Baron Landgritz, who was in the process of divorcing the baroness, immediately made an expression of annoyance.

However, when the threat was uttered mentioning the gambling house, he reluctantly let him into the house.

This made Wilhelm York Baden even more brazen.

At first, he was satisfied with living in a comfortable space, receiving good clothes and food, but eventually he demanded money.

Initially, Baron Landgritz willingly paid the money he demanded.

It was enough to buy a mansion in the Imperial City, but he didn’t seem to mind much.

‘Just how rich is he?’

Wilhelm swallowed bitterly, thinking he might have asked for too little.

Clearly, the business seemed to be failing miserably, but…

‘Is the gambling house doing that well?’

At the time, Wilhelm never knew that this small curiosity would eventually lead him to hell.

The gambling house was truly another world. Dazzling lights illuminated every corner, and strange-looking tables and gaming tools he had never seen before were everywhere.

Beautiful women walked around in breathtaking outfits that could make one’s eyes roll, and dealers with miraculous sleight of hand skills led the games at the tables.

Moreover, the number of people coming and going and enjoying the games was overwhelming.

Although it was Wilhelm who had given some advice when he was planning the business and helped find the location, honestly, he didn’t expect the gambling house to grow to this scale.

It wasn’t long before Wilhelm was captivated by the gambling house.

Moreover, he was quite talented at gambling. Luck is a talent too.

‘I’ve been foolish all this time. I’ve been needlessly obsessed with honor.’

Family name or official position, such things don’t guarantee one’s well-being. In the end, only money remains.

He felt pathetic for having been obsessed with the position of Chairman of the Privy Council despite knowing this, having too many distractions.

He had no talent for studying, he should have found his aptitude like this earlier!

For a month, he multiplied his money tenfold.

This was enough to live his old age in abundance and decorate his grave site lavishly without having to rely on Daiern.

The problem was a certain game with an enormous amount of money at stake.

“Th-This can’t be…!”

It was just a hair’s breadth difference.

Wilhelm, overconfident in his abilities, lost all his money in a single game.

Having lost the comfort of his retirement and afterlife in an instant, he felt wronged and became stubborn.

However, when he went back to Baron Landgritz to demand money, he shot a contemptuous look with that beautiful face that resembled someone.

“I believe I’ve already paid the necessary hush money.”

“Don’t be naive. That was for a limited time. That’s why I turned a blind eye for a month, wasn’t it? If you don’t bring more money, I’ll run straight to the guard!”

“Then, though it’s a bit troublesome, I’ll have no choice but to confine you underground. You’re not even a nobleman anymore, so no one will look for you.”

“Confinement? Hahaha, well said. I know your foul nature all too well, surely you didn’t think I wouldn’t have anticipated this?”

However, unfortunately, this time his threats didn’t work.

Baron Landgritz sighed and pulled out an envelope from his breast pocket.

Wilhelm’s face turned pale in an instant.

“If you mean the suicide note, I’ve already retrieved it. I also know your foul nature all too well, surely you didn’t think I wouldn’t have anticipated such a move.”

“Ugh…!”

“Oh, I forgot to mention. That gambling house is no longer mine. I sold it.”

“Wh-What? You dare… You dare deceive me? Aaargh!”

Wilhelm, overcome with anger, shouted at the top of his lungs.

After listening to all his curses, Baron Landgritz sighed deeply and said in a voice full of pity.

“It’s a shame this accusation letter can no longer be used. But if you wish, I’ll make another offer. If you feel cheated out of your money, I’ll lend you money to give you a chance to win it back.”

“…!”

Without a second thought, Wilhelm immediately borrowed an enormous sum from him.

Confidently saying he could repay it as soon as the next day, he rushed to the gambling house…

In the end, he ended up with a debt so large he had to sign over his body.

Only then did Wilhelm realize.

He wasn’t talented at gambling. The vicious swamp called the gambling house had slowly swallowed him up, making him believe so.

‘Damn those Landgritz bastards…!’

Grinding his teeth was of no use.

Having already sold his soul to the gambling house, he was still rushing towards hell, continuously borrowing money.

Even though the repayment date was tomorrow, he was waiting for a chance at a windfall that could change his life in one go.

Surprisingly, a lifeline actually came down to Wilhelm before the sun set that day.

Although, regrettably, it wasn’t the salvation Wilhelm had hoped for.

“Wh-Who did you say came looking for me?”

Dragged by the scruff of his neck to Baron Landgritz’s mansion in the Imperial City, he heard an unexpected name.

“A lady named Lunaweather, sir.”

“Lu-Lunaweather? My daughter?”

Indeed, in Baron Landgritz’s reception room was his daughter, whom he hadn’t met for 10 years as she had been shut away in a convent.

Her once luscious blonde hair was now cut so short that her scalp was almost visible, and her ivory skin and rosy cheeks were now pale and gaunt, showing how poorly she had been eating.

“Luna! What happened to you! You ran away to a convent and never contacted us. It’s upsetting, who would think you’re a noble lady looking like that!”

And that drab brown nun’s habit. She was a daughter he had raised like a princess, buying her only the finest clothes and shoes every day.

“Ha, hahaha. But it’s alright. If you’ve come to your senses and returned, we can start over, you… and I too. Let me look into some marriage prospects for you right away. We’re still nobles in Daiern after all…”

But his daughter only glanced at Wilhelm briefly, showing no signs of being glad to see him.

“If I’ve confirmed that my father is safe, then I can take these documents and leave.”

“…”

Before Wilhelm could fully grasp the situation, signed documents were exchanged.

Before he could even hear the circumstances, Wilhelm was transferred to a prison-like carriage by sturdy, strong men.

“Luna, Luna! Wait, what on earth is going on? Let go! I said let go! Do you know who I am!”

He could no longer see his daughter’s face through the small window that only allowed air to pass through. But her voice came through clearly.

“Do you remember what I said to you and mother before I ran away? That if you continued to extort others so viciously, there would be divine punishment.”

“Divine punishment? There’s no such thing as divine punishment! In a world where both magic and gods have died!”

“Very well. It seems you have no intention of repenting, so let’s end our conversation here. Fortunately, there is a way to treat gambling addiction. If you spend time in silent meditation in the underground of a convent where no light enters, eating only one meal a day, the desires and impulses of the mortal world will disappear. I’m glad that, as your daughter, I can at least do this much for you in the end.”

“What? A convent? How dare you do this to your father…!”

“It’s a pity. All I can prove to you is human punishment, not divine punishment.”

That was the last of their conversation. The carriage carrying Wilhelm headed straight for a convent surrounded by steep cliffs in the rugged mountains.

“No, wait! Stop! Anything but a convent! Aaaaargh!”

Most likely, Wilhelm York Baden will never leave the convent for the rest of his life.

Meanwhile.

A few days before Lunaweather’s visit, Nergal received a letter from his younger sister, Lieselotte.

It was good news for Nergal, who had been wondering how to contact her again after she had stormed out, yelling that she was cutting ties with him.

However, the contents of the letter were extremely perplexing.

‘She wants to receive the inheritance left by grandfather?’

At first, Nergal thought she wanted her title back and felt irritated. But as he continued reading the letter, he realized that wasn’t the case.

‘My sister knows about the existence of that inheritance?’

His heart sank.

After usurping the position of heir from Lieselotte with the help of their parents 10 years ago.

Contrary to the grand plan he had envisioned in his mind, Nergal ended up ruining the family business spectacularly.

Finding himself completely broke, he desperately began to search through all of the family’s assets.

It was to sell off anything that could be turned into money.

In the process, he discovered a secret space said to have been left by the founder of Landgritz.

However, the place he entered with high expectations was full of things that could never be brought to light.