The success of Abracadabra was not simply because the game was fun or its illusions were impressive.
There were also several practical reasons behind it.
First, the fact that the prince had personally stepped up to experience it.
“How will you handle this? Abracadabra…. won’t you give it a try?”
“But as a noble, how could I behave like some kind of clown…?”
“If that’s what you think, then what does that make His Highness the Prince, who played it twelve times in a row? What about Duke Nicholas? Duke Grandel? Are you saying you are more noble than they are?”
“Ah… K-Khm! Well then… I suppose I’ll give it a try.”
No matter how entertaining something was, there were always those who held back because of pride or reputation. For people like that, the most effective approach was having someone far above them enjoy it without any reservations.
When even the prince and the dukes cast aside their dignity to have fun, who else had the right to be so concerned with appearances? That kind of atmosphere took hold.
Thanks to that, nobles and commoners alike could join in Abracadabra without hesitation.
Second, Abracadabra was, in the end, just a board game.
“S-Sir Count! How could a vassal like me possibly…. against a count…?!”
“Baron, don’t worry about it. Didn’t you see His Highness the Prince? This isn’t about politics or power. It’s just a moment of amusement. Or… do you see me as someone petty enough to care about such things?”
“N-No, of course not! In that case… Fire Spear! Gah!?”
“Haha! Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to pay you back properly in this board game! Whisper of the Reaper!”
“No, that wasn’t right!”
No matter how realistic the illusions made it seem, Abracadabra was still just a board game. A simple pastime. And people who tried to attach unnecessary meaning to such games to preserve their pride were never seen in a good light.
That was why a baron could strike a count with lightning and why even a mere merchant could hurl a fireball at a noble.
By the time everyone had accepted it as a simple pastime, getting too involved and losing one’s temper would only make one appear petty. After all, even His Highness the Prince had been struck by the spells of mere nobles. So who else would be offended? In many ways, all hail the prince.
And lastly, secrecy.
“I’ve always wanted to experience what it’s like to be a mage… but if I had to do it in front of people, I wouldn’t just be worried about my dignity; I’d be genuinely embarrassed.”
“No need to worry. If you prefer, we can keep spectators out and just enjoy it among ourselves. Surely you’re not embarrassed even in front of your own friends?”
“What? Well, in that case, no problem! Let’s go at once! Who knows how long I’ll have to wait if I don’t sign up now…!!”
Even so, there were those who found it difficult to play in front of hundreds of people like on the first day. That was why, when taking reservations, players were also asked whether they wanted their session to be public or private.
If they chose to make it public, crowds would flock to the tower. But even if they opted for a private session, no one would leave. They still had to wait their turn, after all.
In the end, thanks to all these factors, Abracadabra became a nonstop sensation, drawing in more and more people.
“W-Wait… are you saying the young master planned all of this from the start…?”
“Pretty much. If I had put it out there without considering any of this… well, it might not have been a total failure, but it definitely wouldn’t have become as popular as it is now.”
In a guest room of the Arkhe Magic Tower, I leisurely explained the key factors behind this success to Sally while enjoying the cookies she had made.
Well, in the end, it all came down to fun. The immersive experience of magical illusions and the entertainment of the board game itself. I had complete confidence in both. After all, board games are divine and invincible.
A board game where even the powerless can become mages? Honestly, who could resist?
It didn’t matter whether it was this world or another; the same principle applied. As children, both commoners and nobles alike dreamed of becoming Aura users or mages.
That dream faded as they grew up, but if they were given the chance to relive it, to fully enjoy the experience of becoming a mage in the safety of a mere board game…
And if even princes and dukes had already paved the way, eliminating any sense of pressure… If they could play in total privacy with only those they chose…
At that point, who could possibly refuse?
This was the ultimate fulfillment of a so-called “man’s romance”.
With everything laid out so perfectly, anyone who still refused was simply never meant to be part of it. The only option left for them would be to join later, swept up in the trend that would soon spread across the entire empire.
That said, the more people who played, the more loopholes in the rules started to appear.
Problems like balancing hidden spells or the tendency for players to recklessly cast magic just to experience it, caused games to end far sooner than expected.
I had spent a long time discussing solutions with the tower’s mages, trying to account for as much as possible, but some problems were simply inevitable.
And the process of fixing those problems…
Wasn’t bothersome in the slightest.
In fact, it was nothing but pure enjoyment.
The fact that these problems were arising also meant people were that passionate about the board game. I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.
“Ah, as expected of you, Young Master! Y-You truly are…!!”
“I didn’t do it alone. It was thanks to Tower Master Olphin, the tower’s mages, and Adela. We spent so much time playing Abracadabra together that we were able to find numerous ways to improve it.”
“Ah… um…”
“Now that I think about it, you’re getting along well with Adela, right? I heard you even shared snacks when I wasn’t around last time.”
At first, Adela was hostile toward me, so she’d sometimes say harsh things, but Sally wasn’t that kind of person.
She grew up in an orphanage in the slums, so in the past, she used to speak and act rather roughly, but now she’s become so gentle. I’m sure she and Adela must have made up.
At that, Sally wore a slightly awkward expression, then said,
“W-We’re getting along just fine! Since you weren’t around, Y-Young Master, I shared the snacks with her with a smile!”
“You did well.”
As expected of Sally. I’m proud of you.
As we were chatting away so amiably, Sally suddenly seemed curious and asked,
“B-But, Young Master…”
“Hmm?”
“If… if we can’t gather three people to play the board game… what then…?”
“…Hmm.”
Well, in that case—
“It can’t be helped. You’d either have to play with strangers or just quietly watch from the sidelines…”
“Ah…”
That part really can’t be helped. Board games, by their nature, require multiple people.
Sure, there were single-player board games, but from my point of view, one that believes the real fun of board games lies in interacting with others….three people was the minimum.
A single player was out of the question, only two there weren’t enough variables, and four might be a bit too many.
“Come on, is it really that hard to gather three people? Most of those who got invited are older than I am. Surely they can find two friends or acquaintances before then.”
“R-Right?”
“That’s right. Well, in the end, we’ll rely on the board game for that, too.
Just like I did, people who don’t know each other might become friends thanks to playing board games together. It worked with Sally, Lacia, and Adela.
“That said, in the current situation, it’s hard to expect that same effect for everyone else. After all, I can do it because I always carry a board game around with me.”
Mass production of the board game—
That was precisely why I was pouring all the subsidy money I received for my inheritance rights into it.
I think we’ll barely manage to meet the deadline, though.
All we really needed to produce were the custom bell and the cards, so even in a month we could establish a decent standard.
If the current trend continued just a little longer, I would be able to introduce “Kyle Galli” to the nobles and influential figures gathering in the Geass territory.
I’ve also asked Olphin for a favor, so promoting Kyle Galli itself shouldn’t be a problem.
All the more reason for me to refine Abracadabra further and keep it trending.
Just as I was about to get back to adjusting the balance of hidden spells—
Thunk!
“…I-I’m here.”
“Ah, Adela? Is something the matter? You came running.”
“Well…”
Adela glanced back and forth between me and Sally, took a moment to catch her breath, and spoke quietly.
“…I just… wanted to play the board game.”
“Oh!!”
Until now, I’d been playing Abracadabra with Adela for a few hours every day, but she had never rushed in like this just to play.
Maybe the board game, which she once called a turning point in her life, was now something she could treat more as a form of leisure.
She suddenly seemed to be glaring at something, so I followed her gaze. It landed on the set of Abracadabra right behind Sally. She looked so eager. Of course I’d say yes right away.
“Perfect timing since Sally’s here. The three of us can—”
[Grooowl.]
“Huh?”
Did I just hear the water tiger’s growl from near the window?
Startled by the sound, I turned my head. Sure enough, the water tiger was sitting below the window, looking at us as though it had been there all along.
Had it always been in the room?
“Huh? Sally, has the tiger been there all this time?”
“…Um, I’m not sure.”
Hmm… no idea. It’s a spirit, after all, so maybe it was just around in some way I didn’t notice. It often disappears and then suddenly shows up nearby.
Could it have come in through the window? But this was the upper floor of the Mage Tower; there was no way it could just climb through the window unless it was hanging off the edge.
And there’s no reason for a water tiger to dangle outside a window.
It’s not like we’re in some spy movie where it would sneak in or eavesdrop.
Besides, the water spirit was my board game buddy, so I trusted it. I beckoned for it to come over.
“In that case, we can play with four… Wait, we’re all out of cookies.”
“Y-Young Master! I-I’ll go make more!”
“You will? Thanks, Sally.”
“N-Not at all! J-Just wait a moment!”
***
Click.
With an empty plate in hand, Sally stepped out of the room and quietly walked down the hallway.
Until the door closed behind her, she had been waving and grinning at Kyle, but now her face was cold and rigid.
Her posture shifted to something more casual, and even close to arrogant. She mumbled small curses under her breath as she walked.
After all, her beloved Young Master wasn’t here, nor were any of the mansion colleagues she needed to keep “acting” for.
She only had to avoid the mages in the tower if she sensed them coming.
“F-Fu*king bit*hes…”
She understood why this was happening. Her Young Master was a bright person, and there were bound to be vermin drawn to that light. Sally had no intention of dealing with every single one of them.
But why did one of those vermin have to be that crazy spirit master in the tower, the one who had openly opposed the Young Master from the very first meeting?
As Kyle’s bodyguard, Sally was obligated to swat such pests away herself.
But since this particular pest was annoyingly cunning and had managed to weave her way closer to the Young Master, Sally had to act more carefully.
I have to stay cautious.
Sally, born and raised in the slums, was highly sensitive to gaps. She knew that those two pests weren’t just ordinary nuisances. A duke’s daughter and the Tower Master’s prized disciple held far greater status than a mere maid.
But that wasn’t a reason to give up.
The key was to make sure the Young Master lost interest in those pests.
I’ve done this plenty of times before.
Leaving the room under the pretense of bringing snacks was just part of the plan. Those stupid wenches would tear each other apart right in front of the Young Master. And in the midst of it all, Sally would reap every possible benefit.
At the very least, she would never let her act crack in front of the Young Master. After all, every word and action she directed at Kyle had always been pure and sincere.
Just as she was organizing her thoughts for what lay ahead—
“Hey, you.”
“………”
“Yeah, I’m talking to you. Maid.”
“Wh-What can I do for you…?”
The unfamiliar voice from behind made her change her expression instantly. Her voice took on a tearful tone, her movements became sluggish, and she turned into a clumsy, foolish maid.
That was her act. And until now, no one had ever seen through it.
“No need for such theatrics. It’s painfully obvious.”
“Wh-What do you mean…?”
“I’m here because of the vow engraved in your heart.”
“………Ah.”
Her teary-eyed expression turned cold. The hands and feet that had been trembling just moments ago fell still, growing icy.
Straightening her once-bowed back, Sally’s empty eyes locked onto the person before her.
“H-How much do you know?”
“I just told you. The vow in your heart. That’s all.”
“Th-That blue hair… Y-You’re the Archmage of the G-Glacia Magic Tower, aren’t you?”
Even after realizing that the person before her was the Archmage of the Glacia Magic Tower, Sally’s demeanor remained unchanged. And it wasn’t out of arrogance or mere pretense.
It was the genuine, crazy conviction that it didn’t matter who she was dealing with.
If there was any silver lining, it was that the blue-haired Archmage was just as crazy. She didn’t seem the least bit concerned about Sally’s attitude.
“S-So… what do you w-want?”
“The vow engraved in your heart. Who’s the bastard that did it?”
“………”
“I don’t know if you’re aware, but that’s an insane kind of magic. It’s a forbidden technique that can even turn a powerless person into a mage, but there’s a reason it was buried away.”
“………”
“You do realize how crazy it is to live your entire life bound by a vow carved into your heart, don’t you? I’ve seen a few cases like yours before, so just be honest with me.”
“………”
“You’re a maid of the Byron family, right? Was it the head of the house who forced it on you? Or one of their mages? No? Then was it some underground organization? I’m trying to help you, so hurry up and talk. First, let’s get rid of that engraving on your heart—”
—Wait.
The Glacia Archmage, who had been looking annoyed as if she were dealing with some tiresome business, suddenly froze.
It happened the moment she checked the message engraved on Sally’s heart.
A phrase she wouldn’t have been able to decipher from afar, one that required this level of proximity to confirm.
Sally, whom she had assumed was just another victim forced into this forbidden magic, had sworn a vow she intended to uphold for the rest of her life.
“…You.”
“F-First, let me just c-clear one thing up. No one f-forced this on me.”
“What…? You were that desperate to become a mage? You didn’t need to go that far. You have a natural talent for magic. Why would you resort to something like that—”
“B-Because it was the f-fastest way.”
“What?”
“To… to return as Young M-Master’s maid… t-this was the quickest way.”
“………”
“I c-couldn’t stand waiting. Not even for a moment.”
Sally smiled. It was dazzlingly bright; yet utterly broken.
A madness far more overwhelming than before radiated from her.
And as the Archmage stared at her in stunned silence—
“…Eek.”
She grew startled and instinctively backed away from Sally.
In that moment of shock while she was frozen by the unexpected situation, a lifeline was thrown to her.
“Oh, Archmage Sisha?”
“Uh, hm!?”
“Tower Master Olphin is calling for you. I heard it’s just a light game of Kyle Galli between archmages… Ah, and you must be Sally, right? Did you come for the cookies?”
“He, hehe. Yes.”
The moment a tower mage approached and called for Sisha, Sally immediately resumed her act and started grinning foolishly.
A shiver ran down Sisha’s spine, and she couldn’t help but tremble.
She was known as the lunatic of the Glacia Tower, the Archmage who could freeze even her own heart, the least archmage-like of all archmages…..but even she wanted nothing to do with the madness radiating from Sally.
If anything, experience had taught her to stay far away from such a deep, unfathomable darkness.
But she had her own duties, her own circumstances to consider.
“Just know this. Even if I don’t want to… now that I’ve seen that forbidden magic, I will come back to you.”
“Wh-What?”
“That’s all! Olphin’s calling, so I gotta go, bye!”
Sisha spat out her last words as quickly as she could and vanished, gliding away on the ice.
She silently thanked Olphin for giving her a reason to leave—
Even if it meant playing that ridiculous Kyle Galli game or whatever it was!
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