Chapter 3

“♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪”

“~… ♪”

This is—

Wh–what’s going on? Why is there such an extravagant stage set up in the middle of town…?

Mika-chan-saaan ☆

Wawah—? Don’t jump on me, Sora-kun! It’s real dangerous an’ like, the audience is watchin’, yanno?

Audience…?

Sorry! But Sora was worried that Mika-chan-san might not be feeling good!

When you’re worried ‘bout someone, you oughta handle ‘em with even more care. But I’m fine~ My health’s skyrocketed compared to back when Yumenosaki was the center of the world. Don’t worry, don’t worry ♪

I’ve made some adjustments to your device for the SSVRS, to a certain extent. Just don’t overdo it, Mika-kun.

I gotcha~ But bein’ here in SHINSEKAI is just like dreamin’—Bein’ all tuckered out ain’t got nothin’ to do with my performance here.

So long’s your mind’s doin’ fine an’ dandy, you can be your best, most perfect self here.

An’ that means our Valkyrie’s in a league of our own~ ♪

Well, you both have overcome hardships and gotten a lot tougher. But I have something I want to ask you—Nii-san.

Ask away. Before that, however, I’d like to ask you a question of my own.

A question?

Yes. You said before that you would make sure that the story you tell here on SHINSEKAI would have a happy ending. I’d like to know what you meant by those words.

How will you write this story’s conclusion, and what do you consider to be its happy ending?

Hm… I don’t know if this is the answer you wanted, Nii-san, but the world of SHINSEKAI is one where no one has to lose anything.

All of the idols who enter SHINSEKAI as players enjoy themselves as they play around with the missions and events. And then they earn rewards for their efforts.

You can earn money just by playing—Doesn’t that make you happy?

Mm, it is one of the ultimate objectives of all living things to thrive without putting in any work toward that end. That’s why we have continued to evolve.

However, where do these rewards come from?

They’ll come from the service fees charged when using the SSVRS after it’s released to the general public. In situations such as this one, though, payout will occur at a later date.

And at the same time, we did record the activities of the idols and will be creating an interesting program out of it.

We’ll earn money from the people who pay to watch that broadcast and from tips—

Paying the players is the same as compensating performers. You can think of it like performing on TV or online streams.

And at the same time, SHINSEKAI has a story of its own that you and the others have been ignoring.

One in which you become a hero and defeat the demon king.

The story is structured in such a way that all players can get a sense of accomplishment relatively easily and at fixed intervals. It’s a game through and through.

You enjoy the game, and then you get a cathartic ending when you reach its conclusion. And you can also get realistic rewards and earn money just by experiencing the story.

You’re satisfied and rewarded in both reality and fantasy.

I’m sure people will get tired of playing the same story over and over again, so once the SSVRS is released, we’ll hire a professional to write the story for us.

Eventually, I’d like to create a program that will auto-generate the stories themselves.

Then SHINSEKAI will be perfect—A world where one can find happiness without having to do anything at all, a world where one can play without worries.

Did you know? These days, isekai worlds only exist to be idyllic lands of wish fulfillment.

There may be times of hardship, but even those instances are placed there to add spice to the experience and increase the player’s pleasure and satisfaction ♪

It seems these kinds of stories have become popular in our society, so I anticipate demand for even more. That’s why I brought these fantasy worlds to life.

An isekai world where everyone can be happy—That’s SHINSEKAI.

……

Of course, I know it’s not perfect. People have their own individual tastes, and there are exceptions to everything.

There will always be someone out there who isn’t satisfied just by playing around in a fantasy world.

But that’s exactly why we’re doing these experiments and making improvements based on the data we collect.

I want to create a perfect utopia where everyone in the entire world can be happy.

So how’s that? Do you have any objections?

Of course, I’m sure you can poke plenty of holes in my logic—

But I will just absorb any criticism or opposition and use it as nourishment to better perfect my SHINSEKAI.

I’l͡l ́kee҉p ̨g͠oing fo̷r̴eve̡r,̨ u̴nti͡l t̡h̷e ̷d͏ay ҉ever͡y̛on͝e ͟i̕n t͢he ̸w̕orl͝d͝ c͢an ͝be ҉hàppy̷.

̢Do͞ ͝you͜ t͡hink̴ I’m̶ ͘fo͡o̡li͏sh̴?͡ Do ̡y͜ou ͠think ̡I͜’m̢ ́wron͝g͜—̧W̷i͝ll͢ y̷o̵u͟ d͡eny̢ me͟?̨¹

Why would I? You love playing games and doing experiments, so I suppose this is just another one of your solutions.

I’ve no doubt you have put a lot of thought and effort and repeated countless trials and failures to create your ideal world.

I admire your efforts; I have no intention of denying you.

……

There is just one little thing that bothers me, though—

You are a fortune teller and a magician; you are the beloved child of the Five Oddballs. But above all—You are an idol, correct?

……

You have created a paradise on earth with your extraordinary, unbelievable magic.

While I value and respect you for what you’ve accomplished, you do not exist as an idol in this.

In this world, there is no Switch.

……

Well, I suppose you’re at your limits just managing the SSVRS. However, do not make light of your main occupation—no, do not make light of the life you have chosen for yourself.

Being an idol is clearly part of who you are, and you can’t pretend that part of you doesn’t exist. But as you are now, I can’t see any of you as idols.

As magicians, and as businessmen, you are sublime. If I may be frank, I am astonished with everything you’ve done. But as idols? You’ve fallen into disrepair.

Right now, none of you are idols. Do you not feel sorry for your fans, who love you as idols?

…Well, I suppose you’re right. I’m sure it looks to our fans as though we’ve taken a massive detour.

Yes. And that’s why your wonderful, kind “Shu-nii-san” will give you what you’ve been lacking.

…?

This was a beyond ridiculous, troublesome, and unpleasant place—But even so, I enjoyed this SHINSEKAI.

I certainly gained something from the experience. And so I will repay you for that.

My pride will not allow me to merely take what’s been given to me ♪