Borrowing the name and portrait of Archmage Olfin.
That was my idea for localizing ‘Bang!’.
‘Because it’s the board game I absolutely wanted to make.’
Bang!.
A game set in the American Wild West, where sheriffs, deputies, outlaws, and traitors intertwine, targeting each other.
Even though it’s a board game that can be played with just cards, it’s quite active and noisy.
The game’s identity and title come from the ‘Bang!’ card, which shoots, the ‘Missed!’ card to dodge, weapon and tool cards you can equip, and various other cards that chip away at your life points.
And there was one essential card in Bang!.
‘Character cards.’
Since it’s set in the Wild West, the characters on the character cards are not fictional but real-life gunslingers.
Each character has unique abilities, like shooting multiple Bang! cards, taking cards from dead players, or being unable to dodge Bang! cards, which adds to the fun of the game.
So, when making Bang!, can we just use those characters as they are?
Of course not.
‘Well, we could make it.’
But in a world that doesn’t know the American Wild West, gunslingers, or even guns, it would definitely feel awkward.
Sure, you could play it, but it goes without saying that localizing it for this world would be much better.
Just like how we changed the property names in Monopoly to fit this world, we’ll adapt the elements of Bang! to this world.
In that sense, there was only one thing to replace the gunslingers.
‘Magicians.’
Gunslingers become magicians, and the characters are also changed to magicians.
With 16 types of character cards, we needed consent from 16 magicians, and the first one was Master Olfin.
‘If Olfin agrees, we can ask the other magicians in Arkhé.’
Even if the tower’s magicians are friendly, they might be hesitant about having their names engraved on a board game. I mean, even I trembled every time I heard the name Kyle Galli at first.
But if Olfin, the tower master and Archmage, leads the way, it should be easier to persuade the others.
That was the proposal I made with that thought.
“Hmm…….”
“……Is this too difficult for you?”
“No, it’s not that kind of worry. Even with just a brief explanation, it feels like a fun game, like Abracadabra. But……….”
After explaining the gameplay of Bang! and what it means to borrow names and portraits, Olfin seemed to be pondering deeply.
Even so, maybe an Archmage wouldn’t want their name sold on a board game.
When you think about it, it’s like asking someone as important as a president if you can use their name for a board game character. Frankly, I was prepared for Olfin to reject the proposal.
But Olfin seemed to be thinking in a slightly different direction.
“The characters, meaning you need 16 magicians, right?”
“That’s correct. Preferably from Arkhé Magic Tower…….”
“From the tower’s perspective, that would be ideal, but board games are meant for the general public, right? Unless it’s me or a few elders, most people wouldn’t recognize their names. For the game’s success, we’d need to fill it with famous figures.”
“Then……?”
“……Perhaps,”
“Can you spare some time? A day or two should be enough.”
“Ah, yes. There’s no need to rush anyway.”
Why is that?
Watching Master Olfin show such strange enthusiasm.
I trembled with an inexplicable sense of foreboding.
*
“Bang… huh.”
Kyle Byron, with a dazed expression, left the office, leaving Master Olfin alone with a serious look.
Bang. That’s what Kyle Byron had tentatively named the board game he was planning to make. Though he mentioned he might change it after some thought.
And Master Olfin Glassburn.
He saw potential in that board game.
“A board game featuring real-life magicians as characters.”
If it had been anyone else proposing to use Olfin’s name, he would have kicked them out without a second thought.
In the Empire, and throughout the continent’s history, magicians were a privileged class. Even though their status had somewhat diminished in the current peaceful era post-war, the image of magicians as arrogant and prideful remained strong. And rightfully so.
Especially an Archmage. Their status was on a whole different level. Naturally, the mere idea of including magicians, let alone an Archmage, in a board game would cause significant backlash.
Moreover, the concept of putting real people into a board game was entirely new to Olfin. Sure, Monopoly used place names, but land and people are different, aren’t they?
The reason Olfin was seriously considering the proposal was simply because it was Kyle Byron making the offer.
A genius board game creator, the savior of Arkhé Magic Tower’s finances, and an honorary elder of the Tower.
Kyle Byron was already gaining overwhelming fame, to the point where anyone of influence in the western Empire had likely heard his name.
A new board game from such a creator, one that even boasted the inclusion of Archmage Olfin Glassburn as a character card.
“The buzz is guaranteed…!!”
Truth be told, Olfin would have been fine with just financial support, but the idea of having his name and portrait on a board game was initially off-putting. He was also a bit concerned about the opinions of the magical community and those around him.
But after seven years of financial deficits and the massive success of Abracadabra, Olfin had come to realize something.
In this world, money is more important than pride or others’ opinions.
With money, you can do anything. And in that regard, this board game reeked of potential profit.
A means to keep the people drawn to Abracadabra hooked, the buzz of having an Archmage’s name attached, and the guaranteed fun from a game created by Kyle Byron.
The only thing that still bothered him was the judgment of those around him, but…
“If I make sure no one can say anything, it’ll be fine, right?”
The name of an Archmage isn’t cheap. If Olfin were the only one featured on a character card, there would surely be those who’d criticize him for tarnishing the dignity of an Archmage.
But.
What if Olfin wasn’t alone?
“It’s me, Stella.”
[…Olfin, what on earth is going on? You’re contacting me?]
“I have a good proposal for you.”
[I’ll pass. Have you forgotten the last time I listened to your ‘good proposal’ and almost died? It was decades ago, but it still haunts my dreams.]
“It’s about Kyle Byron’s board game. He’s making a new one.”
[You didn’t think that name would work on me and Astron Magic Tower, did you?]
“I know your personality too well to beat around the bush. If you really weren’t interested, you would’ve cut contact long ago.”
“…I guess.”
[………I’ll just listen to the story.]
Stella Varnicion, the Master of Astron Magic Tower and an Archmage.
“Shisha, how have you been lately?”
[Just getting by. Still lying around in my igloo.]
“It seems a bit noisy outside.”
[It’s just the old folks from the tower yelling for the Tower Master to do something. They’ve been at it for years now—don’t they ever get tired? Amazing. The current Tower Master is doing fine, isn’t she?]
“The current Master of Glesia Magic Tower, well, she sheds tears every time there’s a Tower Master meeting.”
[……Anyway, what’s up? This isn’t an official Tower Master communication but a private chat between Archmages. Did some extinct dragon show up or something?]
“It’s because of Kyle Byron’s board game.”
[Oh………is that maid still with you?]
“Huh? Yeah, she is.”
[Then I’m not going to Arkhé. I’ll just stick to chatting like this.]
“That’s more than enough.”
Shisha Glesia, the prospective Master of Glesia Magic Tower and an Archmage.
“Ah, it’s been a while. It’s me.”
[Oh, Archmage Olfin! It’s been so long! I was just thinking you haven’t visited the association recently…….]
“Sorry about that. Tower business has been busier than I thought. By the way, do you have some time?”
[No need to apologize! We should’ve visited you from the association’s side long ago! And of course, I have time! Just give me a moment!……Hey, secretary! Cancel all my schedules. Yes. Clear everything for today! Right now!………Hehe, it’s done! So, what’s the matter……?]
“Well, I heard your achievements have been quite impressive lately. As expected of the Empire’s Magic Association Chairman.”
[It’s nothing compared to you, Master Olfin! You’re the one who plucked me, a mere commoner mage, and brought me here! I’m always grateful for your kindness!]
“Ahem, well, about that………I’d like to borrow your name for a bit.”
[Excuse me?]
And along with Olfin Glassburn’s vast network of connections.
Olfin, who had been busy sending messages through crystals and artifacts, curled his lips into a smile.
It was less of an Archmage’s smile and more like that of a greedy merchant.
“This should be enough……!!”
Olfin, who had changed quite a bit due to Kyle’s board game, began jotting down names.
If anyone dared to complain about an Archmage’s name being used in a board game—
He just needed to prepare a lineup so impressive that no one could say a word.
*
“……Is this for real?”
“Is it lacking?”
“No, no, no. It’s just the permissions…….”
“I’ve already taken care of all that. Don’t you worry.”
He got permission for this? Really?
The paper Olfin casually handed over had over 16 names written on it.
Even I, who am not a mage and know nothing about magic, had heard of these heavyweights.
‘Stella Varnicion……Shisha Glesia……Olfin himself……Master of Terra Magic Tower? And isn’t this person a genius the magic world is watching? This one’s the oldest living mage. And this one’s the Chairman of the Magic Association………?’
Even though I’m the third son, I’ve had to memorize the names of important figures as part of my noble upbringing.
Duke Nicholas Everts, along with other major nobles from the west, the imperial family from the center, and other regional powerhouses.
Almost every mage on this list was someone whose name I’d heard before.
With only eight Archmages in the entire Empire—
There were as many as four Archmages listed.
“Choose the name you want from here. Can you start production right away from today?”
“If it’s just making the cards, I can make a sample within today… I can.”
“Perfect! I’ll ask you right away.”
Olfin’s eyes sparkled, looking even more serious about making the board game than I was. Sure, I wanted to get it done quickly too, but Adela, standing right next to me, seemed a bit shaken as she looked at Olfin.
It felt like she was thinking, “My Master of the Magic Tower isn’t like this!”
Ah, now that I think about it.
“Actually, Master Olfin’s name will definitely be included.”
“That’s kind of you to say.”
“And… Adela’s name too.”
“Huh?”
“…Are you talking about me?”
Isn’t that enough?
Frankly, when we first met, I didn’t know much about magic, and since we’ve always been together since then, I didn’t fully realize it.
But Adela is a ridiculously insane genius.
I truly felt that when I went to the Academy. The fact that Lukesil, who is several times older than Adela, is the same High Magician as her.
And considering that Adela is practically playing the role of a senior, even though she’s just past twenty like me, she’s reached an absurd position.
‘Especially when compared to Roderick…’
I thought Roderick was a once-in-a-lifetime genius, and seeing how he’s the top of the entire Academy and how the professors fawn over him, I guess that’s true.
But Roderick isn’t a High Magician, and Adela is. When you think about the age difference, you really get a sense of how much of a genius Adela is.
Honestly, at Adela’s level, she could probably fit right into this impressive list.
“…………….”
“Adela?”
“…No, I’ll decline.”
“Is it too much pressure? Since I’m the creator, you don’t have to worry about…”
“No, it’s just…”
Adela, who had been silent for a moment.
Rarely breaking her usual expressionless demeanor, she shook her head.
“I’m simply not qualified. Please don’t ask me anything more.”
“Adela…?”
“I’ll… go in first. I’m sorry.”
As she said that, Adela’s back, bowing her head as she walked away.
Somehow, it looked lonely and pitiful.
“…Master, did I make a mistake?”
“I wouldn’t say it’s your mistake. It’s just that Adela couldn’t accept it on her own.”
“Couldn’t accept it…?”
“Well, Adela’s current state is built on the sacrifices of her parents.”
“………….”
“Adela reacting like that… is just how it has to be.”
