Chapter 9

□ Capital of Altea <Heavenly Three Stars Pavilion> Ray Sterling

Our dinner and Q&A session was still ongoing.

"Then, the next question, about our position in this world."

"What do you mean?"

I asked, recalling Lilianna's words and actions.

"Lilianna called me something like a 'Master chosen by Embryo' or something. Not a player. To be honest, I still haven't grasped our position and setting as players in this world."

It seems they didn't think of me as a game player.

"Well, you can understand it by reading the background settings on the official site... but that would take a few hours. So, I'll give you a brief explanation."

With that, my brother's lecture on the world setting began.

"In this world, there are Masters and Tians. And we players are all called Masters here. The meaning is something like 'those chosen by Embryo.'"

Come to think of it, Nemesis also calls me Master.

"Masters are chosen, raised, and used by Embryo. Masters have immense power, but in return, they are subject to one constraint."

"Constraint?"

"Being frequently 'transported to another world.'"

...Huh?

"Masters can disappear from this world for a short time, a few minutes, or a long time, several days or months. Sometimes they return to the place they disappeared from, and other times they are transported to special places called save points."

No, that means...

"However, Masters can survive by being transported to another world at the moment of death through the power of Embryo. In such cases, they won't return for at least three days."

"So, does that mean the player's logout, including penalties, is incorporated into the core setting of this world?"

"That's right."

"..."

The developers really thought this through. From my interactions with Lilianna and Miriane, their thoughts seem to be on par with real humans. To make such Tians move without realizing this world is a game, the players' return to reality and immortality are defined as part of the world's logic. I see, quite clever.

"By the way, there are some players who go around telling Tians that this world is a game, but they are treated as 'poor Masters who have gone mad after being transported to another world.'"

"...Ah."

"Also, Masters who disappear irregularly are almost never given important positions in the government. Even if they join the Knights to become a Knight, they are given jobs for Masters, not regular jobs."

In other words, they are only given jobs that can be done even if they disappear irregularly.

"Well, as a fighting force, Masters are stronger by the power of Embryo, so the jobs they get are often higher-paying than those of Tians."

Like being asked to go and defeat monsters alone.

Well, the big questions about the system have been resolved. Now...

"Brother, did something happen with Lilianna before?"

"What do you mean, bear?"

"Don't play dumb. Lilianna clearly knew you."

To add, she didn't seem to have a good impression of you.

"What did you do?"

Did you make a move on her?

Like saying, "Yay, a real female knight. Can't stand it," and hugging her.

"Nothing."

However, contrary to my expectations, my brother answered seriously.

"Nothing... but I think she hates me."

"What do you mean?"

How can you be hated for doing nothing?

"It's a long story. And it's not as interesting as the one before."

"I don't mind."

With that, my brother sighed and began to speak.

"Two months ago in real time, six months ago in game time, there was a war. An invasion of the Altea Kingdom by the Machine Empire Dryf."

The Machine Empire Dryf.

One of the countries players can choose at the start, a country where mechanical civilization developed in this fantasy world.

...I can't say it's heretical just because there's a tank-riding bear in the family.

"The reason for the country was to take control of the fertile land of the Altea Kingdom. In game terms, it was a war event."

War event.

It was also written in the guidebook. A large-scale battle between countries, a big quest that determined the fate of the affiliated countries.

"A great battle where Masters and Tians fought together. It was a rare event and one of the highlights... but"

My brother sighed.

"The result was a crushing defeat for the Altea Kingdom. They lost a third of their territory, and the Grand Sage, who was also a court magician, half of the Knights, and the king died. In other words, many of the key figures in the country's administration were killed in battle."

"...Why did they lose so badly? Is Dryf that strong?"

No, that's unlikely.

In reality, maybe, but since it's a game, the power balance should be considered.

"The national power was equal. The country's strength, the level of soldiers, and the combat power of key figures were all equal. However, the power of the Masters on top of that is different."

"So, did the Dryf players outnumber the Altea players, leading to the defeat?"

Dryf is a country that seems to be loved by many, so maybe a lot of players gathered there.

But then, the Altea Kingdom...

"No, the reason for the defeat was that many of the Masters who could participate in the war in the Altea Kingdom did not join."

Unexpected words.

With the fate of the country at stake and it being a highlight event, why didn't they participate?

"The king of the Altea Kingdom was, to put it bluntly, an old-fashioned person. He gave a speech like, 'The country is in a crisis. Now is the time for the warriors of our country to rise up!' and went to the front line himself, but that was all."

"That was all?"

"There was no reward. The idea was that those who belong to the country should stand up in this crisis."

...It's understandable that the country's survival is at stake, but it seems a bit stingy. Maybe it's normal in a medieval-like country.

"Of course, Masters... players enjoy this world, but they don't entrust their lives to this game. Whether they die or the country falls, it's just a 24-hour login restriction. So, many thought there was no point in participating in the country's crisis if there was nothing to gain."

I, on the other hand, would think about participating in the war and dying because the player only gets a login restriction. But that's just me. The cost of using recovery items during battles and the potential for losing equipment in battles with other players can be a significant negative.

"Regarding this matter, the opposing Dryf clearly set standards for rewards. Specifically..."

It was unprecedented.

5000 rils for each Altea soldier killed, 50000 rils for each Embryo holder, i.e., Master. Additionally, various benefits such as rare items and preferential treatment within the country were given for killing key figures. As a result, the morale of Dryf players rose, while the motivation of Altea players plummeted.

"Some players even said they wanted to participate on the Dryf side, or that rare events might happen if the country fell."

"..."

As a game player, I can understand their feelings.

I can understand, but...

"The decisive blow for the crushing defeat was that the Altea Kingdom's 'Three Giants'... the top rankers in the slaying, dueling, and clan rankings, all decided not to participate."

"Rankings? Do they exist?"

"That's it."

My brother pointed outside the window. This shop faces the fountain square where we met. He pointed to the grand bulletin board beyond the fountain.

"That's the Altea Kingdom's ranking board. It's updated every three months in game time."

In real time, it's every month.

"The slaying ranking, which competes in the results of slaying monsters. The dueling ranking, which competes in the performance of the PvP system. The clan ranking, which compares the size of clans. The top thirty of each ranking are displayed."

"Wow."

"And an important point is that only those in the ranking can participate in the war. However, for the clan ranking, all members of the top 30 clans can participate, so it's possible to temporarily join a clan and participate in the war as a mercenary. In fact, the Dryf Masters did that."

...I see.

However, in any case, players who are not in the ranking cannot participate in the war.

And during the previous war, the top rankers of each ranking, known as the 'Three Giants,' said the following to the kingdom that requested their participation.

The top of the slaying ranking, the unnamed [Destruction King], said, "I don't want to show my face in a large-scale event."

The top of the dueling ranking, the [Super Fighter] Figaro, said, "I have no interest in a sloppy battle."

The owner of the top clan, the [Pope] Fusang Yuki, said, "Negotiations with the country did not go well."

As a result, the motivation of other rankers, which was already low, further diminished. It was clear that it would be a losing battle. Thus, the battle began with many rankers missing. Those who participated were a few top clans, members of fan clubs of popular NPCs like Lilianna, and naive players.

The result was... a disastrous situation. The battlefield was nothing but carnage. The biggest difference was the number of players, and more critically, all of Dryf's top rankers participated.

The top of the Dryf Empire's slaying ranking, the [Beast King], unnamed.

The top of the Dryf Empire's dueling ranking, the [Demon General] Logan Godhart.

The top of the Dryf Empire's clan ranking, the owner of [Wisdom's Triangle], the [Great Professor] Mr. Franklin.

Two of the three were also Super-Class Embryo Masters, and their combat power was immense. The top three of Dryf killed the influential NPCs, the then head of the Royal Guard and the Grand Sage, and the king.

"If it had continued, it would have been a sure path to the fall of the country. However, when a third of the territory was taken, the neutral country Cardina invaded Dryf. The Dryf side retreated to their country, leaving only the garrison in the captured territory, so the Altea Kingdom barely survived."

However, Cardina has already retreated from Dryf, and it will likely attack again in a few months, my brother continued.

"..."

...I see, it's indeed not an interesting story. This city, this country, was already on the brink of death.

"About Lilianna hating you..."

"I was also one of the rankers who didn't participate, even though I was in the ranking. I was hated for not participating despite having the power to fight. The previous head of the Royal Guard was apparently Lilianna and Miri's father."

"...Indeed."

Really, it's not an interesting story.

"So, what do you plan to do now, Master, after hearing this uninteresting story?"

Nemesis, who had been eating and not participating in the conversation, asked me.

"There's nothing to do, really."

What will you do when Dryf attacks again... Well, I've already made up my mind.

"But, how about not participating just because there were no rewards? It seems like it was worth participating even with the costs."

Even as a game event.

"Well, that's true. However, the trend among players at that time was more of a boycott against the stingy country. It's possible that Dryf prepared the unprecedented rewards to create that atmosphere."

If so, the Altea Kingdom lost to Dryf in strategy before the actual battle.

"Why didn't you participate, brother? Was it because there were no rewards?"

"...In my case, if my equipment is destroyed, my real face is revealed."

"..."

Ah, yeah.

That is, it's a big problem.

"Well, I've gotten this sturdy [Hindbear] since then, so I'll participate next time."

Indeed, the stats of this costume, with its defense boost and physical damage reduction, were impressive. It looked like a gag item, but...

"However, if we do it again, they will have further strengthened their national power, while we will have weakened, so it might be tough."

"Weakened?"

"Many players have fled to other countries through the 'Refugee Event' since the defeat. Even NPCs are leaving the country, and on the dedicated online bulletin board, it's often said that 'Altea Kingdom is over' or 'It's over.'"

"..."

Refugees and the spread of despair.

It's like a real country is collapsing.

"The ranking has also changed by 70% with the recent update."

"Hmm."

In other words, it's also an opportunity to become a ranker now.

"Then, I'll start from there."

My strategy became clear as I listened to the story.

No, the strategy is the same, but I have a new goal.

"Have you decided on a new goal?"

I nodded in response to Nemesis's voice.

"There doesn't seem to be much I can do in my current state, and I can't participate in the war."

So...

"First, I'll level up... and aim to become a ranker."

◆◆◆

■ Earth, a Chat Room

Participants — Professor

[General has logged in]

[General has logged in]

Participants — Professor, General, General

Professor: Good evening.

General: Good evening.

General: Good.

Professor: Both of you.

Professor: Did you see the video I sent from <Infinite Dendrogram>?

General: I saw it.

General: That's why I'm here.

Professor: That's right.

Professor: Well, regarding the recent attempt to eliminate a powerful Tian, in short,

Professor: It was a failure.

General: It was a failure.

Professor: The swarm of Demidragworms I had released into the dungeon

Professor: Was completely wiped out.

General: Wasn't there a flaw in the plan itself?

General: Giving the target's sister a bug repellent and leading her to the orchard,

General: Then trapping the target there,

Professor: It was supposed to be a different plan.

Professor: For some reason, the Rem fruits disappeared from the market.

Professor: Even the ones I needed for the plan were gone. (laughs)

Professor: What a shame.

Professor: I was going to give the sister a poisoned Rem fruit,

Professor: And have her kill her sister.

Professor: Sister: "Thank you, *cough*"

Professor: Sister: "Sis! *cough*"

Professor: It was supposed to be like that, really a shame. (crying) (laughing)

General: Your disappointment is not the issue.

General: The problem is that the revised plan was foiled.

Professor: That bear is scary.

Professor: Defeating nearly a hundred Demidragworms alone,

Professor: And without a scratch,

Professor: That's the equivalent of a high-level job. (laughs)

General: It's not that impressive.

General: A strong player who has leveled up can do it... I can do it too.

General: But... defeating Demidragworms at level 0 without a job,

General: I've never done such a ridiculous thing.

Professor: Oh, so General, are you wary of the beginner rather than the bear?

General: Huh... I look forward to crushing them.

Professor: You're still playing the cliché villain role.

Professor: I am too! (laughs)

General: Stop it. This is my true self.

Professor: (laughs)

General: However, I can't deny being called evil.

General: The fall of a country, the first major event in this game,

General: I look forward to achieving it, no, we will achieve it.

Professor: Well, the last time it ended with the death of key figures and the loss of some territory, leaving a bad taste.

General: The battle with the Royal Guard was fun.

Professor: The king was boring.

Professor: I would have preferred more soldiers.

General: The Grand Sage... was eliminated by General.

Professor: That was impressive. You are our best fighter.

General: Hey.

Professor: Ah, yes, yes. General and General are our best fighters. (laughs)

General: Hmph, well, fine. I'll prove it in the next war.

General: This time, we will end the Altea Kingdom.

Professor: Yes, I look forward to seeing it. (laughs)

General: By the way, General, you've been silent. Is there anything you want to say?

General: The bear was really, really cute.

General: ...

Professor: ... (laughs)

General: ...I don't understand General's sense.

To be continued in the next episode.

This is 9/9.

I will update at 9:00 and 21:00 tomorrow and the day after.

From October 13 (Tuesday), I will update daily at 21:00.

There may be multiple updates in a day depending on the progress and sections of the story.

By the way, I have already written up to Chapter 3.

Please stay tuned if you like.