Chapter 260

“One hundred thousand gold for Rosalia Vienderk.”

Fernan placed a large sum on the table. Hyde and Gismond were with him.

“It has been recorded. The payout rate is 3.2 times.”

In human history, gambling has never been absent, and this world was no exception.

Even in the greatest competition of all, the Grand Dragon God Tournament, betting was part of the spectacle.

Given its scale, the betting limits were also high.

Of course, the identity of the bettor had to be verified and certain requirements met, but since it was managed by the Dragon God Cult, there was no risk of being scammed.

And with it being Pellenberg, meeting those conditions wasn’t a problem.

“As expected, the odds are high.”

Usually, in Dragon God tournaments or Royal Knight title duels, the challengers had a higher payout rate.

Unlike those who had already proven their power, the aspirants still had to overcome that final gap that separated them from the title.

But Fernan was certain. That’s why he had even given Hyde and Gismond money to bet up to the allowed limit.

“The Dragon God Cult managing the bets themselves impressive,” murmured Gismond.

Though, thinking about it, it wasn’t that surprising. He had already seen more than once how greedy Jace could be.

“And if we win? Do I get a cut?”

“Yes, senior.”

“Really?”

“I’ll give you 10 gold coins.”

“…Uh-huh.”

Compared to the hundred thousand, it was a pittance. But coming from Fernan, who loved money, the fact that he’d give anything at all was already a reason to be thankful.

“Honestly, I always thought the whole thing about the emperor being obsessed with this event was exaggerated, but now I’m starting to get it.”

Though only those who met certain conditions were allowed in, the betting hall was packed.

The minimum bet was ten thousand gold. An enormous amount of money would move just for this one-day event.

And that didn’t even include the stadium tickets, which cost a fortune.

All that money, naturally, ended up in the hands of the Cult.

“We have nothing else to do until tomorrow. If you want to enjoy the festival, go ahead.”

“Really?”

Gismond lit up.

“I don’t have to wield my sword this time? Not even a duel with the Cult’s mages?”

“No, nothing like that.”

The Cult’s priests were all elite. Having them fight Gismond would be interesting, but very costly, and it wasn’t worth spending money just for fun.

“Enjoy the festival however you like.”

“No take-backs later!”

Fernan tossed him a small pouch. Inside were ten gold coins.

“The ten I mentioned earlier. Use them to enjoy yourself.”

“Perfect!”

Gismond disappeared into the crowd.

“Let’s go, Hyde.”

“Do you have somewhere to go?”

“I need to send a letter to my father. At the next conference of the Elector Princes, they must not decide where to place the Pasa Bell.”

He also needed to report that it was possible the northern kingdoms were already under the control of demons.

“We must find proof and, in the end, ensure the Pasa Bell is installed in the Kingdom of Rinel.”

“To protect Linelt, right?”

“That’s right. If the kingdom collapses before I recover my investment, it would be a disaster.”

When you lend money, you’re in control. But if the sum is too large, the positions can reverse.

That was the case with Pellenberg now.

Linelt wouldn’t dare take advantage of him, but if it fell to demons, the result would be the same.

At least until the capital was recovered, Linelt couldn’t be allowed to disappear.

“So you’re trapped.”

“Exactly.”

“With a prophetic book in your hands, young master, how could you make such a mistake?”

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to connect a direct pipe to an entire kingdom. How could I pass it up?”

“You speak of your greed with pride, huh?”

“Of course I do.”

Let he who can look at a mountain of gold without trembling cast the first stone.

Fernan headed to the Golden Turtle Guild’s branch in Eargrath.

A quiet day.

***

“Freedom! At last, freedom! How long has it been since I was last free?”

Gismond raised his arms and shouted with joy.

Passersby looked at him oddly, but he didn’t care.

After so many days of being exploited by Fernan, this was a light in the darkness.

“I want to play.”

With a bit of free time, he immediately thought of games. But this world had no computers or consoles.

So he settled for enjoying the festival.

The streets were packed with stalls, music, food, and games.

It was so massive it reminded him of a theme park back on Earth.

‘Did they do this with magic?’

Not bad at all.

Especially that attraction that looked like a roller coaster—faster and taller than anything he’d ever tried.

“First, something to eat…”

The sweet aroma in the air led him to a skewer stall.

“How much is it?”

“Five silver.”

“…What?”

Gismond froze.

‘Five silver for a skewer?’

Sure, it was huge. Juicy beef, chunks of lobster, veggies coated in sauce and melted cheese.

Thirty centimeters long and looked delicious.

But still—five silver for one skewer?

Was there a “festival scam” even in this world? Or was everything in the Cult just overpriced?

Gismond trembled as he smiled awkwardly.

Even though Fernan had given him plenty of money, his old earthly habits made him hesitate to spend so much.

He looked for another stall.

This time, they were offering crepes covered in chocolate, cream, and fresh fruit.

“Three silver?”

Ah, I see. Everything was insanely expensive.

He could easily spend his ten gold coins, but he didn’t feel like it.

“This is ridiculously expensive. Has Eargrath always been like this? Or is it just for the festival?”

Next to him, someone muttered the same thing he had.

Instinctively, he turned his head.

“…Adolf Hit— no, Fridian?”

“You’re… Gismond Ert, right?”

They recognized each other immediately.

“What are you doing here?”

“It’s my first time at the Grand Dragon God Tournament, so I came to see it. And you?”

“I’m accompanying Fernan.”

“Then it seems Fernan Pellenberg is here too. Well, I guess it’s no secret he’s sponsoring Rosalia Vienderk.”

And you, being from the Empire, already knew that, right?

“Tell me, is everything in the Empire always this expensive? Or is it because of the festival? Or maybe Eargrath is just always like this? I don’t remember prices being this high at the Academy…”

“I’m not too sure either…”

“Are you really from the Empire?”

“Yes, of course, haha…”

At least on the outside. The inside, well… that was another story.

“Anyway, yeah, it does seem a bit pricey to me too.”

“So I’m not the only one. I saw everyone buying so casually I thought I was the weird one.”

“Not at all. Oh, and you can speak comfortably with me—since you’re Aria’s older brother, you’re like a brother to me too…”

Adolf stared at him. That unreadable gaze made Gismond tense up.

“Alright. Then I’ll call you Gismond.”

“Yes, Brother Adolf.”

“Are you close to Aria?”

“Well… I wouldn’t say we’re strangers.”

Since he’d been following Fernan, he’d grown somewhat familiar with the whole group.

No one there was unfriendly, and they had all accepted him without prejudice, despite his lack of talent.

“That sounded vague.”

“Let’s say we have a decent relationship.”

“Then if I ask Aria, maybe she won’t say the same thing, huh?”

“Ehm…”

Adolf was quite perceptive.

“Aria has always been a bit picky. She chooses carefully who she interacts with.”

“She’s gotten better lately. Ever since Fernan spoke to her, she’s been treating me better.”

“So Aria trusts Fernan Pellenberg quite a bit.”

Is that why she said that? Adolf muttered.

“Pardon?”

“No, nothing.”

He shook his head.

“So what are you planning to do now?”

“I just planned to walk around a bit, enjoy the festival, and watch the Tournament tomorrow.”

“You have a ticket…? Oh, right, what am I saying—you said you came with Fernan.”

“Yes.”

“If you’ve got time, why not walk around with me today? We can enjoy the festival together.”

“Eh? Just the two of us?”

Me… with him?

The sudden invitation made him a little suspicious, but he eventually nodded.

After all, festivals are more fun with company, and it didn’t seem like Adolf would try anything harmful in such a public place.

‘Besides, might as well take advantage of the opportunity. He’s one of the strongest in Fridian; getting along with him could only help.’

Originally, Adolf was an elf who had allied with the demons to overthrow Fridian, but Count Daniel—who was supposed to lead that betrayal—had been eliminated by Fernan, leaving Adolf without a faction.

So, he probably no longer had any connection to the demons.

“Alright.”

“Then, this way.”

Adolf and Gismond ventured into the heart of the festival together.

***

Dawn arrived.

“Waaaaaah!”

A deafening roar filled the arena.

Duke Bador Erbeto of the Kingdom of Helfen looked out at the crowd packed into the stadium.

In front of him, his challenger stared calmly, eyes full of determination.

“To be honest, I had already imagined that, ten years later, I’d be back here again.”

Bador Erbeto stroked his goatee.

“But I didn’t expect the opponent to be someone else.”

Just like challengers had a ten-year restriction, those who had once held the title of Royal Knight or Archmage and lost it also had to wait a decade before attempting again.

That’s why Duke Bador Erbeto had assumed that, ten years later, the great mage he once defeated would return to challenge him.

After all, his victory back then had come by a razor-thin margin.

“I’ve worked hard for this day. I knew another challenge would come, and I didn’t want my glory to last just ten years.”

But he never imagined the challenger would be someone else.

“I thank you.”

Thanks to you, I’ve gained another ten years.

Or maybe not, he thought, if that other person decides to challenge someone else.

“As a token of gratitude, I’ll let you live. It’s still too early for you to stand on this stage. Come back in ten years.”

He smiled arrogantly.

And in front of him, his opponent, Rosalia Vienderk, responded coolly.

“Are you done talking?”

The duke’s eyes narrowed.

“I know you’re a genius with exceptional talent for your age, but how insolent.”

“I didn’t come here to listen to the ramblings of a talkative old man.”

“How daring… You rely too much on the Vienderk name.”

“How amusing.”

A cold smile appeared on Rosalia’s lips—a mix of disdain and mockery.

“An Archmage saying such nonsense?”

I suppose today is the day I become an Archmage.

“A mage who only knows how to talk can’t defeat someone who actually uses magic, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Heh… So you know how to provoke people.”

Perfect.

Duke Bador Erbeto’s forehead veins bulged.

“I’ll give it my all to crush you. I’ll make you understand how vast the world is, and how small you are in it.”

And then—

FWEEEEEEEET!

The whistle blew.

The battle began.

───!

Fire and ice clashed, filling the entire arena with a dense mist.