After that, I had another conversation with Master Olfin, but the main point was one.
Ultimately, can we escape the deficit by recycling the board game board?
“Could you elaborate on the maintenance costs?”
“There’s not much to elaborate on. As you’ve probably noticed, since the board game board is entirely an illusion, maintaining it constantly requires a massive amount of money.”
“……Are the magicians of the Arkhé Magic Tower maintaining it 24/7?”
“Not exactly. Even though it’s the shortest history among the six great towers, we’ve collected quite a few artifacts. Using their magical power as a foundation and utilizing the magicians of the tower as filters, we can apply Rodens’ magic theory───”
“……………….”
“………Well, to put it simply, it’s like an extremely expensive bonfire. It keeps demanding expensive firewood, but we don’t really use it much; we just stare at it and admire its beauty.”
“I see.”
The board game board, or rather, the idea of recycling the illusion, is a proposal we must address to solve the maintenance cost issue.
Whether it will actually sell is questionable── but even if it doesn’t bring in as much profit as selling the board game board, we at least need to escape the deficit caused by maintenance costs.
“If we reduce the scale of the board game board……….”
“That’s already been tried. We considered reducing it to the size of this room, but concluded that it would be better to just sell it. After all, that board game board is a symbol of the tower, so if we’re going to keep it, we need to maintain a certain scale.”
“It’s a matter of pride, then.”
“Ultimately, yes. Being one of the six great towers means we have to maintain unnecessary pride. Do you know how much trouble we went through just to send out letters about selling it? Once this is over, I’ll definitely have to step down from my position as the tower master.”
“…………….”
“Well, if replacing this old man can resolve the tower’s deficit, it’s a cheap price to pay.”
But in my opinion, we’re already in a situation where there’s no answer with the usual methods.
Under normal circumstances, Master Olfin wouldn’t even consider selling the giant board game board, which is a symbol of the tower and what made Arkhé a member of the six great towers. It’s only because of this special situation that he’s willing to endure all the criticism and humiliation.
And despite his pessimistic words, Master Olfin was giving me a rather earnest look.
If we could really ‘utilize’ the board game board to escape the deficit, we wouldn’t have to endure the humiliation of selling the tower’s symbol.
‘What should I do?’
The thought of not being able to give up that board game board, and the hope that solving this issue might lead to continuous financial support.
Those two thoughts made me bold, but no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t come up with a suitable answer.
How long did that long silence last?
The anticipation in Master Olfin’s eyes gradually faded, and by the time the white-haired girl behind him and Sally behind me were looking at me.
‘Wait a minute.’
Suddenly.
That thought came to me.
“……Master, may I ask one thing?”
“Of course.”
“Why was it a board game?”
“Hmm?”
“Arkhé Magic Tower became a member of the six great towers using illusions of light and dark magic, and at its center was that giant board game board, as you mentioned.”
“Yes. That’s why the board game board became a symbol of our tower.”
“But if the theme is illusions, there are plenty of other ways to showcase them. Why specifically a board game board?”
“………Hmm.”
It was just a sudden curiosity. Why did the past master of Arkhé Magic Tower choose a board game board as a means to showcase illusions?
Of course, board games and illusions make a surprisingly good match, but there must have been other methods more fitting for the ‘tower’s’ pride.
Why?
Master Olfin, stroking his beard for a moment at this sudden question that seemed to deviate from the current topic.
“It was for fame.”
“Fame, you say………?”
“A tower recognized by the Empire can have its own territory. This place, Gias, spread around our Arkhé Magic Tower, is the same.”
I know.
After all, to get to Arkhé Magic Tower, you have to enter Gias Territory.
The tower isn’t exactly a noble family, but considering the size and quality of the territory, it effectively receives authority equivalent to a count or higher.
“Let me ask you. What kind of place is Gias now?”
“……The western part, no, the entire Empire’s magicians──”
“It’s considered one of the holy sites, you know.”
“Before Arkhé became one of the 6 Great Magic Towers, the Gias Territory I first received was just a rural area with a few small villages. To grow it to the scale it is now… it was impossible through ordinary means.”
As if reminiscing about the past.
After closing his eyes and swimming through memories for a moment, Master Olfin soon opened his eyes again.
“Even right before Arkhé Magic Tower was appointed as one of the 6 Great Magic Towers, Gias Territory was, frankly, a backwater. To break through that, my master came up with an astonishing method.”
“An astonishing method…?”
“Drawing aggro.”
“……Huh?”
“Frankly, if a magic tower suddenly became one of the 6 Great Magic Towers, most people would just go, ‘Oh, okay,’ and move on if the reason was just an illusion. But if that illusion created a massive board game, wouldn’t quite a few people get interested?”
“Uh……”
“Indeed, Gias benefited greatly from that aggro. People from all over gathered for the board game combined with illusions on the massive game board, and the trend that followed became the driving force for Gias to grow into a massive territory. Well, that trend was 100 years ago though……”
Right, how could they resist? The aggro effect must’ve been solid.
Huh? Wait a minute.
“Didn’t it cost the same maintenance back then? The tower’s earnings must’ve been much lower in those days……?”
“Ah, as I mentioned earlier, the trend brought many people to Gias Territory, so taxes and profits were quite sweet. Though it was temporary.”
“……Then, couldn’t we just create another trend?”
“A trend?”
“If people from across the empire visit Gias again to play Arkhé Magic Tower’s board game…… wouldn’t that be enough?”
Why is it?
It felt like the fading hope in Master Olfin’s eyes was reignited.
“It wouldn’t be lacking, it’d be more than enough. If we can recreate that trend from 100 years ago, we could escape the deficit.”
“Though it’d be temporary……”
“Even temporary is enough. After all, securing the funds for the tower’s continued operation isn’t your job but mine and the magicians’. What I expect from you now is to break through this near-bankruptcy situation.”
“Then.”
“However, frankly, it’s hopeless. Back then, it was the buzz of the 5th Magic Tower becoming the 6th, the board game trend among nobles, and the influx of people wanting to learn the tower’s magic. Do you think changing the type of board game can recreate that?”
“…………”
“I want an answer that says you can do it. Not possibilities, but certainty that you will.”
That was the last chance Master Olfin was giving me.
The backing of the Everts Duke’s House, the achievements of Kyle Galli and Spirit Poker, and the hope that selling the tower’s symbol was a better choice.
Those three factors intertwined, forcing Olfin to make a choice.
To retreat here, or to move forward.
In a slightly different silence than before.
I.
“……I’ll do it. Definitely.”
“Good.”
“Tower Master……”
“Be quiet for now, Adela. Anyway, the plan is set, so let’s move. I’ll talk to and persuade the tower’s elders. In the meantime, you work on creating a new board game.”
“Understood.”
“Kyle Galli, Spirit Poker was good, but it needs to be more than that. It’s not just about fun, it needs to have buzz and attract wealthy merchants and nobles.”
“Of course.”
“……I’m glad to hear such a confident answer. Adela, escort the tower’s guest to their room.”
“…………”
“Adela.”
“……Yes, Tower Master.”
“Good! It’s dawn now, so let’s rest…… and meet again this evening.”
“I’ll be counting on you, Kyle.”
“In many ways.”
*
The guest room prepared in Arkhé Magic Tower.
Even though it’s currently suffering from a deficit, Arkhé Magic Tower is still one of the empire’s 6 Great Magic Towers.
The room given to guests was nothing short of luxurious and grand.
“Young Master! This bed is entirely made of gems……!!”
“……Can’t we just sell these things?”
Selling just one of these could probably let me live a life free from envy.
The silver-haired girl who had guided Sally here in response to such a frivolous remark replied.
“We’re still far from it. The deficit of this Magic Tower can’t be resolved unless we sell something on the scale of a board game.”
“It was a joke. Can I call you Adela?”
“Do as you please.”
The girl who assists Master Olfin and seems close to him.
She must either be the Archmage’s disciple or hold an important position in the tower.
Given the situation, I might have to stay at the Arkhé Magic Tower for a while to solve the deficit. It wouldn’t hurt to get friendly.
“I might need your help several times. Please take care of me, Adela.”
“…………….”
“Adela?”
“………….”
Hmm.
Suddenly, Adela’s expressionless fingertips glowed white.
Out of nowhere, a black-armored knight appeared behind her and swung a greatsword.
“………!!”
The knight’s greatsword, as if painted in shadow, aimed at my neck.
Without a moment to react to the sudden change──
“Young Master!!!”
“Sally!?”
“…………Quite a skilled guard.”
Crackle!!
──In an instant, Sally, who had stepped between me and Adela, wielded lightning.
But Sally’s magic wasn’t aimed at the knight’s greatsword but at Adela herself.
It was then I remembered Master Olfin’s words that Arkhé’s magic has no substance.
That’s why Sally targeted Adela herself, knowing the knight was just an illusion.
But Adela, who had cast the first spell, turned into light in an instant to dodge the lightning and continued speaking indifferently.
“You, bitch!! How dare you attack the Young Master…!!!”
“Your mouth is as foul as ever.”
“You, damn whore! A thousand years of not knowing your place!! You should rot in some goddamn back alley, you bitch…!!”
“Enough, Sally.”
“B-but………….”
“I said stop the cursing. Just keep an eye on Adela for now.”
“Y-yes!”
Putting aside Sally’s crude language, which I’ve grown quite used to since childhood.
I faced Adela, who remained expressionless.
“Why did you attack? Don’t tell me it wasn’t an attack because it was an illusion.”
“If you’re upset, then leave.”
“………Huh?”
“Don’t go filling the Tower Master’s head with nonsense.”
Nonsense.
The implication was clear.
This white-haired mage named Adela── doesn’t think highly of me.
“Do you think what I’m saying is impossible?”
“I have nothing more to say. If my actions upset you, speak to the Tower Master. He’ll probably change your guide immediately.”
“I didn’t get an answer.”
“I might get scolded by the Tower Master, but I find it more unpleasant that you’re whispering unattainable dreams to him.”
Wrong. Communication is impossible.
No matter what I say, Adela maintains an attitude of not listening, only saying what she wants.
Staring at me with that chillingly expressionless face until the end.
“I won’t be the only one. Most of the tower’s mages will likely show hostility towards you.”
“…………….”
“Master Olfin is a great mage and an excellent Tower Master. It’s utterly despicable to take advantage of his moment of weakness to whisper temptations.”
“Adela.”
“Strive not to lose the Tower Master’s trust. Arkhé’s illusions will always be targeting you.”
Thud.
Having finished her piece, Adela turned on her heel and left the room, the sound of the door slamming shut echoing in the vast guest room.
Sally, who had been keeping an eye on Adela until the door closed, looked up at me with a worried expression.
“Young Master, don’t pay attention to that bitch’s words. I’ll always be by your side…”
“………Thanks for worrying, Sally. In the end, we’ll have to prove it with results.”
Right. Just because Master Olfin agreed doesn’t mean everyone in the tower will join the plan.
Selling a giant board game might tarnish the tower’s dignity, but it’s the only way to solve the current problem definitively.
I can do it.
But my plan to create another trend with a different massive board game could potentially increase the deficit even more.
‘To someone like Adela, it might look like a scam.’
Instead of selling the board game to cover the deficit, Archmage Olfin steps down from his position as the Tower Lord amidst criticism.
A strange young man approaches him, whispering a plan to maintain his position as Tower Lord while also covering the deficit.
No wonder Adela is on guard. I didn’t expect her to go as far as using illusions to threaten me.
‘In the end, the results will prove everything.’
No matter what I say now, I won’t be able to convince Adela or the other magicians.
I just need to show them through results that I’m not a fraud.
While comforting a sulking Sally, I suddenly remembered something I needed to do.
“That’s right. Sally, let’s write a letter.”
“…A letter, you say?”
“A letter to Princess Leisha, of course.”
After being rushed by the sparrow spirit to play Spirit Poker, I told her today was the last day, and she just stared blankly for a while.
After playing board games for over two weeks, Leisha started speaking casually to me, and I thought we had gotten closer, but seeing her expression, I was genuinely scared she might actually imprison me like the Duke said.
But then Leisha started tearing up.
──I have plenty of other people to play board games with! If you’re leaving, then just go!! Don’t ever come back!!
…And she chased me out.
Wondering if I’d finally earned her hatred, I sighed, but the tiger and wind spirit advised me to write a letter.
They said if I didn’t, things would really go south, so I’ve been writing letters every day since leaving the Duke’s estate.
‘Though I’ve never gotten a reply yet.’
I wonder if Leisha even reads the letters. Maybe she tears them up or doesn’t read them at all.
Despite those worries, I summarized today’s events and wrote the letter.
I didn’t need to worry about how to send it to Leisha.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
[Whoosh! Whoosh!!]
“I’m done writing, so stop rushing me.”
Strangely enough, Leisha’s sparrow spirit always shows up like a ghost to take the letters.
I was really surprised at first, but now I’m used to it.
“By the way, Sally, isn’t it amazing? That a spirit can come all the way here from such a distance.”
“…Y-young Master. As far as I know, spirits can’t come this far without the will of a Spirit Master…”
“Well, that’s a relief. It means Leisha sent the spirit to get the letters, right? Even though she told me never to come back.”
“…H-how did she even know where we are?”
“Sally?”
“O-oh, it’s nothing…”
[Whoosh!]
I think Sally muttered something just now, but I couldn’t hear it over the sparrow spirit’s chatter.
Well, if it was important, she’d probably tell me.
I placed the letter in the sparrow spirit’s beak and sent it off through the window.
“Go safely. If you get a reply, let me know.”
[Whoosh!!]
…Are you desperately blocking it? You’re blocking the reply, aren’t you?
Guess the only spirits friendly to me are the tiger and the wind spirit.
Adela too, feeling a bit melancholic, I saw the sparrow spirit off.
‘Even though I’m trying my best, it’s hard to win everyone’s favor.’
Ah.
I want to play board games.
“Sally, want to play Spirit Poker?”
“Yes!!”
Board games are the best when you’re feeling down.
Let’s brainstorm some new board games for the Magic Tower!
…After just one game, though.
