Hate me, Miss Witch!

Shiayar extended his hand, picked up the revolver, and then, with his slender fingers, fiddled with the revolving bullet cylinder.

TING.

The cylinder, loaded with five blanks and one live round, began to spin rapidly. Shiayar's wrist flicked slightly, and the spinning cylinder emitted a crisp sound as it clicked into place within the body of the revolver.

Shiayar could clearly sense that the moment the cylinder clicked into the gun's frame, the internal details of the gun vanished from his spiritual perception.

It was as if a thin mist had settled over the gun, obscuring all information and details of its interior—be it the weight of the gun or the slight vibration from the spinning cylinder. It was as if a mosaic had been applied, preventing any further scrutiny.

This obfuscation of information wasn't particularly strong. A slight exertion of his spiritual power could pierce it, but that would also mean his actions would be noticed by the one who released the information fog, directly resulting in his defeat.

That was the purpose of the "Audience."

For those Transcendents sensitive to spiritual power and perception, there were too many ways to cheat during the gambling process.

For example, a Beastmaster specialized in memory could easily discern the subtle differences in the tactile details of seemingly identical playing cards. Meanwhile, a Beastmaster specialized in perception might simply weigh the revolver in hand and determine which chamber held the bullet based on the uneven weight distribution.

Of course, the Audience's information fog and the prohibition of Transcendent powers were limited to the revolver itself, much like a dealer would ensure no one peeked or manipulated the deck during a card game.

However, all other uses of Transcendent methods were not restricted. Whether it was using a strong memory to count cards or using trash talk to break down an opponent's psychological defenses, these were all part of the gamble.

"I've always respected my elders and cherished the young."

"So, elders first."

Shiayar pushed the closed revolver across the long table to the opposite side.

"Russian Roulette!"

Only then did exclamations erupt from the onlookers below as they realized the true nature of this gamble.

Compared to the most popular Blackjack or Empire Poker in the Empire Capital, Russian Roulette was rarely played due to its excessively bloody and brutal nature, but that didn't prevent it from being universally known.

Russian Roulette didn't have the intricate and complex rules of many card game variations; it was quite simple and straightforward.

One loaded a bullet into the revolver's cylinder, spun it to scramble the order, and the dueling parties took turns shooting themselves until one side failed.

As for the result of failure—there was, naturally, only one.

Even a Titled Rank Beastmaster, without actively engaging a Soul Pact to harness the power of their Pet Beast, would meet certain death if hit in the head by a bullet at close range.

And if one used Transcendent powers to protect oneself, it would be considered a breach of contract.

According to the rules of Thorns of Sin, a contract violator would lose everything—all their wealth, or even their own life.

Those deeds sealed beneath the City of Eternal Night, shrouded from the light, were the spoils Viscount Lori had acquired through such gambles.

And now, at this very moment, the top dealer of the City of Eternal Night was actually engaging in Russian Roulette. Who was this mysterious player?

And by what means had they forced Viscount Lori from his Throne in the City of Eternal Night to such a desperate point?

The gamblers, being players themselves, naturally leaned towards supporting the mysterious figure wearing the half-mask.

Meanwhile, the servers and hostesses remained unperturbed.

Lori himself had experienced wins and losses at the gambling table.

But as of today, the City of Eternal Night was still the City of Eternal Night, and Viscount Lori was still Viscount Lori.

「...」

In a corner of the gambling hall, now bursting with loud chatter, Dark Raven frowned slightly at the sight of the white-robed priest on the highest level.

"Ranger," Soros.

The "Audience" was a term for an entire organization of Transcendents, but the actual members who appeared were each independent individuals.

This Audience member, who had appeared in the City of Eternal Night, was precisely one recorded by the Empire Military Department—a Titled Rank 6-Ring Beastmaster with his own title.

Excluding those Legendary Rank Audience members, whose records were vague and who were figures of history, "Ranger" Soros was already at the pinnacle among the current Audience members.

I didn't expect Soros to be in the Empire Capital. An Audience member of the 4-Ring or 5-Ring rank might have been deceived by certain methods.

But with Soros himself present, unless a Legendary being specializing in such trickery descended in person, there's no chance of tampering with the gambling process.

Dark Raven watched the scene on the highest level, his brow slightly furrowed.

I've looked over some files. I know Joker should have a specialty in the realm of Illusion Technique.

But Lori is a rank higher than him, not to mention it's impossible for Lori not to have countermeasures against such an ability.

If a mere Illusion Technique could be effective, Lori would never have been able to secure his position as the master of the City of Eternal Night.

"Dyres, don't you think our new leader is being a bit too impulsive?"

In Dark Raven's eyes, the current Swordbearers, compared to the Great Nobles of the Empire Capital, were clearly the weaker party; otherwise, they wouldn't have been eradicated time and again.

What they should do is remain patient and wait, just like the family motto of the 'Dark Knight' Feyron family: hide in the shadows, bide their time, amass strength, and wait for the opportune moment.

Yet, Shiayar, the newly appointed leader of the Swordbearers, had led them straight into Thorns of Sin and even bluntly revealed his hand regarding the information he possessed.