The multinational association “Gold Association.”
It was known that this association, with branches in each country, had amassed great wealth through trade, yet it was shrouded in mystery.
Despite the money it earned, its business ventures were few, and little was known about the owner of the association.
Moreover, while other associations steered clear of risky areas, the Triad actively invested by even establishing banks there.
However, without causing major issues, the association maintained a low profile, ranking outside the top 30 in revenue, which kept it under the radar until now.
But as officials from various countries entered the Triad, their business began to come to light.
“Are these rebels or what!?”
They distributed illegally smuggled magical tool materials obtained from the Kingdom of Ra to the Yura Republic, and sold magical weaponry produced in the Yura Republic to illegal armed groups in the Zers Empire.
The illicit profits from this operation were exchanged for precious metals and funneled through the Triad’s bank, effectively concealing their income, and they had remained problem-free until now.
But when someone robbed the bank, causing a stir, numerous thieves invaded, exposing countless illegal transaction records and unveiling their criminal activities.
Naturally, the Gold Association was disbanded.
And the owner of the Gold Association, who was also the leader of the Triad, known as “Gold,” Ober Barros, became a target of pursuit.
“The shame of today… I will repay it 100-fold… Sage Irene.”
Before fleeing, Ober vowed revenge on Sage Irene, whom he blamed for his downfall.
He confirmed that the traces of magic left in the bank and the Triad belonged to her.
And after witnessing how the Triad was exposed to public scrutiny through a game created by her apprentice and became a focus of attack, it was clear to him that she was behind his downfall.
He had further reason to suspect her.
For 500 years, Irene had been active for peace.
She was in stark contrast to the “Connected Ones,” who profited from war, and had clashed countless times with guilds, associations, and wizards linked to them.
To think that the “Peaceful Irene” had foreseen this plan and made the first move made everything make sense.
Swallowing his burning anger, Ober hid himself deeper in the darkness than the Triad.
*
“My ears are itchy. My disciple.”
“Your ears? I’ll scratch them for you.”
When the Master suddenly mentioned his itchy ears, I sat him on my lap and scratched them for him.
The skin of an elf’s long ears is much softer than that of a human’s, so I had to be careful while scratching.
Swish… swish…
“Ah… that feels nice. My disciple…”
Seeing my Master look relieved made me feel proud.
While I sat him on my lap, scratching his ears, Sora cautiously spoke up from the side.
“Well… Yuren, I think there are a lot of eyes watching us.”
To explain our situation, we had come to the Yura Republic’s “Magic Fair.”
It was an exhibition where various schools, societies, and magic towers gathered to showcase new magical tool products, and I, as the founder of game magic, was invited along with my Master.
Since game development had just wrapped up and we had some time, I came to this event with my Master and Sora, who is from the Yura Republic, and we were currently seated in the guest section of the fair’s opening ceremony.
And there I was, scratching the ears of my Master on my lap.
I could hear the whispers and gazes of those around us.
“Isn’t that Sage Irene?”
“Yeah, and that over there is Yuren.”
“Oh my goodness, how could he have her sitting on his lap!”
“Wow, I guess the rumors were true.”
What rumors?
I had so many questions, but due to the many eyes on us, I set my Master back down and cleared my throat.
It was a sad moment to realize that there are so many people with such prejudiced views.
After the opening ceremony of the “Magic Fair,” we went to the person who had invited us.
“Sora!”
“Professor Howard!”
The one who had invited us was Sora’s former boss and the current head of the Magus Society, Professor Howard.
He welcomed Sora warmly with a happy face, his sturdy frame and brown hair presenting a cheerful presence.
“Professor Howard!! Have you been well all this time?”
“I’ve been doing great, but from now on, call me Head of the Society!”
“Wow!!! Congratulations, Head Howard!!!”
They exchanged pleasantries like a warm uncle and niece.
How often can you reunite with a former boss like this?
Just this interaction showed me Howard’s character.
“Sora, these are the ones…”
“Oh! Let me properly introduce them. This is our Head, Sage Irene, and this is our administrator, Yuren!”
We greeted as Sora made the introduction.
Sage Irene spoke in a serious tone.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Head Howard.”
“Nice to meet you as well. I’m Yuren.”
Howard also introduced himself in return.
“I heard from Sora. It’s an honor to meet the creators of game magic.”
“The honor is all mine to meet the father of indie games, Head Howard.”
Ever since Howard became head, the Magus Society shifted its strategy.
Rather than big games, they focused on investing in and creating smaller, satisfying indie games, and this strategy was successful.
Masterpieces such as “The Moon,” “Stardew Valley,” “Undertale,” and “Pakistan Dungeon” were discovered and became successful, earning him the title of the father of indie games.
We started chatting about games with Head Howard when someone who seemed to be his secretary approached him.
“Oh dear…I have an appointment to observe a magical tool presentation, so I’ll take my leave.”
“I see. I look forward to seeing you again, Head Howard!”
It appeared Howard had a busy schedule as a head.
As we shook hands goodbye, he gripped my hand firmly and said with a fatherly expression,
“Yuren, please… take good care of Sora.”
“…Yes!”
I returned his sentiment with a similar masculine expression.
Seeing my response, he seemed to relax, and we all exchanged final pleasantries.
“Then, everyone, have a great time! Sora! See you next time!!”
“Yes! Thank you, Head Howard!”
Sora waved her hand at his retreating figure.
My Master also commented while watching Howard.
“He seems like a good person, Howard.”
“Yes, Head Howard is really a wonderful person!”
As our greeting ended, I stretched my body.
Finally, it was time to achieve the purpose of our visit.
“Then Master! Shall we start some shopping?!”
“That sounds great! My disciple!!”
The “Magic Fair” was an event showcasing unimaginable magical tools and spells, waiting for investors.
I anticipated that I could get ideas for the next game here, and so did my Master, who was eager to find various magical books.
*
And as Sora watched them, she remembered the words Sylvia said before they set out.
“Sora, remember, don’t let those two go wild and buy anything strange that’s unrelated to the game, alright?”
“Yes! Sister Sylvia! I will make sure Yuren and Irene don’t buy anything weird!”
Worried about Yuren and Irene going on a shopping spree, Sylvia had firmly warned Sora.
Recalling Sylvia’s words, Sora set off to follow the two eager and wealthy disciples.
Outside, there were various booths set up for the event.
“At our Infinite Tower, we have developed a prototype of the Infinite Magic Engine. If you invest…”
“Yuren, it’s the Infinite Magic Engine!”
“Master… that’s a bit…”
“Irene, according to Mana Entropy Law, the Infinite Magic Engine is impossible.”
“But what if…?”
There was a booth where a wizard swindler, wearing glasses that looked obviously suspicious, kept spinning around to entice people.
And there were booths showcasing toy-like magical tools.
“At our Ocean Society, we are researching a magical tool that creates water bubbles that don’t burst underwater.”
“Wow, that looks interesting!”
“Master, we can just use ‘Acryia (Bubble Magic)’ without those tools.”
“You can use it too, right Yuren?”
“Still, I’m tempted by that cannon-like magical tool design…”
There was a variety of magic and magical tools on display.
At times, either Yuren or Irene would get distracted, but Sora managed to keep them in check so they could get around without too much trouble.
However… they accidentally arrived at a particular booth.
“What… what is this!?”
The moment Yuren reached the booth, she felt like her breath was taken away.
There was a Golem.
Golems were not new, as they were commonly used by wizards, but what set this one apart was that it was about twice the size of a person and had a seat where a person could sit on its head.
Yuren approached the scholar, who could be considered the booth’s manager, with black afro hair.
“Could you explain what this is?”
“Oh! Of course! This is my creation, the riding golem, Mark Boltrushian Alterion No. 12! It’s a special golem that allows a person to sit inside and control it!”
No one had shown up until now, so he had an incredibly delighted look on his face while explaining his creation.
Yuren’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at the golem, and then she asked him,
“Can I give it a try?”
“Sure! Just keep in mind there’s a time limit of 30 minutes.”
Yuren quickly climbed into the golem.
Once she learned the simple controls, the golem emitted strange sounds as it stood up.
Vrooom! Kwooo!
“Wow!!! It’s moving!!!! It’s moving!!!!”
With Yuren’s controls, the 3-meter tall golem stood up and began to swing its fists and walk around, performing simple actions.
After finishing her demonstration, Yuren down from the golem, her eyes shining brightly as she asked,
“How much is this?”
Just then, the next game was about to start.
