Hate me, Miss Witch!

Lori set the revolver down, the elegant smile on his lips unchanged.

If it had been a card game, such as blackjack, then Viscount Lori might have momentarily fallen into an unfavorable position due to insufficient computing and memorizing abilities. After all, luck is important in card games. However, unless one's luck is strong enough to always have the highest hand, there is still a chance to overcome the gap with superior skills.

Only Russian roulette is the most blunt form of gambling. Under the fog of information from the "audience," it transforms into a pure contest of luck.

If the live round is in chambers one, three, or five, one party wins. If it's in two, four, or six, the other party wins, with no room for skill to interfere.

The only possible gambit in Russian roulette might be to instill fear in the opponent through psychological warfare, making them afraid to shoot themselves and thus choosing to surrender.

From this perspective, the one who goes first in Russian roulette can undoubtedly seize the initiative. This was also why Lori readily accepted going first.

Lori looked at the expressionless mysterious person sitting opposite him and slowly pushed the silver revolver forward.

In this game that purely tested luck, he, who could trade luck with a demon, was invincible.

This mysterious person might have wanted to minimize my advantages in gambling skill and experience by choosing a crude game like Russian roulette. He doesn't realize that his supposed cleverness has just destroyed his last slim chance of victory. That way, it's perfect for clearing any potential hidden dangers… and after he fails, I can also take the opportunity to investigate the source of his information and his background. The information he displayed has set off alarm bells in my heart, and I, Viscount Lori, will not be at peace until I clarify it.

Thinking so, Viscount Lori saw the mysterious person in the white mask also raise his revolver.

However, he wasn't aiming at his chin, but at his own temple.

"Persona."

Those incomprehensible words came from the man's mouth, then the trigger was pulled.

BANG—

There was still smoke and fire, but no bullet was fired. Similarly, no massive Orpheus stand appeared behind him.

Below in the casino, the gamblers erupted in cheers.

As spectators, they naturally loved adding fuel to the fire and certainly hoped to see the house, who had taken so much of their wealth, toppled from its pedestal.

For a time, numerous malevolent gazes turned towards Viscount Lori, eager to see his head blown open by the next shot.

Indeed, the bloody and thrilling spectacle of imminent splatter was far more captivating than the mere clashing of cards and chips. It ignited a fiercer excitement in the onlookers.

Lucky.

Viscount Lori observed the scene before him, his expression unchanged.

Purely from a probabilistic standpoint, there was a twenty percent chance Shiayar's shot would be the live round. Moreover, considering Lori's own deal with the demon for luck, the probability that Shiayar's shot was a live round was even higher.

This means his luck isn't bad either. If I hadn't made a deal with the demon, I might have actually been the loser.

Of course, Viscount Lori wasn't anxious. This was a game of pure luck, and he had already secured an unbeatable position.

Still wearing an elegant smile, he waited for the other party to pass the revolver back.

"Dark Raven, Nightingale."

"I have reviewed the archives of the Swordbearers. Do you know what my biggest takeaway was after going through them?"

"Not strong enough in combat? Not strict enough in organizational discipline? Not good enough with secrecy measures, leading to leaked information?"

"None of the above."

"All these are just reasons for individual defeats, not excuses for twenty-seven losses."

"In my opinion, the greatest failure of past Swordbearers is—"

"They couldn't handle pressure."

The sound of the trigger being pulled once again accompanied the dark-haired young man's calm words.

"And since I am now your boss, I need to teach you a few things first."

"Swordbearer's Code, Rule One..."

"Under pressure, remain graceful."

The next moment, Viscount Lori's pupils dilated, as did those of all the onlookers below.

BANG—

Amidst the billowing smoke and fire, the masked mysterious person still stood, unwavering and completely unharmed.

What happened? Wasn't the deal sealed?

"No, the deal has been sealed, and your luck has increased as desired, just as in the past."

In the depths of his soul, faced with Lori's questioning, the dark, deep voice merely gave such a reply.

With that in mind, Lori's thoughts calmed down somewhat.

He had made deals with the demon more than once or twice and was, of course, aware of its capabilities.

Though such demons from the Spirit Realm are greedy, even to the point of being described as evil, they always honor their deals and contracts.

Below, the entire casino fell deathly silent.

Nobody knew why Shiayar would do such a thing. Firing successively was allowed by the rules, but it was equivalent to bearing the risk of another shot for the opponent—only a fool would do that, or someone who knew from the start where the bullet in the chamber was.

But there were no fools capable of facing Viscount Lori at the gambling table...

And unless one was Legendary, no one could cheat before a 6-Ring "audience."