Gambling Venue (2)

Johanna watched the gambling table with a slightly tense face.

The saying about beginners luck isnt nonexistent; rather, its almost like a curse.

Probability dictates that with enough numbers, it will always regress to the mean. No matter how much Texas Holdem is a game of skill involving psychological warfare and counting, if the cards dont come, you cant win.

Moreover, the endgame is much more important than the early game in gambling. Players loosen up, and the bold moves that werent there at the beginning start to shape the game.

Thats why novices, deceived by their own luck, end up losing everything they have.

Hmm.

However, as time goes on.

As the gambling continues.

Johanna becomes even more relaxed. She leans back in her chair, stretches a bit, loosens her neck, and even observes the mafia beside her.

[ Shion Ascal victory ]

Thanks to Shion Ascals overwhelming victories. The beginners luck is lasting a little, no, quite a long time.

The other players at the table are also seasoned, but when faced with a bluff, they catch on brilliantly and eat them up, and conversely, if they have high cards, they die off like phantoms.

Its skill that surpasses luck.

[ Shion Ascal victory ]

This is fun.

Thats all Johanna said. The mafia executive put his hand to his forehead. It was quite a sight to behold.

This is why gambling is interesting.

Gambling is very honest. The greater the risk, the greater the return, and where theres a loser, theres a winner.

The reason Johanna chose Shion was simply because his poker face is worth seeing.

She discarded all her plans and made her last bet on Shion Ascal, and the result was.

[ Table 3 concluded ]

[ Winner: Shion Ascal ]

[ Round advancement confirmed ]

It came back as a victory. Johanna looked at the mafia beside her. To the guy who was trying to get up in a hurry, she said,

You.

The executive was silent. Johanna continued in a low voice.

If I win this bet, I will make a proposal to your boss.

Her eyes inside the mask were filled with murderous intent.

I can settle one hundred million ren of the three hundred million ren bet with your neck.

This was serious. There was not a hint of falsehood. If she won the bet, she would definitely take Consigliere Eris skull.

Looking at the mans stiff expression, Johanna smiled thinly.

It wouldnt be bad for you to deliver the message to your boss directly. Be happy that Im valuing you at one hundred million ren. Go on.

Youve only advanced to the next round so far.

When will you ever be worth one hundred million ren? So smile. Be grateful.

Lets see if you can make it to the finals.

Consigliere Eri said that, but his lips were trembling. Fear had already blanched the tip of his tongue.

Well have to see about that.

Johanna waved her hand dismissively and settled back into her chair.

I dont think Ill lose, though.

* * *

The fourth preliminary round was passed without much difficulty. The psychological warfare was definitely tougher, but the cards were surprisingly good.

I was becoming somewhat confident.

It seems that the class of [Bethune], the Gambler, applies here as well.

Of course, its only about 2-3 cards out of a hundred that stick well, but at a professional level, even a single leaf is as significant as a building.

Congratulations. Heres your round ticket.

Thank you.

I received the round ticket from the organizers. As soon as I stepped out of the fourth preliminary venue, a limousine approached.

Whirring

A car twice as luxurious as the one I had arrived in, equipped with all sorts of defensive magic spells, opened its doors automatically.

Inside was Johanna. A woman with her blue hair twisted up into a bun and secured with a hairpin, wearing a fluttering silk dress.

I naturally straighten my posture.

Come in.

At Johannas invitation, I sat down. Johanna smirked and extended her hand.

Its a rookie mistake to take her hand here.

I handed her the round 6 ticket instead. Johanna asked with satisfaction.

How was the preliminary?

It wasnt difficult.

Ho. Is that so?

Johanna examined the ticket from all angles. The organizers seal. The anti-counterfeiting formula. Shion Ascals name. After thoroughly checking, she handed it back to me.

Dont lose it.

Yes.

Then she took out a check from her inner pocket.

Heres your bonus.

I accepted it while maintaining decorum. I didnt even check the amount.

Johanna may seem like a woman obsessed with gambling, even to the point of looking like a homicidal maniac, but she values manners and etiquette.

Shes a bit different from Jade. Jade prioritizes respect towards himself over manners, but Johanna is fixated on overall demeanor.

Yet, because Johanna herself is so down-to-earth, theres a whole truckload of people who have committed a faux pas in front of her and dropped dead on the spot.

You serve Zia?

Yes.

Just then, the limousine started moving. I looked at the passenger seat. I could see the back of the head of the balancer Beckman.

Are you here at this gambling table on Zias orders?

Yes, thats correct.

Have you gambled before?

Not in this life, but in a past life, quite a lot.

Ive played a ghost before.

Ghost?

Yes. During the college board process

Ghost Hotel.

Johanna shrugged with a look of not knowing.

You seem to have talent.

Thank you.

A bow. Not too deep, not too shallow, just the right amount of formality.

If you serve Zia, it doesnt really matter. After all, Zia herself will belong to the winner.

Johanna said this and looked at me again.

The report on the extreme mana stone was yours, wasnt it?

I was lucky.

I maintained my humility. Johanna chuckled lightly, extending a finger to point at me.

That. Thats my favorite phrase.

At that moment, Beckmans shoulder in the passenger seat gave a slight twitch. Johanna couldnt see it, but I could.

An ominous feeling.

There are many, many humans in this world. The difference in their caliber is actually not that great. There are limits set for beings called human. No one can become infinitely intelligent.

Beckman is a ticking time bomb. Of course, Johanna probably already knows what hes thinking. But at a time when each balancer is precious, shes simply taking a risk.

No human can transcend alone.

At Johannas words, one person immediately comes to mind.

Jade of Libra.

In the end, when viewed from a cosmic perspective, all humans are the same. Theres not even a dust-sized difference. However, luck is different.

Is that so?

Yes. Luck, no matter how much I think about it, seems like a cosmic force.

Suddenly, Johanna was triggered.

Ive thought about it for a long time. Some people win a 100 million ren lottery. There are 12 of them a year. If theres a set total and average for luck, then lottery winners should all become endlessly unhappy. But thats not the case. You can trust this; Ive investigated it myself. Of course, some lottery winners do go bankrupt from mismanaging their money. The media promotes these stories extensively to console the public, but in reality, that rate is only about 7%. The rest live exceedingly happy lives for the rest of their days. If the average human luck is 50, then at the moment they win the lottery, its already at 300. And this kind of luck cant be increased with effort. Its absolutely impossible. Some think intelligence or Spectrum is the same, but thats incorrect. Genetic manipulation is entirely possible. But is luck included in genetics? Its not. Therefore, luck is cosmic

Johannas eulogy to luck.

A story that must be listened to with the utmost interest and politeness, without showing any signs of boredom or dozing off.

After about 30 minutes of attentive listening, we arrived at the dormitory.

Weve arrived.

Johanna stopped right on cue. She pressed the button to open the door and said,

Next round. Can I expect something?

I

Think of it as a bet.

Johanna twisted her lips slightly.

Depending on whether you expect something or not, a lot can change.

I didnt hesitate.

Please, expect something.

Today, I got a rough sense of it.

It seems likely that Ill make it to the finals.

Lets do that.

Johanna closed the door with a deep smile.

* * *

Its a clear and blue weekend. Bell Moore is in the car. Riley is with him in the passenger seat, and nearby, SUVs filled with Chasers from Libra line the streets.

Its the day to apprehend a branch family that has betrayed Libra.

Shall we go?

Bell Moore asked Riley. She nodded and got out of the car.

[ Libra Rehabilitation Center ]

The Rehabilitation Center. The person who has now become a cripple is unaware that they have been exposed.

Bell Moore went there with Riley.

Sonnet Revil. She was in the central garden, gripping her cane and walking with effort.

Bell Moore stopped in front of her.

What is it?

Sonya looked up at him with a slight frown. Bell Moore fiddled with his gloved hand.

Good day to you.

Sonyas expression hardened rapidly, realizing that something was amiss.

Whats the matter?

Would you mind coming with us for a moment?

Im a branch family member.

Sonya stared straight into Bell Moores eyes.

I know. Thats why youre being treated this way.

Do you not know who I am?

I said I know.

Bell Moores smug tone irritated Sonya. She quickly took out her smartphone and called Derek.

Derek is busy.

What?

Would you prefer to be dragged away for interrogation, or.

Bell Moore said, playing with his eyebrow.

Would you rather come with us and have a conversation?

Explain whats going on first.

Youll understand once we get there. Well, it seems like you should have a rough idea already.

Shut up. A mere Chaser has no right. Explain first.

Sigh

Bell Moore let out a sigh.

Branch family members never seem to grasp reality.

Muttering to himself, he gestured with his eyes to Riley. Riley stepped forward and handcuffed Sonyas hands.

Sonya glared at them as if she wanted to kill them.

* * *

At the same time, in Libras Aerial Garden.

Zia had just received news of Sonyas arrest.

That cant be.

The charge was treason.

Collusion with Aventagher.

Concrete evidence has been found.

The head of the personnel department, Jean, said so, but no matter how much Zia thought about it, it was hard to believe.

Sonya wasnt that kind of person.

She is currently detained at the underground Intelligence Agency.

Zia had a connection with Sonya. Of course, they werent friends. Zia didnt have friends.

However, as the ostracized youngest member from both the branch family and the main house of Libra, they shared some inexplicable common ground. They often talked when they were younger, and Zia had always highly regarded Sonyas abilities.

Thrown away after being used thats what this is.

Therefore, this is Dereks act of discarding after use.

Zia had anticipated this from the start. There was certainty that it would come to this.

From the moment Sonya swore loyalty to Derek.

Derek cannot contain someone like Sonya. Derek, who must own all the merit, can never truly possess Sonya.

What was the evidence?

We do not know yet. It was handled in utmost secrecy by Derek himself.

Zia wants to save her.

But if this is a direct order from Derek, Zia must not get involved.

There arent many people who can save her within Zias reach.

Not many at all.

There is one person that comes to mind, though.

* * *

Sonya was caught. She fell into a trap. The news was immediately disseminated through the Libra phones.

[ An investigation by Sonnet Revil and the Libra Disciplinary Committee is scheduled to proceed. ]

I looked at my Libra phone from the dormitory of the Knight Academy.

[ The disciplinary committee will consist of four direct members of Libra. ]

It went as expected.

The convening of the Libra Disciplinary Committee meant that, at the very least, her life would be spared.

It was probably about maintaining appearances.

I put down the Libra phone.

Its over.

Can I now become Zias second-in-command?

Ding

The Libra phone rang again.

I looked at the message.

[ Chaser Shion Ascal has been selected for the internal investigation team of the disciplinary committee. ]

[ You are commanded to investigate the truth and authenticity of Sonnet Revils case. ]

Why me all of a sudden?

I was dumbfounded.

The disciplinary committee in charge of Sonnet Revils punishment was selected to be the four direct members.

Even if from a branch family, she still has Libras blood in her veins.

Of course, the direct members were very busy, so they substituted physical meetings with video calls.

Sonya will not be allowed to remain in Libra.

Derek argued for Sonya to be stripped of her title and permanently exiled, but Johanna demanded for a more thorough investigation.

To cast out a collateral relative who has been loyal to you for so long. Thats just like you, Derek. So fucking annoying.

Loyalty? Johanna, do you see loyalty in this letter?

On the other hand, Jade seemed uninterested. Instead, during the meeting, he proudly presented a report on his extreme mana stone and showed off the accounting analysis of this quarters profits

It seemed he was in a good mood because his business was doing well.

Use your eyes and see for yourself. This is the letter she exchanged with Aventagher.

Derek showed Johanna the letter. Johanna retorted sarcastically.

What about the possibility of forgery?

None. The handwriting can be forged, but the content of that letter contained information only an insider would know.

Hmm. So there was a faction within Libra trying to set up this collateral relative. Was her achievement too great? Are you jealous? Since most of your achievements came from Sonyas brain.

Johanna. Have you lost your mind?

Johanna was simply picking on Derek because she thought he was a dick, and Derek, knowing this better than anyone, was getting his blood pressure up.

Lost my mind? Im simply asking for a proper investigation. Not some half-assed investigation, but one that goes through a proper verification process. Not some shoddy method like showing off a letter.

Johanna, who knew better than anyone how to provoke Derek, grinned, showing her teeth.

You fucking bitch.

Derek finally lost his temper.

Dont meddle. Its my business. Since she was under me, Ill handle it myself.

Dear brother. Even before she was under you, she is our cousin with Libras blood.

Derek and Johanna glared at each other through the screen, engaging in a silent battle of wills.

Zia had been quietly blinking up until that point, her lips sealed.

Suddenly, Jade spoke.

I wonder how many years the trend for high-priced mana stones will last. The price of the extreme mana stone will inflate two to three times more than it is now.

Jade, just shut up. Write your monologues in your diary.

Brother, why dont you take a look?

Jade forcibly broadcasted the report written by his subordinate onto the screen, sticking it in front of the camera.

Derek let out a deep sigh.

Fine. Lets say we go with Johannas fucking suggestion and investigate. Then who will do it? I dont want to trust you, and you cant trust me, can you?

Jade interjected.

Brother, I dont have time for investigations. Im too busy with business trips because of the extreme mana stone these days.

I see, Im envious.

At last, youre being honest.

Jade leaned back in his chair with satisfaction.

So

Derek looked at the youngest on the screen. Johannas gaze naturally followed.

Yeah, Zia.

Zia trembled slightly, but she had expected it to come to this as soon as Derek and Johanna started their parallel arguments.

Johanna asked Zia.

Zia, do you have someone suitable under your command to investigate the truth?

On the other hand, Derek seemed to doubt not only Zia but also the competence of her entire team.

Theres no way.

I do.

Zia quickly responded. Derek frowned, and a mischievous smile appeared on Johannas lips.

Who is it?

At Dereks question, Zia cautiously called out the name.

Shion Ascal.