One month remained until the great war's commencement.
The weight of those words was felt by all present in that assembly.
In Fonkavun's capital, Crescent Moon. The Grand Council Chamber.
Surrounding a massive elliptical table, the leaders of each faction sat enthroned.
Fonkavun—Staffbearer Pepe.
Sutherland—Supreme Fleet Commander Doban.
The RPG Faction—Hero Yuu Shinguuji.
The TRPG Faction—Game Master Keiji Kirihara.
The SLG Faction—King of Mynoghra, Takuto Ira.
Every one was either the leader of a nation renowned across the Dark Continent, or a player of formidable power.
They had convened to make the final decisions on the direction and concrete actions regarding the imminent opening of the great war.
Though, to be precise, since the broad policy was already set, this gathering carried more of a rally's significance, in truth...
Uncomfortably shifting in his seat, Kirihara glanced back at the companions seated behind him.
It wasn't only the faction leaders present in this room. Their subordinates and allies had gathered in force as well.
They sat in the chairs prepared behind their respective leaders, quietly watching their masters deliberate.
Incidentally, the leaders of the two city-states, who would have normally been at the round table, had voluntarily chosen to sit here in the back.
They had judged that even seated at the table, they would have no say, and it was partly an appeal to modesty.
Of course, a significant portion was also due to a simple lack of courage to sit at the table, but there were no fools here to point that out or scoff at it.
"Still, to get everyone together just to decide on a name, huh..."
But what currently vexed these pillars of state, and these players wielding mysterious power beyond what any force in this world could hope to match, was a comparatively trivial matter.
Therefore, the question at hand was what to name this confederation that had assembled with Mynoghra as its leader.
"How about the Dark Continent Confederation?" Pepe offered, speaking off the cuff. He truly had spoken without much thought.
He had little interest in the matter to begin with, and honestly anything would have sufficed. Given that "confederation" had been the customary term used in past instances, there was a sense of casual compromise in accepting it.
"But that sounds like we're just imitating those other guys—how annoying. Can't we come up with something bigger?" Doban, Supreme Fleet Commander of Sutherland, interjected with a halt.
For him, the Dark Continent had finally unified—whether the reason lay with the Orthodox Continent Alliance or not, he wanted to avoid a knockoff-sounding name. Moreover, he knew full well that even if the higher-ups didn't care, the rank and file certainly did.
In a sense, it was a leader's duty to give people dreams. One could not neglect preparing a banner under which followers could stand tall with pride and courage.
Takuto understood this well. This was a grand war, after all. He wanted it to feel right just as much as anyone.
But ideas elusively refused to come. He had already agonized over this for tens of minutes, wasting precious time. There was no name that clicked.
...After a brief pause, Takuto decided to resort to his trump card.
"Keiji, got anything?"
That was, in other words, Keiji—the TRPG player.
"Huh? Why are you asking me... Ah, whatever—*Idea*."
He grimaced slightly at Takuto's words, then simply snapped his fingers.
*Clink clink*—a judgment sound that only he could hear rang out, and some result was produced.
"Uh... eye for real... top coat... yesterday or something?"
"Regalia Treaty Organization," he said. "Yeah, that. It's definitely something that ties us all together."
While Kuribara didn't fully grasp the meaning, Takuto immediately thought of the name revealed by the dice's guidance.
*(Even though it's "Idea," he's not actually thinking it up himself... Scary, that ability. Still, the name is interesting.)*
Takuto contemplated the act of Kuribara and the name derived from it.
There was no formal treaty declaring it, nor had any special mechanism or institution been established.
Yet, as a name to counter the Orthodox Continental Alliance, it did seem to have a certain impact.
"What does it mean? This 'Regalia' the leader's talking about," Doban muttered.
"It means 'treasure.' Like the sword I yielded to His Majesty, and I believe Sutherland had a ship... or was it something else?" Yu answered Doban's puzzled query.
Doban gave a slight, somewhat abashed nod, and Yu raised a hand with a smile.
Though there was a wall-like distance between them, as potential rivals, this level of relationship was perhaps appropriate.
"Huh? I didn't hand over any treasure," Doban grunted.
"Neither did I!" added another.
These two, on the other hand, were quite familiar with each other. Takuto gave a wry, troubled smile.
He didn't mind Pepe much, having known him for years, but Kuribara Keiji was different. The man apparently took great pride in having drawn with Takuto Ira, and had since started viewing Takuto as a rival. On top of that, he was overly close and friendly. For the socially awkward Takuto, this forwardness wasn't particularly welcome.
In truth, the cause lay partly with Takuto himself, who had been taunting and provoking Kuribara... but sometimes, ignorance truly was bliss.
Takuto explained to the pair.
"Fonkavun has been an ally for some time, so there's no need to worry. Well, when the time comes, we might ask for cooperation within their means, but..."
"Mmm? Feels like we're the only ones being offered benefits here," Doban rumbled.
"The 'Stomach-slitting' incident was always about you personally, so as long as you didn't betray us and kept using your power, that was more than enough."
"So I was... the treasure, after all?"
Stomach-slitting turned to whisper a report to the holy women seated behind him, receiving a similarly whispered reprimand in return.
Even so, his observation was spot-on. The Regalia had indeed been a crucial element in forging this current relationship. However, that applied only to certain nations and factions. Specifically, it held true only for Sutherland and the RPG faction. As Stomach-slitting pointed out, it seemed somewhat unsuitable as a unifying banner for all factions. Yet, Takuto considered. (Now that I think about it, the inter-nation agreements from this conflict could be consolidated into a single treaty, and the relationships strengthened over this past year could be formalized into an institution...)
"I don't think it's a bad idea. The prestige is good. A relationship guaranteed based on a treasure? That's cool as hell. I love that sort of thing!" Yuu said, and the others nodded in agreement.
Recording the history of nations was a job for future historians. This name, chosen for impact with its substance still undefined, would undoubtedly be shaped in unpredictable ways by the future, but well... he'd just have to hope they did it justice. Takuto told himself this, and made his decision: to establish this name as the banner for future relations.
(A name is important. Especially in this world where gods and miracles exist...) Takuto placed his hopes in the name "Regalia Treaty Institution" from yet another perspective. Gods existed in this world. And since the Regalia existed, the gravitational pull a name could exert couldn't be dismissed. By employing the name Regalia, he hoped to bind fates together.
"Then let us make it official. The alliance of all factions gathered here on this dark continent henceforth shall be named the Regalia Treaty Institution."
Applause erupted.
It was quiet, refined, yet forceful applause.
Everyone held expectations for the birth of this great power.
At first glance, it seemed a decision of little consequence, with no discernible meaning. But this ritualistic exchange was exactly what they needed right now. To become one requires more than just rationality or calculation. Especially when such powerful, individualistic figures gather together...
On this day, the Dark Continent was truly united for the first time. Here, the Regalia Treaty Organization was born.
"Anyway, since we're all factions harboring our own agendas, let's share a destiny together for a while."
"Whoa there, so keeping secrets is a given?"
"Well, it's a hastily assembled alliance, so naturally."
Yū blinked in surprise as Takuto pointed this out with a grin.
"Hehe! Just as the Alliance Leader says!"
"You dwarf, you should try to look a bit more dignified. You'll be looked down on."
"You should grow a bit taller before saying the same line, you damn...!"
"I'm not any different from you!!"
Doban, following Takuto's lead, argued with Kuruhata, who had voiced criticism.
"Will this even work together..."
"I think being able to complain freely is a wonderful thing! Right, Takuto?"
"I suppose so..."
Takuto sighed, while Pepe offered an optimistic perspective. Perhaps being overly formal and wary of each other would be counterproductive. Maybe this level of interaction was just right.
By reconsidering in this way, Takuto came to terms with the situation.
There was much to be done.
Deciding on a name alone would not have required everyone to gather together like this.
"Then let's each report on the military forces we've managed to prepare over this past year."
Takuto clapped his hands twice, drawing everyone's attention to himself. His primary aim was to mediate the argument that had broken out between Doban and Kuribara, but...
Fortunately, the meeting hall fell silent quickly, and all eyes turned to Takuto.
"Especially since Yuu only just barely made it back and has been swamped, so we haven't had much chance to share information. I'd like to make sure we get a proper briefing."
Takuto felt satisfied when Yuu returned an affirming nod.
He had only recently returned. After that, introductions to Sutherland and Kuribara, various confirmations, and grasping the current situation had all consumed his time, so he had missed the opportunity to formally share and review results.
But today was fortuitous—all the top leaders of every faction, along with key members, were all assembled.
Takuto intended to have everyone lay their cards on the table as much as possible and decide on a strategy.
"Also, I'd like to hear about everyone's trump cards before too long. If we miss today, who knows when we'll all be able to gather like this again."
"W-Wait! Is that really okay, Takuto Ira? Saying it all out right here? Aren't these things supposed to be revealed dramatically at the last moment?"
The first to react was Kuribara.
He still had one or two aces up his sleeve that he hadn't yet shown Takuto.
Of course, those were not things he had come up with on his own—they were precious trump cards he had desperately brainstormed alongside his companions. Even if they were allies, he felt uneasy about revealing them here.
"I suppose you're the type who'd get yelled at for having a plan in a real situation and not sharing it beforehand, huh?"
"O-Oh, I see..."
"It's not like a game or manga, you know. The rule of thumb is: dial back the theatrics!"
Yuu nodded as though convinced, agreeing with Takuto.
Of course, Yuu intended to hold back his full hand despite showing such a front... Among those present, the faction harboring the most secrets was undoubtedly the RPG group. There was no mistake in building a cooperative framework, and betrayal within the bounds of an alliance was absolutely out of the question—but even so, he had no intention of spilling everything, least of all things that didn't need to be said.
"Our side will disclose as well. I think you'll be quite surprised."
Takuto's words elicited a general sense of acceptance from everyone. Leaving aside Sutherland, Fonkavun, and the two city-states, there was no telling what shocking revelations might emerge from the player factions.
"I'm actually looking forward to it."
Takuto's words echoed the sentiment shared by everyone observing the course of the meeting from beyond the round table.
...
...
...
"That's a damn farcical fighting force..."
Doban muttered only that, his face tightening as he fell silent.
"So that's how much is needed, huh..."
Pepe wore a stunned expression, then fell quiet as if to say there was nothing they could do.
Meanwhile, the three individuals representing the player factions all shared the same reaction to the secret trump cards revealed by their counterparts.
((Those bastards really prepared some outrageous hidden weapons))
Everyone. Every last one of them was stunned. They hadn't expected this level of preparation. They hadn't imagined such absurd measures would be in place.
Indeed, their opponent was a powerful army centered around a Noble Succubus.
On top of all that, he had hack-and-slash equipment, card-game magic cards, and powerful formations like holy knights and holy maidens at his disposal.
Would anyone really go this far? Prepare this much? That was his honest impression.
At the same time, though he had never intended to, it was now laid bare that they could not simply betray each other with impunity.
The player faction immediately recognized that they had fallen into a three-way stalemate because of these outrageously excessive trump cards, and the neutral nations understood that the instant they betrayed someone, that impossible power would be aimed at them.
Everyone wore a smile that defied description, something resembling a bitter grin.
Don't do anything unnecessary. Stick to the original plan and strike the Orthodox Continental Alliance. That was the unspoken pressure and mutual agreement in the air.
As a tense, inescapable atmosphere settled over the room, it was Doban who muttered softly.
"So that's it... that's how you intend to use that ship."
Among the strategies Takuto had presented, one involved utilizing the Merurian. It was a ship he had genuinely handed over, so Mynoghra could use it however they wished.
Moreover, they were in no position to be making demands about how it was used.
Everyone understood this, but Takuto did not dismiss Doban's words.
"Have I offended you? Grand Fleet Commander Doban."
The quiet question was met with the man bearing responsibility for every ship shaking his head.
"No. That ship already belongs to the Alliance Leader. I've got no right to grumble and nitpick... But there is one thing I'd like you to hear me out on."
"Within reason, of course. What is it?"
"Give it everything you've got. Don't worry about the consequences—let that ship do as it was meant to do."
"I intend to."
The face of a man who had made his resolve. That trace of nostalgia he detected was purely his imagination—Takuto dismissed his own feelings as an error.
The worry was gone. Takuto decided to make a minor adjustment to the strategy.
"In that case, we'll need a bit more mana. Does anyone here have something of monetary value they could produce?"
Takuto posed the question to everyone.
It was mainly directed at the player faction. Demanding monetary contributions from neutral nations would be far too unreasonable, and the burden too great.
Most importantly, the amount Takuto needed couldn't possibly be covered by that alone.
"I'd rather have gold myself. Why would you want money, Takuto Ira?"
"I'm going to convert it into magic power at our market and use emergency production to upgrade the Merurian. If there's anything left over, I'd like to put it toward replenishing Mynoghra's forces too."
Kuribara showed a look of understanding, as if to say "oh, so that's doable." He had been hoping the TRPG abilities might offer some solution, but it seemed there was no such method. If he had GM authority, things would move faster, but unfortunately that option wasn't available.
"Well then, I'll put up the gold. That was your intention all along, wasn't it? How much do you need?"
The lifeline came from Yuu.
Takuto nodded with gratitude. He had been hoping for this, but he didn't know how much she had, and he'd been reluctant to press the matter, so the offer was welcome.
It was, after all, an alliance relationship. Especially between players...
But now that Yuu had made the offer, he figured he could push his luck a little without inviting retribution.
"Everything you can spare. You know what kind of opponent we're dealing with, right?"
But her expression was one of confusion.
Rather than offense, she looked troubled, as if caught in some dilemma.
"Huh? Is there some reason you can't?"
Takuto instinctively blurted out the question, caught off guard by the unexpected reaction.
"...No, it's just that I have about ten billion."
"You're sitting on maxed-out gold reserves! Got it, got it... Let's hash out the details later in private."
Ten billion is not ten billion yen. It is ten billion gold. Accurately measuring the value of a single gold in this world or in "Eternal Nations" is difficult.
But if we consider a single coin of pure gold to be one gold, then it becomes clear just how vast his assets are.
Takuto was also somewhat stunned, as he hadn't expected such an enormous sum. However, at the same time, it meant more could be done. The plan to equip the soldiers beyond the original schedule would now proceed smoothly.
Takuto thought, if you have this much, you should have said so earlier, but the one who had secretly kept the mana-generation cheat for converting gold at the "Market" hidden until now was none other than him.
It was frustrating that he couldn't fully criticize the situation.
"Umm, I don't really get it, but I understand it's something we can rely on!"
"We're the reserves, so we don't go to the front lines much. And from what I've heard, it doesn't sound like something we could really handle."
The two nation representatives, who didn't fully understand, followed along, deciding it was probably fine.
For the players' faction, it was a relief that the representatives here didn't particularly ask for explanations, instead accepting it with a sense of "so that's how it is." After all, there was a lot of information they couldn't share with them.
In that sense, Pepe and Doban, who didn't show excessive curiosity or ask unnecessary questions, were indeed worthy of being leaders of a nation.
"Right, let's each do what we need to do. With this much force, we certainly have a good chance of winning."
Takuto concluded at the end.
Of course, there were still mountains of other topics on the agenda. The conference to decide the fate of the Dark Continent was nowhere near over...
=Message===
An alliance has been formed.
Regalia Treaty Organization
Leader: Ruin King Takuto Ira
Participating Factions:
- Mynoghra
• RPG Faction
• TRPG Faction
• Fonkavun
• Sutherland
• City-State Gramphyl
• City-State Ironhenge
Until the alliance is dissolved, acts of war between allied nations are prohibited.
Furthermore, declarations of war against other nations are made on behalf of the entire alliance, and that decision is made solely by the alliance leader.