"That's... unpleasant. I suppose I was naive."
Isla quietly considered her master's thoughts as the words slipped out unbidden.
The barbarians troubling their ally, Fonkavun.
What had been sporadic raids had suddenly surged as a massive wave.
Moreover, they originated from a different game system.
Applying common sense or precedent would be folly, yet the available information for judgment was so scant that even the best course of action was unclear.
Naturally, time would not wait.
Mynoghra's stronghold—that is, the enemy host was currently advancing upon it, threatening their hard-won peace.
The situation could be called dire.
"Who would have thought this location would be discovered... Conflict with the enemy forces is only a matter of time. However, Master? Your initial decision to take the offensive against the Demon Lord's army was a bold one."
With casual words, Isla probed the rationale behind her master's decision.
Regardless of the outcome, Takuto's instructions for this military operation had seemed somewhat hasty.
She understood that speed was essential when dealing with an unknown entity.
She also understood that the city of Dragontan had been attacked by the enemy, and its defense at all costs was necessary.
Yet, launching hostilities in Dragontan without first assessing the enemy's identity and nature nagged at her.
In the end, they had achieved the results of defeating the enemy general and repelling the invasion force of Dragontan.
Isla wondered, and asked, if there had been some unknown basis for judgment along the path to that outcome.
"Well... yes. But since the enemy has invaded here as a result, it's tantamount to a blunder."
If Isla's memory served, Takuto had been a cautious person.
Furthermore, his characteristic trait had been to prioritize peace and domestic affairs above all else, avoiding war whenever possible.
Until now, Takuto had always been the kind of person who would, given the chance, even consider abandoning Dragontan as an option — that was the level of caution he possessed.
Yet despite that, why had he opened hostilities with the enemy so swiftly?
That was the question on her mind.
"Just, I'm relieved that the opponent's strength fell within our expected range. If that's the level of the Four Heavenly Kings, then the Demon Lord should be manageable."
Takuto murmured to himself.
Thanks to the information he had previously obtained from Atou, learning the approximate strength and nature of the Demon Lord's army had been a stroke of good fortune.
Because it meant they had not yet fallen into a truly desperate situation, and as long as they handled things correctly, they could overcome this trial.
That was precisely why Isla could not shake her misgivings as she stared at Takuto.
Unable to fathom what intentions lay behind those eyes, Isla steeled herself and decided to confront him directly with the strong doubt that had been smoldering within her.
"Begging your pardon for my presumption, but I humbly wonder — could it be that the leader of that enemy force, the one called the Demon Lord, is also a player like you, my lord? What are your thoughts?"
Isla's concern was singular.
In other words, was the opponent not also a player, just like Takuto?
If so, their power was an unknown quantity. There was a possibility they were a seasoned player, just like Takuto.
No matter how much he had become the leader of Mynoghra in this world, crossing blades with a compatriot from his homeland could not sit easily.
Regardless of the opponent's true intentions, prepared to accept a certain amount of damage, seeking a temporary ceasefire while shifting course toward further intelligence gathering and dialogue would not be a poor decision.
That was the reasoning behind her question.
But her assumption was far off the mark.
"First of all, even if we're the same human — the same Japanese — why should that alone make us allies?"
At those casually spoken words, Isla involuntarily caught her breath.
There was an irresistible pressure behind those words.
Her expression holds a soft smile, yet her eyes do not laugh.
Even Isra, who had stood at his side conquering countless worlds, could not fathom what her king was truly thinking.
Perhaps only Atou, whom he truly trusted, could be privy to the thoughts within that chest, but unfortunately, Atou was preoccupied with the defense of Dragontan and was not present.
Therefore, Isra remained silent and lowered her head, adhering to the king's policy.
In any case, she had no choices.
Even if she did, the notion of defying the king from the outset was utterly unthinkable.
Just as the Dark Elves harbored a certain awe and distance toward Isra and Atou...
Isra likewise did not stand in the exact same place as the being called Takuto Ira, nor did she understand everything about him.
"...Be that as it may, the course is clear. Whether the opponent is a player or otherwise, conciliation is out of the question after coming this far. We lack the strategic luxury of sitting idly by to watch their moves. If that's the case, we simply crush them with everything we have."
"Yes, yes, your words are most wise."
Given the current situation, raising further objections was a waste of time.
Above all, it was Takuto, king of Mynoghra, who had made this judgment.
Therefore, the duty of subordinates was to carry out that will by any means necessary.
Having completely shifted her mindset, Isra nodded deeply and performed the bow of a vassal.
"Unnecessary hesitation can sometimes turn its fangs upon oneself. Once a decision is made, the key to success is not to look back needlessly."
"As you command, our king."
Takuto turned his thoughts to strategy.
He dredged up memories of the past, tracing the trajectories of wars repeated countless times, and considered the most effective and efficient operation for this situation.
Of course, unforeseen events were also factored in.
This was not the world of the Eternal Nations. The unknown was plentiful, and countlessly many circumstances existed that would not proceed as one wished.
Takuto noticed his heart rate quickening with excitement, almost against his will. There was a strange, tickling sensation in the back of his mind that he was somehow enjoying this situation.
"Your Majesty, it's terrible! An enemy army is advancing toward the Mynoghra capital!"
The Dark Elf messenger burst into the throne room, face pale with alarm, just as Takuto was solidifying his plans within his mind and beginning to issue directives to the warrior corps via his authority as the leader.
Takuto, who could grasp the situation of all his Mynoghra subordinates, was naturally aware of the enemy invasion force information the warriors had discovered. However, Warrior Chief Gear, concerned about possible communication gaps, had sent a messenger for confirmation just in case.
"I know," said Takuto.
Normally, entering the throne room without permission was punishable, but given the circumstances, he raised a hand to silence Isla who was about to speak and gave a brief reply.
Witnessing the messenger gasp, seemingly feeling a certain pressure in those words, Takuto caught Isla's eye.
Understanding her lord's intention from that glance alone, Isla spoke in a voice softer than usual, thanked the messenger for his efforts, and issued instructions.
"The enemy army's advance is already known to the King. Naturally, the King himself has already issued directives to all key figures, including Warrior Chief Gear. We too will be leaving the palace for the Citizens' Hall to command. Return to your post at once."
"Yes!"
The communication system between the front lines and command was functioning perfectly.
The Eternal Nations system, which allowed him to grasp the status of each unit and issue direct commands, would enable him to move his army like his own limbs.
Gear's response as Warrior Chief was also satisfactory; even before receiving orders from Takuto, he had gathered the warriors, begun guiding civilian evacuations, and was establishing basic defensive positions.
Takuto felt a surge of almost moved emotion at how well his "limbs" were working, even better than in a game. Although the enemy numbers were unknown, in the Great Cursed Realm with its poor footing and visibility, such a large-scale military operation would be difficult to execute. Furthermore, the forest would be advantageous for the Dark Elves, and for all citizens of Mynoghra, the cursed land itself was beneficial.
The situation was dire. But it was far from insurmountable.
"That said..."
"It is true that we've fallen a step behind, isn't it."
Takuto responded to the words murmured softly.
Normally, sending military strength back to the homeland would be the height of idiocy.
If this were a play, the audience would be booing; if it were a game, they'd have thrown down the controller already.
But sadly, this was reality—and precisely because of that, a resolve could be forged.
"Very well. Then let's reclaim some ground."
It seemed the opposition didn't truly know who they were dealing with.
Takuto let out a quiet chuckle.
The existence of Takuto Ira, who had led Mynoghra to conquer Nightmare difficulty in the Eternal Nations.
If that was the case, then they needed to be taught.
What it truly meant—that he had conquered what no one before him ever had.
With an expression somewhat devoid of human warmth, Takuto rose quietly from his throne.