Bell and the Astraea familia sat around the dining room table as they enjoyed their breakfast. However, one thing had been on everyone's mind for a while.
They were a familia of justice yet they did no patrols around the city. Everyone but Bell wondered why that was.
"Alright, now that you're all here I have something to announce," Astraea said.
The girls leaned forward invested in what Astraea was about to say. Astraea looked over to Bell who gave her a nod.
"Now while we may be a familiar of justice I bet you've noticed the lack of patrols we've been on."
The three girls nodded.
"Well Bell and I talked about that last night and we came to the agreement that we will begin patrols once you all reach level two. This way you'll be able to deal with at least half of the adventurer population with ease."
The girls were a little disappointed that they couldn't go out and patrol the city. They felt like it was their duty to the city and the legacy of the Astraea familia.
Lili especially wanted to go out on patrol. She wanted to stop what happened to her from happening to anyone else.
"I know some of you are disappointed but Bell and I decided this would be best to have the minimum requirement for patrols at level two. Your safety is our utmost priority." Astraea explained.
Bell then stood up. "Now I know you three are disappointed you can't go and patrol just yet. But as Astraea said we care about your safety, and you can't protect people if you're dead. Let Ganesha and his familia keep the city safe for just a little bit longer. Then you can break out onto the scene."
"Alright, Bell." The three said.
"Now eat your breakfast and get your spirits up. Besides you're all almost level two anyway."
The three grumbled and went back to eating their breakfast. Bell smiled and shook his head. He was glad they were disappointed in not being able to patrol. It meant they had good hearts.
But in the end, he just wanted them to be safe. There would be times he wouldn't be with them and it would be up to them to protect themselves.
After breakfast was finished Lili went to the backyard to practice with her spear while Karen and Emma went to study up more on the dungeon.
Astraea headed to her office while Bell left the house. He had someone he wanted to visit after all.
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Bell arrived at the Hostess of Fertility a few minutes later. The breakfast rush seemed to be winding down as Bell entered.
He saw what looked like two worried parents at the bar talking to Mia and Ryu. In the corner of his eye, Bell saw Anya sweeping the floor so he approached her.
He lightly tapped her on the shoulder causing her to turn around and smile.
"Bell!" She cheered.
She wrapped an arm around his neck and gave him a hug which he returned.
"Are you going to the dungeon today nya?" Anya asked pulling back.
Bell shook his head. "No not today. Welf's too busy making armor. Karen and Emma are studying and Lili is practicing again. I think they're still trying to work up the courage to go back to floor 13."
"Oh well, they'll work up their courage again nya. So what brings you by?"
"Well since I've made such a big name for myself I got invited to some high-end casino, and I'm allowed to take a plus one. I was wondering if you would like to go with me tonight?"
Anya frowned slightly. "I'm sorry Bell nya. But Mia doesn't like how much time I've been taking off recently. Sorry, Bell."
Bell was a little disappointed but smiled nonetheless. "Oh, that's alright. Hmm, I wonder who I should ask to come with me then?"
"Maybe your goddess?" Anya offered.
Bell shrugged. "Maybe, I don't know. I still have time to think it over."
It was then that Syr and Ryu approached the two. She smiled and was the first to speak.
"Hey, Bell we need your help." Syr smiled.
Bell sighed feeling like Syr was going to cause him trouble.
"Oh, I think I need to wash the dishes nya," Anya said walking to the kitchen. Bell was now left alone to Syr's whims.
"Yes, Syr how can help?" Bell groaned.
"Well, I just so happened to hear that you were invited to a high-end casino. Care to tell me which one?"
"The El Dorado Resort," Bell answered.
Syr gave him a giddy smile. "That's wonderful you can help with our plan after all."
Bell sighed again. "Alright, what are you dragging me into?"
"Well, you see those two over there?" Syr pointed out.
Bell saw the two people he had seen earlier and nodded.
"Goodie, well they've just told us they lost their daughter to a gambling debt, and now their daughter I owned by the casino owner," Syr explained.
Bell gave the couple a sideways glare before turning back to Ryu and Syr.
"So they lost their daughter because of their bad choices and now want me to save her?" Bell asked.
"Not exactly, they asked Ryu and I to save her. But I want you to serve as a distraction. You know how to gamble right?"
Bell nodded. "Yeah, my Grandpa taught me when I was eight."
"Kind of young but that's alright. Anyway, we need you to cause a big stir in the casino allowing us to save Anna. Are you in?"
Bell looked to Ryu. "And you're alright with this Ryu?"
"If it's to save a person from a life of slavery then yes. Returning her to her parents, however." Ryu turned her gaze back to the parents and shook her head.
"That will be for Anna to decide."
"Alright, I'll help. What time are you going to the casino?" Bell groaned.
"Later tonight at around nine. If you get there before us that's good too." Syr answered.
"OK, I'll see you there. Just need to get fitted for a suit first." Bell sighed.
"Something wrong?" Ryu asked.
"I don't like high society things," Bell muttered.
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After bidding the Hostess goodbye Bell made his way back home as he needed to pick someone up. He didn't know much about high society events. Or high society in general. But he knew someone who did.
Entering the Stardust Garden he saw Emma and Karen sitting in the living room with the study material he had written down for them.
Lili was also there as well drinking a glass of water and relaxing from training. The three turned their heads to Bell as he entered.
"Hey Karen you busy tonight?" Bell asked.
Karen furrowed her brow. "Um, no. Why?"
"Well, you're in luck. I need your help with a mission tonight. Now come with me we need to get nice clothes." Bell ordered.
Karen was a little surprised but stood up and walked over to Bell. Emma and Lili gave each other confusing glances before shrugging and going back to their work.
If Bell had taken her like that then it was for a good reason. They had no reason to doubt him.
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Welf sat in his forge hammering away at a gauntlet. This was the last piece of armor he had to create before moving onto the chestplate.
However, as he was working he heard the door to his workshop open. He wondered who was coming to visit him at this time.
"Oh, Welfy!" Tsubaki purred.
"Oh course it's the Cyclops." Welf thought.
He stopped working and turned around seeing the one-eyed, half-Amazon, half-dwarf enter the forge. She seemed to be carrying something behind her back, however.
"Can I help you Tsubaki?" Welf asked turning around.
"Hmm nope." She answered.
"Then why are you here?" Welf deadpanned.
"Ouch so harsh. Can't your captain congratulate you on reaching level two?"
"You can, but knowing you there's something else involved. Especially since you're holding something behind your back."
Tsubaki clicked her tongue. "Fine, I wanted to give you a little present I made."
"What is it and why?" Welf asked narrowing his eyes.
"So guarded." Tsubaki then showed Welf what she was holding. It was a dwarven mail chestplate made by her.
Welf furrowed his brow as he stood up and walked over to the chestplate. He grabbed it and gave it a look over as Tsubaki stood there with a smile on her face.
"Well, it's expertly crafted. But why are you gifting me this?" Welf asked.
"Because I heard you were making armor. So why not make you a super useful gift?!"
"You're being awfully nice. What's the catch?"
"No catch, just want you to stay alive. Who else will I bully if you die?"
"Literally anyone else."
"That's no fun."
Welf groaned as Tsubaki patted him on the shoulder. "Alright, Welfy I'm off. Don't die or else I-Hephaestus would be very sad."
Welf's face scrunched up in confusion as Tsubaki walked away. It almost sounded like she was about to say she'd be sad if he was gone.
"Nah cyclops would just miss her punching bag." Welf then took a look at the chestplate. "Not a bad craft though."
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Hephaestus smiled wistfully as she looked at the ring on her finger. Before curling her hand into a fist.
"One of these days I'll get him, and just like a blacksmith I'll mold him into the perfect man." The goddess swore to herself in her cooling forge.
Letting out a sigh she unbuttons the two top buttons of her shirt letting her girls breathe. She walked over to her desk and picked up a dusty tome that lay atop it. The cover was made of worn leather with the title.
Hephastion's diary.
DO NOT TOUCH
Hephaestus ignored the label and began turning the Yellow Pages searching for the last secrets of one of the best smiths during the Zeus and Hera age.
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"Karen we've been here for hours. This is like the 100th suit I've tried on." Bell complained.
"You need to look proper for where we're going tonight. Can't have you looking like some barbarian."
Bell groaned and stepped out of the changing room. He and Karen had wandered into some random store to get her a dress.
Luckily for Bell that was the easy part. She got a simple light purple dress with a small orange bow that tied up her hair.
Unluckily for Bell when they went into the suit store Karen made him try on over a dozen suits. It was to make him look presentable as she said.
Right now he was wearing a dark red suit with a white dress shirt underneath along with black dress shoes. Karen was sitting in her chair her hand on her chin.
"Hmm, this will do." She nodded.
"Thank gods." Bell gasped.
"Now you need a haircut. Your hair's getting too long."
Bell nervously chuckled and subconsciously touched his hair. "Uh let's just leave it. I'm sure it's fine."
Karen noticed his tone and narrowed her eyes slightly. She wondered why Bell was letting his hair grow long. Perhaps this was a good time to ask him.
"Why don't you want to get your hair cut? Won't it get in your way?"
Bell shook his head. "No, I don't need to see to fight. But my Grandpa used to cut my hair, and since he's gone I don't really want another haircut."
Karen felt herself feel a little saddened by the story. "Ok I understand, we won't cut your hair. Besides we're supposed to serve as a distraction anyway. So maybe this'll help you stick out more?"
"If the plan was to stick out why did you make me try on so many suits?" Bell deadpanned.
"Because we can't have you standing out for all the wrong reasons. I will not in good faith let you walk into a high-end casino looking like a brute."
"But I am a brute. Sure I may be intelligent when it comes to handy work and fighting. But I'm a brute."
"No, you're not. Besides these people will be judging you the second you walk in the door. Now pay for your suit and let's get ready. It's almost time."
"You're so bossy." Bell joked walking to the counter.
"You asked for my help on this and I intend to make this distraction perfect," Karen added.
Bell rolled his eyes and paid for his suit. The clerk thanked him for his business and told him his other clothes would be shipped back to the Stardust Garden.
Bell thanked the man as he and Karen walked off to the Casino. Ready to serve as Ryu and Syr's distraction.
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"A carriage? Really?" Bell asked.
"Yes, it will help with your image. Now you know what to do when we arrive correct?" Karen answered.
"Yes get out first and help you down. My Grandpa taught me to be a gentleman."
Karen nodded. "Good. Manners are important for events like these."
"I hate this stuff already. I don't know how you put up with it."
"I was born into it. It comes as easy to me as walking. Just like how fighting comes easy to you."
"I'm just hoping this is my last high society event for a while. Feel like I can barely breathe in this suit."
"Imagine how I feel in this dress, and I have to wear heels." Karen pointed out.
Bell chuckled. "Fair point. We can agree that dress clothes suck?"
"Absolutely, although I do feel nice wearing them."
"This suit makes me look like ketchup." Bell deadpanned.
"But it matches your eyes and goes well with your hair. It makes you look-
"If you say an Almirij I'm doubling your training." Bell threatened.
Karen held her hands up in mock surrender. "I was gonna say it makes you look handsome."
Bell narrowed his eyes at Karen. He didn't say a word and watched as she fidgeted in her seat. He was silent for a minute more before smiling.
"Good, as long as we know what not to do," Bell replied.
Karen chuckled and shook her head. She looked back out the window. She watched as the nightlife in the city began to stir. She mindlessly watched as the lights moved past her.
Karen thought of home. About her family and her father. She wondered why he gave her that chestplate when he hadn't shown much care to her.
Did he want her dead? Welf and Bell both told her that her chestplate protected nothing. So is that why he gave it to her?
She was roused from her thoughts by Bell's voice.
"Hey, we're here." He said.
Karen focused her gaze back out the window and saw multiple casinos and a giant fountain in the middle of the forum. Multiple street lights lit up the forum giving it a yellow and purple glow as the moon shone brightly in the sky.
Bell and Karen's carriage came to a stop and Bell opened the door. He stepped out and immediately drew the eyes of many as they knew who he was.
Bell stuck out his hand and Karen gently took it. She noticed how rough they felt. Yet there was also a tenderness as well.
Bell noticed that her hands felt soft despite years of her training and another year and a half of fighting. Maybe it had to do with her being a noble in some far-off country.
Whatever the reason Bell pushed the thought out of his mind and helped Karen down the stairs. She then locked her arm with his and the two began walking to the El Dorado resort.
Most of the eyes were on them as Bell was the record holder and some knew that Karen was from his familia. Rumors started to circulate about the two dating.
Bell and Karen ignored them. Bell because he didn't really care for rumors, and Karen was because she had been hearing them her whole life.
The two arrived at the entrance of the Grand Casino. The building having a similar look to a Grand Cathedral. The inside was covered in a velvet red carpet with an orange pattern on it.
The walls were made out of marble and further inside Bell could see multiple gambling tables. There were two guards at the door holding spears that stopped Bell and Karen.
"Invitation?" One of them asked.
Bell reached into his pocket and pulled out the gold poker chip. The guard's eyes widened in shock a little and gestured inside.
"Mr Cranel welcome. Please turn in that chip at the cash-in table for your free chips." The guard said.
Bell nodded and escorted Karen inside. Further in he could see Ryu and Syr wandering around. Syr was dressed in a low-cut orange dress while Ryu was dressed in a black suit with a white dress shirt and an eyepatch.
Their gazes met and Bell gave the two a small nod. Their plan was just getting ready to begin. Syr and Ryu wandered somewhere else in the Casino while Bell and Karen approached a teller's desk.
"Hmm, ah the record holder. Please give me your golden chip and I'll give you the funds to gamble your heart away."
Bell handed the man the golden chip and in return was handed a stack of chips. They ranged from 1,00 to 100,000 valis. In total, he had 500,000 chips.
"If you lose all this we'll be in serious debt," Karen warned.
"I'm aware, but then again we're not here to win. Only to distract."
"Yes, but we'll still have to pay the money back."
Bell chuckled as they walked into the main room. "I'm not paying anything to a casino that buys people."
"So you're committing fraud?"
"No, justice." Bell cheekily replied.
Karen lightly laughed at that as Bell took a seat at a blackjack table while Karen stood next to him. Placing her hands atop his shoulder.
Another woman wearing a frilly pink dress sat next to him and a man wearing a checkered suit. The dealer looked at everyone holding a deck of cards in his hand.
"Alright everyone place your bets." The dealer said.
Bell threw in two 1k Valis poker chips while the others did the same.
"Alright, bets are closed." The dealer said as he dealt.
He placed down six cards face up. Bell had a two tens making a 20. The woman had a 16 and the man had a 12. The dealer then dealt his cards with one face up and the other face down.
His faced-up card was a seven.
The dealer looked to Bell.
"I'll stay," Bell said.
"I'll stay as well." The woman followed.
"Hit me." The man said.
The dealer took another card from his deck and placed it down. It was a ten meaning the man had busted.
"Damn it!" The man cursed.
The dealer flipped his face-down card up revealing another seven. He had a 14 but decided to take a risk and hit. He got an eight.
"The woman in the pink dress and Mr Cranel win." The dealer stated.
He took the chips from the third man and he angrily walked away. Both the woman and Bell had just doubled their bets.
"Alright place your bets." The dealer said.
"Place a 10k one," Karen whispered in Bell's ear.
He nodded and placed a 10k Valis chip in as a bet. The woman next to him was slightly unnerved and didn't follow suit. She only placed in a 4k bet.
"Alright betting is now closed."
The dealers then dealt the cards before setting the deck down. The game immediately ended for Bell as he had a blackjack.
The woman only had a 17.
"I'll stay." She said.
The dealer nodded and flipped his card up. He had a 7 and a 10.
"I'll stay as well."
Bell smiled as he once again doubled his money. The woman took her chips and left the table. Leaving Bell and Karen alone.
"You can sit down if you want," Bell said.
"I'm fine," Karen said flashing him a small smile.
Bell nodded and placed in another 10k bet.
The dealer dealt again leaving Bell to get another blackjack. Bell smiled as the dealer sighed in annoyance. Bell had just made around 44k valis off blackjack alone.
"Well, I think that's enough for me. Time for another game." Bell said.
He stood up and took his chips and left the table with Karen following suit.
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"Well, you seem to be very lucky." Karen mused.
"Yeah, it's weird. My Grandpa always kicked my ass when we played."
"Maybe you've just gotten better with age?"
Bell shrugged. "Maybe."
The two then arrived at a poker table with Bell once again taking his seat. Karen once again placed her hands on his shoulder as there were no other chairs available.
The dealer dealt the cards and Bell looked at his hand. He had an eight, nine, and ten of hearts. Bell watched as everyone placed their bets, and they were quite high too.
It seemed the opening bet was at 50k. Bell tossed in a 50k chip and waited. The dealer dealt out the next card and Bell got a seven of hearts. All he needed was a six of hearts for a straight flush.
But he mashed his emotions and made sure his poker face was stern. Karen's face remained the same not portraying a hint of emotion.
Bets once again went out. This time 70k a piece. Bell raised it to 80k making one woman fold. The other two at the table evened the pot out and the dealer dealt the last card.
It was a six of hearts.
Bell wanted to smile. He really did. But he kept his face blank. He had a straight flush meaning he had very high odds of winning. The only thing that could beat this was a higher straight flush or a royal flush.
The bets were once again placed in at 70k but Bell raised it to 100k. One man folded while another saw Bell's bet.
There were well over a million Valis in the pot now. Something which both Karen and Bell knew. Yet their faces remained emotionless.
"Alright everyone place your cards down." The dealer spoke.
The man went first and cockily placed his four-of-a-kind down. It was a good hand. Only a shame Bell beat him.
"Straight flush," Bell said.
Everyone at the table's eyes widened in shock as Bell took the chips. He and Karen began neatly stacking them while the other patrons left the table in anger.
"Oh, I guess I scared them off," Bell said.
"You did just win over a million valis. I'd be mad too." Karen pointed out.
Bell nodded as a voice called out to him.
"Well, well, well. Look at who we have here."
Bell and Karen turned around and saw the goddess Loki dressed in a black dress with white gloves. But since she was flat it really did nothing for her. Accompanying her was Lefiya dressed in a dark orange dress with black gloves.
"Um, hi?" Bell greeted.
Loki took her seat next to Bell and greeted the dealer. "Hello, Alphonse. How much had the kid won?"
"Well over a million valis Lady Loki."
"Hmm pretty good. Shame I'm going to take it all." Loki declared.
Bell and Karen looked at each other. Both were confused by Loki's blatant hostility. However, Karen gave him a look that told him everything he needed to know.
"Kick her ass."
Bell merely smiled and turned around. "Hey Karen why not spend some time with your friend? I have more money to win."
"Very well," Karen responded.
She walked over to Lefiya and the two walked over to a bar leaving Bell and Loki alone.
"Quite a cocky statement there boy."
"She is the queen of Santorio Hold 'em Mr Cranel."
"Shut up and play," Bell responded.
Loki grit her teeth in anger as the dealer spoke.
"Alright, we are now playing Santorio Hold 'em." The dealer announced.
Bell straightened himself up as the dealer shuffled the deck and dealt two cards face down. Bell looked and saw a pair of aces.
Next, the dealer dealt three cards face up in the middle of the table. The three cards were a two, five, and ten. Nothing Bell could really attach to. Meaning he only had his pair of aces for now.
Loki immediately bet a 100k chip. Bell could tell she was trying to scare him by betting big right out the gate.
A shame for her that Bell doesn't get scared easily.
He saw her bet and the dealer dealt another card. This time another ace. Bell kept his poker face but was glad on the inside. Now he had three of a kind.
Loki bet another 100k and Bell easily matched it. The dealer dealt the last card and Bell again resisted the urge to smile.
It was another ace.
Now having four of a kind Bell watched Loki out of the corner of his eye noticing a slight frown that quickly went away.
He knew she was bluffing now. So in an attempt to scare him Loki bet 200k. Bell saw her bet and raised it to 400k.
Loki seemed to freeze for a second noticing this.
"Something wrong?" Bell asked.
"Nope," Loki replied matching his bet.
The pot was now sitting at an even one million. Something the dealer didn't expect in the first round.
"Betting is closed. Everyone show their cards."
Loki revealed hers and she only had three fives. Bell placed down his four aces completely blowing her hand out of the water.
"Mr Cranel wins."
Bell took his winnings as Loki clicked her tongue. She looked over to her chips and now had around 16 million valis remaining. Bell had around three million with his chips.
"Well, then shall we play again?" Bell asked.
"Yes, let's," Loki growled.
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"So what are you doing here with Bell?" Lefiya asked.
She and Karen were sitting at a bar sipping some fruity drink they couldn't recall the name of.
"Well, Bell got invited here and was allowed to bring a plus one. His girlfriend couldn't come so he brought me since I know how to act with these high society events." Karen explained.
"Oh really? Did he complain the whole time?"
"For most of it yet. But then again I made him spend around five hours just trying on suits. That in and of itself drives him up a wall."
"F-five hours? Geez Karen that's a lot of suits."
Karen shrugged. "I had to make sure he didn't embarrass himself. Not that I think he would care, however."
Karen giggled. "I guarantee he would've shown up dressed in his casual clothes if the invitation didn't specify he had to wear formal attire."
"He sounds irresponsible." Lefiya deadpanned.
Karen laughed. "He's not. He actually takes his duty as our captain very seriously. He just finds high society boring and hates it."
Lefiya looked out at the casino and saw Bell win another hand watching as Loki's pile of chips shrank and a crowd started to surround the table.
"Can you tell me about Bell?" Lefiya asked.
"Why's that? I thought you didn't like him?"
"I don't really. But he piques my interest."
Karen shrugged and took a sip of her drink. "Well, there's not much to say really. I don't know much about him before Orario. But when he's in the dungeon it almost seems like second nature to him. Like he was groomed to be a warrior."
"So he's a good fighter?"
"The best I've ever seen. Watching him fight is like watching the wind blow. It comes so naturally to him. The only thing holding him back is his level."
"That's uh, high praise." Lefiya nervously chuckled.
"Oh, that's because I have immense respect for Bell. Like I said before I would've died if it wasn't for him."
"Yeah, that's a good way to earn respect."
"Alright enough about him. Tell me a little more about yourself. Where do you come from?"
Lefiya set her drink down. "Oh, I come from the Wishe forest. Before I came to Orario I was at the top of my class in the education district where I reached level two. Then I came to Orario and joined the Loki familia. What about you?"
Karen sighed recalling her childhood. "Well, I come from a land far from here where I am a noble. One day I saw an adventurer help someone and that made me want to become one. So around a year and a half ago I set out with the goddess Dia and traveled with her. Then a few months ago I arrived here."
Lefiya nodded as the two heard a crowd cheer. They turned back to the table and saw Bell had just won another hand infuriating Loki further.
Her chips which had totaled 16 million Valis were now down to nine million. More and more of a crowd gathered around the table as the Queen of Santorio hold em was finally losing.
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Loki was seething in anger as she looked at the dealer. A small bead of sweat ran down the side of his forehead as his eyes showed he didn't know what was happening.
The cards were supposed to be in Loki's favor. Yet somehow she just kept losing over and over again. She was only down to nine million Valis while Bell had been bumped up to ten million Valis.
Loki was angry because no matter what she did the boy always seemed to win. Her sleight of hand meant nothing. Her paid-off dealers meant nothing.
The boy just seemed to win no matter how the odds were stacked against him.
Bell of course had already picked up on her cheating. With the way, the dealer looked at her. How she tried to sneak a card out of her gloves.
He hasn't called her out just yet because he was taking a lot of her money and causing the distraction Syr and Ryu needed.
Besides it was funnier to him watching her lose even when she was cheating.
Bell didn't know how he kept winning. It seemed like divine intervention each time. Especially when Loki kept coming out of the gates with straights, flushes, and full houses.
But Bell had beaten her despite her hands being good. Bell's were just better.
"I see you're doing good," Karen said approaching Bell.
He glanced at her and smiled. "Yeah, I just seem to be really lucky tonight. Even though Loki has had good hands every time."
"Lady Loki stop while you're ahead. You still have nine million valis left." Lefiya urged.
Loki shook her head. No, she was going to embarrass this little bastard. The boy who had beaten her Ais's false record. The one that she had put in place to erase the history of Zeus and Hera.
Yet this no named boy from some hick village decided to break it. How dare he take the spotlight off her Ais.
Loki looked at her hand and saw two aces. There were already three cards faced up. Two aces and a king.
Loki suppressed her smile as she had four aces. A decent hand. One that had a high probability of winning. However, before the game could continue a god approached the dealer.
"Why don't you let me finish this game, young man." The god said.
The dealer turned around and his face went ghostly white.
"Lord Cerrunos!" The dealer said.
Cerrunos was a god of commerce who sometimes was a dealer at the El Dorado resort. He was one of the ones who helped get it built after all.
The god had white hair and a bushy white beard with two small horns protruding from the top of his head. Minus the horns Bell almost mistook the man for his Grandfather.
He wore a golden robe with rings on his middle and ring finger as well as a few gold necklaces. In his pocket, a golden chain was hanging out. Most likely a pocket watch.
"Something the matter child?" Cerrunos asked.
Bell shook his head and focused. "Sorry, you just look a lot like my Grandfather."
Karen perked up slightly at the mention of Bell's fabled Grandpa. The only time he really spoke of him was in a passing mention of knowing something.
She was curious about who he was.
"Hmm, I see. Nevertheless, you have been causing a huge scene in the casino so I must make this the last hand. We need everyone to go back to gambling after all." The god said.
Loki gulped in fear as she didn't have Cerrenous on her payroll. She couldn't cheat with him around. Meaning her four aces were an all-or-nothing.
Bell took a look around him and noticed practically everyone was surrounding their table. He inwardly smirked as he had provided the distraction Ryu and Syr needed.
"Better hurry you two." Bell thought.
They had entered the back room some time ago and hadn't come out since. Bell hoped they were alright but he trusted Ryu to keep Syr safe.
He looked back to the table and saw Cerrunos looking at him expectantly.
"All in or fold Mr Cranel?" The god asked.
Bell glanced over to Loki and saw she had gone all in. Her hands trembled slightly while Lefiya looked like she had seen a ghost. He looked to Karen who gave him an approving nod.
"All in." He answered.
Bell pushed all his chips into the pot as the casino filled with silence. It was so quiet one could hear a pin drop. Or the sounds of fighting coming from the back room had they not been so preoccupied with the game.
"All bets are in," Cerrunos said. He shuffled the cards before dealing out the last two. The cards were a jack and a ten.
"Players show your cards."
Loki placed down her four aces and smirked. She saw Bell take a second causing her to smirk.
"He has nothing." She cockily thought.
"Royal flush," Bell answered placing his cards down
Loki's eyes widened as Bell showed a queen and a ten. Added with the ace, Jack, and a ten left Bell with a royal flush.
Blowing Loki's hand out of the water. The crowd let out a deafening cheer as the queen of Santorio hold em had been defeated.
"Damnit!" Loki cursed slamming her hands on the ground.
"Well I'd say better luck next time but you were cheating most of the game," Bell said taking his winnings.
Loki looked at him bug-eyed while Cerrunos raised an eyebrow. He knew Bell was telling the truth and looked at the boy.
"How do you know she was cheating?" The god asked.
"She had cards in her gloves and was in cahoots with the dealer. She was also counting cards but I don't know if you count that as cheating here." Bell replied.
Cerrunos again sensed no lie and slowly turned to Loki. "Hmm, perhaps we should discuss your patronage here at a later date Loki. But as of now, I want you gone."
Loki felt her heart sink into her stomach as she was caught. Somehow this boy had picked up on all her ticks.
This angered her even more but there was nothing she could do. Not at this moment at least.
"Very well. Let's go Lefiya." Loki said.
Lefiya looked depressed as Loki had lost so much money. She waved goodbye to Karen and followed her goddess.
"How were you able to figure out she was cheating?" Karen asked.
"My Grandpa taught me how to pick up on tell's and cues. Besides I can't be a good cop if I can't read body language."
Karen nodded. "Your Grandpa has taught you a lot."
Bell chuckled. "Oh, you have no idea."
It was then the door to the back room flew open and multiple screaming women attacking waiters came out.
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"Why is it wherever you go trouble seems to follow you Mr Cranel?" Shakti asked.
Bell shrugged his shoulders despite the sack he was carrying. "I don't know. Maybe I'm just in the right place at the right time."
"Uh-huh, and you had nothing to do with the incident in the back?" Shakti asked.
"Nope, I was in the front." Bell smiled.
Shakti then turned her gaze to Karen who hung onto Bell. "And you, I take it you had nothing to do with this as well?"
"Oh heavens no. Bell and I were here for a simple night of fun. It was a good thing he took me to he has no taste for the upper class." Karen haughtily answered.
Bell had to hold back his laugh at Karen's posh attitude. He figured this was her acting like a noble.
"And Ryu wasn't involved in this was she?" Shakti asked. It always seemed to be her and Ryu.
"Who?" Bell answered.
"Bell you know who I'm talking about. She visited you in the hospital after the Soma bust." Shakti deadpanned.
"Never heard of her," Bell replied.
Shakti sighed in annoyance. "I hate interacting with you. Have a nice night."
"Bye Shakti, thank you for keeping the city safe."
"Shut up." She replied.
Bell and Karen chuckled as the annoyed captain walked away from the two of them. It was then Ryu came out of the buses behind them.
"Thanks." She said.
"No problem. Although for someone with a bounty, you suck at keeping a low profile." Bell joked.
Ryu blushed in embarrassment. "Hmm, sorry."
"It's fine, you'll only need to keep your head down a little longer," Bell replied.
Ryu then walked off to find Syr while Bell and Karen stood at the entrance to the casino. The two saw their carriage pull up and Bell opened the door and helped Karen in.
Once she sat down he went inside the carriage and closed the door. Setting the sack full of his winnings down on the floor.
"So how much did you win?" Karen asked.
"Around 22 million Valis."
"That's a lot of money," Karen stated. "What are you going to do with it?"
"Put most of it in the familia's coffers. Then buy a gift for Anya." Bell answered.
The carriage then filled with silence for a while as it drove them home. However, there was something Karen wanted to tell Bell. She trusted him enough for him to know.
"Hey Bell, we're friends right?" She asked.
Bell quirked an eyebrow. "I would hope so. Would be kind of awkward being in the same familia and hating each other."
Karen lightly smiled at the joke. But it quickly went away as she was preparing to tell her secret, and there was a good chance Bell might hate her because of it.
"Everything alright?" Bell asked. He had noticed the shift in her mood.
"There's something I want to tell you. Something that I think you should know."
"Alright, I'm all ears."
Karen took a deep breath. "I'm a bastard."
Bell was quiet for a minute. "I see, is that why you left home?"
Karen nodded. "Yes, I'm the illegitimate daughter between a count and a maid. I'm also pretty sure my father wanted me dead."
Bell was quiet again as he leaned forward. "Life must've been hard for you. But you're not with him anymore. You're safe with Astraea and me. But if you ever want to talk about this more. Well, you know where my office is."
"Thanks, Bell."
"No thank you. I know you were probably mistreated your whole life because of who you were. It was very brave of you to tell me this."
Karen nodded and the rest of the carriage ride passed in silence.
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The next day Bell was out and about on the town. He had taken some of his winnings from last night and decided he wanted to give Anya a present.
He entered a jewelry store where an assortment of rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and more were all arranged.
The bell on top of the door ding as he entered causing a shopkeep to step out. He had long blonde hair with purple eyes. He wore a black robe with gold lines and purple designs all over. Along with a similarly colored hair accessory.
"Good evening dear customer. How can I help you today?" The man asked.
"I'm looking for a gift for my girlfriend. I thought I'd get her some jewelry."
"Ah, a splendid choice. Let me know if you need my help."
"I will thank you."
Bell began to wander the store looking around at some earrings and bracelets. He didn't want to get Anya a ring. He didn't want her to get the wrong idea.
He made fun of Welf for that same thing. Bell didn't need Welf turning the tables on him.
He moved past the bracelet and onto the necklaces. A few caught his eye. One was a heart, the other the sun. But the one that caught his eye the most was the fish.
He knew Anya liked fish. It was one of her favorite foods. So maybe she would like this golden necklace of a fish?
Bell decided on that and picked it up before taking it to the counter. The clerk smiled at him as he inspected the necklace.
"Not a bad piece. That'll be 50,000 valis."
"That's a lot for a necklace," Bell commented reaching for his pouch.
"It's an expertly crafted necklace made from gold." The clerk responded.
"I'm aware."
Bell placed two 25k valis coins on the table which the clerk took. He wrapped the necklace up and placed it in a bag before handing it to Bell.
"Thank you for your business. Please come again."
Bell then left the jewelry shop and headed to the Hostess. Where a very happy Anya would receive her gift, and a letter was delivered to Astraea by two girls from the Apollo familia.
Well, another chapter comes and goes. Bell's a lucky gambler. Loki cheated, Syr and Ryu saved Anna and Karen had some character development.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed and I'll see you later.
