Afterward, I spoke with Tower Master Olphin again but the main point remained the same.
The question was whether the Tower could escape its financial deficit by repurposing the board game.
“Can you tell me more about the maintenance costs?”
“There’s not much to elaborate on. As you’ve probably figured out, this giant board game is entirely an illusion, and maintaining it constantly requires an enormous amount of money.”
“…Are the mages of Arkhe Magic Tower maintaining it 24 hours a day?”
“Not exactly. Even though Arkhe is the youngest of the six major Magic Towers, we’ve managed to collect quite a few artifacts. Using their magic as a foundation, the tower’s mages act as filters to apply Rodens’ magic theory and—”
“……………….”
“…To put it simply, it’s an extremely expensive bonfire. It constantly demands high-quality firewood but serves no real purpose other than being pretty to look at.”
“Aha.”
Since I had proposed the alternative of repurposing the illusory board game, the issue of maintenance costs needed to be resolved.
Whether it would actually sell was uncertain, but at least they had to get out of the deficit caused by maintenance costs, even if the profit wouldn’t match the original price of the board game.
“If the scale of the board game was reduced…”
“We’ve already tried that. We even considered shrinking it to the size of this room, but in the end, we concluded it’d be better to just sell it outright. That board game is a symbol of the tower, so if we’re keeping it, it has to maintain a certain scale.”
“A matter of reputation, huh?”
“That’s right. Being one of the six major Magic Towers means we have to keep up appearances, even unnecessarily so. You wouldn’t believe the hassle it took just to send out letters announcing the sale of the board game. Once this ordeal is over, I’ll have no choice but to step down as Tower Master.”
“…………….”
“If replacing this old man can resolve the tower’s deficit, then it’s a small price to pay.”
But no matter how hard I thought about it, none of the usual solutions seemed viable.
In normal circumstances, Olphin would never have considered selling the giant board game, which symbolized the Magic Tower and established Arkhe’s place as one of the six major Magic Towers. The current situation was so bad that he was willing to endure all manner of criticism and humiliation.
But despite his pessimistic remarks, there was a desperate glimmer in Olphin’s eyes as he looked at me.
If there was a way to use the board game to escape the deficit, he wouldn’t have to endure the disgrace of selling the tower’s symbol.
What should I do?
Caught between the determination not to abandon the board game and the hope that solving this issue might lead to sustainable financial support, I had spoken boldly. Yet, no matter how much I thought about it, no clear solution came to mind.
How long did that heavy silence last?
Even the hopeful anticipation in Olphin’s eyes was beginning to fade. The white-haired girl standing behind him and Sally standing behind me were both staring at me.
Wait a moment.
Suddenly, a thought struck me.
“…Tower Master, may I ask you one question?”
“As many as you’d like.”
“Why did you choose a board game?”
“…Hmm?”
“Arkhe Magic Tower became one of the six great Magic Towers through illusions created with the magic of light and darkness, and at the center of that was the giant board game, as you mentioned.”
“That’s right. That’s how the board game became the symbol of our tower.”
“But if it was about the theme of illusions, there could have been countless other ways to showcase it. Why, of all things, was it a board game?”
“………Hmm.”
It was a sudden question that popped into my mind. Why had the previous master of Arkhe Magic Tower chosen a board game as the medium to showcase illusions?
Of course, it’s true that board games and illusions make for a surprisingly brilliant combination, but surely there were other methods more fitting for the dignity of a “Magic Tower”.
Why?
Faced with this unexpected question, which seemed unrelated to the topic so far, the current master of Arkhe Magic Tower Olphin stroked his beard for a moment.
“It was for fame.”
“Fame, you say………?”
“If a Magic Tower is officially recognized by the Empire, it is granted its own territory. This place, Geass, centered around our Arkhe Magic Tower, is no exception.”
I already knew that.
After all, you had to enter the territory of Geass to even reach the Arkhe Magic Tower.
While a Magic Tower isn’t considered a noble house, the size and quality of its territory grant it authority equivalent to that of a count or higher.
“Let me ask you. What kind of place is Geass now?”
“……It’s considered one of the holy lands for mages, not just in the western regions, but across the entire Empire.”
“Before Arkhe became one of the six great Magic Towers, the Geass territory we were first granted was nothing more than a rural area with a few small villages. To develop it into what it is today… that wouldn’t have been possible using ordinary means.”
As if recalling the past, Olphin closed his eyes briefly and swam through his memories before opening them again.
“Even right before the Arkhe Magic Tower was named one of the six great Magic Towers, Geass territory was, to be blunt, a backwater. To break out of that, the last master came up with an extraordinary idea.”
“An extraordinary idea, you say………?”
“Drawing attention.”
“……Huh?”
“To be frank, when someone hears that a Magic Tower has become one of the six great towers, most people would just say, ‘Oh, I see,’ and move on. But if that illusion created a giant board game, wouldn’t that draw in quite a few people?”
“Ah……….”
“Thanks to that attention, Geass benefitted immensely. People from all over gathered to play board games accompanied by illusions on the giant board game, and the trend it sparked became the driving force that allowed Geass to grow into a vast territory. Well, that trend is a story from a hundred years ago now……….”
Right, that’s hard to ignore. The attention-grabbing effect must have been remarkable.
Huh? Wait a minute.
“Didn’t the maintenance cost just as much back then? And during that period, the income from the Magic Tower must have been much lower, right?”
“Ah, as I mentioned earlier, thanks to the trend, many people visited Geass territory, so the taxes and profits were quite sweet. It was temporary, though.”
“…Then wouldn’t it work if we created another trend?”
“A trend?”
“If people from across the Empire visit Geass again just to play Arkhe Magic Tower’s board game… Wouldn’t that be enough?”
Why was it?
It felt like a spark of life returned to the eyes of Tower Master Olphin, which had been dimming with fading hope.
“It wouldn’t just be enough; it would be more than enough. If we could truly recreate that trend from 100 years ago, we could escape this deficit.”
“It might only be temporary, though…”
“Even if it’s temporary, that’s enough. After all, securing the funds to sustain the Magic Tower in the long term isn’t your responsibility; it’s the job of me and the other mages. What I expect from you right now is to break us out of this immediate crisis, where we’re teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.”
“Then…”
“But to be honest, it’s hopeless. Back then, it wasn’t just about the trend. It was the fact that the Magic Tower became one of the Six Great Magic Towers, the board game that was popular among the nobles at the time, and the influx of people who wanted to learn magic here. Do you really think we can recreate that just by changing the type of board game?”
“…………”
“I need an answer that says you can do it. Not just that it’s possible, but a certainty that you’ll make it happen.”
That was Olphin’s last chance for me.
The backing of the Everts Duchy my achievements with Kyle Galli and Spirit Poker, and the hope that this choice would be better than selling the Magic Tower’s symbol—
All of these factors aligned, and Olphin was forcing me to decide.
To retreat here, or to press forward.
In a silence slightly different from before,
I—
“…I’ll do it. Without fail.”
“Good.”
“Master…”
“Let’s have quiet for now, Adela. In any case, the direction is set, so it’s time to act. I’ll speak to and persuade the elders of the Magic Tower. In the meantime, you’ll work on creating a new board game.”
“Understood.”
“Kyle Galli and Spirit Poker were good, but the next one needs to be even better. It mustn’t just be entertaining; it has to make waves, draw attention, and appeal to wealthy merchants and nobles alike.”
“Of course.”
“…I’m glad to hear such a confident answer. Adela, guide our distinguished guest to their room.”
“………”
“Adela.”
“…Yes, Master.”
“Alright! It’s already early morning, so get some rest for now… Let’s meet again this evening.”
“I’m counting on you, Kael.”
“……….”
“In more ways than one.”
***
The guest room prepared at the Arkhe Magic Tower.
Even though it was currently groaning under financial losses, the Arkhe Magic Tower was still one of the six great magic towers of the empire.
The room, far from being a simple guest accommodation, was extravagantly luxurious and grand.
“Y-Young Master! This entire bed is made of jewels…!”
“…Couldn’t you just sell some of this stuff?”
Selling just this one room could probably provide a lifetime of comfort.
In response to that frivolous remark, the white-haired girl who had accompanied me and guided Sally to this room spoke up.
“That wouldn’t even come close. The deficit of the Magic Tower can’t be resolved by something as trivial as selling a room.”
“It was just a joke…. Should I call you Adela?”
“Call me whatever you like.”
She seemed to be close to Tower Master Olphin and was assisting him closely.
She was likely either the Archmage’s disciple or someone in a key position within the tower.
Considering that I didn’t know how long I’d be staying at the Arkhe Magic Tower to help resolve its deficit, there was no harm in building a connection with her.
“I might need your help several times in the future. I’ll be counting on you, Adela.”
“………….”
“Adela?”
“………….”
Buzz.
In an instant, the tips of Adela’s fingers shone white. Suddenly, a knight clad in black armor appeared behind her and started swinging a large greatsword.
“………!!”
The knight who was painted as black as a shadow directed the greatsword toward my neck.
Before I could even react to the sudden change—
“Young Master!!!”
“Sally!?”
“…An impressive bodyguard, I see.”
Crack!
In a flash, Sally intervened between me and Adela before swinging lightning in her hand.
However, Sally’s magic didn’t target the knight’s greatsword but Adela herself.
It was only then that I recalled Olphin’s words about Arkhe’s magic having no physical substance.
That was why Sally hadn’t aimed for the illusory knight but instead had gone for Adela directly.
But Adela who had cast the spell first turned into light and easily dodged the lightning. She then continued to talk nonchalantly.
“This… this wretched b*tch!! H-How dare you threaten the Young Master…!!!”
“And quite foul-mouthed too.”
“You filthy b*tch! A worthless dog who doesn’t know her place! You should crawl back and rot in the gutters where you belong, you damned whore…!!”
“…Enough, Sally.”
“But… still…!”
“Stop the cursing. For now, just keep an eye on Adela.”
“Y-Yes!”
Setting aside Sally’s coarse language, which I’d gotten used to since childhood,
I looked squarely at Adela, who was still expressionless.
“Why did you attack? Don’t tell me it wasn’t really an attack just because it was an illusion.”
“If it displeased you, then leave.”
“…Huh?”
“And don’t go whispering strange things to the Tower Master.”
Strange things.
Her meaning was obvious.
This white-haired mage called Adela….she clearly disapproved of me.
“Are you saying you believe what I’m saying is impossible?”
“I have nothing more to say. If you found my actions unpleasant, speak to the Tower Master. He will probably replace your guide right away.”
“You haven’t answered my question, though.”
“I may get scolded by the Tower Master, but more than that, I find you, who whispers about impossible dreams to the Tower Master, unpleasant.”
It was no use. We couldn’t communicate at all.
No matter what I said, Adela refused to listen and only said what she wanted to say.
In that way, Adela stared at me with that unrelenting, chillingly blank expression until the end.
“I’m probably not the only one. Most of the Tower’s mages will show you hostility, I imagine.”
“………”
“Tower Master Olphin is an Archmage, and at the same time, an excellent master of the Tower. Your attempt to whisper temptations while he’s vulnerable is detestable beyond words.”
“Adela.”
“Make sure you do not lose the Tower Master’s trust. Arkhe’s illusions will forever be targeting you.”
Thud.
Having said all she wanted, Adela immediately turned on her heel and left the room. In that vast guest room, the only sound was the door slamming shut behind her.
Sally, who had been keeping an eye on Adela until the very moment the door closed, now looked up at me with a worried expression on her face.
“Y-Young Master, please don’t pay attention to the words of that wretched woman… I-I will always be by your side…”
“…Thanks for worrying, Sally. In the end, all we can do is prove ourselves by the results.”
Yes. Just because Tower Master Olphin agreed didn’t mean everyone in the Tower would join the plan.
Selling the giant board game would be humiliating for the Tower, but it was the only surefire way to solve the current problem.
However, my plan to create a new wave of popularity with another giant board game could just as easily increase the deficit.
To an aide like Adela, it might look like a scam.
The idea was:
Sell board game to fix the Tower’s deficit, and in the process, Archmage Olphin, who would be criticized, steps down from his position as Tower Master.
Then I came along, a stranger offering a way for him to keep his post and resolve the deficit.
No wonder Adela was on guard. I just never expected her to threaten me using illusions.
Anyway, in the end, results will prove everything.
Right now, no matter what I say, I won’t be able to convince Adela or any of the other mages.
All I can do is show them, through the results, that I’m not some swindler.
As I comforted Sally who was on the verge of tears, I suddenly remembered something I needed to do.
“That’s right. Sally, let’s write a letter.”
“…A letter?”
“What else? A letter to young lady Lacia.”
The sparrow spirit had pestered me to come play Spirit Poker, and when I said today was the last day, it just stared blankly for a while.
We continued playing board games for over two weeks, and Lacia had started speaking to me in informal language; I thought we’d gotten somewhat close, but when I saw the look on her face, it seemed like she’d really lock me up in the tower just as the Duke had said. It was kind of scary.
But then Lacia got teary-eyed.
– There are plenty of people I can play board games with besides you! If you want to leave, then leave!! Never come back!!
…She kicked me out with those words.
I thought, “Well, she must really hate me now,” and let out a sigh. But then the water and the wind spirits told me I should write her letters.
They said if I didn’t at least do that, something seriously bad would happen. So from the moment I left the duchy, I had been writing letters every day.
I haven’t received any reply so far, though.
I wonder if Lacia’s actually reading them. Maybe she just tears them up the moment they arrive….or never even looks at them.
Still, I wrote a letter summarizing what had happened today.
I had no need to worry about how to send it to Lacia.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
[Chirp! Chirp, chirp, chirp!!]
“I’ve finished writing, so stop pestering me.”
Strangely enough, that sparrow spirit of Lacia’s always managed to show up out of nowhere to retrieve the letters.
At first, it startled me, but I’d grown used to it by now.
“By the way, Sally, isn’t it amazing? The spirit comes all this way.”
“…Y-Young Master. As far as I know, a s-spirit can’t come this far without a spirit user’s willingness…”
“Well, that’s a relief, right? It means Lacia’s telling it to come pick up my letters. Even though she said never to come back.”
“…H-How did it know we’re here…?”
“Sally?”
“Ah, it’s nothing…”
[Chirp!]
I thought I heard Sally mumble something, but I missed it because I was listening to the sparrow spirit.
Well, if it’s important, I’m sure she’ll tell me.
I let the sparrow spirit take the letter in its beak and sent it out the window.
“Farewell. Bring me a reply if you ever get one.”
[Chirp, chirp!!]
…Don’t tell me someone’s desperately blocking it? Blocking a reply, maybe?
It seemed like the only spirits who were friendly to me were the water and the win spirits. The tiger and horse.
Feeling somewhat sad with what Adela said and everything, I watched the sparrow spirit depart.
I’m doing my best, but it’s impossible to earn everyone’s favor.
Ah.
I want to play board games.
“Sally, want to play Spirit Poker?”
“Yes!!”
Yep, when you’re down, nothing beats a board game.
Time to brainstorm a new board game for the Tower!
…Right after just one round.
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