Chapter 133

Chapter 134. Royal Straight Flush (3)

Keter’s choice for first place defied everyone’s expectations.

He didn’t choose the Sword Dragon Rajis, who had the highest win rate despite all the bluster—nor did he pick the second-in-command, the Red Wolf Pasian—nor did he go for the 12x odds Gillion that Aleron had anticipated.

“Betting on everyone losing, with ten million gold?!”

“He’s not even human! Why did he call him that?”

“Maybe this guy doesn’t understand the rules of the game? Otherwise, how could he make such a foolish choice…!”

100x odds, everyone loses.

The meaning was clear.

Out of the 50 knights Aleron had carefully selected, none would become the Southern Sword.

It was a simple yet absurd claim.

Many nobles had placed bets on the outcome. Those who genuinely wanted to win money had bet hundreds of thousands of gold on the top three knights.

The amounts bet on knights ranked fourth or below were relatively small. The nobles who bet on them were more interested in gambling than genuinely believing they would win.

Those who didn’t mind losing money and just wanted to have fun bet on knights from their own families or two-star knights.

But no one.

No noble had bet on the 100x odds, everyone losing.

Not a single gold coin was placed. It was like throwing money on the street.

“Prince Keter. This betting game is about predicting who will become the Southern Sword. And for fairness, I’ve only included the strongest candidates everyone acknowledges in this list.”

The nobles nodded in agreement with Aleron’s words.

While the high odds were suspicious, the list itself was flawless.

It was unimaginable that a knight not on the list would become the Southern Sword.

“But why did you bet on everyone losing, which no one else even considered? If you wanted my entire merchant group, it would have been more reasonable to choose a knight with at least 10x odds.”

“Are you questioning me now?”

Keter approached Aleron.

Four burly men blocked his path, but with a single gesture from Keter, they fell like actors in a play.

“Hmm.”

Aleron swallowed hard.

The burly men were platinum-level mercenaries. Yet, they were knocked down by a single gesture from the seemingly frail Keter.

Keter, striding forward, suddenly grabbed Aleron’s beard.

“You’re a funny guy. Why should I tell you what cards I’m holding?”

“N-no, that’s not it. I just wanted to confirm, in case you change your mind later. Agh!”

Snap!

Keter yanked out a handful of beard and then grabbed Aleron’s mustache.

“Why have you been speaking informally to me? Are you an Upper Noble? From a prestigious family? Do you think Sephira is a joke?”

“I-I’m sorry. I was rude, Prince Keter.”

“Why are you apologizing for something you did!”

“Gah!”

The mustache was also mercilessly pulled out. Aleron’s tears were more from pain than shame.

But it wasn’t over.

“Gasp!”

Keter’s hand moved again. This time, it was the eyebrows.

The situation was so surreal that the fallen burly men, who had been momentarily stunned, finally came to their senses. They rushed to save Aleron, but—

“Who do you think you’re messing with, you bastards.”

Ultima, already furious at Keter’s sudden actions, blocked their path.

Instead of asking them to move, the burly men swung their fists. But Ultima was just as comfortable with fists as words.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

“Ugh!”

“Gah!”

The burly men fell with final gasps.

The nobles, excited by the fight, clicked their tongues.

“Acting like they’re dying from one punch… This is why mercenaries can’t be trusted.”

The burly men were wronged. Ultima’s punches were different. They weren’t hitting vital points, but it felt like they were, draining all strength and leaving them dazed.

“You think I’m as weak as Aleron? I’m the strongest in the Ultima Merchant Group, you bastards!”

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The four burly men were mercilessly beaten by Ultima.

Of course, the four weren’t the end. Dozens of burly men rushed at Ultima and Keter.

“Come on, come on!”

Ultima, who had survived being beaten by Keter, was also a survivor born in Ruquer.

His punches weren’t just physical impacts. They carried the blood and flesh of thousands, tempered and reforged hundreds of times.

Ultima’s punches, with the intent to kill, could tear through steel.

“Enjoying the show?!”

Keter plucked Aleron’s remaining eyebrow.

Plucking eyebrows doesn’t hurt.

But Aleron was terrified.

After the eyebrows, what hair is above them?

Snap.

The ominous premonition was always right. Keter’s hand grabbed a handful of Aleron’s scalp hair.

But then, Aleron did something strange. Instead of begging Keter to spare him, he looked towards the watching nobles.

Keter couldn’t have missed that.

‘Is he asking for help with his eyes?’

Keter found this casino amusing.

Why was Aleron looking at the watching nobles instead of the burly men?

And why was he silently pleading for help with just his eyes?

‘Who is he looking at?’

Keter also turned his head towards where Aleron was looking.

‘Hmm.’

The nobles were gathered in a group.

It was hard to pinpoint who he was looking at, but it was clear which group he was focusing on.

It was the group at the poker table he had seen upon arriving at the top floor.

‘That was the table with Philip, right?’

Was this all a coincidence?

Keter laughed.

‘There’s no such thing as coincidence.’

Aleron was looking at Philip.

He was asking him for help.

There were four others around him, but Keter was sure.

‘He’s splitting.’

While other nobles were enjoying the fight like it was a spectacle, Philip’s laughter felt different. It was a sneer at the weak.

‘He doesn’t seem like he’ll step in.’

Keter didn’t waste time. He concluded Aleron’s judgment.

“Did you do wrong, or not?”

Aleron quickly replied.

“I did wrong. I won’t do it again.”

“I’ll spare your head. It already looks thin.”

“Th-thank you.”

“But shave it bald.”

Keter, wiping the oil from his hands on Aleron’s clothes, waved at Ultima.

“Ultima. Don’t torment them too much. Just enough.”

“Huff, huff. Who are you to say that?”

No matter how strong Ultima was, handling dozens of burly men alone was too much.

He straightened his disheveled clothes and smoothed his sweaty hair.

“Ptui.”

Ultima spat out a mouthful of blood and stretched his back.

“Ugh…”

“My back, my back!”

Meanwhile, the burly men couldn’t even get up, groaning in pain. The floor was now filled with blood and broken teeth, enough for the nobles to realize this wasn’t just acting.

The casino, which had turned into a battlefield in an instant, buzzed with nobles whispering about Keter, who had caused this.

“To think Sephira had such a ruffian, how have they been hiding him until now?”

“I heard he’s a bastard… and rumors say he’s from the Lawless City.”

“Wow, even the upright Count Basil had an affair? He’s still a man after all.”

The nobles badmouthed Sephira, but Keter ignored them. He wasn’t idle enough to respond to every barking dog.

“There was a bit of a commotion, but let’s get back to the main point. I’ll bet ten million gold on everyone losing.”

After causing such a ruckus, Keter’s declaration that he would continue gambling made the nobles think the same thing.

‘…Is he insane?’

* * *

Aleron looked at the check in his hand.

It was written for ten million gold. Along with Ultima’s signature.

‘He really bet it.’

Despite the rough treatment from Keter, the ten million gold before him was more important.

What on earth made Keter bet ten million gold on everyone losing? Aleron couldn’t understand.

But it didn’t matter.

Aleron’s odds were overwhelmingly high.

Not 99 to 1.

100 to 0.

Without a doubt, Aleron would win.

But for some reason, Aleron felt uneasy and couldn’t easily say he would win.

Aleron hadn’t built his merchant group to this point on luck alone. He had climbed from the bottom himself.

‘Something’s not right.’

Aleron also had a trump card. A plan to ensure he wouldn’t lose in this betting game.

‘Could Keter have figured it out?’

The option for everyone to lose wasn’t just for show. It was something Aleron had intentionally created out of ‘necessity.’

Aleron knew who would win the Southern Sword Tournament. The winner’s name wasn’t among the 50 on the list.

But how could Keter know his secret move? They had just met today.

‘Common sense says there’s no problem. Keter is just making a reckless bet. It’s like handing me ten million gold. Even Ultima’s blood money.’

Aleron’s thoughts didn’t last long. Keter had only given him one minute.

“Where’s the gambler? Are you taking it, or dying?”

Knowing Keter’s催促 wasn’t just催促, Aleron answered immediately.

“Prince Keter. I’m sorry, but I can’t accept this bet.”

Aleron decided to give up the ten million gold, which was practically free. The watching nobles were shocked by Aleron’s foolish choice.

Despite his ridiculous appearance after having his hair pulled out by Keter, Aleron spoke again with a serious face.

“Originally, gambling is a game where anyone can participate once the table is set. Even as the casino owner, I have no right to stop a guest’s bet, but this time, I’ll make an exception and refuse. Of course, I’ll compensate you adequately.”

“You’re already bald, what’s there to compensate?”

The nobles laughed at Keter’s words, but Aleron couldn’t laugh.

He was certain. This bet. If he accepted it, he might lose everything he had.

There was no basis.

It might just be a delusion.

But…

‘A true gambler doesn’t gamble.’

Aleron wanted to fix his win rate at 100% by not ‘gambling’ with Keter.

The cost of giving away 100,000 gold was something he could write off as a loss.

At Aleron’s bold decision, Ultima made a face like he had eaten something bitter, and Keter chuckled.

“What kind of foolish talk is this?”

A man from the crowd of nobles walked forward and spoke. It was Philip, wearing a purple uniform.

Philip placed a hand on Aleron’s shoulder. For some reason, Aleron couldn’t move.

“Right now, Merchant Aleron is like holding a straight flush and trying to fold. Scared that the opponent might have a royal straight flush.”

“P-Prince Philip. Please trust me this time.”

“Merchant Aleron. When have I ever doubted you? But why are you doubting me?”

“…!”

Even in front of the nobles, Aleron trembled. He was afraid of Philip.

Naturally, the nobles were surprised. Who was this knight Philip that even Aleron, a merchant known throughout the Lilian Kingdom, couldn’t move?

Though they had played poker in the same space, the nobles had thought Philip was just the son of a nouveau riche. He looked the part.

Philip pushed Aleron’s back, making him stand before Keter.

“Believe in your straight flush, Merchant Aleron.”

“…”

Pushed by Philip, Aleron now held a contract in his hand. It was a contract pledging to hand over the entire merchant group if he lost the bet.

Aleron looked back at Philip’s expression. He no longer cared who saw.

Philip gestured for him to hurry, and Aleron, with a face on the verge of tears, signed the contract.

It was obvious to anyone that Philip was Aleron’s master. He didn’t seem to care about hiding it.

“I have no idea how things turned out like this.”

“Today has been full of rare sights.”

The nobles enjoyed the irresponsible pleasure. Many were interested in Philip’s identity and Keter’s ruffian nature.

In any case, the bet was set.

Ultima had bet ten million gold on ‘everyone losing,’ and Aleron had accepted it. If he lost, he would hand over ownership of his merchant group to Ultima.

With his business at the Red Siren casino concluded, Keter took the contract and boarded the elevator.

Just before the doors closed, Philip spoke to Keter.

“Prince Keter. I hope the hand you’re holding is a royal straight flush.”

Swish.

Keter raised his middle finger in response.

As soon as they left the casino, Ultima lit a cigarette.

“Keter. Do you know why I readily spent ten million gold? Even though losing that money would bankrupt my merchant group?”

“Do I have to listen to this?”

“You spent ten million gold, so listen. If I hadn’t paid for you there, you would have definitely bet your own money. And then you would have said to me. There’s no reason to partner with someone who doesn’t trust me. Drop dead.”

“You know me well.”

“Hoo.”

Sssss.

Ultima took a deep drag and flicked the cigarette butt to the ground.

“Keter. If, by any chance, you don’t win the tournament and I lose ten million gold and go bankrupt, I’ll sell my soul to kill you. I partnered with you because I thought it would benefit me, not because I was afraid of you.”

“Really, you’re not afraid of me?”

“…A little. But you know I’m not the type to run away just because I’m afraid.”

“That’s true. But why only talk about revenge if you lose? If I win the tournament, that’s it, right? If you get to take over Aleron’s merchant group because of that, what will you do for me?”

“Ahem! If I get to take over Aleron’s merchant group, I’m willing to give you about a million gold.”

“30%.”

“What, what?”

“30% of the merchant group’s shares.”

“You damn…!”

With a ‘little’ help from the Grand Duke, Ultima had built his merchant group by risking his life at least twenty times.

And now, giving away 30% of the shares? It was outright robbery.

But Keter thought differently.

“If you don’t want to, just give me the ten million gold. But after that, I won’t help you anymore.”

“…Help my merchant group?”

The curse that had risen to Ultima’s tongue was momentarily held back.

The contract between Keter and Ultima was only ‘If you become my enemy, you die. But if you’re a partner, I’ll spare you.’

But here, if the option to help the merchant group itself was added?

‘Hmm, that’s a pretty good condition.’

Keter’s way of helping was undoubtedly insane.

This time was no different. He bet the lifeblood of the merchant group without a second thought. Even with eight hearts, it wouldn’t be enough.

But, high risk, high return. The sweetness of the reward upon success was incomparable to anything else.

“Fine. If you win first place in this tournament and I get to take over Aleron’s merchant group, I’ll give you 20% of Ultima Merchant Group’s shares. 30% is too much.”

What did owning shares in the merchant group mean? In addition to receiving a portion of the annual profits, it also granted the authority to influence management.

Currently, Ultima himself owned 70% of Ultima Merchant Group’s shares. If he gave 30% to Keter, Ultima would only have 40%.

Having already sold 30% of the merchant group’s shares to nobles, this was a worrying factor for Ultima.

If, by any chance, Keter bought shares from the nobles and ended up with more shares than Ultima? It would be a troublesome situation. That’s why 30% was absolutely out of the question.

But regardless of Ultima’s complex calculations, Keter, who had originally intended to receive only 20%, readily nodded.

“That’s more like it. If there’s giving, there should be receiving, right? And by the way.”

Keter bent down and picked up the cigarette butt Ultima had discarded.

Swish.

Keter placed the butt in Ultima’s pants pocket, quoting Philip.

“You’re holding a royal straight flush, why are you scared?”

* * *

A week had passed since Sephira’s party entered Eslow’s Palace.

Among the many butlers in the palace, Butler No. 42 seemed to live 48 hours a day alone, as his face had noticeably more wrinkles.

It was because he had barely slept, rushing to gather the materials needed for the surgery Keter had demanded.

‘Somehow, I managed to get them.’

Cheongryeonghwan, White Flower Pill, Volume Dissolution Pill, Ten Thousand Year Snow Jade, powdered horn of the Gray-Eyed Drake, Sea Troll’s Essence.

Even the blood of a half-elf, harder to obtain than countless rare ingredients, was somehow secured.

‘I must have spent about eight million gold.’

It couldn’t be helped that they were bought at higher prices due to the urgency. This was only possible because of Eslow’s reputation.

‘Now, if only Keter were here, we could start the surgery.’

Keter, who had examined Lyze on the first day and then disappeared, was still nowhere to be found.

“Prince Lyze’s condition isn’t bad, but…”

In fact, it had improved. Just from Keter briefly touching him.

But Butler No. 42 disliked Keter.

He had been running around like a dog to gather everything within a week, only for Keter to not show up on the day.

“Our Eslow family is being ignored too much.”

Butler No. 42, with a strong sense of belonging, took the disregard for himself as disregard for the Eslow family.

Keter belonged to Sephira, the weakest of the prestigious families. Moreover, he was a bastard.

“I’ll give him a reminder.”

If Keter failed to treat Lyze, Keter would obviously die. But Butler No. 42 would also die.

Not wanting to die, Butler No. 42 decided to find Keter for his own sake. By pestering Mail’s party.

Arriving at the guest room where Mail’s party was staying, he solemnly declared.

“Prince Mail. Please find and bring Prince Keter. He ordered me to gather the elixir within a week, and I have gathered everything. The surgery must be performed today.”

Keter had never said the surgery had to be performed exactly a week later, but Butler No. 42 lied to Mail to instill a sense of urgency.

However, Mail’s reaction was oddly indifferent.

“Keter, you say.”

“Yes