Chapter 122
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: Games in Paradise
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Wow... wow, this is insane. Is that a controllable ability?
No way.
Even 7th Circle is ridiculous, but how do I even describe this...? Sorry, but until you can control it, just stay outside the territory for a bit. I'll provide a place to stay and all the supplies you need.
As she said, my current situation made isolation the safer option.
It's been about four days since I started staying in an empty forester's cabin located in the mountains, a little ways from the territory.
"Want to try it too?"
"I've finally become somewhat useful."
Luna, who had been moping after missing out on Fate Road, came to see me after a few days, looking somewhat recovered.
Actually, according to Melissa, the moment she heard I'd gained the power of death and unleashed it, she tried to rush to my side right away.
I stared at her blankly, and she gave a pouty smile.
Her oddly cheerful grin made me narrow my eyes and pinch her cheek, tugging it.
"Ow."
"I pulled it so it'd hurt. You okay now?"
"I'm fine."
Good timing. I needed a tester anyway.
"Try this out."
I handed her the new Paradise Artifact, and she took it.
She'd hardly ever used virtual reality artifacts besides the ones she was developing herself.
Then again, the Paradise Artifact she'd used while sealed was no different, so it wasn't that surprising.
"What's new?"
The basic Paradise Artifact simulated a beach.
The only additions were manifesting objects for more comfortable relaxation and enjoyment.
Honestly, if asked whether it was entertaining enough to last long-term, there were some iffy aspects.
Not that adding new fields now would change much.
It wasn't like every artifact was linked together like the internet from my past life.
It wouldn't mean much.
So, I added elements to enjoy inside it.
First, I added one new field.
Basically, store data in moonstones and secure them with command magic.
Then, infuse materials to artifactize it and make it resonate with the human mind.
The usage method itself hasn't changed.
The issue is that moonstone processing still has flaws for storing infinite data, so I can only add one or two at a time.
If I could grind top-grade magic stones to make processing devices, that'd be great, but... I had no intention of wasting my current top-grade magic stones so frivolously.
So, I focused on entertainment.
Elements for solo enjoyment.
In my past life, simple games were often bundled with purchases.
Inspired by that, I added simple games.
No need for complex, amazing ones.
Common ones like chess or simple famous board games.
And turn-based RPGs controlled by will, not physical movement, pulled from my memories and implemented.
The story was a simple adventure.
A hero pulls the holy sword, leaves the village, meets companions, storms the demon king's castle, and battles the demon king—a classic tale.
And the hero who triumphs marries his beloved, the usual cliché.
Honestly, no need to overthink balancing, items, skills, or game elements. I'd done more complex number-crunching enough to get sick of it.
Of course, I had no real talent in this area, so this was just a prototype. Testers' feedback while playing would refine it.
Her eyes sparkling at my proposal, she snatched the artifact.
Then she flopped into my lap as I lounged in the rocking chair and activated it.
Testing was her job alone, so no need for me to activate mine.
She slipped into it like falling asleep and didn't wake for over an hour.
A longer time than expected, but I spent it in the rocking chair, using [Memory Reloading] command magic to extract data from my memories and engrave it into test moonstones.
It'd be great if existing and added data could be remotely updated, but... too many shortcomings for that tech yet.
Next time, maybe a collection game.
Throw hollow cubes to catch monsters, use them to battle and catch more...
A genre hugely popular in my past life.
Copyright? Meaningless to me here.
I forcibly shut down the artifact because she'd been immersed too long, startling Luna—who'd been nestled in my arms with eyes closed—who lifted her head.
She stared at me.
Her starry night-sky eyes were stunning.
"Leon."
"How was it?"
"Hand it over right now! I almost beat the dungeon boss—what the hell!"
She snatched it back like it was hers and hopped off me, scampering to the side.
Then she dove onto the bed and activated it again.
More fun than I thought?
I hadn't expected this reaction.
Clunk!
At the same time, the cabin door burst open as a figure in a doll costume poked its head in.
"I heard the news! Young Master!"
Only one madwoman shows up in doll clothes like this from my memories.
Isna Mielephon.
No need to wonder why she was here.
"Lady Isna? How did you get here? I heard you were under house arrest."
To my question, she planted hands on hips—still wearing the doll mask—and said gravely and seriously.
"Obviously, I snuck out. Mom won't come looking if I'm here."
I immediately turned away, ignoring her.
The place I'm currently staying has restricted access to others.
Because my unleashed power of death doesn't distinguish friend from foe.
If it goes off even once by mistake, nothing in range survives.
So Luna shouldn't have come either, but for some reason, after she arrived, controlling the power of death became much easier, so Melissa didn't object.
And Luna confidently claimed it wouldn't affect her much anyway.
But Isna was an exception.
"How did you even get here?"
"I heard the news. And I have info on the recent Bernar Count's territory incident. But... looks like no casualties, thankfully."
"We got lucky. It exploded in the Demon Realm, where no people tread."
"Yeah. That direction..."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing! Just curious."
She clasped hands behind her back, leaning forward with an innocent smile looking up at me.
The purest, most transparent smile in a way.
But watching the twintailed girl smile so brightly gave me an odd sense of déjà vu.
Was she an idiot? No way. She seemed airheaded and foolish, but scrutinizing her actions, she was no fool.
Her bright smiles and ditzy behavior naturally lowered one's guard.
But knowing she wasn't what she seemed after several encounters made it hard to ignore the déjà vu.
Guilt? Or something else?
As I pondered silently, she clapped to liven the mood.
"Don't be like that—let me try the one you made too. You added new features, right?"
"I have a question for you, Lady Isna."
"Ask away."
"Do you have any dissatisfaction with this engagement?"
I had to ask anyway.
"Hmm, feels like we've had a similar talk before. I don't see a reason to refuse this match."
"Someone like you wouldn't need an emotionless political marriage."
"What's love anyway? Live together, help each other, and affection grows."
I couldn't help but chuckle at her words.
True enough.
Still immature about entanglements with others, I sorted my thoughts based on her view.
"Like I said before, I'm not tying you down just because of the engagement. No need to worry."
"..."
She beamed innocently.
But a subtle chill laced her smile.
"I'm the type who wouldn't mind polygamy if I like someone."
A duke's daughter talking polygamy. Unconventional, but she seemed the type.
What does a duke's daughter lack?
"Of course, even without marriage, our wavelengths match, so we could at least be good friends."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Looks like Luna likes it."
"That certain?"
"I'm not as oblivious as you. Anyway, give me one too? The new model."
I placed a new Paradise Artifact in her palm. She reclined comfortably in a nearby rocking chair and activated it.
Exactly one hour later, as I shut it down and asked for feedback, she blurted:
"Ah! I didn't get the dungeon boss drop item yet..."
She whined and reactivated it.
Glancing over, Luna still hadn't emerged.
After some thought, I shorted both artifacts without hesitation.
The fun threshold ultimately depends on exposure to that fun.
This world wasn't truly boring, but many of my implementations felt novel here.
"The best weapon setup is the one-hit warhammer with ogre gear."
"I liked Great Warrior Barin's dual swords. That greatsword splitting..."
...
"Among the first village companions, the debuff specialist black mage Jamel..."
"Raid the village chief's house in the starting village, break the jar for a recovery potion..."
With artifact use banned, they swapped opinions and argued fervently.
I'd made them for casual fun.
Not this level of immersion.
I hadn't obsessed over quality. Just memorized and implemented from recall.
The internal numbers were patchwork without unique flair.
I figured board games like chess would be hits, not that side.
"Come on, give some constructive feedback. How long are you gonna do this?"
"Whatever, just unlock the next area already. Why so many unimplemented regions? You're gonna finish it anyway, right? Ah! Hurry up! Release it now!"
"Yeah. Release it quick."
These people...
Honestly, I hadn't planned to popularize the games in the Paradise Artifact.