Chapter 7
“Ho, hoee…!”
“This, this is… the first time I’ve seen such a grand feast! Our youngest is amazing!”
“To think there’d be a day like this in the Illusion Magic Tower… Thank you so much, Rai!”
“We all did this together. Let’s eat now.”
The seniors, who were tearing up, started devouring the food as if they hadn’t been on the verge of crying just moments ago.
It was the first time since coming to the Illusion Magic Tower that they had such a lavish meal.
It was all thanks to the success of ‘Maple Leaf Story.’
“But is it really that interesting? A new world realized through Illusion Magic… I can’t imagine it.”
Rain, who hadn’t played ‘Maple Leaf Story’ yet, asked curiously.
Several others who hadn’t played it either looked at him with intrigued expressions.
Except for those who helped with development and Hina, even the seniors hadn’t had a chance to try it yet.
“It’s seriously amazing! If I had known it would sell out like this, I would’ve bought one for myself too!”
“Once the next batch is completed, I’ll make sure everyone gets one. I promise it’ll be fun. Even the Tower Master has already played for 300 hours.”
“…That much? Did she even take breaks to eat?”
The initial number of ‘Maple Leaf Story’ artifacts produced was about 500 units.
Due to budget constraints, they couldn’t make more, and at first, even that amount didn’t sell.
Galliard introduced it to his old elf acquaintances, and they bought a few.
However, there were so few elves that it wasn’t nearly enough.
Then one day, out of nowhere, Rippert, the head of the Blue Head Merchant Guild, appeared and made a contract.
He even offered extra money, requesting exclusive rights to trade through his guild.
Within a week of signing the contract with the Blue Head Merchant Guild, the first production batch was sold out.
“That means it’s just that fun. Ah, I want to play it already. It was so enjoyable.”
“I think it’d be great if everyone could help with production.”
“Right, let’s quit these dreadful part-time jobs! Let’s live like true mages again!”
Hahahahaha!
For the first time in a long while, the Illusion Magic Tower was filled with laughter.
Above all, it was nice that the seniors no longer had to suffer through part-time jobs.
Bang, bang, bang—
Their laughter was interrupted by a loud, rough knock at the door.
“I’ll get it. Please continue eating.”
I stood up, thinking that it might be Galliard visiting again.
He would probably ask something trivial like how to build his skill tree.
I was a bit annoyed that he was knocking so loudly at such a late hour.
“…A skill tree is an important matter.”
…Back in the day, when I had to study the skill tree myself because there were no guides, it was quite difficult.
Remembering those times calmed me down a bit.
“…Who is it?”
However, it wasn’t Galliard standing in front of the door as I had expected.
Instead, there was a man with a displeased expression, arms crossed.
Judging by his attire, he appeared to be a knight from some noble family.
Since he wasn’t wearing his armour, it didn’t seem like he was here for an official purpose.
“Is it true that the Illusion Magic Tower produced an artifact called ‘Maple Leaf Story’?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Bring me one. I’ll buy it.”
His tone was blatantly disrespectful, as if he was looking down on me, or rather, the entire Illusion Magic Tower.
Showing up late at night and giving orders in such a condescending manner irritated me, but I held back and spoke.
“I’m sorry, but the initial production has completely sold out, so we don’t have any left. Also, we only sell through the Blue Head Merchant Guild, so please inquire there for future purchases.”
“I came all the way here because they said they didn’t have any left! The Illusion Mages really… tsk.”
“……”
Although I had been polite, the man was annoyed at me instead.
I almost swore at him, but barely managed to hold it in.
They say that patience saves lives.
Yes, I’m a civilized person, so I can endure this much. I’ve been looked down on much worse for being an Illusion Mage.
I can bear it. I can bear it…
“Where are you from? I’ll make sure to inform the merchant guild first when the next batch is complete.”
“You’re telling me to wait again after I came all this way at this hour?!”
Crack.
If I had a rose blade in my hand, I might have stabbed him right then and there.
But they say patience saves lives after the third time.
If I endure just once more, a decent person should give up by then.
However, it seemed the proverbs of Earth didn’t apply to people of this world.
“There’s no finished product right now, so there’s nothing I can do…”
“Tch! This is why Illusion Mages are so useless. Treating something like that as a mage… ptuh!”
The knight spat on the ground and grumbled as he turned away.
If I had ever received the treatment he mentioned, I wouldn’t feel so unjust.
Bastards like him should just…
“You piece of sh—”
“Who are you?”
Just as I was about to smack the back of his head,
A giant figure appeared and blocked the knight’s path.
“Who do you think you—huh, huhh?!”
“And who are you to be spitting in front of the Illusion Magic Tower?”
“Sir, Sir Galliard?! Th-that’s…”
“Hmm? You… I’m sure you’re…”
“I-I’ll take my leave now!”
Scurrying noises.
The moment Galliard appeared, the knight immediately changed his attitude and fled in a heartbeat.
“Do you know him?”
“He used to be a Royal Knight. He caused some trouble back then and was expelled from the order. I believe he’s with the Count of Logos now. Was there an issue?”
“It seemed he came to get a ‘Maple Leaf Story’ artifact. When I told him there weren’t any left, he started acting out.”
“Hah… He still hasn’t fixed his behaviour. I should…”
“It’s fine. There’s no need for you to intervene over someone like him.”
If a former hero like Galliard stepped in, the man probably wouldn’t have left with his bones intact.
But I didn’t want to trouble him. I had no desire to concern myself with people like that.
Did he say it was the Count of Logos? I should inform the guild to ban anyone affiliated with that house.
“So, what brings you here, Sir Galliard?”
“Ah, well, you see, this skill of mine…”
As expected, his business was nothing significant.
I had to spend quite a while recommending skill trees and hunting grounds for him.
***
The House of Count Logos had recently been dealing with a major issue.
Waaaaaaaah! Waaah!
“Buy it for me, buy me Maple Leaf Story tooooo!”
The youngest of the Logos family, Denny Logos.
His tantrums had been getting worse every day to the point that even the Count couldn’t calm him down.
The reason for his loud cries was none other than ‘Maple Leaf Story.’
The artifact released by the Illusion Magic Tower, which was currently a hot topic everywhere.
It allowed users to experience a mysterious new world and go on new adventures.
It was said to be like entering a novel and becoming its protagonist.
“But Denny, I visited the Illusion Magic Tower myself, and they said they don’t have any more left. Can’t you wait a little longer?”
Waaaaaaaah!
Denny was eight years old. Typically, this wasn’t the age to be throwing such fits.
But after borrowing one from a peer of similar status and trying it for a short while, he’d fallen into this state.
The Count threatened him with all sorts of punishments, but even then, Denny wouldn’t back down.
“Hah… I should’ve just bought it when the Merchant Guild recommended it.”
“Hmph… But there’s no way I’m buying something made by mere Illusion Mages!”
“But if the Head of the Blue Head Merchant Guild, Rippert, recommended it so highly, there must’ve been a reason! I thought it was worth buying, but you wouldn’t even listen and just chased them away…”
“What did you just say, wife?!”
Because of this, they had recently been arguing a lot more.
It was already known that the Count of Logos didn’t have a good temper.
But now, even the Countess had grown tired of it and could no longer hold back her frustration.
Waaaaaaaah!
“…Haaa…”
A while ago, Rippert, the Head of the Blue Head Merchant Guild, had travelled to various countries and noble houses to promote a certain product.
Naturally, at first, no one bought it.
After all, it was something made by the Illusion Magic Tower, and on top of that, it was quite expensive.
However, it was rare for a prominent merchant like Rippert to recommend a new product so passionately.
Some decided to buy it, even if just to see if they’d been fooled.
As soon as the true nature of the artifact was revealed, word spread quickly.
It was said to be an incredibly immersive form of entertainment from which you couldn’t escape.
The Illusion Magic Tower called it a ‘Game.’
The artifact allowed people to play the game called ‘Maple Leaf Story.’
“What could possibly make it so captivating?”
“I’ve heard that it lets people experience a wondrous new world. I haven’t tried it myself, but… those who have say they can’t break free from the illusion for an entire day.”
“But it’s still just an illusion. I can’t understand why people are so obsessed!”
Noble circles were already buzzing with talk about ‘Maple Leaf Story.’
Those who had played it couldn’t talk about anything else at social gatherings.
Those who couldn’t buy it could only stand outside the conversation, enviously listening in.
Interest in the game had surged to a level where demand was exploding.
Even Count Logos had sent a knight to the Tower himself in an attempt to obtain it.
But the only answer they received was that production hadn’t been completed yet.
All the nobles were eagerly waiting to buy ‘Maple Leaf Story’ the moment the next batch was ready.
“When it’s released this time, let’s buy several copies.”
“…Are you planning to play it as well?”
“Ahem, ahem. I overheard people talking about it at today’s party. It’s no wonder the rumours are spreading like wildfire. Just listening to them made my heart race.”
“F-Father, I’d like one too…”
Even the Countess and their eldest son, who had come of age, began to look forward to ‘Maple Leaf Story.’
At this point, even Count Logos was getting curious.
“Fine! Once it’s released again, let’s have the whole family play together. Hmph… to think something created by mere Illusion Mages…”
What kind of artifact could those Illusion Mages have made to drive the nobles into such a frenzy?
He made up his mind to buy it the moment it became available.
And finally, the release day arrived.
“Hah… to think I’d have to travel all the way to Trinity just to buy something like this.”
“But they said only one per person can be sold. If they didn’t enforce this rule, someone could just buy them all up. It’s a smart move.”
“That’s true, but I still can’t wrap my head around this whole situation.”
“Maple Leaf Story~ Maple Leaf Story~!”
Prior to the second release, the Illusion Magic Tower made an announcement.
This time, each person would be limited to purchasing one ‘Maple Leaf Story’ artifact.
Additionally, only those who would be playing it themselves could buy it.
On top of that, there was no delivery option, and buyers had to visit the guild in person to make the purchase.
“That artifact is engraved with an enormous amount of magic, Father. That’s why they can’t produce a large quantity at once. The production cost must be astronomical. But with the current demand being so high and supply not meeting it, this was a natural decision. If they didn’t do this, nobles would just send their servants to buy them all in bulk. It ensures only the real players can buy it. I think the Illusion Magic Tower made the right choice.”
“Yes, yes.”
The usually taciturn eldest son spoke rapidly, seemingly excited.
Count Logos felt strange seeing the son he had painstakingly educated use his brain in such a way.
“Furthermore, this ‘Maple Leaf Story’ is a@#$#@$%!@#%#@…”
The eldest son began reciting facts and details about ‘Maple Leaf Story’ without being asked.
The Count’s ears were starting to hurt.
“Alright, alright! Where did you hear all of this information?!”
“I read it in the ‘Maple Leaf Story Guidebook.’”
“A guidebook? Hah, unbelievable…”
After listening to his son’s explanation for hours, the family finally arrived at Trinity.
“Wha…! Is this really all part of the line?”
The Countess couldn’t close her mouth in astonishment upon seeing the scene before her.
The line stretched all the way from the front of the guild to the city’s entrance.
“Hurry, Father! Mother! Denny, come here!”
Thanks to the eldest son’s quick thinking, they managed to get in line.
Even after they lined up, the nobles continued to join the queue.
“Hah… to think there’d be this many people… Huh, Duke?”
“Count Logos! Did you also come to buy ‘Maple Leaf Story’?”
“Yes, yes! I didn’t expect to see you here, Your Grace…”
“My children were making such a fuss. After hearing about it, even I wanted to try it myself! Hahahaha! Seems like I’m not the only one. Over there, you can see Viscount Nilson and even members of the Franz Royal Family. I’ve even heard that the Prince himself is here!”
“Whaaat?”
Standing right in front of the Count was Duke Iss, one of the Empire’s Dukes.
And not just him—after looking around, Count Logos saw that many distinguished nobles were present.
Since one had to purchase it themselves, all the nobles came in person.
“Haha, have you decided on your profession?”
“I’m planning to go with the mage class. I’ve always regretted not becoming a mage in my youth.”
“I’m thinking of choosing the archer class. Hahahaha!”
“I couldn’t hold myself back after seeing the baron play.”
“I already have one, but my wife insisted on getting her own, so I came along. I’ve already completed my second job advancement.”
“Ohhh! Which profession did you choose?”
The nobles continued their conversation as if this were a social gathering.
They all talked about nothing but ‘Maple Leaf Story.’
“What in the world… Darling?”
Even the Countess was already chatting away with other noblewomen nearby.
Count Logos couldn’t help but feel that if he hadn’t come here, they would’ve been ostracized in high society.
“Those who didn’t come today are probably being left out, Father.”
“Y-Yes, that’s true… I can’t believe it’s this popular… But how long do we have to wait?”
“They said the sales would start at 1 PM, so I think the line will start moving soon.”
Count Logos spent time greeting the nobles while they waited.
Finally, when the clock struck the hour, the line started to move.
Their turn was slowly approaching.
“S-Surely, they won’t run out before we get ours, right?”
“I don’t think so. There still seems to be plenty left.”
Then, their turn came.
Feeling strangely nervous, Count Logos entered the guild building with his family.
“Welcome. Please state your family name and personal name in order.”
“The House of Count Logos. Charles Logos.”
“Very well… Uh.”
The guild employee, who had been processing customers smoothly until then, suddenly froze.
The Countess and eldest son looked at the employee with puzzled expressions.
“Ah… I’m sorry, but we cannot sell to the House of Count Logos.”
“…What?”
“The House of Count Logos is on the ‘Blacklist.’ This is a designation made by the Illusion Magic Tower, and we have no choice but to comply.”
“Blacklist?”
“Waaah… Waaahhhh!”
The youngest son, who had been excited moments ago, began crying again.
—
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