The conference, momentarily derailed by Elder Mortar's forceful course correction, steers back toward the main topic. Only Atou seemed somewhat displeased, but understanding the meeting had already been disrupted, she merely puffed out her cheeks without voicing a complaint. Takuto also felt awkward continuing under such a strange atmosphere, so he quickly redirected the discussion back to reviewing the essential matters.
"Now then, despite the various irregularities, the fundamental tasks remain the same as always. I'd like to confirm information with everyone again first. Is there anything to report?"
The partial resolution of the royal guard issue allowed Mynoghra's administrative structure, previously in disarray, to finally realign, and serious state governance once again commenced. The initial agenda was, of course, identifying and listing the problems. It began with uncovering the full scope of the myriad issues that had piled up and weighed heavily on their minds.
Confirming information was the most basic step of all.
"Come to think of it, we have been somewhat lax in our information gathering lately," Emuru noted. "We had stated we would continue efforts to collect intelligence, but has anything come to light?"
The conversation traced back to the period when Takuto's memories were gone and Atou had resolved to summon Vittorio. At that time, Mynoghra's movements had undeniably slowed due to the leader's absence, but that did not mean the subordinates had been wandering around completely in the dark. As decided in the previous meeting, they had been conducting more detailed information gathering than ever before, especially regarding intelligence.
"Indeed. Several pieces of information have already come in," Elder Mortar replied. "The smaller details will be provided in writing later, but the major items are ready to be reported here."
"That is excellent. Then... could you perhaps start with the matters that require less deliberation?"
The intelligence had been gathered through the Dark Elves' unique espionage network, from traveling merchants and wanderers doing business in Dragontan, and from high-probability inferences drawn from various data. These had been collected with even greater diligence than before and relayed to the upper echelon including Elder Mortar. For governance of the nation—no, for making sound judgment in all matters—quality information was the essential foundation.
While it was a natural duty for a leader, the methodical task of receiving and confirming reports from subordinates was the most fundamental principle to prioritize.
"If I may go first? It concerns our relationship with Fonkavun, which was a point of concern." Emuru raised her hand and took the lead in reporting.
Fonkavun had been playing catch-up due to all the recent turmoil, but judging by his expression, the report seemed relatively positive.
"We've received word from Anterize that there has been no deterioration in goodwill or any concerns on that front, and our relationship remains as good as ever. The king's letter we sent the other day and the concrete progress on the Dragon Vein Cave seem to have done the trick."
"That's precisely why I created the Dark Spirits. I ordered them to convert the pure Mana of the Dragon Vein Cave into Earth Mana and to improve the land within Fonkavun's territory. It should serve as a fitting gesture of apology for their recent offenses."
Takuto nods with satisfaction at Emuru's good news.
The results were as expected, but the instructions had proven precisely effective.
The Dark Spirits that Takuto had ordered produced. This magic unit, of which Mynoghra was so proud, possessed the ability to wield all manner of military magic in accordance with the Mana it held.
And the military magic made possible by Earth Mana was Land Normalization.
This was a spell that stripped a plot of land of its properties, transforming it into precisely what its name implied—unremarkable, ordinary terrain.
It carried the drawback of neutralizing even rich characteristics, and at first glance it seemed like a spell with virtually no use.
But on the barren earth of the Dark Continent, this magic shone like nothing else.
If you imagined greenery returning to the desolate wastelands that stretched on endlessly, the meaning became immediately clear. Ordinarity, at times, was worth that much.
Of course, it was inferior to the higher-tier spell Fertile Land. But for Fonkavun, which had been perpetually plagued by food production issues, this was precisely what they had been waiting for.
Beyond that, Takuto had also foreseen that the land improvement would create something akin to a bubble economy.
His calculation was that if the kingdom was kept busy with domestic prosperity, they would be inclined to laugh off even a certain degree of discourtesy.
And that calculation proved correct. As Takuto recalled the words of gratitude penned in the letter bearing the joint signatures of Fonkavun's staff-bearers, he felt relieved that relations with the friendly nation would continue.
"We'll keep up our exchanges with Fonkavun to maintain our current relationship. I should write some letters to Pepe regularly as well. Oh, and I need to give Anterize a reward for her hard work. Well, maybe just some wine... Something like that for now."
"Yes! That concludes my report!"
With such auspicious news, the expressions of those gathered for the meeting relaxed somewhat.
The issue with the friendly nation had been settled. Other neutral nations were low priority, so stability on the Dark Continent was effectively secured for the time being.
Deciding that there was little further to discuss regarding Emuru's report, the next to speak was old Mortar, who began his briefing.
The content was quite different from before, and rather troublesome.
"Next is a report regarding the righteous nations of the Northern Orthodox Continent. Unlike the El-Nar Spirit Contract Union, whose current status is entirely unknown, we have received a fair amount of information concerning Renea and Quolia. I trust this will assist in your future judgments."
"…If my memory serves, the capital of the Renea Divine Light Kingdom should have sustained considerable damage. So, it sounds as if Quolia is involved in its reconstruction?"
"Precisely as Your Majesty astute observation. A Saint of the Diary, one of the remaining Saints in Quolia, has been dispatched to that land. She is currently striving to counter the oblivion and pestilence sown by the Elful sisters."
"A Saint has been deployed… I see."
The King closed his eyes, falling into deep thought, and his subordinates maintained a respectful silence.
Takuto summoned his own memories.
He knew a fair amount about the Saint of the Diary. While her exact abilities were unknown at this stage, his impression from speaking with her directly was that conflict did not seem to be her strong suit.
Takuto judged that her purpose was, as expected, to handle the aftermath in the Renea Divine Light Kingdom, rather than to launch an invasion of Mynoghra or the Dark Continent. He opened his eyes.
"The plague was concocted as per the King's orders, with a focus on high infectiousness. Big sister worked very hard, but the Holy Faith's Oblivion was limited to within the city."
"We tried our best!"
"Yes, thank you. You did exactly as I envisioned."
The Elful sisters, who seldom offered opinions, eagerly seized this chance to present their achievements.
To Takuto, their efforts and results were in fact the crucial key, and he felt he ought to praise them even more.
However, before Takuto could formulate his heartfelt words of commendation, an extremely important question was posed.
"But as we informed you beforehand, Carrie and the others have to maintain this power, so they can't move around very much, you know?"
"What is the King going to do now?"
The twins' innocent question left the adults with question marks hovering over their heads.
This was understandable. The conversation up to this point should have sufficiently covered the answer.
Namely, by causing chaos in Renea's territory, they would restrict the holy nation's actions.
The chaos in the southern provinces connected to the borderlands of the Dark Continent would become a shackle when the Holy Nation sought to exert its influence there.
Everyone had believed that Takuto intended to temporarily withdraw to the Dark Continent to regroup, having achieved the partial victory of reclaiming Atou and destroying the Renea Holy Nation. However, only these twin girls possessed a keen, instinctive, almost demonic intuition that allowed them to perceive that the diagram Takuto was sketching involved far more.
"Haha, it seems you two have some idea. Actually, that move had meaning beyond just buying time. If it were only that, simply destroying the city and its inhabitants would have sufficed."
"Then, Lord Takuto, you had some other operation in mind for that territory!?"
Atou interjected smoothly, voicing the group's collective doubt. Her eyes shone with awe and excitement, suggesting she was once again realizing just how formidable Takuto was. Overwhelmed slightly by the intense, sparkling gaze she fixed upon him, he nodded, confirming that such an operation did indeed exist.
It was still in the conceptual stage, lacking fine details, but the action he had ordered the Elful sisters to take was a preliminary step for this next strategy.
"As expected of you, Lord Takuto! To think you not only acquired the enemy's technology but are always planning two or three moves ahead! My heart trembles with admiration!"
"Precisely, precisely. Truly, it is as they say of a king's wisdom—it knows no bounds. As expected, you alone are the very embodiment of our nation. These old bones can barely keep up with the conversation."
"I wonder what the strategy is..."
"Yes, indeed, dear sister. What do you think will happen next?"
At first, everyone's reaction was joy. Takuto's strategies, exceeding mortal comprehension and weaving divine plots and devilish schemes—his next move had already been made, and Mynoghra was steadily advancing toward its ultimate goal of seizing control of the entire world in its grasp.
This had been especially pronounced since the king's return; even while still in poor health, he showed no sign of weakening. Ah, how magnificent Takuto Ira truly was. He was, without question, the very darkness destined to engulf the world.
"However—there are others besides me who have noticed this..."
But then that excitement instantly vanished, replaced by an indescribable wave of anxiety. There existed no one who could follow the profound, transcendent thoughts of the king of ruin, Takuto Ira—with the sole exception of one person.
Among the Dark Elves, just as an unpleasant premonition and a name began to surface in someone's mind...
"Forgive the intrusion during the meeting—this is an urgent matter."
A voice, strained with tension, spoke up in the conference chamber.
Near the door, a single soldier knelt on one knee, quietly waiting for permission to speak. An emergency messenger. It seemed some trouble had arisen.
Receiving the collective gaze of beings who might as well be heavenly beings from a common soldier's perspective, the poor messenger's face was stiff with apprehension.
Of course, it was made known that interruptions during meetings were permitted if necessary, so his actions were not out of line.
However, the fact that waiting for the meeting to conclude was deemed unacceptable meant this was not a matter that could be viewed optimistically. Tension rippled through everyone present, with one exception.
Only Takuto seemed to be enjoying himself, pointing cheerfully behind the messenger as if checking the answer to a quiz.
"Tell that child."
"Yessir! ...Erm, tell whom exactly—Wha—!"
"Careful..."
The Dark Elf messenger flinched in surprise at the sudden appearance of the "failure" behind him.
Puffing out its cheeks, seemingly displeased with his attitude, the "failure" nonetheless seemed to have understood the message, for it moved silently and without a sound to Takuto, who lacked the ability to use telepathy, and whispered in his ear.
What was the report?
As the gazes of all meeting participants converged on Takuto, he laughed from the bottom of his heart.
"So, that's how it is. This timing, huh."
"My king... what is it?"
"He came to see me."
At those words, the tension skyrocketed.
Takuto Ira, King of Mynoghra, and his subordinate, the hero of verbal gaffes, Vittorio.
At last, the time for those two to face each other had arrived.
What would this encounter bring?
Before the inevitable storm, even his retainers could not muster a word and remained silent.
"I'm looking forward to this. I wonder what impossible demands he'll make."
Vittorio, who had been secretly active in Dragontan until just now, was coming to meet his lord, Takuto.
This meant his plans had already succeeded, and regardless of whether his intentions were to present a tribute or issue a challenge, it was worth confronting Takuto with.
What would the hero known as the "master of verbal blunders" bring to Mynoghra?
Whether he understood their feelings or not, Takuto simply laughed with enjoyment.