Casino Wizard

The bishop battaglia of the Archdiocese was a clergyman in his mid-50s.

He was one of the bishops of the monastery and a close associate of the cardinal who assisted the archbishop. Thanks to his senior (now a cardinal), who had been a mentor to him since his novice days, he had been able to receive his episcopal ordination fairly easily and still lived honorably as the cardinal’s right-hand man.

His life as a bishop was relatively simple.

He would usually sit in his office, performing his duties, occasionally donning a splendid cassock to stand before the congregation during liturgical events, and once or twice a year, he would take a vacation, enjoying a bit of luxury while recuperating.

However, starting from last night, people began interrupting his comfortable life in succession.

The first was Saintess Theodora.

From a distance, she looked like a goddess crafted by the heavens, but up close, her sharp eyes made her seem somewhat unsettling. She had been living away from the kingdom for five years, only to suddenly show up as a guest.

But this saintess suddenly made an unusual request.

“Your Excellency, I have a request I wish to ask of you.”

“A request?”

“I’m meeting with the wizard Hyden tomorrow morning in the west wing. It’s a meeting they requested, but… I fear they might make some sinister or church-law-violating proposals, and I’m uneasy. I’m not sure if I can handle it alone.”

“What are you talking about, Saintess?”

“Would you be able to help me?”

The request from the saintess was less of a favor and more like a solicitation. She had explicitly mentioned that there would be a reward if he granted her request.

“If you help me, I will definitely repay you.”

“Hmm.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll send someone at an appropriate time. You can either accompany the cardinal to the west wing or deliver the evidence I have secured to the cardinal.”

The bishop understood the situation well.

The saintess was essentially asking him to intervene in the internal conflicts of the hero party. In fact, she had frequently requested the church’s intervention during her active years as well, claiming things like the hero Pierrot had made blasphemous remarks about the Goddess Gaia, or the archer Lucy’s improper conduct had lowered the dignity of the hero party, or that the wizard Hyden had insulted her. She had constantly sought the church’s involvement, like a child pestering an adult to scold their friend.

‘This is going to be troublesome.’

It wasn’t an especially difficult matter, so Bishop Battaglia decided to accommodate her. After all, if he didn’t help, she would turn to another bishop or even the cardinal.

The saint would be returning to the holy country soon, so it was best to handle things appropriately. If something truly scandalous occurred within the church, getting involved would be the right course of action.

“I understand, Saintess. You said tomorrow? I’ll take a look at this evidence.”

“Thank you so much. You’ve given me courage.”

That was the end of the somewhat bothersome visit.

But the very next morning, an even more uncomfortable guest arrived.

“The hero?”

“Yes, Your Excellency, Bishop Battaglia. It is I, Hero Pierrot.”

A bald head, a wrinkled face, and drooping eyes. His appearance was as usual, but his attire was strange.

“The Holy Sword? Armor too?”

Chest plate, pauldrons, a helmet on his side, and a holy sword at his waist. There was no reason for him to wield a holy sword unless there was some other purpose, and more importantly… the hero’s expression was far too serious.

Bishop Battaglia had occasionally visited the casino, but he had never seen such a grim expression before.

“I’ve received a revelation.”

This was even more surprising. For him to show up and claim he had received a revelation.

“From the Goddess?”

“Sorry, but I cannot reveal the contents of the revelation. I cannot even tell you when I received it.”

“What…?”

“It is not a revelation about spiritual benefits or spreading the Goddess’s glory in public. It is a very delicate matter, so until the truth comes to light, I cannot disclose it to anyone. My apologies.”

Hero Pierrot recited lines that seemed rehearsed.

Bishop Battaglia was getting dizzy, but thanks to his long experience, he was able to discern one thing.

‘This is related to the saintess.’

The internal conflict of the hero party seemed to have erupted. The arrival of both the saintess and the hero in quick succession was likely due to this.

Bishop Battaglia, as the administrator of the archdiocese, was unfortunate enough to be caught in the middle.

But there was a crucial difference between the two.

The saintess had clearly mentioned that if he helped her, she would offer some reward, but her demand was that he “move actively depending on the situation.”

On the other hand, the hero’s request was much simpler.

“The wizard Hyden should be meeting with Saintess Theodora in the west wing right now.”

“I know.”

“I have an important matter with the saint as well. It’s related to the revelation. So, until the matter is settled, I need you to block access to that location.”

The hero was simply asking him to block access to the west wing while the hero party quietly resolved their internal conflict.

Bishop Battaglia’s mind was racing.

The saintess had shown up suddenly after five years, while the hero was a regular but familiar face. The saintess had no real power beyond her title, while the hero’s employer, the wizard Hyden, was one of the major donors to the church.

The saintess demanded active support, but the hero merely asked to be a bystander.

‘The hero even mentioned a revelation. It seems… he’s leaning towards something.’

Just then, a middle-aged hero helped him make his decision.

“Whatever happens, I will go to the cardinal to request permission for an expedition.”

“Permission for an expedition?”

“Yes. I intend to personally request an opportunity to clear my past disgrace from the cardinal and then join the Order of the Holy Knights to head to the Magic Realm. I want to repay the cardinal’s favor for protecting me in the past.”

The hero was making an offer that would uphold the church’s honor, no matter the outcome. It was something that could not be done if he had intentions of killing the saintess.

“I will go see the cardinal.”

The fight had already happened. The church was merely the stage.

Bishop Battaglia ultimately made his decision.

****

At 5 AM, I arrived at the cathedral to meet with Saintess Theodora.

I wasn’t alone.

The archer, the shield knight, and the hero were already there.

‘By now, the hero is likely having a final discussion with the bishop.’

If the middle-aged hero had failed to do as I instructed, I had planned to send in the shield knight to persuade Bishop Battaglia, but…

I didn’t think the hero would fail. He seemed determined this time.

I had to trust him. He was my comrade.

“You’ve arrived on time? Hyden.”

But that wasn’t my comrade.

It was Saintess Theodora, already at the meeting place before me.

She wasn’t wearing her usual loose habit, but a fitted nun’s robe with a waistline.

“I heard from Lucy. You wanted to make a deal with me?”

“Yes.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

She licked her lower lip and tapped her wrist with her fingers, showing excitement. At first glance, she seemed like someone obsessed with money.

But if money was her only goal, she wouldn’t have invited me to a place with the cardinal’s archdiocese. I decided to go along with it.

“Let’s keep it short. Just tell me the amount you want.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re trying to avoid giving me any leverage, right? But there’s no one around to overhear.”

“You can’t afford to let even the slightest weakness slip.”

She smiled as she tilted her head.

I pulled out a parchment wrapped in a silk cord.

It was something she would consider evidence.

“What’s that?”

“It’s the terms of our deal. I couldn’t just write it down on paper.”

“You mean I’ll have to seal it with my seal?”

“You will. It has the amount you’ll be receiving over the next ten years, under favorable terms.”

She narrowed her eyes, clearly intrigued.

She extended her hand, so I pulled my arm back.

“Of course, the conditions for this side are also written.”

Her eyes glinted.

“Are you curious? What are the conditions?”

“First, you’ll have to persuade the commander of the Holy Knights to withdraw the request for support from the hero. It has to be done in a way that looks good, of course. The top brass must discuss it and then voluntarily withdraw. I’m sure you can manage that.”

“That’s quite a difficult request.”

“And another thing.”

I stepped closer, suddenly serious.

“What is it?”

“I want you to never show your face before us again. Don’t even pay attention to us, don’t inquire about us, and just live your life using the money I give you in the Holy Kingdom. In fact, this is why I’m giving you the money.”

She was still smiling as she stroked her cheek.

That gesture was clearly meant to be for my benefit.

If I handed her the scroll, she’d probably use it for another purpose. She’d try to manipulate me with this supposed bribe.

After a moment of hesitation, Saintess Theodora waved her hand again.

“Alright. Let me take a look at it first.”

“The seal?”

“Are you asking for a promise right here and now? Sorry, Hyden, but I don’t trust you. I have no idea what your real intentions are.”

She shook her hand gently, urging me to hand over the scroll.

I hesitated, and then she made a compromise.

“You don’t trust me? Fine, then. While I review your conditions, I can stay by your side.”

Her offer to stay and watch over me was likely just another trick.

She probably had her subordinates nearby, and when the time was right, she’d signal them to bring a seal ring or sealing wax and summon a witness, likely a cardinal, to affirm her deal.

‘She’s clever.’

If I had fallen for this and let her trick me, she would have gotten me to persuade (or bribe) both the cardinal and the bishop. She would have smiled, watching it all unfold.

By now, she was likely brimming with excitement.

But I wasn’t going to take the bait. My intentions were different this time.

“You agree, then?”

“I said I’ll take a look first.”

“You’ll…”

“You wanted me to stay and watch, right?”

She crossed her arms, watching me intently.

I wondered what thoughts were running through her head. Was she expecting to find a weakness in me? Perhaps she felt a rush from shaking the comrade she had secretly desired for years? Or maybe she was reminding herself not to get too comfortable.

It didn’t matter either way.

Tap, tap, tap.

The sound of footsteps approaching. It seemed the hero had succeeded.

“Huh?”

Clergy members, likely hastily gathered after morning prayers, were surrounding the area.

There were around thirty or so of them…

They were forming a perimeter around the corridor.

There were nuns in front, priests behind.

A loose perimeter, but the intention was clear.

From this moment on, no one would be allowed to enter or exit the corridor freely.

“Sisters? What’s going on all of a sudden?”

Saintess Theodora’s face began to show signs of confusion.

And at that moment, I threw her the very scroll she had been waiting for.

Her face turned pale as she hurriedly unfurled it.

I knew exactly why she was reacting this way. There was nothing written on the scroll. No incriminating evidence at all.

“Hyden. What is this…?”

“Wait. They’ll be here soon.”

“What?”

“They’re here.”

I gestured toward the far end of the corridor.

Saint Theodora slowly turned her head in the direction I pointed, her expression hardening.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Say hello.”

The hero, the archer, and the shield knight were walking slowly toward us.

The nuns who had been blocking the path slightly opened it for them, only to quickly shut it again.

Saintess Theodora’s eyes widened, but the three of them were already standing before her.

“Teodora. I saw you rolling the dice before.”

“Hyden. Wait a moment.”

“How about a game to pass the time?”

The hero party was reunited after five years.

Actually, I had prepared a special game for the occasion, just for the saint. It took a little effort, but I was happy to do it for an old comrade.

The participants: the saintess, and we would act as the referees and spectators.

“We’ll start right now.”

The stakes were her life.