Hate Me, Witch!-Chapter 85: Have You Heard of Roulette?

"『Joker』"

"Strange name."

The voice didn’t come from the two people on the bench but rather from the depths of the shadows.

Xia Ya looked toward the source of the voice and sensed a dense aura of the Spirit Realm emanating from within.

He raised an eyebrow. "A medium?"

"Something like that, but I prefer the term 'spiritualist.'"

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The hoarse voice drew closer until it returned to the black-robed woman seated on the left side of the bench.

Her face was partially obscured by the shadow of her hood, barely visible as she spoke in a raspy female voice. "I was going to introduce myself with my real name, but it seems the leader prefers code names."

She stood up and saluted Xia Ya. "Military Department codename: 'Dark Raven.' My summoned beast system is focused on the undead and Spirit Realm creatures."

On the other side, the younger girl—whose facial features bore a striking resemblance to Dark Raven’s but with softer, more youthful lines—also bowed and performed a standard knight’s salute. "Order Bureau codename: 'Nightingale.' Specializes in stealth and assassination."

"You’re from the same family?"

Xia Ya glanced at the two of them. "I thought the descendants of the legendary Round Table Knights would all be righteous and bright, like shining beacons of justice. Didn’t expect one necromancer and one assassin."

"We are descendants of the Furen family. Our ancestor’s title was 'Dark Knight,' and he specialized in spirit communication, reconnaissance, and assassination."

"Or rather, among the original Round Table, our ancestor’s role was that of a scout."

Dark Raven’s raspy voice continued, "But as you said, within the Round Table families of old, those who shone like the sun, embodying the golden spirit of justice, were the majority. We were the outliers."

"Unfortunately, over the centuries, those proud and powerful Round Table families either perished or fell into decline."

"Only three of us—our Furen family included—managed to survive."

"The 'Survivor Three'..."

"Well, I like the sound of that."

Xia Ya nodded.

Though these two descendants of Round Table Knights didn’t fit the expected image, he was satisfied nonetheless.

Spirit communication, stealth, reconnaissance, and assassination—these were rare and valuable skills, far more useful to him than some muscle-bound brute.

When it came to brute force—no, when it came to brute wives, he already had little Ai, who was obedient, loyal, easy on the eyes, and could fight. Way better than any random stray cats or dogs outside.

However…

Xia Ya’s gaze swept over Dark Raven and Nightingale.

There was something hidden beneath their respectful demeanor.

"Why do you two seem so... experienced with this?"

The air fell silent for a moment. Dark Raven hesitated but didn’t respond.

Instead, Nightingale—the one who had remained silent up until now, aside from her introduction—spoke first.

She blinked, her pale green eyes emotionless as she looked at Xia Ya.

"Since the fall of the Swordbearers, the royal family has attempted to rebuild them twenty-seven times over the past one hundred and fifty years."

"The last attempt was four years ago."

There was no need to elaborate on the outcome of that attempt.

If it had succeeded, Xia Ya wouldn’t be standing here now as the new Swordbearer leader, giving his inaugural speech.

Damn. So being the Swordbearer leader came with a built-in death timer, huh?

But with this, Xia Ya also understood his current position more clearly.

Dark Raven, Nightingale, and even the Swordbearer members currently outside the Imperial Capital—they all showed him absolute deference. They would follow his orders without question.

But that was only because of his position.

Their true loyalty lay with the Second Imperial Princess.

Though they had been assigned to the Swordbearers, after so many failures over the past century, these Round Table descendants had long since lost faith. Their morale was at rock bottom.

"Well, whatever. If I’m taking a paycheck, I should do the work."

Xia Ya got up and walked out of the break room.

Ailora and Diris followed him on either side.

Dark Raven and Nightingale exchanged glances before also following.

They wanted to see for themselves—how would this new leader differ from the failures that came before?

…

Imperial Capital, Suburbs.

Diwell Port District.

Unlike the solemn dignity of the Upper District or the youthful fashion of the Black Lily District, Diwell Port District was the most chaotic and diverse area of the entire Imperial Capital.

According to the files Xia Ya had reviewed from the Military Intelligence Division, several high-ranking titled warriors from enemy nations had even infiltrated this district, gathering intelligence in this den of crime and vice.

The Ashen Order’s attack on Saint Roland Academy? They had snuck in through Diwell Port District.

Casinos, hidden black markets, white houses, transcendent gatherings… Theoretically, as long as one had enough money, they could find anything they desired in this place.

The City That Never Sleeps—"Sins &Thorns."

Officially, it was just a bridge club.

In reality, its size matched its infamous nickname—a city within a city.

The neon reflections from the magitech lamps shimmered on the glass windows, casting light on gamblers’ faces—some filled with greed, some with elation, others with despair.

Brilliant, yet intoxicatingly decadent.

And in the highest floor of this lavish establishment sat Viscount Lorie.

His favorite pastime was standing before the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the world of vice he had painstakingly built over decades, brick by brick, through wealth and influence.

This was his fortress of sin.

It was thanks to this infamous gambling den that he, a fallen noble, had managed to latch onto a behemoth like the Borgia family.

Even if only as a vassal, this connection had allowed him, a Beastmaster who should have long since decayed with age, to reach the Fourth Ring—becoming a true Beastmaster Master.

And so—

Viscount Lorie would never allow anyone to destroy his fortress.

Just like the unwelcome guest standing before him now.

…

Through his half-lidded eyes, Viscount Lorie looked at the black-haired youth wearing a half-white mask. A cold glint flickered in his aged pupils.

Among the gamblers here, many wore masks to hide their identities.

But to Lorie, they were all just sheep to be slaughtered—none had ever made him feel this wary.

Rustle—

A faint glow of magical energy flickered.

On the table, a Recording Crystal projected beams of bright magical light, displaying lines of text along with images and recorded footage on the wall.

Viscount Lorie narrowed his eyes as he watched the projection.

The more he saw, the more his heart sank.

It was all evidence of the crimes committed within this so-called City That Never Sleeps.

Illegal confinement, organ trafficking, slave trade...

Though most of it was circumstantial, the sheer amount was staggering.

If these were made public, the entire Imperial Capital would be thrown into an uproar.

"What do you want?"

He looked at the masked young man before him, his voice still calm.

"Oh, nothing much. Just thinking—"

"If this information were to be published in the newspapers, you probably wouldn’t have a good time, would you?"

"Mere baseless rumors," Viscount Lorie replied, squinting at the pair of dark eyes behind the pristine white mask, but he couldn't read a single thing from them.

Those black eyes were like a bottomless abyss, swallowing all light, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.

"I admit, this would cause me some trouble. But if you think you can threaten me with just this... you're dreaming."

"Of course," Xia Ya took a sip of tea. "Otherwise, these materials would have been sent straight to the Tribunal, and I wouldn’t be here."

"Even if this evidence sparks a media frenzy within the capital and forces Parliament to issue a search warrant, by the time it goes through, there will be nothing left to find here."

"However..."

Xia Ya paused slightly.

"If that were to happen..."

"Do you think your family might start wondering whether their glove has become too dirty to be of use and decide it’s time for a replacement?"

Viscount Lorie nodded. "You're very smart. You understand how these things work."

His once gloomy tone softened. "I’ll admit, you are qualified to sit at the negotiation table with me."

"So, what do you want?"

"Money? Women? Even a noble title?"

Viscount Lorie chuckled, his expression deep and unreadable.

"I am a businessman—I believe in making deals, not making enemies."

"Since you've come here instead of handing these over to the Order Bureau, it means you're here to negotiate as well."

"For example—"

A self-satisfied smile formed on his aged face.

"How about fifty thousand Rhine Gold Coins in exchange for your Recording Crystal and the destruction of all its copies?"

Even as he spoke, Viscount Lorie kept watching Xia Ya carefully.

He had already made up his mind.

Once the money was exchanged, he would have someone track Xia Ya, uncover his background, and eliminate him at the first opportunity.

After all, no one could be sure how many backups existed.

And a dead man was always more reliable than a verbal promise of secrecy.

Lorie had to admit—Xia Ya’s words had shaken him.

Yes, the Borgia Family could protect him.

Hell, even if direct evidence of his crimes made it to the Tribunal, the Borgia Family had enough power to bury the whole affair.

But burying a scandal still required effort.

And if the Borgia Family had to personally clean up his mess, it meant he was failing in his role.

If they lost patience and handed Sins &Thorns over to someone else…

That would be his absolute ruin.

Fifty thousand Rhine Gold Coins…

That’s it?

Xia Ya felt a little disappointed.

He had expected the owner of the grandest gambling den in the capital to at least be filthy rich—maybe even throw some extra gold his way to fill his pockets.

But thinking it over, it made sense.

Lorie was just a glove.

The real profits from Sins &Thorns were regularly funneled to the people above him.

Lorie himself probably didn't have much left over.

Even offering fifty thousand was already a honeyed lure.

If he were forced to cough up real money, even scraping together thirty thousand might be a struggle.

Realizing this, Xia Ya lost interest in further bargaining.

Unlike Norton, who had grand ambitions and wanted him to become "God’s Left Hand" and "Vice Sovereign of Heaven"…

This old bastard couldn't even talk a big game properly.

No money to squeeze out of him—no wonder he’s just a Viscount.

"No, forget the gold."

"Since this is a casino, let's settle this the casino way."

He turned off the Recording Crystal and idly spun it in his fingers.

"A bet."

"Once the wager is complete, win or lose, I’ll destroy this Crystal and all its backups."

"Hah… interesting."

"Very interesting."

Viscount Lorie’s expression shifted, his pale cheeks suddenly flushed, as he scrutinized Xia Ya.

"The highest-stakes tables in Sins &Thorns are open to outsiders… but only to the most distinguished guests."

"This place has hosted dukes, merchant guild leaders, high-ranking cultists, and even excommunicated heretics wanted by the Church."

Viscount Lorie took a step closer to the table, locking eyes with Xia Ya.

A powerful presence radiated from him, his aged eyes filled with the cunning of an old fox.

This was the one thing he could take pride in.

After all, it was his skill in gambling that had allowed him to claw his way up from a fallen noble to where he was today.

If he could keep winning in Sins &Thorns, and with the Borgia Family’s backing…

It wouldn’t be long before he reached the Fifth Ring.

Then, he would finally become a man of true renown across the Western Continent.

"So, what do you want to bet on?"

"And what do you even have that’s worth gambling against me?"

But then, Viscount Lorie saw—

Xia Ya, still calm, reached into his coat and placed something metallic onto the table.

"Don’t worry. The wager I have in mind is something everyone possesses."

"And each person only has one."

"Completely fair."

It was a silver-white revolver.

And a box of golden-yellow bullets.

Xia Ya’s voice echoed through the room.

"Since you're a casino owner—"

"I assume you’ve heard of…"

"Russian Roulette?"