The powerful hero unit, "Isra the Queen of All Insects."
Having safely summoned her, Takuto and the others relaxed their tension slightly and held a private discussion in the royal palace.
"It's been a while, Isra. Or should I say, nice to meet you? I didn't hear the details earlier, but let me ask right away. You retain the memory of playing 'Eternal Nations' together with Lord Takuto, correct?"
A sharp gaze directed from Atou to Isra.
Not quite in full combat readiness, but remaining poised to move at a moment's notice if anything happened, she was truly a loyal vassal.
Isra, who visualized a watchdog yapping fiercely beside its master, smiled gently using the unique facial muscles of her non-human visage.
"My, my, Atou dear, you're so worked up. You're desperate to protect Lord Takuto, aren't you? How cute. Let me pet you."
As if pleased about something, Isra chirped happily and skillfully manipulated her secondary limbs to pet Atou's head.
Atou, trying to protect her disheveled hair, shook her off with a flustered struggle. Though her spirit was dampened, she still twisted her refined features, pouting in clear displeasure.
"Enough! Stop it! I mean, answer the question!"
"My, what a stiff child. But is that what you like about her? Incidentally, the answer is YES. The time I spent playing with Lord Takuto—all of it is in my heart. Isn't that only natural?"
While tousling Atou's hair, Isra's gaze shifted to Takuto.
As if to say, "I am your faithful servant."
As if to declare that the time they shared, even in a virtual world, was the unbreakable steel of loyalty...
Her attitude stirred a small emotion in Takuto.
He had initially thought only Atou, who had come to this world with him, remembered him. However, based on Isra's words, the other heroes seemed to remember him too. And they cherished the time they had spent together, still recognizing him as their king even here, outside the game.
The thought was strangely ticklish, bringing a sentimentality akin to feelings for a long-time friend welling up inside him.
Of course, since MyNoghra's hero units all had rather strong personalities, they were perhaps less like long-time friends and more like old, troublesome comrades...
Takuto turned his attention away from the other troublesome heroes with their ridiculous settings and personalities, focusing first on Isla, who had come to him of her own accord.
"I couldn't really summon Isla in the game much, but she's still a hero I have fond memories of. Actually, I have fond memories of all the heroes."
"Essentially, you only call upon me when strategies using Atou fall apart, don't you?"
"Exactly! If the enemy's skill setup nullifies Atou's abilities, or if their raw combat power exceeds hers, we're pretty much stuck! So Isla's mass assault strategy was key to whittling down the enemy nation's strength from the start—"
Whenever the topic turned to the game, his words came tumbling out.
He found himself reminiscing about nostalgic memories, unearthing recollections of those fun-filled days.
Atou, having frantically smoothed down her ruffled hair, joined in, and for a while, they exchanged all manner of talk about "Eternal Nations."
But while reminiscing was fine, Isla alone firmly remembered what had to be done first.
She let the excited conversation reach a natural pause, and once Takuto and Atou had taken a breath, she casually suggested what they ought to do.
"By the way, Master. Might you soon—tell this Isla what the current situation is? I do feel rather left out, you know."
"Oh! That's right! Sorry, sorry, let me explain right away."
What his compound eyes reflected was impossible to gauge, but his confusion was evident.
Even while they were chatting animatedly about the game, he had occasionally looked around, checking his surroundings. That was likely why.
The current royal palace was different from the one in the game; it strongly reflected the culture of the Dark Elves.
The unfamiliar sight was probably making her a bit uncomfortable.
Still, he needed her to get used to it quickly.
Thinking this, Takuto intended to dedicate as much time as possible to Isla, doing his best to help her acclimate to this country.
"Wait a moment, Takuto! Until we are certain that Isla is truly committed to serving you, casually explaining the situation is unwise. I believe we need to investigate her further for the time being!"
"It's alright, Atou. I'm not going to steal your Takuto away. Isla understands perfectly well."
"Hmph!"
I hope she can get used to this soon...
Heroes are fundamentally strong-willed. This is true of their setting, and in the short stories that are often inserted, conflicts between heroes frequently arise.
True to form, Atou immediately confronts Isla, who, as queen, displays her authority magnificently and handles it with ample composure.
Well, that is precisely what causes Atou to erupt further...
Takuto sighs as he wrestles with the reins of these troublesome heroes, yet somehow smiles as he claps his hands to stop the quarrel.
………
……
…
"So that is what happened..."
After Isla heard everything from Takuto, she let out a small creaking sound of surprise. Even as the Insect Queen, she could feel shock and confusion.
Honestly, she had no idea what was going on, but since she herself existed here, she convinced herself there must be some meaning in it all.
"Yeah, honestly it's still a mess, but thanks to Atou, we managed to make it this far."
"How can you say that? I could only do my best because you were here, Takuto. If I had come to this place alone, I would have taken my own life in despair."
"Atou..."
"Takuto..."
"A dog wouldn't even touch that, would it..."
The two had entered their own world. Isla, who had faint memories from the 'Eternal Nations' era, recalled that indeed, Takuto Ira was hero Atou's favorite person.
Well, it was wonderful that they got along, but she couldn't help but have a bad feeling—if this was always their dynamic, it might be a bit uncomfortable to be around.
Even so, Isla would set that matter aside. She had her own duty to fulfill.
There was no objection to becoming his subordinate. The unit known as the Queen of All Insects, Isla, existed to achieve that purpose. Her power was for Mynoghra, for the great leader Takuto Ira.
"Nonetheless, I have grasped the strategy. My lord's wish to build a peaceful nation in this strange land. Though I am but a lowly creature, I would be honored to contribute to the realization of that grand ambition."
Showing a respectful bow while demonstrating her loyalty to Takuto.
Satisfied with this, Takuto affirmed her with a seal of approval and, as he had long contemplated, ordered her to enact a plan.
"Isla, I entrust you with the defense of Mynoghra."
"Oh? Is that acceptable, my master?"
Perceiving everything in that statement, Isla tilted her small head in slight confusion, questioning her lord's intent.
She was still very new. Setting aside the special case of Atou, she was the first hero summoned in this world, which was not a game world.
She was essentially asking if it was wise to place such an unknown hero in a critical position like national defense. She did not doubt Isla would never dream of using something as foolish as rebellion, but at this stage, she thought Takuto's judgment was somewhat hasty.
"I trust you."
His expression was unreadable. Even Isla did not truly know what Takuto Ira was thinking.
Like Atou, she had known Takuto from his sickbed within the game.
Therefore, she understood his personality and preferences to some extent, and believed she had grasped his guiding principles and ideology... but claiming to know everything about him was impossible.
In Isla's eyes, Takuto Ira appeared as nothing more than a black, scribbled-over doll.
Regardless, her thoughts immediately shifted to the command she had been given.
The reason she was assigned to Mynoghra's defense was simple.
She was not a hero built for combat.
Of course, as she gains levels and obtains various skills through level-up bonuses, it may become possible to become powerful in this way.
But her true value lies in the skill 'Insect Birth,' which secures infinite combat and labor units, and the unit trait that increases the combat power of all insect units by +2.
Because this affects the entire world, it will also strengthen insect units outside one's own nation, but since it is rare for insect units to belong to a nation in the first place, it is practically equivalent to no demerit.
Therefore, the basic strategy is to hole up in one's own nation, boost national power with labor insects, and spawn combat insects to boost military strength.
She was a hero who showed her true value in defense.
And the hero who shows their true value in offense existed in Mynoghra.
"This Isla is so moved by the trust received from the master that she trembles, but in that case, the forces to be dispatched to Fonkavun are..."
"Ugh, it's lonely!"
A single, dejected girl.
If 'Isis, Queen of All Insects' is the hero of defense, then the hero of offense is 'Atou of the Mire.'
Although her initial abilities are weak, her trait of stealing the abilities of others is nothing short of vicious.
Against opponents like barbarians with relatively low combat power, it is an extremely favorable situation where she can steal abilities unilaterally with low risk.
Skills like 'Superhuman Strength,' 'Regeneration,' 'Field Activities,' etc., which barbarians possess, are convenient skills that can lead to enhanced combat power if acquired.
Even if Fonkavun were to betray them, with her current strength, a retreat to the Great Cursed Realm would be entirely possible.
Because telepathy is connected with Takuto as well, they can always converse, and there are no problems with reports, contact, or consultation.
Considering Atou as a dispatched force is a natural conclusion.
That said, what Takuto and Atou secretly felt about that was another matter.
Even though they can communicate via telepathy, it is a temporary parting.
The socially inept Takuto relies heavily on Atou in many aspects of national administration.
For him, losing that Atou would be an overwhelmingly large challenge of giving orders to various people alone, and conversely for Atou, it meant being asked to carry out operational activities in an environment of extremely high mental stress, separated from Takuto, whom she deeply respected and admired.
Truly, for the pair of them, it felt like being lions tossed from a cliff.
But trials cannot be avoided.
This was a moment where he had to steel his heart. Takuto made his decision for Atou's sake, and above all, for his own.
"I'm lonely too, Atou. But this is something only you can do for me."
Their gazes met, and their feelings intertwined.
Even without telepathy, they understood each other's hearts with absolute clarity.
And in that state of heightened emotion, they ran toward one another.
"Lord Takuto!"
"Atou!"
A fervent embrace was exchanged.
It was an interaction that could almost be mistaken for a final farewell in this life, but the two involved were deadly serious.
There was a lingering thread of anxiety.
To counter the weak voice in their hearts that whispered, *What if the worst happens?*—this was an act born of that need.
It was primarily anxiety regarding their connection, though...
"Even a dog wouldn't touch that..."
Watching the scene, Isla felt a flicker of concern—would everything truly be alright?—but she smothered that thought with her duty, refocusing her awareness.
"Heh heh heh, but my arms are growing weary."
With a cheerful creak, Isla laughed, grateful for the miracle that she, a being who was merely data within a game, had been given life.
Like Atou, she did not understand exactly what had happened to her.
But she comprehended perfectly what she must do.
At the great will of Takuto Ira. So that he may fully enjoy his new game…
She intended to fulfill her very reason for existence with all her being.
"Leave the details to me, Isla. I shall summon all the insects that fill this world, to answer my lord's wish."
Now, what would this game be like?
Isla could not fathom how long this play of her master would continue, but she decided to watch over Takuto's actions with a mother's tender affection.