Chapter 60
“Mid Lee Sin is totally broken. I got 8 wins in a row with it yesterday.”
“Yeah, but you’re still stuck in low rank.”
“Bronze, Silver, Gold—it’s all the same.”
“Yeah, so what’s your highest rank?”
The bustling capital city in the morning.
As usual, lively chatter about online games filled the air.
“Did you hear? There’s going to be a new update for Maple Leaf Story soon. Apparently, it involves some kind of demon.”
“Wasn’t that character supposed to come out a long time ago?”
“They say the delay was because the Magic Tower has been busy lately, especially with the dragon incident.”
“Ugh, those lunatics… Just like in the past, they recklessly raided a dragon’s nest. So many people died because of it. That’s why the update’s been so slow this time.”
“But thanks to them, the Red Cross Aid Group was formed. My relatives in the countryside say life has become much more bearable because of it.”
“And now there’s even some new international law. It doesn’t affect us much, but it seems like a good thing.”
“It’s a good thing for us too. Transactions are now more convenient, so we don’t have to struggle with trade partners like before.”
The conversations weren’t just about games but also the broader ripple effects they caused.
The world had changed drastically since games became a central part of life.
While there were some negatives, the overall sentiment was positive.
“What’s our first class today?”
“Minecraft! Didn’t you hear? The dark elf teacher is coming.”
“Wow!”
Even young children passing by were excited to have Minecraft as part of their curriculum.
The influence of games had grown immensely.
And it was no different for the Imperial Court.
“Haa…”
Viscount Merin, a member of the Imperial Treasury, let out a deep sigh as he headed to work.
The journey from his mansion in the capital to the palace wasn’t long.
But the Viscount deliberately took a slow, winding route to arrive just on time.
“Even those kids get to play games as much as they want…”
The Imperial Court was busier than ever.
Although it was always hectic, the recent string of incidents had made it worse.
After the capture of the scammer in Maple Leaf Story, things seemed to ease up for a moment,
Only for the sudden enactment of international law to throw everything into chaos.
The officials, stuck in an endless cycle of work and little sleep, were all on edge.
“I wish I could play Mid Lee Sin too…”
As the Viscount’s sigh hit the ground, it was already time to start work.
He entered the palace alongside others in similar situations.
And thus, another busy day began.
“Well then, call me if something comes up.”
It was none other than Crown Prince Leo who spoke before leaving.
He, too, was often engrossed in games, balancing just enough work to get by.
The drastic change in his behaviour made the officials click their tongues in disapproval.
“There he goes again… Probably playing COL.”
“The last time we interrupted him because of an urgent matter, he got so mad.”
“Does anyone know what the Crown Prince’s rank is? Or his in-game nickname?”
As the Crown Prince left, the officials gossiped while continuing their work.
“Mid Lee Sin is trending these days. Have you tried it?”
“I’ve heard about it. But where would I find the time to play?”
“I haven’t even gotten to try Evandor yet. It’s been so hectic lately…”
Haaa—
A collective sigh escaped from the Treasury officials.
“It’s so unfair, isn’t it? The Crown Prince, His Majesty…,”
“Hey, hey! Keep your voice down. If someone hears, it’s off with your head!”
“Still, isn’t it ridiculous? We’re here working ourselves to death while the whole world is playing games. It feels like we’re the outcasts of society!”
A young Treasury official, the newest recruit, pounded his chest in frustration.
Unlike his friends who weren’t public servants and spent their days gaming,
He had made the unfortunate choice of joining the bureaucracy and was now trapped in a work-life imbalance.
“Even social parties are being held in Minecraft these days.”
“Good grief. These young people…”
“Still, it sounds fun. I can’t even remember the last time I attended a party…”
Haaa—
The periodic sighs weren’t exclusive to the Treasury Department.
“It feels like we’re drafting new laws every other day.”
“Ugh, I know.”
“Next week is the Burning Festival, but it doesn’t look like I’ll get to attend.”
Other departments were in the same state.
While the changes brought about by games were positive, they only added to the officials’ burdens.
“We can’t go on like this!”
“And what solution do you have in mind?”
Unable to take it anymore, Viscount Merin shouted.
Everyone enthusiastically agreed with his outburst.
***
“So… they want to play games too?”
“Exactly. But if all the officials immerse themselves in fantasy worlds, that would be a problem.
And with COL, it’s hard to stick to a set playtime.”
“They’d either have leftover time or overshoot it.”
I put down the stack of papers Rikal had brought me.
The proposal was supposedly an agenda item but was more like a collective tantrum.
Let us play games, pleeaase—
“So, while we can’t approve it outright, the officials’ dissatisfaction is too significant to ignore.”
“Wouldn’t it help if His Majesty or the Crown Prince cut back on their gaming? It’s because they’re gaming while the officials work themselves to death, right?”
“…If those two ever listened, things wouldn’t have gotten this bad in the first place.”
Ah, the Imperial family.
“Well, I do have an idea for a solution.”
“What is it?”
“There’s a game slated for release. Unlike fantasy immersion, it’s more of a control-based format.
They could play it on their desks without needing to immerse themselves fully.”
While it sounded like a work-while-gaming solution,
For those without the leisure to enter fantasy worlds, it might be a viable alternative.
After all, many in the modern world enjoyed games on their phones.
“What’s it called?”
“Auto Chess. You could think of it as a sequel to COL.”
“Chess?”
***
Auto Chess.
In modern times, the most famous version of Auto Chess was created by the developers of COL.
However, there had been a similar game before it, which served as the inspiration for the COL developers.
I, too, planned to create an Auto Chess game using the champions from COL.
“What’s this, Rai?”
“It’s a… let’s call it a pad, for playing Auto Chess.”
Creating a fantasy game on a device like a smartphone was much more complex than directly immersing someone into a fantasy world.
The basic method of sharing the fantasy implemented on the main server with individual users was the same.
But this time, the fantasy was viewed through a screen.
Thus, something to operate the fantasy in between was necessary.
“A pad?”
“Yes. Look, when you operate it, the screen appears like this.”
Rai manipulated the pad, and a holographic screen floated in midair.
The screen could be controlled via a touchpad-like area, similar to a laptop’s trackpad.
The pad resembled other artifacts but included both a control interface and a display component.
“Wow… That’s amazing.”
“With this, you can play while carrying it around.”
The rules of Auto Chess were simple.
You could purchase pieces from the shop, and collecting three identical pieces would upgrade their rank.
You would then place these enhanced pieces on the battlefield, where they would automatically fight.
Although it was essentially a luck-based game requiring the right pieces to appear,
It also demanded quick thinking and strategic intelligence to create optimal combinations.
“For now, I’ve shared the fantasy with you manually, Rai.
Once it’s officially released, only the user will be able to see the screen.”
“Because expanding the magic to include more viewers would make the magic circle too large.”
Since it was designed as a personal device, others wouldn’t be able to see it.
This meant it could even be played discreetly while pretending to work.
Surely, the Imperial officials would love this.
“It makes me want one.”
The design was also portable, inspired by the COL logo.
It could even be worn as an accessory.
Just like how artifacts like the JeBbit Brooch were designed to be worn as ornaments.
Once development was complete, the Magic Tower announced a release schedule.
Unsurprisingly, the first to rush in after the announcement were the Imperial officials.
They were thrilled at the prospect of playing a game without immersing themselves fully in fantasy.
Encouraging people to play games while working seemed questionable.
But as long as the work was done properly, it probably wouldn’t be a problem.
The one clear takeaway was that this world’s gaming culture was thriving…
But the response to Auto Chess wasn’t limited to the Imperial Palace.
“Rai? Someone’s here to see you.”
“Who is it?”
One day, a visitor came to the Magic Tower.
Normally, if it was someone like Gallier or Rikal who frequently visited, they would be let in immediately.
But this time, I was called directly.
“Don’t know? They said their name is something like Raisha…”
“Never heard of them.”
It was a name I genuinely didn’t recognize.
***
Somewhere between Trinity and the capital city lay a unique location.
Not a nation, but a self-governing city that had gained recognition of its sovereignty.
The Academic City of Terria.
Centered around Terria Academy, the city sprawled outwards.
Under the jurisdiction of the Empire, Terria was the continent’s premier educational institution.
Most nobles and children from esteemed families passed through this place, emerging as distinguished talents.
And within Terria Academy, the Magic Tower’s games were a hot topic.
“Hey, did you hear? There’s a new game you can play anywhere.”
“Auto Chess? I already bought it. Tried it briefly yesterday—it’s so much fun!”
“What?! When did you manage that?”
“I made a quick trip to Trinity a few days ago. The lines were so long I nearly missed curfew at the dorms.”
“I want to play too!”
“This game uses a holographic screen, but non-users can’t see it anyway.
I even played it secretly during that boring political science lecture earlier. That class is so pointless and dull.”
The academy students were in a similar predicament to the Imperial officials.
Their tight schedules made it difficult to play fantasy games during the short breaks between lectures.
And after classes, they were swamped with assignments and test preparations, leaving almost no time for gaming.
“So, regarding the current international situation, the Empire’s new international law… Hmm?”
One day, during a political science lecture shortly after the release of Auto Chess,
The professor paused his lecture, moved by the students’ unusual focus.
‘They’re all so attentive…!’
This lecture, notorious for its tediousness, usually saw students either dozing off or zoning out.
Yet, today, every single student was intently focused on their books.
Their hands were moving non-stop as if taking notes without a moment’s pause.
Sure, they all seemed to be wearing similar accessories recently, but that wasn’t important.
‘I must make this lecture even better…!’
The professor raised his voice with newfound enthusiasm.
And the students?
They focused even more intently on Auto Chess.
—
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