Chapter 1 : C1 part3
Different World Nation Alchimyra -The Weakest King and the Unrivaled Army
Chapter 1 part 3
“This is a Dream”
Approximately thirty minutes had passed since then.
Or perhaps, it had only been about three minutes.
Leaning back in a cushioned chair and gazing up at the sky, Helian pondered such futile thoughts.
…I’ve reached the limit of escapism.
Forcing my barely functioning mind to work properly, I’ll try to list the potential explanations for this situation.
“…Possibility 1: While playing [Tactics Chronicle], a groundbreaking version update was implemented in the background, resulting in an unprecedented evolution of AI. The perception of the senses has also been greatly enhanced due to the increased amount of perceptible information through the update.”
Negative.
It’s impossible.
While it may be technically feasible to limit the AI advancements to the NPC characters in the King’s inner circle, processing such changes in the background could take countless hours without any guarantee.
“Firstly, there was no such announcement.
Virtual Reality (VR) games using the <Full Sensory Projection> technology have strict regulations in place to prevent even the slightest accidents. It is inconceivable to perform a large-scale version update without any prior notice, especially while there are players actively engaged in the game.
Furthermore, this would be a blatant violation of the regulations concerning the senses.
To ensure that players do not mistake virtual reality for actual reality, strict regulations have been imposed on immersive VR games like <Full Sensory Projection>. One notable example is the sense of taste.
During the alpha testing phase before the commercialization of <Full Sensory Projection>, there was an issue where the brain would mistakenly recognize itself as having consumed food after experiencing a realistic meal in the game, leading to a significant decrease in food intake in the real world.”
In response to this issue, <Full Sensory Projection> games have been designed in a way that allows players to perceive something resembling taste, but it is intentionally bland and neither unpleasant nor enjoyable.
Regarding the sense of touch, it has been limited to a certain extent to prevent it from becoming too realistic and immersive.
This is done to address concerns about players becoming overly satisfied in the virtual reality and experiencing significant negative impacts on their social lives in the real world.
During the early stages of immersive VR games, when the regulations were not yet well-established, there was a period where it became a social issue.
Hence, it is absolutely impossible for the game company to perform such a major upgrade to acquire such realistic sensory information. It would not only result in the suspension of the service for [Tactics Chronicle], but could also lead to a catastrophic event jeopardizing the survival of the entire company.
“Potential scenario 2. Elaborate prank. In reality, this is actually the real world, and while I was asleep in a place similar to the game, I was taken here without realizing it. The person I encountered earlier, Leve, is a real human, and the dog ears and fluffy tail are just accessories. In other words, it’s a well-executed cosplay.”
It’s inconceivable.
To create an entire game-like castle just for a prank on one person? It doesn’t make sense.
Moreover, there was absolutely no sense of incongruity with Leve’s ears and tail earlier. Their movements were natural, as if they were completely ordinary and belonged there.
Besides, I was able to open windows and send simple instructions to each legion. Needless to say, such magical feats are impossible in the real world.
“Possible scenario number three. This is still within ‘Tactics Chronicle,’ but my consciousness has been transferred to a separate dedicated server. And on that server, a different version of ‘Tactics Chronicle’ is running. It’s operating on a dedicated server with specs comparable to a supercomputer. I’m being subjected to this absurd experience as some kind of tester.”
“Another possibility is that within the game ‘Tactics Chronicle,’ a parallel world or alternate server exists where I’ve been transported to. This alternate version could have been designed for testing or experimental purposes, explaining the unusual circumstances I find myself in.”
The possibility still remains.
While it significantly violates corporate ethical regulations and the strict regulations specific to virtual reality sensory immersion games, if we overlook those factors, it might be technically feasible.
If we consider that only Leve possesses a highly advanced AI capable of behaving like a human, and if Leve is the sole holder of vast amounts of information data such as body temperature, skin texture, and pulse, it seems that from a data capacity and computational processing standpoint, it might not be impossible to achieve.
However, to prove it, there is something that needs to be verified.
We must establish as a fact that Leve is the only exception.
“——”
Helian took out a silver paper knife from the desk drawer.
Carefully, he held his left hand in front of his face, observing the palm that possessed a realistic sense of being genuine.
And then, he pressed the blade of the knife against the palm of his left hand—hesitating for a moment before swiftly drawing it sideways.
“Ouch…”
Pain surged through him.
It was an unmistakable, undiluted sensation of real pain. This, too, violated the regulations.
In the <Full Sensory Projection> system, the portrayal of pain is strictly regulated for the sake of health considerations. It is stipulated that even when taking damage, the sensation should be limited to minor impacts or stimuli, without reaching a level where pain is perceived.
However, this level of regulation violation was anticipated at this point.
The real issue lies ahead.
“Blood is coming out.” A line-shaped cut oozes crimson, allowing the red liquid to flow. By tightly clenching his left fist, blood quickly overflowed. Dripping red. As he brought his nose closer, he could smell the scent of blood. An overwhelming amount of information, nearly indistinguishable from reality.
In other words, if this is indeed within “Tactics Chronicle,” it would mean that Leve is not the only character given an immense amount of data. Even if such a massive amount of information were provided from the server, there is no way a home gaming console could handle processing it all. Therefore, Possibility 3 is also negated and deemed impossible.
“Possibility 4… it’s all just a dream.”
I don’t want to dismiss this possibility that I managed to come up with.
The cut on my left hand throbs, but I recall a previous experience where I pinched my cheek hard in a dream and didn’t wake up. I want to believe that it’s a similar situation this time.
Because, well, there are no other possibilities left but this one.
If I eliminate this possibility, I’ll have no choice but to face the reality that should be impossible to comprehend.
Just as I found myself lost in thought, there came a gentle knock at the door.
… It was the third knock today, and it seemed somewhat hesitant.
No, perhaps it was just my imagination, fueled by the guilt from raising my voice earlier.
“Please come in.”
“…Excuse me.”
I conveyed permission to enter using the <Key Language Keyword>.
Silently, the door opened, and as expected, it was Leve who stepped inside.
Although their expression appeared calm, the triangular dog ears atop their head were flattened, and their fluffy silver tail hung lifelessly.
The cause of this was obvious without needing to think much about it.
“…Um, I have gathered and organized the information again, so… I have a report to make.”
“Ah, no, there’s something I should say before that.”
Leve’s shoulders twitched involuntarily.
They resembled a puppy, as if anticipating being scolded by their master for mischievous behavior.
“…Leve, I’m sorry. I seemed to have been flustered earlier.”
“Huh?”
“To be involved in such a situation as the entire capital city being transported, it was undoubtedly shocking for me as well. Please forgive me.”
Apologizing for his behavior, he attempted to lower his head, but Leve, with a startled expression, hurriedly intervened to stop him
“No, no! It was just me being presumptuous, and there’s no need for Helian-sama to apologize! I should be the one apologizing–”
“No, I should be the one apologizing. It may make you uncomfortable, but please accept my apology. This is something that is necessary for me… for us.”
Interrupting Leve’s words, he forcefully offers his apology.
“…It’s not like I’ve accepted the absurd reality of being transported to another world. The possibility that this is still ‘Helian’s dream’ cannot be completely denied.
However, on the other hand, just because it’s a dream doesn’t mean I can do as I please. At the very least, shouting at Leve earlier was completely unfair and uncalled for. It’s not something that can be dismissed with a casual attitude. That’s why I apologize. It’s only natural to do so.”
“And in the unlikely event… I don’t even want to consider it, but hypothetically, even if this is not a dream but something else, it wouldn’t hurt to behave like a king. From a mental health perspective, it’s prudent to prioritize self-preservation to some extent.
Leve seemed to have something to say, but she suddenly sniffed as if she noticed something, her gaze shifting slightly downward to the right.
Following her gaze, there was Helian’s left hand, with a cut made by the knife.”
Even though I should be hidden behind the desk, it seems she has noticed the scent of blood.
Indeed, she is a true 【Moon Wolf Managarm】, a wolf-human hybrid.
The reason she didn’t notice until now must be because she was still flustered from my outburst, and I can’t help but feel guilty for taking my frustration out on her. The guilt weighs heavily on my chest.
“Oh, this?”
I lifted my left hand slightly to show her the wound.
In an instant, Leve’s composed expression turned into one on the verge of tears.
Panicked by the sight of a woman’s tears, which he was unaccustomed to, Helian quickly interjected.
“N-No, it’s nothing serious! Just a minor cut from a mishap. You don’t have to worry about it.”
“Well, um, I apologize for being presumptuous once again, but… please, let me treat it for you…”
“I’m fine. It’ll heal with a little saliva. More importantly, I want to prioritize understanding the current situation.”
Unable to bear looking at Leve’s face, I forcefully changed the topic, saying, “I want to talk about the future plans.”
“I reiterate, understanding the current situation is of utmost importance. How are the leaders of each legion doing?”
“Currently, each leader is following the orders issued by you, Helian, and commanding their respective legions, but…”
“I see. In that case… Is it possible to gather the legion leaders for a brief audience? Just for about fifteen minutes.”
“It is possible!”
The response came flying in eagerly.
Leve’s face approached so closely that I could almost count the number of her eyelashes.
…I have no idea what could be causing her to react like this, but isn’t she a bit too desperate?
“Is that so…”
With a slight twitch, I specified the commanders that should be gathered and informed them to assemble in the audience chamber in fifteen minutes.
“Understood! I will start by calling the nearest Third Legion Commander!”
Leve, who bowed deeply and apologized, swiftly left the office, and I watched her departure.
As I was about to wonder what could be making her so desperate, I recalled her parting words.
“I see, so that’s what it is. You were trying to arrange for me to meet the Third Legion Commander somehow.”
“The Third Legion Commander is a specialist in healing magic.
Since bringing them to the office was rejected by the king, it must mean that they are hoping for an opportunity during an audience with the king to somehow receive treatment.”
“That person is like a loyal dog according to the settings. Well, even though they are a wolf.”
As I think about how remarkably realistic this dream is, I gaze at the palm of my left hand.
Blood continues to flow from the cleanly cut wound, although the intensity has weakened. It looks painfully obvious, even to me.
“I should have asked for treatment earlier… It’s becoming incredibly painful.”
Uttering such a pitiful remark, I wrapped a makeshift cloth around my palm.
As a mere student, I have no knowledge of medicine, but it should serve as a temporary measure for now.
Hoping that I would wake up from this dream before the audience, I sat down on the chair in the audience room for a while.
However, time passes mercilessly, and the time for the audience has arrived.