The two men shook hands with the demonic general. Azriel offered them to sit.
"Lord Nirvana. As promised, I've brought them."
Sebastian nodded. Azriel did the same in return.
"So you are the head juror."
The elderly man in his fifties humbly responded to Azriel's question.
"What can I do for you, Lord Nirvana?"
"I want you to hand over the casino to Lord Valentino here."
Sebastian was speechless. He was taken aback by Azriel's decision.
"B-but my Lord, that's a bit-...Will the baroness accept this decision?"
"The baroness will contribute with us. She may keep all the shares of the money. But the control of the casino will be given to him. And one more favor to ask."
Tension rose in the room.
"This casino should be announced legal."
"My Lord!! This is blasphemy. The casinos and bars have been banned by the government. It is a royal law."
Azriel remained indifferent.
Sebastian grinned.
"Banned? In the public eye? Yes, it is. But what about behind the scenes? I am pretty sure you who is the foreperson of the jury have often visited that illegal street."
The man started to sweat all over.
The other was speechless.
"H-how can you falsely accuse me, Lord Valentino?"
"I have heard rumors about you. And rumors are the most attractive part of high society. Am I right oh great Juror?"
The man fell back on the sofa. None of the two said anything.
"The Jurisdiction and the executives have the right to pass out the law of the land. I am sure the king only needs to sign it. I shall take care of that part. You handle the rest as per our request. Is that understood?"
"...Yes, My Lords."
"Then this law should be passed out within two weeks."
"My Lord.each law requires a bare minimum amount of time which is at least three months."
Sebastian crossed his arms.
"I know. Thats why I am saying not to take that long."
"Then it's settled. I hope to receive good news."
The two men staggered out of the residence to their respective carriages.
—"Look at the so-called high nobles. They can't even handle things on their own."
Azriel massaged his forehead with his fingers.
——————
The Knights ceremony was nearing. The day after would be a big day for Sloane. That would be the place where she would change her fate.
Sloane was in her nightdress. She couldn't sleep a wink. She normally slept an hour after the sunsets.
But she was anxious about the knight's ceremony.
—"The ceremony is the day after..."
She sighed as she held the amber pendant tightly in her grip.
She wrapped the woolen shawl that Cecile had woven for her. And went to have a walk in the garden.
The weather was colder than before.
The cool breeze blew through her black hair that was untied from her high ponytail only when she went to sleep.
The view of the garden was different at night. The sky was filled with twinkling stars. It was a meteor shower.
Sloane held the carved amber more tightly than before while she made her wish.
The moment she opened her eyes, in front of her stood none other than the monster of the nation.
It gasped in surprise.
"Lord Sebastian?"