It wasn’t made by me, but by someone else—a board game.
It was a bit different from *Kill the King*. Compared to some board game whose creation date I didn’t even know, it was inevitable that I’d grow attached to one born right before my eyes.
Especially if it was the result of my actions up until now.
“It’s been a long journey.”
From the moment I got my father’s permission to create a board game.
Making *Kyle Galli*, spreading it around.
Helping Leisha, helping the *Arkhé Magic Tower*, aiding the Third Prince.
Continuing to spread board games across this world, and finally…
I got to taste the fruits of my labor, even if just a little.
“This is the escape room board game made directly by the magicians of *Astron*.”
“…I see.”
“Frankly, it’s not that great of a game.”
“…?”
Of course, I’m happy, but I had to be objective in my evaluation.
Compared to existing escape room board games, the quality of the puzzles is lower, there’s room for multiple answers which can hinder progress, and the clues lack cohesion—it’s mostly just “go here” or “the password is this.” Overall, it feels more like a workbook than an escape room.
“Also, since they’re magicians, many of the puzzles require magic knowledge. So I couldn’t solve them alone and needed Adela’s help.”
“…Then it doesn’t seem like much of an achievement, does it? It’d be hard to train multi-casting with a board game like this.”
“This is the very first one they made.”
“Then…?”
“After I gave feedback like I did earlier, they were a bit discouraged, but the magicians worked together for almost a whole day to create something new… and this is it.”
Though still hand-drawn with a pen, the letters are neater and the drawings clearer than before.
It feels much more organized overall, and there are several types of cards now.
“While it still can’t compare to existing escape room games, it’s become much more fun. Stella, do you know what this means?”
“What is it?”
“In just a few days—just a few days—even though it was made by a group, their skills have improved this much. What if we gave them more time?”
“……..”
Honestly, it’s possible precisely because it’s an ‘escape room’ board game.
Coming up with a concept, creating all sorts of elements, setting rules, revising to ensure no exceptions, and adding strategic elements—even for magicians, it’s incredibly hard for someone unfamiliar with board games to create one from scratch.
But escape room board games are a different story. The concept of ‘solving riddles to escape’ is already established, and the rules are somewhat standardized.
To put it bluntly, as long as you focus on the riddles, clues, and how well they mesh together, anyone can relatively easily create an escape room board game.
Of course, even so, the fact that their skills improved so dramatically in such a short time is still astonishing.
It’s probably because they’re ‘magicians’ that this was possible.
“Stella, you mentioned exclusive rights, didn’t you?”
“…Yes.”
“But that only applies to the games I made, right? The board games created by *Astron*’s magicians themselves aren’t mine, are they?”
“Still, they were made under your influence.”
“That…”
“Still, it was the magicians of Astron who created it. Of course, I can’t claim ownership of that board game.”
“……Really?”
Stella looked skeptical, which was understandable. After all, she had practically gotten the Escape Room Board Game without paying anything, even though she had initially offered 100 billion gold and a precious artifact for exclusive rights.
Of course, it would take time for the Escape Room Board Games created by the magicians to reach the level Stella desired, but it wasn’t impossible.
‘It’s also necessary for the variety of Escape Room Board Games.’
I’ve already created quite a few Escape Room Board Games from my memories, but just recently, even the magicians mentioned it.
The reality is that the variety and number are still insufficient for multi-casting training.
But I can’t spend my entire life obsessing over Escape Room Board Games. Eventually, others will have to make them too.
And Stella must have known this.
From Stella’s perspective, it would have been much better to create something entirely new rather than just producing my Escape Room Board Games. But she couldn’t.
‘Probably because of pride, she couldn’t blatantly create it in front of the original creator.’
While there’s no concept of copyright in this world, at this point where the Escape Room Board Game genre has just been introduced, anyone else making one would inevitably be seen as a knockoff.
Stella also saw the Escape Room Board Game not as a ‘genre’ but as something I personally created, which is why she desperately wanted exclusive rights.
But after crossing the line by asking me to defect, she had essentially given up on exclusive rights.
In fact, I was the one who stepped forward and gave her both justification and practical benefits.
That’s why Stella was making such a complicated expression.
“What on earth are you thinking?”
“My thoughts are always the same.”
“I’m the Tower Lord of the Magic Tower. It’s my duty to protect the tower’s unique magic and prevent it from being leaked. That’s why we don’t copy unique things either………usually.”
Ah, so that’s what she was thinking.
Anyway, I only had one thing to say.
“Lady Stella, what do you think I want?”
“………….”
“Money? Fame? If I wanted those, I wouldn’t be doing this. From the moment I first created a board game in my family until now, my heart has remained the same.”
To spread board games and make board game friends.
“That’s all I think about.”
“……Could it be that you refused the exclusive rights offer for that reason? So that the Escape Room Board Game wouldn’t spread throughout the Empire?”
“Exactly.”
“Just for that………you gave up 100 billion gold and a Micro Planet?”
“To you, it might seem trivial. But to me, it’s the purpose of my life.”
“…………….”
So, let’s go back to the beginning.
I faced Stella, who looked utterly bewildered.
“Lady Stella, I can’t give you exclusive rights, but if time passes, the number of Escape Room Board Games will only increase. That was my goal in Astron. Frankly, I didn’t expect it to go this well.”
“………….”
“Anyway, it all worked out in the end.”
“Hey, wouldn’t it be enough to just ask Lady Stella for one thing?”
“…What do you want?”
“It’s not that difficult. Just…”
*Clack.*
She places a board game on the table between Stella and me.
A new expansion pack for Bang, playable with just two people.
“I want to be board game buddies with Lady Stella. Is that not okay?”
“Is that all? Really?”
“What more do I need?”
After Olfin, the Archmage becoming my board game buddy? That alone is a life achievement—what more could I ask for?
Until now, I’ve only been at the level of receiving cooperation for game development, but if we become proper board game buddies, I can get much closer to Stella.
Thinking that, I smile brightly, and Stella Varnicion, who had been looking at me with slightly wavering eyes, says:
“When I look at you… I’m reminded of my master. The former Master of the Magic Tower, who, like you, prioritized only what he wanted above all else. For you, it’s board games; for him, it was magic.”
“Is that so? Then, what happened to that master of yours?”
“He died. Killed by a dragon. I was too weak to even take revenge and almost died myself. In the end, Olfin killed that dragon and saved me.”
“Uh, um.”
“Now I understand why I’ve been so drawn to you. Of course, part of it is that you’re a rare genius, but even after enduring all your commands and insults, I kept wanting you…”
“…Commands? Insults?”
“It’s because you resemble my master. Someone I could never be—a pure person.”
Stella, who had been looking down for a moment, fiddled with the Bang cards spread out on the table.
Only then did I notice that in one corner of her room, there was a display case, like something you’d see in a museum, where Bang was carefully preserved.
What did Bang mean to Stella for her to display it like that?
“I can’t do that. Money, honor, even Olfin, who’s always in front of me—they keep getting in the way. I can’t purely follow my own standards.”
“…Isn’t that actually normal?”
“What?”
“Do you know how I’m treated? I just like board games, but sometimes I get these incomprehensible looks. I don’t know about your master, but…”
“……”
“He and I are the weird ones. You’re the normal one, Lady Stella. If it sounds like I’m disrespecting your master, I apologize.”
“…Ha, haha. Hahaha! You’re right, you’re right. My master was an eccentric. He’d meditate at the top of the Magic Tower for a whole day to train in magic, leave and come back suddenly for the sake of magic, and almost starved to death researching magic… He was a strange person.”
*Clack.*
Stella draws a card from Bang.
“But even so, there’s me, chasing after him. Because I lived with that eccentric yet pure person, all my ugly feelings are more visible. That’s how I’ve lived. For decades, as someone who could never reach my master or Olfin.”
How must her heart have felt, wanting to be like the master she admired but failing?
Saved by Olfin but constantly feeling inadequate, even having her master’s revenge taken from her.
Unable to fully desire others because she knew it was all her own fault.
How has she lived for decades?
“At this point, my festering heart won’t be healed. But even so… it feels a little warmer now.”
“……”
“Congratulations. You’re the first person I’ve opened up to like this. I’ve never met anyone who resembles my master as much as you do, so maybe it’s only natural.”
“Um, thank you?”
“You’ve managed to charm the heart of an Archmage. In a good way, of course. Board game buddy? That probably isn’t enough, though.”
Stella, who had been fidgeting with a Bang card, summoned something out of thin air.
A sleek bracelet engraved with the unique emblem of Astron.
Though not an Artifact, the bracelet itself was a treasure of considerable value.
“Astron’s influence is the largest among the Magic Towers, spreading far and wide. Being the son-in-law of the Everts Duke’s House, you won’t lack for anything in life, but with this bracelet, Astron will always welcome you.”
“Thank you.”
“Olfin probably ended up in the honorary elder position, right?”
“Uh, yes?”
“I’ve specially engraved the bracelet to treat you similarly to how I am treated—even more than Olfin! Consider it a sign of my recognition of you. Think of it that way.”
“………Yep.”
“By the way, you mentioned playing a board game, right? As a board game buddy, it’s only natural to accept. Stay at Astron as long as you like. Astron will always welcome you───”
“Ah, I’m sorry, but I plan to leave today.”
“───I just said something quite touching, but… you’re really ruthless, huh?”
“Of course, I appreciate your kindness, Stella, but I have a place I need to get to as soon as possible.”
“……Is it for a board game again?”
“Of course.”
“You didn’t have to resemble my master in this way too.”
Stella, who had been smirking for a moment, divided the character cards of Bang and asked.
“So, where are you planning to go? You can at least tell your friend that much, right?”
“Well… to be honest, I don’t know the exact location. I just know the name.”
“Huh?”
“I’m planning to go to the Dwarf Village.”
“……Dwarves? Are you serious!?”
Dwarves.
It’s no exaggeration to say that most of the weapons and architecture left in the continent’s history were made by dwarves, the blacksmith race.
The Dwarf Village, the only place where such dwarves reside, is strictly managed by the Imperial family, with access granted only to direct imperial family members and a very few exceptions.
They handle forging, hammering, construction, and more solely with their race’s unique senses.
‘Miniatures, board game boards, dice, specialized board game tools…’
Truly.
They were undoubtedly a race born for board game production.
And the Dwarf Village’s festival was just around the corner.
It was time to use the farewell gift I received from the Third Prince.
