Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 43: The Alignment of the Gods
“It says here… Dungeons & Dragons Core Rules 10?” Ivna tilted her head, brows furrowing slightly, her crimson hair slipping over one shoulder as she fixed Marlon with a curious gaze. “It doesn’t seem… to be part of this novel, does it?”
Her voice carried both wonder and suspicion, for in front of her Marlon had once again spread out an astonishing array of strange objects—
Polyhedral dice of every imaginable shape and color, their edges gleaming faintly in the lamplight. Maps and labyrinth charts, marked carefully with colored inks to distinguish regions. Stacks of blank sheets divided into neat grids. And finally, cutouts made from stiff card stock—miniature characters dressed in elaborate robes, armor, or scholarly garb, as well as grotesque creatures with claws, fangs, and wings.
Ivna’s eyes lingered on them, half fascinated, half confused. If she had been a transmigrator from another world, she would have recognized them instantly: the characters Marlon had crafted resembled monks, Daoists, scholars, and wandering swordsmen, all exuding the unique charm of Chinese tradition.
And those monsters? Many of them were unmistakably drawn from the Classic of Mountains and Seas. Their odd forms, exotic features, and uncanny strangeness spoke of mountain spirits, ocean demons, and the bizarre races said to dwell beyond distant seas.
“Yes,” Marlon replied with a small nod, acknowledging her suspicion without hesitation. “You’re right. This is not part of the novel.”
With deliberate care, he dragged over another writing desk from against the wall, placing it beside the first. Then, with a sweep of his arm, he cleared both surfaces, the sound of shuffling papers and tumbling dice filling the room. Afterward, he spread the prepared items out methodically: dice, maps, cards, manuscripts. From the thick pile of drafts, he separated three uneven stacks.
“These,” he explained, pointing to each in turn, “are the Dungeon Master’s Guide, the Player’s Handbook, and the Monster Manual. Together, they form what is known as Dungeons & Dragons Core Rules 10.”
As he spoke, his tone carried both pride and the earnest passion of a craftsman unveiling his masterpiece.
Then, almost ceremoniously, he unfurled a vast hand-drawn map across the table. The parchment smelled faintly of ink and effort, and bold characters were written across the top:
“Complete Map of the Four Continents.”
Ivna leaned closer, her red hair brushing against the paper as her eyes widened. “It all looks… so intriguing. What’s their selling point? Are these supposed to be instruction manuals for your toys?”
Her voice betrayed genuine interest. Though the sight was strange, perhaps even bewildering, she could not deny its novelty. For someone like Ivna—the fiery-haired queen who had never hesitated to explore curiosities or test the unknown—this was an irresistible lure.
“They can be seen as manuals, yes,” Marlon admitted with a shrug, lips curving in amusement. “As for their selling point…” He paused, studying her thoughtful expression. She’s already seen through the basics at just a glance. Sharp as ever.
So instead of answering directly, he shifted the question. “Tell me, Lady Ivna, what do you think of the Marlon Cards?”
Ivna tapped her chin, feigning consideration. “They’re… decent, I suppose. At the very least, they sell spectacularly well. Our publishing house has already printed over three million sets, and still demand far outstrips supply. Every day people come knocking, begging for more. The market’s even crawling with counterfeits now.”
It was a solid answer, but Marlon shook his head. “No, no, that’s not what I meant.” His eyes gleamed with excitement. “What I mean is… this too is a kind of Marlon Card set. Only, its rules are far more intricate—dozens of times more so! Which also means it’s dozens of times more fun.”
He leaned forward, his voice gaining momentum as he continued:
“Lady Ivna, you’ve already read The Book of Aery– Classic of Mountains and Seas. Well, this game is built upon the same foundation. But instead of the ancient eras described in that tome, it takes place slightly later—during the great transition between the Yin and Shang dynasties in the southern continent of Jambudvipa. Within that stage unfolds the conflict of gods, humans, demons, and spirits—the four great races. Three divine pantheons clash and scheme, while a brand new one rises from the chaos. All of this,” he tapped the handbook stack, “has already been written down for the players to experience.”
His words flowed like a storyteller’s chant. While speaking, he pushed the Dungeon Master’s Guide and Player’s Handbook toward her.
“Please,” he invited warmly, “take a look at these. Once you read them, the rules will become clear.”
Ivna did not hesitate. Her interest had already been ignited; curiosity was a fire that rarely left her cold. With swift hands, she opened the guides, her eyes scanning line after line. Years of experience as the chief editor of a magazine had honed her skill—she could skim rapidly without losing the heart of the content.
Yet soon her pace slowed.
Slowed again.
And then, halted completely.
The reason was simple: what had first appeared to be a game was revealing itself to be something far greater.
At first, the manuals described strange professions. The most basic were Qi Practitioners and Warriors. Qi Practitioners were further divided into the elemental paths of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Warriors branched into Rangers, Swordsmen, Spearmen, Monks, Archers, Assassins, and Knights.
That was understandable enough. But then she read about attributes—Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma—quantified qualities that defined a person. And when these were combined with racial lineages—Immortal, Human, Demon, Spirit—each came with their own unique bonuses and flaws.
But it was when she reached the section on gods that her worldview nearly shattered.
For example—
Shangdi (also known as the Jade Emperor)
- Divine Rank: Intermediate Deity (Divinity 8)
- Alignment: Lawful Neutral, leaning Good
- Domains: Creation, Leadership, Social Order, Heaven
The text described Him as the Jade Emperor of the Celestial Pantheon, robed in flowing golden vestments, his crown shimmering with celestial light. A kindly elder, never prone to wrath, yet unyielding when justice demanded it. Negligent gods were punished. Fallen ones were cast down to suffer the mortal world. His palace, the Grand Jade Palace of Taiwei, stood upon the thirty-third heaven. Few temples honored him on earth, yet every mortal emperor called himself “Son of Shangdi” and offered sacrifices in reverence.
Ivna’s hands trembled slightly as she read. Gods… described with such detail? Even their personalities, their alignments… as if they were pieces in a game.
And then came the explanation of alignment: nine distinct ways to classify morality and order—Lawful Good, Lawful Neutral, Lawful Evil, Neutral Good, True Neutral, Neutral Evil, Chaotic Good, Chaotic Neutral, Chaotic Evil.
She read the examples—
A Lawful Good ranger who lived by law, order, and compassion.
A Chaotic Good outlaw who robbed corrupt barons but sheltered farmers.
A Neutral figure who sought absolute balance, refusing extremes.
And a Chaotic Evil villain who sowed ruin for greed or hatred.
By the end, her heart was pounding, her red eyes wide with astonishment. To think that people, even gods, could be defined this way…!
She slammed the book shut, unable to contain herself. “Marlon, you’re a genius! An absolute genius! Tell me, quickly—how do we play this game?”
Marlon chuckled at her enthusiasm. “That’s easy enough. First, you’ll need a blank character sheet. On it, you’ll write your character’s name, age, race, class, and identity. According to the rules, I’ll then calculate your attributes, starting equipment, and skills. After that, as the Dungeon Master, I’ll place your character into the world itself…”
He paused, lifting a finger. “Ah, but Lady Ivna, there’s one thing. You shouldn’t go alone. Adventuring in an unfamiliar world by yourself is rarely enjoyable. I imagine Miss Adela, Master Conchita, little Amy, and the ever-straightforward Ester—together they’d make your first journey into this fantastical realm far more delightful.”