An unexpected encounter with another nation. And a friendly dialogue.
In other words, after the meeting with the Fonkavun delegation concluded, the key figures of Mynoghra, led by Takuto, were in a flurry, beginning discussions on how to respond and their future strategies.
"I certainly didn't expect the talks to advance this far so quickly. While I'm pleased, there are many points we need to consider, which is quite taxing. You'll have to work hard on this too, Old Mortar."
"Indeed, I will. But my, my. Selecting the foodstuffs for trade, confirming the resources to be received in return, ensuring communication between us moving forward... ah, but before all that, choosing the defensive force to send to their side."
"Yes. Considering the content of the talks, that is the most urgent matter. Securing the Dragon Vein Cave is extremely important for us. Generating mana from the earth holds great significance for our kind. From food production to increased resource output... frankly speaking, whether or not we have it makes a huge difference in strategy."
With the inclusion of Old Mortar, Mynoghra's sage, a thorough examination of the response was immediately underway.
Also present were Chief Warrior Gia and Emuru, who had transitioned from secretary to Minister of Domestic Affairs, and unreserved opinions were being exchanged.
In truth, since Takuto and Atou had handled the negotiations, they hadn't interjected unnecessarily, though they had been present at the talks.
Therefore, there was no need to re-explain the contents. However, the recent negotiation and agreement had been concluded in haste.
There had been no time to consult on the details, so while they were determining the policies after the fact, they were now finalizing the specifics.
"My, my. The folks from Fonkavun certainly made a gross blunder. To think they'd approach us with such a childish negotiation."
"Yes, yes. Exactly. Pepe, as Lord Tonukapoli said, was, well, not quite... quite a piece of work. Though I can't bring myself to dislike him."
He couldn't be disliked. Foolish, crude, and seemingly branded a failure in every respect, the only point in their favor was that they hadn't become hostile. Because of that, Atou judged them to be passing, barely. This sentiment was shared by Old Mortar and the other Dark Elves, which is why their reaction to the Fonkavun delegation was indescribably ambivalent.
"But, Your Majesty. I do not presume to question your decision, but one of those who came to negotiate, Lord Pepe, seems quite reckless. Could such a person being a leader not lead to some mistake?"
Old Mortar posed the question to Takuto cautiously.
Rather than holding back concerns in awkward silence, Takuto always instructed them to speak their minds. Therefore, no one in this setting would chastise his words as disrespectful to the king.
However, the fact that even Gia, Emuru, and Atou all turned their gazes toward Takuto showed their concerns were aligned.
"Hmm."
(But was that truly all genuine?)
Takuto fell into deep thought.
Indeed, Pepe was just as they feared—quite the fool, and rather thoughtless.
Especially that gaffe at the end of the conference.
Because of it, Mynoghra had managed to conclude negotiations from a considerably advantageous position.
As a result, while a redeployment of forces would be necessary, they could still calmly obtain the Dragon Vein cavity originally planned for.
Conversely, looking at Fonkavun...
Considering their situation, it could also be said to have turned out optimally.
They had originally seemed strained dealing with the barbarians, and Dragontan, as expected, appeared to be stretched thin.
Pepe's blunder had even led to the decision to dispatch cooperative troops, but otherwise, the exchange would likely have remained limited to sharing military intelligence.
In other words, it would have been a situation of: "We've met amicably, but for now, we each need time."
If that had been the case, would Fonkavun have had the remaining capacity to defend Dragontan's city...?
(Thinking about it, deliberately raising his voice at that timing was unnatural... Hmm, but still. He really is an idiot, isn't he, Pepe.)
In any case, he considered that becoming friends with him wasn't a bad thing.
Given the state of their respective countries, there was no reason to be so hostile, and unlike the Holy Knights of Quolia, this time, discussions were proceeding peacefully.
Between an evil civilization and a neutral one, there would be some friction, but not to the extent of being completely unable to cooperate.
Rather, looking at it from a broad perspective, it could be said without exaggeration that they had obtained results beyond their hopes.
Takuto was especially moved that he had been able to become friends with Pepe.
He was essentially someone whose family background was a hospital. He shouldn't have had any friends, and he had considered such things to be mere fantasy.
And yet, he had suddenly gained a friend. It was impossible not to be delighted.
(I'm concerned about the barbarians, but it would be ideal if we could continue getting along with Fonkavun like this.)
After all, everything had only just begun.
Who ever said true friendship could exist between nations? If circumstances changed, even Fonkavun and Pepe would take measures to make enemies of Mynoghra.
A friendly nation with whom you have exchanges, versus subjects you must protect.
When forced to choose between the two, which one to pick was a foolish question that didn't even need asking. Of course, for Takuto as well, if faced with the same situation, the choice was crystal clear.
In any case, the current situation was perfectly peaceful.
Perfectly peaceful.
Though limited to the two nations, what Takuto desired and wished for most was being realized.
They observed intently, but there was no reason to dislike them.
Thus, the answer was...
"Takuto? Are you lost in thought?"
"Mm. Regarding Pepe, I'm holding off judgment. Probably—it'll be fine."
"As you command."
At Takuto's brief verdict, everyone present bowed their heads deeply.
The King of Ruin and leader of Mynoghra, Takuto Ira, had delivered his final judgment and decision.
Therefore, his words were the supreme truth, surpassing all else. There was no room, no meaning, for doubt or dissent.
Takuto watched his subordinates' steel-like loyalty manifest before him, nodding with satisfaction.
Thorough top-down command was what was necessary to run an organization in good health.
Hands and feet that executed without a moment's deviation what the mind conceived. That was the most essential thing for moving the colossal beast called a nation.
Unlike a game, there were human emotions, so Takuto was wary of various human errors—like discrepancies in understanding or misinterpretations of orders. But current Mynoghra, as his hands and feet, was proving itself more than satisfactory through its actions.
That is precisely why Takuto could devise all manner of strategies to his heart's content.
First, however, he must clear the task at hand.
The barbarian problem.
Its method of appearance was different from the norm. That single point was the aberration, and the threat.
(The enemy suddenly appearing, just like—)
A ludicrous fantasy flickered through his mind.
Before it could fully form, Takuto gave a faint, wry smile and pushed the thought deep into the recesses of his consciousness.
◇ ◇ ◇
That day, Takuto showed a visible excitement he hadn't displayed in quite some time.
Atou, witnessing his lord's elation, grew excited in turn. The dark elves observing the scene wore expressions of slight tension, seeing their lords in a rarely-seen state.
"At last, at last, they shall be born! A new hero! How long we have awaited this day! How much in resources we have saved!"
"Honestly, it was quite a lot of resources, but this should make it worthwhile."
Takuto and Atou, buzzing with excitement.
Piled high on the ceremonial ground were the resources—food harvested from flesh-trees, lumber from thinned nearby trees, and miraculously discovered stones stacked together.
With the help of Atou and the Long-legged Worms, they had managed to scrape together enough for hero production, but the labor to reach this point had been no trivial matter.
Recalling the people who, out of gratitude to the king who had saved their tribe, had voluntarily worked day and night, the twin girls, Care and Mearia, walked with soft steps toward the king, who was clad entirely in black.
"Wow... I think I'm gonna get really full." The idiot girl, the elder sister Mearia, widened her sleepy eyes just a fraction in surprise.
"Your Majesty, what kind of hero are you about to summon?"
A bruised young girl—Keria—rarely shows interest in anyone but her sister and was watching with restless curiosity.
"Yeah, that's probably best saved for the moment it happens."
"The summoning is always the most exciting part, isn't it? It's so thrilling!"
At Takuto's words, the twin girls' eyes lit up with sparkle.
To Atou, who was similarly watching with childlike, innocent excitement beside them, Takuto spoke using the telepathy only the two of them shared.
(...Atou. What do you think will happen with Isla?)
"You mean whether she's on our side or not, right?"
Their concern was singular: exactly how Isla perceived Takuto Ira.
Takuto, formerly human, had walked a new life in this place based on the game's settings—that of the King of Ruin, Takuto Ira.
Atou remembered acting alongside Takuto as a game player, but that didn't necessarily apply to Isla.
Even if it did, that presented its own set of problems.
If all heroes possessed free will, then it was entirely possible for Isla to reject Takuto Ira and turn against him.
In *Eternal Nations*, each nation is led by a Ruler, the player's avatar.
This Ruler can be chosen from several options, and at times a hero might assume the Ruler's role, or a Ruler might appear as a unit.
Isla was a character type who could serve as both Ruler and unit simultaneously.
When she became the Ruler of Mynoghra, she was known for almost entirely abandoning research, hyper-specializing in production and unit creation, and using a "Bug Rush" strategy to crush enemy nations during the early game. She was a polarizing, high-risk, high-reward character with a niche fanbase.
In short, depending on the circumstances, Isla could potentially seize control of Mynoghra from within.
Indeed, *Eternal Nations*' systems included mechanics for changing Rulers or staging coups.
Both of them feared that for some reason, Isla might refuse to acknowledge Takuto and bare her fangs against Mynoghra.
If Isla makes any treacherous move, I will deal with her personally. Her initial combat power is 8—equal to my current level, but with her Holy Sword techniques, I hold the advantage."
"I think it'll be alright, but if it happens, I'm counting on you."
This was a critical juncture.
Coming to this world was itself an inexplicable phenomenon. Even if parts of it were governed by the game system, one could not afford to be optimistic.
—No, precisely because it was adapted from the game system, there were aspects that demanded vigilant observation.
Takuto possessed both the prudence to consider every contingency in his strategies and the occasional boldness to make a risky move.
Perhaps this was only possible because of the one person in whom he placed his absolute trust—the girl named Atou.
"I will protect you, even at the cost of my life."
"The resummoning cost is too high, so please don't do that."
And so the ritual began.
All of Mynoghra's key figures were assembled here.
If there was a risk Isla might rebel, the logical course would have been to summon her secretly with just Takuto and his inner circle. However, the decision was made on the basis that, in a crisis, it would be more advantageous to have the Dark Elves available as either pawns or combat strength to subdue Isla.
Takuto's objective was simply to live peacefully with the person most precious to him—Atou.
In the extreme, he only needed her. While the fates of other beings might stir a measure of pity in him, they would not particularly occupy his mind.
Utterly unaware of such inner thoughts, the Dark Elves gazed upon the sight before them with a sense of profound awe.
They had already witnessed summoning rituals several times when the long-legged insects were called forth.
Therefore, they knew the phenomenon itself, but this hero summoning was on an entirely different scale.
"The ritual has begun. Everyone, until you receive orders, do not move from your positions as we discussed..."
At Atou's instruction, the Dark Elves nodded silently and swallowed hard in unison.
The sky above them had turned a leaden hue, with clouds swirling ominously, casting an unnatural darkness over the scene.
Strange magic erupted from the ground, spreading as if licking everything around it.
From the center of the piled materials, a distortion in space suddenly appeared and began drawing everything inward.
Simultaneously, from that center, an object like an egg with a red-black meat-like texture was born, growing larger as it absorbed the materials.
"Th-this is..."
Elder Mortar, who had kept his mouth shut so as not to distract the king during such an important ritual, could not help but let his voice escape at the sight.
It was not only him; the other attendants, including Warrior Chief Gia, the twin girls, and their entourage, were also struggling to maintain silence but voiced their awe.
It was not fear. Pure, simple emotion filled their hearts.
What a magnificent sight.
What a grand phenomenon.
The sheer scale of the miracle their king was unleashing, the power of the hero soon to be born, and above all, the king’s seemingly infinite strength.
Witnessing this, they savored the happiness of becoming the king’s people.
Atou, too, was moved by the spectacle.
Though she had prepared contingencies with Takuto for the eventuality of Isla going berserk, she honestly considered that possibility quite low.
This stemmed from the reverence she held for her lord; if she herself revered Takuto so deeply, other heroes would naturally feel the same devotion.
Additionally, she harbored a strange, inexplicable conviction within herself, a deep-seated certainty that "everything would be fine."
Crunch crunch crunch—
A bizarre noise echoed from within the grotesque mass of flesh. It was the alien heartbeat of an unnatural life.
Eventually, the massively swollen flesh reached its limit, and a single crack split its surface.
With a wet squelch, the contents spilled out, and a colossal mass, accompanied by viscous liquid, emerged.
Resembling a moth born from a cocoon, it spread its insectoid wings and let out a strange cry as if expressing its entire being’s jubilation.
Its face appeared to be that of an ant at first glance. However, it possessed powerful mandibles and horns that could crush anything.
The body was indeed insectoid, but with a thick structure as if mixed with a human, showing none of the delicacy of an arthropod.
From its thorax hung multiple human-like breasts, increasing the discomfort from its otherworldliness.
Its limbs were the same: though built for swift locomotion, they were thick, tipped with vicious claws clearly meant to rend enemies.
The wings it beat shimmered with an iridescent glow, which, combined with its murky, deep-green skin, created a strangely phantasmagoric sight.
This insect, colossal enough to match the surrounding shacks, looked around restlessly.
It then tilted its head, displaying a somewhat comical attitude as if its thoughts couldn't keep up with its situation. The moment its gaze shifted to Takuto, it lowered its head deeply in a gesture of fealty.
"Aaah, aaah! My great lord! To meet you again in such a place is the highest honor! I, Isla, who command all insects, am overjoyed from the bottom of my heart and trembling with emotion at the privilege of serving you once more!"
From that insectoid mouth spilled a voice suggestive of a licentious woman in her prime.
The Dark Elves were visibly startled by the so very human voice emanating from such an aberrant existence.
Isla reacted slightly to their agitation, but made no move to act otherwise, still with her head bowed, awaiting Takuto's words.
After observing her for a brief moment, Takuto nodded with satisfaction and took a step forward.
Atou hurriedly tried to stop his lord's reckless advance, but the man paid him no mind.
Eventually, Takuto stood before Isla, looking up at her immense form.
"It's been a while. Do you remember me?"
"...? Oh, my, oh my! Oh, I see! So that is how it is! Yes, yes, of course I remember you, Lord Takuto Ira! The great King of Ruin, the Knower of All Things, and furthermore, the top player of 'Eternal Nations'—is that correct?"
"Yes!"
"I was a little confused by the situation, but to have you create me once again is the highest honor. Now, please make full use of my power."
She nodded deeply and let out a cry of delight.
Due to its insectoid features, its expression couldn't be read, yet for some reason, Takuto felt an inexpressible joy was contained within her compound eyes.
[Message]
Hero "Isla, Queen of All Insects" has entered civilization.
The combat strength of all insect-type units in the world is increased by 2.
— Assemble! The awakening of Mother Isla!
— Hail! The awakening of Mother Isla!
All insects shall bow before Mother Isla, becoming the cornerstone of a new era!
———