Casino Wizard

The saintess’s manipulation was relayed to the middle-aged hero.

The hero’s reaction was exactly as I expected.

“Are you sending me to the Demon Realm? … No, are you taking me?”

His face, wrinkled like an old pug, was filled with confusion despite his age.

He had retired from active duty more than five years ago. Since he declared the dissolution of his party, he had never once fulfilled his duties as a hero. While lords and bishops from regions plagued by monsters had asked for his help, he had always twisted his body to avoid it.

‘It’s because of that that his insecurity has only grown bigger.’

Even a middle-aged hero must have had a desire to contribute, right?

Perhaps there was the ambition to defeat the demons grandly, just like the younger heroes, a desperate need to perform heroic deeds worthy of his title and escape ridicule… And given his inherently kind nature, he also likely wished to help the common people.

He had hidden away because the reality was too miserable.

The saintess’s tricks were just forcing out someone who wanted to stay hidden.

“Hero.”

“……”

“Uncle Pierrot?”

“Uh? Ah… right.”

I offered him a seat.

To preserve his mental state, I started with the conclusion.

“You won’t be going to the Demon Realm.”

“But the Order of the Holy Knights…”

“Yes. The Holy Knight Commander will request you to join the Demon Realm expedition under his name. Well, it’s already more or less a request. The saintess publicly revealed it when she met with His Majesty the King. That’s something that can’t be undone.”

“Ha.”

“Still, you won’t be sent. Don’t worry.”

The only military force that the Holy Kingdom possessed was the Order of the Holy Knights.

They were a group of monks and knights who could use sacred magic.

Their reason for existence was to oppose the Demon King’s army.

During the war, the main force consisted of four hero parties, but the holy knights’ contributions couldn’t be ignored either.

If the hero parties were special forces, the Holy Knights were more like a rapid response unit. They often cooperated with us due to our relative weakness.

“The Demon King is dead, but the holy knights’ war hasn’t ended.”

“An expedition to the Demon Realm…”

“Though it’s called an expedition, it’s really more of a reconnaissance mission.”

It was a reconnaissance mission to patrol the outskirts of the Demon Realm and observe the movements of the demons.

While it was truly a necessary task, there was also the aspect of maintaining the holy knights’ presence and efficiently gathering donations. If they sent an expedition to the Demon Realm to protect humanity, people would open their wallets without hesitation.

‘Honestly, it’s not a particularly dangerous mission.’

It was a reconnaissance deployment, not a combat one.

But it wasn’t a task suitable for a middle-aged hero.

“It will take time. The mission for the Demon Realm expedition will last around four to five months. They say encounters with demons happen quite often.”

“But the other heroes…”

“They’re still active, aren’t they?”

It was unreasonable to ask a middle-aged hero to bear the same burden as the active ones.

Unlike the other heroes, who received titles, lands, and rewards after slaying the Demon King, he had received nothing.

He was still the holder of the holy sword and a hero in name, but in reality, he was just the head of a casino security team. The wealth he enjoyed now was not from the kingdom or the church, but from me.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“……”

“That’s why I called you here. Soon, the church might send for you, or someone might come to your residence. Since the saintess is behind this, she will likely try to pressure you subtly while flattering you, right?”

“Exactly. If it’s her… she’ll definitely do that.”

“As long as you don’t waver, you’ll be fine.”

There were only two things I wanted from the middle-aged hero.

To continue managing the casino order as usual.

And to not be shaken by the saintess’s provocations. That was it.

“Those are the only things I want from you. Now, go back to work.”

The middle-aged hero didn’t respond immediately.

With both fists resting on his knees, he stared into space.

Was he calming his anger toward the saintess? Or was he thinking about how to reject the request from the Holy Knights? I understood his hesitation, but I couldn’t help him with that. I couldn’t write his script for him at his age.

But his hesitation wasn’t due to that.

“It’s going to cost a lot, isn’t it…?”

It seemed he was worried about the trouble he might cause me.

It wasn’t an unfounded worry.

If I were to help the middle-aged hero get out of this situation without causing a ruckus, it would indeed cost money. After all, my enemy wasn’t the church as a whole, but the saintess.

It would certainly cost more than the bribe I was planning to give her.

Fortunately, I had the ability to afford it.

“Don’t worry about it, Hero.”

“I don’t know. Still, this doesn’t feel right.”

“It will cost money, but it won’t end up in the saintess’s pockets. Even if it does, she’ll end up spitting it out soon. Besides, the saintess isn’t just after you, she’s after all your party members. You’re just the first to receive the blow.”

Don’t worry about it.

If you waver, you’ll just be playing into the saintess’s hands.

Stay focused on your work.

After giving a few more instructions, the middle-aged hero finally relaxed and stood up.

‘There’s no need to worry too much.’

The middle-aged hero went back to managing the casino as usual, soothing the troublesome customers.

I could sense his resolve not to fall for the saintess’s tricks.

I put my worries about him aside and began planning step by step.

****

Midnight.

It was the time when Hero Pierrot’s workday was over.

“Good work, Hero.”

“Mm. Right.”

“I’ll report on today’s drunk disturbances tomorrow.”

“Good.”

After all the guests had left and the gaming hall was empty.

The hero encouraged his subordinates and then headed home himself.

His home was a modest two-story house within walking distance.

“You’ve arrived, Hero?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I’ve prepared a late-night snack. Please eat right away.”

The maid, who had been watching over the house, greeted him.

She had even prepared a late-night snack. Given the late hours at the casino, he did often feel hungry after closing.

After a light meal and a bath, his usual routine was to go to sleep. Tonight’s late-night snack was onion soup made with chicken broth.

‘It’s delicious.’

His empty stomach felt warm again.

Pierrot smiled gently as he stirred the spoon.

He didn’t forget to praise the maid who had prepared it. Honestly, he still simmered with frustration due to the saintess, but he couldn’t take it out on the maid.

“Thanks. You haven’t been able to sleep on time because of me.”

“It’s no trouble, Hero. I’ve also prepared the bath water.”

“Right, right.”

With a delicious late-night snack and a bath, tomorrow morning, he would be waking up to fresh bread, eggs, and fruit. His clean clothes would be ready as well.

It was a luxurious life that only a few could enjoy.

Perhaps because of the troubled day, he felt even more deeply grateful for this.

‘It’s too much for me… this life.’

Pierrot had lived as a serf until he was forty.

At that time, his assets were limited to a few livestock and some vegetable and fruit trees.

Half of the week, he had to toil on the noble’s land, and he knew nothing of rest. Even if he worked relentlessly, he barely avoided poverty.

At least the lord wasn’t too cruel, so he didn’t starve.

But though he wasn’t starving, it wasn’t a happy life.

His wife, who had married him when he was twenty, died young due to illness.

Their only son, who was born of his wife, died when he was thirteen, attacked by monsters.

His relatives, with whom he had connections, moved to another village due to the lord’s orders.

After that, he lived alone, managing to survive into middle age as Pierrot.

‘Then suddenly, I was chosen by the goddess.’

When he lived as a serf, at least his mind was at ease.

But after becoming a hero, both his body and mind were overwhelmed. The powerful Demon King’s generals, people’s ridicule, and no matter how much he trained, his skills didn’t improve… The maliciousness of the saintess that constantly tormented him internally.

Even now, painful memories would resurface from time to time.

There were nights when he woke up from nightmares, and times when the insults he’d heard during active duty echoed in his ears.

Still, he managed to suppress it and lived on.

‘Here it goes again. Again.’

Hero Pierrot quietly set down his spoon after eating the soup and rubbed his face with his palm.

“Is something wrong, Hero? Is it not to your taste?”

“It’s not that.”

“Or is it cold?”

Hero Pierrot reassured the maid, who had become flustered.

The maid who attended him was an orphan from the war.

She was one of many victims who lost her family in a demon raid.

In fact, Pierrot had hired her because of her background. He wanted to provide a place to live and a salary to a friend who had suffered an unfortunate event.

It was just a small act of kindness.

He also had a feeling that he wanted to make up for his shortcomings as a hero in this way.

‘Living like this is fine. I’ll give what I can, no more than that.’

The request for support from the Holy Knights?

If he refused, he’d probably be scorned again. Pierrot’s party had received help from them many times during the war.

He could endure the criticism.

After all, being criticized was something he was most familiar with.

But there was one thing that weighed on his mind.

‘I’m causing trouble for that Haidin guy again.’

Of course, Hyden had warned him. This was all a scheme by the saintess. He said that Pierrot’s wavering would only get in the way.

Pierrot agreed with the idea of getting revenge on the saintess.

That devilish woman. He would definitely send her a message.

But even so, Pierrot still felt a heavy and uncomfortable feeling weighing on his heart.

“Lunetta. We shouldn’t take kindness for granted, right?”

“Of course, Hero. Thanks to you, I’m able to live like this…”

“No. I’m not talking about you.”

Hero Pierrot finished the now slightly cold soup.

And spent the night as usual.

Relaxing in the warm bath and lying down in the clean, comfortable bed.

The only difference was that he had trouble sleeping due to his worries.

Fortunately, before dawn, he had made up his mind.

…

On the day the casino was about to open.

Hero Pierrot went to find the magician as soon as he arrived at work.

And in a quiet voice, he said:

“Hyden. If I agree to the Holy Knights’ support request, wouldn’t that make the ‘planning’ a bit easier? It probably won’t cost much either. …Honestly, I’d like you to tell me the truth. I’m a hero after all, so can’t I handle just a reconnaissance mission?”

The magician hesitated for a moment at these words.

But he didn’t scold Pierrot or anything.

It seemed he realized it wasn’t something said on impulse. He was a sharp one.

“I mean it, Hyden.”

Pierrot gave the magician a bright smile to reassure him.