Chapter 18: Riza, All
Linkin was not worried about Valka's gaze. After all, she could observe him until the end of time and still not discover anything amiss.
'Fine, just watch all you want. It's been a while since I've been able to do something this fun at a casino.'
In his previous world, Linkin had been blacklisted at every casino worldwide. The only time he got to gamble was in those exclusive underground casinos where those with power, wealth, and influence typically gathered in the underworld.
However, he did not miss those days. He remembered winning it big at many of the underground casinos and being chased across multiple borders just to keep his life. Of course, Linkin escaped their pursuit every time.
The Riza-Azir dealer continued on with the next game. And, once again, the dice came up as Riza. Though, this time around, everyone at the mat also played Riza.
'Oh? Have these thick-headed guys finally decided to stop being so stubborn?'
Besides one other person who stuck to playing Riza alongside Linkin, the others at the mat always played Azir thinking that it was long overdue. But, this time, not a single person at the mat deviated from placing their Riza plate down.
"W-what? We all won? Don't tell me we all lose one daisai now?" Linkin spoke in a slightly flustered manner as a look of concern formed on his face. However, inwardly, he was grinning from ear to ear.
Everyone loses one daisai? How laughable! There was something all casinos had in common, be it an old run-down casino or an underworld gambling establishment. And, that was-
"Riza—All." The Riza-Azir Dealer announced.
A jackpot!
Since Riza-Azir used a betting pool and the winnings were divided equally, taking the Den of Everdreams cut into account, everyone at the mat would end up losing one daisai. However, if everyone decided wrong, the Den of Everdreams would have walked away as the only winner.
Of course, a casino's goal was always to tilt the odds in their favor. But, if such an unfair set of rules existed, no one would ever gamble on such a game. That's why Riza-Azir was a game that Linkin was sure had a "jackpot" that could only be obtained through extreme odds. And, those extreme odds were everyone at the mat choosing the same winning plate!
The Riza-Azir Dealer glanced over at Valka, who gave him a small nod in return.
Right after doing so, Valka lightly tapped her fingers twice on the tatami mat. When she performed this action, a total of four daisai appeared in front of Linkin and the other five players. This was in addition to getting back the two daisai they originally placed down as a bet!
'Now that I've gotten a bit of insurance, it's time I make my final move.'
Regardless of how confident he was in his own skills, Linkin knew that it always served him well to have a backup plan. Or, as he called it, insurance.
More importantly, with a total of 2 reisai in his possession, Linkin could, at last, comfortably set sights on the final mat where the bet was set at 1 reisai!
"My apologies, esteemed guests. Due to our policy, if a Riza-All or Azir-All is obtained, we must delay the next round and switch out the rollers. Please wait a moment while we find another roller. We, of the Den of Everdreams, thank you in advance for your patience." Valka explained.
"Eh? Why are you switching rollers now when I'm finally winning?" Marsh frowned.
"That's right, that's right! Let us keep this roller." Ura protested.
Ura was one of the other players who sat at Linkin's tatami mat and constantly bet against him. After losing two reisai, naturally, he wanted every little advantage in order to recoup his losses.
Marsh and Ura were not the only two to protest. The other three players at the mat also rejected switching the rollers.
But, to everyone's surprise, the only one who did not voice their objection was the person this whole bizarre mess started with. That person was, of course, Linkin.
"Hehehe, if I win a few more times, I'll run off and get married to some beauty. Then, I can just eat and sleep the days away while enjoying an early retirement. Just a few more times, a few more times..." Linkin muttered with a look of excitement and greed in his eyes while staring at the daisai in his hands that he had just won.
Seeing Linkin act that way, the others at the mat inwardly shook their head and could not help but pity him.
A few more times? There was not one person present at the mat who had not heard that line before. No matter how much someone like Linkin won, they knew that he would keep going until he eventually lost it all.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone