Simulated War Game

Benjamin, utterly bewildered, followed Grant into the castle. Along the way, the lazy system finally deigned to speak and explained the situation.

"Seven or eight years ago, the situation on this continent was still quite tense. Another country stood against the Hori Kingdom, and war could break out at any moment. So you noble children received plenty of military training when you were young. Unfortunately, it wasn't long before that country split apart because of internal strife, and the war never happened. Your military training came to an end, too."

The system paused, then continued:

"But you restless kids had learned all about war and were eager for a fight. When no war broke out, you all felt your military talents were going to waste. So, at someone's suggestion, this regular event was born. A bunch of people gather at this castle to play simulated war games. Of course, none of you think of it as just a game. You act as if it's a real war, and every one of you takes it incredibly seriously."

After hearing the system's explanation, Benjamin felt at a loss for words.

"These people are seriously childish."

He had no interest in this boring war game. Wasn't it just kids getting into a brawl? Rather than waste time here, he'd rather go back and sleep a little longer or "meditate" for a while.

"You say that as if you're so mature. Are you telling me you never played games like this when you were in elementary school?" The system was back to its usual arguing.

"...I did."

Benjamin was briefly stumped, but quickly retorted, "But that was when I was in elementary school. These people are old enough to be in high school. If that isn't childish, what is?"

"That's because you had a computer," the system continued. "I have records. Even after you became an adult, you spent more time on 'online war games' than these people spend on 'offline war games.' You even spent quite a bit of money on them."

"..."

Benjamin had no answer.

In reality, he had followed Grant into a shabby little room. There was nothing inside. Grant led him behind the door, left it slightly ajar, and held his breath, as if they were really setting up an ambush.

Benjamin obediently did as he was told, but he really didn't want to take part in this game.

"Um, could I maybe—"

"Shh, don't talk," Grant immediately interrupted him, whispering, "Just follow me. Don't worry, winning will be a piece of cake."

"..."

It seemed his request to leave early would never make it past Grant.

Oh well. He'd just tag along and relive his childhood. He had taken a look around when they entered the castle, and the layout wasn't too complicated. This game probably wouldn't turn into a marathon.

Sure enough, less than two minutes later, two idiots arrived at the room and tried to push the door open to look inside. Grant sprang out from behind it, quick as a flash, holding two little balls he'd produced from who knew where. "Holy Light Bomb!" he shouted, hurling one ball at each of them.

The two men were obviously startled. Once they recovered, they glanced at Grant, then felt the spots where the balls had hit them. Suddenly, they collapsed to the floor with exaggerated flair, having "died" honorably.

"...That's so damn chuuni." Though he'd prepared himself for this, Benjamin couldn't help silently complaining.

Using little balls to represent Holy Light Bombs and making a big show of dying—those things were forgivable. But why shout "Holy Light Bomb" before throwing them? Would the Church's highest principle become "Protect Athena" next?

"Actually, there's a reason for that," the system explained. "Holy Light Bombs are a very conspicuous divine art. To simulate that effect, the war game has a rule that when you use a ball to represent a Holy Light Bomb, you have to shout it out loud, revealing your position so everyone can hear."

"..." Benjamin was once again at a loss for words.

The system put on a grave, lecturing tone and said, "Don't underestimate them. They've all received proper training, and they take this game very seriously."

Just as the system had said, after "taking out" the two enemies, Grant immediately led Benjamin to a new position. He moved like a pro: dropping to the ground every five steps and looking back every three, like a special forces soldier.

The others weren't as well-trained as Grant, though. Their every movement still carried the air of pampered nobility. As they played guerrilla warfare, Grant took out several more pairs of enemies in a row, and the number of "corpses" wandering around the castle gradually increased.

Benjamin followed behind, winning by association all the way, feeling thoroughly helpless.

Still, watching Grant in action gave him a more direct understanding of his genius little brother.

"You're sure this is the genius you told me about? The one who set off a shower of light and made the bells ring when he was born?" he asked inwardly, a little exasperated.

"Do you think every genius is as arrogant as the ones in books, looking down on everyone through their nostrils?" the system reminded him. "Don't underestimate him. If he used a real Holy Light Bomb, he could take out everyone in the castle. If you used your Water Bomb Spell, it wouldn't be enough to wash everyone's hands."

"..."

Ignoring the system's jab, Benjamin still found it hard to believe. "Is he really that strong? Then why did Michelle dare kidnap him?"

"Michelle has been dealing with the Church for so long, so she must have her own way of handling divine arts," the system explained. "Besides, why would she face Grant in a straight fight? With that kid's cunning and experience, ten Grants wouldn't be enough to outwit her."

After hearing this, Benjamin thought it over and eventually accepted the explanation:

"That's true."

He hadn't suddenly started caring because he was especially concerned about his stand-in little brother. He'd just realized that if Grant was so powerful with divine arts, why not ask him for help and have him remove the curse on Benjamin?

Grant was only a kid in his teens. Benjamin could make up a reason to fool him and get him to help. He might feel a little guilty about deceiving a chuuni boy like that, but when it came down to his life, his life mattered more.

Besides, as soon as the curse was lifted, Benjamin would be free to soar like a bird in the sky and swim like a fish in the sea. Michelle and the Church could fight however they liked. What did he care?

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!

Thinking about it, Benjamin suddenly felt that his future was looking bright again.

Michelle was clever all her life, but careless for a moment. She probably never dreamed she'd overlook this, right? She certainly hadn't expected that her genius little brother, Benjamin, would come through for him at a crucial moment.

Wait...

Hold on!

Could Michelle... really have overlooked this?

Benjamin's mood was like a roller coaster. His excitement abruptly gave way to sober realization. Maybe the psychological scars Michelle had left him with were just too deep, but he couldn't imagine her failing to account for this.

Sure enough, when he asked the system, it gave him this answer:

"I'm not sure. Maybe the curse she placed is unusual, and Grant can't remove it. But more likely, she's taking advantage of the Church's rules about divine arts."

Benjamin felt his hopes fade even further, but he pressed on. "What rules?"

"A trainee priest can't use divine arts at will," the system replied. "Grant may be more powerful than many ordained priests, but he hasn't officially graduated from the Church, so he doesn't have permission to use divine arts without the Church's approval. And right under the Church's nose... the people from the Church probably wouldn't let him help you. You've experienced that for yourself. Michelle must know this, which is why she's so confident."

Damn it...

Benjamin felt as if he'd been played once again without even realizing it.

Still, at least his run-ins with Michelle had toughened him up. He hadn't been counting on anyone in the first place. Asking Grant for help had just been a spur-of-the-moment idea. If it worked, great. If not, that was normal. It wasn't the first time he'd felt the God of Fate was out to get him.

At least he wouldn't have to worry about how to fool Grant anymore. It was easier to rely on himself.

And so, Benjamin plotted away in his head as he followed Grant, who was "slaying gods and Buddhas alike." He witnessed Grant's full range of military maneuvers, from ambushes and sneak attacks to direct combat, and few opponents lasted even a minute against him.

That still surprised Benjamin a little—even though he still didn't take the game very seriously.

However, he could tell that the defeated noble children clearly weren't as serious as Grant. Grant really treated the game like a war, while the others seemed to think of it more as a game.

Benjamin couldn't help wondering if Grant himself had been the one to suggest starting this war simulation in the first place.

If he'd lived in modern times, he would have been the most passionate gaming fan, the sort who cosplayed in person.

With the "veteran" leading the way, Benjamin, a complete newbie, also fought his way through the game. He endured what felt like an incredibly long hour, and with the number of "corpses" increasing, the game finally reached its closing stages.

After checking the numbers with the system, Benjamin confirmed that only two enemies in the castle remained "alive."

"Finally, it's almost over," he couldn't help thinking.

"You should enjoy the fun of the game. Look at them—so focused. They're enjoying themselves while honing their skills. What a wonderful experience. Become the kind of good player even a Yang Yongxin wouldn't have the heart to punish." The system delivered this speech with such passion that it was almost impressive.

"You can't put it that way. I'd like to take this opportunity to relax, too, but I can't," Benjamin said calmly. "It's like asking someone who's used to playing brilliant 3D real-time games to play a nostalgic 2D turn-based game. They just won't be able to get into it. That's my situation, and you can't blame me for it."

The system fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Do you know how many fans of nostalgic 2D turn-based games will flame you for saying that? What you're doing is wrong."

Benjamin fell silent for a moment, too, then replied, "I know, but this isn't a novel. If you write something wrong in a novel, you can delete it and rewrite it. Once you've said something, it's too late to take it back, no matter how much you regret it."

The system said nothing more, and Benjamin fell silent, too. After an inexplicable pause, Benjamin suddenly shuddered, as if he'd just come out of a trance, and even burped.

Then he asked the system, "Did we just say some weird things?"

The system replied blankly, "We didn't say anything just now."

Benjamin nodded solemnly.

"I thought so, too."

Soon, their attention returned to reality. The game was already in its late stages, and Grant was still searching for the two remaining players. Watching him, Benjamin could only yawn with boredom and wait patiently for the round to end.

Then he suddenly seemed to realize something. He jolted, his expression turning uneasy.

"Hey, was that kid from the Fool Family among the people who got taken out just now?" After thinking it over, he asked the system.

The system replied, "No."

Benjamin asked, "Are you sure?"

The system said, "Are you questioning my abilities? No means no. I'm eight hundred percent sure."

At that, Benjamin couldn't help drawing a deep breath.

He looked toward the end of the hallway, at the one room they still hadn't checked. A very ominous feeling suddenly rose in his heart.