After hearing the maid's report, Norax leaned back, tapping the table with a slow rhythm.
If I put them together, the picture is obvious—trouble.>
Ark glanced at him.
"Leader, if we think logically, there are only three large casinos on the west side of the district."
Before Norax could reply, Lei raised her hand.
"Boss, may I say something? I overheard from the second floor—there's a Marquis's Masquerade Ball private party being held tonight at the Red Medal Casino."
Norax and Ark exchanged a look.
Perfect.
"Good. Then we don't need to search all the casinos one by one."
Norax stood. His gaze sharpened.
"Send someone to scout the Red Medal Casino. Lei, you go too."
Lei saluted with a soft "Nyaa—yes, boss."
As she left, Celstia and Elise entered the room.
Celstia bowed.
"Master, Snaya fell asleep. She ate well, just like you instructed."
Norax exhaled softly.
"Thank you. Sorry… you both have been working nonstop."
Celstia only shook her head—serving Norax was natural to her.
But Elise, on the other hand, had never worked like this before.
Before he could speak, Elise glared.
"Hey, you ugly man. I can tell something serious is happening. Why don't you take me with you?"
Norax didn't hesitate.
"Absolutely not."
Elise stomped.
"Why?! I can help—"
"No."
"—I can be useful—"
"Still no."
Elise puffed her cheeks.
"Then why is it always you and Celstia going outside? This place is nice and cute but I don't want to stay locked inside!"
Norax crossed his arms.
"Because you can't fight. We're not going to enjoy ourselves. "
"And for your information, you're a burden in combat. If anything happens to you, Madam Kyra will kill me."
Elise froze.
Then she turned away sharply.
"…Fine. I'll stay here."
She slammed the door and left Celstia sighed.
"Master… don't you think that was too much?"
"I know." Norax rubbed his forehead.
"But it's for her own safety. We don't know what will happen during the mission."
Celstia nodded.
"Then… what is the plan?"
Norax's expression became cold and focused.
"The location is the casino. And since it's party night, we'll slip inside during the crowd. "
"Our job is simple—locate the kidnapped children, secure them first, then evacuate. After that, I'll create a magic explosion as a signal."
" Lei and the others will be waiting outside as backup."
Celstia bowed.
"I will prepare the carriage and our outfits."
She left immediately.
Norax leaned back and sighed.
This kind of event wasn't supposed to happen this early <@Applepie, what are you doing to my fate? The flow is changing too much.>
He smirked bitterly.
A Few Hours Later — Red Medal Casino
The carriage stopped in front of the grand building, music and light spilling into the streets.
Norax stepped out wearing a black mask, offering his hand.
"Let's go, Lady Celstia. The night is beautiful with you beside me."
Celstia emerged wearing a tight, elegant sky-blue dress Her hair was styled neatly, and her expression was full of annoyance.with white mask
"My maid uniform was better. Why did I have to change into this?"
Norax laughed quietly.
"Because you look better like this. Believe me."
If the café maids hadn't stopped her, he thought, she really would've come in a maid outfit to a noble casino.
Celstia's cheeks puffed "Then why are you laughing? That's not how a gentleman treats a lady. I'm half-vampire and a mage, you know."
Norax took her hand and kissed her fingers lightly"But you're my Celstia—the first who followed me."
Her face turned crimson instantly. She looked away.
"…We need to focus on the mission."
She hurried ahead, entering the casino.
Norax smiled behind his mask.
Hard to believe this shy woman becomes a most wanted who kills thousands in the future.with Norax duskgale
He followed her inside.
The moment Norax and Celstia stepped into the casino, the heavy warmth of perfume and expensive wine washed over them.
Everyone wore masks—gold, silver, feathered—hiding their faces while playing games.
Laughter, curses, and cheers mixed as some nobles won money while others slammed tables in frustration.
In the center, a grand banquet table glittered under crystal lights.
A live band played softly while nobles gossiped behind their jeweled masks.
Norax lowered his voice.
"Three floors. But the place we want is behind that gate—where the guards are stationed."
His eyes drifted to the stage where thugs poorly disguised as nobles stood stiffly, blocking a hidden door.
Celstia followed his gaze and whispered,
"Master… once this ends, I'll need a lot of blood. Using my magic like this is draining. My mana dry "
Norax smirked "Fine. My neck is yours after we're done."
Celstia's lips curled upward mischievously.
"Master… your whole body is already mine."
Before he could respond, she turned away gracefully and walked into the crowd—her dress swaying, attracting attention from several noble men.
Norax sighed inwardly.
He slipped toward the balcony, loosened his coat and tugged at his tie, breathing in the cold night air.
A whisper echoed in his mind.
Norax raised his hand, fingers curling slightly.
From beneath his shadow, darkness rippled like water—thin streams spreading silently across the casino floor.
Norax Duskgale's manual—Shadow Sense Magic.
The shadows slithered from one waiter to another, jumping through dim corners, examining every tile, every wall, every hidden crack.
Norax's eyes faintly glowed under the mask.
Good… it's spreading. I can sense…
His breath hitched.
There.
Behind the stage—the same place the fake nobles guarded—was a sealed gate.
And deeper below… a space shaped like narrow rooms, walls layered like prison compartments.
He could only sense outlines, not see details He clenched his jaw.
"This is the limit of my range for now."
The shadows evaporated like mist.
Norax rolled his shoulders and returned inside.
At the gambling table, Celstia was humming happily while nobles around her looked either dazzled or annoyed.
She smiled brightly at him, holding up a pile of chips.
"Master! Look! I won again!"
She was genuinely enjoying herself—unaware of the jealous looks from nearby noble men who clearly wished they were the ones she smiled at.
Norax approached with a dry thought.
He exhaled slowly.
"Celstia. We found it."
Her smile faded into seriousness instantly.
"Then let's go, Master."
Norax and Celstia hid in the corner, watching the two guards posted at the stage's back gate.
Their posture, their eyes—everything screamed thugs dressed as nobles.
Celstia whispered,
"Master, how do we get past them and enter the gate?"
Norax whispered back,
"That's what I'm thinking."
Celstia's eyes gleamed dangerously.
"Let's just kill them."
Norax almost choked.
"No. We'll get caught instantly."
She folded her arms, annoyed.
"Then what? You want me to act pitiful and distract them? I don't do pity acting. That's… only for you."
Norax blinked.
<…What does she mean 'only for me'?>
He cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Then do you have another idea?"
Celestia answered by forming a small ice spear in her palm.
"I freeze them."
"No."
Norax grabbed her wrist.
"There are too many people watching. And Lei needs to get inside after us."
Celestia groaned dramatically.
"Master, you're making so many demands. Just let me break them."
Norax sighed and patted her head.
"Don't get caught. And don't kill anyone. Wait… I have an idea. You just need to get their attention."
She raised a brow but nodded and stepped forward.
A moment later, Celstia approached the guards with the most innocent, lost-lady expression she could muster.
"Excuse me… um, could you tell me where the washroom is? It's my first time here…"
The thugs froze.
Her beauty and her soft voice hit them like a spell. They instantly forgot their duties.
Norax moved like a shadow behind them, pressing a small cloth to their noses.
The guards struggled—but silently—before collapsing.
Celstia stared wide-eyed.
"Master… what did you just use?"
Norax showed a small bottle.
"Emergency sleep scent. Ark gave it to me."
"Huh… that's actually effective."
They dragged the guards aside and slipped into the back room.
It was nothing but an old storage chamber. Dust, broken boxes, a cracked lantern.
Celstia frowned.
"Master… are you sure this is the right place?"
"Of course."
Norax knelt and brushed aside an old carpet.
A hidden metal gate lay beneath.
Celstia's eyes widened.
"Underground…"
"Exactly. Call Lei."
Celstia walked to the small window, pricked her thumb, and let a drop of blood fall.
The crimson droplet twisted into bat-shape and fluttered out the window—a blood messenger.
Meanwhile, Norax opened the underground hatch. Cold damp air rushed up.
"Before the auction starts, we find the kids. And we move fast."
Celestia cracked her knuckles, eyes burning crimson.
"Finally. I can use magic. I want to break a lot of bones for Snaya."
Her tone was terrifyingly calm.
Norax sighed.
Right… we're supposed to be the villain group. Why do we look like the heroes?
He shook his head.
"Let's go."
And they descended into the darkness.