Chapter 1 : C1 part2
Chapter 1 Part 2
Chapter 2: “A Feeling of Unease”
Having completed the issuance of instructions to the legion, I have accomplished the necessary tasks for the time being.
I am eager to promptly assess the current situation of the towns and proceed with our next actions. However, despite my efforts to review various sources, the information available only pertains to the pre-transit period. The legions are still actively gathering information, and their reports have not yet reached Helian’s command center.
In this game, the various windows, including the status window, only display information that is already known. It is not as simple as “opening a window to instantly access up-to-date information from anywhere and anytime.”
As a result, no matter how much I desire to understand the current situation, I must patiently wait until my subordinates have completed a substantial amount of information gathering.
However, doing nothing is also a form of agony.
I opened the chat window.
Yet, idling without taking any action is also a source of torment.
I clicked open the chat window.
Before my eyes, a semi-transparent window materialized, presenting a lineup of names: those of other players I had encountered in the past—specifically, the names of kings from foreign nations.
Thinking about engaging in conversation chats and engaging in pseudo-diplomacy for both information gathering and killing time, I decided to display the player list.
“Huh?”
All the player names listed were displayed in gray.
White indicates an online status, gray represents offline, and black signifies game over due to elimination. In other words, it meant that all players were offline.
It was indeed strange that on a day like today, when many nations were supposed to celebrate their founding, not a single online player was present.
Puzzled, I tilted my head, and just then, I heard a discreet knocking sound at the door.
“Helian-sama, it’s Leve. I have come to report the current findings of the investigation.”
“Well then, without further delay, I will proceed with the report. Firstly, regarding the outskirts of the capital, it was completely engulfed by the forest. Furthermore, according to the information from the Sixth Legion, some sort of illusionary jamming effect has been deployed throughout the entire forest.”
“An illusionary jamming caused by the terrain field effect… In that case, let’s deploy personnel from the Fourth Legion for a reevaluation. Prioritize safety and employ long-range magic for investigation.”
“The commander of the Fourth Legion has already attempted it, but they encountered difficulties in analyzing the illusionary jamming, making it challenging to produce immediate results. It seems that physical exploration will be necessary.”
“Oh, they have already made an attempt. In that case, considering the suitability of the forest terrain, organize an investigation team centered around the elves… Wait?”
“Understood. I will relay your instructions to the commander of the Fourth Legion.”
“Hold on a moment.”
“Also, there’s a minor matter to address. The dragons belonging to the Eighth Legion were loudly insisting, ‘Increase our altitude or let us scout directly outside the capital barrier.’ I silenced them with a punch to shut them up. It seems they didn’t fully understand the king’s command to avoid provoking foreign nations. I’ll entrust their re-education to the commander of the Eighth Legion. Just to be cautious, I made sure to remind them not to deliver a final blow.”
“Hold on, I said wait.”
“Regarding the domestic security, the citizens were quite restless due to the sudden turn of events, but thanks to the efforts of the Second Legion Commander and the Fifth Legion Commander, we have managed to maintain calmness for now. However, there have been recent concerns with a faction of the ogres that we merged with…”
“Hold on, Leve.”
The voice trembled, undoubtedly so.
It was not how a king would behave, I believe.
However, I couldn’t stay silent any longer.
“….? Is something the matter?”
Leve wore a perplexed expression.
It was yet another unfamiliar pattern of emotional expression.
Although she should be the one I am most familiar with among my numerous subordinates, it was strange to see these consecutive displays of unfamiliar emotional expression patterns.
Her “Fear” status should have already been resolved, and she should have returned to the usual state of “Calm” that I am accustomed to. However, I have long grown tired of all the emotional expression patterns during the “Calm” state.
Yet, there was a significant sense of unease that even surpassed this trivial matter.
Throughout the conversation with Leve since earlier, Helian had not uttered the <key language keyword> that granted permission for entry. And yet, Leve reacted to Helian’s soliloquy and the conversation… was established.
“It’s impossible.”
No matter how advanced AI has become in recent times, it has not reached the point of behaving completely like a human.
Even in this game, Tactics Chronicle, the illusion of free dialogue between humans and AI is created merely by having humans adhere to certain rules and regulations.
Cutting-edge AI used by governments and corporations may be capable of engaging in flawless interpersonal communication, but the AI used in entertainment games has not reached that level yet.
Therefore, it was truly an abnormal occurrence for Helian, the player, to have such a free form of communication with Leve, an AI.
“No, calm down… You need to calm down.”
He murmured to himself, as if reminding himself.
Let’s suppose, just hypothetically, that the AI in this game has been improved.
In that case, I would want to send a complaint email to the developers, saying, “Instead of putting so much effort into such challenging tasks, utilize those resources elsewhere.” But let’s consider it as a hypothetical scenario where the AI in this game has undergone a revolutionary evolution, enabling it to engage in free communication with humans.
Then, it would be strange if a major version update hasn’t been conducted.
In fact, it should require a significant amount of time, possibly dozens of hours, to carry out such an update. However, for the past six months or so, only minor and moderate upgrades that can be completed in a matter of minutes have been implemented.
No major version update has taken place.
“…System Window: Unlock Open. Select: Log Out. Execute immediately!”
The command to log out was spoken, but there was no response.
In a panic, the translucent system window was quickly moved within reach and the log out command was manually tapped to execute, yet there was still no response.
“Why… Why is this happening!?”
The system window remained displayed, and the command to call the GM (Game Master) was manually tapped, but again, there was no response.
His legs trembled.
Unpleasant sweat continued to pour down.
“Helian-sama? Is something the matter? Are you feeling unwell?”
Leve, her tail drooping weakly, peered into Helian’s face with a concerned expression. In Leve’s almond-shaped eyes, Helian’s figure appeared somewhat diminished.
Perplexed by the possibility of Helian’s ill health, Leve politely interjected, “If you’ll excuse me,” before lifting Helian’s bangs and gently placing her hand on his forehead.
As Helian felt the cool and moist touch of Leve’s feminine palm on his forehead, he hesitantly reached out and lightly touched her cheek with his right hand.
“Eh? Uh, um?”
A gesture filled with panic.
A change in expression.
Yet another unfamiliar emotional expression.
The fingertip against the cheek.
Sensing its softness.
Feeling its warmth.
So far, everything seems fine.
“Tactics Chronicle” is an immersive VR (Virtual Reality) game that employs full sensory projection, allowing players to experience sensations like touch and temperature. While it has long been possible to evoke the feeling of “softness and warmth,” it was merely a superficial feature, offering limited and unremarkable sensations.
Due to the constraints of consumer gaming technology and ethical concerns about blurring the line between reality and the game, the portrayal of bodily sensations was restricted to artificial experiences.
And yet, what is this breath that caresses my outstretched arm?
What is the pulse I sense from the touch of her hand against my neck?
What is this natural flush gradually coloring her cheeks?
What is this alluring fragrance unique to women?
“It’s impossible.”
This is simply impossible.
From a technical standpoint, it might be possible to achieve such level of detail.
However, when it comes to incorporating such intricate information into an entertainment game, the answer is a resounding no.
To think that such immense amount of information could be squeezed into a single character within a game is absolutely inconceivable.
A keyword suddenly crossed my mind.
I saw it written on a poster at a bookstore during my recent visit.
It’s a genre that exploded in popularity around thirty years ago as internet novels and has been on the rise again lately.
It’s a common theme found in novels and manga targeting a younger audience.
It involves suddenly experiencing an unfortunate accident or falling victim to a mistake by a god, being disconnected from everyday life, and being transported to a completely unfamiliar world or a world resembling a game-like setting…
Transdimensional Transmigration.
I heard a chilling sound that made my blood run cold.
An icy shiver ran down my spine.
My breathing became erratic on its own.
Feeling nauseous.
I can’t stand upright.
My vision is distorted.
The feeling of nausea just won’t go away.
“H-He-Herian-sama…!?”
Leve embraces Helian, steadying his faltering body.
A worried expression mixed with urgency appears on her face. It’s a far cry from her usual sharp gaze. Her cheeks, which were flushed moments ago, now pale, and her eyes reflect nothing but concern for the other person.
Once again, this is undoubtedly an emotion expression pattern I have never seen before.
No, this goes beyond what can be conveyed through the emotion expression system.
Leve’s face shows a deep shade of worry, presenting Helian with a reality that feels almost unbearable to accept.
This is absurd.
It’s all because of watching too much anime and reading manga.
There’s no way another world exists.
In the first place, I haven’t been hit by a truck while protecting a child or encountered a god, have I?
No, that’s not it. Calm down. What are you thinking? Those are just works of fiction. It’s impossible for such things to happen in reality. Transferring to another world is nothing more than a story confined to the realm of imagination. That’s how it should be.
“It’s… nothing.”
Shaking my head, I stand up.
I can’t bring myself to look at Leve’s face.
Her expression is too realistic, too grounded in reality to confront directly.
“Please have a seat. I will immediately summon the Third Legion Commander. Until then, please――”
“It’s nothing! Don’t call anyone!”
The words of restraint that escaped my lips turned unintentionally into a shout.
Leve flinches, her body trembling.
“Ah, no… It’s really nothing. I just felt a bit lightheaded, so please leave me alone.”
Words of pretense.
Well, in reality, it was just a pretense.
But in the current state of mind, there’s no way I can meet anyone.
Perhaps only the AI of the NPC (Non-Player Character) designated as a close aide to the king has been improved.
If that’s the case… If there’s only one NPC per player, even with current commercial technology, it might be possible to make them behave in a human-like manner.
There’s still a possibility remaining.
That’s why I can’t meet other NPCs.
Somewhere in my mind, the last vestiges of rationality are whispering, “There’s no way AI improvements can happen without a major version upgrade” and “How do you explain the hyper-realistic senses?” However, I don’t have the capacity to seriously consider those doubts.
Anyway, I need to calm down. Please, help me calm down. It’s impossible for me to meet someone in this state.
“I’ve given instructions to each legion. Now we’re waiting for their reports. You should… compile the reports from the legion commanders again. Once we have enough information, we’ll reconvene for a thorough briefing.”
“…But more importantly, maybe you should take a break.”
“I’ll be fine.”
Leve’s expression is filled with anxiety.
A convincingly crafted expression that truly shows her concern for Helian. Even her tone of voice and dialogue.
…Please, stop it. Don’t show me gestures that don’t belong in the game. I can’t bear to see any more of them.
“At least let me have a check-up…”
“You’re persistent! I said I’ll be fine! Just leave and gather the information!”
Startled by the angry voice, Leve flinched.
Seeing her reaction, Helian couldn’t help but associate it with a scolded puppy, as if her subdued reason in the back of his mind was doing unnecessary work.
“I… apologize.”
Leve, while showing a hesitant expression that seemed to want to say something, finally lowered her head with solemnity and left the room.
And thus, what remained in the office was the empty figure of the king who had yelled at and driven away his concerned subordinate.
“………… System Window: Unlock Open. Select Option: Log Out. Immediate Execution.”
There was no response.
“………… System Window: Reopen Lock. Select Option: GM Call. Immediate Execution.”
There was no response.
I closed the system window once and then reopened it, manually executing the commands for logout and GM call. However, even then, there was still no response.