episode_0034

The sight of the imperial castle was amazing just by looking at it, but I couldn’t look at it for long. This was because the flying carriage arrived quickly.

An imperial castle floating in the air that appears to be fixed with six chains.

As we landed at one of the numerous landing sites located in the castle, which looked luxurious at first glance, dozens of occupants bowed their heads to greet us.

“Are you back, His Royal Highness?”

“Thank you everyone. You must have heard the customer’s story in advance, right? You are my guest of honor, so treat me properly. What about your Majesty?”

“Awaiting for His Highness the Prince.”

“Okay. Kyle Byron? Please follow them to their room in advance. I will go separately after visiting His Majesty.”

“Okay.”

Perhaps because it was literally the highest level of the empire, the hospitality was quick and prompt. Honestly, Sally… … To the point where I wish I could just follow his example.

It’s not that I’m dissatisfied with her, it’s that I wanted to do something about her stuttering and low self-esteem due to something that happened when she was young.

In comparison, many of the employees of the imperial castle were proud and quick-witted, perhaps because they were from noble families.

Anyway, that was the time when me, Sally, Adella, and the water tiger were walking together, following a woman who seemed to be the 3rd prince’s exclusive maid chief.

A question suddenly occurred to me.

‘When I think about it, I feel so free considering I just entered the imperial castle.’

This is where the emperor, the royal family, and all kinds of high-ranking officials stay, right? I thought it was the strictest place in the empire.

Surprisingly, there was no body search, no attention to wizards like Adella or Sally, and no special attention paid to the water tiger.

Of course I’m not saying I will do that, but shouldn’t I take safety measures just in case something happens?

Is it because we are the 3rd prince’s honored guests?

While I was thinking about it, Adela quietly approached me and whispered.

“To be precise, it is because there is no need for that.”

“… … Adela? How did you know what I thought?”

“It may seem like you don’t know much, but surprisingly, your thoughts are clearly reflected in your facial expressions.”

“Yes?”

“The poker face is perfect when playing board games, but I don’t know why it’s so different in everyday life, but the bottom line is that there is no need for the imperial family to be wary of us.”

“Why is that so? Even though Sally is an apprentice, Adella is a disciple of Lord Orphin Tower, and the water tiger here is a water spirit.”

I’m not sure since I’m incompetent, but Adella is clearly a high-ranking mage, and the water tiger is a mid-level spirit or higher. Since I signed a contract with a spiritess of the level of Princess Lacia, I might be able to look at a higher-level spiritist.

It’s no joke, these two are enough to easily level a village to the ground. That means there will be more people coming and going in the imperial castle, but it won’t be to the extent of being completely ignored.

Adela clearly answered those questions.

“Because the Grand Wizard resides in the Imperial Castle.”

“… … Archmage, you mean?”

“There is an archmage from a collateral royal family. but… … In the magic world, it is awkward to call that being an archmage.”

“… … … ?”

“Anyway, unless the archmages of the six major magic towers, including Lord Olpin Tower, rebel, the castle will be absolutely safe. Perhaps even if the entire empire turns against us, only the Imperial Castle will be safe.”

I’ve heard that there are differences even among archmages, but is Hwangseong’s archmage stronger than all other archmages combined? Or does it have another meaning?

In the end, I just accepted it and passed it on as it was just personal curiosity. Adela also stopped talking.

[Curiosity is a good thing.]

“… … hmm? Adela, what did you just say?”

“There was nothing in particular.”

“Yes? Then this… … … .”

[No one will be able to hear it except you, so there is no use asking. Just as you were curious about me, I was also curious about you.]

“… … … No way.”

[I don’t plan on talking for a long time. However, it is true that your existence itself is interesting to me.]

“… … … … .”

[If you are still curious enough, knock on the door six times at midnight. That way, we can solve each other’s curiosity.]

Pop.

The voice, which was as mechanical as a walkie-talkie and seemed to be plugged directly into my head, cut off.

Talks suddenly and hangs up arbitrarily. Although it was a one-sided statement, I had no choice but to agree as long as I could guess who the other person was.

‘That collateral royal archmage… … is it?’

It’s still a bit annoying, but I just passed it on for now.

Because that wasn’t important right now.

“This is the room. His Royal Highness will be arriving soon… … ”

“Someone please.”

“… … What are you saying?”

“His Royal Highness promised unlimited support for board game production. It is our duty to put in as much effort as expected, so we are planning to start production right away.”

“Is that so?”

The middle-aged maid’s eyes widened slightly, but soon returned to a calm expression.

I had already heard the story, but I guess I didn’t know that it would start as soon as I was shown to the room.

But to me it was the most important thing.

“Then who should I call? If possible, be detailed rather than vague───”

“First, you need about two skilled workers capable of detailed work. The standard for detailed work is whether a model smaller than a finger can be precisely carved one by one. A painter is also needed there. If possible, it would be better if the person is better at drawing landscapes than portraits. Adela is there, but you also need a wizard, so anyone who can use hardening and immobilizing magic will do. In addition, the materials required are thick paper measuring about 1m x 1m and stones that can be carved by skilled workers. Oh, if possible, I would also like a scribe. There’s quite a lot to write, but I don’t need to write quickly, so I’d like to ask someone with decent handwriting. His Majesty the Prince promised, but this much is possible, right?”

“… … … … .”

“Maid leader?”

“Again… … please. I feel like I need to write them down one by one… … .”

“As much as you want. However, I will tell you about the additional manpower and materials needed. Please as soon as possible!”

“… … … Yes.”

*

The Empire’s 3rd Prince, Lou Gehrig Severus, sighed.

It seemed quite frustrating for a master of management skills who quickly declared giving up in the infamous competition for the throne, thus saving his life, while maintaining his position as prince and a certain level of power.

Even if he gave up the competition, he is still the prince of the empire. Aside from his actual influence, according to imperial law, there are less than five people in the entire empire who are higher than him.

And of course, the reason the Third Prince sighed was because he met one of those five people.

‘My father… … You are always the same. Either in a good way or in a bad way.’

The emperor is the pinnacle and most noble person of a hegemony that rules over the entire continent, and is also the father of the prince.

He was an unusually lucky man in the history of the empire who ascended to the position of emperor without any competition for the throne. Because other than him, there was no other prince.

Although it was good luck for the emperor himself, it was a misfortune at the imperial level. The emperor was a wise man, but it was a big problem that there was no one who could take the throne.

To put it bluntly, it was clear that if the emperor died suddenly, the empire would experience great chaos.

Because of this, the emperor once again gave birth to an unusually large number of children. They had over 10 children, but only three of them were sons.

The youngest of them all, the 3rd prince, was fortunate to have been gifted with magical talent and great insight, but at the same time, he was unlucky in that he was the youngest of the princes.

To put it bluntly, if the 3rd prince had not given up on succeeding to the throne when he was 10 years old, he would not have been alive until now.

But the emperor and his father still seemed to have some regrets.

‘Now that you’re telling me to participate in the competition again, you’re telling me to just die.’

The emperor is an idealistic figure in many senses. In his eyes, it seemed like an absurdity on the part of his two older brothers for his youngest son, who had outstanding talent, to give up competition so quickly.

Every time, he came up with an excuse to get out, but today he seemed really determined and said that he was asking for a favor as a father, not as an emperor.

As the 3rd prince, I couldn’t help but feel a headache.

‘Now that it’s like this, I need to get closer to my brothers as soon as possible.’

Regardless of the emperor’s personal intentions, the mere rumor that the 3rd prince is participating in the competition for the throne again will shake up the structure within the imperial family. Of course, there was no way the 1st and 2nd princes would look kindly on that.

Especially the 2nd prince───

‘… … First, we have no choice but to urge Kyle Byron.’

The good news is that both the 1st and 2nd princes really like the board game Kill the King. Isn’t that why they called Kyle Byron in the first place?

Abracadabra, created by Kyle Byron, was shocking in many ways. It was like a new world for the 3rd prince, whose only board games were backgammon and Kill the King.

The illusion that was created as if using magic was also the same, but after playing more than 10 games, the 3rd Prince realized the tricks of the board game called Abracadabra itself.

It may seem simple at first glance, but as stamina is low and recovery means are limited, careful choices are required at each turn. However, due to the existence of hidden magic, one hesitates to attack hastily.

In addition, the aspect changes every time due to the element of having to rely on luck.

Compared to Kill the King, which was a somewhat static game, this is a game that can be enjoyed like a child, whether by a prince or a noble.

And if it’s Kyle Byron, who created such a board game all by himself.

I’m sure we can create a board game that can help us get closer to the two princes.

‘He’s probably resting comfortably.’

Originally, I had planned to spend about a week looking around the imperial castle and resting. But the situation became urgent.

First, let’s talk about the current situation and talk about it. I still don’t trust Kyle Byron himself, but I do believe in his unique genius, spirit, and close relationship with the top disciple.

First, you need to hear what board game you plan to play. Of course, the planning and production would take several months, maybe even years, but time was running out right now.

We need to act before the words that the emperor sincerely requested that the 3rd prince return to the throne are heard by his brothers and something happens for no reason.

I’m not looking for a finished version. At least by showing that you are making a board game, you will be able to buy time to persuade your two brothers.

‘I can’t believe I came up with a board game less than half a day after arriving at the imperial castle.’

Even if the 3rd prince thinks about it himself, it is an outrage that cannot be understood. But it was desperate. Isn’t that why they promised unlimited support?

Even though it seemed like an unreasonable request, even for genius producer Kyle Byron, he couldn’t help it.

… … The 3rd prince, who reminded me of Kyle Byron’s maid who looked warily at the other person even though he was the prince of the empire, arrived in front of the room.

After making up his mind, he opened the door.

“So, are you saying we should mow this down to look like a city?”

“Exactly. However, even for a city, this would be too broad a request. It’s okay if it looks like a grand castle.”

“Well, I painted it all first.”

“Thank you! The pictures of forests and fields are perfect with this. The following is a picture of a mountain, but if possible, please use a rocky mountain. Hmm, it looks like iron is coming out.”

“Then shouldn’t we just draw the mine?”

“That’s true, but I had a separate thought about mining. Just ask for a rocky mountain.”

“You cut all the paper. A hexagonal plate and a hexagonal hole in it, right?”

“Thank you, Adela.”

“Do, master! The artist also cut the picture he drew into a hexagon shape… … !!”

[Rung.]

“This spirit was not very useful.”

[…] … Grrr.]

“Stop both of you. Anyway, thank you, Sally. Tiger, can you check whether the cut plates fit together well? Sally, you help with the tiger.”

“… … … Yes.”

[Urrung… … .]

“Good! Then, everyone please proceed with the work individually, and if there are any skilled workers with spare hands, please help me for a while───”

“… … Kyle Byron?”

“Ah, Your Majesty the Prince! Are you back already?”

“What… … Are you doing it?”

“Yes? As you can see, we are making a board game.”

“Already? Not even half a day has passed since we arrived at the imperial castle?”

“Apart from that, there are many board games that I have thought of in advance. First of all, this is the first one.”

“… … First?”

“Your Majesty the Prince has promised infinite support for a long time, so shouldn’t you repay his expectations?”

Really, literally.

“Let me make every game I know.”

“… … … … .”

“All the things that we could only imagine but could not be made due to lack of materials or manpower. Isn’t there a board game among them that His Highness the Prince likes?”

The prince was looking blankly at Kyle Byron, who was leading several people in an orderly manner and smiling brightly.

“… … Huh.”

I burst out laughing.

A person like this is like the second prince… … I think he is a true genius.

The 3rd prince is Lou Gehrig Severus.

I quietly suppressed something boiling inside me.

From birth until now, just like it always has been.

… … … Because he can’t be that bright.