"Then as a session participant, in the name of Takuto Ira, I propose a punitive motion against Kree."
=SystemMessage===A punitive motion against Game Master Kree has been accepted. All proceedings will be halted until the deliberation is concluded.---"...Huh?"
No one could keep up with what had just happened.
Not the holy knight, nor the witch, nor the saint... and not even the Game Master.
Once again, time had stopped.
An incomprehensible force had seized the field, negating any further exercise of authority.
Takuto's life, which should have been hanging by a thread, was now a false pretense—this was being recounted by the King of Ruin.
"No, I was surprised. You just started talking about yourself all of a sudden. Is that, like, a thing now? What do you think, Atou? Oh, right. You're still on that side, so it's probably bad to talk to you. Seriously, I'm shaken. Gotta get a hold of myself."
He spoke so fluently, perhaps precisely because he was shaken.
For him, it was unusual to be so talkative.
But it was more of a monologue than something directed at anyone.
For someone like him, who fundamentally lacked communication skills, engaging in conversation with others was exceedingly difficult.
Of course, that was different if the other party was an enemy.
Because communication required a heart that considered the other's feelings.
Since there was no need to care about the other's feelings, he could speak as many words as he wanted.
"Still, Keiji, was it? You really helped by giving me that name. I kept trying to persuade them while borrowing various appearances, but they wouldn't budge on that kind of information. You see, to issue a Censure Motion, you have to declare it outside the session—that is, at the dimension of being a player. To distinguish, the original name the other person holds is essential."
The dimension of being a player and the dimension of the board are different.
For instance, Atou or Erakino possess incredibly powerful abilities and strength, but they are ultimately pieces played on the board, using the game's settings.
However, a player possesses the nature of the dimension above that, in addition.
Kurifoto possesses the nature of a TRPG system and a GM controlling the pieces, while Takuto possesses the nature of an SLG system and a player controlling pieces, as well as the nature of a leader, which is also a piece within the game.
Since a Censure Motion is an exchange that happens outside the game, it was inevitably necessary to invoke the names of Ira Takuto and Kurifoto Keiji.
Therefore, Takuto had been maneuvering with various schemes until now.
Solely to learn the GM's name and seal their power, without ever being detected by anyone.
==SystemMessage===
Player Ira Takuto, please submit the content of your objection.
---
The system urged Takuto on.
A temporary interruption was, in principle, an event that should be avoided.
This system, faithful to the TRPG rules, probably wanted the game to resume quickly.
Takuto, of course, agreed with that sentiment. He wanted this pointless farce to end swiftly.
"Oops, my apologies. Then, let's get right to it.
—The objection against Keiji is as follows.
Refusal to greet over a prolonged period.
Arbitrary, unjustified alteration of dice results.
And the resulting seizure of participating character(s) owned by other players."
Improper manipulation of in-game data using GM privileges instead of dice.
Arbitrary manipulation of game progression for personal advantage.
Collapse of in-game worldview and order by disclosing meta-dimensional GM privileges.
Defamation of player Takuto Ira by the character he owns.
Defamation of player Takuto Ira by the player himself.
Oh, and also. Unprompted self-centered monologues that ignore the flow of the scene should be added as well.
...In light of the above, this individual is judged unfit to serve as the Game Master ensuring smooth gameplay for this TRPG--Elemental World. The motion for penalty is hereby initiated for these reasons.
I ask all participants whether to strip the GM privileges of Keiji, the Game Master for this session.
=SystemMessage===
Request accepted.
Recognized as a legitimate penalty motion case. Proceeding to vote among participants.
---
The game system works in favor of the players, but that does not mean it is their complete ally.
The system is a slave to the rules. No matter how much a player desires it, it will never perform actions outside the rules, and no matter how disadvantageous it becomes for a player, it will never soften or bend the rules.
Conversely, this means that within the rules, any form of lawlessness is permissible.
Therefore, for those who would utilize the system, grasping the rules above all else was of paramount importance.
"S-Soarina! We have to stop Takuto! Hurry—"
"System. Cancel them, it seems they're about to interfere."
=SystemMessage===
Cancelling the actions of Atou the Filth-Adorned and Soarina the Flower-Burial Saint,
Henceforth, their actions shall be deemed impossible.
───
With a single pronouncement, the actions of Atou and Soarina were rendered null.
Coincidentally, it was a manner of acting akin to the arbiter's authority employed by a Game Master, and it was precisely because of this that the reality could not be resisted and was forced upon them to understand, whether they liked it or not.
"Well then, I'll continue. Regarding the earlier majority vote... First, me. Takuto Ira. I think it's best to revoke the Game Master's authority! Such conduct cannot be overlooked, correction is necessary."
Raising one hand, Takuto declared.
There was no response, but it was plain for all to see that his declaration carried weight.
This deliberation must not be allowed to continue.
Suddenly thrust into a predicament, Erakino, while being tossed about by a situation he could not possibly handle, desperately attempted to counter.
"Revoking Game Master authority is unjust! I object!"
"The one under penalty motion cannot participate in the deliberation."
Merciless words shattered the attempt at its root.
If Erakino, the subject of the deliberation, could not participate, then the only remaining player was Takuto alone.
At the very least, he was the only one who could participate here.
Inevitably, the result could only converge upon one outcome, making this exchange entirely equivalent to a farce.
From the very beginning, it had been rigged for Takuto Ira's assertion to carry the day.
══System Message═══
Result: 1 Yea
0 Nay
With the above result, the revocation of Keiji Erakino's Game Master authority is hereby decided.
―――
Here, the true settlement will be made.
What was the cause of the defeat for the Holy Maidens... no, the TRPG factions?
Was it insufficient understanding of the game system? Insufficient coordination among allies?
Or was it the judgment to call out the opponent's strategy, exposing their hand?
All of them were correct... and at the same time, wrong.
Most of all, making an enemy of the human known as Takuto Ira was a mistake that could never be forgiven.
"Ah, of course, rolling back is fine too. I can't accept a session like this as the result. As a player, that's my natural right. Hmm, well, rolling back everything would get too big, so maybe just the parts that could be considered unfair."
"W-wait!"
=SystemMessage===
Keiji Kurifuku's GM authority is revoked.
Additionally, results executed unfairly in this session will be rolled back.
―――
The vanished forces of Mynoghra are reappearing one by one.
They all wear expressions of puzzlement, but seem to understand that a settlement has been reached. They wait quietly, observing the situation, watching how things unfold.
Because... there is nothing left to be done after everything is over.
The holy host, defeated by Takuto Ira, no longer has the right to do anything whatsoever.
"Why!? Why can you do that!? How did you know such a thing was possible!?"
Through Erakino's mouth, a question filled with angry, anguished despair is hurled from Kurifuku.
For Kurifuku, this conclusion was far beyond anything he had anticipated.
Chosen by the God of Dice, unlucky in that choice but fortunate in receiving the system he did, Kurokata had simultaneously acquired the rulebook.
In a higher plane of existence far removed from here, he had read that thick volume over and over again.
Regarding Erakino, a subordinate piece meant to project his will into the outside world, he had also engaged in countless trial and error to bring it to completion.
After annihilating the northern province of Quolia, suffering the saint's counterattack, and learning the troublesome nature of the TRPG ability...
Having repeated the same battles again and again, he had desperately come this far, understanding the vital importance of allies, subordinates to serve as his hands and feet, and indeed, a nation.
And now, just as he had successfully outmaneuvered one opposing force and even obtained its powerful character...
It was when he had begun to think that having companions wasn't so bad either.
Everything had returned to bubbles in water.
He never imagined it would end like this, through such an arbitrary, forceful method, utterly beyond any scenario he had considered.
"Ah, Keiji was chosen by the dice, wasn't he? Then it's only natural you wouldn't know."
Takuto Ira nodded as if coming to an understanding.
However, contrary to his apparent comprehension, the fact laid bare before Kurokata was one he could in no way accept.
"The Elemental Word is famously strict about etiquette. And the fact that it's a subject of debate is also true. The cause of that lies with this disciplinary motion and the imposition of manners. Anyone who has even one session with someone else would know this to their disgust."
It was an unspoken understanding. Or perhaps a unique, unwritten culture.
The TRPG weaves stories with words and dice. Therefore, participants are held to a high standard of cooperation and ethical conduct.
If either is lacking, what should be a wonderful act of collaborative creation can instantly transform into a reviled abomination. Could a game experience filled with nothing but discomfort, one you'd rather forget, possibly be acceptable?
The production team of the Elemental Word hated that prospect immensely.
Therefore, they had designed the game system to account for every situation, ensuring both parties adhered to common sense and manners.
They had expended the utmost care and effort to ensure one could always obtain a wonderful game experience.
They... had been too greedy.
Little did they know that this would result in paranoid levels of Mana and rule listings, followed by a blame game among session participants...
They had... forgotten.
That no matter how much consideration was given to the rules and mechanics, the story is ultimately spun by human words and dice...
"I've played Elemental Ward online a few times, you know. I've participated in all sorts of people's sessions."
That no matter how brilliant a system you build, just one participant who can't read the room and does whatever they want because the rules allow it is enough to turn the supreme game of TRPG into a piece of junk...
For example, just like...
"—I held a post-mortem for all of them."
Someone like this.
Spreading his arms wide, as if reminiscing about a proud memory...
Takuto shamelessly uttered a line that would make any participant of his past sessions furious with rage.
He was probably certain the operation would succeed the moment his disruption through insufficient greetings was allowed.
Even if a punitive motion or higher-dimensional application was impossible, he certainly would have devised some other method.
That was the kind of person Takuto Ira was.
No trickery worked on him; he was the one who dominated all events.
The mind ranked number one in "Eternal Nations" never allowed others to catch up.
"Well, doing this destroys trust with the other party instantly, and I won't get invited to their sessions next time... But don't worry. I'm quite experienced and used to that part."
With an attitude that screamed he hadn't given a single thought to others' feelings or emotions, the King of Ruin delivered his declaration.
And the system processing concluded, rewinding everything.
The endpoint was the stage where Kurahara Keiji, the GM, had created the current Erakino.
That is to say—
"So then... I'll be taking my Atou back now, Keiji?" This was long before the muddy Atou had been stolen away.