IPMPBB 24

Chapter 24

“Obviously,” I said.

Carlos looked even more confused at my words.
His expression practically said, ‘What else would this delinquent be doing at a gambling den if not gambling?’

“Practice sword,” I replied, reminding him of something he seemed to have forgotten.

“I told you—I left my practice sword there as collateral for my gambling debt.”

“Ah.”
Only then did Carlos let out a sound of realization.

“I’m going to get it back.”

I handed an empty plate to the approaching servant.

“But if I go alone, people will start talking. So I plan to take Sir Ivach with me.”

While the servant cleared my plate and set the table for Carlos, I continued speaking.

“Understood.”
Carlos regained his composure, splitting his share of the bread as he fell into thought.

Huh? Is he hesitating?
He used to follow me without question just yesterday.

“Very well,” Carlos finally said.

“Let’s visit the gambling den before morning duty begins.”

I let out a sigh of relief inwardly.
Because I had more to do than just retrieve my sword. And I needed Carlos’s help for it.

“That’s all I needed. Finish your breakfast and meet me at the stables.”

I stood up so Carlos could eat in peace. Having your superior staring you down while you eat can’t be pleasant.

I’ll say it again—meals are sacred for working folks. Let them eat in peace.

I arrived at the stables first and passed the time playing with my black horse.
Before long, Carlos showed up.

He’s already here? That was fast.
Barely a few minutes had passed. How quickly did he eat?

Carlos brought his brown mare and saddled her up.

“Let’s go. If we want to be back before duty starts, we need to hurry.”

He even saddled my black horse for me.

You really didn’t have to do that.
I felt awkward getting treated like some noble bigwig.

Carlos narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at me.

“Is something wrong again?”

“Ah, no. I just think I should start doing things like this myself.”

“…? Pardon?”
Carlos looked genuinely shocked, like he’d never heard anything so absurd before.

“So don’t bother with these little things anymore.”

I mounted my horse.

“What even is your sense of boundaries, Commander?”

“Get on. You said we had to hurry.”

Carlos went quiet, clearly lost in thought, before climbing onto his horse as well.

The gambling den was far from the Order’s headquarters, so we rode for quite some time.

It’s even a fair distance from the Elvington Marquisate. Elia really came all this way every day just to gamble?

“We’re here. From this point on, we walk.”

While I was lost in thought, we’d arrived.
I dismounted and handed my horse over to a stable boy who came running from a nearby inn.

The gambling den was two blocks away—easy walking distance—and its large, flashy building could be seen from afar.

Carlos and I soon stood at its entrance.

“We’re not open yet. Please come back later,”
said a worker cleaning up empty bottles out front, not even sparing us a glance.

“Hey.”

I tapped the man on the shoulder.

“Oh! Lady Elia?”

Recognizing my voice, he looked up and gasped.

“Oh my, it’s Lady Elia! Of course it is!”

He immediately dropped the bottle and rubbed his hands together, beaming.

Why’s he so happy to see me?
Just as I wondered—

“If Lady Elia’s here, we have to open early! Ready for another wild round today?”

Ah. Elia must’ve been a high roller here. That explains it.

Carlos gave me a look that said ‘You seriously didn’t see this coming?’
A mix of exasperation and embarrassment flooded me.

Elia, you absolute burden.

I gave Elia an imaginary flick to the forehead and forced a smile.

“I’m not here to gamble today.”

“Huh? Then…?”

“Could you get the manager for me?”

“Oh—Murdin, you mean?”

“Yeah, Murdin.”

“I’m not sure if he’s awake… I mean, yes! Of course, we’ll escort you to the VIP lounge right away!”

I followed the worker inside without protest.
To get my sword back—and achieve my other goal—I needed to be inside.

The moment we entered, a wave of stale air and alcohol hit me.
Gambling tables lined the floor under gaudy chandeliers.

A true den of vice.

Before this possession, I lived in a country where gambling was banned. So this was my first time seeing such a place in person. I tried not to look too obviously intrigued.

“This way, please.”

We were led to a luxurious room at the very back, concealed by navy curtains.

It was huge, but had only one gambling table.
The rest of the space was filled with plush sofas and ornate decorations.

“Would you like something to drink?”

The worker brought out a bottle of wine that screamed ‘expensive’ just from the label.

Carlos glanced at me with concern.

He’s worried. Elia was a hopeless drunk, after all.

But I’m different.

“No, thanks.”

I declined firmly.

The worker blinked in surprise.

“I-Is it not to your liking? Shall I bring another kind?”

“No. I’m not drinking.”

“Huh?”

The idea that a notorious drunk wouldn’t drink left him dumbfounded.

“Th-then what can I bring you…?”

“Nothing. Just go get Murdin.”

“Understood…”

Looking dazed and confused, the worker gave a bow and left the room.

“Did you quit drinking?”
Carlos asked the moment the door closed.

I knew you’d ask that.

“I’m trying to.”

I didn’t have an addiction to begin with, but I played along to avoid suspicion.

Carlos’s eyes flickered with emotion.

“It won’t be easy.”

“Even if it’s not, what choice do I have? If I want to act like a decent human being, I’ve got to quit first.”

Carlos said no more, keeping silent after that.

We waited for a while.

Bang!

The door burst open, and in walked a middle-aged man.

That must be Murdin.
The man who sucked Elia dry and even took her practice sword.

“Why, if it isn’t Lady Elia!”

Murdin bowed respectfully—but only on the surface.

Hah. Figured as much.
I could tell he didn’t mean a word of it.

“I heard you called for me. Let me know what you need—anything at all.”

He smiled.

“How much gold have you brought us today, Lady Elia?”

He’s taking me for a fool.
Carlos seemed to sense it too and glared.

Don’t step in.
I put a hand on Carlos’s shoulder to calm him, then rose and walked up to Murdin.

Elia might’ve been easy to exploit before. But not anymore.

“You said you’d do anything I ask? You sure about that?”

“Of course!”

Murdin lied without blinking.

“What is it? Our best private dealer? Rare Dragon Whiskey? Or are you looking to make a grand bet today?”

All designed to drain me dry.

I scoffed and stared him down.

“…Lady Elia?”

He flinched, finally realizing something was different.

“I only want one thing.”

“Bring me the practice sword I left with you to cover my gambling debt.”

“What?”

Murdin’s eyes widened in shock at the unexpected request.