Since it happened that their current location was close to Hale's horse stable, Lucian deftly pulled out the jet-black horse from the stable. His movements are agile and skilled, demonstrating qualified equestrian skills. He helped Natty, who still looked deathly pale, get on the horse's back. The horse was calm, as if it understood the situation. They rode away from the mansion, galloping on horseback as they made their way towards the royal capital of Avandor. The scenery changes to magnificent buildings on the outskirts of the city. The rumbling sound of the city began to be heard, a mixture of the sound of horse-drawn carriages, the shouts of merchants, and the hustle and bustle of city life.
"Master, it feels like my stomach is going to come out," Natty whispered, her hands still trembling holding her stomach. The smell of horses and street dust mixed with the smell of food from roadside stalls, creating a rather pungent aroma. Fear still gripped him, but curiosity began to overpower his fear.
Lucian glanced at Natty, his facial expression remained flat, but his eyes showed a hint of worry. He ignored Natty's complaints, focusing on the crowded city streets. "Hah, I didn't expect my antics back then as Kalandra, joining the equestrian club, would be useful now," he muttered quietly, navigating his dark horse past the crowd of people and the carriage. A faint smile was engraved on his lips, a smile full of calculation.
"By the way, the developer of this game really should at least have cars in this world setting," he mumbled again, more to himself. He imagined how easy their journey would be if there were cars.
"Cars?" Natty asked, her voice sounding a bit hoarse from fear and nausea. She still didn't fully understand the situation that was happening.
"No, just forget it." Lucian pushed the thought of the car away. His eyes were still scanning the streets of the city, "Dude, this really looks like in the game." He muttered while looking around the city, searching for the place he was heading to. "If I'm not mistaken, the place should be here..." He led his horse into the dark alleys between the old, shabby buildings. A damp and slightly rotten smell wafted from behind the worn-out walls. "Here it is...!" He stopped in front of a building that looked darker and more hidden than the others.
"The horse I better leave here..." He approached a large tree next to the building, avoiding the gaze of passers-by. He tied the two horses tightly, making sure they were safe and wouldn't run away. "Alright, it's done." He patted the back of his black horse before returning to Natty.
"Your stomach is already upset, right?" Lucian asked in a slightly softer tone, trying to calm Natty down. He noticed Natty's still pale face. "Follow me, or I'll leave you you you know...~" He added the last sentence in a slightly joking tone, to lighten the mood a little. However, his gaze remained sharp and vigilant.
Natty nodded, taking a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. He followed Lucian into the dark hallway. The air inside the hallway was cold and humid, the smell of earth and dust filled his nose. Their footsteps echoed in that narrow passage, creating a tense atmosphere.
After passing through that narrow and dark passageway, they arrived in front of the magnificent casino. The atmosphere changed drastically. The sound of music and cheerful laughter echoed from inside the casino.
"Young Master... This..." Natty said, her legs trembled when she saw the big door, guarded by two tall bodyguards in black uniforms who looked intimidating. Around the door, richly dressed people paced back and forth, their jewelry glittering in the light of the lamps. The atmosphere was crowded and full of energy that made Natty feel depressed. She could hear the sounds of laughter, whispers, and the thunder of music from inside.
"That's right, Natty," Lucian leaned closer to Natty, giving a sense of security. "Going to the casino is one way to have fun, right? Don't worry too much, because your role here now is my partner." He gave a faint smile, a smile full of meaning.
"What is this, does the Young Master intend to make me a stake here?" Natty whispered, her voice trembling. The fear that had just subsided resurfaced, stronger than before. She felt like a puppet to be wagered in a dangerous game. "No, no, I don't want to...!!" She clutched Lucian's arm tightly, seeking refuge behind her Young Master. Her face was pale, eyes glistening.
They both walked up to the big casino door, guarded by two tall, intimidating guys in black uniforms. The guard shot them a sharp look, sizing up every move and expression. The tension was thick between the three of them. Natty could feel the guard's piercing gaze hitting her, creating an even more suffocating fear.
"What's the code?" one of the guards asked, his voice heavy and cold, with no hint of friendliness. He eyed Lucian with suspicion, his hand already reaching for the sword hilt at his waist.
Lucian stayed calm, his expression flat. He pulled out a small card from his pocket and read the code in a steady, firm voice. "Spend everything you have in one night." His voice sounded confident, showing that he wasn't afraid of the guard.
"Alright. For two people, right?" He signaled to the other guard to open the door. The guard nodded slowly, then opened the door for Lucian and Natty. "Have fun." His voice was still cold, but there was a slight change in tone that showed he had allowed them to enter. The big door opened slowly, revealing the sparkling world inside the casino.
After passing through the door, Natty was taken aback. The atmosphere inside the casino was way more crowded and lively than she had imagined. The crystal lights sparkled, their reflections creating a dazzling effect. The loud and raucous music echoed throughout the room, mixed with laughter, whispers, and the roar of the gambling machines. People dressed in fancy clothes were bustling around, their jewelry glinting under the lights. The smell of expensive perfume and the aroma of alcoholic drinks filled her nose. Natty felt like she was in a different world, a world far from the simple life she had known all this time. She felt small and helpless amidst the hustle and bustle of the casino. She clutched Lucian's arm tighter, seeking refuge behind her Master's figure.
"Its so crazy... this really looks like a casino. Who would have thought there's an information guild behind this..." Lucian calmly observed his surroundings, his eyes sharp and calculating. He seemed used to the lively and energetic atmosphere. "It's really a perfect camouflage," he continued, his voice almost a whisper so as not to be heard by those around him. "No one suspects this place is a secret information hub." He gave a slight smile, a smile full of meaning.
A man in a black suit, wearing a mask that covered part of his face, approached them with calm and measured steps. "Welcome, Sir. Is there anything I can assist you with?" His voice was smooth and polite, but there was something intimidating in his tone.
"Ah, that," Lucian began, he was about to explain the purpose of his arrival, but his words were interrupted by an old man sitting at a casino table near them. The old man looked heavily drunk, his face was flushed, and his eyes were glazed. He spoke in a loud and indistinct voice, attracting the attention of those around him.
"Hey, young man! This is not a playground!" The old man pointed at Lucian with trembling fingers. "Go back into the arms of your father and mother, or your money will be drained here, hahahaha..." The old man's laughter sounded loud and disturbing, interfering with the sound of music and the hustle and bustle of the casino. He staggered, almost falling out of his chair. Some of the people around him laughed, while others just shook their heads.
Lucian walked up to the old man's table. He stopped in front of the old man, casually resting his hand on the casino table, his fingers tapping the surface with a calm rhythm. "Yeah, for sure. I've been wanting to have some fun for a while," he said, his voice steady yet firm, showing a lot of confidence. "Wanna play with this young guy, Old Man?" He leaned in closer to the old man.
The old man laughed at Lucian's response. "Ahahaha, hey young man!" He coughed a bit, then continued, "You're quite cocky! Even though you're covered in that robe, you seem like a young master from a noble family." He grinned, his eyes sparkling from the booze. "I think luck is on my side this time." He pointed at the stack of chips in front of him, then laughed again.
"When I win this, don't cry in this old man's embrace, okay?" the old man said, his voice still calm, but there was a hint of threat in it. "Because old men hate snot-nosed kids who have it so easy like you." He gave a thin smile, a cold and meaningful one.
"Oh, thanks for the compliment. Honestly, I don't really like old men like you either, Old Man." Lucian gave a thin smile, his eyebrows raised showing his dislike for the man, then he sat across from him, followed by Natty who stood beside him, her hand still tightly gripping Lucian's arm. The old man looked at Natty with a clearly lewd expression, saying words that made Natty shiver. "Oh, you even brought a beautiful young girl," he said, in a hoarse and sly voice.
Natty took a step back, his face flushed with embarrassment and fear. Lucian just stared at the old man behind the mask he wore with a cold gaze, showing no reaction at all. "Alright, let's see all your wealth, young man," the old man continued, with a sly smile that became more pronounced. He glanced at Natty again, with a look that made Natty even more uncomfortable.