The hero of verbal blunders is defeated by the King of Ruin.
No—from the very beginning, there was never to be a contest.
Long before Atou even summoned him, Takuto had foreseen this flow of events and taken measures against it.
Whether Atou awakened his consciousness, or grew impatient and sought Vittorio's aid—no matter how events unfolded, Takuto's victory was assured from the start.
The evaluation within 'Eternal Nations' that Takuto Ira was the most adept at handling Vittorio was an unexaggerated, pure fact.
"T-Takuto-samaaaaa!!"
Atou, who had been a decorative statue until a moment ago, suddenly rushed to Takuto and threw her arms around him.
Though Takuto was slightly startled by the suddenness, maintaining his composure was perhaps proof of his growth.
"I-I am so moveddddddd!"
However, contrasting Takuto's inner turmoil, Atou remained overwhelmed with emotion.
He had defeated the formidable Vittorio so splendidly.
Beyond the exhilaration of defeating a hated rival, the fact that Takuto had consistently chosen her brought her to the pinnacle of happiness.
"Incredible! Takuto is incredible! To see through and shatter that Vittorio's scheme so magnificently! I am deeply moved!"
Incidentally, Takuto was frozen stiff while being embraced by Atou.
He managed to feign composure, but in the end, that was his limit. He could think of nothing clever to say, simply letting his precious, most trusted aide have her way as her excitement reached its peak.
"But why didn't you explain it to me? I was, I was so worried that I thought Takuto might really disappear!"
"No, I did explain it properly, but you didn't understand a single thing, did you, Atou?"
"………Takuto-samaaaa!!"
She's dodging the question…….
While clinging to me with a tight embrace, she broke into a cold sweat.
It was true that Takuto had informed Atou of this strategy at an early stage. He had done so because she worried so much, and more fundamentally, to secure her cooperation so that she wouldn't misunderstand and go on a rampage of her own. But judging by this attitude, she hadn't really grasped the full picture.
One could argue it was understandable—Atou was never the type of hero to employ such scheming, nor did she have any need for it. Still, Takuto felt a twinge of frustration that she hadn't made more effort to understand what he was explaining. But as for the woman in question, the whole matter was water off a duck's back.
She had been captured by the enemy, only for her beloved master to seize her back. On top of that, he had resolved every subsequent complication from the palm of her hand. It was only natural that she was beside herself with elation.
That said, there was perhaps a touch too much jubilation in her demeanor.
"Heh heh heh! But now it's clear, isn't it? Takuto's most trusted confidant is none other than me! Someone like you could never wedge yourself between me and Takuto, Vittorio!"
Atou delivered her victory declaration.
There was certainly a question lingering about what exactly she had done, but a victory declaration seemed to be in order regardless. Drawing on a somewhat childish possessiveness over the master she revered, Atou thrust the reality before Vittorio—your time has come and gone.
And as for the hero of loose tongue who had suffered a crushing defeat—
"Gyaaaah!"
With a sudden, piercing scream, he began rolling around on the ground.
"W-What on earth..."
Takuto and Atou both recoiled instinctively at the abrupt outburst. The sight of the two clinging to each other and reacting in perfect unison, like a blissfully happy couple, only drove Vittorio to scream even louder.
"The sudden cuckolding unfolding before my very eyes! My brain is being destroyeddddd!"
"No, there's no cuckolding to speak of. It was never even a thing between us, to begin with."
"Know your place! Know your place!"
Within Vittorio's mind, his revered lord had just been abruptly stolen away by some unknown little tramp. Takuto and Atou were denying this with all their might, but anyone who could be reasoned with into accepting such a thing wouldn't be known as the Hero of Slip-Ups.
Still raising cries of grudge against the two of them, lecturing them on exactly how being cuckolded destroys a person's heart, Vittorio was completely unaware that the subjects of his rant weren't listening to a single word.
"Ah, and Atou. That... you're a bit close, maybe."
"Ah! S-sorry! It's just, when I thought Takuto was thinking of me, I just couldn't help myself..."
"Y-yeah. Thank you, really. Um... it's because you were taking care of me the whole time that I could recover so quickly."
"I-I'm devoted to you after all..."
"E-erm..."
"Whoa! Whoa! Pretend I didn't say that! Pretend I didn't say that, Takuto!"
They finally realized they were holding each other, it seemed. Faces flushed red, they separated. It appeared that within their own little world, Vittorio no longer existed.
Listening to Vittorio's monologue would only take forever, so best to leave him be. Takuto and Atou's judgment coincidentally aligned, which, in a sense, was the correct course of action.
Naturally, the fury of the pitiful hero who had his lord snatched away right in front of him showed no signs of subsiding.
"Damn it! pulling that sweet middle-school-love-comedy crap like you're some new couple... Do you have any idea how much blood, sweat, and tears I poured into this plan?! This is how you repay me?!"
"D-dating...! W-well! Takuto and I are super close, you know! It was a happy ending from the very start! As for your Second Plan, know your place, and from now on, devote yourself to Mynoghra somewhere out of my sight! Right, Takuto!"
"Y-yeah, that's right, Atou."
"Hehe~!"
Atou was simply her natural self. Her feelings for Takuto overflowed, and she was only expressing her affection for him from the heart. But this was precisely what grated on Vittorio's nerves to the absolute limit.
Even though Vittorio rarely showed genuine anger, this was one matter he was truly serious about.
In that sense, Atou and Vittorio were probably eternal rivals with a relationship akin to dogs and monkeys—a perfect match for the "oil and water" comparison.
"You're acting like you're the main heroine!? The race isn't over yet!"
"Hold on, why are you assuming you're in the heroine race in the first place? There's no way!"
"Shut uuuuup!!! I will not give up, O Great God Takuto Ira! Someday, I'll kick that flower-field romance-brain out of the top spot and become the clumsy bunny-ear maid as God's consort!"
"Oh... that story was still going on."
Takuto looked exasperated too.
If his scheme had succeeded, right now Vittorio—transformed into a clumsy bunny-ear maid—would be his beloved subordinate, and the invincible, all-powerful Takuto Ira would be starting his conquest of the world.
The real Vittorio would indeed transform by any means necessary to become truly fitting as a consort, but given his original self, the revulsion would be overwhelming.
In that world, Atou would surely be cast out from the palace too, left to beg pitifully on the roadside.
Truly the worst possible outcome. It was a relief his plot had been thwarted successfully.
"I will not give up! As long as you don't give up, dreams come true! Never give up, never-give! That's me!"
"Give it up already! There are no more chances! It's my victory and Takuto's victory! The match is over! Game set!"
The two heroes began arguing noisily over something utterly trivial.
However... at the very least, this matter could now be considered settled.
He had shown Vittorio the true dignity of a ruler and recovered his own power.
Atou was still by his side, and although the nation's operation had many points needing adjustment, it was gradually getting on track.
Vittorio's interference had strengthened the Holy Army further, but well, that too was unavoidable. Higher difficulty meant greater challenge.
The interesting organization of the Ira Religion had also been established, and from now on, opportunities to act would only increase.
He hadn't forgotten his objective. The goal of regaining everything lost through a dimensional ascension victory drove Takuto forward without a hint of complacency.
"Well... Having Vittorio here is reassuring. Continue lending me that wisdom of yours for my sake going forward. And as for the games... keep them moderate."
"Mmmmm! Of course, absolutely, yessir! The blessed, eloquent Vittorio! From past to future, I shall dedicate my all solely to your service!"
Thus, this latest skirmish came to a peaceful end.
As the sovereign, I already grasped the situation of the battle that occurred in Amrita and the retreat of the Ira faith's followers in Selduchi.
Reuniting the Elful sisters and issuing new orders to Yonayona will require reorganizing our forces, but from a broader perspective, it has resulted in an expansion of our territory—a highly successful outcome, to be sure.
Well, this rapid increase in our domain means I'll have to put everyone through another round of paperwork, but perhaps that's simply an unavoidable fate by now.
Come to think of it, it had been quite a while since I could sit back and strategize like this.
The thought of considering our next strategy with Vittorio added to the mix was simply thrilling.
"So then, without further ado, I shall immediately begin drafting the next operation..."
Naturally, there was no chance Vittorio would simply listen, so some advance warning was necessary.
To the eloquent hero who, after pledging his loyalty, immediately began plotting in the shadows, Takuto offered a pointed reminder.
"Before that, make sure you explain everything to everyone first."
"Hmm? Everyone?"
"Yonayona and the Elful sisters."
"...Oh crap."
He had likely forgotten about them entirely, or perhaps never cared in the first place.
He had faked his own death and withdrawn from the Saintess of the Diary. Worse, he had left it at that, never informing his companions of his revival ability or his safety.
Takuto couldn't know what emotions they held, but judging by their outward conduct, he was undoubtedly in for severe reprimand.
"Well, you reaped what you sowed. Be prepared for your punishment. Besides, you can't die, so whatever they do to you will be letting you off easy, right?"
He showed a grin.
Well, after all the trouble he'd caused those around him, he should accept even this as only natural.
Takuto conveyed those words to his hero, fully aware that a certain satisfaction in seeing him get his comeuppance was not entirely absent from his mind.
Just as that exchange between master and servant was drawing to a close—
"Ah, ah-ha. Testesu. Can you hear me?"
"Wh—!?"
In an instant, a colossal voice that seemed to thunder across the world itself reverberated in all directions.
All three immediately entered combat stance, searching for the source of the disturbance.
It was Atou who first picked up on the presence and point of origin of the sound.
"Lord Takuto! It's coming from outside!"
They rushed outside in a hurry.
All three wore grim expressions at the unexpected development, but in this world, the unexpected was an everyday occurrence. Letting oneself be shaken by something like this would keep victory nothing more than a distant mirage. They were surprised, but not rattled.
And yet—
"Hello, everyone living on the Idoragia continent~! Your big sister Vagia, the Succubus, is here to spice things up for you~♪"
The sight of a giant, half-naked harlot filling the entire sky shattered even that composure.
"What in the world is that harlot..." Atou's dumbfounded voice drew an involuntary nod of agreement from Takuto.
A titanic body that seemed to scrape the heavens. The fact that the landscape behind her was faintly visible suggested this was some kind of illusion conjured through magical means.
It resembled the dramatic flair of a villain from a manga or game, but when what appeared on screen was a bewitchingly beautiful woman whose very image was poisonous to the eyes, even Takuto found himself at a loss for judgment.
"Ah, the witch from El-Naar? She hasn't made a move until now, yet suddenly takes such bold action."
Her gaze wasn't directed here. In other words, it wasn't aimed solely at them.
It was likely a broadcast intended for the entire continent.
Indeed, the content she spoke confirmed that speculation.
'To all players, organizations, and nations within this world—I propose something. You may have your own reservations, but fighting one another while remaining strangers is nonsensical! Shouldn't we call a temporary truce for peaceful discussion? This witch, Vagia, has the means to arrange it♪'
Takuto had already repelled the TRPG faction's player.
That clash was spontaneous, and its outcome inconclusive.
Even if they themselves aimed for world conquest, the TRPG faction's objectives were thoroughly unclear, as were the goals of El-Naar itself and the witch who ruled it.
Even if their own course of action wouldn't change in the end, it seemed unwise not to understand the thoughts and intentions of the opposing side.
Especially since... in this world, gods existed who had summoned them here.
From the perspective of uncovering those intentions as well, it was an intriguing proposal.
'Messengers will be dispatched to each organization shortly! Well then, in the name of the Apostle of the Expanding God, the witch Vagia, I shall anticipate each of your presences~♪'
She said only what she wanted to, then vanished.
The fact that she intended to send messengers implied that a certain amount of information about their side had already been leaked.
There was almost no information available regarding the witch of El-Naar—that is, the succubus forces and the existence of the witch Vagia.
Though they had been preoccupied with disputes involving Quolia and Renea, it was now certain that their opponent was one step ahead in the realm of intelligence.
"Takuto, what in the world is this...?"
Atou asked, her tone laced with confusion.
Her words overflowed with unspoken frustration: they had just begun to find a moment of peace, only for trouble to erupt once more?
Takuto found himself in agreement with her sentiment.
My plans to reinforce the border with Quolia and grow our national strength while remaining isolated have been snatched away from the start.
Even so... the world, once set in motion, waits for no one.
"Hmm..."
"It truly feels like things have finally started moving, doesn't it?"
Even Vittorio looked exasperated.
He was something of a spectacle-lover himself in his own way, but perhaps the turn of events had surpassed even his tastes, prompting some reflection.
Takuto hoped he wouldn't develop some odd sense of rivalry, but he himself well understood that there was absolutely no guarantee of that.
And the turning of fate's wheel would not wait for them.
"Hm?"
A faint premonition flitted through Takuto's mind, and the next instant, it was announced.
=World Message===
Player Onigou Masato and the Worthless Witch Munnin have been confirmed annihilated.
"The God of Clarity" has been defeated and is withdrawn from this game.
The Administrator of the Game,"The God on the Board", wholeheartedly cheers for the remaining players' efforts.
―――
A system message at this juncture.
And this one likely concerned the very conflict being waged within this world.
On top of it all, a god...
"This is going to get busy..."
Threatened with drowning in the torrent of information, Takuto offered a faint smile in the face of the world's challenge.