The Ill-Fated Gambler

Um... is everyone very busy right now?

L-Lueira?!

Uh... we're not particularly busy. What's the matter?

Well, I am busy. I have to sit here for another hour to get the well-rested buff.

Huh? That chair has a feature like that?

For Morgana, such an effect might actually exist...

Well, the thing is... I have a personal favor to ask.

...Do you all happen to be lucky?

Uh... maybe? Out of all people on Earth, I was the only one transported to this world.

This kind of luck doesn't just happen to anyone.

Oh? You actually know your place. That walking behind me is an undeserved honor for a pathetic pig like you.

I'd also prefer a benevolent and useful goddess over a freeloader like you.

S-So, what is the favor? I don't have much confidence in my luck either, but...!

Why are you saying you lack luck with such confidence?

Yes... Do you all know about slime racing?

It's a game that has been popular all over the world since ancient times...

...!!

Yes! Not only my father, but even the founder of the Pendragon Royal Family loved slime racing!

There are all kinds of heroic tales in the history of the Pendragon Royal Family...

No, Princess Elizabeth. You almost lost the Pendragon Royal Family's Treasure last time.

...Wait a minute, then don't tell me what Lueira wants to ask is...?!

I think you've definitely asked the wrong people.

First of all, Bedivere would get eaten by a slime just by making eye contact.

Ugh... I've gotten quite strong too...

And Elizabeth would be lucky if she doesn't lose the clothes on her back.

Th-That's something we won't know until we try...!

And that pig... that pig is...

.......

...He's just unpleasant.

Are you resorting to personal attacks because you ran out of things to say?!

Well, but it actually sounds like fun. Lately, I've been lacking some excitement.

...In fact, my ancestor Edward Pendragon was even called the "Slime Racing King."

The <Slime Racing Bible> he left behind is a classic that laid the foundation for slime racing.

What he emphasized above all was fairness. Under the strict rule that even a king must choose which slime to bet on solely with their eyes from the spectator seats, he reformed all laws and rules regarding slime racing, spread them throughout Britannia, and even personally annotated, cover-designed, bound, and edited them himself...

And to ensure that one could pick the slime with the highest win rate solely with their own two eyes from the spectator seats, he personally studied slimes and devised ecological theories about them applicable only to slime racing, along with ingenious formulas to calculate every possible variable...

.......

E-Everyone... I'm really sorry to Lueira, but...

I feel like this will have a bad influence on Princess Elizabeth...

Alright, let's go! For Lueira's personal favor!

Hello, Cameliard! Are you all burning with passion today?!

Were you surprised to see a stranger pop out of nowhere?

Guinevere, who usually hosts, is just way too busy today!

So instead, I've brought four guests of honor who you might know very well...

.......

Oops! S-Sorry, everyone! I accidentally brought an old script! Teehee.

...Why are you still doing this here?

Did you quit your merchant job? Are you transitioning into a full-time host now?

Shh, shh! Please refrain from talking about such sensitive topics!

Still, we're fortunate. Thanks to Merry, we managed to get such good seats.

As the "Racing King" Edward Pendragon once said: "In slime racing, speed is by no means the only thing that matters...!"

Just trust me, everyone! I've already come up with a winning strategy!

Um... everyone...? I know Lueira's request is important, but...

If the Princess gets involved in this kind of thing again...

Anyway, what did you say Lueira wanted?

This place doesn't really suit that pure and harmless dragon...

They said they're giving some kind of prize to the person who guesses the most race outcomes correctly today.

Since that selfless girl asked, she must have a good reason.

Stopping her from following us here was definitely the right choice.

We can't show that pure, harmless dragon this hell on earth.

At least it's not judged by the size of the bet. We can't afford to blow our living expenses in a place like this.

.......

...In a pinch, I could use the Pendragon Royal Family's budget...!!

No, Princess Elizabeth. You really can't do that...

Slime Number 3! Slime Number 3! Slime Number 3 has taken an overwhelming victory in the first race!!

Ngh... My theory was absolutely perfect, though...?!

I suppose actual practice is indeed different. May this also serve as a stepping stone for my growth...!

Huh...?! W-What just happened?!

Oh my Cameliard! Slime Number 62 devoured Slime Number 3 and took first place!

...It's a pity, but that is not a foul.

Devouring another slime has the drawback of slowing down the slime's body.

Even the 'Racing King' Edward Pendragon detailed rules to apply in such situations...

Alright, all the conditions are finally met this time.

My next bet will be on Slime Number 521!

.......

Ahaha... I really have no face to show my ancestors...

My theory was definitely perfect... I surely didn't miss a single variable...

It's alright, Princess! At least we got one win!

Now, let's completely wash our hands of slime racing! Let's just look at the bright side!

Yes... I suppose it's a relief we managed to get at least one win...

Even though I bet on that one by mistake...

Come on, isn't this going a bit too far?

Not just Elizabeth, but every single bet we placed missed too.

...Did they pull some kind of trick on the slimes?

N-No way! Do you know how many procedures we went through to ensure a fair match?!

.......

...Good grief, to think no one noticed such a petty spell.

Huh? What did you just say...

In the name of the one buried within the flow of time...

Huh? What are you suddenly muttering...

I swear here upon the darkness...

Huh...?! M-Morgana?! Don't tell me...!!

"Slime Explosion"!!!

T-Today's races are over! Everyone, run!

I-It was nice seeing you all after so long! I'll be taking my leave now...!

.......

Hey, what on earth is going on?

What do you think? Those idiots transformed themselves into slimes.

But for idiots, they actually used their heads. Normally, people would only suspect that acceleration or deceleration magic was cast on the slimes.

My goodness... To use such a dishonest and profane method in a sacred slime race...!

In the name of Britannia and the "Racing King" Edward Pendragon, I will never forgive this!

Well... at least Elizabeth is back to her energetic self, which is a relief.

S-S-Shut... up! *Pant*... *pant*...!

W-We are... for V-Vivien's...! R-Revenge...!

S-Somehow... to gather funds... to r-rebuild the church...!!

Well, that's a commendable motive. Though it would have been nicer if your methods were just as commendable.

Uh... and who are you over there...?

Because... of you bastards...! *Pant*... *pant*...!

The O-Orc... Lord... who led us...! *Gasp*...!

*Gasp*... suddenly... turned female... and left...!

S-So...! I...! inherited that name... and armor...!

Okay, so you're the successor to that perverted Orc who stole Elizabeth's armor.

Don't you feel like this world's lore is expanding a bit too much?

At this rate, a perverted Orc kingdom might actually pop up later.

Ahaha... I was finally starting to forget that terrible memory...

Y-Yeah...! If only... we can get... revenge... on y-you bastards...!

Even if... we must join hands... with a p-perverted Orc...! *Pant*... *pant*...!

By the way, why are they all completely exhausted? Was it because of Morgana's magic?

Maybe they're just exhausted from participating in the slime race...?

Just running 50 times would be exhausting enough, and they even transformed into slimes on top of that.

Ah, that certainly must have been exhausting.

Then, did they actually transform into slimes and train to run as slimes just for today's race...?!

"To understand the slime race, I must become the racing slime"...

Indeed...! I cannot condone cheating, but their dedication and idea are truly magnificent!

As soon as we return, I must add this new theory to the <Slime Racing Bible>!

Ugh... and here I thought we could finally fix the Princess's bad habit...

*Sigh*, whatever, let's wrap this up quickly and head back. I'm sick and tired of slimes already.

Then again, is this a good opportunity to test some magic?

......!!! N-No...!! Please, not that spell...!!!

Let's see... If I add a few lines to the chant this time...

...I swear here upon the darkness.

To all the foolish ones who stand in our way... Combining our strengths to unleash the great power of ruin...

N-No-! Everyone, run-!!

Take this! "Slime Explosion"!!!

Thank you, everyone. Thanks to you, a burden has been lifted from my heart.

I wanted to retrieve this armor with my own strength if possible... but I'm still struggling to blend into this era.

.......

.......

.......

...Um, Lueira? I'm not sure if I should ask this, but...

...Why on earth do you need the "Absolute Armor"?

And a counterfeit at that, not even the original...

Abso... Huh?

A-And a counterfeit...? How could this happen...

That's what I want to ask. Are you really trying to mass-produce that perverted armor to build a perverted Orc kingdom?

Ahaha... Even though it looks like that, it is technically an heirloom of the Pendragon Royal Family...

Though that perverted Orc did wear it much longer than I did...

T-That must mean people respect the Pendragon Royal Family that much!

Wanting to wear the Treasure of the Royal Family, even if it's a counterfeit... out of p-pure admiration...!

Isn't that even more of a problem? That means all the people loyal to Elizabeth want to wear that perverted armor.

Yuck... When that day comes, I might as well just defect to the Ygritte Empire.

An heirloom of the Pendragon Royal Family... Then is the real armor currently in Camelot Castle?

Yes, even though it looks like that, it is technically an heirloom of the Pendragon Royal Family.

Everyone, to tell you the truth, this armor is...

...Actually, the real heirloom in Camelot is a keepsake left behind by my friend.

.......

...What?!

What? If she was Lueira's friend, don't tell me...

Wait, then was that friend a member of the Pendragon Royal Family? And even the previous wielder of the Holy Sword?

Strictly speaking, she was Luna Pendragon's older sister...

...Yes, I only found out about that history recently.

She asked me in secret, so Morgan probably didn't know either.

.......

Keeping it a secret from Morgana... I wonder what she was so embarrassed about...?

Hehe, actually, she really loved gambling too. To the point where she would even bet her precious armor.

The reason she only asked me in secret was because she knew Morgan would nag her about it.

Ah...

I see... Blood truly does run deep. To think such a secret was hidden in the history of the Pendragon Royal Family.

As soon as we return, I must update the <Slime Racing Bible>...

.......

Honestly, that idiot... passing down her foolishness to her descendants.

Well, keeping it a secret from me until the very end was at least a wise choice on her part.

Otherwise, this Fairy Queen would have beaten some sense into her with cold, ruthless lectures.

Hehe... But it all worked out in the end, didn't it, Morgan?

Because we now know that all those sacrifices were not in vain.

The family she cherished more than the world. And the embarrassing past she wanted to hide even from you.

Each and every one of them became a seed... sprouting into this world and blooming beautifully.

Those of us left behind can cry, or perhaps we can just laugh it off.

Either way... Clarisse would surely be smiling along with us.

.......

...Hmph, what an idiot.