Chapter 222: Casino
Giliath demands your power stones! Let's try getting over 500!
*
The announcement that Erebonia declared spread like wildfire. Many people not only in Liberl and Crossbeel, but to countries beyond like North Ambria, Remiferia, Calvard, Ored, Leman state, and even to Arteria were all equally surprised as more and more people began to react to it. With several different people reacting to this news, it started a chain reaction, despite only having reporters from Liberl's News Service and the CNS partake in the reporting.
Erebonia and Liberl's neighboring country to the east, Calvard, was quite shocked to see a sudden alliance declared between the two countries, but thanks to its extensive intelligence division, they were not one to suddenly freak out over it, acting as if they were already anticipating such a thing to happen. They were not pressed on the matter either, as the Non-Aggression Pact that Chancellor Osborne was currently drafting was presented to Calvard already.
This pact was going to be a trifecta agreement, a pact where all three countries would not become aggressive to their neighbors. Unfortunately this pact would not last long once the Curse struck Erebonia, but for now, it would usher in a period of peace for Calvard, despite Calvard's looming stock market crash.
In fact, Calvard could consider this news a blessing, as several influential figures would try to corrupt Calvard from within as it enters a state of peace and internal strife. Hopefully those like Van and his group would take advantage of this coming situation, since Naoto was quick to notify that there was a threat looming about. One not of war, but that of an economical crisis. In turn of being warned by Naoto, Van saw himself taking more classes related to economics and finance after he became a student at Aramis High School along with Rene and Elaine. Though Rene was already a first year student. He became surprised seeing Van's sudden change and quickly found a path for himself, but he was all for it seeing how serious Van was taking his studies now. Elaine was quite happy too since she remembered Van mostly having an unruly personality in the past when the three were still kids.
Calvard knew it could promote its strength during the coming years thanks to this incoming pact that it would enter with Liberl and Erebonia, so it definitely saw this news as a blessing. They were only surprised to see an alliance form, and through marriage no less.
Unfortunately for Calvard, it was no longer a monarchy as it used to be. The concept of nobles is little to non-existent in Calvard now. They could not send someone to enter an arranged marriage like Erebonia or Liberl could still do. In a time relative to the Orbal Revolution, albeit earlier, Calvard underwent a revolution, which effectively dethroned all nobles that still resided in Calvard at the time, and eventually became a republic. If one wanted a comparison, Calvard is basically the United States. They renewed those in office through presidential elections, and acted like democrats. The only difference is that each term lasted upward of five to seven years, instead of four years, and right now, Calvard's president was President Rocksmith, the same President Naoto was able to meet during the extermination of the cult. That year, he had just entered office.
And of course, the news of this newly forged alliance through marriage reached President Rocksmith's ears rather quickly. In fact, he was secretly happy to see such a result between Erebonia and Liberl. One of his recent guilt that laid upon President Rocksmith's mind was the fact the previous president couldn't send any soldiers to assist in the Hundred Days War due to how fast-acting the war was. That was buried deep in President Rocksmith's conscious. It was only a few years ago to where he saw Erebonia and Liberl at each other's throats while he was still a government official at the time.
It was discovered that the war was all a ploy at a certain noble's behest, but President Rocksmith became secretly glad the two countries were quick to make amends with each other, even going as far as to propose a marriage alliance between the two. It was just a shame that he couldn't offer anything himself as a blessing since Calvard was now a republic.
President Rocksmith could only watch on that night, like many others did on that fateful night, only to look outwards into the dark grey cloudy sky in his office, debating whether he should celebrate the coming new year, as likely many others would do.
Yet at the same time the news started to spread throughout the countries, back in Heimdallr, in one of the districts that housed a local medium-grade casino, a black haired beautiful woman could currently be seen seated on a high cushioned stool. Directly behind this woman was a rather wide open casino sporting several different machines and areas to play all sorts of games at one's own choosing. Off to the side where the woman sat was a bar with quite a variety of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to choose from. A couple other goers in the casino could also be seen sharing drinks with each other. Overall the current atmosphere was rather festive and merry.
"So what can I get for you tonight?", The barkeeper asked, seeing the beautiful woman before him. She didn't seem to be alone either, a tall muscular man currently sat on a stool next to her as he watched her arrive at the bar.
"One of your best aged red wines, if you can. Money isn't an issue tonight.", The woman said, revealing a charming smile as her lips curved upward. Someone of her caliber isn't seen often, so the barkeeper who heard that couldn't help but feel his heart skip a beat as she answered him.
"Got it.", The barkeeper said, nodding his head at the woman's order, and proceeded to the large selection available.
Unfortunately for the barkeeper, this woman was already taken. She was of course Kilika. And further in the back behind her stood a rather rowdy group of men, currently seated at a nearby poker table.
Yet the man next to Kilika, however, was surprisingly Zin. He eventually made his way toward the casino where Kilika and the others decided to head off to. Zin equally became surprised to find Kilika, and subsequently Walter, not alone. Walter, along with three other individuals could currently be seen at a poker table further in the back.
"I didn't think you'd make your way here tonight, Zin. A sudden change of heart?", Kilika asked as she observed the tall man before her.
"Not really? I figured since it's you guys, a casino is more likely than any other place to be to enjoy the coming of the new year. I figured I might as well join in on the fun. I am quite picky with the alcohol I drink though, haha.", Zin said, scratching his cheek as he watched Kilika before him.
"I hardly see you drink anything outside of that gourd of yours, but it suits the atmosphere so I'm all for it. It's a shame we don't have Eina here though. I'd love to see her test that drinking of hers against you.", Kilika said, sporting a daring grin as she said that.
"Sheesh, way to open things up. Even I struggle against that bottomless pit of a stomach. I can't tell who is worse, Eina or Schera. I should probably pay them a visit after my stay here in Heimdallr is done.", Zin said, taking a sip of the drink he had previously ordered.
"You'll be around for a while though, right? Walter and I plan to be, at least. At least until we finally get to see that strange circle in the plaza get some action.", Kilika said, musing to herself as the barkeeper finished preparing her drink. Thanking him, Kilika took a moment to get a first sip of her wine.
"I'm in the same boat. His Highness invited both of us. According to him, He plans to tackle it around February, so that's in just about two months' time. I have no idea what it's going to do though.", Zin said, explaining his plan to Kilika.
"I see. Perhaps I should hit up some local records. This is more in the lines of it being a fairy tale, if anything. If His Highness is going to activate it in February, there's enough time to burn to do a little bit of research.", Kilika said, revealing a smile.
"If you do that, I'll probably stick to the Bracer Guild here. They recently got a new member, but I've heard she immediately transferred to a branch in Calvard a couple years back. She'll probably make her way here in due time.", Zin continued.
"So I've heard. She already made quite a name for herself. You're talking about the Purple Lightning, right? She's just as big of a powerhouse as the Silver Streak is. I wouldn't be surprised if she got promoted to A rank soon. I've also heard that someone is currently chasing Purple Lightning's shadow and is eager to get a jump on her. Have you met the Sword Maiden?", Kilika asked as she looked at Zin.
"Ahhh, once or twice at most. She was just a brat when I took Sherryl to Edith. I had the two get acquainted with each other so they still keep in touch. According to Sherryl, the Sword Maiden recently met up with her childhood friends and is attending Edith's famous school with them. Hopefully she won't get rusty in her Bracer work.", Zin said, revealing a grin.
"Is that so? That disciple of yours is attending St. Astraia now, perhaps it would do me good to introduce myself to Sherryl.", Kilika said, wondering.
"Sherryl's looking to get more friends, that was partly why she started attending St. Astraia in the first place.", Zin said, nodding his head at Kilika.
"At least there is some free time to spare in the coming month or two, so I'll see how things go from here. Apart from that, are you not going to join them?", Kilika decided to ask, only to turn her stool around a bit and gaze further into the distance, causing Zin's gaze to follow hers. Over in the distance, he saw four figures who continued their rowdy business at the poker table. Even Zin shuddered a bit seeing the four men together. Each one was considered a powerhouse in their own perspective.
"You kidding me? Only a fool would try to go disturb those guys right now. That's walking into a death trap.", Zin retorted Kilika.
"Suit yourself.", Kilika simply responded, only to jump off her stool, landing on her feet while carrying her wine glass. She was graceful enough to where the wine didn't even shake at all. Before Zin could do anything, he saw Kilika start walking toward the table to where the four men were at. Seeing Kilika suddenly walk over, Zin couldn't help but stare seeing her departing figure.
"Must be tough allowing such an alluring woman to walk away like that.", The barkeeper suddenly said to Zin as he rubbed an empty wine glass with a piece of cloth.
"Don't tell me about it. Shame Kilika's taken. The bastard she likes is such a fool.", Zin said, only to turn around, causing Kilika to no longer be in his sight. He then looked down at his cocktail, and proceeded to suddenly grab it, only to gulp the rest of his drink down in one large gulp.
"Can I have another round?", Zin asked, placing the empty glass back down on the table, letting his cheeks turn a bit red.
"With pleasure.", The barkeeper responded, simply nodding his head. It was easy for him to see a hint of longing in his eyes, but it was mostly that of disapproval. Seeing Zin stay silent, the barkeeper simply did his duties, and prepared another drink for Zin.
As to where Kilika strutted off to, she saw four men appear in her eyes. Several poker chips could be seen scattered around with cards held in each hand. It definitely was a sight to behold seeing these four men together.
Going left to right, it was none other than Rutger the Jaeger King, Xeno the Trap Master, Leonidas the Behemoth, and Walter the Direwolf.