【Aside from playing cards, he doesn't care much about anything else. His most important items are his playing cards.】
381Please respect copyright.PENANAnsMqNfOVJk
The dark night sky was filled with black clouds. It looked as if they would cause the country villa located at the corner of the town to collapse, meanwhile, a scintillating light emanated forth from the clouds every now and again.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAuLX6tZhC9C
The rooms inside were dark, nothing was visible. Suddenly, a flash of lightning struck the window of the villa, lighting up the darkened room. It was then that I could see a small figure crouched under the window.
381Please respect copyright.PENANApJznZ72hfU
??? :
"Are you...?" I asked tentatively. "Are you a cooking attendant?"
381Please respect copyright.PENANAlZAH9web5k
The figure was shivering noticeably, then, it continued trembling, looking as if it was going to cry.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAfJMb1ZXNbn
Sandwich :
"My lady, my name is Sandwich, a cooking attendant. "
381Please respect copyright.PENANAkXxT4DzY7L
I stood off to one side, as I could feel another cooking attendant sending out a signal to not get near her.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAbphVN0TKKV
Without getting a response for such a long time, there was nothing else to do but sit on the counter and play with a deck of cards.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAhGq0plPqiH
Off in the distance, the lightning cut a flash into the sky again.
It provided enough for me to make out what the lady looked like.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA6BQVz70AEW
Her face as beautiful as a doll, with noble golden curly locks hanging down like silk strands.
An elaborate gown flowed down her thin frame, which, coupled with the luxuriant decorations around the house, it was not difficult to see that the cooking attendant was nobility.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAdR8VlBm4E8
The lady was the daughter of an Earl, but her father was known as a man who loved gambling.
Because he lingered all day at the gambling table, he was given the informal title of, the Gambling Earl.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAH7YY9kHsw5
At that time the aristocrats wielded massive power, the throne itself was just a charade.
All the nobles were addicted to fun. Gambling was just a pastime, it was nothing curious or peculiar.
381Please respect copyright.PENANASs1SheoocO
Yet, I couldn't understand, what it was that could possibly make this little daughter of a wealthy earl, a girl who was set up for life, sit crying on this rainy night.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAqnVvPNRw2Q
The lady kept wiping away the tears from her face with the sleeve of her expensive dress, then, pretending nothing was amiss she stood up.
She tried to keep up the charade though her eyes were still red.
381Please respect copyright.PENANARSY1FJHXFM
I couldn't help but laugh at such a wretched sight. She didn't say anything, she just sat with her back to me, as if she was angry.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAOAATAXmkWf
But think about it, this was a little girl of only 12 years old.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAdRmn3UDxs3
I figured she was a naive girl, too young to know much about the world. As a food soul, I should just talk of whimsical and fantastic dreams with her. Or just play card tricks to make her happy. So...
381Please respect copyright.PENANAgfS3iiL9oB
Little Lady :
"Sandwich, your gambling skills are pretty good, right?"
381Please respect copyright.PENANASYJ8DkWykS
Her words interrupted my train of thought.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA6kMLqtc4F9
Sandwich :
"I hate to sing my own praises, but... no one can beat me at gambling."
381Please respect copyright.PENANAakjRoWpYt2
I patted my chest in a show of confidence.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA2c2PWRk5NX
Another bolt of lightning streaked through the dark sky.
The deafening thunder made me think that I had misheard the little lady, who was now smiling, had just said.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAMIhaLoam3s
Little Lady :
"Could you make my father lose everything he owns?"
381Please respect copyright.PENANApfliYsI8F1
Yes, it all started that very night.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAfZvPgLKftx
The casino was massive, with a basement designed and built for the earl. The Little Lady had brought me here.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAAvhJ0Z5hlW
The gambling earl sat on his favorite place around the gambling table, and as usual was squandering the gold coins in front of him.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAmTWyi4uPsq
People were laughing..
381Please respect copyright.PENANAztTgAuTZsG
I couldn't understand why their smiles had become so gradually distorted.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA2T83nVJr4k
"God bless you" The Little Lady said as she walked in with holding the earl's favorite food.
She placed the plate next to the earl's right hand, to make it convenient for him to eat.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAuKMcuhBAph
But, he didn't glance at her at all.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAXao0lFeYLJ
Apparently, the Little Lady had gotten used to this, she left without a single utterance.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAxMtvmtIn1U
But I knew, the food, meat, and vegetables placed inside the bread was the one thing that the pampered Little Lady could have done. And it's also the reason why I was here.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAWNuXJlc8RL
At this point, I could only play the role of an observer, leisurely sitting on the banister playing my favorite card magic. No one knew of my presence there.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA7GVJc48dXK
Until the earl, who had been reluctant to leave the gambling table, reached out for the food that the Little Lady had prepared for him.
As if by some deep-seated unwillingness, my body took a step before i thought about what i was doing.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAcd3vbkuHDW
A spade flew by me, and it stuck in the cracks on the table. The card almost touched the earl's hand.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAU5qrOXFQ96
When I realized it, I noticed that almost everyone was looking at me, the frantic one who dared to provoke the earl.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAZDs6o0finl
It was all so totally out of the blue. Therefore, the situation wouldn't allow me to back down.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA0e5Mf0PqMQ
I slid down the banister railing and jumped, right in front of the earl.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAmCs7KnUsTO
I laughed as heartily and as carefree as I ever had in my life, even though I was surrounded on all sides by soldiers. The earl did not order the soldiers to kill me though, he just looked at me keenly with particular interest, and asked, "The reason you have rushed in here so abruptly was not at all out of some queer death wish, isn't that right?"
381Please respect copyright.PENANAVQgRoL9dkp
I am not sure whether the Earl knew of my identity as a food soul. However, I was confident that I would not be stopped by them if I wanted to leave.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAgIB5OxvcZc
I sat on the poker table without hesitation, pulled the ace of spades out of the deck and laid it flat on the table, then I pushed the cards towards the Earl, and said: "Let's place a small wager, sire."
381Please respect copyright.PENANAC9Y87JpwNU
He laughed a hearty belly laugh as is he'd heard the newest joke of the day, and others around him burst into laughter as well.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA9KrfSnhIed
"I have not heard a jest of this manner for ages," The Earl snorted as he laughed, "Tell me my good sir, what on earth do you think you have to place a wager?" The Earl looked up and down me after he said that, and couldn't help laughing.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA0mKgK3vCBz
I did not care that the Earl teased me mercilessly, I just picked up the cards on the table. I quickly shuffled the deck, took one out and placed it in the middle of the table, then started to deal.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAAgDFVsFxAz
The only thing this I was confident about was that I wouldn't lose to anyone there.
381Please respect copyright.PENANATK3Ldr6Nrj
Sandwich :
"Now, my lord, please be so kind as to look at the cards in front of you now, and do please note, that the card in my hand is the only one I have yet to deal to you sire.."
381Please respect copyright.PENANA6aO971DuiU
I said, then, I turned over the card in the center of the table.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAmADPXYRuXx
The Earl's eyes looked at me with scorn. He turned the card on the table casually, but his face stubbornly carried arrogantly, he was only willing to glance at it reluctantly.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA7RTxCv23ab
He leaned forward, stared during the moment he saw the cards. Wasn't sure why, but I felt happy when I saw his expression. It must have been the asinine look on his face.
381Please respect copyright.PENANANo01zQM1xn
Although he didn't expect what I said would happen, the Earl calmed himself, and ridiculed me all the more explicitly.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAGIBi0Soalp
"So what? You are nothing but a pauper without a pot to relieve himself in."
381Please respect copyright.PENANAN9Jj2rEoM6
"You must be after more power and land, I reckon."
381Please respect copyright.PENANAa16Ska6KMM
【Silence...】
381Please respect copyright.PENANAdOhRXE5eRD
Sandwich :
"Be that as it may, if I lose, I will use my gambling skills to help you acquire power and property, if I win you must surrender all your land and power to me."
381Please respect copyright.PENANA1KDrNSVoOy
It sounded like an unfair bet.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA8qGn1VSUTj
Earl :
"You don't trust my ability?"
381Please respect copyright.PENANA6Yp6pNNQUJ
Sandwich :
"Heh heh, nay sire, nay. Quite the contrary my lord, as it just so happens I am a person afraid of trouble."
381Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1lPy9XelQ
The soldiers who had been stood still suddenly began to approach me after the Earl finished speaking, "There are two choices for you at this point, one is to be my servant, the other is to die."
381Please respect copyright.PENANASp0MXdTfGB
【Note : the Master Attendant is the Little Lady】
381Please respect copyright.PENANAcMmpkyyHPH
He didn't know that, as a food soul, it was my Master Attendant's feelings for him that were important. this was the first time I felt myself to be such a pitiable sort.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAqtZvsfrxSr
I did not have the mind to escape nor were there any signs of resistance. I just smiled and chose to obey.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA9UZ52eT1F3
There is a villa like a castle elsewhere in this country.
That's the realm of a powerful Grand Duke.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA335vJDCkmP
Out of the clear blue sky, this honored Grand Duke suddenly invited a host of nobles from prestigious families to a great feast at his palatial estate.
The Grand Duke himself had never held many dinner parties, and many nobles came from far and wide to attend the event.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAJgq2zEJ362
The Grand Duke also invited a prestigious Earl , top dog of the aristocracy and a big gambler, to the great banquet.
Meanwhile, with you being my servant, you could also join the party.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA6oS28GcueQ
It's dark at midnight and it's now the secret time after the end of the banquet.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA0XlRqDKrsw
This is the place that the Grand Duke set up for the gambling Earl .
The villa that was all lit up like a castle shed its disguise and disappeared into the black night
The withered branches surrounding the villa were covered in crows that surrounded the villa staring at the sole orange light that danced in the window.
The light that reflected back from the crow's eyes was the color of blood.
In another part of the window a gambling table was visible.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA6LlT6f5WPW
I stood behind the center of the table, while the Grand Duke and the earl sat face to face.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAJVyXitydfn
One elegant-looking chap with a wry smile on his face holding a smoking pipe near his lips sat looking at the other in front of him,
who sat there with an unflinching look on his face, staring at his rival sitting across from him, while rapping the table with his index finger and smiling arrogantly.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAcgYc6OwY53
They didn’t say anything.
As usual, I was responsible for shuffling, I dealt the cards, and then quietly placed them on the table, waiting for the opening.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAzVsW6peZ1b
Sandwich :
"The match is the best of one set. My Lord , the Earl , and your Grace , the Grand Duke, please begin."
381Please respect copyright.PENANAtiy9BgUzyE
Earl :
”It’s rare indeed to be able to sit at the gambling table with your Grace , why not make this a bit more interesting?"
381Please respect copyright.PENANAKtYYPa9QIl
Grand Duke :
”Oh? What does my lord suggest?”
381Please respect copyright.PENANAp2aIK27RVQ
Earl :
”The bigger the stakes the more entertaining, wouldsn’t thou agree?"
381Please respect copyright.PENANAlpTluq3tiX
Grand Duke :
"What say thees sire?"
381Please respect copyright.PENANAFSZxwG5Dfh
The Grand Duke didn’t want to say it directly.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAi6K5hiakrh
”Though I am a mere peon compared to your Grace, I am willing to exchange all my property for this estate and the surrounding land belonging to you,”
The Earl said.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAbkgMVFWPuN
I really wasnt sure what valuable things the Earl intended to bet, but I was shocked by the fact that he so cavalierly threw out the idea of all his fortune."
381Please respect copyright.PENANACzk96qBhso
I knew that this was the gambling earl’s tactics, which would cause the other party to raise the stakes.
But I never would have thought that the earl would go all in like that.
It was most likely due to my presence there.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAJtWb3QQIZM
But this turn of events was nothing unexpected for the Grand Duke.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAa5ptNTyGTz
Grand Duke :
”Long ago I was told of the bold and adventurous earl who was partial to a good wager, now i see with my own eyes that he indeed possesses a boldness of spirit a common man will never have..
Such being the case, I shall add to my bet the vast green pastures at the edge of town,
What say thee, sire?”
381Please respect copyright.PENANA6KqukKSJUr
Earl :
”But now that your grace has made such a motion…”
381Please respect copyright.PENANAnNnmA3IJnZ
The gambling earl believed that his tactics were working, and feigned uncertainty.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA7Q3OywvUIm
The seconds turned into minutes.
I noticed the Earl’s face, once brimming with confidence, had gradually been stricken pale.
I knew how this was all going to play out.
381Please respect copyright.PENANABuzhgT4C98
The mournful caw of a crow abruptly cut through the long and deathly silence.
381Please respect copyright.PENANArKE5j5FxC7
Purely out of force of habit, the gambling earl reached out to take his favorite food from the table.
But the table was empty as the earl’s pockets would soon be, as he was just about to lose it all.
381Please respect copyright.PENANARLsdxBZqDJ
The time was drawing near for me to take my leave.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAvjYsL4LuGu
Sandwich :
"My lord, the Earl , it is you who will lose this game of luck, the only question is whether it will be to lose to his Grace, the Grand Duke, or to me."
381Please respect copyright.PENANAdeWw8cXKYa
381Please respect copyright.PENANAMLr4OJgZTo
381Please respect copyright.PENANAefuEGWCjep
381Please respect copyright.PENANAWgjLRw7NW5
381Please respect copyright.PENANAUjhgsIhKur
Sandwich and his Master Attendant strolled along the bustling street.
Smiling faces were everywhere, as though nothing had happened.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAq2stZIwonU
Two years later, the country's aristocracy had collapsed, and the people were now free.
Some people were leisurely enjoying their relaxing afternoon tea under parasols,
while others chose to spend their time getting together and going to the cinema or theater.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA2rfsDFTOHf
Hardly anyone knew what had happened the Earl of Gambling all those years ago.
Over time, he became a joke that people might mention in passing after a good meal.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAyOrbPzrfQf
No one knew who had destroyed everything the Earl had created, and eventually people weren't sure whether he had ever even existed.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAVGTBR2zL4j
While walking up the street, a stranger went up in front of Sandwich and his Master Attendant and said..
381Please respect copyright.PENANA89Rg3ob4jK
Popcorn :
"You're so beautiful.. My name is Popcorn, would you like to embark on an adventure with me?"
381Please respect copyright.PENANARGR0xb9hAS
The stranger's voice stopped them in their tracks..
381Please respect copyright.PENANAIz4NoeDETH
"You can just go embark yourself!"
Sandwich said, stepping in front of his Master Attendant.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAOP4OymUGW5
Popcorn :
"Oh! I didn't notice you there!"
381Please respect copyright.PENANAEvoS3uUr94
Popcorn :
"Would you like to climb onto a step ladder and then say that to my face?"
381Please respect copyright.PENANAJ9uScEfrxd
Sandwich and Popcorn squared off, neither willing to back down.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAWhUz1l6bBj
「Woman」 :
"Alright alright, it's nearly time to open shop,"
his Master Attendant said, seeing that they weren't backing down.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAyV3Hhrdc1f
「Woman」:"Popcorn? That's right~"
381Please respect copyright.PENANA7xSoi72aFu
Sandwiche's Master Attendant smiled warmly.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAqmuqMLaeJb
「Woman」 :
"Thank you for your invitation, but I'm going to have to decline. But if you have some free time you should come visit my restaurant~"
381Please respect copyright.PENANA98cwtvLBFp
381Please respect copyright.PENANAKD7bQHF3Xf
381Please respect copyright.PENANAdahG9NuZTs
381Please respect copyright.PENANALcqMG0wDUI
The whole street was bustling with activity, but in a little tucked away spot people were already lining up.
381Please respect copyright.PENANATcYjQNbKzm
This was a restaurant called Sandwich that had opened up here a few years ago.
It wasn't a particularly fancy restaurant, but the customers came in droves.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAFssD1RslV6
The restaurant had a wide variety of bread and other ingredients, and their specialty was putting things between two slices of bread.
And if customers didn't like the customers combinations, they were free to make their own; this was another of their big selling points.
It was both tasty and convenient, and people just couldn't get enough of it so their customer base was always growing.
381Please respect copyright.PENANANczjG87XwD
The owner was a young lady who had just become an adult.
Her features were as exquisite as a porcelain doll, with long blonde curls.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAXyltJuKIKb
She was warm and hospitable, always ready with a cup of fresh coffee.
There were more than a few customers who came to the restaurant just to spend a wonderful afternoon chatting with such a beautiful young woman.
381Please respect copyright.PENANArljGYPJgDU
And all of the regulars knew this one thing.
Every so often a well-dressed older gentleman (too well-dressed for a place this cheap) would enter the establishment.
He would order a cup of coffee from the owner, sit in the corner, and then sit in the corner eating all afternoon without uttering a word.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAHA0CU9UZJr
No one asked him why he was there, and after a while people just assumed it was some kind of aristocratic pastime.
381Please respect copyright.PENANASsNyXhz1a7
Of course, there 【Aside from playing cards, he doesn't care much about anything else. His most important items are his playing cards.】
381Please respect copyright.PENANAVdXxUykD5r
The dark night sky was filled with black clouds. It looked as if they would cause the country villa located at the corner of the town to collapse, meanwhile, a scintillating light emanated forth from the clouds every now and again.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAs6toXQPVSN
The rooms inside were dark, nothing was visible. Suddenly, a flash of lightning struck the window of the villa, lighting up the darkened room. It was then that I could see a small figure crouched under the window.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAmCh8Vqk6G4
??? :
"Are you...?" I asked tentatively. "Are you a cooking attendant?"
381Please respect copyright.PENANAbqcojKuJhz
The figure was shivering noticeably, then, it continued trembling, looking as if it was going to cry.
381Please respect copyright.PENANATJKl2xo9kP
Sandwich :
"My lady, my name is Sandwich, a cooking attendant. "
381Please respect copyright.PENANAz1qCeq9Fy1
I stood off to one side, as I could feel another cooking attendant sending out a signal to not get near her.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAm7up3JFU0i
Without getting a response for such a long time, there was nothing else to do but sit on the counter and play with a deck of cards.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAdyrjqHMsQa
Off in the distance, the lightning cut a flash into the sky again.
It provided enough for me to make out what the lady looked like.
381Please respect copyright.PENANATrFLDDaXUS
Her face as beautiful as a doll, with noble golden curly locks hanging down like silk strands.
An elaborate gown flowed down her thin frame, which, coupled with the luxuriant decorations around the house, it was not difficult to see that the cooking attendant was nobility.
381Please respect copyright.PENANANECvNEVjyE
The lady was the daughter of an Earl, but her father was known as a man who loved gambling.
Because he lingered all day at the gambling table, he was given the informal title of, the Gambling Earl.
381Please respect copyright.PENANADUq53hpPtm
At that time the aristocrats wielded massive power, the throne itself was just a charade.
All the nobles were addicted to fun. Gambling was just a pastime, it was nothing curious or peculiar.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA0d4peaqd4K
Yet, I couldn't understand, what it was that could possibly make this little daughter of a wealthy earl, a girl who was set up for life, sit crying on this rainy night.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAe775k53Lmx
The lady kept wiping away the tears from her face with the sleeve of her expensive dress, then, pretending nothing was amiss she stood up.
She tried to keep up the charade though her eyes were still red.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA2sHMSLh9zu
I couldn't help but laugh at such a wretched sight. She didn't say anything, she just sat with her back to me, as if she was angry.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAkA3NvFCJd0
But think about it, this was a little girl of only 12 years old.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAnETACeirOT
I figured she was a naive girl, too young to know much about the world. As a food soul, I should just talk of whimsical and fantastic dreams with her. Or just play card tricks to make her happy. So...
381Please respect copyright.PENANANUqEay7Dfv
Little Lady :
"Sandwich, your gambling skills are pretty good, right?"
381Please respect copyright.PENANArfXzEsbKRr
Her words interrupted my train of thought.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAjhlopz2kar
Sandwich :
"I hate to sing my own praises, but... no one can beat me at gambling."
381Please respect copyright.PENANAGII7ZljcPu
I patted my chest in a show of confidence.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAT1KvlVziTf
Another bolt of lightning streaked through the dark sky.
The deafening thunder made me think that I had misheard the little lady, who was now smiling, had just said.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAtLadNAhAY3
Little Lady :
"Could you make my father lose everything he owns?"
381Please respect copyright.PENANAC1tbD99UT2
Yes, it all started that very night.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAvaQtzuuuXP
The casino was massive, with a basement designed and built for the earl. The Little Lady had brought me here.
381Please respect copyright.PENANALZPGic1vwO
The gambling earl sat on his favorite place around the gambling table, and as usual was squandering the gold coins in front of him.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAnohP0Q7RU3
People were laughing..
381Please respect copyright.PENANAWXnMvU13Sd
I couldn't understand why their smiles had become so gradually distorted.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAxM3EsLggMJ
"God bless you" The Little Lady said as she walked in with holding the earl's favorite food.
She placed the plate next to the earl's right hand, to make it convenient for him to eat.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAh51NoOQDnP
But, he didn't glance at her at all.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA9Xp1Tfi7dm
Apparently, the Little Lady had gotten used to this, she left without a single utterance.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAjHPCRkPrwB
But I knew, the food, meat, and vegetables placed inside the bread was the one thing that the pampered Little Lady could have done. And it's also the reason why I was here.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAHXm3zkQhb5
At this point, I could only play the role of an observer, leisurely sitting on the banister playing my favorite card magic. No one knew of my presence there.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAyR6WG3L13Q
Until the earl, who had been reluctant to leave the gambling table, reached out for the food that the Little Lady had prepared for him.
As if by some deep-seated unwillingness, my body took a step before i thought about what i was doing.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAnocs21cuJf
A spade flew by me, and it stuck in the cracks on the table. The card almost touched the earl's hand.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA598aoRIPjP
When I realized it, I noticed that almost everyone was looking at me, the frantic one who dared to provoke the earl.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAf40F20pyFz
It was all so totally out of the blue. Therefore, the situation wouldn't allow me to back down.
381Please respect copyright.PENANApdMTe6gA75
I slid down the banister railing and jumped, right in front of the earl.
381Please respect copyright.PENANA1cIOP3DQxV
I laughed as heartily and as carefree as I ever had in my life, even though I was surrounded on all sides by soldiers. The earl did not order the soldiers to kill me though, he just looked at me keenly with particular interest, and asked, "The reason you have rushed in here so abruptly was not at all out of some queer death wish, isn't that right?"
381Please respect copyright.PENANAAMjG8e3zr9
I am not sure whether the Earl knew of my identity as a food soul. However, I was confident that I would not be stopped by them if I wanted to leave.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAxdnHAxlczh
I sat on the poker table without hesitation, pulled the ace of spades out of the deck and laid it flat on the table, then I pushed the cards towards the Earl, and said: "Let's place a small wager, sire."
381Please respect copyright.PENANAF0t7eocjDK
He laughed a hearty belly laugh as is he'd heard the newest joke of the day, and others around him burst into laughter as well.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAKNo0fcdcuX
"I have not heard a jest of this manner for ages," The Earl snorted as he laughed, "Tell me my good sir, what on earth do you think you have to place a wager?" The Earl looked up and down me after he said that, and couldn't help laughing.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAv7wf9tMpmJ
I did not care that the Earl teased me mercilessly, I just picked up the cards on the table. I quickly shuffled the deck, took one out and placed it in the middle of the table, then started to deal.
381Please respect copyright.PENANABkDnWOETjv
The only thing this I was confident about was that I wouldn't lose to anyone there.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAeiLGNpmlM9
Sandwich :
"Now, my lord, please be so kind as to look at the cards in front of you now, and do please note, that the card in my hand is the only one I have yet to deal to you sire.."
381Please respect copyright.PENANAObWhANLY5W
I said, then, I turned over the card in the center of the table.
381Please respect copyright.PENANAjYcqbMvz9v
The Earl's eyes looked at me with scorn. He turned the card on the table casually, but his face stubbornly carried arrogantly, he was only willing to glance at it reluctantly.
381Please respect copyright.PENANARPdUyHL4Ne
He leaned forward, stared during the moment he saw the cards. Wasn't sure why, but I felt happy when I saw his expression. It must have been the asinine look on his face.
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Although he didn't expect what I said would happen, the Earl calmed himself, and ridiculed me all the more explicitly.
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"So what? You are nothing but a pauper without a pot to relieve himself in."
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"You must be after more power and land, I reckon."
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【Silence...】
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Sandwich :
"Be that as it may, if I lose, I will use my gambling skills to help you acquire power and property, if I win you must surrender all your land and power to me."
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It sounded like an unfair bet.
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Earl :
"You don't trust my ability?"
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Sandwich :
"Heh heh, nay sire, nay. Quite the contrary my lord, as it just so happens I am a person afraid of trouble."
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The soldiers who had been stood still suddenly began to approach me after the Earl finished speaking, "There are two choices for you at this point, one is to be my servant, the other is to die."
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【Note : the Master Attendant is the Little Lady】
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He didn't know that, as a food soul, it was my Master Attendant's feelings for him that were important. this was the first time I felt myself to be such a pitiable sort.
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I did not have the mind to escape nor were there any signs of resistance. I just smiled and chose to obey.
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There is a villa like a castle elsewhere in this country.
That's the realm of a powerful Grand Duke.
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Out of the clear blue sky, this honored Grand Duke suddenly invited a host of nobles from prestigious families to a great feast at his palatial estate.
The Grand Duke himself had never held many dinner parties, and many nobles came from far and wide to attend the event.
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The Grand Duke also invited a prestigious Earl , top dog of the aristocracy and a big gambler, to the great banquet.
Meanwhile, with you being my servant, you could also join the party.
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It's dark at midnight and it's now the secret time after the end of the banquet.
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This is the place that the Grand Duke set up for the gambling Earl .
The villa that was all lit up like a castle shed its disguise and disappeared into the black night
The withered branches surrounding the villa were covered in crows that surrounded the villa staring at the sole orange light that danced in the window.
The light that reflected back from the crow's eyes was the color of blood.
In another part of the window a gambling table was visible.
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I stood behind the center of the table, while the Grand Duke and the earl sat face to face.
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One elegant-looking chap with a wry smile on his face holding a smoking pipe near his lips sat looking at the other in front of him,
who sat there with an unflinching look on his face, staring at his rival sitting across from him, while rapping the table with his index finger and smiling arrogantly.
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They didn’t say anything.
As usual, I was responsible for shuffling, I dealt the cards, and then quietly placed them on the table, waiting for the opening.
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Sandwich :
"The match is the best of one set. My Lord , the Earl , and your Grace , the Grand Duke, please begin."
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Earl :
”It’s rare indeed to be able to sit at the gambling table with your Grace , why not make this a bit more interesting?"
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Grand Duke :
”Oh? What does my lord suggest?”
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Earl :
”The bigger the stakes the more entertaining, wouldsn’t thou agree?"
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Grand Duke :
"What say thees sire?"
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The Grand Duke didn’t want to say it directly.
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”Though I am a mere peon compared to your Grace, I am willing to exchange all my property for this estate and the surrounding land belonging to you,”
The Earl said.
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I really wasnt sure what valuable things the Earl intended to bet, but I was shocked by the fact that he so cavalierly threw out the idea of all his fortune."
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I knew that this was the gambling earl’s tactics, which would cause the other party to raise the stakes.
But I never would have thought that the earl would go all in like that.
It was most likely due to my presence there.
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But this turn of events was nothing unexpected for the Grand Duke.
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Grand Duke :
”Long ago I was told of the bold and adventurous earl who was partial to a good wager, now i see with my own eyes that he indeed possesses a boldness of spirit a common man will never have..
Such being the case, I shall add to my bet the vast green pastures at the edge of town,
What say thee, sire?”
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Earl :
”But now that your grace has made such a motion…”
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The gambling earl believed that his tactics were working, and feigned uncertainty.
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The seconds turned into minutes.
I noticed the Earl’s face, once brimming with confidence, had gradually been stricken pale.
I knew how this was all going to play out.
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The mournful caw of a crow abruptly cut through the long and deathly silence.
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Purely out of force of habit, the gambling earl reached out to take his favorite food from the table.
But the table was empty as the earl’s pockets would soon be, as he was just about to lose it all.
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The time was drawing near for me to take my leave.
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Sandwich :
"My lord, the Earl , it is you who will lose this game of luck, the only question is whether it will be to lose to his Grace, the Grand Duke, or to me."
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Sandwich and his Master Attendant strolled along the bustling street.
Smiling faces were everywhere, as though nothing had happened.
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Two years later, the country's aristocracy had collapsed, and the people were now free.
Some people were leisurely enjoying their relaxing afternoon tea under parasols,
while others chose to spend their time getting together and going to the cinema or theater.
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Hardly anyone knew what had happened the Earl of Gambling all those years ago.
Over time, he became a joke that people might mention in passing after a good meal.
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No one knew who had destroyed everything the Earl had created, and eventually people weren't sure whether he had ever even existed.
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While walking up the street, a stranger went up in front of Sandwich and his Master Attendant and said..
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Popcorn :
"You're so beautiful.. My name is Popcorn, would you like to embark on an adventure with me?"
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The stranger's voice stopped them in their tracks..
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"You can just go embark yourself!"
Sandwich said, stepping in front of his Master Attendant.
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Popcorn :
"Oh! I didn't notice you there!"
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Popcorn :
"Would you like to climb onto a step ladder and then say that to my face?"
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Sandwich and Popcorn squared off, neither willing to back down.
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「Woman」 :
"Alright alright, it's nearly time to open shop,"
his Master Attendant said, seeing that they weren't backing down.
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「Woman」:"Popcorn? That's right~"
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Sandwiche's Master Attendant smiled warmly.
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「Woman」 :
"Thank you for your invitation, but I'm going to have to decline. But if you have some free time you should come visit my restaurant~"
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The whole street was bustling with activity, but in a little tucked away spot people were already lining up.
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This was a restaurant called Sandwich that had opened up here a few years ago.
It wasn't a particularly fancy restaurant, but the customers came in droves.
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The restaurant had a wide variety of bread and other ingredients, and their specialty was putting things between two slices of bread.
And if customers didn't like the customers combinations, they were free to make their own; this was another of their big selling points.
It was both tasty and convenient, and people just couldn't get enough of it so their customer base was always growing.
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The owner was a young lady who had just become an adult.
Her features were as exquisite as a porcelain doll, with long blonde curls.
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She was warm and hospitable, always ready with a cup of fresh coffee.
There were more than a few customers who came to the restaurant just to spend a wonderful afternoon chatting with such a beautiful young woman.
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And all of the regulars knew this one thing.
Every so often a well-dressed older gentleman (too well-dressed for a place this cheap) would enter the establishment.
He would order a cup of coffee from the owner, sit in the corner, and then sit in the corner eating all afternoon without uttering a word.
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No one asked him why he was there, and after a while people just assumed it was some kind of aristocratic pastime.
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Of course, there was another subject these people were always eager to discuss.
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Whenever there were a lot of people ordering food, a long line would form outside the restaurant.
Then, a handsome young blonde youth would appear and ask you:
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【Do you want to try your luck against me?】
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【Sandwich - END】was another subject these people were always eager to discuss.
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