episode_0014

Actually, uh, yes.

Well, making house rules tailored to the knights or changing the pictures on the cards are ultimately novels only to those who are new to such board games, and did not bring much excitement to me.

Since I haven’t learned Auror, the knight-only house rules are not a board game, but just a very difficult exercise, and spirit poker is no different from cockroach poker.

Of course, I wasn’t dissatisfied with those things. I thought it would be enough to just spread board games and have fun with others.

But still, I thought about it implicitly.

Unlike the place I originally lived, this is a world where supernatural abilities such as auras and magic exist.

So then─── wouldn’t it be possible to combine magic and board games to create something truly amazing?

‘Because of that, I tried hard to learn magic.’

In the end, I gave up because of this talentless body.

But that board game is a crazy thing combined with magic.

It is unfolding before my eyes.

That was the reason why I couldn’t look away even when an old man who called himself the owner of the tower and looked like an archmage spoke to me.

Just looking at this huge board game board.

Because my heart was so tight that it felt like it was going to burst.

‘this… … … ‘Is it love?’

My heart was beating so hard that I could even think of such nonsense.

right now.

I want to run up there right now and touch, tear, taste and chew that giant magic board game.

I want to experience all the new fun, all the strategies, and all the entertainment that that board game can give me until I get sick of it.

Only such a primal and intense desire remained, but the shred of reason left inside me could not yet put it into action.

“Sally, look at that… … It’s a really great board game board… … … like… … … .”

“Do, Master… … ?”

“… … … Hmm, hmm! Huh, heh heh!! It seems that the guests from the Duke of Everts view the symbol of our magic tower quite favorably.”

“… … Sorry, the introduction is late. This is Kyle Byron, the third son of Viscount Byron.”

“He is said to be the lord of the Arche Tower, Olpin.”

Arche Magic Tower.

When I was young and trying to learn magic, I heard there was a place like this—one of the six major magic towers of the empire.

After receiving a letter from Duke Nicholas, I looked into it through Sally.

‘A place that studies magic related to light and darkness, and at the same time has the shortest history among the six great magic towers.’

Why did he send letters from such a place to the Duke of Everts and various wealthy noble families in the West?

I didn’t know at first, but I understood it only after reading it.

“As Olpin Tower owner said… … What a symbol. Since it is located like that in the center of this wide hall, you can naturally feel the majesty of the Magic Tower.”

“Hehe, thank you even if it’s just lip service.”

“So, I understand the tower owner’s concerns. That huge board game board… … It will probably cost a lot of maintenance.”

“I like that the story is fast.”

Although it may sound sarcastic at first glance, Olpin Matapju nodded in the affirmative without any hesitation.

As its name suggests, the Arche Magic Tower has the shape of a gigantic tower, but the inside of the tower is actually wider and has more diverse spaces than it appears from the outside.

However, when you enter the main gate of the tower, you are greeted by a huge hall with an open ceiling whose top is not visible, and instead of other magic items or artifacts, the huge board game board focuses all attention.

The mere modifier ‘huge’ cannot explain it all. board game… … So, that board game board that resembled chess was just as thick as an adult, and the pieces on it were the size of two or three people.

Even because of its size, there is no way an ordinary person could move or speak. In fact, the horses were floating in the air and moving on their own at this very moment.

Anyway, the reason why those big horses don’t make much noise or wind when they move is probably thanks to magic.

As it was an item of that scale, it was more than enough to become a symbol of as many as six major magic towers, but at least the Olpin magic tower owner didn’t seem to think so.

Otherwise, there was no way he would have sent a letter saying he would sell that board game board to a noble family to finance the Magic Tower’s finances.

It seemed like the mind of the Olpin Magic Tower had long since left the board game board.

“It’s very interesting on the outside, but more than that, it’s also the fruit of our Mage Tower’s study of light and darkness. What do you think? Would you like to give it a try?”

“Of course!!”

“… … Maybe it’s because you’re young, but your voice is loud. Okay, Vermily? Deal with Prince Kyle Byron.”

“Yes, Top Lord!”

When the Olpin magic tower lord beckoned, a young wizard who had been standing politely in the corner of the hall quickly approached and stood in front of the board game board.

I rushed over and stood on a platform that looked like it could easily be climbed, and with a small vibration, the platform began to rise into the air.

Coogung──

“Oh… … … !!”

There are sofas and chairs prepared for you to sit comfortably on, drinks and snacks to quench your thirst, and even luxurious railings to prevent falling.

In an instant, the remaining Sally on the first floor rose to a height that made her look small, and only then did the huge board game board come into view.

A board made of black and white square tiles, with white and black words.

A board game that could safely be said to be identical to the chess of the original world was prepared.

While holding onto the railing and admiring the amazing scenery, Olpin’s magic tower lightly floated into the sky and smiled.

Rather than a benevolent archmage, the smile resembled that of a salesperson trying to maximize his or her value.

“How about it? I’m proud that it’s a pretty nice scenery.”

“It’s the best.”

“Thank you for saying that. But the fun of this giant board game starts now.”

Wow.

When the Olpin Mage Tower raises both hands, light appears in one hand and darkness appears in the other.

A much higher level of magic than that shown by the magician belonging to the Sallyna family.

Before I knew it, I was staring blankly at the swirling white light and black darkness.

“Arke Magic Tower has explored light and darkness since the past. Just as the other six great magic towers study the elements that make up the world, Arche wanted to uncover the truth of the world.”

“… … … … .”

“Light and darkness. Those who are ignorant of magic think that these things are more powerful and destructive than fire, lightning, or cold. But in reality it’s a little different.”

“… … Yes?”

“Take it.”

With a smile, the Olpin Magic Tower throws the lumped darkness at me.

Just by looking at it, it looks like it shouldn’t be touched… … Still, I unconsciously reached out and tried to take it.

The darkness fell through my hands without any resistance.

“Huh?”

“As we just saw, light and darkness have no substance or physical force. We can build this, but we can’t actually touch it, and of course we can’t cause any destruction.”

“Then… … … .”

“Because of this, the Arche Magic Tower began researching ways to use light and darkness in other ways. The process was very long and arduous, but… … Fortunately, I can only show the results here.”

yes.

The light and darkness that left the hands of the Olpin Mage Tower floated in the air and merged.

White eats black, and black chases white and blends in.

Slowly, light and darkness begin to take on different colors.

“About 200 years ago, the 5th pagoda owners realized that the colors we see are created from light.”

“… … … … … .”

“About 100 years ago, the 8th pagoda owner discovered that he could control the color through darkness.”

“… … … Wow.”

“Only then was Arche able to become a member of the 6 Great Magic Towers.”

Color and shape.

Arche Magic Tower, which studied light and darkness, realized that it was impossible to destroy everything with light or corrupt it with darkness.

Light was just light and darkness was just darkness.

The wizards of Arche simply mix light and darkness to confuse reality.

Thus, their own magic created by the Arche Magic Tower.

“… … Fantasy.”

“In the end, the biggest problem is that you can’t touch it.”

Suddenly, clouds appear on the ceiling of the magic tower.

The white clouds that spun in the air like a typhoon were so pure and white that they were so foreign that they could not be considered natural.

The center of the cloud, which gradually grew in size until it was large enough to cover the entire ceiling of the Magic Tower, opened.

In it, a huge hand appears with a dazzling light.

“Now, tell me what you want to move.”

“… … … Soldier, advance two spaces.”

Those words I uttered without even realizing it.

As if in response to those small words, a huge, trustworthy hand, almost as if it were a god, moves down to the game board, grabs the word representing the soldier, and lifts it up.

‘… … They say that illusions can’t actually be touched.’

Only then did I realize another truth.

That huge board game board and pieces were actually an illusion.

“Haha… … … .”

The white hand that lifted the white soldier’s horse leaves two squares in front and disappears into the clouds. Soon even the clouds faded away, as if they never existed.

It lasted less than a minute, but I couldn’t say that the hand I just saw was just an illusion.

If the Olpin Mage Tower hadn’t told me, I would have thought it was a magic that summoned such a hand.

The reason there was no sound or wind even though the horses were moving on their own was because it was all an illusion.

The magic of the Arche Tower that deals with light and darkness, and even colors and shapes.

‘the best.’

I was convinced that it was really for the board game itself.

I don’t remember in detail how things went after that. I simply enjoyed playing fantasy chess with a wizard named Vermilli, and fell in love with a ‘new board game’ in which, in addition to giant hands, illusions of spirit kings, dragons, angels, demons, and knights appeared, moving pieces, and destroying them.

It was a board game that I was really tired of, but when combined with various colorful fantasies from the perspective of a god, it gave a completely different fun and sense.

“Stop. The winner is Kyle Byron.”

“Ah… … … .”

Then, when I came to my senses, I had won through checkmate.

That’s because I had participated in and won many board game competitions that resembled chess, so I was a bit depressed.

More than that, I was very sad that the board game was over.

“Kyle Byron, how was it?”

“… … … It’s fantastic. In an ambiguous sense.”

“Nothing makes your heart beat faster than a pure compliment. As much as you like it, I think we can talk about it in the future without any hesitation.”

“When you say it’s a story.”

“I will ask you directly. I’m naturally like this, and it’s not something worth wasting time on.”

thud.

When the fantasy chess game was over and I came down from the stage, the Olpin Mage Tower faced me.

With eyes that are infinitely intense and without a smile, and with the dignity and sagacity of an archmage.

“You called yourself the third son of Viscount Byron. It is true that we also sent letters to Viscount Byron, but what you brought was a letter addressed to the Duke of Everts. So, without asking about the details, I will assume that you represent the Everts family.”

“… … Yes.”

“How much will you buy it for?”

“… … … … .”

“I’m not saying this from a sales standpoint, but that board game board itself is like everything in our magic tower. If you decide to purchase it, the Magic Tower wizard will visit it periodically to manage and monitor it. If they offer to reduce the price to take that into account, I will accept it. Because it’s cheaper than having other magic towers secretly research it.”

“… … … Is that so?”

“In the end, what matters is the price. A price that will solve the Magic Tower’s deficit at once and eliminate the enormous maintenance costs. How much is the Everts willing to pay?”

Olpin Matapju was extremely sincere. Even though he knew that the board game board was a symbol of the Arche Tower and was valuable, he was trying to sell it.

No matter how symbolic and valuable it is, if the magic tower goes bankrupt because of it, it would be a complete loss.

… … In fact, there were many questions about whether it would be possible to sell and manage something that was no different from an illusion itself, and whether there would have been a better method if the intention was to be wary of wizards from other magic towers.

Anyway, what I was going to say was decided.

“Let me tell you first. It is true that I came on behalf of the Everts family, but I did not come to purchase a board game board.”

“… … … … Then?”

For a moment, a look of sadness appeared on Olpin Matapju’s face, but he acted resolutely.

It was okay. It wouldn’t be a bad story for him either.

“Let me introduce myself again. I am Kyle Byron, the third son of Viscount Byron and a board game producer.”

“Board game… … Producer?”

“I suggest using that board game board again.”

“… … Utilize?”

The Mage Tower’s eyes narrow. He felt doubt and anxiety rising within him as the proposal was completely different from what he had expected.

But still, the background of the Everts family rationalized my existence.

The West’s richest man and conspirator is attacking a young man who is said to be a board game producer.

After much deliberation, Master Olpin Matap ultimately decided to trust Duke Everts rather than my words and give them a chance.

In a way, this is probably one of the rewards for the ‘connections’ I received from the Duke.

“Good. But I’ve never heard of Kyle Byron. If you call yourself a board game creator, of course you have to make games, right?”

“Of course.”

“Follow me to the office. I need to test your board game before I can entrust the fate of our magic tower to you… … … However, keep one thing in mind.”

Flash.

The Olpin Magic Tower, who was leading with his back turned, is glaring at his back.

White and dark eyes flashed on his aged face.

“I have lived quite a long time. I experienced a lot of entertainment other than board games.”

“… … … … .”

“I’m not looking forward to it. Because the disappointment is as great as the expectations.”

*

Ding!

“Okay… … I think I had some fun with this. I didn’t even play that game called Spirit Poker very much either.”

“… … … How was it?”

“I admit that it is a game of quite excellent quality. I underestimated you. But that’s it. The story ends here.”

“… … … … .”

“Adella, please show Prince Kyle to the guest room. And be sure to tell His Excellency the Duke that the Arche Magic Tower is still looking for a buyer.”

“… … Top owner.”

“I’m sorry. Adela, what time is it? I’m particularly tired, but I can’t wait to finish today’s documents───”

“It’s 5:39 in the morning.”

“… … … Hmm?”

“A total of 13 hours and 27 minutes have passed since 4:12 PM yesterday when you started playing spirit poker with Kyle Galli.”

“… … … … … … Confucius Kyle. No, the producer.”

“Yes, Topowner.”

“A little… … Rather, can I hear the story from 13 hours ago again?”

Sigh.

“As much as you want.”