Chapter 83

(A few days later)

So, the engagement festival is over, but it's like everyone knows that this is only a small break for the "big one" to come. This engagement festival was mostly just celebrated in the empire. If anyone came by during that time, then they could enjoy it too, but it wasn't like it was something a lot of people were invited to. But the next one after this one? It seemed that would be the one where we would send invitations out to anyone "important" and try to show the world we were peaceful and whatnot. 

That was all mostly Rimuru's idea, but it's whatever, that was for the festival and celebration, not the wedding ceremony. That would only be attended by a few people. And by a few people, I mean Shuna's family. Her mom, dad, and Benimaru. No one else. Oh, and Adalmann, the officiator, of course. Not the most traditional, but it doesn't matter to me or her. The only thing that truly matters is that we get married, not how many people attend or if we have to follow traditions. 

But that was all being planned. There was a whole bunch of construction being done in preparation for the festival, and I may have said it before, but those orcs really get stuff done fast. In fact, I'm also having the orcs renovate or more like repurpose my restaurant. It's still going to have a bar, no giving that up, but it's being changed to a casino. This is literally an infinite money glitch. There's going to be a bunch of nobles and rich people who have more money than they know what to do with and need to find ways to spend it. And what better way than a casino? And of course, the name will be "Casino Camelot" Just no bunny costume. Well, maybe for Shuna if she wants, but only her.

Kaijin and his brothers are helping out with coordinating everything and planning things. As for what games and gambling there will be, I'm mostly going to introduce some physical things. The things people think they can "control". Things like Texas hold 'em/poker, blackjack/21, roulette, craps, and some other card games. There are also going to be some slot machines, courtesy of Kaijin, but not too many. It doesn't fit too much with what I want. 

As for security, there's going to be an anti-magic barrier in the casino. Nothing too strong for our monster residents, but enough to stop any average person from using magic and skills to try to cheat. And if that isn't enough, Souka is also going to be in charge of security there. I would've liked to have Souei, but he is much more suited for security across the entire town instead of one specific location. I don't have to worry though, Souei trained Souka, so it'll all be well. 

But that's basically what's been happening. As for me? I've been reading and studying. This alchemy and magic stuff isn't too hard, but I'm sure that's mostly because of my Element of the Red Dragon skill. That's my most "magical" ability. Well, as much as I can study and read. I've been…distracted a lot. 

You see, ever since my engagement night with Shuna, something has awoken inside me. Certain feelings I didn't know I had. Who am I kidding, I knew I had those feelings, but they've gotten a lot stronger and happen more often. Some aspects of my dragon side to put it. I've had such protective and possessive feelings over Shuna and more "unholy" thoughts and feelings. I think the only thing that makes it fine is my spirit side. I can feel that it sort of "counteracts" the feelings brought on by my dragon side. That is not to say that we don't get active for what feels like every night, though.

Anyway, enough about that. That isn't important. Right now, I am walking around and just observing the town and a bunch of the construction going on. But there was one thing that stood out, and it's not the cathedral, but it might come close to a building that also sticks out.

"Artoria, over here! Look!" Rimuru shouted to me as he pointed to a coliseum in construction.

"I see it, Rimuru. And I know what it is. Who doesn't? Well, the ones from Earth, not this world." As I said that to Rimuru, it kind of makes me wonder what might be happening back on Earth. I wonder how things are going back home or how things in the good ol' US of A are going. Probably not too bad, but it's not like I'm going to miss it. I only miss home, I don't miss the government. The only things they get right are the National Parks Service and the mail. That's it. Everything else, they have screwed up. 

Hmm, speaking of national parks, maybe I should do something like that? I remember visiting Big Bend and the Guadalupe Mountains, and those were beautiful. Something to think about.

"That's true, but I still want to say it. We're building the Roman Coliseum." "The Flavian Amphitheater."

We both said that at the same time. He looked a bit confused, which kind of made me confused. Did he not know that the Roman Coliseum is also called the Flavian Amphitheater?

"What did you say?"

"I said the Flavian Amphitheater, Rimuru."

"What is that?" he said in a confused tone.

I pointed to the coliseum that the orcs were building. "The Roman Coliseum."

Rimuru looked back at the coliseum that was being built before looking back at me. "It's called that?"

"Did you not know? This is something that everybody knows, Rimuru. Everyone knows that the Roman Coliseum is also called the Flavian Amphitheater. Started being built by Emperor Vespasian, finished by Emperor Titus, and then worked on more by Emperor Domitian. I remember learning this in school, Rimuru."

"Oh. I…might not have known?"

"It's ok. So I assume you'll have people fight there? Are you also going to do mock naval battles?"

"Naval battles? Like fill the place up with water and have boats fight each other?"

"Yeah? You do know what the Romans used the coliseum for, right?"

"Uh, Gladiator fighting, feeding people to lions...and stuff."

I was going to say some more stuff, but he was basically right. "Yeah, pretty much. Among other things as well."

"So, yeah, I plan to have people fight there. Like a tournament and stuff. Are you going to do anything special?"

"Yeah, I'm repurposing the restaurant into a casino. I'm going to name it Casino Camelot."

"What? A casino? And you're going to name it after King Arthur's country?"

"First of all, Camelot is the castle of King Arthur, where he held court, and where the round table was. Second of all, I think you forgot who you're talking to, but yeah, a casino. Anyway, I'll catch you later. See ya."

"Uh, ok, see you later."

As I walked away, certain thoughts came to my mind. The Roman Coliseum and fights in the coliseum. A very Roman thing to do. And when I think about Rome, the Roman Coliseum, and how I look, which is blonde hair, green eyes, and an ahoge…oh yeah, it's all coming together. If Carrion could fight with a flimsy lion mask and have no one notice, then I can do the same.

Since Kaijin is busy, I'll have Kurobe make me a red sword and knee-high armored boots, and I'll ask Shuna if she can make me a red dress in an imperial fashion. Poofy sleeves, and a white front, not transparent. Not like matters though, it hardly makes a difference. Oh, it's going to be fun to see the confusion on people's faces.