episode_0015

After that, I talked to Olpin Mage Tower again, but there was one main point.

In the end, is it possible to escape the deficit by recycling board game boards?

“Can you tell me more about maintenance costs?”

“There is no need to go into detail. As you may have noticed, board game boards are all illusions, so it costs a huge amount of money to maintain them all the time.”

“… … Are the wizards at the Arche Magic Tower maintaining it 24 hours a day?”

“That’s not true. Even though it has the shortest history among the six major magic towers, it has collected quite a few artifacts. Based on their magical power, if you use the wizards of the Magic Tower as a filter and use Rodens’ magic theory───”

“… … … … … … .”

“… … … Well, to sum it up, it’s a very expensive bonfire. A bonfire that keeps asking for expensive firewood, but is not used very often and is only admired for its beauty.”

“Aha.”

Since we have come up with an alternative called board game board recycling, the maintenance cost issue must be resolved.

It’s doubtful whether it will actually sell, but in any case, even if it’s not as much profit as selling a board game board, at least it had to escape from a deficit due to maintenance costs.

“If you reduce the size of the board game board… … … .”

“This is a plan that has already been tried. I even thought about downsizing it to just this room, but decided that if I was going to downsize it that much, it would be better to just sell it. In the end, that board game board was a symbol of the Magic Tower, so if you are going to place it, it must be maintained at a certain size.”

“It’s a matter of face.”

“In the end, yes. The position of the 6th Magic Tower is a position where you have to save unnecessary face. Do you know how hard it was to even send out a letter offering to sell that thing? When this is over, I will definitely have to step down from my position as tower owner.”

“… … … … … .”

“Well, if the Magic Tower’s deficit is resolved by replacing this old man, it would be a cheap deal.”

But there was already no answer in any way I could think of.

Under normal circumstances, there would be no way that the Olpin Magic Tower owner would have even thought of selling the giant board game board that was the symbol of the Magic Tower and made Arche a member of the 6 Greatest Magic Towers. Because this is such a special situation, I have endured all kinds of criticism and humiliation.

And despite his pessimistic words, the Olpin Matapju was giving me a very earnest look.

If you can really get out of the deficit by ‘using’ the board game board, you won’t have to endure the humiliation of selling off the symbol of the Magic Tower.

‘What should I do?’

The feeling that I can’t give up on that board game board, and the hope that if I resolve this issue, I might be able to get continued funding support.

I was curious about those two thoughts, but no matter how much I thought about them, I couldn’t come up with a suitable answer.

How long did the silence last?

The anticipation in the eyes of the Allpin Magic Tower owner gradually disappeared, and the white-haired girl standing behind the Magic Tower owner and Sally standing behind me were only looking at me.

‘wait for a sec.’

suddenly.

That’s what I thought.

“… … Tower owner, I have one question for you.”

“As much as you want.”

“Why was it a board game?”

“Hmm?”

“Arke Magic Tower became a member of the 6 Great Magic Towers through illusion using the magic of light and darkness, and at the center of it all was that giant board game board.”

“Okay. That’s why the board game board became the symbol of our magic tower.”

“But if it was a fantasy theme, it could have been shown in other ways. Why did it have to be a board game board?”

“… … … Hmm.”

It was just a curiosity that suddenly occurred to me. Why did the Arche Matapju of the past choose a board game board as a means to show fantasy?

Of course, it is true that board games and fantasy work together amazingly, but there must have been many other means that fit the reputation of ‘Magic Tower’.

why?

Olpin Matapju stroked his beard for a moment in response to a sudden question that seemed to deviate from the topic up to now.

“It was because of reputation.”

“Fame, you mean… … … ?”

“If the magic tower is recognized by the empire, they can have their own territory. This place, centered around our Arche Magic Tower, is also the same as Geass.”

Know.

In the first place, in order to go to the Arche Magic Tower, you had to enter the Geass Territory.

Although the Magic Tower is not a noble family, considering the size and quality of its territory, it actually receives the same authority as a nobleman above an earl.

“I will ask you. What kind of place is Geass today?”

“… … It is considered one of the sacred places for wizards in the West, and indeed in the entire empire.”

” Before Arche was even the 6th Magic Tower, the first Gias territory I received was nothing more than a rural area with only a few small villages. To grow it to the size it is now… … It was impossible using normal methods.”

As if reminiscing about the past.

Olpin closed his eyes for a moment and swam through memories, but soon opened his eyes.

“To put it bluntly, even just before Arche Magic Tower was appointed as the 6th Magic Tower, the Gias Territory was, to put it bluntly, a village. To overcome that, the teacher came up with an amazing method.”

“If it’s an amazing method… … … ?”

“Attracting aggro.”

“… … … … Yes?”

“Honestly, if one magic tower became one of the top 6 magic towers and it was said that it was just an illusion, most people would just pass it over and say, “Oh, that’s right.” But if you created a huge board game board out of that fantasy, wouldn’t there be quite a few people who would be interested?”

“Uh… … … .”

“Gias actually benefited greatly from the aggro. People from all over came together to play board games with fantasy on the giant board game board, and this trend became the driving force behind Geass’s advancement into a huge territory. Well, that trend was 100 years ago, but… … … .”

That’s right, how can you tolerate that? One aggro effect must have been certain.

huh? wait for a sec.

“Wasn’t the maintenance cost the same back then? In those days, the profit made by the magic tower would have been much less… … ?”

“Ah, as I said before, thanks to the trend, more people visited the Gias territory, so taxes and profits were quite sweet. Although it was only temporary.”

“… … … Then, shouldn’t we just create a trend one more time?”

“Is it a trend?”

“If you visit Geass again to play the board game of Arche Tower throughout the empire… … … Is that not enough?”

Why?

It felt like life came back to the eyes of Olpin Magic Tower, whose expectations had disappeared.

“There is no way it is not enough. In fact, it is enough. If we can truly recreate the trend from 100 years ago, we will be able to escape the deficit.”

“It will only be temporary, but… … … .”

“Even if it’s temporary, it’s enough. In the first place, it is not you but the wizards who earn the funds to continue operating the magic tower in the future, and what is expected of you now is to overcome the situation that is on the verge of bankruptcy.”

“Then.”

“But honestly, it’s hopeless. At that time, it was a hot topic that the 5th Magic Tower became the 6th Magic Tower, the board game that was popular among nobles at the time, and people flocked to learn the magic of the Magic Tower. Can you recreate that by changing the type of board game?”

“… … … … … … .”

“I want the answer that I can do it. Not a possibility, but a confidence that it can be done.”

That was the last chance the Olpin Mage Tower gave me.

The background of the Everts Duke family, the track record of Kyle Galli and Spirit Poker, and the hope that it would be a better choice than selling the symbol of the Magic Tower.

Those three things combined forced Olpin to make a choice.

Should I step back from here or move forward?

In a slightly different silence than before.

I am.

“… … I’ll do it. Definitely.”

“Good.”

“Tap Lord… … … .”

“Please be quiet for now, Adella. Anyway, the policy has been decided, so let’s move. I will talk to the elders of the Magic Tower and persuade them. In the meantime, I want you to come up with a new board game.”

“Okay.”

“Kyle Galli, Spirit Poker was good, but it should be a board game that goes beyond that. It has to be not only fun, but also topical and able to attract wealthy merchants and nobles.”

“Of course.”

“… … … I’m glad you got a confident answer. Adella, guide the VIP of the Magic Tower to his room.”

“… … … … .”

“Adella.”

“… … Yes, Top Lord.”

“Good! It’s dawn now, so take a break… … … Let’s meet again this evening.”

“I’m counting on you, Kyle.”

“In many ways.”

*

A guest room prepared in the Arche Magic Tower.

Even though it is currently suffering from a loss, the Arche Magic Tower is definitely a member of the Empire’s 6 Greatest Magic Towers.

It was extravagant and grand for a room simply given to guests.

“Do, master! This bed is a total gem… … !!”

“… … Can’t we just sell these things?”

I think I could live without envy for the rest of my life if I just sold this one room.

The white-haired girl who guided Sally and I here responded to such nonsense.

“This is far from enough. The deficit of this magic tower cannot be resolved without the sale of board game boards.”

“It was a joke. Adela… … Can I call you ”

“Do whatever you want.”

A girl who assisted the lord of the magic tower of Olpin and seemed to be close to him.

He is probably the archmage’s disciple or someone who holds an important position in the tower.

It is unclear how long we will stay at Arche Matap to resolve the deficit in the future. There would be no harm in becoming friends.

“You might get help several times. Thank you, Adela.”

“… … … … … .”

“Adela?”

“… … … … .”

yes.

At that moment, Adela’s expressionless fingertips glowed white.

Suddenly, a knight in black armor appears behind her, brandishing a great sword.

“… … … !!”

The knight’s greatsword, painted as black as a shadow, is pointed at my neck.

Without even having time to react to that sudden change──

“Do, you master!!!”

“Sally!?”

“… … … … You are a skilled escort.”

Puzzle!!

──Sally, who came between me and Adela in an instant, grabbed the lightning and swung it.

However, the destination of Sally’s magic was not the knight’s great sword, but Adella.

Only then did I remember. What the Olpin Mage Tower said: Arche’s magic has no substance.

That’s why Sally was targeting Adela herself, not a knight who was just an illusion anyway.

Adela, who used magic first, was instantly transformed into light, dodged the lightning, and just continued speaking calmly.

“You, you fucking bitch!! Go, how dare you… … … !!!”

“At the same time, he has a foul mouth.”

“Dog, dog-like whore! A thousand years without even knowing the topic!! Joe, you damn bitch, you should be rummaging around in a fucking back alley… … !!”

“… … Stop, Sally.”

“Ha, but… … … … .”

“I’m telling you to stop swearing. First of all, Adela, please continue to be on guard.”

“ㄴ, yes!”

Let’s leave for now Sally’s loud talk, which I’ve become quite accustomed to since that incident when I was young.

I turned to face Adela, who was still expressionless.

“Why did you attack me? I won’t listen to you saying that it wasn’t an attack because it was an illusion.”

“If you feel bad, please leave.”

“… … … Yes?”

“Please don’t say strange things to the tower owner for no reason.”

Strange words.

What that meant was clear.

This white-haired sorceress named Adella doesn’t like me.

“Do you think what I’m saying is impossible?”

“There is nothing more to say. If you are displeased with my actions, please tell the tower owner. They will probably change the guide right away.”

“I didn’t hear the answer.”

“You will be scolded by the tower owner, but more than that, I am displeased with you whispering dreams that cannot be achieved to the tower owner.”

Wrong. The conversation itself doesn’t work.

No matter what she says, Adela maintains the attitude that she won’t be heard and just says what she wants to say.

Adella was glaring at me with an expressionless expression that gave me goosebumps until the end.

“I’m probably not the only one. Most of the wizards in the tower will be hostile towards you.”

“… … … … … .”

“Olpin Tower Owner is a great wizard and a great tower owner at the same time. The act of him taking advantage of difficult times to whisper delusions is even more disgusting.”

“Adella.”

“Try not to lose the tower owner’s trust. Arche’s illusion will always aim for you.”

thud.

After finishing what she had to say, Adela immediately turned around and left the room, and the only sound that could be heard in the spacious guest room was the sound of the door being closed roughly.

Sally, who had been keeping Adella in check until just before she closed the door, soon looked up at me with a worried expression.

“Do, Master. Don’t worry about what a bitch like that says. Ha, because I’m always by your side… … .”

“… … … Thanks for your concern, Sally. In the end, it has to be proven by the results.”

okay. There is no way that everyone in the magic tower will join the plan just because the Olpin magic tower owner agreed.

Selling a giant board game board may be a loss of respect for the magic tower, but it can definitely solve the current problem in the end.

However, my plan to create a trend again with another large board game could have led to further losses.

‘It may seem like a fraud to a close associate like Adela.’

Instead of solving the deficit by selling board game boards, Archmage Olpin will step down from his position as the top owner with criticism.

An unfamiliar young man approaches him and whispers a plan to resolve the deficit while maintaining his position as the owner of the tower.

Adela has no choice but to be wary. I didn’t know that he would even use illusions to threaten me.

‘The results will prove everything anyway.’

No matter what I say in this situation, I won’t be able to convince Adela or the other wizards.

All I have to do is show the results that I am not a fraudster.

As I was thinking about that and patting Sally, who was crying, I suddenly remembered something I had to do.

“That’s right. Sally, let’s write a letter.”

“… … If it’s a letter.”

“Letter paper to Princess Lacia, what is it?”

I went to play spirit poker after being urged by the sparrow spirit, and when they told me that today was the last day, I was stunned for a while.

After playing board games for over two weeks, Lacia spoke informally to me, and I thought we were getting closer, but when I saw her expression, I was really scared that she was going to imprison me like the duke said.

But Lacia soon burst into tears.

──There are many people to play board games with besides you! If you’re going to go, go!! Don’t come again!!

… … He kicked me out saying,

I was just sighing, wondering if I had really earned the hate, when Tiger and Wind Horse advised me to write a letter.

He seriously told me that if I didn’t do that, I would be in real trouble, so I’ve been writing him letters every day since I left the Dukedom.

‘There has been no reply so far.’

Will Lacia really read the letter? Maybe I tear it up every time I get it or don’t read it at all.

Even though I was worried, I wrote a letter summarizing what happened today.

There was no need to worry about how to send it to Lacia.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

[Whirik! Whirring!!]

“I’ve used it all, so stop urging me.”

Strangely enough, the sparrow spirit of Lacia came every time like a ghost and took the letter.

I was really surprised at first, but now I’m used to it.

“Anyway, Sally, isn’t it amazing? How can a spirit come from such a far away place?”

“… … Yes, master. As far as I know, the spirit cannot come this far without the will of the spirit master… … … .”

“Then I’m glad. Didn’t you say Lacia told you to get a letter? I told you not to come back again.”

“… … … … … W, how do you know where this place is?”

“Sally?”

“Oh, it’s nothing… … … .”

[Whirl!]

I think Sally just muttered something. I couldn’t hear because I was listening to the sparrow spirit.

Well, if it’s something important or important, I’ll tell you in a vague way.

He put the letter in the mouth of the sparrow spirit and sent it flying out the window.

“Goodbye. If you get a reply, please let me know.”

[Whispering!!]

… … Are you desperately trying to block it now? You’re saying you’re blocking replies, right?

The only spirits that are really friendly to me are the tiger and the wind horse.

Adela, too, saw the sparrow spirit off with a somewhat sad heart.

‘I try hard, but it’s hard to get everyone’s favor.’

ah.

I want to play board games.

“Sally, do you want to play spirit poker?”

“Yes!!”

Of course, when I’m depressed, I play board games.

Let’s think hard about a new board game for Magic Tower!

… … Just play one game first.