Recruiting the Third Sub-Mod
There is a saying that a strong negative is equal to a positive. While that is sometimes a magic sentence for effectively finding liars...
"It's really not me."
"I understand. I'll believe you."
"Your expression says otherwise."
"...Did you catch me?"
"Kuaaaaah!"
For the current me, it was a phrase that put me in an inescapable dilemma. Even if I denied it with all my might, I would receive suspicious glances. If I denied it moderately, the response would be, 'How humble.' Even if I genuinely appealed that it wasn't me, the other party would look puzzled and say, 'It’s a good thing, so why are you saying it’s not you?'
The gallery members reacted similarly to Reina.
"You're going to get retaliated against like that."
"By whom?"
"The Emperor of the Human Empire."
Through a recent serial post about the Human-Demon War by the War Correspondent, I had gained a rough understanding of the international situation. The Demon King's Army, which had been on the verge of collapse, succeeded in launching a counteroffensive, and its momentum began to revive. Accordingly, the Ared Empire, the main axis of the Alliance, was shaken. Not long ago, the Crown Prince was forced to step down to take responsibility for repeated defeats, and the Emperor returned to the throne.
And that Emperor...
"They say the Emperor absolutely detests the Demon Realm and demons."
He was an extreme demon-hater. Back when the current Emperor was the Crown Prince, a rumor circulated that a human principality located on the border with the Demon Realm was colluding with them. He personally led an army, marched out, and completely annihilated the principality.
Since he was such a being...
"He might pull a stunt even worse than Bernheiter."
"But Main Manager, aren't you a Great Mage? You can easily block it."
"I can't use magic, though?"
"What?"
"Huh?"
Only then did Reina stare intently at me.
"Someone who knows how to hide mana so exquisitely says they can't use magic? Oh, come on~"
"Is that even possible?"
"Ah, ahaha, there you go again. Main Manager, your acting skills are no joke."
"Check my emotional state. You can verify whether I'm lying right now or not."
"I can't do it because of the Gallery barrier. Right now, it's completely colorless and odorless, so I can't tell whether you're acting or if you're really, by some minuscule chance, appealing the truth."
"Oh, really?"
I gained new knowledge. However, since we used the Gallery during our barter trade last time, it seemed my thoughts had been transmitted then. So, I initiated a 1-on-1 trade just like before.
"!!!"
Receiving the pebble, Reina was startled.
"W-Was it really true?"
"I think I've told you more than ten times already that it's real."
"T-That you can't use magic either..."
"It's a fact."
Utilizing the trade function once more, I recalled and sent the scene where my mother, a high-ranking mage, publicly declared, 'Our son has no talent for magic~'. Only then did Reina believe my words.
"B-But surely in the Gallery..."
"Do I look like a half-succubus, half-cow beastkin to you in person, like in the fan art?"
"Ah..."
"It is clearly fake news originating from the Gallery."
The party involved is right in front of you, after all.
"You believe me, right?"
The nuance felt like a line that would come right after 'I'll just hold your hand and sleep,' but as I looked at Reina with sincere eyes... Fortunately, my sincerity seemed to get through, and Reina nodded.
"Phew~ At least one person believes me."
I returned to the chaotic Gallery once again. However...
* Addressing the Main Manager [511]
"This nickname is..."
It was the fixed nickname 'Back In My Day'. I remembered him. He was a human troll who tried to incite the gallery members with subtle bandwagoning, so I had personally banned him.
[Title: Addressing the Main Manager]
[Author: Back In My Day]
(A transparent image clip that turns the header blue)
Today, I have come as an envoy of His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of the Ared Empire, the representative nation of the Human Alliance.
Do you know how petty and despicable your actions are, Main Manager? How could you not think of competing fairly on the front lines, and instead plot to assassinate the enemy's commander-in-chief? As expected of the leader of the wicked demons, your schemes are truly dreadful to the extreme.
However, unlike you, the benevolent Emperor has suffered the atrocities of the demons multiple times, yet he has shown great magnanimity and stated that you should be given one more chance. In other words, if you acknowledge and apologize for all the actions you have committed so far, the Ared Empire is willing to establish a good relationship with the 'Singles Single-minded Demon Realm Village Gallery'.
Poisoning Duke Hillis, and withdrawing all the Gallery Shop items currently trending among the Empire's nobles! There will be no compromise hereafter.
[Upvotes: 32] [Downvotes: 9876]
[Comments]
* This bastard is that guy who used to troll before.
* Is he famous?
* Yeah, he trolled and got caught being a human, but he shamelessly pushed forward asking what he did wrong.
* (I'll get harder dccon)
* Oh, seriously; This bastard came too.
* Get out, disgusting humans.
* Piss off.
* The fact that a guy who came to troll every chance he got has the qualifications of the Emperor's envoy, holy shit lmfao.
* You can tell the Empire's standards lmfao.
* (Pa-the-tic beautiful girl Main Manager dccon)
Naturally, the reaction of the gallery members was cold. Until I became the Main Manager, the Sing-Ma-Gal was a playground for trolls from humans, elves, and dwarves, including the fixed nickname 'Back In My Day'. Because there were no Main or Sub-Managers to remove trolls and disgusting pictures, the gallery users had to browse the gallery as if walking on thin ice, offering a prayer every time they entered: 'Demon God, please let me not step on a trap today.'
'What a scary and sad story.'
I couldn't forgive them either. Actually, the intention of the fixed nickname 'Back In My Day' coming as an envoy was so transparent that I didn't even feel angry.
"It just feels like he's doing this to screw with me."
If they wanted to make peace, they shouldn't have sent this guy. After trolling his heart out, he comes back now saying, 'Shall we get along? haha'. If I took the extended hand, I’d be an absolute pushover. And I am no pushover.
Besides...
"In the first place, I didn't even do it. There's no reason to apologize."
* Main Manager) Do you have proof that I did it?
* Author) Shameless bastard! The commander died after eating the lunchbox you sold!
* Main Manager) In the first place, Gallery Shop items cannot be purchased by anyone outside of the Demon Realm members. Where did you get the lunchbox?
* Author) Is that what's important right now? Someone died after eating food you sold!
* Main Manager) So I'm saying I've never sold it to humans?
* Main Manager) Why is it my fault that they obtained something I didn't even sell, ate it, and died??
* Fr, why is this the Main Manager's fault?
* They probably didn't even read the text on the packaging.
* (An enlarged picture of the phrase 'Consume immediately upon opening')
* Isn't it a problem if someone who is a commander of humans can't even read this? Genuinely don't know;;
* Author) You trash-like things!!!
"And what? Human nobles are purchasing Gallery items?"
I didn't know how this was happening either. The Gallery Shop's race ban function was working perfectly. If so...
"There must be smugglers."
I had heard that even after the war broke out, there were those under the surface exchanging necessary information or goods with the Demon Realm. Presumably, those bastards bought the Gallery items and flipped them to the Ared Empire. In a word, they were scalpers.
"I'll have to prepare anti-scalping measures too. First, starting with this guy."
* Main Manager) If you're just going to keep barking nonsense, get lost.
* Author) Nonsense! How dare you insult the envoy of His Imperial Majesty!
* Main Manager) Then don't bark, simple as that.
[This user has been banned for '7 days'.] [1 malicious user ban case.] [A total of 80 points will be paid.]
* Kyah!!!
* "Then don't bark, simple as that" <<< This is a freaking masterpiece lmfao
* Fr, Main Manager-Emperor is so damn cool lmfao
* In the midst of that, he only gave a 7-day ban again holy shit lmfao
* At this point, shouldn't he be permanently banned? lmfao
"Acting up."
Immediately after banning the fixed nickname 'Back In My Day', a wave of trolls began in the gallery, but...
"Idiots."
Currently, the '3rd Troll Reporting Contest' is underway in Sing-Ma-Gal.
* Is it a troll burning event right now? [67]
* This user is sad because my hand is slow due to an injury... [81]
* Reporting all the trolls right now kyah lmfao [97]
* 1st place in this contest is mine, fr lmfao [135]
Trolls were reported one by one through the reporting contest. Since I, Reina, and the Ancient Demon God checked the report logs in real-time to ban them, the firepower of the trolls ran dry in less than 30 minutes.
"Easy."
"Main Manager, you bastaaaaard!!!"
"Y-Your Majesty!"
"Please calm yourself!"
At the news of the Main Manager's audacious refusal and the banning of the delegation, the Emperor looked ready to dance with a treasured sword grabbed from the wall of the audience chamber.
"Kuaaaaaaaak!!!"
Fortunately, thanks to the military officers desperately holding onto the Emperor, he barely managed to calm down.
"Haa, right. I have calmed down, so let go."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Emperor sat down, his face completely contorted.
"How are the preparations for the offensive going?"
"The preparations are finished, but there is no commander to lead."
"Who is the current temporary commander?"
"It is Count Edmond."
When the unexpected name popped up, the Emperor quite liked it. Count Edmond was an extreme demon-hater, much like the Emperor himself.
"Hooh? Appoint him as the commander and resume the offensive."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The ministers and generals worried inwardly. However, no one could speak directly to the Emperor, whose anger had reached the top of his head just a moment ago to the point of trying to wield a sword. Soon, the appointment letter and offensive order stamped with the Emperor's official seal arrived at the Alliance Army Headquarters, and an offensive began across the entire central front.
And the news that flew into the Aredria Imperial Palace a few days later...
"...Lost? Our forces were miserably crushed?"
"T-That is correct, Your Majesty."
It was nothing but the tragic news of a crushing defeat. A chilly atmosphere hung over the imperial palace.
[Title: Sing-Ma-Gal) Central Front News]
[Author: War Correspondent]
(Map before the massive human-elf-dwarf offensive)
(Map after the massive human-elf-dwarf offensive)
As you can see above, the Alliance army threw all their troop strongholds into a reckless offensive and retreated. At the very least, the previous state of splitting the central highland area half-and-half has been resolved. The enemy has gone down to the southern plains of the highlands to form a new defensive line.
The cause seems to be the Emperor's unreasonable offensive order, the absence of Duke Hillis—the former commander who was tolerant toward other races—and the fact that the newly appointed Count Edmond was an extreme interspecies hater.
To what extent, he even disliked their own allies, the elves and dwarves, so the Alliance army was supposed to coordinate but creaked along before being defeated individually.
(Photos of Alliance positions captured by the Demon King's Army and looted supplies)
The soldiers of the Demon King's Army look excited to have received gifts.
And,
For inducing this entire situation,
The very existence that is my light, water, and air...
(Fan art of Main Manager eating kimchi fried rice)
The Great Main Manager.
I worship you... GOAT...
Thanks to you, the Demon Realm is safe today as well...
[Upvotes: 7191] [Downvotes: 3]
[Comments]
* I believe... Main-men...
* Main Manager is a famous strategist.
* Hey, hey, your average strategist can't assassinate an enemy general + provoke the enemy leadership + induce an attack from an incompetent commander all with a single click.
* Wow... looking at the summary, Main Manager is a freaking crazy bastard lmfao
* His weight class is insane fr lmfao
"Crazy bastards."
They say that if brain-rotted memes are halfway done, they are an eyesore, but if you commit and run with them until the end, they become pleasant. This was exactly that case. A meme so absurd that a chuckle escaped me out of pure dumbfoundedness.
"I don't know much about the war news. I should just do what I have to do. Reina?"
"Yes, Main Manager."
"A successor is coming in, so take good care of them."
"A-A-At last, a junior for me too??"
"That's right."
[Title: The 3rd Troll Reporting Contest has ended]
[Author: Main Manager]
(List of 1st to 50th places in the troll reporting contest)
I organized it in detail in case it's hard to see. Congratulations to the winners, and I will contact you in order starting from 1st place.
Also, 1st place gets a special prize <<< Get ready to receive the Sub-Manager position. If you refuse the Sub-Manager position, the qualification will be revoked, 2nd place will be raised to 1st place, and 51st place will be raised to 50th place.
1st place, fixed nickname 'RD1234', congratulations, and please answer when contacted.
[Upvotes: 6134] [Downvotes: 8462]
[Comments]
* Rigged again.
* Ah, damn it...
* Anonymous) Why am I not on the leaderboard???
* Uh... anonymous posters won't be counted in the tally in the first place.
* Anonymous) ...Is this real?
* Didn't you know? lmfao
* Gallery users did labor without reward lmfao
* The IP keeps changing, how are they supposed to count it, ah lmfao
* If you're salty, make a fixed nickname~
* Just how much reporting did the top 50 do?
* Main Manager) Looking at the system, the posts reported by the 50th place exceed 5,000. fr;;
* Seriously???
* Holy shit, if it's that much, I acknowledge the defeat.
* If 50th place is that much, 1st place must be tens of thousands.
* Whatever, damn it, yeah, you guys take it all.
* Thanks, thanks lmfao
* ? This bastard must be on the leaderboard.
* Wow, look at him mocking us lmfao
Because the 1st place, fixed nickname RD1234, did not immediately respond to the 1-on-1 chat, I distributed the desired prizes from 2nd to 50th place first. Most of them wanted the stir-fried pork lunchbox. When I asked in the middle, the main reason was, 'Isn't this that famous food that even the enemy commander-in-chief ate and died from?'.
Around the time the settlement was wrapping up...
* RD1234) I have checked the notice, Main Manager.
* RD1234) Should I accept the Sub-Manager position?
* Main Manager) Yeah.
* Main Manager) You'll do it, right? Should I give the prize as high-grade lubricant?
* RD1234) No, would it be alright if I received something else?
* Main Manager) Yeah? If it's something I can give.
* RD1234) While performing the role of Sub-Manager...
* RD1234) I wish to better understand the organisms of the gallery, but it is not easy.
* RD1234) Therefore, I would like to seek advice or help regarding that from the Main Manager.
The fixed nickname 'RD1234' belonged to the Machine Clan in the Demon Realm. In other words, he was a type of robot. He was a user representing the Machine Clan; while most of the Machine Clan didn't write posts or comments in the gallery very often, RD1234 was an exception and was quite active.
"Thinking about it that way, it is a bit strange."
Why were those kinds of robots blending into the fantasy world under the name of the 'Machine Clan'? And why did only he browse the gallery separately?
"Moreover, wanting to understand the gallery members. Has his attitude changed from the previous exclusive stance toward wanting exchange with other races?"
That would certainly be a positive change. So, I sent this reply.
* Main Manager) Yeah, if there's anything you need, just say so. I'll help.
* Main Manager) Trying out various things will help you understand.
* Main Manager) And neither I nor the gallery members know much about the Machine Clan.
* Main Manager) So, how about we get to know each other step by step?
* RD1234) I agree with your response.
* RD1234) Then, would you look at this first?
The new Sub-Manager, RD1234, sent me something in the chatroom.
"Oh...? No, wait a minute. Is this what the Machine Clan looks like?"
I ended up utterly dumbfounded.
And then...
"Main Manager, was the Sub-Manager appointment resolved smoothly... what is this?"
"Uh? No, well, that—"
"...You couldn't hold back in that short time and seduced another female gallery user?"
Reina looked about to explode once again.