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Outer Gate [7777]
Beneath a massive, high-tech stadium— Lamia Draculea walked through the underground streets and made her way to the temple at the very end.
Just as she reached the entrance, standing before the enormous stone doors carved with lotus patterns, she ran into Rin, who was stepping out.
"Lady Lamia."
Rin immediately bowed in greeting.
"You're… the strategist from the Third Alliance, the one by Kalki's side?"
Lamia took a moment before recognizing her.
"Yes."
Rin's smile stiffened slightly.
'We literally met yesterday at Arcadia…' she grumbled inwardly, but kept her tone polite. "Are you here to see Lady Lakshmi?"
Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune.
In Hindu mythology, she was the consort of Vishnu, the deity who governed wealth, luck, and love, as well as an ancient and exalted earth goddess.
She also happened to be the overseer of this Outer Gate, and effectively the one in charge of Ouroboros operations across the entire south area.
Of course, Ouroboros was divided into three alliances, so there were three such leaders.
Lakshmi was both one of those leaders and the head of the Second Alliance in the south area.
As for why Rin was here, it was simple.
As Vishnu's consort, Lakshmi shared a close connection with Kalki, his incarnation. In a sense, she was his backer and protector within the Second Alliance.
That was one of the reasons Rin had come.
"That's not something you should be asking."
Lamia shot her a glance and issued a warning. "Especially now that Lord Kalki isn't here. You don't actually think no one noticed that he gave up the Leo Sun Authority to protect you, do you? After what happened in the Campione world… a lot of people really hate you."
Rin's expression changed instantly. She lowered her head. "My apologies."
"Well, just be more careful next time."
Seeing her look so tense, Lamia scratched her cheek awkwardly.
Scaring a girl who looked younger than her, even if she was actually much older, wasn't exactly fun.
At least, not to Lamia.
"Anyway, while Kalki's away, you'd better watch yourself in the Second Alliance."
She turned to enter the temple, then paused after a few steps. "Oh, one more thing. My arrangements are nearly settled. Judging by the current attitude of the upper levels, your 'protector' should be back soon."
With that, she stepped through the lotus doors without looking back.
Rin froze for a moment, then let out a long breath.
"So he's safe…"
That was good news. And yet, for some reason, unease lingered.
"So the upper levels have decided to send this royal-blood vampire to Arcadia…"
She frowned. "Are they not afraid of angering that one?"
Outsiders might not know who had backed the legendary Knights of the Little Garden, the ones who once dominated the lower layers.
But Rin did, thanks to Kalki.
The one who had invested in them, who had elevated pure-blood vampires to near "Heavenly Army" status in the lower layers—
was the World Dragon, Kurma.
To the higher-ups in Ouroboros, all pure-blood vampires were essentially part of Kurma's faction.
"No… the upper levels wouldn't be foolish enough to provoke her."
Rin shook her head.
No one understood the weight of the World Dragon's name better than Ouroboros.
She was the true power behind the Second Alliance. Who in Ouroboros would dare touch her kin?
If Lamia Draculea was being sent away, then it must have been with her approval.
"Just a few months ago, she had us buy Leticia back from Perseus, to gather the last of the royal blood… and now she's sending all the remaining royal blood to Arcadia?"
Rin's brows furrowed.
"Did she foresee something?"
With that lingering question, she glanced once more at the temple before turning and leaving the Second Alliance's base.
...
..
Inside the temple, it was nothing like the solemn place people might imagine.
The interior was strikingly modern.
Central air conditioning. Vending machines. Claw machines. Slot machines. Pachinko. Baccarat. Even entire sections of space had been carved out for horse racing and car tracks, all for gambling.
Lamia wrinkled her nose as she looked around at the crowd of well-dressed gamblers clutching chips.
She clearly wasn't comfortable here.
Pushing through the crowd, she finally found her target at a blackjack table.
A beautiful woman with long black hair tied near the ends with a simple band. A vermilion mark adorned her forehead, and she wore a pure white robe.
Lakshmi.
At that moment, the Goddess of Fortune was nervously clutching her cards.
Two cards, pressed tightly together, hiding their values.
She slowly peeled them apart, her expression tense.
Lamia approached and bowed her head. "Lady Lakshmi."
Lakshmi glanced at her, flipped her cards—
—and frowned.
"Bust."
In blackjack, you aim for 21. Go over, and you're out.
Clearly, luck wasn't on her side.
She tossed the cards onto the table.
At that instant, the gamblers around them all froze.
Then, one by one, they turned to look at Lamia.
Every single face... was Lakshmi's.
It seemed that within this temple, she was the only one truly present.
"You lost, didn't you?"
At those words, Lamia stiffened. Even her breathing hitched.
Lakshmi rested her cheek on her hand, her gaze distant. "In other words, sending you to Arcadia is a disadvantage… for me, and for the World Dragon."
Lamia kept her head down, silent.
She knew Lakshmi always performed a kind of divination before making decisions. She had witnessed it many times.
And every time, Lakshmi had won.
This was the first loss.
What had once been certain was now uncertain.
…So I can't go to Aunt after all?
Lamia bit her lip.
The air grew heavy.
Just as the pressure became unbearable—
"Go."
"…What?"
Lamia looked up, stunned.
Lakshmi spoke without turning. "Win or lose, it happens."
"Even a goddess of fortune doesn't win every hand."
"Leave before I change my mind."
"Yes!"
Lamia felt like she'd been granted a pardon. She quickly turned and left.
Lakshmi picked up the cards again, narrowing her eyes. "Twenty-two. Just one point over… so the loss isn't significant?"
She murmured to herself. "After raising the Knights of the Little Garden for so many years… even giving up the original candidate for Ophiuchus, plus sending two Lamias… and the result is only a minor loss?"
She shook her head, letting out a soft sigh.
"Kurma… you really are something."
Around her, the gamblers resumed their movements.
A new round began.
---
Arcadia City
Inside a luxury hotel in the city center— In the dressing room—
Ryo, now in a black suit, turned to look at Leticia, who stood beside him in a fiery red gown, her hair styled elegantly.
His lips twitched.
"Why is Leticia my dance partner?"
"Because I'm the Judge!" Kurousagi answered without hesitation.
"…Don't you think something's off here?" Ryo looked at her flatly.
"?"
Kurousagi blinked, glanced between Ryo and Leticia—whose embarrassment was practically visible—then tilted her head.
"No? Though… Lady Leticia looks amazing in that outfit! I want to try wearing something like that too someday~"
"…I just don't know how."
Leticia lowered her head, guilt written all over her face. "I should have taken charge of Kurousagi's education… trusting Canaria was clearly a mistake."
At that moment, Ryo leaned in close and whispered by her ear, "But you really do look beautiful. How about we find somewhere private later and put that to the test?"
"What are you two whispering about?"
Kurousagi asked curiously.
Leticia flinched, shot Ryo a glare, then smoothed her hair. "Nothing. He was just reminding me the ball is about to start."
"Ohhh!"
As Kurousagi nodded in understanding, Ryo adjusted his tie and straightened up, his expression turning serious.
"It's time."
"Let's move."
.
.
.