A Landscape of Cultural Victory
A Landscape of Cultural Victory
A party held at the tail end of winter just before the entrance into Grand Arc Academy.
This year, an unusually large number of noble bloodlines from other nations were scheduled to come study at Grand Arc.
The parents who would be attending that entrance ceremony were naturally also high-ranking figures from their respective countries, and as a result, this opportunity naturally led to the opening of an international diplomatic stage.
A place for discussing international issues that would affect the entire continent, talking about trade between nations, and building friendly ties.
And at such an event, gifts simply cannot be omitted, can they?
Other kingdoms give gifts to the Empire, and the Empire reciprocates with gifts even greater than what they received—thus continuing international exchange.
And at such an event,
"Ooh, is that the one called the flower of the Empire, the 7th Imperial Princess Lydia...?"
"Indeed, she has a lovely appearance. Especially her atmosphere—how should I put it—it's refreshing."
Imperial Princess Lydia was also present.
It goes without saying that she didn't come because she wanted to.
In the first place, what use would an Imperial Princess with no succession rights and no real authority—merely the youngest daughter doted on for being cute—be at such an event?
Lydia, who had no desire to play the role of a floral decoration, didn't particularly want to attend this party, but that's just how things turned out.
The Crown Prince had used Noel as bait, reeling her in to show off his younger sister to VIPs from other nations.
Lydia, forced to go along with her brother's boasting, wore that official occasion smile on her face.
In her heart, she wanted to finish quickly and rest, but still, today was a bit more enjoyable than other parties.
More precisely, there was something she was looking forward to.
That was the moment when the game Noel had prepared would be experienced by the distinguished figures from other nations.
'Hehe.'
Just imagining it brought a smile naturally to her face.
What kind of reactions would they show?
They'd definitely be incredibly surprised and completely absorbed without a doubt.
Maybe they'd get so immersed that they'd forget this was both a party and a diplomatic gathering, and fall head-over-heels into the game.
Lydia, who wanted to see those stern-faced high dignitaries get completely addicted to the game and forget about diplomacy, was enduring and attending the party.
And now, the moment to repay that effort was finally approaching.
"To commemorate today's meeting, I have a special gift prepared for all of you."
The Crown Prince's declaration as he judged the time was ripe.
To respond to the gifts sent by the various nations, the Crown Prince clapped his hands, saying he had personally prepared a special gift.
At that signal, the hall doors opened, and the "Crown Prince's Gift" was brought into the party venue.
As the saying goes, bread belongs in the bakery, and alcohol in the tavern.
Trusting Clara's aesthetic sense—who was well-versed in such matters—he had commissioned the design, and the completed game table entered the banquet hall.
Under the gaze of the crowd, the game machines were set up in an orderly manner.
Watching this, the Crown Prince smiled softly.
Of course, the Crown Prince had already experienced firsthand what the gift to be presented to the honored guests was.
So he couldn't help but smile thinking about what was about to unfold.
It seems blood really doesn't lie after all.
That smile looked exactly like Lydia's.
'Everyone will be astonished by the Empire's superior culture.'
The era of expanding territory with swords and spears was over.
The Crown Prince believed that now was the era of expanding the territory of people's minds through the weapon called culture.
Why is the Empire the Empire?
He intended to demonstrate that clearly, and to that end, he had prepared various gifts related to culture and art.
Honestly, including Noel Grace and the new game she created in the gift list was half done in a lighthearted mood.
Like a quarter measure, perhaps.
He thought it was necessary to showcase not only traditional Imperial culture but also things currently trending, and Noel Grace seemed perfect for that.
So he made a light request, but the return was truly heavy.
Among the gifts the Crown Prince had ordered from various places, he believed this was undoubtedly the greatest gift that would display the excellence of the Empire.
A cultural bomb that could provide the answer to why the Empire is the Empire was now—about to explode.
"What is that?"
"Hmm, it looks similar to something used for playing poker..."
"Ah, could that be the one I've heard rumors about...?"
Some recognized it, while others had no idea what it was.
An explanation was needed for those people, and that explanation naturally fell to Noel Grace.
After all, isn't it only right that the creator introduces their own creation at such an event?
For someone ordinary, introducing something they made at a gathering like this would be a tremendous honor.
But Noel was no ordinary noble lady, so she wanted to decline, yet the Crown Prince, oblivious to others' feelings, told her not to be so modest and made her do it.
This is exactly what they mean when they say one person's gold is another's burden.
The Crown Prince, thinking he was granting her an opportunity to elevate her reputation by highly appreciating that she had handled the request 120 percent, just made Noel sigh.
Well, regardless, it was true that Noel knew the most about games and game machines.
She wanted to pass it off to Flora, but with Flora's communication disorder, who knows what disaster would ensue if entrusted with such a task...
Thinking about Flora shaking her head as if she'd received a death sentence the moment she tentatively brought up the topic, Noel decided to just do it herself.
"I am Noel Grace. On this occasion today—."
Noel, who had appeared alongside the game machine, offered a polite greeting.
Noel Grace.
At that introduction, those interested in Imperial trends and with knowledge of literature or such fields reacted.
"Grace, you mean that...?"
"Oh my, I had heard of her, but seeing her in person, she really is young."
"Rather than young, that's practically at a child's level."
"I hear she's only 16. She hasn't even held her coming-of-age ceremony yet, so it's understandable."
"My goodness, at that age she's won literary awards and even created cultural items to be showcased at an event like this? A star has risen in the Empire's cultural scene."
"Well, well... At times like this, I'm truly envious of the Empire's talent pool. Our kingdom also needs young people like that to support the future of the cultural world..."
"I can already picture that old man Geppetto getting excited, tsk..."
The distinguished guests who recognized Noel buzzed with chatter.
They had heard that a remarkable writer had emerged in the Empire, but seeing her in person left a different impact.
Considering her achievements, she was far too young.
She was at an age where one could even say she was still just a child...
And that astonishment turned into shock when they experienced the more advanced game Noel had created.
"What is this...?!"
Those who sat at the game table, received a brief explanation, and played the game all had their mouths hanging open.
The moment they used a card, a "Servant" popped out from the illustration on the card and struck a pose.
People were unable to contain their shock at the sight.
But that was only visible to those currently sitting at the table and playing.
Because it was a method that cast an illusion spell on the player, making them see visions and hear phantom sounds, to an onlooker watching from the side, it just looked like an ordinary card game.
Moreover, the illusion each person saw differed individually.
Since the illusion and phantom sounds were created based on what that person imagined when looking at the card's illustration, everyone was seeing their own unique hallucination, and of course, the degree also varied.
Some saw incredibly vivid hallucinations, while others saw rather dull ones.
In the future, this aspect would need to be improved so that everyone could see the same hallucination and even spectators who aren't players could see it too, but for now, it was sufficient.
"The illustration leaps out into reality and moves alive...?!"
"So this is the meaning behind the tale of drawing a dragon so vividly that it sprang out of the painting...!"
People playing 「Magic & Servant」 amidst wonder.
These were all individuals who held significant positions in their home countries.
They had enjoyed all kinds of entertainment, but they could confidently say this was the first time they had experienced anything like this, and nothing was more thrilling than this.
The thrill of gambling was somewhat similar, but this was an ecstatic experience itself that couldn't be obtained from gambling either.
Every time they played a card, minions that seemed straight out of mythology appeared, and magic was cast.
Giving the illusion of becoming a wizard themselves, the distinguished guests soon became deeply absorbed in the game.
And that wasn't all.
There was also a board game far more intuitive and enjoyable for multiple people—「Life Game」.
For this one, the player only needed to roll the dice.
Then, automatically, according to the dice roll, the piece would move step by step through the spaces.
Starting as a beggar, the piece's appearance would gradually evolve based on the gameplay.
To become the goal—a minister—each player would naturally establish their own play strategy: becoming a merchant to earn big money and become a minister, or becoming a farmer and scoring enough to become a minister by hitting a great harvest, and so on.
One could also become a noble and achieve great deeds, and when choosing a "profession" in this way, the piece's appearance would change accordingly.
Furthermore, according to the events awaiting in each space, various visual effects would be added, enhancing the fun of the play.
Because it could be enjoyed by multiple people, it could also serve a purpose of facilitating more exchange than 「Magic & Servant」,
"Come to think of it, last year's harvest..."
"Is that so? Our barley harvest wasn't very good. How about this? An exchange with our wheat?"
"That sounds great!"
Seeing them rolling dice while discussing national affairs made it clear.
Everyone was completely captivated by the magical power of games that softened stiff diplomatic events.
Watching this, the Crown Prince smiled with satisfaction.
Why is the Empire the Empire?
What makes the Empire truly imperial?
The Crown Prince believed this very sight was the answer.
When he succeeded his father as Emperor and came to rule the Empire, what direction should he aim for—the answer was unfolding right before his eyes.
'Noel Grace... For the day when the Empire's culture dominates the continent, I must use her wisely.'
Even considering her age, she wouldn't be suitable for the next term, but for the term after that or the one after that... who would become the next director of the Imperial Art Institute—the outline already seemed to be taking shape.