Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: The Blacklist
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"Ho, hoee...!"
"Th-this... a feast like this for the first time! Our maknae is the best!"
"To think a day like this would come to the Illusion Tower... Thank you so much, Rye!"
"It was a team effort, really. Let's eat."
The seniors, who had been misty-eyed moments ago, suddenly dove into the food as if nothing had happened.
It was the first time they'd had a spread like this since arriving at the Illusion Tower.
It was all thanks to the success of Maple Leaf Tale.
"But is it really that fun? A whole new world implemented with illusion magic... I can't even imagine it."
Rain, who hadn't played Maple Leaf Tale yet, asked.
A few others who hadn't tried it shot curious glances her way.
Aside from those who'd helped with production and Hina, even the seniors hadn't played it yet.
"It's seriously amazing, I swear. If I'd known it'd sell out like this, I would've grabbed one for myself ahead of time!"
"Once the next batch is done, I'll give everyone one. It'll definitely be fun. The Tower Master has already clocked over 300 hours."
"...Isn't that basically playing without eating?"
The first batch of Maple Leaf Tale artifacts numbered around 500.
Budget constraints had limited them to that many, and at first, they hadn't sold at all.
Galliard had introduced it to his old elf comrade, and the elves had bought a few.
But there were far too few elves to make up the difference.
Then one day, Lipert, the head of the Blue Hair Merchant Guild, showed up out of nowhere and signed a contract.
He even offered a premium and proposed exclusive dealings with his guild.
A week after signing with the Blue Hair Merchant Guild, the entire first batch sold out.
"Guess that means it's that good. Man, I wanna play already. It was seriously fun."
"I think everyone who helped with production should give it a try."
"Yeah, let's quit these damn side gigs! Time we acted like proper mages!"
Hahahahaha!
For the first time in ages, laughter echoed nonstop through the tower.
Above all, it felt good knowing the seniors wouldn't have to toil at odd jobs anymore.
Bang bang bang-
The boisterous knocking cut through the laughter.
"I'll check it out. Keep eating."
Figuring it was Galliard again, I got up myself.
Probably here with some trivial skill tree question.
The late hour and aggressive pounding annoyed me a bit.
"...Skill trees are a serious matter."
...Back when there were no proper guides, researching skill trees ourselves had been tough.
Thinking back softened my irritation a little.
"...Who is it?"
But it wasn't Galliard standing at the door, contrary to my expectations.
A man with arms crossed and a displeased scowl.
His attire suggested he was a knight from some noble house.
Not in full armor, so probably not official business.
"You're the ones who made that Maple Leaf Tale artifact at the Illusion Tower, right?"
"Yes, that's us."
"Bring one out. I'll buy it."
His tone dismissed me—no, the entire Illusion Tower.
He'd shown up late at night and barked orders in casual speech like it was natural.
His attitude soured my mood, but I held back and replied.
"Sorry, but the first batch is completely sold out. And sales go exclusively through the Blue Hair Merchant Guild now, so check with them going forward."
"I came all the way here because the guild had none left! Can't even manage inventory properly... Illusion mages are just... tch."
"......"
I'd been polite, yet he snapped back at me.
I nearly cursed, but barely held it in again.
They say enduring three times saves a life.
Yeah, I'm civilized. I can handle this. Illusion mages get way worse disdain all the time.
I can endure. I can endure...
"Where are you from? I'll make sure the guild notifies you first when production finishes."
"You expect me to drive all this way late at night and then wait more?!"
Crack.
If I'd had a rose knife in hand, I might've stabbed him.
But enduring three times saves a life.
One more hold, and any normal person would back off.
Apparently, this world's folks didn't follow Earth's proverbs.
"No finished products right now, nothing we can—"
"Ugh, tch! This is why illusion mages don't cut it. Treating trash like this as real mages... Ptui!"
The knight spat on the ground and turned away grumbling.
If he'd ever been treated with respect, he might not feel so hard done by.
Guys like that are just...
"Hey, you little sh—"
"What's this now?"
I was about to smack the back of his head when a massive figure blocked his path.
"Who the hell are y— H-Huh?!"
"Mind explaining why you're spitting in front of the Illusion Tower?"
"G-G-Galliard?! I-I mean..."
"Hm? You're... that guy."
"I-I'll be going!"
He bolted.
As soon as Galliard appeared, the knight flipped his attitude and fled.
"You know him?"
"Ex-Imperial Knight. Caused trouble back then and got booted from the order. Heard he's with the Logos Count Family now. What happened?"
"Seemed like he wanted Maple Leaf Tale. Got rowdy when I said none left."
"Sigh... hasn't learned manners. I oughta..."
"It's fine. No need for you to get involved over trash like that."
A former hero stepping in would probably leave him crippled.
But I didn't want his help. No interest in dealing with scum like that.
Logos Count Family, was it? Ban the whole lot. Gotta tell the guild.
"So, what brings you here, Galliard?"
"Well, see, this skill..."
As expected, nothing major.
I spent a good while recommending skill trees and hunting grounds for him. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Logos Count Family had one major problem lately.
"Waaahhh— I want Maple Leaf too, I want it nooow!"
Denny Logos, the family's youngest.
Even the count couldn't rein in his escalating tantrums.
The reason Denny wailed was none other than Maple Leaf Tale.
The hot artifact from the Illusion Tower buzzing everywhere.
It let you enjoy new adventures in a mystical world via illusions.
Like stepping into a novel as the protagonist.
"But Denny, even when the messenger went straight to the Illusion Tower, they said none available. Just wait a bit, hm?"
"Waaahhh—!"
Denny was 8. Normally past tantrum age.
But after borrowing and trying one from a peer noble kid, he'd lost it.
The count tried every punishment, but Denny wouldn't yield.
"Sigh... Should've bought it when the guild recommended."
"Hmph... But I couldn't buy something made by illusion mages!"
"Still, Lipert vouched for it that hard—there had to be a reason! I thought it was worth it, but you chased the rep away without listening..."
"What did you just say, woman?!"
Marital spats had spiked lately.
The count's foul temper was infamous.
Now even his wife was fed up and snapping back.
"Waaahhh—!"
"Sigh..."
Not long ago, Lipert of the Blue Hair Merchant Guild toured nations and nobles, hyping one product.
Naturally, no one bought it at first.
It was from the Illusion Tower. And pricey.
But a guild head like Lipert rarely pushed new wares so hard.
A few bit, figuring they'd recoup even if duped.
Once the artifact's wonders spread, rumors exploded.
An addiction you couldn't escape.
The Illusion Tower called it a "game."
An artifact enabling the "game" Maple Leaf Tale.
"What the hell makes it worth this fuss?!"
"Heard it's a mystical new world you experience. Haven't tried it myself, but once you start, you can't tear away all day."
"Illusion's still illusion. Can't grasp why everyone's obsessed!"
Noble circles brimmed with Maple Leaf Tale talk.
Players dominated parties with nothing else.
Those without envied, sidelined from chats.
Demand skyrocketed.
The count had even dispatched a knight to the tower.
But the reply: production pending.
Every noble eyed the next batch hungrily.
"Grab several this release."
"...You wanna try it too, dear?"
"Ahem. Party talk today... the hype's real. Heart raced just hearing about it."
"Yeah, Father. Mine too..."
Before long, even the wife and grown eldest son anticipated it.
The count was getting curious himself.
"Fine! Next release, whole family plays together. Hmph, an Illusion Tower trinket..."
What made illusion mages' artifact drive nobles mad?
He resolved to buy and try day one.
And release day arrived.
"Hah... Have to trek to Trinity myself for this?"
"But one per person max. Gotta do it this way or scalpers hoard. Smart move."
"True, but I don't get the hype."
"Maple Leaf Tale~ Maple Leaf Ta~!"
Ahead of the second release, the Illusion Tower announced: strictly one per person.
The intended player must buy personally.
No delivery; visit guild in person.
"It's packed with tons of inscribed magic, Father. Can't mass-produce. Huge costs too. Demand's exploding, supply lags—obvious call. Otherwise, nobles send servants to bulk-buy as usual. Ensures only real players get 'em. Good move by the Illusion Tower."
"Y-Yeah."
The usually taciturn eldest rattled off excitedly.
Seeing his studious son use brains on this weirded the count out.
"Plus, this Maple Leaf Tale is incredibly..."
The son spewed unasked game trivia.
The count's ears rang.
"Enough! Where'd you even get that?!"
"'Maple Leaf Tale Guidebook.'"
"Guidebook? Hah..."
Hours of the son's spiel later, the four arrived in Trinity and disembarked.
"Eek... All this line?!"
The wife gaped at the sight.
Queue stretched from guild to city gates.
"Q-quick, line up, Father! Mother! Denny, here!"
Led by the eldest, they joined.
More nobles queued behind.
"Hah... This crowd... Oh, Duke!"
"Count Logos! Here for Maple Leaf Tale too?"
"Y-Yes! Even Your Grace...?"
"Kids nagged endlessly. Got curious myself. Haha! Plenty think alike. Up front: Viscount Nielsen, Prince Franz kin. Word is a prince came too!"
"Wha?"
Right ahead: Duke Iss, one of the empire's top.
Scanning the line: elite nobles everywhere.
The personal purchase rule drew them all.
"Haha. Job picked?"
"Mage route for me. Regret not becoming one as a kid."
"Archer here. Haha!"
"Couldn't resist after seeing the baron's play."
"Got mine already; wife insisted on hers, so tagged along. Hit second job change."
"Oho! Which class?"
Nobles chatted like at a society ball.
All Maple Leaf Tale.
"What is thi— dear?"
The wife was already gossiping with ladies nearby.
Missing this would've isolated her socially, the count realized.
"No-shows become outcasts, Father."
"R-Right. Popularity's insane... How long's the wait?"
"Sales start at 1 PM, so line'll shrink soon."
The count passed time greeting nobles.
Then, as time came, the queue moved.
Logos family's turn neared.
"W-We won't run out before us, right?"
"Doubt it. Huge stockpile left."
Their turn arrived.
Trembling with nerves, the count entered the guild with family.
"Welcome. State house and name in order."
"Logos Count Family. Charles Logos."
"Yes... Oh."
The guild clerk, breezing through priors, froze.
Wife and eldest eyed him puzzled.
"Ah... Sorry, but we can't sell to the Logos Count Family."
"...What?"
"You're on the 'blacklist.' Illusion Tower directive—we can't override."
"Blacklist?"
"W-Waa... Waaahhh—!"
The hyped youngest burst into tears again.