I had misjudged it!
The moment he heard that report, Atou's eyes flew open in shock, his undisguised alarm showing on his face.
"Did Vittorio say anything? Surely he hasn't rebelled? At a time like this!"
He stood up instinctively, but realizing he could do nothing even if he stood, he slammed his fist down on the desk.
The hero Vittorio, blessed with the tongue of misfortune, was a hero with quite unique characteristics even within "Eternal Nations."
One of those was that he could not be controlled.
This hero belonged to the nation, yet he completely ignored the player's commands.
(Who would have thought the effects of "cannot be controlled" would manifest like this! He was never the type to listen to others, but leaving this be is far too dangerous!)
That hero did not listen to orders. On top of that, he would act of his own accord, using his abilities as he saw fit.
While he possessed countless troublesome abilities, the most dangerous of them was... the execution of certain player commands.
Specifically, it was said that he could perform any action a leader in "Eternal Nations" could undertake—constructing buildings, producing units, even developing technologies and founding cities—all while ignoring the demerits.
This ability might seem advantageous at first glance, but in truth, it was extremely detrimental.
Things have balance. They have order. They have choices and trade-offs.
Every action chosen by a leader governing a nation is built upon a solid framework of its own distinct logic.
These actions interact synergistically, leading to national prosperity and the defeat of enemy states.
The notion that one can simply meddle in everything without thought is merely a child's assertion. There are choices that must not be made.
And Vittorio ignored them. He could ignore them.
He ignored them and did as he pleased.
Moreover, his targets were indiscriminate, friend or foe alike...
In other words, this fact indicated that his actions could at times benefit them, but at other times cause them disadvantage.
In other words, it suggested that every time he exercised his ability according to theories only he could comprehend, it could bring unprecedented disadvantage to Mynoghra.
(If it were Takuto, he could have controlled Vittorio. No other player in 'Eternal Nations' was as adept at handling that as Takuto. That was precisely why even that one respected Takuto and we could assume it wouldn't do anything too outrageous!)
In his character settings, Vittorio was portrayed as a master schemer.
As if fully understanding and exploiting that setting, Takuto had perfectly ridden the waves of Vittorio's chaos.
So perfectly, in fact, that rumors whispered Player Ira-Takuto was Vittorio's true master...
But perhaps that meant little before this hero of intrigue who loved chaos and disorder above all.
No—it was precisely because he was who he was that Vittorio had acted based on his own convictions. Chaos and disorder were his rightful domain.
(Using Vittorio's power, even desertion from the nation would be possible! But... I don't understand his objective!? Or perhaps he left the city with an entirely different goal? Even so, what scheme could that troublemaker possibly have? What connection does it have to Takuto's recovery?)
His actions were always unpredictable and incomprehensible to others.
Yet within the 'Eternal Nations' lore, all his deeds were said to be performed with deep insight, wisdom, and copious amounts of playfulness.
Unable to comprehend his actions was proof that one hadn't yet reached the world Vittorio saw.
(No clue—absolutely no clue about Vittorio's objective.)
If it were thoughtless action, it might have been forgivable.
The fact it was deliberate action was precisely what filled Atou with such impatience.
(Tch! First I must calm down. Trying to understand the incomprehensible is a waste of time. Especially regarding that Vittorio...)
Unless he held firm, Mynoghra's path forward would run aground.
With no support from Takuto whatsoever now, Mynoghra's future rested entirely in Atou's hands.
Atou spun his thoughts rapidly, beginning to address the situation within his limited capacity.
In times like these, what was needed was information gathering. The smallest details often held the most critical clues.
"We must first organize the current situation. Anything will do. Do we have any information whatsoever about him?"
First, we needed to ascertain what had driven Vittorio to take such action.
Suppressing his irritation, Atou questioned Emuru, who had brought the information.
Considering that hero's personality, he had to believe that Vittorio would have left some sort of message for them behind.
"Well, it's... this note he left."
"...A note?"
A single sheet of stationery was drawn from Emuru's breast pocket.
Neatly folded, it bore a colorful pattern and, at first glance, looked like a playful letter some young girl might have prepared for a friend.
Yet he could understand that its contents would prove to be a tremendous bombshell for them.
It was unlikely to be as whimsical as its appearance suggested. After all, the writer was that Vittorio...
"Could you show it to me, please? We need to understand, even a little, what he was thinking when he acted like this."
"Yes, well... I rather think you shouldn't look at it..."
"No, I must see it. I have to, don't I? Though it's against my own wishes..."
At Emuru's words, Atou's cheeks involuntarily tightened.
It was probably content that completely mocked them, something Emuru was hesitant to have them read.
But since he had to ascertain Vittorio's intent, leaving this note untouched was not an option.
Ideally, he would throw it into the fire right now, forget everything, and return to his daily work. —Atou swallowed hard.
Had Vittorio truly betrayed them? Did he truly hold no respect for Takuto?
To steel himself and receive whatever the hero of treachery and comedy had thought and left behind...
---
Dear Sirs
I trust this letter finds you well amid the pleasant warmth of spring?
I remain ever in your debt for your generous patronage. It is I, Vittorio, the hope of all.
Now then, the reason I have taken up pen to write is that there are matters concerning myself which I felt you ought to know.
Pardon the abruptness, but are you familiar with rabbits, Atou?
Yes, bunnies. Those cute, adorable creatures you know from apples and the like.
Even you, with your sweets-obsessed little brain, surely know what rabbits are.
Then might I ask whether you are familiar with this particular piece of information?
Thus it is said—that rabbits die of loneliness.
As you have no doubt surmised.
I, Vittorio, the Blessed Tongue-Calamity, am also a rabbit.
Since the other day when you summoned me to this world, I arrived with a fresh and eager spirit, yet my environment and colleagues have been nothing short of abysmal.
Nothing less than the hazing of a new hire by the office tyrants.
Whenever they open their mouths, it is nothing but sarcasm and vitriol.
They nitpick and harang with relentless persistence, and the moment I have had enough and attempt a rebuttal, they feign great shock and carry on as though they were the ones being wronged.
For me, who came to this new world and new workplace brimming with dreams and hopes, the attitude of these people was a rather intense baptism indeed.
Yes, I was crying inside, broken by the heartless abuse of spineless incompetents who could barely do a day's work yet sat upon their laurels of rank and station.
I was crying inside. (Wrote it twice because it bears emphasizing.)
A rabbit dies when it is lonely. At this rate, I too shall perish from grief and solitude...
And yet, I simultaneously understand the importance of the duty I bear.
I have by no means forgotten my role. Oh no, I have not forgotten—unlike the rest of you.
Thus, to part from this sorrow, I have decided to first embark on a journey of self-discovery. I wish to find myself, become a reborn version of myself, and proceed with my future work with a fresh spirit. Yes... that is what it means to be a working adult. It is the trial given to me, having entered society! One must not weep forever! Do your best, me! I will do my utmost for the sake of Lord Takuto, whom I love, love, love so dearly! Yes— I am truly grateful to all of you for your unwavering support and cheers. From today, I shall officially embark on my journey of self-discovery, spurred on by the passionate encouragement delivered ceaselessly from across the nation. My destination shall remain undisclosed for stalker-prevention purposes, and I would be most grateful if you would also refrain from contacting me, as it is troublesome. To all the dullards residing in Mynoghra, including you, Atou— I implore you to refrain from the utterly pointless and worthless act of attempting to locate me. It is precisely because you waste time on such futile things that Lord Takuto ends up bedridden, you incompetent lot. Ah!!!! By the way!!!!! Unlike a certain someone, I will not be turning against Lord Takuto, so please understand that clearly!!!! Unlike a certain someone who was easily brainwashed and put on that dopey face, I am clever!!!! I am!!!! Clever!!!! Now, then— this comes from his one and only confidant, Vittorio, to the miserable, pathetic flat-chested fool, with all his love. — Sincerely.
"Hey! Who the hell did this— aaaaaargh!"
Atou screamed. She was furious at the same time. With her outburst, the wooden desk shattered violently.
"Kyaaaa! She's gone berserk! Atou's gone berserk!"
Emuru, who had been anxiously watching from the side, let out a scream at Atou's explosion.
Atou, her anger apparently not subsiding, continued to stomp on and destroy the innocent desk that had been split in half.
With each stomp, a sickening crack echoed, and the wooden desk that had served Myrnoghra so well was reduced to a pitiful sight.
"Pl-please calm down, Lady Atou! We understand your feelings, but lashing out at objects is not the way!"
"Indeed! Your feelings are understandable! We understand them completely, so please, restrain yourself here!"
Old Mortar and Gear rushed in to try and calm Atou, who had come seeking a direct appeal.
But Atou, who had been forced to endure so much due to her status and was now subjected to the ultimate provocation and trouble, found their words completely ineffective.
On the contrary, the more she screamed, the more her anger intensified.
"That weirdo! That person looked down on me, utterly looked down on me! Next time I see them, I'll kill them on the spot!"
"Retreat! Everyone, retreat! Let's flee before we get caught in this!"
"Hurry! Lady Atou won't wait!"
The old sage and the warrior chief were bewildered, but when they saw the distinctive tentacles beginning to sprout from Atou's back, they panicked and let out cries that bordered on screams.
At the same time, those who heard Mortar and Gear's commands rushed en masse to the door and fled.
The tentacles emerging from Atou's back, fueled by her rage, had already destroyed all the surrounding furniture and were beginning to affect the building's structure itself.
Even so, Atou's anger did not subside.
"C-Candice and the others are the last ones. Let's go, big sis."
"Candy..."
"Blast it all! This is infuriating! At least! At least explain what you're going to do! And what was that about a 'blast'! That... I, too... ugh, ugh... I can't take it anymore! I refuse to work with that person ever again! Waaaaaah! Takutoooo!"
Finally, the Elful sisters slipped nimbly out the door, leaving Atou alone.
In a sense, even when left to his own devices, Atou's anger wouldn't subside. This time, he threw a tantrum like a child, whining and begging for help from his now unreliable master...
◇ ◇ ◇
In Mynoghra's city of Dragontan, the surface-level routine had returned to normal.
It was only natural, since there was no need to inform the city's residents in detail about the nation's dire situation, but this tranquility was largely due to the skill of Anterize, the wandering elf who also served as the city governor.
While the higher echelons were still in a state of chaos, the support provided by Mynoghra's monsters was limited. Nevertheless, the residents were diligently working day and night to improve the city, and looking only at Dragontan itself, it undeniably bustled with vitality.
One such day, as a damp, lukewarm wind blew through the streets, clinging strangely...
A visitor arrived at dusk at the home of an utterly ordinary city resident—a cat beastkin mother raising her daughter alone after her husband had abandoned them.
Hearing the soft knock on the door, the mother, whose hands were busy cooking, called out to her four-year-old little daughter to answer it in her place.
"Oh? A visitor, perhaps? Sorry, Toto, could you go see who it is for me?"
"Okaaay!"
With a bright shout, her cat ears and tail bounced cheerfully.
The little girl trotted towards the door, stood on tiptoe, and reached for it.
"Who's there~?"
Here in Dragontan, under Mynoghra's rule...
Unlike in the past when it was the city of Fonkavun, the present security was strict, enforced by Brain Eaters and the city's self-defense corps. Thieves and criminals didn't dare show their faces.
Therefore, answering the door without guard was not particularly problematic. Still, who would come calling at such an hour?
With few social connections, the mother tilted her head in puzzlement as she looked toward the door.
Then, slowly, the door was opened by her daughter's small hands...
"A customer, wow!"
And there, peering in with utterly suspicious intent, was a face.
"Hee!"
Her limbs unnaturally long and thin beneath tattered clothing.
And that face, plastered with a con man's grin.
The beastkin girl Toto instinctively tumbled backward, staring wide-eyed at the strange figure.
"Um... C-can I help you?"
The sudden stranger flustered the mother, but some composure remained. She quickly scrambled to her daughter's side, hiding her behind her back.
The man's gaze lingered on them, drinking in every detail, before he simply slid through the doorway into the home—
"Aaaaare you haaaaappy now~?"
—Vittorio displayed his eerie, grinning smile.
=Eterpedia―――
Blissful Tongue's Mischief Vittorio: Special Unit
Combat Strength: 0 Movement: 3
"Wicked""Hero""Zealot"
"Incitement""Brainwashing""Persuasion""Intimidation""Sermon""Conversion""Proselytize"
"Sabotage""Mana Corruption""Cultural Decline""Book Burning""Fraud""Counterfeiting""Spy"
"Stealth""Disguise""Hiding""Escape"
※This unit cannot be controlled.
※This unit cannot participate in combat.
※This unit can use certain leader commands.
※This unit———
―――
~The words of calamity that spill from his lips
Will never be understood by anyone~
Vittorio is a hero unit of Mynoghra.
Among all hero units, this special unit possesses the most unique abilities, and cannot be controlled by the player in principle.
In addition to his inherent abilities, this unit can also execute certain leader commands, using them based on his own unique AI judgment.
The results may sometimes favor the player, and sometimes not, but since he can unleash abilities without regard to cost, he is an extremely powerful hero if you can master him.
―――