Chapter 32
Every world has a moment of first creation.
A word from an omnipotent someone.
It could have been created with “Let there be light.”
A fireworks display so beautiful it’s beyond imagination.
It could have started from an explosion and smoke.
A giant world named Last Felix also existed.
There was a creator, and a creation myth borrowed from a transcript also existed.
“Director? Excluding real male characters, female users’ popularity would—”
“No, women like pretty women too, you know? So does that mean I’m not a woman, but a man? Do you want to fight?”
“The overall design is a bit too much for an all-ages rating—”
“It’s fine. Until the release, we can just slap on some paint, launch it like the adult games, and then distribute it as unofficial patches on Twitter or something. They do that when they join Steam.”
“Isn’t it a bit of a resource waste to develop it into an auto battler with 3D modeling—”
“Huh? Even dog meat likes just running auto. Wouldn’t it be nicer to see cute and busty female characters fight in style? And if you make it well, you can reuse it later.”
The creator wasn’t omniscient or omnipotent.
However, the creator’s opinion was mostly bulldozed through and reflected in the creation of the world.
But there were several opinions that, despite stubbornness, were ultimately discarded.
“Are you seriously suggesting we add 19+ scenes to an all-ages game? Are you out of your mind, Director?”
“Ah! Why! We could just release a separate adult version. Or make it a mod like X-Kyrim—”
“There are plenty of cases where that got them banned. Like Banished… And no matter how unofficial the patch, that goes straight to the press.”
“Hmm… Tsk, can’t be helped.”
“No, the protagonist is a shop owner? Aren’t you too immersed in the concept?”
“Why? Why not? It’s great! Throw potions above the characters’ heads to support them, shoot something like Heavenly Death Beam and take down monsters together. If you look at those web novels, they spend points on chicken and stuff. Let’s add that as a meme too.”
“…I will discuss this with the boss. But I’m pretty sure she’ll be 100% against it.”
“Ugh, those romance-less old guys.”
“You’re going to add hidden quests? Have you seen any recent game adaptations?”
“No way. Ignoring romance? I alone have a hidden quest that leads to cosmic ascension. Isn’t that cool? It’s awesome. It’s got romance. I will consider any further rebuttal as an attack on me.”
“In that case, we have to remove PVP… What do you want to say to the users?”
“Hmm, is that so?”
Thus, there were also settings that disappeared into the annals of history.
But the creator never gave up.
With a strong determination to present their ideas to the world.
“Ah, I said we’re not putting it into the live version. For now, let’s just go ahead and develop it? Consider it practice. I’ll give you a nice bonus.”
After persistently nagging their subordinates to enforce their will.
They disguised it as dummy data and secretly hid it in the soon-to-be-born world.
Thus,
With a very beautiful fireworks display—
There was light in the world.
* * *
At 6 AM.
The time when Saha’s day begins.
Although not as early as Yo-hena or Arc.
She woke up early, tidied herself, and prayed to the goddess.
“May today pass without any problems, in the name of Sweetie.”
Then she took a sandwich that was kindly prepared by Arc the night before and set out into the dimly lit streets.
After a light walk to the knights’ order, she checked the complaints received over the day before and planned her colleagues’ movements in advance.
With the ever-growing population of Celestia, the outer regions were expanding to the point it could be called chaotic development.
Recently, issues like petty thefts had arisen, causing her to feel that the role of the knights was becoming increasingly burdensome, and she let out a sigh.
After organizing paperwork all morning.
“I’ll go patrol the inside of the tower.”
“Have a good trip, Captain!”
“Bring back cocktails!”
“…Drinking during work hours is prohibited.”
“Aww, the captain is so uptight.”
Time to climb the tower with lovely Arc.
Not only fulfilling the sacred mission bestowed by the goddess to the heroes.
But also indulging personal desires, making it the most satisfying time of the day.
Today as well, guarding Arc’s safety.
She led the way, cutting through spider webs with the new weapon specially made for her by the smart and wise Arc.
“Saha! You’re amazing!”
“Hehe… Ahem, it’s nothing special.”
Feeling like she was about to fly to the sky from the kind words of Arc.
After safely conquering the tower.
The remaining colleagues went to Arc’s shop.
Though it was a bit disappointing, she seriously contemplated getting back to the knights and handling the remaining tasks before gradually passing the leader’s duties along.
Late at night, when she returned to the Guild House.
“Saha! You’ve worked hard.”
With a smile shining like the sun.
The frail and delicate Arc welcomed her back warmly.
As if…
Like a scene she had imagined since childhood.
When she worked hard and returned home, her rabbit-like husband cutely bobbing over, jumping around and acting adorable was a dream that had finally come true—
“Uh…? Arc, why aren’t you sleeping? What about the shop?”
Just before her delusion ran wild.
Saha barely held on to her rationality.
“We closed early today. I have things to do… And I also have something for Saha.”
Something for her?
What did that imply?
Was she finally receiving the seventh tail feather of the phoenix?
Is it legal? Can she pounce?
Saha’s brain spun wildly, but what Arc handed her was slightly different from what she had imagined.
A contract granting her a new hero’s power.
And the magic-etched image of herself on it resembled the appearance of the strongest fighter she often saw in the Dimension Arena.