“When the comic is serialized, we need to launch the goods business at the same time.”
“I have a strong feeling this is going to work. We need to hurry to prepare before it’s too late.”
Upon hearing the explanation about the new comic [King of Cards], Esteban immediately understood my intentions.
The idea of adopting a one-source multi-use approach right from the planning stage is quite a recent method even in the modern world, but being able to grasp its impact is certainly impressive.
“It would be best to include one high-grade card in every pack of ten cards.”
“That’s exactly what I wanted to suggest.”
It was as if Esteban had dived into Rupert’s mind, accurately catching even the parts he intended to mention.
“I particularly like that the cards aren’t just for playing games but also stimulate the collector’s desire.”
Of course, Esteban was quite surprised by Rupert’s plan.
The story of [King of Cards] that Rupert shared wasn’t particularly groundbreaking.
It revolved around monsters sealed in stone tablets that existed in an ancient empire.
Once discovered by an exploration team, they realized that creating cards based on those monsters could harness mysterious powers, sparking battles for them.
The protagonist is an ordinary boy who awakens a new persona through an ancient imperial necklace he accidentally picked up, leading him into the world of card battles—simple yet easy to understand and intriguing.
“However, based on this material, creating a card game might be more complicated than expected.”
But I wasn’t entirely worried.
“The currently existing card games have very simple rules. Even a child could grasp them after a few rounds.”
“Yes, I’ve been considering that as I create the game. However, it’s quite challenging to come up with all the rules on my own.”
“Then, we should recruit a dedicated team specifically for this aspect.”
“A team?”
“This card game definitely smells like a big hit. So we need people dedicated to considering the rules and balancing.”
Rupert agreed with that opinion.
“Surely, if the balance is off in a card battle game, that’s a big problem. Handing it over could be one way to go.”
Rupert would set the basic framework and important settings, while leaving the finer details to smarter people, which was definitely an efficient approach.
With his current workload, involving serializing two comics and the animation business, even with the goddess’s blessing, managing the card game’s balancing would be too much.
“We can sell the cards at the Somerset Goods Store, and how about holding the card battles at the animation theater?”
“Do we really need a separate venue for the battles?”
“This is what I envision…”
*
The Mage Tower in this other world was akin to a university research lab.
“I need something to keep the room cool and dry during the summer.”
“I’d love to listen to the orchestra’s music every day—could you create something that can store and play their music?”
Most clients were wealthy nobles, and they often commissioned products for their comfort at the Mage Tower.
Naturally, because these items were exclusively for them, research and development costs were exorbitant, but the wealthy nobles didn’t hold back on spending, considering it a display of their dignity.
Thanks to this, magicians ranked among the highest-earning professions in the empire, as noble commissions became a primary source of income for the Mage Tower, making it normal to treat them with utmost respect.
“Welcome, Lord Rupert.”
“I apologize for the sudden request for a commission.”
“Not at all. Please feel free to use our services anytime.”
The branch of the Somerset Mage Tower also cautiously welcomed Rupert as if he were an emperor.
Since it was well past dinner time, they would generally postpone meetings to the next day, but given the status of their guest, they had no choice but to prepare for immediate discussions.
“Thanks to Somerset, our branch has achieved a miracle by ranking in the top three in sales. Is it such a big deal if we stay late?”
Luke, the branch manager of the Somerset Mage Tower, genuinely smiled as he welcomed Rupert.
– “I want to create a new sound playback stone that operates within this machine.”
– “We need the Mage Tower’s assistance in developing a new thing called film.”
– “I’d like to purchase two additional new printing machines.”
It was a thing of the past when Rupert thought the Somerset branch was a poor territory with no money to spare.
Since Rupert began making books and started placing various commissions, along with buying items like crazy, the Somerset branch climbed to become the best in the southern region.
“This time, the item I’m commissioning is a table.”
“A table?”
Clang!
Luke let out a sigh of relief upon seeing the blueprint Rupert laid out.
“Some nobles think we can conjure items with some kind of summoning magic, but with someone like Lord Rupert, that’s really proper.”
There was a noble who once visited the Mage Tower, requesting a shower that could provide water even without a direct water supply.
“Like this! If we can gather moisture from the air, we can create a shower that constantly sprays water!”
It wasn’t impossible.
However, to gather moisture from the air to the extent required to create a shower that perpetually produced water would require a magic stone comparable to a Dragon Heart.
On the other hand, Rupert always brought detailed blueprints whenever he wanted to create something new, which greatly assisted their research.
Thanks to Rupert having brought the table design this time as well, they quickly understood the necessary structure and functions.
“This table requires illusion magic.”
“That’s correct. Cards will be placed in the boxes drawn on the table.”
When dozens to hundreds of cards are placed on top, the table must use illusion magic to display their designated appearances.
“Our responsibility will be to create an illusion magic playback device fitted within the table, correct?”
“Yes, it would be nice if it also produced sound, but we plan to create that later. For now, it’s sufficient if it just projects the stored images of the cards.”
“Understood. I don’t think this will take too long.”
Thanks to Rupert clearly stating only the necessary points, Luke felt that things might progress easier than expected.
“By the way, what exactly are these cards?”
“It’s still a secret, but to tell you specifically, Lord Luke, you can think of them as new goods coming out.”
“Goods?”
Luke’s interest was piqued by Rupert’s words.
He was one of the enthusiastic readers of Rupert’s comic, and his house was already filled with figures purchased from the Somerset Goods Store, including various comic book volumes.
Now that he heard he was making new goods, he couldn’t help but be curious.
“But it would be rude to ask more than this.”
Since he was a key client for the Mage Tower, whom they treated as a big shot, Luke had no choice but to hold back his curiosity.
*
“How do you always come with tasks?”
“Well, people have to work, don’t they?”
With Rupert’s nonchalant reply, Kroon, wearing a ‘don’t say anything’ expression, finally started inspecting the blueprint Rupert handed over.
“If we make this out of paper, it won’t have enough durability, will it?”
“Yes, so we need to coat it and also research thicker paper for a sturdier material.”
“Damn! Aren’t we the ones who have to make that?”
“How could I make it myself?”
Kroon thought that if he couldn’t vent his frustrations verbally, maybe he wouldn’t be too annoying, and he examined the blueprint again.
“A card? But it has pictures of monsters and weapons drawn, and it’s all sorts of things?”
Unlike a regular card, the variety of drawings made it visually appealing.
Moreover, the fact that even cards of the same shape had different grades was quite peculiar.
“So, the common ones have no distinguishing features, but as the grade increases, the drawings or text change?”
“Yes, that’s particularly important! At a glance, they should look the same, but there must be a distinct difference!”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
“Ah… Kroon, your sense of aesthetics is really lacking. Can’t you tell when it’s stylishly done or not?”
Kroon was half-listening to Rupert’s comment while trying to figure out the distinguishing features.
After thinking for a moment, he realized he could use the cellulose and photosensitive agents they developed when making animation film last time.
If they could make it shine only when exposed to sunlight, that would surely make the differences distinguishable, and the peculiar color tone would give it a very luxurious feel.
“I think developing this will require some late nights for a while.”
“Is that a problem?”
“Last time, our artisans struggled with the animation projector and film development, so I was planning to take them all out for a break.”
“Then I guess the artisans take their vacations while you, Kroon, work alone on the development?”
“Have you ever been hit by a hammer from a dwarf?”
“The receipt item from the Empire’s Soldiers Auction House: 400g Mithril, 120g Orichalcum, 1kg Wyvern Leather… I really wonder who bought this much and at such a high price?”
Before long, Rupert pulled out a receipt from his pocket.
The receipt was packed with high-priced materials.
Seeing the receipt listing expensive items one would only see from the royal forges, Kroon hastily looked away, pretending to be busy.
“Ah! Truly artisans find joy when they work!”
“I’m most happy when I’m drawing comics.”
“Haha, indeed a true artisan. We’ll make what you just requested as quickly as possible.”
“Haha, indeed, the enthusiasm of artisans cannot be dampened.”
Rupert and Kroon laughed and chatted as if they had never fought.
Watching them, the other artisans had developed a kind of acceptance.
For them, seeing the two bicker had become so common that they were now just doing their own work without a second thought.
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