Chapter 90: Ace High! Got 'Em All!
After the lizards stopped, Sag descended from the lizard's head. His subordinates quickly dropped from the massive backs onto the ground, impatiently grabbing the waterskins at their waists and drinking deeply.
The desert region was unlike the sea. Going two hours without water at sea was nothing, but under this venomous sun, two hours without water…
You get thirsty.
"So this is Rainbase."
Renettia, still some distance away across the desert, shaded her eyes with her hand, gazing at the buildings of Rainbase. Her eyes brightened a bit. "It certainly looks worth robbing, much better than Nanohana."
"A gambling city, naturally it's decadent and luxurious (idiom: paper drunk gold obsessed)."
Sag said, "Large amounts of money flow here daily. Whether it's gold, silver, gems, or piles of Beli, they're all here. Gamblers, they don't have a concept of poor or not poor. Later, when you get the order, just rob them. We won't touch the normal shops; compared to the casinos, they don't have much money. Don't waste time on them."
Gamblers' money, whether given to the casino or given to Sag, made no difference; it would disappear from their hands anyway.
Giving it to the casino served no purpose. Giving it to Sag, that was called helping fulfill every dream!
As for whether they thought that way…
Who cared?
"Let's go, men! Let's check out the casino first!" Sag laughed heartily and led the group towards Rainbase.
Without the impact and deterrence of Haoshoku Haki, the two Sandora Great Lizards immediately burrowed into the desert, forming ridges in the sand as they rapidly fled. In just the blink of an eye, they had reached the distant desert horizon.
In terms of speed, these creatures were much faster than camels.
It also saved Sag time. He hadn't wanted to wander the desert for two days anyway. If it weren't for knowing there was practically free money in Rainbase, a pirate like him should be operating near ports.
Unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want to go deep inland, let alone a desert region; it inherently conflicted with Sag's disposition.
The place where the lizards stopped wasn't too far from Rainbase. After walking for ten minutes, they entered Rainbase. Compared to Nanohana, this city, if you ignored the surrounding desert, seemed like an ordinary city with no lack of water.
The number of travelers in the entire city surpassed Nanohana. They were all a crowd of people with dream-like expressions on their faces, carrying suitcases or cloth bags, entering casinos of various sizes. Among them, the largest, 'Rain Dinners', was the dream destination for everyone.
"They seem very excited. Is something good happening here?" Renettia asked, puzzled, looking at the people filled with anticipation.
"Of course they're excited. Their 'dreams' exist here," Sag sneered.
"Dreams?" Renettia blinked. "What kind of dream could bring so many people together? To become the King of Gamblers?"
"Something like that, or rather..." Sag shook his head and smiled, "Getting rich overnight. Some people get rich overnight here, obtaining vast fortunes. Some end up penniless, all their money swallowed by the casino. But whether it's the former or the latter, as long as they stay here, sooner or later, they will eventually end up penniless."
If casinos didn't make money, were they doing charity? Wasn't that going against logic?
"Let's go experience Rain Dinners. You guys can play for a while too. Remember how much you lose. When it's time to rob, you're allowed to take back your principal. If you win, then it's yours!"
Sag led the group towards Rain Dinners. That place was situated in this oasis, beside the only lake, occupying the entire lakeside.
Including Sag and his group, there were nearly sixty people. No one blocked them at all. After entering the main gate, they saw a bustling hall filled with voices.
The people inside were all holding money, gathered around gambling table after gambling table, placing bets almost crazily. No one paid any attention to the arrival of Sag's group.
Dice games, slot machines, blackjack, poker – they had everything here.
"Still here, huh…" A red dot flashed in Sag's pupils. He glanced upwards, shook his head, let his subordinates disperse and move freely, then waved his hand. A nearby waiter quickly approached.
"Exchange some chips."
He tossed out a bag of gold coins. The waiter caught it and scurried away happily.
"You're gambling too?" Lily was clearly stunned.
"What? Can't I play?" Sag gave her an annoyed look. "Do you understand participation, participation! I'm a bit unlucky, but I can't just not participate in anything because of bad luck, right? Besides," he added, "it'll all come back anyway."
How much money he lost wasn't important.
Anyway, it was just temporarily placed here. It wouldn't be long before it came back, multiplied several times over.
Besides, they had to wait anyway. Being idle was still being idle.
After waiting for the waiter to fawningly hand him the chips, Sag proceeded to let Lily witness firsthand what being unlucky truly meant.
Blackjack: Sag continuously drew two face cards for twenty points and stopped. The dealer opposite busted with twenty-one, killing everyone (a 'Tong sha', meaning dealer wins all).
Refusing to believe his luck, he placed another bet. This time, after getting two face cards, he took another card, got three face cards, and busted.
Third bet: Face card…
Fourth bet: Face…
"Goodbye!"
Sag immediately pulled away, turning to play the slot machines. These things might be rigged by someone, but they should still pay out sometimes. But for Sag, he would always get different symbols. Forget three of a kind, he couldn't even get two the same.
Even roulette, which tested eyesight and skill, would have accidents like the ball hitting unexpectedly inside the wheel, causing it to deviate.
Playing poker…
"You'd never guess, this card is actually the Ace of Hearts! Chow Gam-Sing, you lose!" (Chow Gam-Sing is the antagonist from the movie God of Gamblers)
Sag forcefully slammed his hole card onto the table with fierce momentum, stunning the gamblers participating nearby.
Ace high!
Got 'em all! (Showing his hand/bluffing)
Lily stood ready beside him, the corner of her eye twitching incessantly. She really couldn't fathom it; the hole card was clearly just an Ace of Hearts, yet he somehow went all-in.
Didn't he even look?
Also…
Who was Chow Gam-Sing?
Judging by the feeling, Sag looked like he wanted to dissect the dealer's stomach…
If Sag hadn't left the table immediately, Lily would have thought it was a signal and prepared to draw her sword and cause trouble.
Although the chips kept disappearing, Sag seemed quite interested, moving between various gambling tables, apparently having a good time.
Until he started playing a slot machine again, when a gentle voice suddenly sounded from behind.
"So you're here…"
Hearing the voice, Lily turned her head first. She saw a smiling woman, who felt somewhat similar to Marika, both gentle types.
But…
Lily looked at this woman, then looked at Sag pulling the slot machine lever, a look of surprise appearing in her eyes.
Similar!
Too similar!
This face, it was like the one on that bounty poster…
"Ni—"
"Don't disturb me."
Before Lily could finish, Sag turned his head and looked at the woman with the gentle smile. "I'm just getting into it."
"My subordinates reported seeing a familiar face. Since you want to play, why not play a little more thoroughly? Our boss invites you over," the woman smiled.
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