Opportunity in the Game Becomes Reality Episode 139
============================================================
Opportunity in the Game Becomes Reality Episode 139
34. What Is This Now (3)
Arcia was greatly worried by the sight of me losing consciousness in the middle of the game from time to time.
"I don't think it's from fatigue. Let's put hunting aside and investigate this thoroughly."
Over the past few days, the number of times I've collapsed has increased, and both the intervals between fainting and the time I spend unable to wake up are growing longer.
This is no longer a level I can brush off carelessly.
Leveling up is important, but as Arcia said, it's time to prioritize finding the cause and resolving it.
Seeing Arcia's worried expression, I nodded in agreement and headed to Grand Duke Lucas's Mage Tower to seek the opinion of Chester, the Opportunity Manager.
"Surely you haven't collapsed again?"
Did he sense something unusual in our atmosphere when we arrived at the Mage Tower?
Chester, who revealed himself, looked taken aback.
"It feels like the intervals are getting shorter and the fainting spells are getting longer."
"...."
Of course, he was well aware of my condition.
The problem is that even he, who seemed all-knowing, can't figure out what's going on or find a solution.
"I've investigated, but I found no mechanical defects or external interference."
"So it's not a Hollywood problem, but my problem?"
"Based on the circumstances, that appears to be the case."
One could say the Opportunity Manager is a being that helps the heir grow.
Which is why his reaction to this situation was also extremely serious.
"It only happens in the game so far, right?"
"Yes, I've never fainted in reality."
My fainting only ever happens inside the game.
The fact that there's nothing wrong in reality makes it all the more bizarre.
"Couldn't it be some kind of rejection reaction?"
At that moment, Bug, who had been silent, spoke up.
It wasn't me who responded, but Chester.
"How could that be? Adrian has undergone physical enhancement through Hollywood multiple times and has a synchronization rate higher than anyone else's."
"Maybe it was too much enhancement?"
"He possesses stats within the assumed parameters, so there's no problem. Grand Duke Lucas's design is full of consideration for the heir. The system harming the heir is absolutely unthinkable."
"But what's happening now is outside the assumed parameters, and harm is being done. Anyone can see this looks like an error in the management system."
"That is...."
Chester was at a loss for words, even losing the verbal exchange against Bug.
Seeing the two of them, Arcia approached me and placed her hand on my forehead as if checking my temperature, then asked.
"What does it feel like when you faint?"
"Just.... Like falling into sleep. I even dream in that short time."
"What kind of dream?"
"Hmm, I can't remember that far."
But Chester abruptly cut into our conversation.
"You dream?"
"I can't remember clearly, but it definitely feels that way."
"That's impossible...."
Did he find some kind of clue?
Everyone's gaze turned to Chester.
"That makes sense, because Virtual Reality is built on the basis of the Indream spell. What Adrian just said means he dreamed another dream within a dream."
Dreaming within a dream?
That's not entirely impossible, is it?
I've actually heard stories related to that before.
But he firmly shook his head, saying that's not the case.
"The situation in reality and inside Hollywood is different. If real dreams and the Hollywood System were to mix, no one can predict what side effects might occur, so a safety function activates."
"A safety function?"
"In the worst case, it's a system designed to prevent the mind from failing to distinguish between virtual and reality and being unable to return to the body."
Chester and I furrowed our brows at the same time.
This somehow seemed like a more serious problem than I initially thought.
"Isn't it just a system error?"
Bug tried to cut in again, but Arcia kicked her in the backside and chased her off, saying she was annoying.
"If what I'm dreaming is indeed a dream, as Bug says, then it would be a system error. But if not...."
"It might be that you're reliving memories, not dreams."
I was chin in hand, deep in thought, when I suddenly thought of a highly unpleasant possibility.
"You're not telling me someone else's memories are being injected into my head, are you?"
"You suspect Grand Duke Lucas of tampering with Adrian's body?"
"Well, that's the situation, so."
"As you can see from me, no matter how much you replicate a memory, if the spirit dwelling within it is different, it cannot be the same being. And in the first place, Grand Duke Lucas has no reason to do such a thing."
"No reason to do such a thing?"
At my question, he seemed to hesitate over whether to speak, then continued as if he had no choice.
"As you know, he prioritized returning to his homeland over life here. And that obsession eventually sent Grand Duke Lucas back to Earth."
I thought I'd heard he never managed to complete the dimension shift in the end?
"His body couldn't return. With the goddess's help, only his soul barely made it back."
"The goddess's help?"
"By any chance, do you know a holy spell called Soul Send?"
"You mean the one used when dealing with wraith-plane monsters?"
"Yes, but it's not an attack spell. It simply sends souls back to the underworld. Grand Duke Lucas's soul returned to Earth's underworld with the goddess's help."
"So you're saying Grand Duke Lucas was reborn on Earth."
"Correct. Which means he has no reason to cling to this world."
Come to think of it, last time at the Saintess contest, I heard a story from Duke Francis of the Bringham Empire.
That Grand Duke Lucas had once ascended the 'Path of the Goddess,' which only a Saintess or Holy Son may tread.
And that there, the Grand Duke spoke with the goddess, yet even the Saintess and Holy Son of that time were never told what was said.
'Impressive.'
The fact that he managed to return in the end even if only as a soul.
"I feel like I'm just getting more paranoid."
"I understand. It's an unavoidable situation."
He had revealed a secret that even the Saintess and Holy Son did not know, while also showing wariness toward the goddess so his hesitation was understandable.
"So then, I'm reliving someone's memories?"
"That's highly likely."
"Saying it's highly likely means there's at least a small chance it isn't."
"Since this is unprecedented, I can't give a definitive answer."
At least I know what I need to do now.
The priority seems to be checking what dream I have when I pass out.
* * *
Funny thing is, when you wait for something to happen, it often doesn't.
And that's exactly the situation I'm in right now.
I finished preparing my investigation to check what dream I'd have when fainting in the game...
'Damn it, why won't I pass out again?'
The situation that had me fainting several times a day, as if taunting me, never occurred again.
I'd wanted to return to normal, but even without doing anything, things turning out this way leaves me uneasy.
It almost feels like someone is toying with me.
Still, I've prepared in advance, so if it happens again, I can check anytime.
But I can't help feeling annoyed.
"Isn't it interesting? The moment we abolished the restriction on nobles holding military forces, this kingdom's military strength increased by 10% in just one month. What's frightening is that the pace seems likely to continue for several more months."
I had drifted into distraction during my conversation with the Crown Prince, but I snapped back to attention and nodded.
"I think the awareness that one can't afford to fall behind in competition is strong. In the past, many domains didn't possess a single Heaven-Piercing Fortress, but now it's nearly treated as a necessity."
The Crown Prince's military expansion policy had brought about great changes in a short time.
It was fully expected that the Lords would expand their armaments out of rivalry, but as they loosened their purse strings, a flood of cash poured in, and every Mage Tower expanded in scale, greatly increasing employment as well.
Just one month after the Crown Prince took the reins, the Kingdom of Rhinehearts was enjoying a massive economic boom.
It was a moment that made me newly realize the importance of a leader in a nation.
"But nowhere seems to compare to the Duchy of Lawrence, the Duchy of Klein, and the Viscounty of Lawrence."
"Haha, with the war against the Croysen Empire in mind, I have to lead by example."
Even with the nobles' military power expanding wildly, the Crown Prince remained unfazed.
The royal family was also expanding the royal army, yet its growth rate couldn't compare to that of the nobles.
"But aren't you worried about the nobles' power expanding like this?"
"My resolve has not changed. If I cannot contain the power of the nobles, it only means my vessel is limited to that extent."
It was a gamble I would never take myself.
"So tomorrow is the day."
"Indeed. I wonder how I will be recorded in history."
"I believe you'll be recorded as the Conqueror."
"The Conqueror, eh? Not bad at all. Haha."
Tomorrow, the Crown Prince would officially become King.
He was already running state affairs, and the current King had no room left to intervene.
From the royal family's perspective, the Crown Prince's actions were practically tyranny, leaving them pale-faced day after day but I can guarantee that no one in the past or future has ever become King with such overwhelming support from the nobles.
"Duke, if our Kingdom were to go to war with the Croysen Empire, what outcome do you think would result?"
As the light atmosphere drifted, the Crown Prince asked in a serious tone.
A clever man like him must have already calculated it, but his perspective and mine were bound to differ.
I took a moment to organize my thoughts at the Crown Prince's question.
But the deliberation did not last long.
"Even if we fought right now, I believe we would not lose."
"Even with a nearly two-fold difference in military strength? Not to mention that unlike the Empire, which borders three nations, we border five."
"Yes, my opinion will not change."
At my firm assertion, the Crown Prince twisted the corners of his mouth into a smirk.
"I thought we would need at least three more years, but it seems Duke Lawrence has something in mind that I don't know about."
The something the Crown Prince didn't know about was me myself.
An 8th Circle Grand Wizard.
A Grand Wizard alone cannot turn the tide of war, but if that someone is the successor of Grand Duke Lucas, the story changes.
There was more than one means to shake the Croysen Empire.
"But I said we wouldn't lose I didn't say we would win."
"Then when can we be certain of victory?"
"I believe a year would be necessary."
"A hopeful outlook. Good. Very good."
The expansion of the nobles has its limits.
For the first three to four months, it would swell at a terrifying pace, but after that, the rate of expansion would gradually slow.
After all, even noble coffers have their limits.
And since the Empire won't just sit by and watch our buildup, after a year, our Kingdom's strength would at best reach 70% of the Empire's.
But that would be enough strength for victory.
"You have no idea how reassured I am to have you, Duke."
"I also consider it a great fortune that Your Highness the Crown Prince is commanding this nation."
The Second Prince went around claiming he had the makings of a King, but compared to the Crown Prince, he was nothing but a tiny sauce bowl.
Afterward, we exchanged various stories about the world.
The Crown Prince was such a witty person that the conversation was enjoyable, and we spent a considerable amount of time together.
"But it's strange that the Empire remains quiet even after the embassy explosion."
Imperial troops had taken action at the border, but no one took it seriously.
At my question, the Crown Prince's narrowed eyes turned fox-like.
"It seems the Emperor is plotting something amusing."
Looking at him, whatever the Emperor was plotting, it would be hard for it to succeed.
The Crown Prince gestured for me to come closer, and as I leaned in, he whispered.
"Filth has infiltrated the Royal Palace."
"What? Isn't that a big problem? We should deal with it immediately."
"No, I plan to watch and wait to catch them all in one sweep. If I act rashly, they'll just go into hiding."
Is this man using his own life as bait to lure the enemy in right now?
I couldn't tell if he was bold or reckless.
He would have set some kind of trap either way, but I couldn't just pretend not to know.
"Is there anything I can help with?"
"I was waiting for you to say that."
It seemed I had been part of his calculations from the very beginning.