PART 4: OBSCURED START
The Grand Duke of Fenix, Alice Blodeuwodd Duke Fenix.
Month 2, day 13, UT 8992 [00:17]
Yggdrasil Game, character creation.
Upon regaining consciousness, I slowly opened my eyes to find myself in a prone position on what appeared to be a fluffy white smoke that had manifested in the form of a cloud. Intrigued by my mysterious surroundings, I carefully squeezed the fluffy cloudy-like mass with my translucent hands, only to find an absence of its discernible textures. What a disappointment.
And as if acting out of instinct, I shifted my stance and crouched to inspect my surroundings. The cloud-like mass covered the floor, extending across the boundless expanse of the open field, while the unobstructed night sky displayed stars that seemed to be scattered randomly in space. I was perplexed by my whereabouts - until I felt a surge of nostalgia, intensifying with each glance in the area.
Right. There is no doubt I am in the lobby.
Moments after I recognized this location, a classical waltz played from a distance. If I remember correctly, this lobby theme was famous across the empire, designed by a former royal designer, titled 'Aetherian's Dream Lobby'. The simplicity of the lobby design, with its recurring motifs stretching infinitely across the horizon, created a sense of ease over me.
Aetherian's Dream was born amongst the skies, raised to conquer space and live above the rest.
As I slowly rose to my feet, I continued to explore my surroundings. It was my first time being in Aetherian's Dream Lobby: a place adorned with repeating patterns and pleasant melodies. Despite its apparent simplicity, it possessed an endearing charm that both an Aetherian would like.
Whether it was the beautiful melody permeating my mind or the serene ambiance enveloping the place, it made my mind calm. However, there was another concern that was bothering me for a while. I brought my attention to my hands and noticed they were transparent.
I clenched my hands tightly and ensured that my senses were functioning flawlessly, which meant the Virtual Sensory Simulation Synchronization of the game was operating as intended. So how come I felt nothing after touching the cloudy floor? Perhaps the cloud floor never had any textures to begin with.
As I was pondering, a voice echoed inside my mind without warning.
「 -User has successfully logged into Yggdrasil Client Server.
Performing Conscious stability connection check. Stable
Performing Mental check. Stable
Requesting information from AR…
Yggdrasil Client Setting updated to User AR preference.
Yggdrasil Client has successfully changed to user preference.
Noticed. Procedure error.
Detecting Royal-class citizenship. Protocol 7881 private intercommunication initiated.
Private intercommunication room initiated.
Requesting contact to Admin Yggdrasil management support AI for the Role: Representative of Frontline and development studio... Connected.
Requesting contact to Imperial Admin Stellar Sight Unity for the Role: Legal Recorder... Connected.
Requesting contact to Admin AI management of the Ducal Fenix Family for the Role: Legal Recorder... Connected
The private intercommunication room has successfully connected to Imperial Guardian House…
Requesting contact to Imperial Officer From Imperial Guardian House for the Role: Witness... Connection Confirmed.」
Right. I had almost forgotten this process.
While the mechanical voice continued its monotonous speech in my mind, the world around me underwent a rapid metamorphosis. As if commanded by an invisible force, the once recursive expanse was now encircled by towering pillars, their chalk-white presence creating an otherworldly closure. The billowing clouds transformed beneath my feet, morphing into a glossy wooden floor that gleamed with an unnatural luster. Above, a ceiling materialized, shrouding the space and obscuring every star.
As I struggled to comprehend the almost-instant transformation, I suddenly found myself seated in a sturdy chair, facing a round table that materialized before me with an air of mysterious purpose.
As I anticipated their arrival would take some time, I remained seated, allowing my thoughts to ponder the perfect beverage to enjoy. It would also be delightful to have an assortment of cookies to complement it.
Within moments, a pristine white fabric draped over the table, adorned with intricate and beguiling patterns. Resting atop was a vase brimming with vibrant flowers, alongside multiple 3-tiered stand buffets showcasing an assortment of pastries. Next to them, a steaming cup of coffee waited, its alluring aroma permeating the air. Excellent.
I lifted the porcelain cup to my nose, inhaling deeply to savor its fragrance. Despite being a virtual imitation, it is as close to reality. The robust aroma filled my nostrils, eliciting a nod of approval for its delightful scent. I couldn't help but make a mental note to treat myself to an espresso after the game.
As I savored the taste of the brewed coffee, its rich flavor filled my mouth. However, a nagging feeling of something amiss pricked at my consciousness, though I couldn't quite recall what it was. Setting the cup down, I carefully examined my body once again.
There, I realized I was still wearing the nightgown I had worn when I entered the Dive console. With a thought, I promptly switched to a Uniform Code- a well-suited choice for occasions like these. Satisfied, I seized a cookie from the display stands and indulged in a bite.
Out of nowhere, my attention was captured by a translucent sphere that seemed to materialize in the corner of my eye. Surprisingly, it was soon joined by two more spheres, creating a contrast between the new entities and the room.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
「- Noticed. Representative of Fron—」
"Allow every invitee to enter," I ordered, cutting off the mechanical voice.
It knows that my 'conscious augmentation and assistant control access' is working. So why can't it feed the information directly into my mind?
The first sphere that manifested suddenly transformed, its body animating into a swirling orb engulfed in mesmerizing blue flames. So did the spheres that appeared late, both taking the appearance of a sleek metallic ball with deep black hues, they each had red and green lenses.
With the cup now resting on the table, I shifted my focus toward the spheres across the table. I noticed that there were not enough chairs for all the invitees and that there was another person yet to arrive. Gathering my thoughts, I watched as more seats seemingly appeared out of thin air and arranged themselves with the table. Taking a deep breath, I spoke to them.
"Be seated," I ordered.
The spheres abided by my will and floated across the room to their chairs.
The blue flaming orb floated down and greeted me, "Good afternoon, your Majesty. I hope you are having a wonderful day."
I raised an eyebrow and asked with curiosity, "Are you the official representative of the Developers behind this game?"
"Yes. I had been promoted to this representative role and had enough authority to entertain People of the royal class. I am named 'Obligatory-input-coolname-later' by the Developers. Please call me 'Oicon' for short."
Hm? Odd.
In my experience with the live stream of the game, I had assumed that most of the representative's appearance was more 'questionable'. But Oicon's avatar is a bit tame in comparison, aside from the naming choice.
"Then, Oicon. In regards to the 7881-RC policy contract for simulation words protocol, do you accept documents from other simulations?" I inquired.
Oicon answered, "Assuming this document is from 'The Last Ark'. We can only accept part of the document as there have been changes since."
I directed my attention to the metallic orb next with a green lens and called out its name, "Moonthee?"
In response, the orb tilted its body forward as if lowering its head and replied, "At your service, your Grace." Flashing a vibrant green glow in its lenses.
"Contact Dianna." I commanded, "I need an operator to upload the documents I originally used for 'The Last Ark'."
Moonthee answered, "At your command," as its body began transforming into a translucent state.
As I cast my gaze upon the ball next to Moonthee's body, it seemed to notice my attention and reacted by lowering itself. It then greeted me with a deep voice, "Good afternoon, Your Grace."
"So to you, Stellar Unity."
As soon as the words left my lips, a translucent figure materialized within the room, across the table. Much like the spheres, it slowly constructed its body out of thin air, gradually solidifying into a discernible humanoid shape. However, a certain part of its body aroused my interest, a magnificent red Tigrestis horn proudly exhibited at the figure's head. Unlike the young Tigris horn that Dianna had, this mature horn gracefully protrudes from the back of its head, spiraling to the front and reaching its peak at the top. The contrast between the two was striking, as Dianna only had her horns growing at the back of her head and pointing upwards.
Among the Aetherian Royal House, there were a few families that inherited the ancient blood of Tigreta. The Shimaka Family was one of them, boasting the definition of supreme beauty incomparable to others. Upon a closer look, I beheld the rarest sight - towering behind him, a pair of enormous wings of radiant yellow emerged, stretching far beyond his stature.
As he had worn a recognizable Uniform code, it was easy for my consciousness to discern his identity. Memories of information rushed through my mind, and I immediately recalled the name - Daehl Shimaka Aether Cosmos, a former commander of the Independent Sirius'n Xiphos Star fleet.
In his late 600s, Daehl retired from his post due to an incident that made him lose vision permanently. A few months later, he received an invitation to join the Imperial Guardian House as a virtual officer.
When Daehl's body completed reconstruction, he opened his eyes and noticed me. His facial expression was initially shocked but quickly recovered, and then immediately knelt on the spot.
He croaked, "I offer my sincerest greetings to the Divine."
"Stand, join me for this pleasant afternoon leisure."
"I am honored."
As Daehl walked to the table, I could not help but be interested in his wings. A pair of stiffly shaking wings, is he nervous by any chance? He gracefully sat down on the chair as he carefully situated his wings. I cannot help but wonder if Dianna will have these elegant wings when she matures. Considering that Dianna was nearing her 300s, it was likely she would soon mature wings as well.
A drink appeared in front of Daehl, and he drank from it. Then he looked at the orb, perhaps requesting information from the system. He looked back at me, and I nodded in return.
"I heard all the rumors, but this is my first time meeting a Shimaka Cosmos. Quite unfortunate that we couldn't meet in a more formal setting," I said.
"Well. We are not much different from other Shimakas, aside from the covenants we follow," Daehl replied, "I hope that Dianna is not causing you any problems."
Moonthee's translucent body was reconstructing its body, slowly gradually returning to the original state of its avatar. I didn't mind and continued conversing with Daehl, expressing my praise. "She is an exceptional aid, as expected for a Zoe."
When Moonthee finished reconstructing its body, it immediately descended its floating body as it gave a report.
"Operator Ethan had successfully sent the files to the private connection that Representative Oicon provided."
Hearing so, I looked over to Oicon, querying the flaming orb with a gesture.
"We have decrypted the data. Operator Ethan had successfully sent the files."
"Lastly, the Imperial Guardian House?"
Daehl paused before responding, "The Imperial Guardian house confirmed the data."
"Wonderful. Settle down now so we can finish this protocol." I ordered, looking at the flaming blue sphere, "Representative Oicon, take the lead. We can start at any point of the document you want."
"Thank you, your Majesty." Oicon replied, "We will commence by addressing the important aspects of the protocol. As per the Imperial Authority and Position Law, Alice Blodeuwodd Ducal Fenix's authority and position will no longer be effective within the simulation world. May we have your consent?"
"I consent. However, I can enforce my authority, legal rights, lawful power, and position in legal matters."
Oicon paused and looked over to Daehl, "Imperial Guardian House?"
"Her Majesty Alice's condition remains fair in accordance with her rights as a Royal," Daehl responded.
"Very well. We shall extend through that condition. However, Alice cannot enforce her authority, lawful power, and position to change aspects of the game, such as banning, cheating, or any forms that harm the simulation world of Yggdrasil."
"I consent to this condition," I replied.
Afterward, both Moonthee and Stellar Unity quietly muttered in the background, "Agreement recorded."
"Continuing." Oicon replied, "Due to the Imperial Law 41-RC, the royal class citizen's online presence has utmost protection. However, Alice Blodeuwodd Ducal Fenix, while using an avatar within the game, do you consent for the Yggdrasil Gaming Entertainment public broadcast to livestream you?"
Entertainment Public broadcast? Oh, I had heard of this in the livestream earlier. As I recall, Nyrar mentioned that the game would randomly broadcast players to a public channel, with the consent of involved parties as they said. That being said, without this protocol, the studio would suffer from the wrath of the empire's law as it breaches every stance.
Are they perhaps taking the empire's law lightly? Or are they willing to take on this risk?
"I consent, but initially, I should be censored and notified about this broadcast until I express my permission," I responded.
"Then we will provide you a broadcasting setting window for your liking." Oicon declared, "Agreement received."
"Agreement recorded..."