Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Jebit's Debut
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'Men are really something.'
Empire's Second Princess. Eliya Leonius.
She thought to herself as she gazed at the scenery flashing by outside.
Why on earth do men get so worked up over stuff like this?
She was currently traveling to Trinity, invited alongside Crown Prince Leo and the Emperor.
The news that the mages were holding the Arcane War once more.
When she'd first heard, she'd been just as shocked as anyone.
Because if a real Arcane War broke out again, the surrounding lands would be reduced to scorched earth at the very least.
But fortunately, it wasn't an actual clash of magic.
It was a way to inherit the spirit of the ancient Arcane Wars and determine the rankings between the towers.
Eliya couldn't help but wonder why they were pulling something like this out of nowhere.
But mages were such oddballs who loved competing for supremacy, so she shrugged it off.
"Eliya. Aren't you getting down?"
"Ah. Yes, I am."
After several hours on the road, they arrived at Trinity's council building.
Its form was utterly unlike the imperial palace.
But the mystique and beauty of the mages' bizarre architecture were enough to leave anyone entranced.
She stepped down from the carriage on Leo's arm.
"This is truly exciting. I wonder what this COL game is like, exactly. Isn't it?"
"I agree. The Illusion Tower's moves are growing more intriguing by the day."
"I think so too, Your Majesty."
Eliya chimed in agreeably, mirroring Leo in response to the Emperor.
But she held zero anticipation herself.
In truth, she wasn't thrilled about her father—the Emperor—being so obsessed with Maple Leaf Tale that he'd dumped all state affairs on Leo.
It had piled more work on her plate, and she couldn't fathom what was enjoyable about slaughtering monsters in some fantasy realm.
This Arcane War was no different.
The Illusion Tower planned to settle it with a brand-new strategy game of theirs.
From what she'd heard, it involved clashing with bizarre techniques to demolish each other's castles.
As a future ruler, she grasped the need to grasp the art of war.
But Maple Leaf Tale and COL didn't strike her as embodying that at all.
Just dream worlds overflowing with pointless violence.
She genuinely couldn't wrap her head around why men lost their minds over them.
Even a few of her noble lady friends were hooked on Maple Leaf Tale.
To Eliya, who'd never touched it, the whole fad felt downright bizarre.
"Trinity really is a place of wonders. With magic standing in for engines and mechanics, the cityscape takes on this ethereal quality."
"It's like stepping right into the world of Maple Leaf Tale."
The Emperor and Leo chatted about Trinity's enchanting urban vistas.
Eliya could at least agree on that front.
Truth be told, that was the real draw for her in attending this Arcane War she otherwise had no interest in.
This marked the first time in history the Trinity council building had opened to outsiders.
Non-mages had never gotten a glimpse of its mysteries before.
For an imperial princess like her, simply arriving in Trinity was enough to turn heads.
It was a city she'd always yearned to visit, so she'd accepted the invitation without hesitation.
"We see the Sun of the Empire."
"Pleased to see you, Duke. Fancy meeting here."
The trio entered the central arena where the Arcane War was set to unfold.
As the royals stepped in, the nobles already present bowed their heads.
"Galliard! You've come too! And Duke Lins."
"We see the Sun of the Empire. It's been ages, Your Majesty."
"Trinity's the only reason we're crossing paths like this."
"I couldn't stay away with the Illusion Tower unveiling a new game."
By now, everyone knew the Emperor was utterly hooked on Maple Leaf Tale.
His personal involvement was rare, but few seemed thrown off by it.
The Emperor settled into his prepared seat, face alight with eager expectation.
"Your Majesty. I'll go mingle with the princes from neighboring kingdoms."
"I'll tag along, brother."
The Emperor remained seated with his escorts.
Leo networked with the surrounding nobles.
True to his title as Empire's Light, the Crown Prince handled the political angles even in a setting like this.
Eliya, meanwhile, caught up with her circle of ladies.
"Crown Prince."
"Ah, Lord Riot. It's been too long."
A mage appeared then.
Riot, the Illusion mage.
His shabby robe stood out sharply amid the nobles' finery.
"That said… did you send an invite to Jebit too, by any chance?"
Leo, mid-chat with Riot about this and that, glanced around furtively before murmuring.
"Jebit?"
"Yes. I'm aware of her health troubles. But she's such an iconic figure—I wondered if you'd extended one. The Illusion Tower's her only real tie, after all."
Leo, uncharacteristically rambling on.
Riot covered his mouth, eyed him for a beat, then replied.
"We did invite her, of course. But events like this are tough for her. Less polished than an imperial banquet, you know. And it's Trinity's first go at hosting something this big."
"Ah… yeah, makes sense. No deeper meaning—just curiosity…"
"—But."
Riot cut Leo off.
The Crown Prince's features lit up with shock and hope.
"Jebit will make an appearance on stage right before the main Arcane War kicks off."
"Wh-what?!"
"Like you said, she's symbolic. We figured it'd be perfect to have her launch COL. She'll give the crowd a quick rundown on the basics and some opening remarks. We've set up a private waiting room with her health in mind, plus plenty of guards."
"Aah… I get it…! So she's here right now?"
"She'll head from the waiting room to backstage any minute."
"Ooh…"
Leo couldn't contain his thrill.
Eliya eyed him with icy disdain.
Just recently, she'd barged into Leo's chambers without knocking and caught him in full Jebit fanboy mode.
"Um, Lord Riot. If I may…"
Leo stammered, fumbling for words.
Riot knew exactly what was coming.
"You want to meet Jebit?"
"Ah, y-yes. Nothing else—just, what she did was monumental, and the Empire wants to express our thanks…"
"Sure, why not."
"R-Really?"
Riot flashed a grin.
Truthfully, it was a flat-out no-go.
But a scheme to mess with Rikal had just popped into his head.
Imagining Rikal's freak-out, Riot stifled an wicked smirk inside.
"Actually, Jebit's brought you up before. I'll give you the spot—head there soon. You can catch her coming off stage."
"J-J-Jebit talked about me…? Got it, Lord Riot. Thank you!"
Leo bolted off in a frantic rush after getting directions.
Riot watched his retreating figure with a sly chuckle.
"…Lord Riot?"
"Ah, apologies. Princess Eliya, correct? Pleased to meet you."
"I hear you created Maple Leaf Tale and COL."
"That's right. Are you a Maple Leaf Tale player too, Princess?"
A courtesy exchange from Eliya.
She took an instant dislike to Riot's smirking grin.
Maybe it stemmed from her preconceptions about the guy behind those violent games and this whole ridiculous spectacle.
"…Me? Not in the slightest."
"Ah, got it. Most of our guests are players, so I assumed."
"Not even a little."
Riot kept on smirking.
Eliya had never held a high opinion of Maple Leaf Tale, so she pressed sharply.
"So why make them, Lord Riot?"
"Pardon?"
"Maple Leaf Tale. COL too. They're brutally violent, offer zero help with real-world issues. If anything, folks are ditching work and sleep for them."
Eliya, clueless on the appeal, just didn't get it.
Riot fixed her with a stiff gaze for a moment.
Eliya stared right back, unyielding.
At length, Riot cracked a weary smile and spoke.
"Fair point. Game addiction's a real societal ill. Take His Majesty handing off governance to the Crown Prince to dive into Maple Leaf Tale. That's your view, right?"
"Frankly, yes."
"So why do you suppose he fell that hard?"
"Pardon?"
Eliya shot Riot a glare.
He pressed on regardless.
"Did you know His Majesty dreamed of adventuring as a boy? He mentioned it when we met."
"…His Majesty did?"
"Yep. But look at his record—it's baffling. Even as Crown Prince, he sacrificed endlessly for the Empire, fought tirelessly.
No adventures for him—just stuffy robes and armor, politicking. Roaming the world? Hardly. Just battling rivals in the stifling palace."
Eliya was genuinely taken aback.
The Emperor might be a gaming fiend nowadays, but his pre-throne battles for the Empire were legendary.
"That's why he loves chatting with Galliard. That's how His Majesty found Maple Leaf Tale. Emperor now, he can't just stroll beyond the palace walls. But that game lets him explore vast realms from his bed."
"Ah…"
"Galliard even said it lets him relive his hero days. Most old comrades are gone, but Maple Leaf Tale brings back those grueling yet joyful memories.
That elderly man's face lighting up like a kid's—still etched in my mind."
Listening to Riot, Eliya felt a flush of shame.
For her blatant hostility. For dismissing gamers.
"Jebit, knowing true suffering from illness, plays a healing bishop in Maple Leaf Tale. Destitute commoners with nothing get to reap real rewards for their efforts there. The fantasy I built—the game I dreamed up—grants joys reality denies. Surely you have something like that, Princess?"
Eliya felt as if she'd been struck.
These were the very things she'd scorned.
But hearing the intent behind them, she saw how pathetic she had been.
The true worth of games.
Suddenly, those people's faces took on new light in her eyes.
"…Though I suppose not, for you, Princess? Born into everything, beautiful to boot. Can't imagine you'd grasp it."
"Wh-what?!"
"Give it a shot sometime anyway. It's fun, above all. Anyway, Arcane War's about to start—I should head out."
Riot bowed with that same grin.
Yet now, Eliya perceived it differently.
"Wait…!"
Riot strode off briskly.
Eliya reached out to stop him, but he'd already vanished into the distance.
For some reason, her cheeks burned as she watched his back.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Everyone set? Jebit's intro ends and the first match kicks off right away—you need to head up. And first ban-pick, as we discussed…"
"G-game's on us."
"Yeah. Riot, just spectate."
"Riot, stay out of game talk! We got this."
"Ah… alright."
I rushed backstage.
Chatting with Eliya had eaten up too much time.
Man, are royals all hopeless?
The three royal dudes I've met so far sure are.
Eliya too, trash-talking games the second she saw me.
Almost chewed her out, but held back.
"Good luck then. I'm off to Jebit."
"Yeah. Stay out of it! Don't jinx us! Riot trash-talking feels like a loss incoming."
"…"
I left my Illusion Tower crew to their prep and made for Jebit.
Suddenly, even my own mages were grinding my gears.
Whose genius made their cushy lives possible?
Even if I'm trash at COL—no, I'm actually pretty solid?
Muttering to myself, I headed down the passage to Jebit's waiting room.
Leo had beaten me there.
Any minute, Jebit would emerge and hit the stage.
Jebit's job: break down COL basics for the crowd's sake.
And hype things up with cheers.
Originally, Jebit was just gonna show as plain old Rikal in the stands.
But I strong-armed him into this gig.
Festivals need star power, after all.
Past-life COL champs always had it.
Bonus: felt like prime ribbing material for Rikal.
"Whew… Heart's racing, Lord Riot."
"She'll come from over there, probably. Straight to stage after, so save greetings for post-performance."
"Ah, naturally. Can't interrupt Jebit."
Pure stan energy before meeting his idol.
Jebit's incoming freak-out was already crystal clear.
After the crap that punk pulled, this tease was fair game.
I swallowed a laugh, waiting.
Time ticked down, and Jebit appeared.
"O-oh…!"
"…Wh-what."
Leo clapped a hand over his mouth at the sight of Jebit.
Jebit's face twisted in horror at Leo.
I stifled my laughter watching them.
'What the hell is this—!'
Jebit mouthed at me.
'lolololol'
I mouthed back.
Jebit stormed onstage, radiating fury and panic.
Bet post-stage fallout's the real show.
-Hey everyone, great to see you all-!
Waaaaaaaaaah-!
And with cheers for Jebit ringing out, the Arcane War began.