Burning Embers Part I: Origins [Arc 1-5]

Arc 2 Epilogue

"Casino," Sean repeated.

"Too young."

"Age requirement is 16 in Terysium, we can go."

"But—"

"Casino!"

Such was the argument between Sean and Lediga as they decided on which part of Terysium they should visit first. While it was one of the largest cities in the country, and an excellent tourist destination, they hadn't had any time to explore ever since they came. And so, with the conclusion of the final match and their retaining of the castle, they decided to go out and celebrate.

"Um, I'm not sure if that's such a good idea..." Nat's voice trailed off as Sean gave him a glare.

"Finrod gave us all this money, but we could make so much more, and then we can go shopping!" Sean proclaimed with an unusual enthusiasm.

"Did Luuk infect you?" Andrea inquired.

"Shut up."

"What do you mean I infected him? If that had been the case, he would never resort to something as foolish as gambling," Luuk answered the question.

"Eh?" Andrea seemed confused.

"What, why're you so surprised?"

"Oh, no reason." 

"Anyway, I'm going to the casino, who's coming with me?" Sean declared.

"I'm in," Andrea instantly replied.

"Well, I guess I'll go too..." Nat's response was not quite as certain.

"I shall head off to the market, while you all muck around in that den of scum and villainy." Luuk immediately headed off in the opposite direction, closely followed by Lediga, who apparently also wished to stay away from Terysium's famous casino. 

Sean shook his head in disappointment. They should put a bit more faith in my skill. 

"Alright, looks like those chickens won't be joining us. Let's head out!"

"Since when did you get to give the orders?" Andrea asked, irritated.

"Shut up."

The three trudged off in the direction of the casino, which was located at about ten minutes' walk from the inn they had stayed at. As Sean had expected, Andrea would stop to stare at literally everything on the way there, from food stalls to fortune tellers. Nat wasn't much better; having lived in a small city all his life, his curiosity got the better of him again and again. However, there was little to nothing of interest to Sean here. He just wanted to go to the casino to put his newfound confidence to the test.

Once they arrived, the croupier greeted them warmly. "Welcome to Terysium Central Plaza sirs and miss! We have a bar, casino, and many other ways to entertain y—"

"The casino please," Sean confidently said.

"Pardon?"

"I said, we wanna gamble."

"Pardon me, kind sir, but may I inquire as to your age?"

Annoyed, Sean shoved his adventurer card in the croupiers face. "Look here! I'm sixteen! He's sixteen, she's eighteen! We're all eligible! Or have you not heard any tales of the mighty Sean Deckard from the arena?!"

"Ah, so you're the person who stood behind the crusader like a coward and ultimately lost—" Sean gave him a death-stare. "I-I mean, very well sir!"

"Hah. Bunch of losers."

———

Five games in, and Sean was beginning to regret ever coming here. So far, he had lost every single game in crushing fashion, and had already lost about half the money Finrod had given them. Apparently these games relied almost entirely on luck, with intelligence hardly involved. Thus, it had gone quite differently in Sean's head prior to coming here.