Labyrinth: Chapter 66: Winner

BANG BANG BANG!!!

No one even knew how many rounds had gone by at this point.

The sound of bodies slamming and furniture breaking echoed again and again.

From a distance, you’d think they were wrestling...

Chishiya kept smiling like a seasoned merchant as he calmly collected the entry fees.

Some people’s mental defenses completely collapsed—I won’t name names…

But Mitsurugi Kyouya was bright red!!!

“Again!!!”

Completely ignoring the dirt all over him, he slammed his greatsword down on the table with a heavy bang.

His wallet was already empty.

Now he was betting the magic sword itself for one final gamble!

“I’m gonna win this time!!”

His face had turned purple. There was actual steam coming from the top of his head.

It was beyond humiliation.

He had to win this time!!!

“Mitsurugi-sama, please stop!”

Behind him, one of the girls clung to his waist, while the other latched onto his arm.

“Don’t do it, Mitsurugi-sama!”

“If you keep losing, we’re going to have to sleep in the stables tonight!”

“Yes, please, Mitsurugi-sama, be reasonable… there are so many people watching. If your identity is revealed—!”

“Let me go!!!” Mitsurugi shouted. “Just one more round!”

“Look at that guy's face!” one of the girls yelled, pointing at Chishiya. “He’s just waiting for you to walk back over!”

Chishiya looked every bit the grinning scam artist, his eyes already scanning the sword on the table.

That thing really only responded to Mitsurugi, but…

Still, it’d probably fetch a decent price at a pawn shop.

Mitsurugi struggled like a madman. “Just one last time!!!”

“MMMMMMM—!!”

Something didn’t feel right…

The two girls quickly covered his mouth and dragged him away by force.

They’d finally realized something.

That little girl?

Was too strong.

Mitsurugi hadn’t been holding back at all. He’d just been completely overpowered.

And they were already in the red.

If this kept going, forget the skirt—they’d have to borrow money just to get home…

“I’ve never seen anyone like you!”

“You’ll never be a real hero!”

The girls snorted at Chishiya and stormed off in a huff.

There was definitely a lot of pent-up resentment there.

But Chishiya had a clear conscience!

He never said he was a hero. He was just a humble, honest businessman.

Chishiya shook his head and sighed.

“I even gave him a discount…”

As Mitsurugi was forcibly dragged away, Claire and Iris stood in stunned silence.

Their understanding of reality had shattered.

If you didn’t know better, you’d never believe it—

That the guy who just lost his cool and got carried off by two girls was the same refined, elegant swordsman they admired…

Claire turned to Iris, a little shaken.

“Miss Iris… why don’t we not participate in the games…”

These people were all just too weird.

She didn’t even want to imagine what would happen if Her Highness also lost it.

Maybe sensing Claire’s worry, Iris gave her a soft smile.

“Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

“It’s just a game of chess. Nothing dangerous.”

Claire pursed her lips.

Let’s hope so…

———————

Meanwhile…

In a high-end club in Axel—

A man with long gray hair and a sickly pale face pushed open the door.

Inside, a crystal chandelier sparkled from the ceiling.

The room was pink, romantic, and absurdly luxurious.

Fine red wine rested on a gilded table.

Across the room, on a leather sofa, sat a bloated old man.

Blonde curls. Oily mustache. Oozing sleaze from every pore.

Two stunning women in tight dresses sat on either side of him.

“Alderp. The person you’re looking for has appeared.”

It was Maxwell.

One of the Demon Dukes.

Summoned by the man before him.

“Oh?”

The fat old man lazily raised his gaze.

He waved his hand to dismiss the girls.

“You mean the hero candidate who saved Lalatina?”

Alderp asked, swirling the red wine in his glass.

Maxwell nodded.

“But… Alderp, that guy has powerful magic.”

“It’ll be hard to alter his perception.”

Alderp frowned and took a sip of wine.

Useless…

He clicked his tongue inwardly and waved dismissively.

“Got it. You’re dismissed.”

After Maxwell left,

Alderp crossed his legs and scooted up on the sofa.

What a pity…

Looks like I’ll have to go after Lalatina directly.

That demon just now had the power to alter people’s cognition.

Normally, deals with devils come at a price.

But…

Alderp sneered.

This one had amnesia and always forgot to collect.

So far, he’d been working for free.

“Doesn’t matter if I can’t change his perception.”

Alderp muttered, pulling out a golden necklace from his pocket.

Legend had it this artifact could swap bodies.

With this…

He could switch bodies with that guy.

Alderp clenched the necklace tightly, a twisted grin on his face.

“Lalatina… you’ll never escape my grasp…”

———————

Back at the storefront…

“Checkmate.”

Iris smiled sweetly.

“EHHHHHH?!!!”

“I messed up! Let’s play again!!!”

Megumin’s scream rang out across the square.

She slammed both palms on the chessboard.

Staring at the cloaked girl in disbelief.

I actually lost?!

She was supposed to be a chess genius!

She only occasionally lost to Yunyun!

And now… some little girl beat her?!

It wasn’t even the loss that hurt…

It was what the loss meant.

That 40 million Eris magic tool, crafted with so much effort by Chishiya, would be handed over to someone else!!!

That was everyone’s hard work…

A deep sense of guilt overwhelmed her.

Megumin gritted her teeth.

This was all because she kept winning earlier…

If only she’d been a little more cautious this time…

No.

She shook her head, eyes serious.

“Again!!! I won’t accept it!”

Iris tilted her head and blinked innocently.

“Huh?”

“But I already won?”

“Are you going to cheat?”

“.…”

Megumin froze, speechless. Her fists trembled.

Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes.

It’s all my fault…

Not only did I fail to help Chishiya…

I made him lose money…

Forty million Eris…

That’s enough to support my family for years...

Ugh…

“Take it easy.”

“…Sensei…”

Chishiya appeared behind Megumin and gently rubbed her head.

This girl… was overthinking again.

He looked over at the victorious cloaked girl.

Then flashed his signature professional grin.

“Congratulations! You’re the first adventurer to win!”

“Per the rules—”

“This 40 million Eris dress is all yours!!!”

(To be continued.)