Ch.163Outside. The Lottery That Brings Happiness (2)

While the famous figure Hans of the Empire was having a productive time, the main lottery office in the center of the Imperial Capital was buzzing with excitement.

The 17th Imperial Lottery drawing was approaching.

Although there were now sales offices not only in the Imperial Capital but also in various cities under direct control and at the main castles of sizable territories, this place still attracted the largest crowds. This was because the Imperial Bank, which could be called the treasury of the Imperial Capital, was right next door, and it also had the symbolic significance of being the former Cordana Exchange.

Above all, this was where the winning numbers were drawn.

Though the days when nearly ten thousand people would gather in front of the sales office were gone, still two to three thousand people would assemble for each drawing ceremony. Some even came just to watch the spectacle without having purchased lottery tickets. This was because small stalls would be set up every two weeks, selling snacks and beer. It was essentially a small festival.

“No, brother. If you deny pattern analysis, you’ll just keep throwing money away!”

“I heard that analysis stuff is all nonsense.”

“Nonsense? Huh! …Just listen before you judge. In rounds 12 to 16, numbers in the teens came up consecutively. Naturally, there’s a high chance that teen numbers won’t appear in this 17th round. Does that still sound like nonsense to you?”

“Did the number ranges really come out like that?”

“That’s what I’m saying. This analysis method was created by smart people—how can you deny it? Good grief. Just drink your beer.”

Middle-aged men discussing pattern analysis while drinking beer. Their attitude was quite passionate.

Meanwhile, in another corner, young men with still-youthful faces were gobbling down gelato while also chattering about the lottery.

“The more I think about it, the more I regret the lottery fund. Half of the sales automatically go into the fund.”

“You crazy bastard…! Don’t you know the lottery fund is under His Majesty the Hero King’s jurisdiction? Do you know how many people have died miserable deaths for coveting that?”

“I’m not coveting it, I just find the usage unfortunate. Building small schools to educate vermin for free… And now they’re saying they’ll establish some Population Census Bureau—what’s that even for?”

“You shouldn’t be interested in that either. You’ll die!”

“You’re so timid. Even I’m calm about it, and I lost relatives during the Bloody Banquet.”

These were former students of the Academy that had been shut down recently.

While promising talents who were deemed to have potential had been rescued in various ways or were scheduled to be rescued, these were resources that hadn’t been selected.

Young men who had lost their footing after the closure and fallen into idleness at a young age. They could literally be called surplus resources.

However, regardless of their circumstances, their expressions weren’t bad.

“By the way, are you still sticking with your fixed numbers?”

“No. We’ve accumulated enough statistics now. These days I’m focusing on frequently drawn numbers.”

“What?”

“Did you know that numbers 8 and 17 have each come up 4 times so far?”

It was because they had the precious hope of the lottery.

Besides them, everyone else was also chatting about the lottery while waiting for the drawing ceremony.

People smiling, excited, sighing anxiously, and so on.

While their expressions varied, no one was raging wildly. The only thing that changed was that beer sales gradually accelerated as time passed.

In this heightened atmosphere—

Finally, the 17th Imperial Lottery drawing began.

“Now, we will begin the number drawing! Please be quiet!”

“Ohhh…!”

“Silence!”

The spectators immediately closed their mouths at the command.

However, some people were gulping down their beer or jumping in place as if trying to calm their excitement. This scene demonstrated what the lottery meant in the Imperial Capital—no, in the entire Empire.

Right after that.

“The first number is… 12!”

“The second ball coming out! 38!”

“17!”

“And finally… 2!”

2, 12, 17, 38.

The moment the four winning numbers were announced.

As usual, sighs erupted from the crowd.

This was a scene that had repeated throughout all the previous rounds.

Everyone was looking around cautiously, wondering if the winner might be standing next to them, or if someone might start screaming and running like the winner of the first round.

“Seems like they’re not here…?”

Naturally, no winner revealed themselves.

Only then did the spectators who had been glancing around begin to disperse one by one.

Perhaps because the 18th drawing would follow in two weeks, not many expressed disappointment. Some sought alcohol as if burning inside, but they were few. Most simply headed quietly to their homes.

Up to this point, it was a scene like any other.

However, among the dispersing crowd stood one young man.

A sturdy build, a longsword at his waist, and a gold emblem worn on his chest. Even at a glance, one could tell he was a member of the Royal Order.

Of course, as members of the Royal Order were also human, they could certainly watch the drawing ceremony…

The problem was that this member was holding a lottery ticket in his hand.

A lottery ticket with 2, 12, 17, 38 written on it. The winning ticket for this round. He stood there with a blank expression before finally entering the sales office after a long while.

***

The next day, at the Royal Order headquarters.

‘Huh. What to do about this.’

Selin, a beautiful knight with tanned skin and a healthy appearance, muttered while rubbing her face.

She was an expert-class warrior with top-level skills among not only the Royal Order but all female knights in the Empire.

There was a time when her skills had plummeted due to excessive drinking and neglecting training, but now she was respected by everyone. She had also gained strange fame as the original owner of the hammer that the Hero had used to defeat the Demon Lord.

However, there was a problem that even her great skills couldn’t solve.

The lottery.

The lottery, which recorded hundreds of billions in sales each round and had established itself as an important entertainment, was giving Selin a headache.

If she herself had won, it wouldn’t be a worry, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

“Senior. What should I do?”

The winner was her junior who was looking at her anxiously, asking for help.

He was from a class that could be considered the youngest, excluding the former Academy students who had been brought in as “trainees” after the Academy closed. He had been particularly attached to Selin since his induction, having performed various missions with her.

‘Yet he comes to me for this kind of consultation. Of course, being new, he probably doesn’t know the situation.’

From Selin’s perspective, it was laughable.

It reminded her of what she had done to Erick, who was now “His Majesty,” and she also wondered how desperate her junior must be to seek advice from her. Since he must have made the request with genuine desperation, she couldn’t refuse.

“So. The prize money is… how much?”

“Just under 4.1 billion Lyra. With multiple sales offices being established, the business expenses have increased slightly, and unfortunately there were four winners… No, that’s not the important part. I just have no idea what to do with this money.”

“That’s a lot. Why not just deposit it in a bank and use it bit by bit?”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”

“Why?”

“Actually, while drinking with fellow members of similar rank, I once declared that if I won, I’d donate half to the border regions. Someone was mocking me, and I blurted it out without thinking. Sigh.”

It must have been said lightly, but he couldn’t take back words already spoken.

If he didn’t keep his promise, he would face considerable ridicule. Perhaps this junior would become the butt of jokes among the members for years to come.

While he wouldn’t face life-threatening situations like Erick had, being the target of mockery was still quite painful. It might even hinder his skill development.

‘So he doesn’t want to donate after all.’

It seemed he didn’t want to donate 2 billion because of something said while drunk.

It was somewhat cowardly behavior… but not incomprehensible.

Because he was human, and humans naturally prioritize their own interests. The junior was sweating, perhaps ashamed of his own behavior.

Selin stared at him for a while before sighing.

Erick, the friend she could no longer call by name, naturally came to mind.

‘…Come to think of it, I asked him to give up over 10 billion. How bewildered Erick must have been then. No, bewildered doesn’t even begin to describe it.’

Though it was eventually overlooked due to Erick’s generosity, she had completely lost the friendship that had existed since their Academy days. Although she occasionally encountered Erick now that he ruled the Empire, they merely exchanged courtesies and moved on.

There would likely never be a chance for reconciliation. The person in question, Erick, showed no interest in restoring friendships with the members.

Thinking about it now…

“Senior?”

“Ah, yes.”

Selin belatedly collected herself and looked at her junior.

While helping him wouldn’t undo past mistakes, she also didn’t want to dismiss him with “You brought this on yourself, so deal with it.” Helping a junior talented enough to join the Royal Order would benefit the Empire as well.

After a moment’s thought, Selin spoke.

“I’ll talk to the other members when I get the chance. To protect your reputation. But since you made a promise, don’t think about not spending a penny. …You should donate a certain amount to a good cause, even if just for show.”

“Yes, yes. Of course. I’m sorry for causing trouble.”

“No, there’s no need to apologize. You can go now.”

The junior repeatedly bowed, expressing gratitude to Selin. He even said he would repay her later. He would probably bring some expensive horse gear as a gift if left alone. But Selin refused that repayment as well.

Somehow, she felt ashamed.

“Anyway, congratulations.”

“Thank you!”

Only then did the junior smile brightly, as if relieved.

It was natural for him to be happy after becoming rich. What was surprising was that she didn’t feel any jealousy seeing that expression.

A momentary bitter feeling rose up, but it didn’t last long. The Royal Order was always a busy organization.