A struggle over Takuto's lost consciousness unfolds.
After Vittorio's covert machinations and battles against the Diary Saint, a fleeting peace was finally about to descend upon Mynoghra.
It seemed fate itself was particularly fond of toying with them.
As Takuto speculated on the intentions behind what could be read as an audacious declaration from the new enemy, the Virtuous Witch Vagia, he sensed another upheaval heading their way.
"So, the invitation in question is verified as genuine."
"Yes. Formal letters requesting participation in the conference have been received by various nations, including Fonkavun. While information on Quolia remains insufficient, we have word that the letters also reached other nations on the Dark Continent."
Atou, standing at his side, confirmed from a document as she answered Takuto's words echoing in the audience chamber.
The audacious and flippant worldwide declaration from the other day.
Several days had passed since then, and information corroborating that day's events was now converging upon Takuto.
He had acquired a certain amount of information regarding the Succubus forces that made this troublesome proposal.
However, it was also a fact that this information was rather limited.
Under normal circumstances, it would have been appropriate to investigate the matter on the Elfu side, including the El-Na Spirit Contract Union.
But resources had been drained by handling the numerous wars and problems that had arisen, leaving a deficit in information.
Gritting his teeth at having fallen behind on this matter because too many other priorities had taken precedence, Takuto recalled the cards in his hand and lightly tapped the armrest as he considered the next move.
"Hmm, what to do..."
Atou did not speak, silently observing her lord's contemplation in response to his murmur.
She understood well that interrupting in such a moment would only hinder the king.
Even without her saying anything, he would naturally arrive at the answer.
This was less a matter of trust or reliance Atou placed in Takuto, and more like an assured fact or physical law.
"A conference inviting all nations and factions... I suppose you could call it a full-faction summit."
Takuto's thoughts advanced one step further.
If he took at face value the offer from the Succubus faction that had occurred days ago—that is, the words of the witch Vagia—it could be described as a grand gathering that would involve the entire Idoragia continent.
Whatever their intentions may be, given how publicly they had declared this to the entire world, Mynoghra was certainly expected to participate as well. But as far as Takuto was concerned, the honest truth was that he had no interest.
Charging into enemy territory without knowing the other party's true nature was a bad move, to state the obvious. His trip to the Renea Sacred Light Kingdom to reclaim Atou had been an extremely high-risk endeavor.
A nation's leader cannot afford to go strolling into enemy territory on a whim—subordinates would never sleep soundly at night. The role of a leader is not to fight enemies on the front lines.
Takuto reminded himself of this over and over. One must not mistake what one is suited for, what one excels at.
Moreover, Mynoghra's policy—the dimensional ascension victory that included the goal of reviving Isla—could admit no compromise or alteration.
That meant an ultimate confrontation with every faction.
Whatever intentions other factions might have in participating, the ceasefires and peace treaties proposed by that witch—Vagia—were by now impossible.
Given those prerequisites, it was clear the offer was far from attractive.
"Since information is lacking, it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to learn who we're dealing with. Honestly, I am curious what interesting game genres are participating, and it would be valuable information for planning future strategy. That said, the risk is high."
Atou listened to Takuto's words and offered a soft smile, nodding as if to say it was entirely his to decide.
Takuto, having grown somewhat accustomed to it lately, returned the smile to Atou, then took a deep breath and gazed up at the ceiling.
"This is a tough one. Which way should I lean?"
As though savoring the dilemma, Takuto voiced his trouble aloud.
Their policy of world conquest was already decided.
But refusing to participate in this meeting and proceeding with nation-building entirely as they pleased was also a choice that carried considerable difficulty.
The enemies they would eventually have to defeat were formidable.
The abilities they wielded were foreign and alien, each one bringing changes to the world that bordered on miracles.
During the Game Master battle, Takuto had managed to snatch victory through his stratagems. But had Takuto never known what TRPGs were, there was a real possibility they would have been completely shut out.
When considering that point, there also exists risk in continuously ceding initiative by lacking information on the opponent. The extent to which beings in the same position as myself—that is to say, other players—remained unknown. Ideally, he wished to gather intelligence without exposing himself to danger.
"Can't be helped. I'll use the Defective, then..."
Takuto slowly raised his gaze heavenward. At the same time, his eyes met those of the grotesque, child-like effigy clinging stubbornly to a beam above.
The monstrous unit, Defective, he had created as a bodyguard. Though its original purpose was protection, he was reluctant to move it excessively, yet its capabilities were overwhelmingly potent.
With combat prowess rivaling heroes and special abilities of that caliber, it would surely meet Takuto's current requirements.
"Ah, I see! You intend to send it as your double, Master Takuto!"
Atou—his devoted confidante who had remained constantly at his side since his resurrection, like a persistent burr—nodded as if she fully understood.
A little tense before her now much closer proximity, nodding repeatedly before him, Takuto laid out the current strategy.
"The production cost is steep, so losing one would be far more than merely painful... Still, in terms of being expendable, it's a handy card to play. Being overly cautious and ending up on the defensive is no good either; a degree of proactivity is necessary."
Depending on where the Defective was produced, it could possess various special abilities. The individual Takuto had just observed excelled in concealment and disguise.
By utilizing its "Mimicry" ability, it could transform to resemble Takuto, and by employing telepathic communication or shared vision, it could be operated like a remote radio.
He intended to employ the same method he had used when plotting against Vittorio.
"It is indeed a sound strategy. If so, not only would Lord Mortar and the Dark Elf subordinates be relieved... Naturally, I would be as well!"
"When I think about it carefully, since arriving in this world, both you and I have encountered perhaps too many close calls. Even so, I can't very well say I'll participate personally."
"In that case, I was fully prepared to stop you by force!"
"Haha, yes, that's right..."
Despite his words, Atou's gaze remained thoroughly earnest, earning a wry smile from Takuto. He understood her sentiment all too well. In reverse—if she had insisted on participating as the representative, he too would have stopped her with all his strength.
In the end, it was already decided that Takuto would not participate directly in this meeting.
Therefore, the only thing left was to think about how to gain the maximum benefit for themselves within the limited conditions.
"To be honest, the real desire is to take no action and stay holed up. But as an opportunity for information gathering, it's top-tier. If it's true that all factions are gathering, at least we'll be able to understand what kind of forces we'll have to oppose in the future."
In the end, that was it.
Whether it was an RPG faction or a TRPG faction, one of the reasons they had fallen behind against opposing forces until now was a lack of information.
This meeting of all factions was indeed risky, but if they could get a rough idea of the forces that had come to this world, it would be easier to formulate countermeasures.
Therefore, Takuto's thoughts gradually leaned towards participating.
"Talk related to players is really difficult to handle. It inevitably involves game talk, so I can't carelessly bring it up with the Dark Elves, and the stress builds up."
"Isn't that what I'm here for! If Takuto would just speak your thoughts, I will listen and advise you anytime, anywhere! The only one in this world Takuto can consult about the real world, that is me, Atou!"
"That's really comforting and reassuring, but didn't you forget one more person?"
"Eh? Was there such a person? Unfortunately, my memory doesn't contain them..."
"I-Is that so..."
There was another hero not present here.
The blissfully slip-tongued Vittorio. He too was someone Takuto could consult with regarding problems tied to the real world.
However, regrettably, the relationship between Atou and Vittorio could be described as at its absolute worst.
The prime cause of that was precisely Vittorio's unfathomably insincere personality that mocked others... While it wasn't good for figures positioned at the core of the state to be at odds, Takuto felt a strong sense of resignation that there was nothing to be done about this particular matter.
"However, Takuto. While I think the plan to send a shadow of the 'incomplete one' to the meeting is acceptable, shouldn't we consider the possibility of an enemy trap? Indeed, it's been confirmed that this discussion is being held with all factions as the premise. But if the opponent is also thinking of antagonism with all factions, like we are, then inviting them to their own territory for this meeting could be called a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. In that case, there's a risk that valuable 'incomplete ones' could be lost..."
"That's certainly true. If we can confirm the other side, it means they can confirm us too. At the very least, there's a high probability of our game and ability information being leaked, and worst case, some kind of debuff could be inflicted. However—this is more like intuition than anything else—I think the possibility of it being an obvious trap is low."
"And you say that because...?"
Atou tilted her head in puzzlement at Takuto's words.
There had been a certain suspicion—that he'd used slightly vague phrasing for someone like him. With a small nod at that gesture, Takuto proceeded to explain in meticulous detail for his retainer's understanding. It concerned, above all, the matter that weighed most heavily on his mind.
"That Succubus elder sister—well, let's call her Vagia, as her confirmed name suggests—do you remember her declaration? During her announcement the other day, she invoked the name of a 'god.'"
"Ah, yes... the 'Expanding God,' I believe. I've never heard of such an existence."
Gods, in other words, supernatural beings. Embodiments of transcendence lying beyond human reason. Sometimes compared to the collective consciousness of humanity or the universe itself, they were now the existence troubling Takuto most acutely.
"I'd already deduced, to some extent, that our current situation involved interference from something beyond comprehension. The fact that you and I, Atou, transferred to this other world in physical form is, when you think about it, an abnormal event. It's easier to explain as the work of someone's hand, rather than a natural phenomenon."
"In other words, you're saying our arrival in this world, and all the various enemies you've faced until now, are all orchestrated by this so-called 'god' in the background?"
"Most likely... yes."
A shadow fell across Atou's face.
Gods did exist within 'Eternal Nations.' For example, the 'Nameless Evil God' whose concept Takuto embodied was one such being. There were others, but they served as mere units, leaders, or key figures in the narrative—essentially, just part of the stage machinery.
What Takuto spoke of was no counterfeit like that. Beings who presided over the creation and destruction of worlds, over phenomena and concepts—those who stood truly above all things. Not the gods spoken of in games or stories, but something far more vast. Having grasped this from Takuto's tone, Atou felt a rare sense of inexpressible unease.
"So, I expect they'll maintain the facade of a meeting. Given what's at stake for a god's prestige. But if, even after that, they still choose to move against us..."
"...And then?"
"Hmm. It might be that this so-called 'God of Expansion' is operating on principles far beyond our comprehension. Something like that?"
Atou nods at those words.
She can mostly follow Takuto's explanation. She can, but the feeling of unease in her throat, as if a bone were lodged there, still wouldn't go away.
"That said, what we ought to do is actually quite straightforward. First, strengthen Mynoghra's national power, and aim for Dimensional Ascension Victory to revive Isla."
Atou quickly nods in agreement at Takuto's words.
Seeing this, Takuto feels satisfied.
Her confusion was within expected limits. Being told outright that it involved a god, it was natural she couldn't picture it.
Even Takuto himself didn't really get it. It felt like telling a fairy tale, a sense that the details were shrouded in mist.
But now, that very strange feeling had become the beacon guiding Takuto toward conviction.
(Thinking back, the TRPG faction we clashed with in the Renea Divine Light Nation seemed to have received directives from a god. And according to the Elful sisters' account, even the Demon Lord's army might have had the same possibility.)
The TRPG faction's witch, Erakino, and her master, Kuhara, apparently kept the divine information secret, so they didn't know much. The Demon Lord's army also mentioned the god's name a few times, but never elaborated on the specifics.
And then this declaration from the Succubus faction.
Despite the scant information, the conclusions drawn were clear.
(If the witch Vagia calls her own god the 'God of Expansion,' there must have been some event that confirmed that name... Other factions are clearly receiving interference from a god. That's obvious from the situation.)
(Why does Mynoghra—why do I—receive no such interference from a god? In the battle against Kuhara, the TRPG player, there was undoubtedly some clash at a higher dimensional level. If that's the case, it's not like we're entirely outside any divine protection...)
(What on earth are they thinking? If possible, I'd like to talk to them once...)
Takuto's thoughts sank into darkness.
On the matter of divine beings.
What manner of existence was his own god? And what did that existence expect from him?
Why did they not interfere?
As his thoughts sank deeper, ever deeper, until they reached the bottom of the sea of consciousness—a profound darkness he had never before attained—before Takuto's eyes—
"Lord Takuto—Lord Takuto! You have been in deep thought for some time. Are you quite well? If you wish, shall I bring you something to drink?"
Atou's call jolted Takuto, making his body tremble slightly.
Atou also seemed surprised by this reaction, her eyes widening, but Takuto spoke in an extremely bright voice to hide the inner turmoil and confusion he felt.
"Oh—my apologies. I was just thinking a bit. Yes, perhaps I'll have something warm. Sorry about that."
"I shall bring it right away, then."
...
...
...
"God... huh."
Confirming that Atou had bowed and withdrawn, Takuto let out a deep sigh and sank heavily into his throne.
Everything was completely unknown, yet a premonition—that this would become something tremendously troublesome—clung stubbornly to his heart like sludge he could never wipe away.
===
A Faction Summit has been proposed by the Witch Vagia.
Leaders of each faction, players, please decide whether or not to participate.
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