Otherworld TRPG Game Master

Chapter 17: The Imperial Prince And The Think Tank

༺ The Imperial Prince And The Think Tank ༻

 Second Prince Irid gathered all the manpower he could summon. He used authority for some, money for others, and recognition for the rest. He spared no means or methods.

 Long having shed his petty pride, Irid even reached out to First Princess Elaine, with whom he usually had a poor relationship, all for the sake of rescuing Centra.

 Considering their usual relationship, the likelihood of her accepting his request outright was slim. Therefore, Irid was prepared to suffer some loss in the competition for the throne, but……..

 Surprisingly, the First Princess readily accepted the invitation, along with some words about how she would help her pitiable younger brother as a dutiful Noonim¹formal way of saying big sister; Irid interpreted this as her wanting him to incur a political debt.

 On his way to the meeting room, Irid encountered First Princess Elaine. 

 She wore an elegant dress, a shawl wrapped around her neck. Her stunning beauty was captivating, but her two hands were marked with scars, reminiscent of a patched-up rag. She looked the same as Irid remembered her, even though three years had passed.

 Despite being of Imperial Blood, her hair was platinum-colored. Yet, nobody doubted her lineage and legitimacy, as she had proven herself through her abilities.

 Also, she had crushed the heads of those who dared to speak against her with those very two hands.

 The First Princess arrived without an entourage, exuding the confidence of a woman who had even ventured into the Demon Realm alone. She always acted as if nothing in the world could possibly harm her.

 Irid swallowed hard.

 “Irid? It’s been a while. Would you like to embrace your Noonim as you did when you were little?”

 The First Princess opened her arms wide; a gesture of warmth which, to Irid, seemed like the open jaws of a waiting lion.

 She had always been like this, enjoying subjugating Irid. Even during a banquet for Irid’s fourteenth birthday, she had extended her arms out, just like she was now…

 And then, as if handling a kid, lifted him, before spinning him around three times. Despite his protests, her overwhelming strength, almost akin to being caught under a dragon’s claw, shut him up.

 The old Irid would have succumbed and entered into the First Princess’s embrace.

 The First Princess would have grabbed the back of Irid’s head and buried it deep into her cleavage; the nobles would have seen this and lowered their evaluation of Irid, confirming that the First Princess was more suitable for the throne, just as expected.

 But now, Irid was different. As long as he could remember the memories he had with Centra, he could find courage even in the face of a storm.

 “I shall refrain. Someone else already owns my embrace.”

 “How sad…..But this Noonim is glad to see you’ve become more manly. Has our prince finally met a woman?”

 “I did.”

 “……W-Wait, you’ve met someone?!”

 Taken aback by Irid’s refusal to submit, unlike his usual attitude, the First Princess shouted in a fluster. It was a small defiance, but nevertheless, he was able to land a blow.

 Feeling proud deep inside, Irid turned his back. He had grown. Now, with this mature mindset………it was time to start the meeting to save Centra.

 “What do you mean by met someone………Can you explain it in a bit more detail? Eung?”

===============================================================

 “First, I’d like to thank you for responding to my sudden call for help. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss a simulation on personnel rescue in emergencies and response to small-scale rebellions. As complex of a topic it is to unravel, I have gathered a variety of experts. Let’s start with introductions.

 As the Second Prince started the meeting at the head of the table, each person stood up from their seat and introduced themselves in turn.

 A woman in a neat suit stood and bowed.

 “I am Analyst C from the Imperial Defense Bureau.”

Next, an old man in a gray robe nodded from his seat.

 “Red Magic Tower Elder……..Pelson. Quite an interesting group has gathered, huh?”

 The First Princess, sitting opposite, clasped her hands modestly.

 “I am First Princess Elaine. I’m happy everyone gathered here to help my younger brother. I’ll remember your dedication.”

 Second Prince Irid mentally translated her words from the language of politics.

 Beep Boop.

 I am First Princess Elaine => I am the First Princess, the prime candidate for the seat of Emperor.

 I’m happy everyone gathered here to help my younger brother. => I’m uncomfortable.

 I’ll remember your dedication. => I’ll remember all your faces.

 Irid seethed at the First Princess’s sharp and precise political maneuvering. The Red Tower Master Elder, who had joined for fun, looked as if he was considering leaving.

 Irid quickly took control, trying to remedy the situation.The sourc𝗲 of this content nov(𝒆l)bi((n))

 “I invited these people, and that includes Noonim. If you’re here to help, I would like for you to act accordingly.”

 => Shut up.

 “Oh my, I see…….This is my little brother’s meeting, so my little brother should lead. I was just surprised since it was my first time experiencing this. Could you please forgive this Noonim?”

 => Sure, Little Baby, wah wah wah.

 Because of the one-sided verbal beating, Irid’s frustration boiled over. However, he knew the First Princess would be helpful in this meeting. She was a master of all things physical. He signaled the next person to proceed, gesturing with his chin.

 A wizard with a mad glint in his eyes stood up and did a 90 degree bow.

 “I am a wizard of the Purple Magic Tower.”

 “……Will you not reveal your name?”

 “It is not a name that is worthy enough to mention. There is a different name for that.”

 The crazy wizard, disregarding etiquette, gestured to a girl beside him with two hands. She was frozen in place, as if Glaciation Magic was cast upon her.  

 “She is the Tower Master of the Purple Magic Tower, Yuna Yurensto Violetiris.” 

 “……Ah, um, ah, Ni-Nice, Nice, to mee………”

 “‘It is truly an honor to be invited, Prince. I am the Purple Magic Tower Master Yuna Violetiris. I will contribute my poor strength to the best of my ability’ is what she said.”

 “Since entering the meeting room, she hadn’t moved at all, so I thought she was a doll. But it turns out she’s a person?”

 “……I-I……a-apolo….gize for t-the ru……..”

 “She is demanding an apology from the First Princess for her rude rema………AGH!”

 Bam!

 A powerful and awe-inspiring one-inch punch struck the mad wizard’s side.

 Fearing punishment for insulting the Imperial Family, the Purple Magic Tower Master’s survival instinct was dialed up to the max as she rapidly spat out her introduction; she was speaking as if her life depended on it.

“I’mTowerMasterYunaVioletirisPleasedtomeedyouiswhatIwantedtosay!”

 After gazing at the desperate Purple Magic Tower Master, who was moving frantically to avoid charges of imperial defamation, with eyes full of pity, Irid provided support from the side. 

 “This male wizard is not mentally sound. It is a side effect of his magic research. Please understand.”

 “No wonder his eyes looked so murky.”

 “Heeheehee,………They did say it was easy to go mad if studying Illusion Magic.”

 “……S-Such s-slander is p-problema…….”

 Amidst the commision, the last person, a priest, quietly raised his hand to introduce himself.

 But no one paid attention, as if his efforts and existence were a lie.

 The last member of the meeting, War Priest Julius, mumbled timidly.

 “Uh, I look forward to working with everyone………I’m a former Cardinal, now War Priest, Julius.”

 “Why did you take away someone with the talent of an Archwizard, Purple Magic Tower Master? Our Tower Master was so excited to complete his 『Sun Superexplosion』 spell………..” 

 “That, That’s just because this guy………was i-interested in Illusion Magic……!”

 “It’s widely believed that he chose the Purple Magic Tower through hypnotic brainwashing, isn’t it?”

 “…..S-SLANDER……!!”

 “I-I’m J-Julius. Julius here…….Excuse me……..?”

 As the introductions concluded like that, Irid clapped twice to draw their attention.

 “Let’s start the meeting.”

===============================================================

 Irid drew a detailed diagram of the inn room on a large canvas; it included the width, height, detailed structures, and even the point of incident.

 “Think of this as a strategy simulation or a wargame. What I need help with is this. How to achieve my goal in this situation.”

 “Have you started to get into games at such a late age?”

 “Noonim.”

 Irid’s eyes glinted.

 “I am serious.”

 First Princess Elaine widened her eyes, then softly smiled.

 “……..It seems it’s not a game. To think you’ve grown old enough to have such a determined expression. Alright, I shall listen seriously.”

 “Good. I am situated here in this bedroom, sitting on the bed. The explosion happened at the end of the left corridor. The rescue target was likely attacked here.”

 “Oho, is that why the Red Magic Tower was called? Please tell me about the exact shape of the explosion, the debris, the size of the vibrations, and the aftermath.”

 The Elder of the Red Magic Tower, his eyes shining, listened carefully to the Second Prince’s testimony and made a conclusion.

 “The spell appears to be either 『Fierce Breath of the Fire Spirit』 or 『Lament of Ecomic』. These spells focus more on the fire element than the physical shockwave of a secondary explosion…….There are quite a few variables. Are there any other clues?”

 “I do not think it was cast by a wizard. There were no wizards among those gathered in the inn. It might be premature to judge, but there is a high likelihood it is a scroll.”

 “Then the calculation becomes much simpler! Let’s see…..Ah, yes. A mana user, unless extremely unlucky, would not die from it. In the first place, these two spells are more focused on incapacitation than lethality. The flame itself would only cause burns.”

 Scratch scratch.

 Hearing this, War Priest Julius’s eyes lit up.

 “……Aha, Prince. You must need emergency treatment methods. I’ll show how to disperse mana that has penetrated the body. It will be helpful if Your Highness has been affected by Flame Magic……and for the recovery afterward.”

 Analyst C from the Imperial Defense Bureau, closely examining the building’s map, tapped the table with her index finger and spoke.

 “This inn, its interior structure is familiar. It’s the building famously known as brothel ‘Rosaria’. It has now been acquired by the Imperial Defense Bureau and used as one of our secret bases for agents’ rendezvous.”

 “…….It was a Defense Bureau base, you say? That explains it.”

 There was a reason it was used as a Resistance base. Irid thought that perhaps Centra’s father was connected to the Defense Bureau.

 “There is a secret passage nearby that can be used. If it’s not known by the hostile forces, it will be available for access. It can be opened by drawing a mana door on the wall of the second floor like this.”

 “I shall keep that in mind.”

 Scratch scratch.

 Finally, First Princess Elaine stepped forward.

 “It would be good to practice a few movements. My little brother isn’t very skilled with his body, right?” 

“……Doesn’t Noonim even call the Commander of the Knight Order clumsy?”

 “If you can’t move as you want, that’s being clumsy. Tell me about someone likely to appear as an enemy. It could be helpful.”

 “Ronya, a female mercenary. She has a scar on her face and is armed in leather armor. She carries a palm-length dagger at her waist and the handle is quite worn. Her main weapon seems to be a longsword. I heard she might also know how to use a crossbow.”

 “Her main weapon is probably not a longsword, though? Untrained people like mercenaries…….are too dumb to use longsword techniques. Even if they learned it, they wouldn’t be able to use it properly. There’s a subtlety in it that can’t be gained on a dirty battlefield. Ah, don’t take your eyes off the dagger. After all, if she gets desperate or hasty, the last resort will be that dagger.”

 “Will I be able to kill her?”

 “Of courseee. Remember this movement. Longsword techniques are like chess; you just need to change your position accurately according to the pattern. When it comes from above like this……No, let’s just go to the training ground after the meeting. The War Priest should come too.” 

 The War Priest, who was suddenly called after sitting blankly, startled in shock.

 “…..Excuse me?”

 “The training will be rough, you see.”

 Scratch scratch.

 “…….What have you been writing down all this time?”

 “Ah, well, since I have nothing else to do, I thought I’d at least act as a scribe.”

 The wizard from the Purple Magic Tower diligently noted down the meeting’s content in a notebook. The meeting continued late into the night and the sound of his writing persisted until the very end.

 When the meeting ended, the wizard was smiling brightly.

 “I finished building the entire session.” 

 It was because he had appropriated the material in its entirety for his own use.

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  formal way of saying big /genesisforsaken