Preparations for transportation and lodgings have already been completed. So long as my lady saves her allowance diligently, there should be no issues...

Huuuh!? You're not gonna give me anything extra...!?

Hey! Alice! Mister Valjean! What are you talking about?

"What is she talking about", she asks... we're talking about the event, of course!

Huh? Could it be... do you mean...!?

That's right, Comic Market! Cipher is tabling again at Winter Comiket this year!

Yaaay!

Comic... Market...?

Ah, Miss Poe! Good afternoooon!

Oh, good afternoon to you too. You're so polite, always greeting me.

So, this... "Comic Market", what is it exactly? I only just arrived in this world, sooo...

Comiket--that's what everyone calls it--is the world's biggest doujin event, held twice a year in summer and winter!

In the corporate booth area, plenty of companies lay out displays and sell various goods.

Cipher always tables at winter Comiket--this will be its fifth year!

Oh, my, that sounds like fun!

Alice really loves Comiket!

Ever since Producer Kawade announced it over livestream the other day, my lady's practically been bouncing off the walls out of a mix of excitement and nerves.

I-I can't help it! I mean, there are so many awesome things for sale every year! I have to make a plan so that I can be sure I get everything...

But they still haven't released much information, huh... For example, they mentioned some "Heroic ABCs Karuta", but I still have a lot of questions about it...

Fufufu... so you want to know more?

Huh? Th... that voice!!

If that's the case, I'll teach you a lessooon!!

I knew it! It's Miss Shade!

If it's the latest Cipher information, leave it to me! Today's subject: the Heroic ABCs! I'll tell you allll about it!

First, the full title is "Sing and Play Heroic ABCs"! It is the centerpiece of Cipher's table at Comiket this year!

Sorry to interrupt, I have a question... what do you mean by "sing and play"?

One person reads a sentence, and the players race to pick up the card that corresponds to it. Whoever has the most cards at the ends wins!

So it's Karuta!

Karuta! I love Karuta!

Heh heh heh! It's no usual Karuta set! They made all of the cards out of Cipher illustrations by various illustrators!

That's right! And this time, I even got my hands on a deck to show everyone! Take this!

Uwah! So many heroes!

My, what beautiful illustrations. How am I supposed to choose?

The quotes feel very targeted, too--interesting!

Sir Owain's card has that signature line of his inscribed on it.

There are plenty of cards aside from this one as well. Look forward to seeing the whole thing!

And if I'm not mistaken... the cards are Cipher-sized, aren't they?

That means you can use Cipher card sleeves to protect the deck. Very user-friendly!

Speaking of user-friendly design... there are spare cards in case you manager to lose any of them, too, so fret not.

Ohh, That's Mister Xane and Miss Loki! They're characters that can change into all sorts of forms.

These were clearly carefully selected.

And that's not the only amazing thing about the game! Heroic ABCs also... comes with an audio recording of the line readiiings!

They said that on the stream, didn't they? If I recall, the reader is...

Roy, from Binding Blade!

Indeed, Jun Fukuyama--voice of Roy--provided his wonderful voice for us! Here's a photo from the recording session!

Wow, playing it with Roy's voice sounds even more fun! That's really exciting!

Fire Emblem fans won't be able to resist, I'm sure.

And, and! That audio data... it's stored on this Falchion-shaped USB stick!!

S... So cool! And when you plug it into your computer, it looks like you've stabbed it! Very stylish!

It holds 4 GB of data, so you can use it like a normal USB!

No way... one won't be enough!

(In that case, I'll have to conspire with Val later...)

Oh, my, Alice... don't do that...

Huh!? W-What!?

Heehee... make sure to follow the rules while you're shopping~

Y-Yes ma'aaam!!

That concludes my little explanation... did I properly convey the appeal of the Sing and Play Heroic ABCs?

Yeeep!

Shade, you are great with explanations. You've sold me!

This is a great opportunity, Val. We are definitely going to get one! ...legally, following all proper procedures.

Of course. We will line up and buy as much as your savings will allow you to!

Yep! I definitely don't wanna miss out on anything!

The game will be excellent for reflex training.

A product encapsulating the history of heroes... verification and further research is necessary...

Ahh! It's Mister Randal, Miss Yuzu, and Miss Niamh!

Hey, Shade. They're gonna sell other goods at Comiket too, right? Tell us about those.

Of course, they will have the fan boxes, play mats, acrylic keychains, and plenty more appealing goods!

But anything else is still a secret! Producer Kawade will be revealing more at the next Cipher Livestream, as far as I know, so keep your eyes peeled!

I see, so I will need to tune into the next livestream.

Broadcase date: Saturday, 12/7. ...I won't miss it...

Well, feel like I can't wait, but I'm gonna have to!

More information will be released incrementally from here, so check back later!

Well then, everyone...

Come on by the Cipher booth at Winter Comikeeet!

Index