Chapter 66: Shirou Sweeps the Casino Using Projection Magic
The casino in Orario is located in the southern red-light district.
When people hear "red-light district," most naturally think of prostitutes. And indeed, a large part of the red-light district functions as a street of prostitution.
But that has nothing to do with the casino Shirou is visiting today.
The Orario casino is a massive building separated by a stretch from the red-light street. By day, it doesn't look particularly special, but by night it becomes lively and overcrowded with people.
Along the way, one could see extravagantly dressed people wearing gold and jewels, walking with their heads held high. Many of them had hired burly beastmen or dwarves as bodyguards—undoubtedly big shots from Orario or even from other nations.
On the streets, members of the Ganesha Familia could often be seen maintaining order, but it was mostly just for show.
In truth, the casino was the least likely place in Orario for crime to happen.
That's because gambling—the greatest form of crime—devoured all the lesser evils. If any petty theft or pickpocketing occurred, casino staff would take brutal measures, using vigilante justice to make the criminals deeply regret their actions.
Such ruthless methods deterred any wrongdoers from daring to commit crimes in the casino.
Thus, there was no need to worry about personal safety here. The only thing to worry about was whether you had enough money to throw around lavishly.
Generally speaking, someone like Shirou, from a poor Familia and not even carrying 100,000 valis, wouldn't be allowed into the casino. However, this time he had two of the most powerful gods, Loki and Freya, backing him. Thanks to them, Shirou easily obtained a special invitation ticket.
After showing the invitation to a member of the Ganesha Familia, he was immediately allowed inside.
"It's really decadent to the extreme…"
Guided by a stylishly uniformed dealer, the guests gathered around various gambling tables. With the dealers' dazzling outfits, it was like a swarm of butterflies being drawn to blooming flowers. Stacks of coin-like chips piled up into little mountains on the tables. Sometimes they were taken away, sometimes distributed, accompanied by disappointed sighs or deafening cheers from the players.
Such a dazzling scene made it hard to believe that this was still the same city of Orario.
Now Shirou finally understood why both Loki and Freya didn't dare make a move against the Apollo Familia. Industries like the casino were intricately connected to deep-rooted interests. Who knew how many of Orario's shadows converged here?
Shirou could easily point out a group of nobles and wealthy elites here—some even from powerful Familia.
To protect their own interests and to keep their darkness hidden, they would surely do everything to safeguard the casino's survival. They would never allow external forces to destroy it, let alone reform its internal order.
Doing so would expose countless dark deeds. It would hurt the interests of many upper-ranking Familia and cause a massive upheaval.
If the Soma Familia's problem was just a pimple on Orario—easily removed— then the Apollo Familia and the casino were like a cancer at the city's core: massive, deeply embedded, and possibly incurable even with surgery.
But Shirou wasn't afraid. Since he had already come here, he wouldn't retreat a single step. Even if he was alone, he wouldn't allow evil to spread unchecked. He would resist with his own strength until the very end.
.
.
.
Upon passing through the casino's entrance, Shirou entered a spacious casino hall, where a waitress, looking like a young girl, greeted him.
"Welcome, dear guest. What type of game would you like to play? I can guide you to the corresponding area."
"...Where's the poker table?"
"I'll take you there."
Shirou followed the waitress to the card table area.
This section featured poker-style games and was mainly occupied by humans. Different races had different cultures and thus different gambling styles.
For example, the elves preferred using minerals, gemstones, or spinning tops for betting games, whereas humans typically gambled using poker, dice, and roulette.
Shirou came here to make money.
So he couldn't rely on luck-based games like dice or roulette. Poker, which had a stronger element of skill, was the most suitable option.
"All participants in this round, please place your bets."
Said the beautiful female dealer.
Of course, Shirou hadn't intentionally chosen a young, pretty dealer— almost all the dealers in this casino were beautiful young women.
From their outstanding appearances and exceptional qualities at such a young age, one could infer just how deep the darkness behind this casino ran.
Whip (dealing cards). The dealer announced with professional poise and began dealing cards from right to left.
Shirou chose the "high card" game, commonly known as Blackjack or 21.
Each player was dealt cards one at a time. After declaring "stop," their hand's total was compared with the dealer's. If the player's total exceeded the dealer's, they would win double their chips. If less, they'd lose everything.
During the dealing process, players could continue to place bets. Shirou glanced at his hand and, without hesitation, bet all 100,000 valis he had.
However, even though he was betting everything he owned, his amount was considered small here. Other players were betting hundreds of thousands—even millions.
"No more bets."
After all players had submitted their chips, the dealer made the announcement and revealed her own cards.
"Bust (7)."
She said calmly.
The guests looked pleased upon hearing this. It meant the dealer had gone over 21 and lost. As long as the players hadn't also busted, they would win chips from the dealer.
Indeed, except for a few unlucky players, most beat the dealer this round.
"Here are your chips. Please take them."
In the blink of an eye, Shirou's chips doubled from 100,000 to 200,000.
But even with this rapid increase, his expression remained calm. He didn't hesitate to join the next round and bet all 200,000 again.
The guests around him couldn't help but look at him with newfound respect. Shirou looked quite young—probably new to gambling. Yet his demeanor was that of a seasoned veteran, unreadable and calm.
Only the dealer remained unfazed, smiling as she announced:
"No more bets."
She revealed her cards: a 3, a 6, and a 10—totaling 19.
Shirou had a total of 16. To win, his next card had to be between 4 and 5.
"Deal."
He asked the dealer to deal another card.
The dealer complied without hesitation, handing him a face-down card. Shirou glanced at it and, without changing expression, arranged his cards and revealed them with the others.
"Congratulations. 20 points. You win."
The dealer handed Shirou his doubled chips again.
"Hmm."
Shirou showed no reaction outwardly. In truth, he had used projection magic to replace the card.
That final card wasn't actually a 4 or 5—he had forged it with magic.
Since projection was a skill unknown to this world, neither the referees nor the casino staff could detect his cheating.
Using this method, Shirou's chips skyrocketed.
Even though he purposely lost a few rounds to avoid suspicion, his continued success shocked the entire casino.
In under an hour, he turned 100,000 valis into 10 million— enough to repay the debt of the Takemikazuchi Familia.
Some suspected Shirou of cheating, but due to projection magic's rarity, no one could find evidence, and the referees had no choice but to accept it.
Also, even with his winnings, he posed no threat to the vast casino. They more or less turned a blind eye.
"Oho~ Another win! You truly have amazing luck today, dear Guildmaster!"
"Wahahahaha!! Not bad, not bad! I must have been blessed by Lady Luck herself! After all, I work day and night for the good of Orario!"
As Shirou considered whether to cash out and repay Takemikazuchi Familia's debt, he heard loud laughter in the distance.
He looked over and saw a plump elf indulging himself with wine and luxury.
"Who's that?"
Unexpectedly, someone answered his self-muttering.
"That's Royman Mardeel—the current Guildmaster of Orario's Guild Organization."
The speaker was a hooded man in a cloak—someone Shirou had seen once before at a fried rice stand. His name was Hermes, one of the gods of Orario.
"Lord Hermes? Why are you here?"
"Oh, you remember me? Such a good memory, Shirou."
"Didn't you remember me too?"
"Heh, that's because I've taken an interest in you."
Hermes didn't hide his curiosity toward Shirou.
And naturally so. Shirou's reputation had grown lately. Defeating Soma's divine wine through cooking had amazed many gods.
Thanks to Hermes's information, Shirou learned that the fat elf was indeed the Guildmaster, the actual highest authority in Orario.
Drunk on power and wealth, he had become a bloated, degenerate disgrace to his race— far from the elegant image people had of elves.
Even the Guild staff and fellow elves despised him.
But no matter what others thought, he remained the Guild's top official. His presence here, partying wildly, proved the direct connection between the Guild and the casino.
"So... I can't hold back anymore."
Seeing Orario's dark side laid bare before him, Shirou realized mercy was no longer an option. He had to shake the entire casino to its core to have a chance of dismantling it.
Bidding Hermes farewell, he returned to the table.
"Please place your bets."
"All in."
Shirou, in full view of the dealer, placed all 10 million valis onto the table.
Even the dealer was stunned. The onlookers gasped.
The dealer hesitated and conferred with another staff member.
After a while, a different dealer arrived.
"Apologies, due to the high amount, may I take over as your dealer?"
"I don't mind."
Shirou didn't care who the dealer was and waited quietly.
The new dealer dealt two cards: 9 and 2 for Shirou. The dealer's own face-up card was an Ace.
"Would you like insurance?"
"No need."
Insurance was an option only available in high-stake games— pay half to surrender and receive compensation if you lose.
Shirou declined.
But after drawing one more card, the dealer stopped and said:
"Blackjack."
She revealed a 10. With the Ace, that made 21.
Shirou said nothing, discarding his hand.
"Me too. 21."
He used projection magic to transform his cards into a Jack and an Ace.
Even though his cheating was blatant, the dealer said nothing.
One: She couldn't understand how Shirou changed his cards.
Two: She had cheated too. If she exposed Shirou, she'd also be confessing to cheating.
To protect the casino's reputation, she had to stay quiet.
Shirou continued dueling the dealer. She couldn't cheat every time, but Shirou didn't care—his goal was to break the casino. He used projection magic to cheat every round.
Eventually, he doubled his chips again.
But now, the casino was undoubtedly hostile toward him.
"Sir, Lord Apollo—the owner of this casino—requests your presence."
"So he's finally come."
Unfazed by the manager's words, Shirou tossed the mountain of chips aside and walked into the depths of the casino—as if the massive fortune meant nothing to him.
His unrestrained presence made it clear to everyone: a terrifying storm was about to erupt.