Nia Episode

Oh my, you are...

N-Nia...?! W-Why are you here...?

Heh. You look like you've just seen a dragon.

Is my being here really that surprising?

You're... the manager of the Bacchanalia Casino.

For someone like you to make a move yourself must mean...

That's right. The Empire never forgets a 'debt.'

But you don't need to worry.

You aren't the target of today's collection.

...Don't tell me, there's another one?

Some idiot who borrowed money from you and ran away?

Heh. Even for a history written in blood,

As time passes, its effects are bound to fade.

So I intend to remind them once more.

That there is nowhere the Empire's shadow cannot reach.

I don't know who it is, but... tough luck for them.

Well, I thought so at first too, but...

It seems they are surprisingly good at hide-and-seek.

......! No way, you still haven't found them?

Yes. The time we estimated has already passed.

After all, the Empire's intelligence network is bound to be somewhat limited in other countries.

Unless it's someone as conspicuous as Queen Elizabeth... they can be quite hard to find.

Well... I can't deny that.

......

Then... want me to help you?

Pardon?

When I went around collecting Alliance oaths before, I visited almost every nation.

If they're running away just to avoid paying a debt...

I have a few places in mind.

...Why are you helping me?

It's an investment in the future.

It doesn't hurt to be on good terms with the manager of the Bacchanalia Casino, does it?

......

Heh. That is certainly true.

Very well, let's write this down as a 'debt.'

When you visit Serranople later, I will make sure to pay you back in full.

H-Hieeeek!!!

...Just as I thought, this is the only place left to run.

A remote forest rumored to be a dragon's home.

A small lakeside located deep in the heart of that forest.

An ordinary human wouldn't even dream of coming this far.

T-That black mace, don't tell me...!

Yes. Just as you suspected, I am Nia, the manager of the Bacchanalia Casino.

The 10 million Gold you borrowed from the casino.

I need you to repay it this instant.

......

S-Sure... I figured you'd catch up to me eventually.

But... I even anticipated that!!!

Hey, swindler. Do you... know where we are?

A place rumored to be inhabited by a dragon...

Exactly! But I saw it with my own eyes!

A giant dragon's shadow easily blotting out the sky over this entire forest!

You can't catch me. If we make a scene here...

We'll all become food for the dragon!!!

......

I'll give you credit for finding me!

But you will never...

Ghk?!

Geez, you talk too much.

If you borrowed money, just pay it back quietly.

If guys like you get to just run away free...

It makes honest people like us, who even paid off debts from hundreds of years ago, look like fools.

Y-You bastard... are you out of your mind?

What if the dragon hears that and comes here...?

It doesn't matter.

Because that dragon is an acquaintance of mine.

......! Y-You're bluffing...!

The only human capable of that... is His Majesty, Lucius!

Well, believe what you want, but one thing is certain.

That dragon won't show up until you are arrested.

Gahhh-!!!

Now, why don't you just give up?

After all, the outcome seems to have already been decided.

......

It's all... your fault...

......?

Serranople turning into what it is today...

And me... getting into gambling...!

My life...!!! Becoming a worthless life... spent living as a thief!!!

It's all... all because of you bastards.

Exploiting human desire... just to line your own pockets...

Because of monsters like you!!! My life ended up like this!!!

Thank you. Thanks to you, we were able to settle this without wasting any time.

As I mentioned earlier...

I will never forget this 'debt.'

When you have some time, please do pay a visit to the Bacchanalia Casino.

......

Before we go back, there's a place I'd like you to go with me.

Could you spare me a moment?

Mmm, a little while should be fine... but where are we going?

You'll see when we get there.

......It's the sea.

The view is beautiful, but... why did you bring me all the way here?

The wind feels refreshing, right?

I wanted you to clear your head here before going back.

After all, what that thief said earlier must have gotten under your skin.

...That's not true at all.

There have always been plenty of people who resist like them.

Compared to those who brandish weapons, he is practically adorable.

Still... that doesn't mean it didn't upset you.

......!

Even listening from the side, I found it absurd.

Gambling and borrowing that money was all his own doing, right?

Yet he put all the blame on you, Nia...

It wouldn't be surprising if you were absolutely furious inside.

......

That's why I brought you here.

Because here... you can let down your dignity as a casino manager for a bit.

...Why do you keep showing me such kindness?

Huh...?

This isn't really for me to say since I was the recipient of your help,

But even if you try this hard, my debt to you won't grow.

The trust of the Bacchanalia Casino manager... is quite expensive.

Trying to please me won't make your path ahead any easier, you know?

Well, I suppose it might look that way, but...

I was just angry.

To see you, who did absolutely nothing wrong, treated like that.

...Are you saying this is unconditional kindness?

To put it simply, yes.

......

Pfft...!

Ahahaha!

W-What... why are you laughing all of a sudden?!

It's been a really long time since I've seen such a fool.

But my dear customer, you should... keep that side of you hidden.

Because most humans...

Will only try to take advantage of that kindness of yours.

Like I said... there are things money can't buy!

Gold is important, but you can't change the world with that alone!

That is mere idealism.

If money can't change the world, it's only because the amount wasn't enough.

Gold is indeed the driving force that moves the world.

We're just running on parallel tracks, I guess...

Then let me ask you.

Just what is it that money can't buy?

......

H-Human dignity... or human emotions...

Just as I thought, mere idealism.

Dear customer, there are far more uses for 'money' than you might expect.

To give an extreme example...

It can even erase a human's journey from history forever.

......!

It is human instinct to try and walk only in the light,

But wherever there is light, there will always be a shadow.

Everything you believe to be impossible...

Is simpler than a roll of the dice from their perspective.

......

So, you should keep that in mind as well.

You need an immense amount of money to chase your ideals!

In that sense, our casino offers a loan service that is open all year round...

No, there's still one thing left.

Something that money can't buy.

What is it?

And that... is love!

......

No matter how much money you have... you can never buy love, the most noble of human emotions.

How's that, manager of the Bacchanalia Casino?!

Surely, this time you'll admit defeat...

Is it, though?

N-Nia...?! What do you think you're doing all of a sudden...?!

If I used all that I have to seduce you starting right now...

How long do you think you would last?

Ugh...

Heh. Seeing how your heart is racing from just this level of physical contact...

A week... no, three days should be more than enough.

So... you'd better be careful in the future.

So I don't end up wanting to keep you for myself. Heh.

You're late, Mr. Troublemaker.

Did you already forget that today is our supplementary class?

N-Nia...? What on earth are you wearing?

And where did you get that desk from?

Calling your teacher by her name right off the bat...

It seems you're in desperate need of some 'guidance'!

I don't know where you learned this kind of roleplay, but...

Nia, I already graduated a long time ago...

What a very poorly behaved student we have here!

H-Hieeeek!!!

If you behave yourself, I'll teach you gently.

However, if you'd prefer 'rougher' methods... I won't stop you.

I happen to prefer that way myself. Heh.

I-I will learn!

Please... teach me, Master!!!

Not Master. It's Teacher.

Now, let's try calling me that properly, shall we?

Yes, Teacher!

That's a zero. A flat zero.

Mr. Troublemaker. You really have absolutely no sense at all.

I-I'm sorry, Teacher...

I heard you traveled with female companions for quite some time...

If this is the result... I can only call it utterly hopeless.

Gaaah-!!! Stop...! Please don't rub any more salt in my wounds!

Heh. It's alright.

After all, that's why I am personally giving you guidance, isn't it?

Teacher...!

I will definitely reform a troublemaker like you... into a fine male.

So, you can keep up with me, right?

Yes! I'll do whatever you ask!

Excellent. Shall we start from the very basics and take it step by step?

Then first...

Please give my legs a massage.

......What?

Mr. Troublemaker. Your biggest issue is that you find 'females' too difficult to deal with.

Because you see them as unapproachable, you can't carry a conversation,

Nor can you create a good atmosphere.

You have to stand at the starting line first before you can run, don't you think?

I-I understand that, but...

May I ask... how exactly that relates to massaging your legs?

Heh. That's a good question.

I quite like that active attitude of yours!

As for the connection... there are countless ones.

If you have frequent contact with a female's body, that anxiety of yours will naturally fade away.

That's ridiculous...

That's why I had to weigh my options.

Between 'this area' that you can't keep your eyes off of...

And your legs, and which one to make your assignment.

......!

And considering your tolerance, I ultimately decided on the legs!

After all, if we progress too quickly... it would be troublesome for both of us.

(Gulp...)

Now then... shall we begin?

Heh. You are quite adorable.

Are you... unable to lift your head because you're so embarrassed?

......

My, my... if you're like this from the very first task, we won't be able to make any progress.

I suppose I have no choice but to take a firmer approach.

Mr. Troublemaker. If you pass this assignment...

I will satisfy your curiosity.

What do you mean, curiosity...?

You've been wondering about it all along, haven't you?

Just what kind of world is hidden inside my coat.

......!!!

It's no use trying to hide it!

From the moment our eyes met...

Mr. Troublemaker, you couldn't keep your eyes off my slightly exposed underwear.

So...

Shall we try... a little harder?

......!!!!!!!!!

Mgh...! Yes... just like that.

A little faster...

A little... higher up...

Uwaaaagh?!

......

Ugh...!