Story Reader / Collab / Blazing Simulacrum / Story
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After staring at the holographic map that updates the positions of the pieces in real-time, Fida, who hasn't been moved yet, turns to look at the Craftsman who finds herself in the same situation.
Does this mean we can't decide what we want to do?
The "pieces" are controlled by the "player," which would be the "King".
We on the chessboard cannot communicate with the player, and the player's judgment is the only thing that prevails.
Doesn't it seem contradicting? How the "pieces" get to decide where to go when the "player" is the one dictating the whole game?
But what if the "player" has to sacrifice some of their "pieces" for the sake of victory?
Are we "dead" when that happens?
The game only continues the way the "player" wants it to when his or her "pieces" are willing to sacrifice themselves for the "player."
Sacrifice...?
It's pretty obvious, no? Not all pieces can reach the goal.
Let's say, for instance...
As if seeing something coming, the Craftsman turns to look at the dice floating beside her.
A second later, the dice lights up, showing a "6".
But this doesn't seem to indicate the steps the Craftsman should take; instead of guiding her path, the dice simply vanishes.
With it, the 3D map, having been covered in meaningless numbers, now clearly shows the "events" of the six cells.
Just like this, being a "Bishop", I'm not meant to reach the goal per the rules.
Strategically speaking, if you want to win, ensuring all of your pieces reach the goal is less important than eliminating all of your opponent's pieces.
Woah... you seem to know a lot about this game.
Ha ha, do I?
I wouldn't know. That was just a random analysis.
And at the end of the day, the "King" is the one who makes the call.
Are you really okay with getting sacrificed?
We don't know what's going to happen to a piece if it gets taken out of the game...
Heh, let me ask you this.
Why do you think no Mental Images have ever successfully challenged the "King" before? Is it because they weren't powerful enough?
That's because...
Simply put, it's because Mental Images are rooted in the principle of "conflict" and won't compromise for anything other than themselves, and this game is the ultimate denial of that philosophy.
The fundamental premise of "sacrifice" is allowing others to infringe upon the boundaries one sets for themselves.
The player can be godly smart, but that doesn't change anything about Mental Images—they don't want to be "consumed" at someone else's will.
Even if they do not fear "death," that is.
...
In some ways, you are well-suited for this game.
Unlike the other Mental Images, you seem to dislike conflict and prefer compromise or outright avoidance.
I...
But if the path you've chosen to escape from a conflict leads you to an end you never want to see, what would you do then?
Would you give up everything, or struggle with all your might?
Uhm...
Fida gazes at the masked figure, feeling as though she's peering into something she shouldn't.
Why are you... telling me these?
Ah... sorry. Did I sound a little too serious there?
Never mind what I just said. Consider it light-hearted chitchat to liven up the mood.
H-how could I not take it to heart?
Sigh...
Fida looks again at the "chessboard." She is now at the very back of all the pieces.
As the "King" said, she's an "extra" that pops up from nowhere, her piece being a most inconspicuous "Pawn".
Her existence might be absolutely irrelevant to the outcome of the game.
Meaning that whatever happens on the board has nothing to do with her...
Just as Fida tries to make herself feel better with these passive thoughts as always.
Her dice lights up.
Her "King" hasn't excluded her, but she still doesn't know what role she's supposed to play in this game.
...
The number on the dice seems to be telling her to move forward. She doesn't know what's going to happen if she doesn't do as instructed.
Then, she lets out a sigh, clenching her fist slightly and starting to walk in the direction the dice indicates.
