The Genius and Calamity of the Villainous Noble: A Brilliant Prodigy Unaware of Their Reincarnation as the Game's Antagonist Defies the Scenario and Dominates with Talent and Hard Work - Chapter 2.11

To be honest, even I had some reservations about barging into a girl’s home.

However, I didn’t want my academy life to be nothing more than reigning at the top of the hierarchy as the Duke. I wanted to spend time with someone as an equal.

So, while I did feel a little guilty, I ultimately used my authority to force my way into Maria’s home.

And because I had essentially forced my way in, I wanted to do whatever I could to repay the favor.

“Kahahaha! That makes it three wins in a row for me! I’m raking it in!”

A large man let out a triumphant laugh right in front of me.

“Damn it…! One more round! Let’s go again! Hey, kid! Get the dealer ready!”

“Yeah, that’s right!”

“We’re not letting you walk away after winning like that…!”

Three other men, brimming with hostility, glared at the big man.

“Your opponents are asking for another round, but since you’ve been on a winning streak, are you going to take the money and run?”

I directed a taunting remark at the large man.

“Hah! Like hell I’m quitting! I’m raising the stakes! I’m betting everything I’ve won so far! Can you guys keep up, huh?!”

“Of course we can, damn it!”

“You bet your ass we can!”

I wanted to repay Maria, even just a little.

That’s why I was here at the tavern, running a gambling setup.

Well, I wasn’t actually gambling myself—I was acting as the dealer.

I had set up a rigged game, targeting the drunk patrons, ensuring that the odds were always in my favor.

“Adventurers really do have reckless spending habits. This alone is making me a decent profit.”

Adventurers were essentially mercenaries, taking on all sorts of jobs—going to war, hunting monsters, gathering medicinal herbs, even mundane tasks like cleaning.

Veteran adventurers could make a good living, while the more reckless ones tended to burn through their earnings quickly, making them easy targets.

■■■■■

Several hours passed.

The entire tavern was in an uproar, filled with cheers, screams of defeat, and the sound of barrels of alcohol being cracked open one after another.

“They’ve completely drunk themselves into oblivion… I guess it’s time to head home.”

With a satisfied smirk, I left the tavern, having made a considerable sum from the inebriated adventurers.

“Hey, at least help clean up these half-dead adventurers, will you?”

The tavern master shot me a look of pure exasperation, clearly displeased with the mess I had created.

“Do your best, master.”

Flashing him a mischievous grin, I made a swift exit, stepping into the night.

I still needed to buy a futon, after all.