The Nebula's Civilization

On the day of the Mafia game, those who agreed to participate in the Mafia game were seated around a round table at the top of the Tower of Beginnings in the Hall of Myriad Stars.

Sung-Woon had just finished explaining the rules of the Mafia game. "...Those are the rules. No one's confused, right? Sha-Cha, put your hand down. Lakrak, you too. ...Ovenwave, why are you raising your hand? Didn't you say you've played with friends?"

Ovenwave said, somewhat embarrassed, "I don't know the rules, but I just played."

"You played without knowing the rules?"

"It was fun."

"You had fun without knowing the rules?"

Sung-Woon looked around at the others, puzzled.

Wisdom said, "Looking at us like that won't make us know any better."

Lunda said, "It's just...getting caught up in the moment or something like that."

As Sung-Woon was about to retort, Sha-Cha raised their hand again.

Sung-Woon said, "I told you to put your hand down. I'll give additional explanations."

"That's not it."

"Then what?"

"I'm asking why that is here."

"That?"

Sha-Cha pointed their finger across the round table at Aldin.

Aldin was blatantly avoiding eye contact.

Sha-Cha continued, "That’s not a Constellation."

Krampus then interjected, "Sha-Cha, there's no problem with participating in this game even if someone’s not a Constellation."

"It's not about ability. I'm questioning the qualifications."

"This is just a game."

Sha-Cha shook their head. "It's not just any game. Winning this game means defeating the Nebula and Hegemonia. And didn't we also agree on a small bet?"

The bet, proposed by Lunda, was that the losers would do a favor for the winners.

This Mafia game was determined to be a series of rounds with a scoring system, where each player, whether a civilian or a mafia, earned one point for each win, and the first player to reach ten points would be declared the winner. This meant there could be multiple winners depending on the situation.

The favor itself was vague and could hardly be considered obligatory, and it was not directed at any particular individual, but it was a favor to be fulfilled by a Constellation after all. Depending on the individual circumstances, it could be significant. However, Aldin was the only one present who was not a Constellation. Therefore, from a certain point of view, it was hard to say that the game was played with fair stakes.

Somehow avoiding Sha-Cha's gaze, Aldin sighed and said, "Alright. It's probably better if I step out."

As Aldin was about to get up, Krampus twisted and turned not knowing what to do, thinking he should intervene but couldn’t find a solid reason to do so.

"Wait." Sung-Woon stopped Aldin and said, "Sha-Cha, are you not going to participate in the game if Aldin plays?"

"No."

"So you don’t love the idea, but you’re okay with it, right?"

"Sure."

"Then let's all play together."

Aldin sat down without a word of thanks.

Sung-Woon's gaze was on Krampus, since it was Krampus who had wanted Aldin to participate in the game, and Krampus responded with an awkward smile.

HumanTracker said, "But didn't they say they don’t understand the rules even after it was explained? From what I see, they’re more of a problem than Aldin."

Lunda suggested, "Then let's make them extras."

Lakrak asked, "What's an extra?"

"A person who participates in the game but doesn't get wins or losses. So you, Sha-Cha, and Ovenwave, would be extras."

Krampus murmured to himself, "What is this, an AI mode in LoL[1]?"

Then Yummy suggested, "Why not just make the first round a practice game instead? If they still don't understand, they can just drop out of the game then."

As the players agreed with Yummy's suggestion, Sung-Woon also nodded in approval.

Hegemonia, who had been leaning back in her chair with her hands behind her head, almost tipping over, suddenly snapped and placed her elbows on the round table. "Is that all with the nonsense? Are we starting the game now?"

Sung-Woon nodded. "With twelve people, three as mafia and the rest as citizens should work, right? Of course, if we're being strict about the winning rates...."

Hegemonia interrupted, "It’s fine. Luck is also a skill."

"You’re not just saying that because there’s no other way to beat me without luck, are you?"

"Seems like you feel like you’re in trouble if you aren't able to provoke me, huh?"

Sung-Woon laughed. "Maybe."

Hegemonia, knowing no good words would come from Sung-Woon's mouth, glared at him with a scowl.

Sung-Woon continued, "This Mafia game is streamed throughout the Hall of Myriad Stars, so opposite to your confidence, it'll be an opportunity to show your terrible skills, won’t it? That’s why I wish you would be more confident."

Hegemonia gritted her teeth and smiled. "That's my line."

As Sung-Woon had mentioned, monitors streaming the Mafia game players seated around the round table were installed throughout the Hall of Myriad Stars, with its members watching the scene.

The installation of these monitors and the live streaming of the game were conditions set by Lunda.

“Well, I guess we can have the loser fulfill a small favor of the winner, but I hope nothing too significant is staked on the game. Instead....”

“...Instead?”

“I'd like it to be broadcast live.”

Sung-Woon didn’t ask why. He was aware that the Constellations of the Hall of Myriad Stars felt annoyed because of Hegemonia. During times of battle against other irrational worlds, they were grateful to be on the same side, but in peaceful times, there was no end to the trouble caused by her stubbornness.

For example, when Sung-Woon refused to compete further after winning three matches, Hegemonia, using the pretext of training for external invasions of the Hall of Myriad Stars, had her Apostles launch a mock attack on the Hall of Myriad Stars.

Then, when Post-its that said ‘dead’ were put on the backs of various Apostles and Constellations, and a Post-it that said ‘exploded’ was stuck on the main computer of the Sanctuary, Sung-Woon had no choice but to compete against Hegemonia again.

'Has she never learned how to make friends? Did she lose some screws in her head on her way to Avartin?'

Still, Sung-Woon thought well of Hegemonia, considering that the power of a Constellation could influence one's personality. The Constellations chose their power, but the reason for their choice was always inherent within themselves. So Sung-Woon often contemplated a life inevitably encompassed by war.

'That’s that.'

In a game, one could become quite unattractive in the pursuit of victory, but if someone was watching, it also provided an opportunity to view oneself objectively. In other words, they could maintain their dignity. Constellations had to be a role model for other beings, and they also felt that way about themselves.

Especially Hegemonia, who, although not as much as Sung-Woon, had a significant following.

'By not hesitating to employ any method to win, if defeated, it would certainly be an embarrassing sight. That might lead to more restraint in seeking competition.'

Of course, it could also be the opposite, but Sung-Woon didn't think too deeply about it. The reason Hegemonia constantly challenged him with literal fire in her eyes was significantly influenced by Sung-Woon's provocations, but he considered it a strategy and a means to victory and not a problem in itself.

Anyway...it doesn't seem like Lunda's idea alone, there seems to be more to it, but I'll play along.

As the tension between Sung-Woon and Hegemonia persisted, Wisdom said, "...Sanctuary. Sorry, but we need a moderator."

[Of course. It is an honor to be involved in the Constellations' game.]

At that moment, a faint white light emerged from beneath the chairs where the players were seated.

The Sanctuary continued,

[Currently participating players will be illuminated by this light. The light will turn off for those eliminated through mafia nomination or civilian vote, and they will be blurred and muted using a visual distortion field. The mafias can recognize each other and communicate through internal conversation before deciding on a target. The mafia discussion time is 30 seconds, civilian discussion time is 10 minutes, and the rebuttal time during the first vote is 30 seconds. Would you like to proceed with the game?]

All players expressed their agreement in their own ways.

[...Mafia nomination complete. Night has fallen.]

Sung-Woon blinked. In the corner of his vision floated the words 'Role: Mafia.' Then he realized that the Sanctuary hadn't mentioned how the night would be simulated, but now he came to know.

What he had thought were just decorative black cloths above the round table had become curtains that obscured the players' vision. They blocked not just the visible spectrum, but also ultraviolet and infrared, and even other senses not limited to sight. It was a curtain imbued with magic.

[Mafias, please confirm each other.]

'How do we do that?'

Sung-Woon wondered but soon found out. The mafia's vision could penetrate the curtain, and they could see who the other mafia were through the fabric.

After identifying the other two mafias, Sung-Woon smiled bitterly.

'Well, this has turned out rather tricky.'

After discussing with the other two mafias, Sung-Woon nominated their first target to be killed for the first night.

***

[Day has dawned.]

[The victim of the first night is player Nebula.]

After the black curtains were drawn back, the players looked at each other, remaining silent for a moment.

Sung-Woon, hidden behind an opaque wall, sat quietly without making any move.

Hegemonia was the first to speak. "As expected. Although, it’s unfortunate they killed Nebula first instead of me."

Hearing this, Lakrak nodded.

Then Ovenwave, perhaps annoyed at Lakrak's nodding as if he knew something despite claiming to know nothing about the game, asked, "Um...Hegemonia, did you anticipate who was going to die?"

"Of course." Hegemonia nodded. "The mafias would want to kill the person who seems like they would play the best first. I don't particularly agree, but I know that Nebula is relatively recognized by others as being good at the game. So, it makes sense, in a way. Hmm, but with such an obvious person dead, it's tricky to decide whom to suspect...."

Lunda said, "I have someone in mind to suspect Hegemonia."

"Who?"

"It's you!" Lunda pointed a finger at Hegemonia.

"Me? Haven't you learned to never make a bet unless you’re sure?"

"Well, of course I have my reasons."

"Let's hear it then."

Lunda held up three fingers. "First, you want to beat Nebula."

"It's just a practice game."

"Even if it's just a practice game, you want to win. Even if you claim it's not true, at the very least, to others it seems you wouldn't give even a practice game away. Anyway, with Nebula dead, you're relatively winning, aren't you?"

"...Well, go on."

"Second." Lunda took a breath before continuing. "You were the first to speak after seeing Nebula's death."

"So what?"

"It's a Mafia game. Everyone knows that controlling public opinion is key to winning. But the more one feels threatened, the more hasty they also become."

"So, you suspect me just because I spoke first? Just based on the order?" freewebnov(e)l

"Not solely for that reason. There's a third reason."

Hegemonia furrowed her brows and waited for Lunda to continue.

Lunda said, "Your words."

"What I said?"

"Honestly, if Nebula died, you'd be the most suspected. But you tried to deflect suspicion from yourself by saying someone definitely wanted Nebula dead first to avoid suspicion at all costs."

Hegemonia smiled. "Interesting."

1. League of Legends ☜

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