Raising Simulation: Queen of Maryland Maker (2)
Right after Dead Wizard's City swept through mage society like a storm.
The Grand Mage Arkisiya Piel Athena and the Magic Council's upper echelons issued an official announcement.
Dead Wizard's City was the result of observing another dimension, and that dimension had no connection to our own.
Of course, the mere fact that other dimensions existed was enough to shake society to its core.
But somehow, things settled down.
The Magic Council mage who delved into the taboo research of "homunculi" had his circuits sealed and was expelled from the council as punishment.
And all the black magic materials previously managed by the council were to be stored in the Central Magic Library's forbidden vault.
Why the forbidden vault? Because no other institution was equipped for it.
But official announcements were one thing—the library was still packed to the brim with people eager to experience Dead Wizard's City.
I mean, another dimension? And all those new magic artifacts pouring out from Riana Merchant Guild—they're from there too, right?
How are you supposed to resist that?!
Amid the hype, the new game Queen of Maryland Maker launched.
People figured it must hold some profound meaning, maybe a warning about the future.
Half fiction? Just another dimension?
Who cares?
Commander Cassian Valerius had broken through 7-circle to reach 8-circle.
No one expected to hit new magical heights from this game, but surely it offered insights and growth on that level.
So even mages who'd never touched Dead Wizard's City bought Gaming Cubes.
And they all tasted a new world.
"Branch Chief Naberone? What on earth kept you holed up in your room for two straight days? Is that... a Cube?! No way!! You played Dead Wizard's City?!"
"No, but it was still worth it... You must try it if you get the chance...! It'll flip your entire worldview upside down...!"
"Can I buy one at the library?"
Queen of Maryland Maker started with Naberone, the Red Tower branch chief in Hakon Barony and one of the Gaming Cube's first customers, then spread through the Red Tower.
Eventually, it hooked mages from other towers too.
"My daughter is in the Cube—!!"
"I always felt something was missing... I thought it was achievement. But what I lacked was human heart and love."
"Do you really have to become queen? Aren't we happy like this? Don't go, daughter. Stay by your father's side...."
Mages were basically nerdy social misfits from the start.
But as humans, most felt emotions and loneliness just fine—barring a few oddballs.
If every mage was a true solo player, why would towers, the council, and mage groups exist?
Even setting aside collaboration talks, forming groups showed their awkward social bonds.
Then a game came along that nailed the parts everyone knew but ignored.
Those who booted it up for achievements marveled at the hidden philosophy.
Wealth and fame don't matter much in this world.
Even if you handed over all the power in the realm, the well-being and happiness of those you cherish—that's the unchanging standard and true value of life.
Not everyone dove into the philosophy, of course.
"This is actually fun, huh?"
"It's totally different from Dead Wizard's City, but it's so light, time flies by."
The base motif was Princess Maker, after all—'nuff said.
It was a damn good game, packed with time-sink content.
"Hey, you know the Bewitching Red Amoreth Dress drops on Dungeon Floor 7? The deep neckline is just... whew."
"Kill!! Have you seen this lecherous scum?! How dare you ogle family like that!!"
"What's wrong with it? It's not real family anyway. She'll get snatched by some guy eventually—might as well savor the view while she's around."
"...So where's the drop?"
"Golden treasure chest on Dungeon Floor 7, random chance. Wearable after 18, FYI."
Hidden outfits and content not in the catalog started leaking out.
"Hey, heard the one about that Green Tower apprentice? Ponytail, sharp eyes, kinda hot guy."
"Yeah, my academy buddies all crushed on him at least once. Got rejected every time—said he's too busy studying magic."
"But yesterday, he confessed to Lafte."
"Whaaat?! No way!"
"For real! Something about getting hooked on a Gaming Cube, suddenly wanting a kid, asked her to bear his child."
"That psycho bastard..."
"That girl was almost my wife—my daughter."
"Fuck, real incest freak! Drag that bastard to the council now!!"
Predictably, all sorts of side effects erupted.
But that was none of Eugene Paltrow, Arkisiya, or the game dev club's business.
With Dead Wizard's City still on waitlists and first-gen Gaming Cubes sold out.
Masses of soul power were pouring in.
"Master! It's a hit!! Huge!!"
"Hehe... The first one's always the hardest. Then it snowballs. My dear disciple, I'm so proud."
Not just soul power, either.
The Central Magic Library—run by the youngest Grand Mage—had always suffered chronic budget woes.
Now its coffers were overflowing.
"Lady Arkisiya, Sir Eugene, the library's monthly net profit is up 588% from last month. A record high since Dead Wizard's City's stable launch."
"Thanks, Hanna."
"No trouble. Basic accounting."
Previous illustrious librarians couldn't fix the finances.
Which meant faster Cube upgrades for more soul power absorption.
"Riana, picking you was a godsend!"
Eugene grabbed Riana's hand—smiling contentedly beside him—and swung it around.
"Sorry, but order's wrong. You didn't pick me—I picked you."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever! Thanks to you!"
The snowball from the Golden Path kept rolling.
Despite hiccups, solving Eugene's five-year headache came down to Riana Ishinkiore and her guild.
Hinkel and Yukia on item modeling, Richmond on sense extraction—all SSS-grade talent sourced by Riana Merchant Guild.
No exaggeration: without her full backing, not even the mafia game, let alone Queen of Maryland Maker.
As everyone celebrated the successful launch.
"Guildmaster! Guildmaster...! You need to come out now...!! Is Head Librarian Eugene here?"
Past closing time, someone pounded on the library door.
A familiar voice.
Eugene opened it to find a sweaty middle-aged man.
Venders, manager of Riana Merchant Guild's capital branch—they'd dealt with him often during Count Lancaster's Reaper.
"What brings you here, Manager...?"
Before Eugene could ask, Riana and Hanna's faces hardened.
"My beloved golden daughter."
Thud. Thud. Just walking calmly, yet an indescribable pressure emanated.
Eugene Paltrow looked past Venders at the man approaching the library.
Faded blonde hair tied back tightly. Towering build like a legendary eastern general. Sharp eyes over flickering red irises.
Hanna knelt urgently; Riana swallowed hard.
His name: Pavel Ishinkiore.
Riana's father, one of the empire's three dukes.
The Golden Duke had come to the library in person.
He's here.
Riana Ishinkiore bit her lip.
"Miss..."
Hanna whispered beside her, kneeling too.
She waved her off reassuringly, then bowed politely to her father.
"I wasn't expecting you without notice. If you'd said ahead, the guild would've prepared a welcome."
"No need. I had urgent business anyway. Thought I'd visit the capital and see you while at it."
Pavel smiled kindly, scanning the library interior swiftly.
Spotting Arkisiya staring, he bowed first.
"Grand Mage Lady Arkisiya is here too. My apologies."
"Long time no see, Duke Pavel Ishinkiore."
"I hope I'm not intruding. I've heard the Central Magic Library and Riana Merchant Guild have grown quite close lately."
"Yes, we've benefited greatly from the patents especially. Thank you for your goodwill."
"We're the grateful ones. It means a lot for my daughter running the guild. Anyway, if it's not too rude, may I borrow her briefly? Family matter."
Eugene caught Riana's pleading glance. Her hand trembled.
Mouth shut, but her eyes screamed help.
Her father, whom she respected.
Why the fear?
Reading the room, Eugene alternated looks between Riana and his master—
"I greet Pavel Ishinkiore, Golden Duke and master of the radiant Silk Road. I'm Eugene Paltrow, third son of Count Paltrow and head librarian of the Central Magic Library."
Arkisiya nodded; Eugene stepped between the duke and Riana.
The Golden Duke's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Eugene Paltrow? Ah, the mage helping my daughter make that game. Nice to meet you."
"An honor. All thanks to Lady Ishinkiore's decisiveness and bold support."
Eugene bowed sincerely again.
"But she's currently discussing important Cube matters with my master, Arkisiya Piel Athena. If it wouldn't offend Your Grace, could we have just ten minutes?"
He'd learned noble etiquette from his count family.
The maximally polite request made the duke yield a step.
Even Pavel couldn't openly insult the Grand Mage shaking the continent lately.
"If that's it, I can wait. I'm the one dropping by unannounced."
"Thank you for understanding."
The door shut again.
Riana collapsed into a chair, legs giving out.
"What's going on?"
"Well... There've been marriage proposals for Miss Riana lately. Probably why the family head came..."
"Marriage proposals?"
Riana clutched her head, exasperated.
"Just when I'm finally getting respect... and it ends like this?!"
Riana Merchant Guild. Eugene's biggest backer after his master.
Crisis loomed for her.