Chapter 18
Rikal, Leo, and I, along with <Light of the Empire>, sat around the table and began our conversation.
Rikal was nervously fidgeting with his fingers, while Leo had a bright expression on his face.
The sudden visit of the Crown Prince, Leo, to the Illusion Magic Tower was all because of <Light of the Empire>.
It’s well known that the Emperor, who’s recently been completely absorbed in ‘Maple Leaf Story,’ is giving his full support to the expedition team.
However, the biggest problem for the current expedition team is the absence of <Light of the Empire>.
Without <Light of the Empire>, the top Bishop user, it’s hard to even discuss the strategy to conquer Zatum.
“…So, you came here to find out JeBbit’s identity, is that correct, Your Highness?”
“Yes. You must be aware that the Imperial Family will soon hold a strategy meeting, along with a banquet. His Majesty’s wish is to invite JeBbit and persuade him to join the strategy meeting.
However, without knowing his identity, I thought I’d seek the help of the Illusion Magic Tower.
But it seems I was really lucky to meet you here by chance. I guess I’m a lucky person.”
I’d say Rikal’s the one who’s unlucky.
It’s such a tangled situation. Rikal must be feeling it even more than me.
Since it’s now out of my hands, the decision rests with Rikal.
“Well… yes, you are quite fortunate. But even if JeBbit wasn’t here, we can’t reveal the identity of any user. It’s impossible for us to know, and we don’t have the right to use personal information of the users.”
“Yes, I read that in the papers. I was just hoping. This is the primary purpose of my visit.”
Leo handed over a lavishly decorated envelope lined with gold foil.
Upon opening it, I found an invitation to the upcoming strategy meeting.
“His Majesty has also invited Lord Riot, the developer of ‘Maple Leaf Story,’ to the banquet. That was the main purpose, and discovering JeBbit’s identity was just wishful thinking on my part. If it made you uncomfortable, I apologize.”
“Ah, no. It’s fine.”
“His Majesty has recently become quite fond of ‘Maple Leaf Story’ and seems eager to get to know Lord Riot better. I hope you’ll attend.”
For someone who acts all prickly, he sure changes his attitude quickly.
I was already planning to attend the strategy meeting, so it’s not a problem.
“But for the Crown Prince to come all the way here in person… It must have been a long journey.”
I could understand sending an invitation, but it was surprising that the Crown Prince came in person, just for this one envelope.
And from what I know, Crown Prince Leo isn’t even a ‘Maple Leaf Story’ player.
“It’s an important matter, so I could come myself. I’ve always wanted to increase exchanges with Trinity and enjoy interacting with mages.
To be honest, I’m a bit dissatisfied with how His Majesty is neglecting state affairs due to ‘Maple Leaf Story,’ but I also see no reason not to meet the magician who created such a remarkable artifact.”
Leo spoke with a pleasant smile.
He’s completely different from Rikal.
Now that I think about it, I heard there’s a faction in the Imperial Family pushing to disband some of the Imperial Magic Department.
I guess Leo is part of that faction.
It’s true that the Imperial mages are far behind Trinity’s mages.
Of course, even in Trinity, we illusion mages are practically useless.
Anyway, I suppose Leo had his reasons for coming in person.
Unlike the Emperor, it seemed Leo was approaching ‘Maple Leaf Story’ and the current ‘Zatum Expedition’ from a political perspective.
He truly seemed worthy of being called the ‘Light of the Empire.’
And then, there was the other <Light of the Empire>.
“And… nice to meet you, JeBbit. It’s an honor to see you.”
Leo turned his gaze to Rikal, who was still in his <Light of the Empire> transformation.
“B-B-B-B-B..nice to meet you too…”
Rikal answered awkwardly.
Thanks to the illusion magic’s enhancement, it didn’t sound too unnatural.
The Crown Prince was actually showing courtesy to JeBbit, whose identity he didn’t even know.
Indeed, Leo and Rikal were complete opposites.
“As I mentioned earlier, I hope you’ll attend the upcoming strategy meeting. You’ve probably already received contacts from people like Galliard, but I’d like to formally invite you on behalf of the Imperial Family, as we’re hosting the banquet.”
Rikal hesitated to answer for a moment.
He was so eager to join the expedition earlier, so why the hesitation now?
“I-I’ll think about it.”
“…Understood. I’m sure you have your own thoughts, JeBbit. I won’t press you. If you decide to join us, please come.”
Leo handed an invitation to JeBbit as well and then rose from his seat.
“I don’t want to overstay my welcome. I apologize for the disturbance. I hope to see you at the banquet.”
“Yes, thank you for the invitation.”
“Of course. Well then… Oh, but Rikal hasn’t returned yet. Perhaps I should take him with me…”
“Ah, ah! I heard the 3rd Prince has been suffering from severe constipation. I think it’s best if you go ahead. I have more to discuss with him, after all.”
“Hmm… I see. Well then, it was nice meeting you, Lord Riot. And you as well, JeBbit.”
With a refined bow, Leo left.
Finally free from tension, I slumped down into the chair.
“Hah… That was nerve-wracking.”
Now that I think about it, it wasn’t even my issue.
But I was so worried that Rikal would get exposed.
Is this what they call second-hand embarrassment?
After making sure no one else was around, Rikal reverted his transformation.
With a rare exhausted expression, he slumped into the chair.
“Phew… I did well.”
“…But why didn’t you accept the invitation right away?”
“Well, it’d be strange to suddenly show up after hiding all this time. I need to act like I’m considering it to avoid suspicion.”
“I see.”
He was more committed than I thought.
“Anyway, be careful not to make physical contact. And as for the mannerisms… you’re already quite good at them.”
“…Shut up. I’ll try to stay out of sight at the banquet, so don’t talk to me.”
“I wasn’t planning to.”
After some time, Rikal left as well.
At that moment, everything regarding the expedition, the strategy meeting, and Rikal’s involvement seemed to be wrapping up nicely.
Of course, that’s how it appeared.
But due to this decision, Rikal would end up drawing even more attention from the world.
***
“…But how can we fight without knowing what kind of enemy it is? We have to take risks.”
“That’s true… but considering what Galliard—no, I mean, Fallen Power Warrior said, if we recklessly charge in, we’ll definitely be annihilated.”
“What do you think, Elf Lord?”
Inside Maple Leaf Story, somewhere in the abandoned mine.
The currently assembled members of the expedition team were gathered, holding a meeting.
As gamers, and as heroes of the expedition team under the eyes of the world, they were all eager to start the Zatum raid as soon as possible.
However, they had yet to summon Zatum even once.
The reason was that they felt the expedition team’s strength was still lacking.
The public clamoured for the expedition to attack Zatum quickly, but in reality, the most frustrated ones were the members of the expedition team.
Voices of discontent were slowly surfacing within the team.
“…I, too, am eager to face Zatum. But if we fail, everyone will lose a significant amount of experience points. I can’t force anyone to take that risk.”
Dying from losing to Zatum wasn’t the issue.
After all, it’s just a game; they wouldn’t die for real.
However, since the people of this world had actually experienced the history of the war against the Demon King’s army, they were more immersed in the situation.
Carefully devising a strategy against a formidable enemy was natural.
Moreover, for these high-level users, every one percent of experience was incredibly precious.
Shuuu—
Just then, <Fallen Power Warrior> logged in.
“Whew… everyone’s here.”
“Fallen Power Warrior, any news?”
“Still no luck. The Imperial Family said they’d ask the Illusion Magic Tower for help, but honestly, I don’t think it’ll be effective.”
While the Imperial Family’s support (though there wasn’t much they could do) was appreciated, the current focus of the expedition team was to find <Light of the Empire>.
However, for months, there had been no progress.
“Even with the initial list of 500 players painstakingly obtained from the Blue Head Merchant Guild, we couldn’t find anyone who seemed like JeBbit… Sigh…”
“The date for the offline gathering isn’t far off. What are we going to do? Are we just going to reach the max level without even touching Zatum’s arm?!”
<God of Electricityvv> grumbled as he beat monsters with his bow.
“…It seems we’ll have to make a decision. There’s no progress at this rate.”
“…So, does this mean we’re going to attempt the raid, even if it ends in failure, Fallen Power Warrior?”
“Only if everyone agrees. As I said, our level group will suffer a massive experience loss if we die. I won’t force anyone.”
At Fallen Power Warrior’s words, a determined look appeared in everyone’s eyes.
It was a battle they were sure to lose. Yet, the members all shared the same thought.
“…Then, let’s take a vote. If everyone agrees, we’ll call in the other members from different regions.”
They voted in the party chat.
Naturally, the result was unanimous approval.
And the next day, the incomplete expedition team summoned Zatum.
***
“I’m really looking forward to this. I can’t believe I get to attend the strategy meeting of the ‘Zatum Expedition’!”
“It made me so nervous… I don’t even want to think about how many lottery tickets I bought just to get this invitation.”
“Did you buy more than me? I bought 500 tickets this time, you know?”
“500 tickets? That’s overdoing it, don’t you think, Madam?”
The day of the Zatum raid’s offline gathering, which was also the Imperial Family’s banquet.
Those with invitations were gathering at the Imperial Castle.
Naturally, the number of people wishing to attend was overwhelming.
But the venue couldn’t accommodate everyone.
So, the Imperial Family devised a lottery system to distribute the invitations.
If you purchased items from the Imperial Family’s sponsored businesses, you would receive a ticket with a number on it.
Then, the Imperial Family would randomly draw 100 numbers in real-time.
As a result, the Imperial Family made an enormous profit.
And the 100 selected individuals were deemed the luckiest of all.
The odds were about 1 in 100,000.
“It’s been a while. Seeing each other in real life, that is.”
“It has been a while, Riana. I suppose there’s no need to ask how you’ve been.”
Galliard and Riana, entering the banquet hall.
They were reminded of their days as members of the Hero Party long ago.
Rai, the game developer, had opposed it, saying, “Why is the Imperial Family holding a banquet just for a game…?”
But Galliard and Riana knew the truth.
The stories of heroes, their successes, and the happiness they could bring.
They had seen firsthand how the people of this world would smile with joy, witnessing the great accomplishments of humanity.
Regardless of their individuality, all residents of the world shared the same human nature.
They could share the same emotions in the face of greatness.
And having already experienced the joy of defeating the Demon King and sharing that emotion with people,
They did not oppose holding such a grand offline gathering and banquet.
Like setting fire to a field before planting crops—troublesome but necessary.
-Waaaaaahhh!
Following Galliard and Riana, the other expedition team members began entering the banquet hall.
The guests erupted in enthusiastic cheers upon seeing them.
It felt just like when they returned after defeating the Demon King in the past.
“It’s been a while, this kind of feeling.”
“Indeed. It feels like it wasn’t that long ago. Somehow, I miss those days.”
“It wasn’t that long ago? Now it’s just you and me left. I still can’t get used to the elven sense of time.”
Engaged in such a conversation, the two began to enjoy the banquet.
Though they had some disheartening news to announce later, for now—
“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”
A little while later, as the banquet continued,
The banquet hall fell silent with the Emperor’s arrival.
Wearing a red cloak adorned with resplendent golden embroidery, the Emperor stepped into the hall, and grand music began to play.
“Galliard, how long has it been? Lady Riana, it’s truly wonderful to see you again.”
“It’s been a while, Your Majesty.”
“It’s a pleasure.”
The three exchanged warm greetings.
But their conversation didn’t last long.
The Emperor’s appearance signalled that the moment everyone was waiting for had finally arrived.
“Well then, please be seated. Together with the other members.”
The expedition team members began to gather around the enormous round table that had been prepared in advance.
“I’m sure I don’t need to tell you what this banquet is for.”
The Emperor raised his glass and shouted.
His voice, booming across the banquet hall without the aid of any sound amplification magic, showed just how earnest he was about this event.
“I dare say it is an honour. An honour that I can preside over this great moment. And I would like to give thanks to the members of the ‘Zatum Expedition’ who allowed this banquet to take place, as well as to the Illusion Magic Tower, which created ‘Maple Leaf Story.’
During the war against the Demon King’s army, the Hero Party received support from the Imperial Family and devised strategies for the next battle right here in the Imperial Capital.
The history from that time has made us strong and built the Empire we have today. Thus, this event will also be recorded as an honourable chapter in the Empire’s history.”
The people looked at the Emperor with eyes full of emotion as he made his proclamation in a solemn voice.
Rai stood in a corner of the banquet hall, looking at those people with a bewildered expression.
‘Why are they making such a big deal out of a game?’
But the Emperor continued his speech, paying no mind to Rai’s thoughts.
“I commend the efforts of the leader of the expedition, former hero Galliard, ‘Fallen Power Warrior,’ who agreed to hold an offline strategy meeting here in the Imperial Capital. Remembering the day the first hero was born and wishing for the success of the expedition, I hereby announce the beginning of Act Two of the banquet!”
Ba-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba~
Act Two of the banquet began with grand music.
Here, ‘Act Two’ referred to the time when the expedition team would conduct their strategy meeting.
It was like a talk concert, where the attendees would watch the expedition’s strategy meeting.
‘Why is a strategy meeting for a boss raid something that needs to be held in front of this many people?’
Rai was still baffled.
But to the people of this world, it was like listening to the grand epic of a hero’s tale.
And so, amidst the excited atmosphere, the leader of the expedition, <Fallen Power Warrior> Galliard, began to speak.
However, the atmosphere, which had been heightened to a peak, quickly deflated with his first words.
“As the leader of the expedition, I must first offer my apologies. Today… we cannot proceed with the strategy meeting.”
Murmur, murmur—
The banquet hall buzzed with murmuring.
Everyone wore expressions of shock.
“We have already challenged Zatum several times. To devise a proper strategy, we had to gather information on Zatum. We knew we would fail, but we still had to face it to find a clue for the strategy.”
At those words, the audience covered their mouths with serious expressions.
‘Why?’
Rai looked at the audience, puzzled.
“…However, all our attempts ended in utter failure. We drank potions like mad, but it wasn’t enough. One time, we even succeeded in destroying five out of its eight arms, but that was as far as we could go. Beyond that… it’s impossible with just us. To be honest, we cannot see a way forward for the strategy.”
——!
The audience swallowed nervously as if they had been shot in the chest.
Some of them even slumped to the ground, crying.
“…But we’ve learned one thing for certain. What we need now is a ‘Healer.’”
Hope began to flicker in the audience’s eyes once more.
Their reactions were like watching a well-orchestrated play.
“The best healer in ‘Maple Leaf Story’! We are desperately searching for <Light of the Empire>! If there is anyone—anyone at all—who knows his true identity, please, let us meet him. If only we could meet <Light of the Empire>…!”
Thump! Thump!
A tremendous vibration resounded twice.
With a loud voice, Galliard brought both his knees down onto the floor with a thud.
“I am willing to kneel like this and beg for his participation in the expedition!”
“Ah… Ahhh…!”
“Galliard himself is…!”
“Please, show yourself, JeBbit…!”
In an instant, the banquet hall turned into a sea of tears.
Galliard’s desperate plea to raid Zatum moved everyone to tears.
Everyone except one person.
‘They’ve really lost it… Why are these people so obsessed with a game? If you hadn’t suggested holding an offline strategy meeting in the first place, there would have been no need for JeBbit to hide.’
Rai shook his head as he looked at them.
‘Speaking of which, where’s Rikal?’
Rai knew that Rikal was supposed to attend the banquet.
If he had arrived earlier, none of this would have happened.
People would have cheered moderately, and the strategy meeting would have proceeded smoothly.
Now, if Rikal appeared while Galliard was pleading so desperately for <Light of the Empire>, even kneeling and causing the entire audience to weep,
<Light of the Empire>, or rather, Rikal, would become the centre of enormous attention.
Not just attention, but something even greater could happen.
If JeBbit showed up after Galliard’s emotional speech, the emotional intensity of the situation could explode.
‘It might be better if he just doesn’t come.’
Creak…
Rai’s worry became a reality.
The door to the banquet hall opened, and a cute young girl appeared.
“Hawawa…?”
The tearful audience turned their gaze toward her.
“…Who is she?”
“I don’t know who she is, but she has such a mystical presence.”
While everyone was wondering about her identity,
It was Prince Leo’s voice that cleared up their confusion.
“Huh…? JeBbit…? JeBbit! You’ve come!”
“What?! That person is JeBbit?”
“There was a rumor that the Prince managed to deliver an invitation to JeBbit, but it turned out to be true?”
“She looks exactly like her in-game avatar in Maple Leaf Story!”
“JeBbit, it’s JeBbit!”
As a storm of fervent cheers rained down,
The emotionally charged crowd began rushing toward her.
-JeBbit! JeBbit! JeBbit! JeBbit! JeBbit!
“W-What is…?!”
Rikal began to step back as the massive crowd surged toward her.
—
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