Isekai Online Game Developer

[Emperor’s Maple Leaf Story New Class ‘Demon Slayer’ Review]

Since the release of the new class, Demon Slayer, in ‘Maple Leaf Story.’

Naturally, the world buzzed with this news.

Demons have always been the historic enemies in the Human World.

Everyone harbors resentment deep in their hearts.

Thus, some people criticized the Illusion Tower for making demons the protagonists.

“Today, I’ll try leveling up a ‘Demon Slayer.’ I know it has sparked a lot of controversy even before the update. It may not be the right thing to do. However, I believe we should not turn a blind eye. We must experience it ourselves and judge what is wrong. On the contrary, it could differ from common views. That is, no one has the right to criticize what they haven’t experienced. You can’t just judge by appearances.”

Long Live the Emperor: Haha, that’s our Majesty for you!

Armchair Philosopher: That’s absolutely true. It seems like there are way too many people blindly criticizing without understanding what it is. At least, you should know what you’re criticizing.

Illusion Tower Master is Cute: Agreed. The Illusion Tower already announced that there’s no need to worry.

A few people empathized.

The Emperor logged into the game with a heavy heart.

Despite the Illusion Tower saying there’s no need for concern,

it was true that there was much rebellion arising immediately.

As a leader of the continent, guiding the crowd correctly is also the Emperor’s role.

He was determined to play as a Demon Slayer and decide whether it was right or harmful to the world.

“Then, let’s get started.”

After completing character creation,

the real tutorial for the ‘Demon Slayer’ began.

In an instant, the viewers’ screens turned pitch black.

The Emperor was being pulled into the world of ‘Maple Leaf Story.’

As the black darkness lifted, the tale of the ‘Demon Slayer’ began.

-No… It can’t be…!

The view illuminated a burning village from above.

The Emperor, or rather the Demon Slayer in play, soared through the sky above the rapidly burning village.

Every building in the town was engulfed in flames.

Some people lay on the ground, bleeding, while others were consumed by the flames along with the buildings.

No, no, no, the Demon murmured as he landed in front of a house.

That house, too, was ablaze and crumbling like the others.

The Demon threw himself into the house through the flames.

But it was already too late.

-Oh, no… Mother…! Damian…!!!

The Demon’s mother was lying there, lifeless and engulfed in flames.

His younger brother, Damian, was nowhere to be found.

As the Demon let out a pained roar, the scene transitioned.

Long Live the Emperor: Wow… What is this? The immersion right from the start is insane!

Illusion Tower Master is Cute: Wow, the quality is fantastic… The Illusion Tower Master is truly a deity!

The Emperor’s Foot Cleaner: Isn’t the Illusion modeling done by Riot?

Armchair Philosopher: Wow… I want to experience this myself. I’m dying to get off work…

The Emperor’s Foot Cleaner: Weren’t you unemployed?

Simply conveyed through the screen of ‘Twatch,’ the viewers forgot to breathe, so high was the story’s immersion.

Naturally, the Emperor’s immersion while playing was even stronger.

-You harm others for your own goals… You too will end up in the same situation! Legion Commander!

-…Heh. That’s unfortunate. Die, Priest.

What followed was a recollection of the Demon’s past.

In this burning village—his hometown—the Demon had conquered the Temple of Time before returning.

He was the Legion Commander of a Black Dark Mage intent on swallowing the Maple Leaf World.

Under the command of the Black Dark Mage, he led the war.

The Emperor’s Foot Cleaner: He’s definitely a bad guy, being the Legion Commander of the Black Dark Mage.

Armchair Philosopher: Just watch until the end before you talk.

As the story progressed, the audience’s reactions began to reverse.

The Demon, who was thought to be a villain, was revealed to be a hybrid of human and demon with a painful past,

and it became known that the Black Dark Mage betrayed the Demon and killed his family.

Illusion Tower Master is Cute: T_T Poor Demon…

-Are you sure you’re okay, Commander? But the Black Dark Mage…

The Demon, engulfed in feelings of betrayal and loss of family,

reflected on his actions and the human heart that resides in his blood.

His anger towards the Black Dark Mage.

Amidst all this, the Demon made a decision.

The right decision. For himself and his family.

-…Go, Mastema, to the heroes.

The Demon handed a letter to his subordinate, Mastema.

It was a message to the ‘heroes’ that would oppose the Black Dark Mage.

The Demon sought revenge against the Black Dark Mage.

-Why would you do something like that?

-…

Then the Demon reached the Black Dark Mage alone.

He asked why his family was killed, but the Black Dark Mage did not answer.

The grip on the weapon tightened in the Demon’s hand.

-I was just… a tool that danced to your ideals, ultimately to be discarded…!

Bang—

With wings spread wide, the Demon leaped toward the Black Dark Mage.

With the Demon’s strength, he could never defeat the Black Dark Mage.

He was sure to die.

Yet, even knowing this, the Demon flew.

Consumed by rage and guilt. Deeply regretting his past.

The Demon’s axe struck the Black Dark Mage’s barrier.

Crack—

-…!

The first barrier of the Black Dark Mage cracked and broke bit by bit.

It was sturdier than any barrier that other Legion Commanders could break on their own.

This moment made it clear just how powerful the Demon truly is.

-Cough—

But that wasn’t enough.

He had only broken one barrier.

After another attack, the Demon collapsed to the ground, coughing up blood.

-Cough… Kraaahh-!

It was a state where it wouldn’t be surprising if he stopped breathing at any moment.

At a moment close to impossible to even move,

the Demon forced his remaining strength and launched himself upward once more.

-I feel like my whole body is about to break.

Even knowing he was heading toward his own death,

his entire body was on the verge of shattering.

-But, Damian…

Still, the Demon soared toward the Black Dark Mage.

The Black Dark Mage extended his arm.

Two entities collided.

-Kraaaahhh—

The explosion of their immense forces.

In that explosion, the Demon’s form began to fade away.

-If… I were given just one more chance…

The vision went dark, and time passed.

Long Live the Emperor: Wow… So the heroes sealed the Black Dark Mage thanks to the Demon.

Armchair Philosopher: So he gathered the heroes and sacrificed himself to weaken the Black Dark Mage. Even knowing he would die.

The Emperor’s Foot Cleaner: But he died, so what now?

Illusion Tower Master is Cute: Demon… he’s a moral lesson…

After a long time, the Demon awakened from the Egg.

Facing off against strange figures trying to use him, the real play begins.

“Phew… Let’s take a break here for a moment.”

The Emperor paused the game and turned to the screen.

He had tears in his eyes, likely due to the immense immersion.

Even though he had only seen the story unfold, it felt painful as if he were the Demon himself.

“What does everyone think? Honestly, as someone who played directly, I still find it hard to pull myself out. The aftertaste is tremendous. I hope everyone gets to experience it for themselves.”

Long Live the Emperor: The fact is, we haven’t even started the tutorial yet. The past story was already intense!

Illusion Tower Master is Cute: The fact is, the Demon made the Maple Leaf World healthier!

The followers empathized with the Emperor’s words.

His story was too heart-wrenching to be that of a mere villain.

“From here on, the story will likely proceed with another attempt to stop the resurgent Black Dark Mage, just as Riot mentioned, he’s not the kind of character you can casually point fingers at.”

Although he was of the Demon Race, he was, on closer examination, a hero.

Of course, he had committed slaughter as a Legion Commander before, but that had been due to the manipulation of the Black Dark Mage.

His mixed blood of demon and human played a role as well.

“For now, I definitely feel like I need to play more. From what I’ve seen so far, there’s more than enough value to continue!”

Of course, controversies would still exist.

But it didn’t feel like he would be outright dismissed.

“Well, then…”

-Your Majesty! We have a situation!

Just as the Emperor was about to continue the tutorial,

a frantic voice rang out from outside.

“What’s going on?”

“Lord Galleard has been attacked during the COL!”

“…What?”

*

“So the royal family, no, the whole continent is in a frenzy.”

“Right. It would certainly take several hundred years for the demons to cross back to the Human World.”

“Why is this happening?”

“The most plausible explanation is… that a non-standard strong figure has emerged from the Demon Realm. Something that could instantly raise the fallen demons back up. A new Demon King, perhaps.”

“…Is it okay for you to be doing this here with such a terrifying situation?”

After the incident involving Galleard’s attack,

amidst the din, Rikal was at the Illusion Tower, sipping coffee.

Galleard’s attack happened live during his stream.

Perhaps because of that, the news of the attack being by demons spread rapidly across the continent.

“Those guys should get to work. Even in this situation, my brother is just playing games… Ha.”

Thanks to this, the royal family was exceedingly busy.

Yet amidst it all, everyone seemed to be gaming.

Rikal seemed to have snuck away as more work piled up for him.

“It’s… really unfortunate.”

It was indeed something unfortunate.

But I was busy, too. I had no time to play with Rikal.

After all, as Illusion Mages, isn’t there really nothing we can do even if demons attack?

Maybe just playing alongside the demons?

So from my perspective, I couldn’t do much.

I didn’t have the time to listen to Rikal’s complaints.

“It’s unfortunate, but I’m busy. Please see yourself out!”

“Hey, hey! Wait a minute!”

“What? You have more to say?”

“Uh… never mind. Just leave!”

“Hmph, fine.”

After sending Rikal back, I resumed preparing for the patch, and days passed.

As the noisy world began to quiet down regarding demon-related news, it slowly returned to normal.

Just when it seemed like we could breathe easy…

“You’re the Riot who made the Demon Slayer!”

“Oh, yeah… Who are you?”

“I am Demon King Sama!”

A little kid claiming to be a Demon King came to visit the Illusion Tower.