Bets by the Saint

...Gambling?

Hahaha, well, I did used to be a priest.

I don't dislike gambling, but only when one's livelihood is at stake.

Betting money for money's sake, well... It still doesn't sit right with me, you know?

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Hahaha, I'm sorry. Let's just say there were...extenuating circumstances.

Wow, you're doing really well... That pile of chips is enormous.

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As long as you don't fall prey to its charms, the roulette wheel is a cakewalk.

All you need to do is follow the law of probability wherever it takes you.

Oh, I suppose learning how to read the dealer is important too.

Even so, you seem really, really good at it...

It helps that I don't care about the money. In fact, I'd say that's my greatest strength.

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You mean you don't understand what I'm doing here gambling?

...Hehe, sorry, that's a secret. Anyway, I think that's enough for today.

You're calling it a day already?

I am. Better to quit while I'm ahead.

If I keep pushing my luck, it would only be a matter of time until the casino brings out a first-rate dealer.

Here, would you mind exchanging these for money for me?

I'd definitely rather avoid going up against a first-rate dealer if I can help it.

I like to think I'm good at reading people. That goes for both their thoughts and their actions.

So I have every confidence that I can win against a third, or even a second-rate dealer.

But if I win too much, they'll bring out a first-rate dealer, and then the jig will be up.

So as I said, I make sure to quit while I'm still ahead.

Unfortunately, now that I've done that a few times, the other casinos probably have me marked now.

And just when I'm this close to earning all the money I need...

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You know how we have more child Servants around nowadays, right?

So I need to save up enough during summer that the one-two punch of Halloween and Christmas doesn't bankrupt me.

I see...

Wait. Does that mean you're saving up QP all on your own?

Of course. My gifts would be meaningless if I didn't buy them with money I earned myself.

Restoring humanity is my duty as a Heroic Spirit. This is merely a personal obligation.

Though that's not to say they're not both valuable. You only get one life to live, after all.

...Huh?

That's weird... Do you remember this casino being here, Senpai?

I'd think we would remember seeing one of this size before...

...Hmm. A new casino, huh.

This should be fun. Let's check it out.

Of course. Exploring the unknown is always fun. It makes the days come alive.

That's how I've always wanted to live my life.

And I hope that's how you can live your life as well, Master.

Oh, it's definitely a trap.

But the fact that someone went to the trouble of setting this trap must mean that there's a sizable reward to be had for besting it.

So I see no reason not to try my hand at it.

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All right then, I'm going in. What are you two going to do?

Master?

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Okay! I'd be glad to accompany you!

It's wonderful to see you two lovebirds getting along so well.

Haha, I'm sorry. It was just so heartwarming that I couldn't help but tease you a bit.

You're in unusually high spirits today, aren't you, Amakusa?

Am I?

...Hmm. Well that's not good.

The higher my spirits, the more likely I am to overlook potential gambling dangers.

Yeah? In that case, maybe we better go with you.

Robin! Kotarou!

I've been taking a few of these casinos to the cleaners myself.

Yes, he has, much to my consternation as a bystander who happened to get swept up in it...

Ah c'mon, lighten up. I really do appreciate you bailing me out with that smoke bomb back there.

Good grief...

All right then, let's all go in together.

...It feels like there's something different about this casino.

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Ah, there's no real difference between casinos.

All the more so if you're talkin' about one in Vegas.

Now c'mon, let's go make some money.

If there's something you'd like to do here, Master, I would be glad to accompany you.

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No problem.

What about you, Lord Amakusa? ...Lord Amakusa?

......Fancy seeing you here.

...Likewise.

I take it you too have been lured in by this strange casino then?

What do you mean by that?

...(Sigh)

I am quite certain this casino did not exist in this Singularity as of yesterday.

So the fact that it sprung up seemingly out of nowhere must mean

Ah, right. It's luring us in.

Indeed. So try to be at least somewhat careful, you great fool.

That goes for you too, Master. This concerns you just as much as us.

You are a good person, so you need to be that much more careful.

Well, no matter.

Consider yourselves fortunate that you happened to run into me here.

Uh, yeah, of course I am.

Heh. Good. (Satisfied look)

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Anyway, if that's the case...I don't like our chances of winning here.

Are you freaking kidding me!?

You beat my straight flush with a goddamn royal straight flush!?

...Now I see.

I don't like the way this is shaping up. Please stay behind me, Master.

Heh heh heh... Heh heh heh... Welcome to the third ring of hell...

Master, Kotarou, I trust you two can understand what's going on here.

Don't you think it's odd how whenever you hear about rings in hell, it's always odd numbers like first and third?

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True.

I don't think I've ever heard anyone mention the second or fourth rings.

Perhaps that's because "four" in some languages sounds like the word for "death," and that would be too on the nose even for hell...

Hey! I'm still talking!

...You are now in the rift between hells.

A casino of desperation that will keep you gamblers here until the day you die...

Oho. You don't say.

So what, we've been chosen to be sacrificial pawns or something?

Exactly.

This is a place of gambling where every form of cheating under the sun is permitted.

You can leave with your lives, or you can leave with your QP, but you're not getting out of here with both!

...Would you like me to set fire to this place, Master?

This Bounded Field isn't very strong. My Noble Phantasm should be able to break through it.

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What will you do, Amakusa Shirou?

Hmm, good question.

I think I'll start by winning at gambling.

Deal me in.

Royal straight flush.

What do you know. Me too.

And according to the house rules you told us about earlier...

...that would mean I win, since my cards' suits trump yours. Thanks for the game.

...You.

Yes?

You're cheating!

There's no way my hands could be losing to the exact same hand every single round!

Did you not say all forms of cheating were permitted here?

Only for us!!!

...Ohh, now I get it!

You're the residual animosity of the Vegas gamblers who were kicked out for cheating.

Ahh, yeah, that makes sense.

That's just how cheating cheaters are. They think the world owes them, and get pissed when it doesn't pay up.

Try not to think about it too hard, Master. There's no reasoning with vengeful spirits.

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As they kept getting kicked out for cheating, their resentment started to build and build...

...and now, it's made a nest of vengeful spirits designed to lure in gamblers who know what they're doing.

Hmm, I see. That would certainly explain why they lured me here.

So, what now?

Good question.

What do you say we table the gambling for a while...

...and go back to our original professions?

It's not faaaiiirrr!

The enemy has changed into a combat-ready form! Awaiting your orders, Master!

Fine, fine. I suppose I can lend a hand.

Ugh, and just when I was starting to enjoy myself!

I was supposed to wiiiiiin!!!

...Hmph, an illusion. As I suspected.

When did you figure it out?

The second I set foot in the building. Naturally.

Remember, I possess the Double Summon trait.

To a Caster, that casino's true nature could not have been more obvious.

I was rather looking forward to it, since one so rarely gets a chance to gamble with ghosts...

...but then you had to go and ruin my fun.

Hahaha, and I do apologize for that.

But for what it's worth, I think it would have been a very dull game.

In all likelihood, it would only have been a waste of your time.

True. Nonetheless, Amakusa Shirou...

...you are wholly to blame for this state of affairs.

You will therefore use the money you won in your last bet to treat the rest of us to a good meal.

Err...so you noticed that, huh...

How could I not? Who do you think you are talking to?

All right, you got me.

I may as well spend the money I made off that vengeful spirit in this world.

Come on, Master.

Let's all take a walk around and see if we can't find a good restaurant.