IDEFYEM - Chapter 23
Black Man, I'll Do Everything For You Except Marriage!
"You mean your younger sister?"
"My younger sister tolerated my being abused by my father all her life, and recently we fought to never see each other again."
Tristan immediately shut his mouth.
"Let's change the plan. I need to know what that kid is up to."
I ended my sentence resolutely, but I couldn't think of a better way. As I bit my lip nervously, Tristan spoke in a trustworthy voice.
"If that's the case, I have a way. Do not worry."
"Wow, really?"
"Really."
The man smiled with the most handsome face I had ever seen. I looked at him with a little affection this time and then said,
"It just seemed like a real knight."
"Are you talking about a knight who uses expedient means?"
As we exchanged nonsense, the tension gradually eased, and I felt at ease. Martha seemed to have finished the request before we arrived, so she looked around with anxious eyes and quickly left the guild.
As she passed by me, I unconsciously held my breath. But nothing happened, and it wasn't going to happen again.
"Stay behind. They will think of you as a servant and won't care."
Tristan whispered to me and went to the central room and opened the door without knocking.
"There, without permission...!"
A tough-looking man with a scar on his face frowned but smiled happily when he saw him.
They said they were just acquaintances, but I think they were closer than that.
"Guild leader! It's been so long since this happened!"
Uh?
Uh-huh?
I looked at the two men alternately with wide eyes. They shook hands and exchanged greetings with very friendly expressions.
"No matter how much you say you're not interested, why don't you just leave all the work and wander around like this?"
"Isn't that how much I trust you, the deputy guild leader?"
Tristan glanced at me with a confused expression and smiled. No, he was truly far from standard chivalry!
While I was confused, a man who seemed to be meeting a friend after a long time started talking excitedly.
"The last time we saw each other was when you, Tristan, were on the verge of execution for trying to run away with the Princess of a neighboring Kingdom, right? Wow, time flies so quickly."
Tristan visibly flinched.
"Karl... Please, shut your mouth."
"Haha! At that time, you had a hard time finding a way out. Have you gotten over that habit yet?"
The man smiled brightly and spoke.
Tristan looked at me with a perplexed look, then sighed as if he had given up. What a consistent person.
I stared at Tristan's back with somewhat cold eyes,
"So, what's going on today?"
"I'll tell you first, but don't make unnecessary misunderstandings. I want to know the information requested by the woman who just left."
The deputy guild leader looked at him with an expression of understanding.
"No, I swear to heaven that's not the case."
"Yeah, yeah, I guess not... She looked like a noble lady. He asked me to find out if Grand Duke Kronhardt and Princess Wintersoure would be attending the upcoming hunting banquet."
As expected, it was clear that she was making up something related to me. But it was a hunting banquet.
As I was listening from behind, I frowned at the unexpected word.
"Is there anything else she wants to ask?"
"She also asked for a seating plan if I could get it. It's difficult, and I told her to come back in two days to receive information about whether or not they would participate."
"If she comes back, tell her there's nothing to tell. "I'll buy you a drink later."
"Haha, that's good!"
Tristan finished the conversation neatly and left the room with me.
"You don't have to ask about the original purpose of coming here?"
Oh right. I was going to ask you to investigate Kael!
However, I felt a little uncomfortable asking about that because I thought the information would also be shared with Tristan.
I knew for sure what Kael had in mind and tried to shake off my worries. Contrary to my initial plan, I only had one more problem.
We left the guild and returned to the dark alley. I sighed and asked the man who didn't fit into the alley.
"By the way, what is the value of information?"
"It's okay if you don't care."
"Don't be bluff and take this. If it's not enough, I'll provide more."
I gave him the jewels I had originally intended to pay for. It was one of the few things I owned that I took with me when I left the Duke's residence.
Tristan smiled politely and rejected my hand.
"Jewelry is most beautiful when worn around a Lady's neck."
"... If we do this, we won't be able to remain friends because it will be burdensome. "Don't make me uncomfortable, just accept it."
"Can't you just do me a favor instead?"
Looking at the man's strong attitude, it seemed like I should give up on giving him bail.
"Please, what kind of favor?"
"Today is the day when a night market opens nearby."
"So."
"You can see jewelry and rare animals brought in from other countries, and a talented traveling band will play exciting music throughout. Another thing that is famous among knights is the food there. Salt-grilled shrimp with spicy seasoning and chicken skewers cooked with spicy spices are popular."
Gulp.
Without realizing it, I made the sound of drool falling. I quickly tried to cover my heated face, but it was obvious that I would have already been caught.
"Then I understand that means you will grant my request."
A voice full of laughter was heard. Tristan put me on the horse first, who lowered his gaze, and followed me.
"I haven't said I'm following you yet... I have to go home."
"I will get you there in no time."
I tried to mumble it later, but it only sounded like a complaint. Don't skip dinner just because you're nervous.
Ah, he stopped me.
***
The night market was as bright as day. Brilliantly colored decorations and lighting. The sound of sizzling street food being stir-fried and fried and the noisy laughter of people gathered together.
A lively waltz that made your heart beat was playing in the background.
"Enrica, what do you think if we stop talking for a moment?"
Tristan asked me, who was momentarily mesmerized.
Wait, Tristan? I thought it was someone else because of his polite to me.
Yes!
I turned my puzzled face and looked at him.
"If you use a harsh tone in a place like this, you will be noticed. I don't think that's what either of us wants."
A man with a cheerful smile spoke in a casual voice. As if status, age difference, or our relationship have nothing to do with it.
There is no reason to refuse, and if I do, the atmosphere will become strange.
I answered, feeling as if I had already been interrupted several times.
"Yeah, that's right."
"Shall we go buy food you'll like first?"
Ugh, I was awkwardly nodding my head when I realized a shocking truth.
"Huh, no. For a moment!"
I don't have any money right now other than jewelry, right?
But you can't pay jewels for just one skewer. It is impossible to borrow money again from Tristan, who is already in debt.
There's a sweet, oily smell floating everywhere...
I said, trying my best to pretend everything was okay.
"I changed my mind. I don't want to eat it."
"Since you do not have any money?"
If you hit the nail on the head like that, what would happen to me who worked so hard to save face? Tristan closed his eyes and smiled.
"Let's go. I will buy everything today."
"That's too..."
Anyway, no way.
"It's shameful."
After almost being captivated by that expression for a moment, I flatly refused.
After that, I was walking through the night market, refusing the repeated invitations. At first glance, it may be because of his stocky physique and tall stature.
Even though we were wearing hoods, there were people who often looked this way. As I was also following the people passing by with my eyes, a particularly crowded and noisy place came into view.
"What is that place?"
"Casino."
The moment I heard those words, I felt like fireworks went off in my head. You'll get better if you have a sharp eye and are lucky!
"Lend me a few silver coins."
“Enrica?”
"I guarantee you, I will pay back the money within an hour and even buy four skewers."
As soon as I finished speaking, a mischievous look appeared on Tristan's face.
"What will you do for me if you can't repay me?"
"I didn't think about that. I'm going to win anyway, so decide what you want."
After finishing my sentence on an exciting note, I added hastily
"Of course, no kissing or anything like that."
"Well, Enrica. Are you looking at me like such a shameless person?"
I think it's quite possible, Tristan said while drooping his eyebrows and pretending to be sad.
"Accept whatever I buy you today. Those are my conditions."
"... It looks like the article earnings are pretty good, with all the ridiculous conditions attached."
Now that we've stopped talking, it seems like we've become really informal friends.
We headed to the gambling room in a tent full of heat. Exchange silver coins for beads at the entrance. Among the various sports, I chose the simplest wheel.
Tristan asked as I rolled my eyes at the sight, which was more authentic than expected.
"What about going out and spending my own money right now?"
"It's okay."
That question was repeated once again when I had almost lost my marbles.
"Go outside right now...."
"Just stay still. This can't be happening?"
It's been a long time since all eyes were focused on the men and women whispering with their faces covered, like children of nobles sneaking out.
But something was really strange.
I feel like someone is intentionally interfering with my choices. I placed my bet again and watched the dealer's movements carefully.
I was able to follow the direction in which he was moving by sending out a small amount of magic that was visible only to my eyes.
OMG.
And a few seconds later, a suspicious movement caught my eye. Deciding that it was too early to be certain, I looked around again.
There were a few more people who felt strange and did not fit in here. Anyone can see that he looks like a nobleman out to see the sights, and the same goes for us.
"For a moment."
After speaking to Tristan, I walked closer and paid close attention. As expected, the other side continued to lose its marbles.
"..."
Aha. I understand what the situation is.
By all accounts, they are con artists trying to rip off people who are nobles. The wheel was a method of guessing odd and even numbers based purely on luck.
However, a device was installed to intentionally control movement, and the game was being manipulated by the dealer.
'It's a simple device, so I think it'll be easy to stop. Using a little magic power...'
The sound of the device stopping was heard very quietly. Although I felt embarrassed when I thought about the marbles I had lost so far.
From the beginning, I never thought about using my abilities to win the game. I just want to conduct a fair game.
"All in on 13."
I shouted without hesitation and took my hand away. Now it was time to try my pure luck.
When I went all-in on a number with a low probability of getting caught, I heard a commotion around me.
If you win, you win 36 times, and if you lose, you lose everything and are kicked out.
As the wheel began to spin, I fidgeted with my hands and said,
"...Hand."
"Huh?"
"Give me your hand, if you don't want to."
Tristan laughed quietly and silently held out his hand. With my eyelids tightly closed, I held on to that strong hand and waited, but soon opened my eyes to the cheering that became so loud that I could not understand it.
"No, this can't be happening..."
The dealer who had been using the trick device could be heard muttering in confusion.
The arrow on the wheel was pointing exactly to the number 13.
"Nonsense!"
The narrowed eyes grew bigger and the mouth opened at the same time. This thrill was what created gambling addicts!
"Tristan, that's enough! It's done!”
I jumped up from my seat while holding his hand. It had been two months since I came to this world, and it felt like the first time I had felt such pure joy.
I was jumping around and laughing in the noisy crowd.
"..."
Flushed red cheeks and a few strands of pink hair sticking out and shaking. Eyes like sparkling jewels that completely capture the other person. Tristan's eyes stiffened for a moment as he took in the scene.
I immediately cooled off at the dull response and grumbled.
"What's the point of being so petty about losing a bet? Anyway, it's public money!"
"Sorry, Lady Luck."
"Wow, that's not what I wanted."
For some reason, I went to the entrance with Tristan, who was still looking at me blankly, and exchanged the beads I got for money.
It felt good to come out of the hot tent and breathe in the refreshing night air. Of course, my pockets got bigger too.
"I said I would buy you skewers, right? Let's go."
It was then that the old woman's bright voice flew towards us.
"You think I am not from this world?"
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