Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: The Prince's Intrusion
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Usually, culture trickles down from the upper class to the lower class.
This held true in this world, just as it did in the modern era.
Thus, it was only natural that Maple Leaf Tale had become a hot topic even among the commoners.
"Looks like it's famous even among commoners, Maple Leaf Tale."
"Probably."
Even so, the speed at which it spread was astonishing.
For commoners, Maple Leaf Tale was still prohibitively expensive, and hardly anyone had likely tried it yet.
But when I thought back to my previous world, it made perfect sense.
Games were something ordinary people enjoyed and obsessed over more than anyone.
It was only natural. People like that were the ones who dreamed of ideals and lost themselves in new worlds.
How could the commoners not get excited at the promise of a brand-new world unfolding before them?
I had been the same way, and understanding their feelings, I planned to lower the price as much as possible once mass production became feasible.
For those who'd already bought it at the high price, I could offer perks or titles as compensation.
"Soon, we'll drop the price so commoners can enjoy it too. Of course, that depends on this job going well."
Rain and I were currently traveling the continent to recruit new Illusion mages.
Specifically, those with Illusion attributes who could be put to work on game development.
"Here. This one's an A-rank Illusion mage, but they turned down the Illusion Tower before."
I was worried since we'd been rejected once already.
But my concerns were quickly put to rest.
"Sure."
They accepted without any real persuasion.
"If I become an Illusion mage, I can play Maple Leaf Tale, right?"
It was all thanks to the widespread buzz around Maple Leaf Tale.
Even those who initially refused caved when we promised them access.
We hadn't even discussed pay yet, and they were already on board. I hadn't expected it to be this famous.
"That's great, Rye."
"Yeah. I didn't think it'd resolve this easily. Thanks to them, we can start production sooner."
And so, we returned to Trinity with our new recruits in tow.
"...Huh?"
"Isn't that a royal carriage...?"
Upon arriving at the Tower, a lavish carriage was parked out front.
Was the imperial family here to buy Maple Leaf Tale too?
But I'd told them not to let anyone in.
I hurriedly flung open the door and was met with a gruesome sight.
"Kyaaah!"
Medea's scream.
And a man swinging his sword at her.
Medea's head was severed, and she collapsed to the floor.
By the time I saw that much, my reason had already snapped.
"...What the hell do you think you're doing?"
He casually replied that she'd annoyed him, so he'd cut her down.
Unforgivable words, needless to say.
I shoved aside an imperial minister blocking my path and approached him, my mana surging.
Mages weren't allowed to use magic recklessly in Trinity, but attacking a mage was the exception.
Of course, I couldn't kill him with Illusion magic.
But after seeing what happened to Medea, I couldn't hold back.
I was sick of Illusion mages being looked down on and attacked.
-Groooaaar-!
Enormous golems rose from the floor, stretching as they emerged.
Not just one or two.
As several golems the size of our shabby Tower began to form, the ceiling started crumbling.
And soon, the golems lunged at the man.
"R-Rye? What the...?"
Rain rushed in from outside, startled.
But she didn't try to stop me.
Because none of this was real—it was all a meticulously crafted illusion.
Yet it was so vivid that even knowing the truth, you couldn't help but feel the threat.
Boom-
A golem slammed the floor.
The ground collapsed in illusion beneath it.
The man dodged the golem's attack with agile movements and charged straight at me.
I fled outside the Tower, conjuring a massive sinkhole along his path.
A bottomless pit, too deep to see the end.
"Fun."
But the man ran across the sinkhole without a care.
As if sprinting through the air.
He knew it was all an illusion, so he ignored it completely.
Leaping in without hesitation took more than ordinary courage.
Clearly no ordinary human.
By the time that thought crossed my mind, his sword was already at my nose.
He slashed at my shoulder, carving deep into my chest. Blood sprayed.
"Rye-!"
Rain's cry. But there was no pain.
Because that, too, was an illusion.
The moment he struck the clone, I burst from hiding in the illusion and seized his throat with my dagger.
All illusions vanished, and the man froze.
"...Didn't know it was a clone."
And as I moved to stab his throat—
"W-Wait, Rye! Stop-!"
Medea's voice rang out.
"...Huh?"
She was alive.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "...So you knew it was a clone and cut it down anyway. Is that it?"
"Y-Yes, of course. Our prince has an Illusion-related attribute constitution as well."
The misunderstanding was eventually cleared up.
Medea had overheard him say he'd cut through the illusion, so it seemed he hadn't really meant to kill anyone.
This man's identity was Third Prince Rikal Leonius.
Even in Trinity, he was infamous as a spoiled royal brat.
Rumors said dozens had died by his hand, and he'd throw tantrums whenever things didn't go his way.
Even knowing it was an illusion, I couldn't look kindly on someone who drew his sword just because he didn't get what he wanted.
"...Understood. But swinging your sword wildly in Trinity was your fault, Your Highness, so I won't apologize. If anything, we deserve one."
"Th-That... Well, yeah... No, wait, that's..."
My firm stance had his aide Hannon sweating bullets.
He looked terrified the prince might explode at any moment.
Of course, the prince wouldn't stay quiet after that.
But I had no intention of bowing to him.
This was Trinity. Even a prince couldn't kill a mage here unscathed.
"I'm here about Maple Leaf Tale. Those bastards keep stealing my spots, so deal with them quick, Riot."
"...It's Rye Ought, not Riot."
No apology—just straight to his demands.
I hadn't expected one anyway, so it didn't matter.
But I was a bit surprised he was a Maple Leaf Tale player.
And he'd come not to complain, but to make a "suggestion" so politely.
"...A suggestion, you say?"
If it'd been a purchase issue, I'd have blacklisted him. But player feedback? Worth hearing.
The game still needed plenty of maintenance.
I didn't like the prince, but I'd listen to what he had to say.
"There are users stealing other people's hunting spots. Not once or twice—they target slow-hunting classes and do it habitually. Total assholes."
Spot stealing.
Common even in my old world.
Not illegal, just bad manners.
Couldn't ban accounts over it, but it was a huge issue for players.
I'd expected it, but not this soon.
"That's definitely a problem. But we can't ban or blacklist for that."
"I can't even play because of those fuckers. You kidding?"
"Hunting grounds are open to everyone by default. Public maps and all. 'Spots' are just a matter of etiquette. An unspoken agreement."
"So handle the ones breaking it."
"Sorry, but no. It's not against the rules."
"Tch, you little..."
As I kept refusing, Rikal rubbed his forehead.
He was pissed, clearly.
I sympathized—it was a headache.
And since I'd anticipated it, I had a solution ready.
Just not bans.
"But we'll roll out a new update. It should reduce those incidents significantly."
"...Update?"
"Yes."
I'd planned it for the next major patch.
But with spot stealing already happening, this took priority.
"We're adding a popularity system and megaphone items."
"...Popularity and megaphones?"
I explained briefly.
It wouldn't eliminate spot stealing entirely, but given this world's nature, it should help a lot.
Popularity would likely matter even more here than in my old life.
"...You think that'll stop them?"
"It will. Next time it happens, blast their nickname across the server with a megaphone."
"...Hmm."
The prince was skeptical but seemed to get it.
Megaphones were cash items, so time to update the cash shop too.
Prices were dropping soon; needed more revenue streams.
Megaphones were the lifeblood of Maple Leaf Tale.
Started for this, but players would use them for everything eventually.
"If it doesn't work, come back then. It's the best we can do now."
"...When's the update?"
What a guy—always just saying his piece.
The one-sided prince annoyed me, but I held it in.
I had another goal.
A prince like him had to be loaded.
"...We could implement it quickly, but new features need tons of mana stones. And as you see, our Tower's broke."
After the second batch sold, investors and sponsors had poured in.
Most sponsors were blacklisted folks bribing for removal in exchange for donations.
"We can't even start the third batch yet. A big update like this... it'd need serious investment."
Game production funds were secure.
But I couldn't let this golden fish swim away.
"If Your Highness invested, though... it might speed things up."
"...Tch. Money's no object—make it fast."
"You got it~ Of course."
The prince I'd wanted to punch moments ago suddenly looked handsome.
The power of money.
Still a annoying brat, but paying up earned him some points.
I whipped up a one-sided investment contract—heavily in our favor—and handed it over.
"Just thumbprint here. Investments are sensitive; we need documentation, right?"
"...Such a hassle."
"W-Wait, Your Highness!"
Squish-
Hannon lunged to stop him, but Rikal's finger was faster.
By the time Hannon snatched the contract, the print was done.
"Thank you! I'll copy one for you to take."
"Handle it, Hannon."
Hannon read it, collapsed to his knees, and wailed.
Rikal ignored him, wiping his finger.
"Perfect, heh heh... We'll announce the update timing. Check then."
He'd been obnoxious earlier, but now I couldn't stop grinning.
The sword thing was unforgivable, but this settled it.
With the money secured, I was about to shoo the jerk out when curiosity struck.
"...So, Your Highness, what class are you leveling? Warrior? Thief?"
Given his personality, probably something aggressive like warrior.
He'd steal spots, not have them stolen.
"...W-Why the hell do you care? Just update it already, Riot."
Rikal dodged the question.
His eyes flickered, hands trembling? Maybe my imagination.
Could be trying something different.
It was anonymous anyway, so I didn't pry about Maple Leaf Tale info.
"B-But... can the Illusion Tower tell who players really are?"
Rikal asked, sweating.
His pupils darted aimlessly.
As operator, I could identify users via personal info.
Mana here was like fingerprints; artifacts logged which mana powered them.
Most players wouldn't know.
A mage like Hina might suspect, but no need to reveal.
No plans to misuse privacy.
As I said, Maple Leaf Tale should be an escape—a new adventure free from reality.
Exposing real identities would kill the fun.
"No. Even we can't access player personal info."
"...Really?"
Rikal visibly relaxed.
Back to his usual self, he stood.
"Hurry up with the update or whatever. Can't play pissed off at those bastards."
"Got it. I'll put the money to good use."
Creeeak-
Rikal dragged the sobbing Hannon out of the Tower.
Only then did the hidden onlookers emerge.
"H-How'd it go?"
"All good. Annoying guy, but I fleeced him big time."
Everyone sighed in relief and cheered.
Outcome was positive, anyway.
"Rain, guide the newbies and fetch the Tower Master to teach them Illusion spells. I have something to check."
"Sure thing, Rye."
Rain hugged me tight, rubbing her cheek against mine.
A habit from childhood she still had. She was tall now—eye level with me.
I set other tasks aside and headed to the room housing the artifact running Maple Leaf Tale's main server.
To uncover Rikal's character.
Conveniently, he'd used magic in the scuffle, leaving a mana trace.
"...Huh? This user?"
Finding Rikal's character left me stunned.
It was someone I never would have guessed.
But the shock soon turned to laughter.
"Kekeke. No way this user's the Third Prince. You're screwed now."
I'd learned something fun.