with jewels and gold threads, proclaimed the arrival of the newcomers. With a self-satisfied smirk, he basked in the adulation like a king on his throne while the casino buzzed with excitement.
After a moment of reveling in the attention, he turned his attention to Emeline and Viktor.
"I am the Game Master, though you may simply refer to me as Mr. M," he declared with a dramatic flourish. "Now, would you care to accompany me?"
With another grand gesture, he led them through the bustling casino floor, their footsteps cushioned by luxurious carpets. They arrived at a teleporter near the front desk, which whisked them away to a platform connected to a winding staircase. The atmosphere of the staircase was akin to a lively nightclub, with pulsing music that seemed to come from every direction.
Descending the stairs, they entered a spacious room adorned with opulent decorations. A spread of delectable snacks and foods greeted them, along with an assortment of beverages displayed on golden trays.
This room exuded an air of exclusivity, far surpassing the opulence of the surrounding casino.
Gold accents adorned every surface, from intricate trinkets to lustrous sheets draped over elegant furniture. Against one wall stood a silk curtain woven with enchantments, serving as a makeshift door. Its golden threads shimmered in the soft ambient light, adding to the lavishness of the room.
Three sumptuous red and black velvet couches encircled a grand, high-gloss mahogany table at the center of the room. Standing beside it was a man dressed in a simple yet elegant ensemble: a crisp white button-up shirt paired with a striking red vest and sleek black trousers. But what caught the eye most was the mysterious covering obscuring his eyes, adding an enigmatic allure to his demeanor.
The grand doors swung open with a creak, revealing a lavish foyer adorned with marble and gold accents. A butler stood at attention, his posture rigid and unwavering as he addressed the new arrivals.
"Welcome! It appears you're new here!" The butler's voice was cold and almost mechanical, sending shivers down Emeline's spine. "Would you be interested in enrolling for a membership? As guests of the esteemed Black Box, you must possess a considerable fortune," he continued, his words echoing through the room.
Emeline glanced back at her companion, Mr. M, who seemed more interested in ogling a woman with ample assets across the room than paying attention to their host. With a gentle poke to his back, she roused him from his reverie.
"Excuse me, sir... Could you assist us in setting up, please?" she implored, her eyes wide with a hint of pleading.
"Huh..." Mr. M mumbled, still seemingly entranced by the woman's beauty. "Oh, yes, of course." Shaking off his daze, he redirected his attention to the butler. "These individuals are esteemed guests, deserving of the utmost attention. Please ensure they are well taken care of," he instructed in a distracted tone before returning his gaze to the alluring lady in the distance.
"Now, my dear guests, Edward will attend to your needs." The butler stepped forward with a slight bow. "Please, make yourselves comfortable and indulge in some refreshments. As for me, I must attend to other matters." With that declaration, Mr. M hastily darted off in pursuit of the captivating woman.
Emeline couldn't help but emit a frustrated groan as she watched her partner disappear into the crowd.
"Men," she muttered to herself with a wry chuckle. "You'll never stoop to that level of pigheadedness, will you, Viktor?" she teased, expecting a retort or reassuring glance from him. Yet, to her surprise, he was nowhere to be seen.
"What in the world! Where on earth did he disappear to?" Panic laced her voice as she frantically scanned the vicinity, her movements growing more frantic with each passing moment. Despite her efforts, all she encountered was an eerie silence, punctuated only by the enigmatic presence of Edward the butler. His stoic expression remained unchanged as he observed Emeline's distress with a hint of amusement.
Emeline's voice was desperate as she turned to Edward and asked, "Do you know where my little brother went?"
Edward simply smiled serenely, acknowledging her question without speaking. Emeline's frustration grew as she stared at him in disbelief. "Can't you at least tell me where he is?" she demanded, her voice rising in volume. But the butler remained calm and composed, unaffected by her growing agitation.
"Of course," he replied calmly, gesturing towards the other end of the bustling casino floor where a crowd had gathered. His demeanor remained unfazed by Emeline's escalating emotions.
"What in the world..." Emeline muttered, taking a shrimp from a nearby platter before striding determinedly towards the crowd, determined to solve the mystery of Viktor's disappearance.
***
As Mr. M and Big Sis chattered away, their words faded into background noise for me. I was too preoccupied with something else in the room that called out to me, a feeling of magic that I couldn't resist. Despite my limited experience with magical elements, I could sense the subtle presence of mana weaving its way through the air around me. It beckoned me, urging me to follow its trail.
Carefully maneuvering through the bustling casino floor, I felt a sense of excitement building inside of me, like an adventurer on the brink of uncovering a long-lost treasure. Finally, the trail led me to its source and as I came to a stop, a wave of relief washed over me. There, resting on top of a large rectangular table, was a small stone emitting a faint aura of magic. Beside it sat an enigmatic box, guarded by three imposing figures - one seated and two standing, their presence radiating power.
My curiosity sparked, I observed as people lined up at the table, eagerly waiting for their turn to participate in whatever game was taking place. But what exactly drew them in? Was it the imposing figure presiding over the game, dressed in an extravagant purple suit that exuded wealth and influence? Or perhaps they were enticed by the opportunity to win a fortune under his watchful gaze.
My heart raced with anticipation as I gazed at the unassuming stone in front of me. It was a simple object, yet it held so much potential. My mind was filled with endless possibilities of what this stone could be - a powerful rune infused with ancient magic, capable of sealing or enhancing power. Memories of my past teachings resurfaced, reminding me how runes could amplify one's essence and empower the soul itself.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted my thoughts, jolting me back to reality. Turning to face the speaker, I found myself looking up at a tall woman. To her, I must have seemed like a mere child among the bustling crowd. "Excuse me... Are you Viktor Kirchner? I think I saw you up on the stage but it was a bit dark so I don't know," she asked in a gentle yet curious tone.
Meeting her gaze, I confirmed that I was indeed Viktor Kirchner. Gesturing towards the busy table, I inquired about the game that everyone seemed to be playing. The woman's response was matter-of-fact, as if it were common knowledge. "Do you not know? That's William Jules, the number one game champion in the country," she explained with reverence for the figure.
Despite her invitation to join her and her friends, I declined, explaining that I had business with Sir Jules. However, I assured her that perhaps another day, when I was older and in better health, I would be able to accompany her. As she walked away, I reflected on our encounter and realized that while I may be knowledgeable in many subjects, there were still gaps in my understanding of intimacy and reproduction. Perhaps it was a topic I should broach with my sister one day.
But for now, my focus was on unraveling the mystery surrounding William Jules. With a newfound determination, I strode confidently towards the table, knowing my status as a prince and the weight of the Kirchner name behind me, courtesy of Mr. M's endorsement.
As the defeated player rose from his seat, tears glistening in his eyes, I seized the opportunity and confidently took his place at the table, ready to make my mark. However, the man across from me immediately scoffed at my presence. "A kid, huh? Who the hell are you?" he demanded in a condescending tone.
Undeterred by his arrogance, I squared my shoulders and met his gaze without flinching. "I'm surprised you haven't heard of me, given all the commotion and chatter. But I suppose it's understandable, considering your distance from the entrance. I am Viktor Kirchner, eighth son of the Emperor," I declared proudly, emphasizing my noble lineage and asserting my right to be there.
The man's dismissive attitude did not waver. "Listen, kid. Being a prince doesn't automatically give you the upper hand with me. I've defeated plenty of nobles in the past month alone, so don't come in here thinking you're special. Show me your skills and then maybe I'll consider treating you with some respect. How about it? Do you want to play a game?" With a quick flick of his wrist, he unlocked the box and revealed its contents behind the shiny brass locks.
"What game?" I asked, locking eyes with him and refusing to back down.
"Chess. It was brought to this world by old adventurers. Do you know how to play?" he asked, carefully placing the pieces on the board between us.
My mind raced as I tried to process this unexpected challenge. Though there was a sense of familiarity with the game, I couldn't shake off the doubt that I may be overestimating my abilities.
"Yes," I replied confidently, hiding my inner turmoil.
As the man finished arranging the pieces, he stared at me with a piercing gaze that sent shivers down my spine. "So... What are we betting?" he demanded.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out Emeline's coin purse which I had taken while she was distracted. Handing it over, I watched as he examined its contents sharply.
"493 gold coins? That's quite a fortune. In the dwarven kingdoms, you could buy an A-rank sword with that much money. But here... Who knows what it translates to," he thought out loud, his words filling the room. Unsure if his question was directed at me, I remained silent.
After a brief pause, he continued, his tone shifting to one of determination. "Ah, I see. You could buy a magnificent tier-five sword with this amount," he mused, his eyes gleaming with greed and excitement.
"But I doubt anyone in this country has the Source to handle such a powerful weapon. Look kid, I have the connections to buy everyone in this room, except for you and your companion," he declared, his finger jabbing in my direction before flashing a devious grin.
"Listen up boy. If I win, you'll come work for me until your father coughs up an even larger sum to reclaim your sorry ass." The audacity of his demand left me almost jolted from my seat. How could he brazenly request my servitude? This wasn't some underground ring; it was a luxurious casino. How could he dare to make such a demand?
"Look, kid, don't be confused. The man who walked by us crying a moment ago? Guess what I asked of him," he prodded, waiting for a response. Seeing my confusion, he answered his own question.
"His wife. But here's the real kicker. She was more than willing to comply, her desperation evident in her tear-stained face. That's what money does to people. It turns them into puppets, willing to do anything for wealth and power." His words struck me like a slap in the face. It was a harsh reminder of the corrupt world we lived in.
"But not you... You're at the top of the ladder because of your birthright. You didn't earn it like the rest of us did," he sneered, his disgust palpable. "That's why I don't respect brats like you—born into privilege and thinking everyone owes them something." He punctuated his words with a forceful slam of his fist against the table.
His rant struck a chord within me. While I may have been born into a position of privilege, I had distanced myself from my family and their legacy. I didn't believe that anyone owed me anything because of my birthright.
"But you, kid... You've got some guts, I'll give you that," he acknowledged, his tone grudgingly admiring. "And if you win... This is a tier-five rune. You beat me, and it's all yours." He displayed the powerful rune for me to see, its intricate design shimmering with ancient magic. The temptation was almost too much to resist.
"So, what do you say, huh?" he concluded, extending his hand in a gesture of challenge.
I couldn't trust a word he said, and I wouldn't put it past him to renege on his promise even if I emerged victorious. But the allure of the powerful rune was undeniable. Perhaps, if push came to shove, I could find a way to claim it for myself.
Shaking off my doubts, I met his gaze with a smirk of my own. "So be it... Let the games begin!"