The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 165

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I reflexively covered my mouth and quickly informed Ailren of that fact.

Next, it was time to inform Tesagh.

When I switched the connection and whispered, I could see Tesagh playing cards nodding his head.

‘Still, it’s fortunate that Tesagh has magic immunity so magical tools don’t work on him.’

I rummaged through my pocket and smiled slightly.

What I held in my hand was a small bottle.

Inside it was water mixed with holy water.

It was worth always carrying a little bit around just in case, ever since I screwed over Carlos with holy water at the auction house.

I drank the water while thinking.

‘Come to think of it, I wasn’t affected by the cigarette magical tool even without holy water.’

When the air freshener magical tool was used, I didn’t suffer damage thanks to the holy water I had drunk beforehand.

But when the cigarette magical tool was used, I hadn’t drunk holy water, had I?

Was it because I was careful about my breathing, or because I frequently handled sacred objects…?

While spinning the slot machine to avoid suspicion and racking my brain, I narrowed my eyes.

‘Looking at how the dealers, guards, and gambling den errand boys are fine? Aha, those guys also drank holy water.’

The water glass placed in front of the dealer was glowing faintly.

‘So that’s why I could see holy power, even faintly, from the hands of people who visited the pawnshop. It must have rubbed off when the dealer who had been drinking holy water distributed the cards.’

The amount was so minimal that even when it rubbed off on people, it wasn’t enough to resist magical tools.

The puzzle pieces fit together.

Only one thing remains.

How did this gambling den come to acquire the customers’ accessories?

‘I have a hunch about this.’

After taking a deep breath, I spoke loudly as if wanting everyone to hear.

“Damn it, I lost everything! I don’t even have money now!”

I could feel Tesagh glancing at me.

However, Tesagh wasn’t the only one looking at me.

‘The employees are watching.’

I gave Tesagh a subtle look, then pulled the unlit handle and whined like other gamblers.

“I feel like I could win if I just played a little more… If I just had a little more money…”

“Customer.”

Perfect.

An employee approached me.

I relaxed my eyes and looked up at him stupidly.

“What. Are you going to kick me out because I have no money?”

“No, not at all. Are you short on funds?”

“Yeah.”

“Then we might be able to help you out a little.”

“You’re going to lend me money?”

Then the employee smiled.

“You’ll understand if you come see for yourself.”

While following the employee, I casually threw a note I had written beforehand onto Tesagh’s knee.

Since Duke should prioritize finding Countess Devin, I’ll go alone.

But then?

“Where are you going.”

Tesagh followed.

“B-big brother?”

I answered reflexively in panic, and Tesagh raised one eyebrow.

“I told you I’m the boss when we’re outside. Are you trying to scare people? Where are you going?”

With a menacing expression and perfect loan shark acting, his tone was incredible.

I also equipped a servile tone to match him.

“No, well, I lost all my money… But I can recover quickly!”

“Do you remember how many times you’ve said that?”

“I-I’m serious! I won’t make mistakes again! Please give me one more chance!”

“Chances are only given to those who show promise.”

“Boss, but still…!”

“Lower your voice. Let’s talk somewhere private.”

The employee who heard our conversation flinched and walked quickly.

‘Perfect!’

We secured justification for going to a secluded place together, and incidentally created distance from the employee.

I gave Tesagh a subtle thumbs up and mouthed words.

‘Didn’t you see the note?!’

‘I saw it.’

‘Then why?’

‘Finding Devin Viscount is one thing, but how can I let you go alone?’

‘You’re speaking too fast, I can’t read your lips!’

‘Finding Devin Viscount… never mind.’

Tesagh, who had stuck close behind me, whispered low.

“About that strange scent, it seems more like the type that maximizes pleasure rather than a magical tool that hypnotizes people to gamble.”

“How do you know that?”

“Mental-type magical tools in scent form are expensive. Complex ones like hypnosis magic are even more expensive.”

I nodded, remembering how expensive Emma’s one-time ‘worst memory’ magic had been.

“Ah, so no matter how much money the gambling den makes, it wouldn’t be cost-effective to burn enough to fill this entire space.”

“Right. It’s a magical tool with relatively simple principles that only incites specific emotions. Think of it as drugs made into incense.”

Tesagh said he saw someone at the same table who was fine at first, but whose eyes glazed over as soon as they won.

He ground his teeth.

“But the effects aren’t simple. Those who leave this place will never again feel joy from ordinary daily life.”

“…The threshold for pleasure becomes too high, so they can’t be satisfied unless it’s gambling done in this place.”

“Whoever planned this place is the worst of the worst. You’d better be careful.”

A mindset that doesn’t care if people are ruined as long as they make money.

I felt disgusted all over again.

As I clenched my fist, the employee ahead opened a door for us while glancing at us.

‘He must have wondered what we were whispering about.’

Before I could even speak, Tesagh said fiercely.

“What are you staring at. If you’re done guiding, get lost.”

“Ah, y-yes! I’m sorry!”

…This seems more like Tesagh’s true feelings rather than loan shark acting.

With the employee scurrying away behind us, I entered through the open door and flinched.

“Hello, we’ll purchase your items.”

It wasn’t because of the pawnshop-like employee’s comment.

‘I was expecting that much anyway.’

“Take care and please visit us again next time.”

“If things go well.”

I recalled how strange the customer’s words at the pawnshop had been.

If things go well? It must have meant if the gambling goes well.

More precisely, it would have meant if they win enough money to buy luxury items again, even second-hand.

Why did the gambling den only accept people wearing such expensive things?

‘They were confident they could make them spend all their money. And when that wasn’t enough, they planned to fleece them of even the clothes and accessories they were wearing!’

People soaked in the pleasure of gambling would have sold their items for peanuts, desperate to play more games immediately.

The gambling den, which had bought items at prices less than a fraction of a fraction of their value.

‘They recycled them. Just like how they reset the pink diamond that was embedded in the pocket watch.’

Reset gemstones are impossible to trace. They become an excellent means of money laundering.

Even if the gamblers realized this fact belatedly, it would be useless.

Since gambling dens are illegal to enter in the first place, and reporting it would mean losing their place to gamble, they have no choice but to keep their mouths shut.

It’s an utterly vicious creative economy.

But what surprised me wasn’t because of that.

‘…That light.’

From the exhibition hall and shelf visible behind the employee, an intense light that I’d only seen from divine-grade holy relics was emanating.

The shelf itself couldn’t be a holy relic.

So that means…

‘Until just a moment ago, the ruby tablet was in that spot!’

Goosebumps spread across my entire body.

I swallowed my saliva and approached closer, holding a ring.

“Here.”

“Yes, gold rings like this are 50,000 gold in bulk. Shall we purchase it?”

It was less than 10% of the appraised value.

However, I nodded, and while the employee turned away to get the money, I quickly scanned the surroundings.

‘The light is connected. The corridor was so bright I didn’t realize it before…’

A faint trail of light starting from the shelf was leading to the door we had entered through.

‘If I follow that, I’ll find the ruby tablet.’

After finishing my thoughts, I snatched the money and dragged Tesagh out into the corridor.

Sure enough, light was sparkling all the way to the end of the corridor.

Tesagh, seeing my expression, asked.

“…You’ve noticed something. Right?”

To know just from looking at my expression.

Somehow that comment felt good to hear, but I didn’t have time to focus on that.

I was about to quickly explain what I had confirmed and relay it to Ailren as well.

“Count Airen? Can you hear me?”

The receiver was dead.

As I was tapping my ear, Tesagh said quietly.

“I’ll relay that. More importantly, I heard what you confirmed, so now I want to hear what you’re planning to do.”

“I’ll stay here and follow the light.”

Tesagh’s brow furrowed sharply.

“‘I’? You mean you’re going to do it alone?”

“Yes, since Duke must find Countess Devin…”

Tesagh roughly ran his hand through his hair.

“That’s something the Knights who are probably playing slot machines right now can do. I can leave entering the VIP room to those guys.”

“Then what about Countess Devin? …Aren’t you worried?”

“Worried.”

Tesagh, who had been staring at me intently, sighed deeply.

“You might think I’m a selfish bastard, a heartless person, but I need to say this.”

Tesagh, who had bent down slightly to look at me, opened his mouth.

“Elisha.”

In his eyes as he quietly called my name, I was reflected completely.

“I’m most worried about you.”

Only me.

“So don’t tell me to go. Don’t say those words.”

“…”

“…Because if you say that, I’ll inevitably lose to you.”

It was the moment I realized that fact.

Thump. Thump.

My heart was beating.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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