episode_0104

“Student. Student.”

“Ugh… ”

“Student. Wake up… ”

“Ah, yes. It happened.”

Ugh. I like it when you wake me up so gently.

The Quain Island boatman immediately yells at you if you disembark even a little slowly.

This is the difference between an iron rice bowl and a service job, cancer.

I stretched, opened the carriage door, and got out.

And for a long time, I had no choice but to stand still.

Colorful magic lights that brighten the night like day.

A net-like afterimage created by numerous communication magics passing between buildings.

A transportation system reminiscent of a monorail, powered by high-purity crystal.

The night view of Billingham, an institution created through magic instead of technology, was just as good, if not worse, than the view of downtown Seoul that vaguely remains in my memory.

It’s a shame that I have memories of Earth, but the real Colman Cantor, who had known only the Cantor Barony his whole life, must have been drooling.

Fortunately, I had a good guide.

“Coleman. Stop acting like a hillbilly.”

“Because I’m a hillbilly, I show off as a hillbilly.”

Alistair chuckles and taps my shoulder.

“Follow me. I will guide you.”

That’s how the island tour began.

“That’s the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building where I work.”

“What is the three-story house next to it? It looks like everything is plastered with black glass.”

“… That is the headquarters of the Imperial Intelligence Bureau.”

My sister also worked there until just before she was fired…

The next thing that came after the ordinary Ministry of Foreign Affairs building was a large castle that could not be seen at all from up close.

“This is the imperial palace.”

“Isn’t it intense? It was built right on top of the air vessel so there was no need to worry about a source of magical power.”

“It looks like the lights are off in that building.”

“Because that is the Crown Princess’ palace.”

“Aha.”

When the chairman was mentioned, my older brother looked at me quizzically.

“Now that I think about it, didn’t Her Royal Highness come with us?”

“… It’s burdensome. I just came here to do business, but when His Highness comes, I have to say hello to the imperial palace… ”

“Hmm.”

Brother Alistair opened his eyes and looked at me.

“You didn’t fight with His Highness?”

“What do you mean by fighting?”

“Then, is there any reason for you to appoint me as your guide?

If you walk around Billingham together, you can make memories-”

“Stop it.”

It seems like everyone who knows really knows.

Soon, all the students at the academy will be talking about our love story.

“Let’s eat something. It’s already 9 o’clock.”

“Sure. Because I know a good restaurant.”

The place I followed the directions was…

“What.”

A pub in a shabby alley.

My brother seemed familiar and ordered a whole chicken, beer, and some good value snacks.

“My younger brother is here. Should I bring him to a place like this?”

“I have no money. After sending your salary home, you can’t afford to be extravagant.

If you had told me earlier that you would be coming, I would have saved money… ”

I felt sorry for no reason and mumbled.

“No. I’ll pay so I can go to a fancy restaurant… ”

“There is a reservation system for those places anyway.”

Soon the food we ordered came out, and we ate the whole chicken in silence for a while.

My brother asked me after gulping down his beer.

“So, what is the schedule?”

“Go to the accommodation you have booked today and sleep, then wake up tomorrow and go to the game room.

And when I have time, I’ll stop by Macariel Store.”

“You live a busy life.”

I thought about it for a while and then got to the point.

The reason I separated the chairman and called my older brother as an usher was…

“Did you hear your sister’s side of the story?”

My brother, who was eating bacon, slowly adjusted his posture.

Rather than being embarrassed, the attitude was that this story would come up.

“They said they withdrew from Romelo Village.”

“Then what now?”

“I don’t know either. Probably contacted Herman Jorowitz.”

When the name of the former intelligence chief came up, goosebumps ran down my back.

“… The intelligence chief is raising funds.”

“It’s a fairly widespread story. There are a lot of rumors in social circles that a clash between the replacement faction and the maintenance faction is imminent.

… Anyone can see that the replacement group has the advantage, so there must be a lot of merchants lining up for that side.”

“Isn’t Your Majesty trying to stop that?”

“Once.”

Brother Alistair raised his finger.

“The Director of Intelligence is a loyalist who has served His Majesty all his life.

He has already been dismissed from his position, so it would be difficult to arrest him based on rumors like this.”

“It’s clear they’re saving money.”

“The problem is that you don’t know where the money you save is being spent.”

I tried nibbling on the snacks, but I had no appetite so I couldn’t go through with it.

“We have been through civil war for decades, so we all know how to raise troops.

We need to produce weapons, gather soldiers, and contact wizards.

If it is difficult to do so within the empire, it is necessary to contact foreign countries. but… ”

“Nothing?”

beck.

“So, is it a buy? But there are no signs of money flowing to Imperial officers.

The only explanation is that the funds that went into the pocket of the Director of Intelligence are disappearing into thin air.”

“Can’t you recognize me?”

He shrugged his shoulders as if he was troubled.

“I’m sorry, but I’m definitely a replacement faction.

Please dig up the secrets of my power and tell me?”

“It’s not that we are a replacement faction because we don’t like the Crown Princess.

They say that the Crown Princess should be replaced to prevent civil war.

Isn’t the one threatening the peace of the empire now not Lilac but the Director of Intelligence?”

He closed his mouth and crossed his arms.

Now that I had run out of food, I got up.

“I will pay for the meal.”

“Coleman. Don’t worry too much.

The way I see it, once the money starts moving, it’s not too late to worry.”

“… I guess so.”

“Who doesn’t? Maybe this is just a huge embezzlement.

They say they want to start a rebellion, raise money, and then take it out to a foreign country.”

It was so absurd just thinking about it that I ended up laughing without realizing it.

okay. For now, let’s focus on what I have to do now.

————————————————————————————————

After sleeping in a good value accommodation, I went straight to Ark Street, Billingham’s busiest street.

According to Cleo’s research, a new gaming center was built here…

“Ah, is it over there.”

There is already a long line of people.

When I glance at the door, it says it opens at 11 o’clock.

After thinking about it for a while, I went and stood at the end of the line like everyone else.

There is no need to reveal your identity here.

When it was time to enter, the line slowly moved.

When it was finally my turn and I stepped into the game room –

I felt even more shocked than when I entered Billingham.

The area is well over ten times the size of the official game hall at the Academy.

Almost an entire gym is being used.

There are over 100 tables, and the space where tired people can rest is comparable to that of a professional cafe.

I’ve never seen anything this size on Earth…

People gather in groups of twos and threes according to their game plans.

About half of the players start the game right away, and about half of the players drink drinks while waiting for their opponent.

And the other half opened the door and headed to the next location.

“craft booth… ”

Almost all the seats were already filled.

A silent space where only the sound of brushstrokes can be heard.

If you look closely, you can see adventurers bringing chisels to try to modify the model.

But it’s not over yet.

When you open another door and enter, you see a checkout counter with numerous models on display.

I guess this was the front door, and I came in through the back door.

I slowly approached the counter and asked a question.

“Is there a Lonely Gunslinger model?”

“All sold. Oh, the Maepa Rio and Maid Jean Remi models are also sold out.”

“I see… ”

The waiter also mentioned other members of the combo without even asking.

When we went back to the game room, ‘that combo’ was running rampant.

“With this, the gunman came within range of Remy’s aura… Do you know?”

“… Yes.”

“I will write action twice. 12 Please accept the damage.”

Some players even asked their opponents before starting the game.

“Are you using Romelo Village?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can do it if you’re using the Maid Gunman’s Match Made in Heaven combo.”

“No, no. It’s a different crew.”

Should we consider this a self-cleaning effect?

Looking around the tables, less than 1/3 of the tables had Maid Gunman’s Lover Appearing.

Of course, using one of the 10 factions is 1/3, so if there are a lot, it’s a huge number…

While I was thinking about this and looking around, I heard a conversation.

“The world’s worst evil forces will attack a first-year student from Jeokma with stone stones!

Dice roll results in damage of 3!”

“Uh, wait a minute. How do I get 3 damage?”

A red-haired female gamer raised her hand and pointed to the table.

“Look. All the Iljin can see is a first-year student.

The rest are all hiding behind the walls.”

“Yes.”

“But the first-year Red Horse student has 1 stamina.

If this guy takes 1 damage and falls down, that’s it.

The rest of the damage flies into the air.”

“Huh? Does that happen?”

When other gamers nodded in agreement, I ended up retorting without realizing it.

“No.”

“Yes?”

“Look at the rule book. Shooting is done unit to unit, not model to model.”

shooting

Every model of the unit chooses one of its shooting armaments to attack enemy units within range.

However, models that cannot draw a diagonal line to any of the enemy units’ models cannot be fired.

“Ah.”

“Therefore, if you can see even one, you should assume that the damage is transferred to all units.”

“It doesn’t make sense.”

The opponent was furious that his Red Horse students had died.

“Then how on earth does the catapult hit the remaining students?

Curved like magic?”

“… Although the Romantic Age is a replica of real-life combat, it needs to be somewhat simplified and abstracted for the speed of the game.

The firing line shown in the game does not necessarily mean the line of fire in reality… ”

After I explained the development philosophy behind shooting and hitting, another person approached me.

“Hey.”

“Yes.”

“I think you know the rules well, but what happens in this case?

It’s a timing issue with the dice rolling in the magic circle -”

In an instant, I was surrounded by questioners.

I did my best to answer each and every question, but to be honest, I didn’t know the answers to some questions, so I just answered them in moderation.

Meanwhile-

“Yes. Are you curious about something? ”

“You are Colman Cantor! Funforge Lead Director!”

All eyes were on me.