Chapter 592: Call of Duty(4)
Chapter 592: Call of Duty(4)
In my past life, I was an atheist. Strictly speaking, I was more of a Buddhist-leaning atheist.
Regardless, even an atheist like me had moments when I sought out a god, and that was usually when I was playing computer games.
Back then, I dabbled in all sorts of games with my friends—not just the ones people called "toxic," but sports games as well.
As everyone knows, soccer games are notorious for their "card packs." The moment you pull a famous player with a high rating, your life turns around.
In those moments, I would press my hands together and pray. I didn't need much; I just wanted a better card than those bastards I called my friends.
I wasn't being greedy. I just begged for something more expensive than whatever they got. Of course, it was usually a pipe dream.
When one of my friends pulled a player famous for being "broken" at the time, I thought I was going to die of jealousy.
But what could I do? That’s just how luck works. It’s the kind of luck that’s both understandable and utterly incomprehensible.
They say the universe conspires to help those who truly desire something, but in the end, luck is just luck. You might get lucky and hit the lottery, or you might be unlucky and step in dog shit.
But that was Earth. What about this world, where gods actually exist? Does praying fervently to a god actually increase your luck?
The answer is yes. Clergymen tend to be on the lucky side, and as their faith deepens, their luck increases accordingly.
I wondered if I could use this to my advantage—to boost faith while clearing Call of Duty’s name of any ill repute.
It felt a bit like sacrilege, so I was hesitant, but I personally happen to be on good terms with the gods.
Besides, it wasn't a bad deal for the gods either, so I figured it would be fine.
[I do not think that is a particularly good idea.]
However, Luminous took a negative stance. He had just said that luck increases with faith, so I found his reaction strange.
As if sensing my confusion, Luminous began to explain it to me step-by-step so I could understand.
[As you said, clergymen are generally lucky. However, that is partly their own claim, and it is ambiguous whether this truly raises 'absolute' luck.]
'What do you mean by that?'
[I shall use the cards you have begun to sell as an example. Suppose there is a person with a 30% chance of pulling a good card. That person later becomes a priest, and as their faith deepens, that probability rises to 50%. Even so, it is possible for them to pull nothing but bad cards for the rest of their life.]
'Hmm...'
[There are people who fail to win even with a 90% success rate, even after ten attempts. Is such a person lucky or unlucky?]
'Ah.'
I understood exactly what he meant. Even if the probability increases, someone without luck will stay unlucky until the very end.
I could see why Luminous referred to it as "absolute luck." This was something that had nothing to do with faith or anything else.
Since it’s all about probability, you might eventually get a good card if you keep opening packs. But for some, every single pack could turn out to be a dud.
'It’s subtle. It seems simple, yet it’s complicated.'
[Indeed. When war breaks out, the majority of the soldiers believe in me, yet they all die, do they not? A god merely watches and decides fate; we do not play at dice. Though you are an exception.]
'...'
Oh, right.
This guy—no, this god—was originally the God of War. It meant that even if you prayed to a god, the only thing you might get in return is a cruel betrayal.
After hearing his advice, my plan felt incredibly stupid. If I wasn't careful, I might actually end up tanking people's faith instead.
In the end, I decided to scrap the idea of using religion. It seemed better to just leave everything to luck.
'Do you know a way to prevent card packs from being classified as gambling? I have no intention of breeding gambling addicts, if nothing else.'
[Have you not already proposed the solution? Disclosure of probabilities. That alone should suffice.]
'Really?'
[Of course. Gambling is the act of wagering something certain on an uncertain probability. However, if the probabilities are made public, expectations will be sharply curtailed. The root of gambling addiction is that very sense of expectation.]
He added that enjoying the "card-opening" or the duels themselves was fine, but the moment money was wagered on the outcome, it became gambling.
Since the religious community kept a close eye on that sector, he said I wouldn't need to step in personally.
Coming from a god and not just some random person, his explanation felt strangely reliable.
'I can breathe a sigh of relief thanks to you. So, it’s okay to proceed like this?'
[Certainly. One should regulate the act of gambling; regulating play itself would be putting the cart before the horse, would it not?]
'I agree.'
I wondered what the South Korea and China of my past life were thinking, then. They were supposed to prevent addiction, but they spent every spare moment bashing games.
One could argue they did it because the problem wouldn't go away, but if that were the case, the whole country would have collapsed long ago.
Even China, which blocked almost everything else, couldn't stop people from playing Mahjong. Humans are bound to seek out entertainment.
[I find it fortunate that you have created a wholesome form of play. Especially since it is the kind of entertainment children can enjoy.]
'Was there not much for children to do?'
[There was nothing, so they would play at being knights and hit one another, or follow their parents to the plaza where public executions were held. Sometimes they would go to the slaughterhouse to find materials to make toys.]
'...'
Classic fantasy Middle Ages. Last time, Mari had even casually suggested we go watch a public execution because she was bored.
On top of that, monsters existed, making it an environment where only the strong survived.
I was truly, sincerely grateful to have been born a noble.
'...I'll try to create other forms of entertainment while I'm at it. Like soccer, for example. Isn't there something similar already?'
[There are similar things. They blow air into the bladders of cows or pigs and kick them around, or they kick heads.]
'I see... Wait, what?'
What did I just hear? I flinched violently in shock.
[Anything that rolls is suitable for a ball game. Monster heads are particularly popular.]
'...'
[Since monsters rarely invade the cities, they use the heads of executed criminals or slaughtered animals...]
'Please stop.'
It was rude, but I cut him off because it was getting too graphic. I felt that kicking a human head around for fun was a bit much.
But on second thought, similar things had happened on Earth. There were stories of young Vikings or medieval Englishmen playing with human heads.
Back then, wars broke out at every turn, and "killing" was nothing out of the ordinary. In this world, you just had monsters added to the mix.
Children here must have grown accustomed to such a culture.
'...From this world's perspective, that's normal, right?'
[Indeed. We were also quite shocked when we first witnessed the culture of Earth.]
He said that, but this world was actually quite advanced in certain areas for its time. Mana and magic were the standout examples.
Without those two, the world wouldn't have been able to develop this much. They would have been wiped out by monsters long ago.
I just had to make sure I didn't poison the culture. I felt like I'd already dropped a few drops of poison, but let's just keep that quiet.
'I'll handle the cards slowly first. Adding soccer on top of that would be a bit of a headache.'
[Do as you wish. That is something you do not need to consider separately.]
'That sounds somewhat ominous.'
[Have you not already written about it in your books?]
Well. I had nothing to say to that. I gave a bitter smile.
Still, my help would be needed for modern soccer to emerge, rather than just a simple game of kicking a ball.
Once I established the basic concepts, they would probably figure out how to have fun on their own. To be honest, balancing the game between different races wasn't my concern.
[If you are worried about gambling addiction, go see Mora. She will handle it well.]
'Since Lady Mora oversees the mental realm, she would be well-suited for gambling addiction.'
[There is that, but she has also been half-dumping her responsibilities on me until now. Though that will likely change.]
'...'
I suppose it couldn't be helped, since Luminous had much higher name recognition than Mora until recently.
Furthermore, many people were unaware of Mora's divine authority. Before long, gambling addicts would likely be flocking to the Temple of Mora.
It wasn't a bad thing for Mora, either. She would be starting the work she was originally meant to do, and it was a great opportunity to gather believers.
It was a bit funny that a single card game could have such an influence, but I decided to just roll with it.
I gave Luminous a brief farewell and stepped outside. I planned to visit Mora after seeing how things progressed.
It was just as I was about to leave the temple.
"Huh? Ms. Kate?"
"Hello, Lord Isaac. Are you on your way back from an audience with Lord Luminous?"
I ran right into Kate, who was just entering the temple. Seeing her in a nun's habit rather than her white armor, it seemed she had been working.
Her beauty was as striking as ever, her smile just as warm. I returned her smile and answered.
"Yes. I had something to consult him about. Were you looking for me?"
"It's not that, but..."
Kate hesitated slightly at my question. Then, without a word, she showed me what she was holding in her hand.
I was finally able to see what she was showing me. I had been so distracted by her face that I hadn't looked down.
Looking at the object in Kate's hand, I felt both absurdity and bewilderment at the same time.
"...Call of Duty? You bought that?"
"Yes..."
Kate answered quietly, hiding her face behind the cards as if embarrassed. Seeing the faint blush on her cheeks, she seemed truly ashamed.
I couldn't help but wonder what there was to be ashamed of. Everyone from children to adults was buying these cards.
"It's... just that I haven't pulled any good cards yet."
"Pardon?"
"I wondered if a good one might appear if I prayed to Lord Luminous..."
Kate confessed timidly, as if she had read my expression. Hearing that, I felt a strange sense of kinship.
Right. The "prayer meta" always exists. I could fully sympathize with her feelings.
At the same time, I became curious. Did the prayer meta actually work in this world?
"May I watch?"
"Pardon?"
"I'm just curious. To see if a really good card comes out if you pray."
"..."
At my suggestion, Kate dithered for a moment before nodding with effort. I gave a small smile and followed her back into the temple.
We entered a private chapel where high-ranking clergy like Kate prayed. It was certainly quite large.
"O Luminous, Almighty God of Light and Hope. Please, grant me your light..."
"..."
Kate pressed her hands together and began to pray. She looked quite earnest.
However, even Luminous wouldn't be able to do anything now. The moment she chose that card pack, her "fate" was already decided.
Luminous has the power to decide fate, but he does not change a fate that has already passed.
He could tell her which pack would have a good card, but the card Kate had already picked was a fate that had already been set in stone.
"I have carried out everything as you have commanded, Lord Luminous. Even if the result is not what I desire, I shall never resent you."
After a prayer that felt both long and short, Kate made the sign of the cross one last time and picked up the card pack she had placed on the floor.
Riiip—
The packaging of the card pack was torn open. As the cards became partially visible, Kate clutched her chest and let out a long breath.
All that was left was to pull the cards out and check the results. I watched quietly over her shoulder.
And then...
"...Huh?"
The War of Blood and Iron cards were generally ordinary. Neither good nor bad.
But the Xenon Chronicle card was the problem. It wasn't just a simple golden color; it was shimmering as if it had been plated in gold.
A Gold-Plated Card, of which only three were released per month. A card pulled with the most abysmal of odds.
The 'Jin: Diabolus' card was held in Kate's hand.
What kind of ridiculous situation was this?
"Ah..."
But Kate wasn't happy. Rather, her reaction was closer to a sigh of disappointment.
Anyone else would have been screaming at the top of their lungs, so I couldn't understand why she was reacting like that.
"Um... Ms. Kate?"
"Ah, yes. Lord Isaac."
"That's an incredibly good card..."
"Incredibly good" didn't even begin to cover it. It was a card collectors would kill for.
Hearing my comment, Kate glanced at the Jin: Diabolus card and said with a gloomy air.
"Actually... I wanted the Lily card."
"...The Lily card?"
"Yes. I know this card is good. But if it is not the card I want, does it not all mean nothing?"
"...Hold on a moment."
I immediately closed my eyes and entered a state of prayer. Luminous would likely be manifested here at this time, so he would explain the situation.
[She pulled that because her luck was too great.]
'But it wasn't the card she wanted.'
[That is because she is unlucky.]
'...'
It really is ambiguous.