Chapter 2: The Underground Casino
The Nevis family, a yakuza-like organization, runs the underground casino.
Among the various illegal groups such as theft rings, unlicensed doctors, slave traders, and violent organizations known as extortionists, they stand out as a particularly powerful force.
The Academy City, where wealth, goods, and people from various countries flow in, is overflowing with those seeking ways to make money, regardless of good or evil.
In such an environment, it’s not surprising that some would turn their attention to the academy students.
The Nevis family is one of them. They’ve taken in merchants expelled from commercial guilds and expanded into various businesses. Among these, the most profitable venture is their casino.
Usually, their casino caters to connected nobles and merchants, but in their pursuit of even greater profits, they began seeking ways to increase their clientele.
As a result, they set their sights on the academy students, many of whom are relatives of royalty and nobility.
This information was revealed by a man Rocks suspected and interrogated.
“Thank you for your cooperation,”
The man, who appeared to be in his forties, nodded repeatedly while trembling slightly.
Rocks let out a dry laugh, his cheek twitching.
“Well, I suppose anyone would be scared if they saw a rock crushed before their eyes… and then had their head grabbed by that same hand…”
He muttered something, shrinking back.
While Rocks’ behavior was puzzling, I had grasped the outline of the case.
“Most of the kids drowning in debt don’t know what to do. If you sweet-talk them, they’ll do anything you say. Occasionally, some fool might talk about using their power to shut down the casino, but there’s no way those nobles, full of pride, could actually do such a thing,”
the man said with a laugh, seemingly emboldened.
I see. Indeed, most nobles would hesitate to tarnish their family name. Especially those of higher rank.
As I pondered this, Rocks grabbed the man’s neck and spoke in a low voice.
“Are you looking down on nobles, you bastard? For the sake of that pride, we’d cut off the heads of criminals like you without hesitation.”
The man snorted at Rocks’ anger-filled voice and bloodshot eyes.
“If I’m caught, it’s a death sentence anyway. When you know you’re going to die, there’s nothing to fear. Let me tell you something clearly, Prince. The royalty and nobility, they all look down on us commoners. Most of them think that’s normal, but we’re sick and tired of being treated like that.”
Rocks’ eyes widened at these words spat out like venom. Still gripping the man’s neck, he shoved him violently against the wall.
“Don’t mock us!”
The man’s eyes bulged as Rocks threatened him. Rocks, while showing his anger, managed to control himself somewhat and released his grip, glaring at the man.
“I have no intention of doing anything to you because you’re a commoner, nor do I look down on you. However, criminals will be punished regardless of their social status. Remember that.”
Rocks’ response was clumsy, but it was passable. He was clearly different from how he used to be.
I nodded slightly and looked at Rocks’ profile.
“Please step aside,”
Rocks obediently complied. The man looked at Rocks’ face, then at me.
“W-what’s going on? Are you… could you also be royalty?”
I smiled faintly at the confused man.
“You too are trapped by preconceptions about social status. I’m a commoner. However, if we’re talking about titles, Rocks is a student, and I’m a teacher.”
Upon hearing this, the man’s eyes widened in shock, his mouth opening and closing several times without making a sound.
“Now then, please lead us to the casino. I should warn you, you can’t escape from me.”
Despite my gentle request for cooperation, the man swallowed hard with a pale face and nodded repeatedly.
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“It’s me. I’ve brought guests.”
As the man said this, after a brief pause, the door opened.
Light leaked through the gap in the door, and we, standing in the dim alley, squinted our eyes.
The man entered first, disappearing beyond the door. I turned back to check everyone’s intentions, but Rocks was already about to barge in, and the two men who seemed to be bodyguards just nodded at me.
Come to think of it, these two clearly weren’t students. Were they Rocks’ original bodyguards?
Well, that doesn’t matter right now.
“You two, please focus on protecting Rocks,” I told them.
They nodded again. Smiling at them, I turned towards the open door.
Bathed in the dazzling light, I entered the building.
A sweet scent tickled my nose, mixed with the smell of wood, iron, and fabric. It didn’t feel like a casino. Come to think of it, there wasn’t much noise either.
As my eyes adjusted to the light, I looked around. It was a spacious shop that looked like a general store.
Although the exterior was stone, the floor and walls inside were covered with wooden planks, and even the well-arranged shelves were wooden. Colorful fabrics hung from the walls and ceiling, creating a lively atmosphere.
The products ranged widely from lamps, dishes, and vases to what appeared to be sweet confections.
“Welcome! Welcome to William Trading Company! We have everything from daily necessities to rare sweets made with sugar!”
A merchant in robes appeared, wearing a gentle smile. He looked to be about thirty years old. He spread his arms wide, looking at us with a somewhat suspicious grin.
“…A trading company? Wait a minute, this place is…!? Hey, where did that guy go!?”
Rocks finally noticed the man had disappeared. The soldier bodyguards looked around as well.
“He just ran straight to the back of the store,”
Rocks hurriedly turned his eyes to the back of the store.
“Damn! A valuable source of information! Let’s chase after him right now!”
“Yes, sir!”
As the three tried to push their way in, the merchant stopped them.
“Ah, I’m sorry. The hallway beyond that point is for the warehouse and employee break room. I’d be happy to explain our products to you, so please feel free to ask anything.”
“Shut up! We have no business with you! We’re going to search the back!”
Rocks shouted, but the merchant just smiled troubledly, still not budging. Even if he didn’t know Rocks, he should have recognized him as nobility by his attitude. Yet, the merchant stood firm.
Just then, there was a sound like wood striking wood from somewhere.
Hearing this, the merchant raised his eyebrows and stepped aside.
“…Well, if you insist, I’ll guide you. I don’t want to antagonize nobility, after all.”
As the merchant said this, Rocks nodded, though somewhat bewildered.
“F-Fine. Then lead the way. Don’t hide anything.”
Rocks said this as if driving home a point, but he was completely in the merchant’s palm.
“I understand,” the merchant bowed respectfully, but he was probably sticking out his tongue while looking down.
“Now, this way please.”
The merchant said this and walked ahead, heading towards the back of the store.
The shelves were arranged to hide the passage, but looking to the side, there seemed to be a single-leaf door.
The merchant opened this door casually and turned to face us.
“The employee break room is the room on the right. The warehouse is on the left.”
Saying this, he stepped back against the wall so we could see beyond the door.
What lay before us was just a narrow passage and two closed doors.
Entering the passage, Rocks first opened the left door.
But even after entering, all we saw were old shelves and wooden boxes lined up, nothing like the glamorous place a casino should be.
The products stored on the shelves indeed looked like inventory items.
“Tch, must be the other side!”
Rocks quickly turned back, returned to the passage, and opened the opposite door.
“Whoa, who are you!?”
A rough man’s voice could be heard.
Peering in from behind Rocks, who had stopped, we saw about a dozen large men resting. Drinks and food were laid out on the tables, surrounded by a mismatched assortment of long benches and single chairs, each occupied by a man.
Near the entrance, one man was standing, but startled by Rocks, he was backing away while turning towards us.
As Rocks looked around the dimly lit room, the men made overtly displeased faces.
“Who are you?”
“What are you doing here?”
The men all stood up at once, glaring at us.
Faced with the clear hostility of these sturdy adult men, even Rocks hesitated to speak.
“This is the Nevis family, correct?”
I stepped forward, gently moving Rocks and the two bodyguards aside with one hand.
“Huh?”
“What’s this Nevis family you’re talking about?”
Mocking laughter erupted.
“You’ve got a mean look, but a pretty face, miss. Want to work here? We’ll pay well. All you have to do is take off your clothes a bit. It’s an easy job even an idiot can do.”
“Hahahaha!”
One of them made a vulgar joke, and everyone started laughing again. It was an unpleasant atmosphere.
Ignoring them, I looked around. The walls seemed to be stone and wood, but the interior was quite elaborate. The lighting was dim, with many unlit fixtures on the walls and ceiling.
Also, the arrangement of the chairs was far too haphazard.
Feeling something was off, I examined the room more carefully. That’s when Rocks, his face red with anger, stepped forward.
“You insolent fools! We are first-class magicians! If you don’t want to be burned alive, beg for your lives and prostrate yourselves this instant!”
Rocks, bristling with rage, threatened them in a typical noble fashion. It was hard to tell who the villain was at this point.
The men’s expressions turned grim, and the atmosphere became explosive.
I silently slapped Rocks on the back.
“Ow…!”
Rocks let out an exaggerated cry of pain, falling to his knees and groaning. The two bodyguards rushed to support him almost reflexively.
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