Isekai Online Game Developer

“Ho, hoeee…!”

“This, this is… the first time I’ve seen such a feast! Our youngest is adorable!”

“To think such a day would come at the Illusion Tower… Thank you so much, Rai!”

“It’s all thanks to everyone. Let’s eat!”

The seniors, who were on the verge of tears, suddenly began to devour the food as if nothing had happened.

This was the first time since coming to the Illusion Tower that we were eating such a wonderful feast.

It was all thanks to the success of ‘Maple Leaf Story.’

“But is it really that fun? A new world created through illusion magic, it’s hard to imagine.”

Rain, who hadn’t played ‘Maple Leaf Story’ yet, asked.

A few others who hadn’t tried it sent curious glances.

Aside from a few who had helped in production and Hina, none of the seniors had played it yet.

“It’s seriously amazing! If I had known it would sell out this fast, I would have bought one for myself!”

“I’ll give each of you one once the next batch is done. It’s bound to be fun. The Tower Master has already played for 300 hours!”

“…At that rate, he must not have eaten at all.”

The first batch of ‘Maple Leaf Story’ artifacts was about 500 units.

Due to budget constraints, that was all we could make, and at first, even those didn’t sell.

Galleard did introduce it to a few elves, who bought a few, but the number of elves was far too small.

Then, one day, a blue-haired Merchant Lord named Lepert suddenly came to finalize a contract.

He even offered to pay extra to trade only with his merchant group.

About a week after contracting with the blue-haired merchant, the entire first production run was sold out.

“That just proves how fun it is. I can’t wait to play it. It was so much fun!”

“I think it would be great if everyone helped with the production.”

“Yeah, let’s quit this bothersome part-time job! We should act like wizards now!”

Hahahahaha!

It had been a long time since laughter echoed in the Tower.

Above all, I was glad that the seniors wouldn’t have to suffer through part-time jobs any longer.

Bang! Bang! Bang—

A loud knock interrupted the laughter.

“I’ll go take a look. You all keep eating.”

I stood up, half-expecting it to be Galleard again.

He’d probably come with some pointless question about skill trees or something.

It was slightly annoying for someone to knock so late at night.

“…The skill tree is a serious matter.”

Back when I was still figuring out the skill tree myself, before any comprehensive strategy was established, it had been tough.

Thinking back on those days, some of my anger subsided.

“…Who is it?”

To my surprise, the person at the door was not Galleard.

A man crossed his arms, looking dissatisfied.

From his attire, he seemed to be a knight from some noble family.

Since he wasn’t wearing armor, it didn’t seem like he was here on official business.

“Is it true that you made an artifact called ‘Maple Leaf Story’ at the Illusion Tower?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Bring one here. I’m willing to buy it.”

His tone was clearly dismissive, as if he was belittling me—or rather, the Illusion Tower itself.

To come here late and command me in such a casual manner left me feeling insulted, but I held my tongue.

“I’m sorry, but the first production batch has already sold out, so there’s nothing left. Additionally, sales are only conducted through the blue-haired merchant, so you’ll have to reach out to them in the future.”

“Do you really expect me to believe that there’s nothing left at the merchant? The Illusion Mages clearly can’t manage their stock… tsk.”

“…”

Though I had been polite, he responded with irritation.

I nearly let out a curse but managed to restrain myself once more.

They say that patience can save a person three times.

Yes, I’m a reasonable person, so I can manage this much. After all, I’ve endured far worse disregard as an Illusion Mage.

I can endure. I can endure…

“Where are you from? I’ll make sure to inform the merchant as soon as production is complete.”

“Are you telling me to wait after coming all this way at such a late hour?!”

Crack!

If I had a dagger in hand, I might have stabbed him right then and there.

But patience can save a person three times.

If I just hold on this one last time, surely any rational person would stop.

However, it seemed that the proverbs of Earth had no application here.

“Right now, we can’t do anything because there are no finished products…”

“Ugh! This is exactly why Illusion Mages can’t get anywhere. Treating such things as if they’re all of worth… phew!”

The knight spat on the ground, grumbling as he turned to leave.

If he’d ever been treated with respect, he wouldn’t act so wronged.

People like him are just…

“Hey, you little-”

“What do you want?”

Just as I was about to throw a punch at his back, a huge figure appeared and blocked the knight’s path.

“What are you doing… Huh, huh?!”

“Who are you to spit on the ground in front of the Illusion Tower?”

“G-Galleard?! W-What is that…?”

“Hmm? I remember you…”

“I-I’ll get going!”

He bolted away the moment Galleard showed up, changing his attitude entirely.

“Do you know him?”

“He’s a former imperial knight who was expelled from the order due to creating a ruckus. I think he’s now associated with Count Logos. I wonder what’s going on?”

“It seemed he came to get ‘Maple Leaf Story.’ When I told him there was none left, he threw a fit.”

“Ha… He hasn’t changed at all. I’ll make sure to…”

“It’s fine. There’s no need for you to get involved because of someone like him.”

If Galleard, a former hero, got involved, he wouldn’t stand a chance.

But I didn’t want to depend on someone like him. I didn’t want to bother myself with guys like that.

Count Logos, you say? Anyone related to that house is already blacklisted. I should inform the merchant as well.

“So, what brings you here, Galleard?”

“Well, you see, this skill…”

Predictably, he only had trivial matters to discuss.

He ended up needing recommendations for skill trees and hunting grounds for quite a while.

*

Recently, there was a significant issue within the Count Logos household.

“Buaaannn! I want maple leaves, tooooooo!”

Denny Logos, the youngest of Count Logos.

Even the Count couldn’t rein in his complaints, which had been increasing daily.

Denny’s relentless wailing was all about ‘Maple Leaf Story.’

The artifact that had just been released at the Illusion Tower and had everyone buzzing.

One could enjoy a new adventure in a mysterious world through illusion.

It’s like stepping into a novel and becoming the main character.

“But Denny, even though I went directly to the Illusion Tower, they said they still have no stock. Can you be patient just a little longer?”

“Buaaaan!”

Denny was eight years old. Typically, children his age wouldn’t throw such tantrums.

However, after borrowing one of his peers’ ‘Maple Leaf Story’ and playing for a bit, he quickly fell into this state.

The Count had tried every threat imaginable, but Denny remained undeterred.

“Ha… If I had known this would happen, I should have just bought it when the merchant recommended it.”

“Hmm… But we can’t buy something made by mere Illusion Mages!”

“Still, if Lepert, the Merchant Lord, recommended it that highly, there must be a good reason! I thought it was worth purchasing, but you didn’t listen and chased me away…”

“What did you just say, lady?!”

Their disagreements had led to more frequent arguments recently.

Count Logos was already known for his short temper, but now even the Countess was too exhausted to suppress her anger.

“Buaaaan!”

“Haah…”

Not long ago, the blue-haired Merchant Lord Lepert had traveled to various countries and noble households to recommend a product.

Of course, at first, no one wanted to buy it.

It was because it was made at the Illusion Tower and had a pretty high price tag.

However, it was rare for someone like Lepert, a figure of such prominence, to recommend a new product so fervently.

Hence, a few people took a gamble and made the purchase.

And once the true nature of the artifact was revealed, news spread rapidly.

It was a game that one couldn’t detach from.

At the Illusion Tower, they named it ‘Game.’

An artifact that allowed one to play the ‘Maple Leaf Story.’

“What is it that everyone’s going so crazy about? What’s so special?!”

“I hear you can experience a mystical new world. I haven’t tried it yet, but they say once you do, you can’t escape that fantasy for the whole day.”

“But it’s just a fantasy, right? I can’t understand why people are going wild over it like this!”

The talk among the nobles was filled with tales of ‘Maple Leaf Story.’

Those who had played it couldn’t stop discussing it at every gathering, leaving those who hadn’t played envious and left out.

As interest surged, demand exploded.

Because of that, Count Logos even sent knights directly to the Tower to procure some.

However, all he received was the message that production had not yet commenced.

All the nobles were wide-eyed, waiting for production to be completed before their chance to obtain ‘Maple Leaf Story.’

“When it releases again, make sure we purchase several copies.”

“…You’re not thinking of trying it too, are you, my lady?”

“Hmm, hmm. After hearing about it at today’s party, I assure you, the rumors are not without merit. Just hearing about it makes my heart race!”

“Ah, father. I want one too…”

Even the Countess and their eldest, now an adult, began looking forward to ‘Maple Leaf Story.’

At this rate, Count Logos himself became curious.

“Alright! Once it’s released again, the whole family should try it together. Huh, what on Earth… just a product from the Illusion Tower…”

What kind of artifact created by mere Illusion Mages could incite such a response from all the nobility?

He had resolved that he would buy it the moment it was released.

Finally, the release date approached.

“Ugh… Seriously, do I really have to go all the way to Trinity just to buy this?”

“But they’re only selling one per person! If they didn’t, some might hoard them, so it’s a wise decision.”

“That may be, but I just don’t get the situation itself.”

“Maple Leaf Story~ Maple Leaf Story~!”

Ahead of the second release, an announcement was made at the Illusion Tower.

The new batch of ‘Maple Leaf Story’ would be sold strictly one per person.

Moreover, the person who intended to play must buy it in person.

To make matters more complicated, there would be no deliveries, and it was mandatory to visit the merchant directly.

“This artifact is imbued with an enormous amount of magic, my lord. So it’s impossible to produce a large quantity at once. The production costs are also sky-high. But demand is exploding, and given this situation where supply can’t keep up, it’s a reasonable choice. Otherwise, the nobility would send servants to buy up large quantities as usual, so only those who genuinely want to play could purchase them. I think the Illusion Tower made the right choice.”

“Y-Yeah.”

Usually taciturn, the eldest son spoke quickly as if he were excited.

Having raised him with dedication, Count Logos felt strangely mixed emotions seeing him use his intellect on something like this.

“Additionally, ‘Maple Leaf Story’ is an incredible @#$#@$%!@#%#@”

His eldest began rattling off information about ‘Maple Leaf Story’ unprompted.

The Count was ready to bleed from his ears by that point.

“Fine, fine! Where did you even get all this information?!”

“I read it in the ‘Maple Leaf Story Guidebook.’”

“A guidebook? Ugh…”

After hearing his son’s explanation, several hours passed as they traveled.

Finally, the four of them arrived at Trinity and got down from the carriage.

“Wh-wh-wh-what? Is this all a line?!”

The Countess was left speechless upon seeing the long line that stretched almost to the city entrance.

“L-Let’s hurry and line up, Father! Mother! Denny, come here!”

Under the eldest son’s swift initiative, they lined up without delay.

Even after they stood in line, nobility was continuously joining behind them.

“Wow… seriously, this many people… O-OH, Duke!”

“Count Logos! Have you come to get ‘Maple Leaf Story’ too?”

“Yes, yes! Surely even you, Your Grace…?”

“My children have been so vocal about it. After hearing about it, I found myself wanting to try it too, you know? Hahahaha! It seems I’m not the only one thinking that way. Over there are Baron Nielsen and Prince Franz. I heard the prince is also coming!”

“E-Eh?”

Standing directly in front of the Count was one of the dukes of the empire, Duke Is.

Not only him, but looking around, one could spot tons of renowned nobility in line.

The principle of having to buy it in person had drawn all the nobles to this place.

“Haha. Have you decided what class to choose?”

“I’m thinking about going with a wizard. It’s always been my dream to be one since I was a child.”

“I’ll be going with an archer! Hahaha!”

“I just couldn’t hold back after seeing the baron play!”

“I already have one, but my wife insisted on getting one for herself, so here I am. I’ve already made it to the second job advancement, you know.”

“Oooh! What class did you pick?”

As they stood in line, the nobility chatted as if they were at a social gathering.

Every conversation revolved around ‘Maple Leaf Story.’

“What’s going on here… my lady?”

Even the Countess was off chatting with nearby ladies.

The Count couldn’t help but think how if he hadn’t come today, he would’ve felt incredibly isolated in high society due to ‘Maple Leaf Story.’

“If a noble doesn’t show up, they’ll become an outcast.”

“Y-Yeah, I guess so. I never knew it was this popular… but how long are we supposed to wait?”

“They said sales start at one o’clock, so the line should start shrinking soon.”

Thus, the Count spent time greeting fellow nobles.

As time passed, the line started to shrink.

Slowly but surely, it was getting closer to Count Logos’ turn.

“I-I hope we don’t run out of stock before our turn comes…”

“I doubt that. There’s still quite a bit stacked up.”

Moments later, their turn arrived.

With a somewhat anxious heart, the Count entered the merchant building with his family.

“Welcome! Please provide your family name and first name as we call you forward.”

“Count Logos. Charles Logos.”

“Ah… oh.”

The merchant staff, who had moved quickly for the previous orders, suddenly froze.

The Countess and eldest son looked at him questioningly.

“Um… I’m sorry, but we can’t sell to the Count Logos family.”

“…What?”

“Count Logos is on the ‘blacklist.’ It’s a designation from the Illusion Tower, and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

“Blacklist?!”

“Buaaaa… buaaaan!”

The youngest, who had just been excited, began wailing again.