Of course I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't even listen, and I figured this was a good chance to show her the harsh realities of society.
'Maybe she'll come to her senses after experiencing some crude sexual harassment.'
Could this sheltered flower who grew up in a greenhouse endure men spewing vulgar sexual remarks to her face?
As I change into the clothes Iren brought me, I realize this might be why I accepted her proposal a week ago.
***
We walk through the dark imperial capital streets wearing leather outfits with deep, baggy hoods pulled low-just Iren, myself, and our guide.
The outskirts grow brighter with red lights as foot traffic increases. Normally it'd be the opposite, but light breeds shadows. In a city concentrating the continent's greatest wealth and power, not everyone lives lawfully-especially those with strength and authority.
Of course, today's destination isn't some luxurious spot for elites.
"Here?"
"Yes, right this way."
Following our guide through the red-light district's seedier alleys, we ignore drunkards and cheap whores soliciting customers.
Our guide Sancho-an ordinary adventurer who enjoys gambling-responded to Iren's request to find a gambling den.
"Oooh...! I'm so excited!!"
Iren buzzes with anticipation, her mind still a field of flowers.
'It'll be nothing special...'
Maybe disappointment will make her return to the palace faster.
Between massive pleasure houses, we head toward a shabby abandoned building in a lightless alley.
"This... place?"
"Hehehe... Correct. Now follow closely so you don't get lost!"
Creak!! Thud.
Sancho opens the decrepit door-which looks unfit for habitation-with a groan of old wood. The empty house reveals a basement staircase leading further down.
He skillfully lights a torch and descends. After ~30 steps, the slope levels into a narrow arched corridor fitting two people abreast.
'Definitely... a proper establishment.'
I glance at Iren expecting fear, but she sparkles with excitement like this is a fun dungeon exploration.
Turns out this isn't some casual gambling spot-it's exactly the den of professional gamblers Iren wanted.
"Hey, you're not leading us somewhere shady, right?"
"Oh please, why would I? You'll soon consider meeting me lucky. No place gathers experts like this."
We soon arrive at the gambling den.
Hazy tobacco smoke fills the poorly ventilated space. Rough-looking men cluster around tables smoking.
"Sancho~! Said you'd never come back! Wasn't that yesterday?"
"Hmph! Just wait! Back then... Ahem..."
Our guide Sancho begins bantering with the bouncer before remembering us.
"New recruits? Here to turn your life around?"
"Nah, recruits? Just showing them around. Folks with money craving excitement."
He winks at the bouncer while pointing at us.
"Oh? Welcome anytime with cash. You brought enough, Sancho's friends?"
As I start answering, Iren suddenly removes her hood and steps forward.
"Ahem, yes! I brought it!"
"Huh...!"
The bouncer's eyes widen in unconcealed shock.
Every den occupant freezes to stare at Iren.
'Damn this idiot...'
A noblewoman appearing among these men naturally draws attention.
"Hoho... Cash means welcome!!"
Collecting himself, he gestures us inside. Sancho leaves with his commission to gamble elsewhere, while the bouncer guides us.
I expected Iren to tremble from vulgar remarks, but instead they watch us cautiously, pretending not to eavesdrop.
'Total suckers.'
The vibe screams:
- Rich noble girl! Let's gently fleece her dry!
Gamblers stop fighting among themselves to eye this plump new prey.
Clueless Iren already sits at a stranger's table.
"Now miss, simple game! See these card numbers? Draw cards to make 21. Higher than opponent wins, but over 21 loses-mind games matter."
"Yes yes! Looks fun. Let's try!"
'Good grief...'
I stand behind Iren, hooded and silent.
***
Soon after,
"Peach...! I won! I made money!!!"
'Sigh...'
She's a complete fool.
Clearly they're letting her win.
'And why give your real name?'
No one seems to recognize us yet, but Iren's an idiot. A flower-brained moron.
"Hmm... You're better than expected? Another round?"
"Heh~ Maybe just one more~?"
Though pretending otherwise, she twists excitedly while falling for their trap.
'Whatever. Let her learn life's lessons.'
That's when it began.
Realizing Iren's hooked, they let her win three times before thoroughly skinning her alive.
We brought ~1,000 gold-one gold covers a family's monthly expenses, so locally this equals 2-3 billion won. No wonder they're rabid.
Things spiral out of control.
"Eek...! Th-this can't be!!"
The gamblers maintain razor-thin wins to keep Iren playing, thoroughly toying with her.
'Brutal.'
Iren's fully hooked now.
She desperately tries winning back losses, but her pathetic skills make it impossible.
Of course I see it all-
Nail marks on card backs.
Spectators behind Iren exchanging glances.
Card swaps from wrist sleeves during deals.
True professionals giving their all against Iren. She deserves this-no urge to intervene.
Then finally...
"All in!!!"
Idiot Iren goes all-in seeing her poker hand-a full house, strong enough to justify it.
"Ahem, all in? Oh dear..."
"Hmph!! Scared? Drop dead then!"
Iren's even picked up gambler lingo. Knowing the outcome, I pity her.
"Grrr! No choice. I'm all in too!"
"Hehe, confident with that hand?"
Iren beams at recouping losses.
But...
"Ta-da~"
No twist-he reveals four-of-a-kind, beating her full house.
"Nooooo way!!! Th-this is cheating!!"
"Tsk tsk, guess I got lucky~~ Hehehe... Count it all!!"
Iren's wails come too late.
'Sigh... Lesson learned?'
But the problem didn't end there.
"Hey miss. Need a loan?"
"C-can I?"
"Of course! You're a member now. We help each other in tough times."
'What nonsense...'
"J-just a little..."
"Iren. Gambling with borrowed money isn't right. Let's go."
I intervene for the first time, but she ignores me.
"J-just once! One more try and I'll win!"
Thus Iren becomes indebted.
The gamblers stop holding back, thoroughly milking her dry.
"......"
The bigger issue wasn't Iren-as the empire's 2nd princess, she has endless money. The problem was the gamblers who'd already fleeced her.
"Hey miss. Broke?"
"Yes... I'll repay later."
Finally reality hits the educated Iren as she tries leaving...
"How we trust that? You flee home-how we catch you? Huh?"
"Pay now!"
"You fucking bitch!"
"Later??? Think we're stupid? We look easy to you?"
"Huh...?"
Innocent Iren panics as her "gaming buddies" turn hostile.
To her this was just "play"-to them, it's life.
Once gaining advantage, they discard caution with the noble girl.
"Send your guard home for money! You stay!"
"Alone...?"
They demand I leave, intimidated by my hooded presence.
'Curious what happens without me.'
"Or pay NOW!!"
"How without money..."
"No money? Pay with your body!"
"Kukuku... Gonna enjoy breaking you in."
"Wanna taste a noble's pussy?"
"Eh...?"
She stands dumbfounded, struggling to process the words. Utterly shocked.
She could order me to eliminate them instantly, but can't even do that.
'Time to step in...'
Maybe.
Part of me wants her to suffer more-seeing her sexually harassed by fat men feels satisfying.
"Choose-send your guard? Or pay with your body?"
A gambler grabs Iren's wrist threateningly.
"N-no! I'm engaged..."
"Oho! A virgin?!!!"
"Selling your body pre-marriage is divorce grounds anyway. Doesn't matter."
"Ha... Can't hold back."
They grope Iren, tearing her clothes. She resists tearfully, only exciting them more.
'Since she becomes a pervert later, maybe she'll enjoy this...?'
But then she'd lose all trust in me-forget the mission, I'd be executed upon returning.
'No choice.'
"Everyone freeze."
I remove my thick hood and step before Iren. The men step back startled, but seeing my face and body excites them further.
"What, volunteering? Kukuku..."
"Fuck, the guard's hotter!"
"Let's take both!"
"Bitch think you're tough alone? Woman!"
They didn't attack earlier because instinct said assaulting nobility meant death for all.
Now beyond reason-they've made lifetime money anyway. Figured the princess might return with soldiers, so might as well finish things.
Mostly, Iren's innocence contrasted with my pretty face and violent physique drives them mad.
'No real threats here.'
Sorry Iren, but I knew this would happen-and what comes next.
I press my equipment button to summon spear Diana.
"Huh?"
"Where'd that spear-?"
In debt? Just eliminate the creditors.
"Crime of insulting royalty. Death penalty for all."
- Shhk!
"Wha-"
I level my spear, coating its tip with thin energy before slashing pink arcs around Iren.
A technique ordinary Awakened can't replicate.
Two swings bring silence.
Standing men split vertically-seated ones lose heads.
Thud, thud, thud, thud...
Pshhhhh!!!
Living people become meat lumps as crimson fountains erupt everywhere.
'Still movement elsewhere.'
Leaving shell-shocked Iren, I clear storage rooms, lodgings, backdoor guards-even guide Sancho.
Returning to Iren after killing all.
"Enjoy the real gamblers' den? This what you wanted?"
"Peach..."
Iren collapses, legs giving out.
Thud.
I catch her mid-fall, princess-carrying her.
'How did this pathetic girl become a Transcendent?'
I showed brutality intentionally, but she's just an ordinary girl.
Silence dominates our return. The chatterbox finally shuts up.
Seeing her vacant eyes feels satisfying yet pitiful.
That night, I share Iren's bed.
Shocked, she trembles when I leave-so I hold her close while sleeping.
***
Next leisurely morning.
Considering teaching Iren swordsmanship during free time, but the Emperor arrives early.
The Arcadia Empire's Emperor.
Publicly deemed a cold-blooded Sword Master without tears or blood.
He came for Iren.