The Casino of Time

Drip.

Cold raindrops plummeted from the sky, stirring faint ripples across the muddy puddles.

Steward Ark, holding a black umbrella, remained steadfastly by Reyn’s side, though half of his shoulder was already damp with rain.

The Lower City’s streets, as ever, exuded a putrid stench of decay. Reyn pushed open the heavy doors of Old Man’s Tavern, and in that instant, countless gazes converged solely upon him.

Reyn Rheinhebo, the reigning Count, was hardly a man of secrets. Yet, as the sole nobleman who consistently ventured into the Lower City, he was perpetually met with profound suspicion from its inhabitants.

The tavern’s proprietor, who also served as its only cook, was a middle-aged man well past fifty. He emerged from the back kitchen, carrying a plate. Upon seeing Reyn, not a flicker of surprise crossed his face.

“What’ll it be today?”

Reyn shrugged his shoulders.

“The usual,” he replied simply.

Two plates of roasted potato cakes, a pitcher of cheap beer. Reyn found the nearest empty seat and settled in. His gaze swept around the room before he addressed the old cook, who was about to turn away.

“Business isn’t too good today?”

For the people of the Lower City, everyday diversions were scarce, making taverns their most frequent haunt. This particular establishment, popular for its low prices, was usually packed, yet today, more than half its seats lay vacant.

The old cook paused, turning to face Reyn. His voice was calm.

“Lately, everyone here has gone to the Upper City to enjoy themselves.”

Reyn instinctively tapped the tabletop, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Oh? If you’re not busy, perhaps we could chat?”

The old cook didn’t refuse. After taking a seat, he poured himself a glass of beer. It was then that Reyn suddenly pointed at the glass.

“Ah, I’m not paying for that part.”

The old cook’s expression froze for a moment, then he let out a resigned chuckle.

“I’ll take it off your bill.”

Reyn interlaced his fingers, resting his forearms on the table as he watched the old cook drink his beer.

“So, why exactly do people from the Lower City suddenly have money to spend in the Upper City?”

The old cook met Reyn’s clear, discerning eyes.

“Do you also believe that people from the Lower City don’t deserve to be in the Upper City?”

Reyn shook his head.

“No, I only speak of logic. Given the current living conditions of Lower City residents, they simply cannot afford to spend money in the Upper City.”

The old cook set down his beer mug, gazing intently at Reyn.

“They earned the money at the casino,” he stated slowly.

A flicker of understanding crossed Reyn’s eyes.

“That casino that takes away time?”

“It seems, my Lord Count, you already know.”

“I suffered no small loss there myself.”

The old cook glanced at the few remaining patrons, his voice dropping to a low tone.

“For us, gambling is also a form of entertainment. And now, a casino has appeared that requires no initial capital. My Lord Count, do you think the people here can resist such a temptation?”

“You are mistaken. The capital required for that casino is extremely steep!”

“But, my Lord Count, for people like us, the least valuable thing we possess is time.”

Reyn fell silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh.

“So, what happens next? How much money have they gained by exchanging their time?”

The old cook replied, “That depends on luck, doesn’t it? A casino is just such a place. Some have lost all their time and never returned. Others have won a large sum of money and have now moved their entire families to the Upper City. Fortunately, the latter are more numerous.”

Reyn remained quiet. After a long pause, his voice grew hoarse.

“This isn’t fortune.”

The old cook chuckled softly.

“Are you suggesting the casino operators are doing this on purpose? But what does it matter? Gamblers don’t believe in such things. For them, the money they win is the only reality.”

Reyn lowered his arms, gently tapping the tabletop.

“So, those who won still ended up losing their time?”

It seemed many had won, but even the winners hadn’t recovered their time. In the end, the true victor was always the house.

And this was merely the beginning.

No matter how much money the winners received, obtaining such an unprecedented fortune, especially with seemingly no difficulty, would inevitably lead to an uncontrollable situation once more people began to view it as an easy way to get rich.

The worst-case scenario would be a surge in criminal activities like human trafficking and the theft of others’ time.

Once a gambler wins, they will never stop.

“Thank you for your help.”

Reyn placed a hundred-note bill on the table, then walked out of the tavern with Steward Ark. The rain had intensified. He stood beneath the eaves, quietly watching the downpour.

“Ark,” he said, his voice low, “after Victoria Michelle’s plan to destroy the casino fails, immediately have the Blackwing Knights blockade the entire Lower City. Allow people out, but not in. Anyone who leaves the Lower City will be considered to have forfeited their right to reside here!”

Steward Ark lowered his gaze.

“My Lord, what if Miss Victoria Michelle succeeds?”

Reyn was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke.

“Then we shall mourn for the death of a worm for one second.”

He took a deep breath.

“Let’s go. We’ll witness how things unfold firsthand,” he said calmly.

He boarded the carriage, once again approaching the casino. The once bustling street was now deserted, with numerous robed mages guarding the casino’s perimeter. Reyn observed their positions, his eyes narrowing slightly.

‘As expected of the Michelle family, to be able to employ so many mages. It seems they are preparing to cast a linked magic array?’

Linked magic, a highly rare tactic, involved combining the magical power of multiple low and mid-level mages to cast a high-level spell beyond their individual capabilities. It was a formidable technique.

Its preparation time was excessively long, and its activation conditions were extremely stringent, used only in specific circumstances, such as the present.

As the mages chanted their incantations, a multi-hued magical array, where various lights converged, materialized above the casino. The surrounding magical energy grew increasingly dense. Once the array was fully formed, a colossal pillar of lightning instantly erupted from its center, engulfing the entire casino.

The light pillar persisted for a full thirteen seconds. When it finally dissipated and the magical array collapsed, the casino reappeared before everyone, completely unscathed.

Reyn’s eyes flickered. Despite having anticipated this, witnessing it firsthand was still profoundly shocking.

‘Even a high-level spell couldn’t leave a single mark on that casino?’

Victoria, who was commanding the operation, stood on a high platform, observing the unharmed casino. She thoughtfully raised an eyebrow.

‘The casino itself is frozen in time at a specific moment. That’s why external means cannot inflict any damage upon it.’

‘Given the current state of human magical development, this is unresolvable.’

‘But that is only true for humans.’

She leaped down from the platform, stepping purposefully into the casino.