Third Casino "Suiten Palace Invidia Serpens"

Your swordmanship has really come together now that you've done three of these, Hokusai!

Like they say, experience is the best teacher! All the more so if you're experiencing a battle against a skilled opponent! At this rate, you'll be the Swimsuit Swordmaster you've always dreamed of in no

Oh, hang on, I just got a text. Let's see... "Come pick up your damn sword steel already."

Oh, right! I forgot all about that thing I asked Grandpa to take care of!

Sorry, Fujimaru! Looks like I'll have to sit this one out!

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Don't worry, you'll be fine! Especially now that you've got more allies helping you out!

Give 'em hell, Hokusai! I'll be back before the next casino!

...So that's why Iori won't be joining us for this one...

Anyway, our coffers have plenty to spare now thanks to all your help, so we can head out to the next casino whenever we like.

Of the three casinos remaining, I think we would have the best luck by tackling Suiten Palace next.

Ooh, ya mean the water palace? I've been really curious 'bout that one!

That's where they do that figure skatin' stuff every day, right?

They say customers love it, and even the harshest critics clam up after taking a look at it!

"Experience unique beauty like never before"... Enemy or not, 's a pretty okay slogan.

Indeed. At any rate, it seems this is more of an event venue than casino, which is why we need tickets to get in.

Unfortunately, those tickets are already sold out for the next six months.

Though of course, there are ways of getting them from someone who already has them.

We could go to the line to get in, and I could slip them out of the nearest gentleman's pocket while distracting him with sweet talk...

Or, we could swallow our pride and pay through the nose at a legal, yet still morally questionable venue...

Uh-uh! No stealing, and no side channels!

As a woman of culture, I refuse to support scalpers in any way, shape, or form!

Besides, Suiten Palace's entrance security is cutting-edge, so I'm pretty sure it won't let in anyone who's not the original ticket buyer anyway.

Given how much of a neat freak the owner is, I wouldn't put it past her for a second.

I don't know. Even in the best case scenario, I don't think we could hope for more than one or two tickets that way...

I can't recommend that course of action, Master. Suiten Palace's security really is perfect.

I looked into it myself last night, and I'm certain that not even an ant could sneak in undetected.

You even have to be an authorized casino worker just to go through the rear or service entrances.

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How fortunate for you that I happened to overhear your conversation!

So you wish to take in the show at Suiten Palace's stage? Then this is undoubtedly my time to shine!

Yes, it is I! The great rose of the floating city! The emperor in the crimson swimsuit!

Rejoice, for Nero Claudius herself has come to join you in leisure and entertainment!

Emperor Nero!? Wh-what are you doing here?

Well, the Gildalay is the only hotel in all of Dazzling Las Vegas that includes a pool among its amenities.

At first, I thought there would be no greater luxury than swimming in a pool in the middle of a desert...

...but I grew bored after splashing around in it for an hour or so.

So then I thought about calling on the fox-girl Caster and inviting her to accompany me to the Grand Canyon...

...when I happened to sense a most entertaining topic being discussed in the room next to mine, and decided to join the festivities without wasting any time knocking.

Oh, do not worry about the door; I will have it repaired later. In fact, I will even replace it with one that is new and stylish.

At any rate, you were just discussing how to go about attacking Suiten Palace, were you not?

I was thinking there is something wicked about that casino myself! Go ahead! Feel free to add me to your party!

I'm so glad you know someone who can help us, Emperor Nero. So you're sure this store is still selling tickets?

Umu! Vegas's main street is home to all manner of brand-name shops.

I know for a fact that one of them is backing Suiten Palace, and is willing to let some tickets go to their regulars.

And lucky for us, you're one of them. This is certainly a big help...though I am surprised that only the five of us are going here.

Umu. I am disappointed about that myself.

I was greatly looking forward to dressing you, Fujimaru, and Evil-wind Kotarou in fancy brand-name goods...

...and taking a gorgeous photo to memorialize the occasion. But, unfortunately...

I was greatly looking forward to myself, Fujimaru, Mash, Carmilla, Osakabehime, and Hokusai all dressing up...

...and holding the most glamorous girl talk session ever in the break room. But, unfortunately...

No thank you. I prefer not to go out when the sun is this strong.

No way! If a vendor at a shop like that so much as noticed me, I'd die on the spot!

I don't think I'm up to it either, so...I'll just stick to keeping an eye on Master from the shadows...

See? Kotarou gets it. He's a gloomy type, just like I am!

Well, I don't get it. Who wouldn't wanna get a gander at one of the fanciest kimono shops in all of Vegas?

I know seeing a true artisan's handiwork always gets my blood pumpin'. Doesn't matter what country they're from.

See what I mean, Master? Check out the detail on those geta! They dyed the tortoiseshell a brilliant blue, and they even added mother-of-pearl on the heels!

Man oh man, talk about chic. I can't get enough of beautiful stuff like this. It feels like my cheeks are gonna fall off from smilin' so much.

...Man, just once, I'd love ta dress up in somethin' gorgeous and feminine like that...

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Q-quit teasin' me! I ain't interested in 'em even a little!

B-besides, it'd be a waste of good money and geta for me to wear 'em!

Why'd ya even say that? Couldn't ya wait till it was night before gettin' drun

Fooou?

Hm? There certainly are a lot of people in front of the store. And they seem...agitated about something.

I'm not sure we'll be able to get inside with that many people crowded around the entrance...

Umu, something out of the ordinary must have happened. I have never seen the store so crowded before.

Eee! It really is Mistress Lambda! I can't believe I'd ever get to see her offstage!

Her hair flowing like water... Her ice-cold eyes... Her body, flat as sea's horizon...! Ooh, she's so dainty!

I want to see her gorgeous face! And her legs! Really, I wish she'd just take off that ridiculous parka already!

Rumor has it she's SO hot that just watching her perform will make you drop five kilos!

Ahh, why did her show have to be sold out? Why can't she perform at least twice a day!?

It looks like they aren't here to shop so much as they are to see someone famous... Huh?

(Kshh) This is Jasom. Mistress Lambda is about to leave. Make sure the route back to the casino is secure.

There are mostly female fans today, and Mistress Lambda has made it clear that we're not to be rough with them. Over.

(Kshh) This is Bay-Bay. Copy that. Calling off Anti-Fan drones now.

Sending a car over to 114 Strip Avenue now. I want it there in two minutes. Over.

Aah! Please don't go, Mistress Lambda! Please, can we have your autograph!? Just one little autograph!?

Sorry, I don't do autographs.

... (Wordlessly pushing back fans to make a path)

Aha, so that's what all the fuss is about. Well, it ain't any of our business...

Wait, hold on. Did they say "Lamb-duh"?

Rumor has it she's the one who owns Suiten Palace! Hey, Lamb-duh, hold up! I wanna talk to ya!

(Kshh) Emergency, emergency. An angry mob is making their way towards Mistress Lambda. Moving to intercept with extreme prejudice. Over.

(Kshh) Copy that. Sending drones on standby to reinforce your position. Over.

That engine sound cutting through the air...! Look out! We've got some familiar looking enemies headed our way!

(Kshh) Damn, these are the toughest fans I've ever seen! I need more backup! Requesting Titan-class security now! Over!

(Kshh) Copy that. She's on break now that her show is over. Sending her your way now. Make sure you crush them! Over!

Stop that. What were you thinking, fighting my fans in the street? Are you trying to blow up my mentions?

B-but Mistress Lambda

Worthless piece of mercenary trash. Didn't I tell you to take a softer, smarter approach with these things?

Or have you forgotten how fortunate you are to be permitted to serve me?

Maybe it's time I break you in all over again. I'm sure I can think of something that will really teach you a lesson.

... (Blood draining from his face)

I may not excel at reading people, but even I can tell that that woman is a dyed-in-the-wool sadist!

Oh? Any other brilliant observations you want to share with us, Captain Obvious? What would a bunch of ignorant hicks know about me and my

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Well aren't you a sorry looking bunch. Have we met?

If you say so. At any rate, don't talk to me like you know me. I'm a big goddamn deal around here.

Penguin!? What's the matter with you? Are you blind or something?

This is obviously Leviathan. But I guess you wouldn't know that if you've never seen the real one.

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...Hmph. Anyway, sorry about my security guard's rudeness.

Jasom, give them two couples' tickets to the Suiten Palace.

You wanted to see my skating performance there, right? Here, take these in apology for my guards' behavior.

Hell, I'll even let you sit right by the stage. Doesn't make any difference to me.

...Thanks. It's just a little side hobby.

Fine. Make them amaryllises then. I want a bouquet of vivid purple flowers so big I could swim in it.

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I'm still reeling from the shock of seeing you two converse so casually after you only just met, but never mind that.

Thank you for the tickets. That's very generous of you.

If you don't mind my asking, is it true you're the owner of the Suiten Palace casino, and one of the Swimsuit Swordmasters?

Yes, I am. You must have only just arrived here in Vegas, so I'll make a special exception and fill you in myself.

My name is Lambdaryllis. I own the Suiten Palace casino, and I'm the biggest star in all of Vegas.

I'm easily the most beautiful of all the Swimsuit Swordmasters, and a goddess who brought not just a glass of ice water, but an entire ocean to this hellish desert.

Wha...!? You're a goddess AND a Swimsuit Swordmaster!? Isn't that overstackin' the deck!?

(I do sense Divinity in her...but it seems more dragon-like than anything else...)

Oh, crap, I almost forgot. Now that you've introduced yourself, it's only polite to return the favor.

I'm Katsushika Hokusai, an artist turned buddin' swordfighter who's aimin' straight for the top.

(A budding swordfighter!? I do not like how much overlap there is with my own favored turn of phrase, but oh well!)

This must be my lucky day, runnin' into my fourth major adversary here an' now! C'mon then, let's have a good, clean fight!

Aha, so you're the new Swimsuit Swordmaster I heard about.

Normally, I'd be happy to snap that cheeky spirit of yours like a twig...

...but I guess you really are lucky. Today's my day off, and I don't feel like doing a show or an official match.

You aren't like the other Swimsuit Swordmasters. You recognize beauty, and you dedicate your life to it.

But when it comes to the question of what sort of pictures you want to paint, or what kind of swordfighter you want to be...

...you still don't have a good answer, do you?

...

See? I can't, for the life of me, understand why an artist of your skill would just suddenly decide to trade the brush for the sword...

...but if you insist on challenging me, I'll be happy to end you at Suiten Palace on the most glorious stage imaginable.

Hold it, Lambdaryllis. Are you sure there is nothing else you wish to say?

Suiten Palace Invidia Serpens is said to be the greatest casino in all of Vegas...

...yet oddly enough, no one seems to know what manner of games are on offer there.

Is it poker? Baccarat? Roulette? Slots?

As a Swimsuit Swordmaster casino, surely it must have some form of gambling.

Yet all anyone talks about is your show.

So tell me...what is it that people gamble at Suiten Palace?

Why, just QP, of course.

I happily pay out as much QP as anyone could want once they exchange it for tokens.

With my casino, what you see is what you get: traditional orthodox slot machines.

You should enjoy yourself too now that you've made it out here to Vegas, Fujimaru.

Just make sure you bring plenty of war chests to spare. Things move much more quickly at Suiten Palace than they do at other casinos, you see.

If you want to play more than a single game, you'll have to break out the big QP.

There she goes... Well, at least we did manage to get tickets out of this...

This is clearly a trap. She has every confidence that she can defeat you if you go challenge her.

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You kiddin'? I'm practically itchin' with excitement at how fast things're movin'! I can't wait ta show that dumpy old penguin' a thing or two!

Now that we've got our tickets, all we gotta do's build up our gamblin' funds and charge right in!

Right! I'll go tell everyone at the hotel what happened, so the rest of you can start earning QP in the meantime!

Next stop, the casino with the enormous penguin-populated swimming pool: Suiten Palace!

...They said they're going to challenge Suiten Palace...

I see... They wanna get in Melt's way...