NOVEL NEXT Chapter 176
After the incidents like Karen’s pregnancy announcement, Jiren’s wedding, and my -beep- information leak, we found ourselves busy with something other than game development.
It was the preparation for the Emperor’s Coming of Age Ceremony festival, just two months away.
The current Emperor is Cassius Zers Rohan IV, but since he isn’t yet an adult, it is his mother, Queen Olivia Aurelia, who is acting as regent.
The day the regency period comes to an end will be the Emperor’s Coming of Age Ceremony.
Once the Emperor undergoes this ceremony, he will be officially recognized as the Emperor and will be able to govern the empire.
With such significance attached to the event, the preparations were on a scale almost equal to a founding day festival.
Naturally, many guests would be coming, and the game’s crystal ball, which had firmly established itself as the empire’s representative souvenir, would sell tremendously.
To prepare for that day, I was busy checking the game crystal ball merchandise from scratch, directly at Zephia.
“By the way, I’ve never heard about the current Emperor. Have you, Sylvia?”
“I haven’t met him, but I heard that he started receiving some governance duties from the Queen about two years ago. I’ve also heard that he’s been handling them perfectly. Basically, he’s been acting as the emperor in all but name.”
Realizing I knew nothing about the current Emperor while resting in bed with Sylvia at the Mansion of Irene School, I decided to ask her.
From Sylvia’s explanation, I could see that he was evaluated similarly to Munjong, the son of the great King Sejong from my past life.
“Wow, to be able to manage all those responsibilities perfectly is impressive.”
“Yes, he was renowned as a genius since his days as a crown prince. I can’t wait to see how much the empire will prosper.”
The empire was indeed entering its golden age.
Stable politics, a sufficient population, vast land, and a market ready to sell numerous products had marked the end of a chaotic war period, ushering in an era of peaceful prosperity.
“More than that… Yuren, there’s something I want. Can I ask you for it?”
“Of course, it’s Sylvia’s request, but what is it?”
While I pondered this, Sylvia clung to me.
With a sultry gaze akin to Sora, she said.
“I want to have a baby, just like Karen.”
“…What?”
That sudden declaration left me momentarily brain-fried.
But Sylvia pressed on.
“I want one smart, beautiful boy and one girl that resemble you and me.”
“Wait… so suddenly?”
“Suddenly? We’ve been together for years! Plus, my father’s worried he hasn’t heard any grandchild news. Or are you saying you don’t want a baby, Yuren?”
“Of course, I’m happy about it!!! But, how should I put it… we should talk to everyone else and plan it out…”
I wanted to marry everyone and have kids.
But I wanted to wait a bit longer first.
I couldn’t forget how my developer colleagues in my past life struggled to produce games while juggling family responsibilities.
Upon hearing that, Sylvia cut off my escape route.
“I’ve already spoken with everyone, and Irene-sama has granted her permission.”
“Wha… what!? Really?”
Hearing that even my Master had approved left me with no way out.
All I could do was tremble in fear as I faced the approaching shadow of a beautiful golden tiger.
“So, Yuren… please give it your all today.”
That night, the lights in the mansion stayed on late into the night.
*
“Yuren, what’s wrong with him?”
“Seems like he didn’t sleep much last night with everything that happened.”
The next day, I was dragging my tired body around the game crystal ball production line.
I needed to hurry if I was going to check this place and the goods production facility by the end of today.
While using Bongbong Drink magic [Busker (Berserker Magic) + Kaya (Healing Magic)] to help myself, someone approached me.
“Are you Yuren Maker?”
They were knights clad in elegant silver armor.
Their sudden appearance made the atmosphere in the factory tense, and I asked them.
“I’m Yuren. Who are you?”
“We are from the ‘Platinum Stag.’ We have come to escort you as someone wishes to meet you.”
They showed a platinum seal with a stag engraved on it.
Even I, who had little interest in the empire’s politics, recognized what the ‘Platinum Stag’ was.
Its official title was the Platinum Stag Knights, one of the strongest orders reserved for those knighted in the empire, and also the emperor’s personal guard.
Hence, their visit signaled that someone significant was calling for me.
“Please wait a moment. I’ll change my clothes.”
“Understood.”
After changing into proper attire, I followed them.
As I rode in their carriage, we headed to the palace, a place that always felt heavy and grand.
Entering again, I passed through the garden where I had met the Queen and moved further inside.
Arriving deep within the palace, I was guided by the knights.
“This is…”
“Inside, the esteemed person awaits.”
They led me to a plain white room.
With a long garden-like walkway leading inside, I entered a spacious room.
In this room were luxurious paintings hanging on the walls and numerous game crystal balls on display.
It felt like a museum, showcasing pieces like ‘Tetricus,’ ‘Super Thomas,’ ‘Speed Rabbit,’ and ‘Eternal Fantasy Limited Edition.’
Then, I heard a voice from behind a display of crystal balls.
“Ah! Please wait a moment. No, do wait. I can’t stop right now because I’m in the middle of a Monster Wave Defense.”
The platinum-haired young man, who seemed to have just reached adulthood, was playing ‘Metal Core.’
I recognized him.
He had been next to the Queen during the founding day festival and while battling the prince.
His name was Cassius Zers Rohan IV.
He was the Emperor of the empire, soon to officially reach adulthood.
*
Moments later, as he finished the game, the Emperor rushed over to me, shaking my hand.
Aside from his stunning platinum looks, this first encounter with the Emperor was surprisingly ordinary.
Actually, with such astonishing looks, it was far from ordinary.
“Thank you for coming, Yuren!”
“It is an honor to be summoned, Your Majesty.”
As I sat in the luxurious guest chair he offered, a maid appeared with tea.
When did the maid come in?
Were the royal maids trained as ninjas?
As I pondered this while watching the maid serve tea swiftly, the Emperor spoke.
“I’m a fan of the game you made, so I wanted to meet you.”
“It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”
“Don’t react so stiffly. Your game has been like a benefactor to me.”
“Is that so?”
The Emperor spoke casually as he sipped his tea.
He seemed like a high school student reminiscing about past exams.
“Mother’s lessons were truly hell; if my grades dropped at all, I had to listen to her list my father’s 120 achievements. Playing your game during those six years has been my most enjoyable time.”
“I see. You’ve had a tough time, Your Majesty.”
He reminded me of those high school kids I often saw in an internet cafe in my past life.
It was fascinating to see that stress relief through games seemed to be universal among youthful spirits.
After answering numerous curious questions about the games I created, just as I thought I might be getting an odd game request and end up pulling all-nighters again, the Emperor’s tone grew serious.
“I called you here because I want to commission something from you.”
“Is there a game you wish for me to develop?”
Of course.
Hearing his words, I prepared my response, but the Emperor shook his head, saying:
“What I desire is not a game.”
Huh? If not a game, then what could it be?
As I wondered, the Emperor looked at me not with the gaze of a teenager, but with the eyes of a beast, sharp and intense.
“I need 100 ‘Magic Armor Knights’ produced by your school.”
The sudden mention of that term sent my brain reeling once again.
Maintaining my composure as best as I could, I replied.
“The… Magic Armor Knights are merely a concept from the game, Your Majesty.”
“What is this, then?”
Another maid had appeared, placing a video crystal ball in front of me.
Captured was an image of Alterion No. 28 slaughtering monsters in vivid detail.
Who in the world filmed this?
“What do you intend to do with 100 Magic Armor Knights, Your Majesty?”
The existence of such footage indicated that the Emperor had fully investigated and was aware of everything.
There was no longer anything to hide, and it compelled me to understand the reason behind it.
Even without the Dragon Heart Stone, the combat power of a single Magic Armor Knight exceeded that of a high-level wizard.
They were sturdier, faster, larger, and could cause more significant destruction if operated well.
I was curious about what he planned to do with 100 of them, and the Emperor spoke to my inquiry.
“Indeed, if no one else needs to know, you should.”
The Emperor looked into my eyes, an intensity that couldn’t be questioned, and said.
“Yuren, I will unite the continent.”
What the heck!!
Was he not Munjong but rather Qin Shi Huang?!