Isekai Online Game Developer

“…So, we’re in a situation where we’ve received a request for help from the Holy Kingdom. However,”

The current chairperson of the council, Space Tower Master, finished discussing the agenda.

The content was about the Holy Kingdom requesting assistance regarding a prophecy recently.

It mentioned that evil demons from the demon race were roaming the Midworld and scheming.

“…Isn’t that the Demon King Sama?”

Fire Tower Master spoke up.

It seemed that the other Tower Masters shared the same thought.

“…In fact, it seems the Holy Kingdom sees it that way too. They used divine power to search throughout the continent but could not detect any magic other than the Demon King Sama. Since they couldn’t find it with their power, they probably thought to ask us for a search.”

“Well, it would be the same if we went looking.”

The conversation exchanged among the Tower Masters.

As I listened, a conversation I had with Demon King Sama before came to mind.

‘…The real enemy of the demon race is the Celestials. The Midworld is merely a passage to the Celestials…’

If I believe the words of Demon King Sama, it’s possible the Celestials issued the prophecy to keep the Demon King Sama in check.

And aside from Demon King Sama, there are no other powerful demons who traverse the Midworld.

Demon King Sama is the Demon King, and which demon would cross over to the Midworld without her permission?

“Can’t we just take a quick look? Space Tower Master can just peek.”

“Exactly. In fact, we already searched the continent thoroughly, but there wasn’t anything noteworthy aside from the Demon King Sama.”

“Then we just need to confirm with the Holy Kingdom that the prophecy refers to the Demon King Sama.”

“Right. But…”

Water Tower Master casually remarked while playing Auto Chess.

Everyone nodded, seemingly wanting to proceed quickly.

It looked like they were eager to go play games.

“But according to the prophecy, doesn’t that mean the Demon King Sama is plotting something evil?”

“That’s true.”

“Yup.”

“Indeed.”

“But… the Demon King Sama?”

The idea that the Demon King Sama is plotting something evil?

No one would think that.

The touching stories of Demon King Sama.

And the sincerity she showed.

There are many now who have become fans of the Demon King Sama.

If that were all just an act, she should have debuted as an actress.

“I don’t think that’s likely.”

I said.

Because I just genuinely didn’t think that was true.

“Why do you think that, Illusion Mage Riot?”

Of course, there is a possibility it could be an act.

There’s also the possibility she might be secretly scheming something.

But the demon race didn’t have time for that.

“Because the demons are almost online 24 hours, you know? The Demon King Sama barely turns off her stream, right?”

“That’s true.”

“Indeed.”

“Right.”

“Then when would they have time to plot such schemes while streaming 24/7?”

“Exactly.”

“Let’s finish this up and then have the COL Civil War.”

The Tower Masters responded casually.

But it seemed that everyone shared the same thought as me.

In reality, demons just play games almost 24/7.

They don’t work like humans. Fighting is their job.

As for what schemes they might be plotting in-game, their chat seems to be just fine.

“Then let’s relay that and wrap this up. The rest seems to be up to the Holy Kingdom.”

“Yeah, yeah. Done!”

“Who wants to go with our Tower and COL!”

“Me, me!”

And so, the regular council meeting ended.

Everyone headed off to play games.

*

“They say there’s nothing found.”

“What?”

Gabriel said in response to the desperate prayers resonating from the Midworld.

Since no danger has been detected, they prayed for guidance to lead the lost sheep correctly.

In other words, they can’t find the evil demon, where could it possibly be?

“But the magic remains.”

“Hmm…”

The situation only grew more convoluted.

Without directly looking into the Midworld, it was impossible to grasp the situation.

“It’s the first time for this, so as expected, it’s hard to grasp without looking. Without eyes, how can one know?”

“Then you should go take a look, Raphael.”

“I’m too lazy.”

“Do you want to die?”

Just like the Demon King, the Archangels could cross dimensions and enter the Midworld as well.

Originally, the Celestials had freer movement between the Midworld and their world compared to the demons.

But historically, the Celestials decided to be worshiped by humans in the form of ‘God.’

Thus, they were able to utilize the inhabitants of the Midworld to fend off demon invasions.

Suddenly, if the once revered Celestials were appearing freely in the Midworld, the situation would become bizarre.

“It’s a vague situation. It’s too minor to descend directly; ignoring it feels too definite that the magic is moving around in the Midworld.”

“Hmm…”

Once again, the Archangels fell into contemplation.

“There’s no helping it. I’ll do it.”

“Descend? Isn’t that too sudden?”

“But what other choice do we have? The recent prayers are strange, so I need to communicate directly with the believers. Clearly, something unusual is happening in the Midworld.”

Michael said.

Descending. Using the body of a devout believer to enter the Midworld.

It was a method created in the past when the Archangels couldn’t directly descend to help the Midworld.

Back then, the Midworld lacked faith, and the divine power levels were low.

Now that religion has spread across the world, a complete severing between the Midworld and Celestial world wouldn’t happen like before.

Instead, it was a method seldom utilized, emphasized only to accentuate the divinity of the Celestials.

It hadn’t been used for several hundred years due to a lack of necessity.

“Well, there’s no helping it. I understand.”

“Please, Michael.”

Michael solemnly nodded.

Michael would descend by borrowing the body of a believer.

Typically, one would use a saint, but since there wasn’t a saint at the moment, he needed to borrow a strong believer’s body.

And chaos erupted in the Midworld.

“T-this is…!”

“W-what’s happening!”

“T-the God! The God reveals Himself!”

In the Papal Office’s chapel.

On a certain day when they were holding regular worship, a divine light descended from the sky.

The divine light was directed toward a nun who was sincerely praying in the center of the chapel.

“A-ah…”

“Aaah…! Oh, God!”

-Oh, my little lambs. I have come to save you.

Michael spoke through the nun’s mouth.

An immense amount of divine power filled the chapel.

-Evil threats loom over the Midworld, and we must quickly unveil their true identity.

“Oh, God, that is…!”

-Furthermore, my little lambs. Your prayers have reached the Celestial realm, and I couldn’t ignore such earnest supplications.

“Oooh…! Ooooooh!”

The believers suddenly got excited.

Even the usually solemn Pope was shedding tears of joy.

Seeing the God responding to prayers was a sight they delighted in more than the evil darkness.

“I, I finally became a Challenger…!”

“Finally, I’m going to have an unbeatable something…!”

“And now Mai will also become Tier 1…!”

-…?

The believers mumbled incomprehensible words.

They were clearly terms heard during prayer.

At that moment, an artifact caught Michael’s eye.

It prominently bore the letters COL.

That was also a word that appeared repeatedly in their prayers.

It was certainly related to the strange prayers that had been occurring recently.

-Child… bring that forth to me…

Michael pointed at COL.

“A-ah… this…”

But the owner of COL hesitated.

What on earth could that be, to cause hesitation in handing it over to the divine being?

-What is that…?

“This, this is the Illusion Tower’s Illusion Game called COL! We, we were about to duo after the service…”

“You fool! The Goddess herself is asking for it!”

“Then you give her something of yours!”

-……

An Illusion Game.

It was probably a novel creation made by humans.

-I will not take it… I will enjoy it with a heart like yours, so explain it to me…

“W-well, COL is…”

The believer stammered, spitting as he explained the COL.

Michael could roughly understand what it entailed.

It seemed to be a culture that humans immensely enjoy, but without trying it firsthand, he had no real grasp of it.

“W-will you try it with this…?”

The Cardinal cautiously presented the COL.

Offering something to the divine being could be considered irreverent.

However, the Cardinal noticed that Michael was interested in it.

And Michael began the COL while still in his descended form.

-Ho, whoa…

After finishing a match, Michael awoke with a low moan.

Meanwhile, the believers had been passing time playing Auto Chess or Galaxy Craft among themselves.

As soon as Michael woke, everyone bowed their heads again.

-This, this is what you all desire, so I will grant it…

After saying that, the divine presence slowly faded away.

The nun, who had housed Michael’s divinity, collapsed, and Michael, having descended, returned to the Celestial realm.

“…Huh? My COL?”

The Cardinal also took the COL he received.

And in the Celestial realm.

“What happened, Michael?”

“Well, I-I couldn’t figure out the demon’s identity. But I have discovered the strange nature of the recent petitions from the believers.”

Michael explained about the Illusion Game.

She was holding the COL given by the Cardinal in her hand.

“So that kind of culture was trending.”

“So it seems I need to explore this COL further. I, well then…”

“Wait a minute, Michael! You said you’ve tried it, so us too! Hand it over.”

“Aah…”

Uriel snatched the COL from Michael.

And then, she became immersed in the illusion for about two hours.

“Hoo, whoa? What on earth is this…!”

That stimulation was far too powerful for the dull existences of the Celestial realm.

The only entertainment in the Celestial realm was counting the number of sheep frolicking in the meadows.

To those who valued inner cultivation, this COL was stimulating enough to blow their minds.

“What on earth is it that causes such a reaction, Uriel?”

Incredibly entertained, Uriel was followed by Raphael as he played with the COL.

Soon, all the other Archangels also played.

And they all melted away in a joy they had never felt before.

“Huh, huff… Whoa, wait! This is…”

“I’ll keep this since I brought it! Let’s talk about the demon’s matters later!”

“Wait! Michael has a lot to do, right? The most free one here should take it!”

“This is from the Midworld, so I will manage it. Since I’m responsible for communication with the believers.”

“Gabriel only communicates with the prophecies and the saints. I’ll be keeping this.”

The Celestial realm became a chaotic mess in an instant.

“Huff, huff… At this rate, it’ll never end. I have a good idea.”

“What is it, Gabriel?”

“I will issue a prophecy. To sacrifice these ‘Illusion Games’ to the altar.”