Takuto couldn't say a word.
He was overwhelmed by Yuu.
It wasn't a simple matter of being intimidated—there was his satisfied expression, the slave girl's sparkling eyes gazing at him as if he were a prince straight out of a storybook, and above all, that embarrassingly dramatic catchphrase, which made another version of himself inside his mind clutch his face and roll around on the floor in secondhand embarrassment.
Whether or not the hero and the slave were aware of the storm of vicarious shame churning in Takuto's mind, the two of them plunged headlong into their own world.
"S-S-So amazing! Master, you're way too cool!"
"Eh? R-Really? Heh heh heh, so it was showing after all—my coolness!"
"Yes, absolutely! Your coolness echoes across all three thousand worlds, Master!"
While Takuto was desperately clawing his way out of the quagmire of mortification, the two of them were getting wonderfully worked up.
Lapping up a girl's flattery like that was hardly appropriate for the occasion, but as a demonstration of his approachability and human warmth, it couldn't have been more effective.
Takuto, having finally calmed down, found himself feeling a degree of kinship with that endearingly human manner.
That said, though.
Since he'd been introduced, he ought to introduce himself properly in return.
"As I said before—I'm Takuto Ira. My game of choice is the SLG 'Eternal Nations.' I suppose introducing myself as the Ruinous King who rules Mynoghra would be more understandable in this world."
Putting in a reasonable amount of enthusiasm without going overboard, Takuto gave his own introduction.
It probably didn't carry the same impact as the other party's, but this wasn't a place for a battle of impressions, so it didn't matter.
As if to underscore that thought, a hurried telepathic message came flying from Atou. It was, naturally, a query about the true meaning behind his revealing the name of his game.
"Is this really alright, Lord Takuto...?"
"Yeah, well, the name's out there already, and anyone who knows enough would figure out the game name sooner or later given how many Mynoghra units I've been fielding."
With Mynoghra's name already so widely circulated, the strategic advantage of keeping the game's name secret had long since evaporated.
You might wonder whether someone could really deduce "Eternal Nations" just from the name, but in Dragontan, Long-Legged Insects and Brain Eaters strut about as if they own the place.
Alongside those are the distinctive, lined-up architectural structures, with the "Flesh Tree" being the crowning example.
Well, there’s no point hiding it. Even someone unfamiliar with games would quickly realize this is some kind of SLG.
Atou seemed to accept this as well, resuming his commanded silence thereafter.
(Still, this is a bit troublesome...)
Takuto gritted his teeth inwardly, thinking it had become a bit of a headache.
(A patron god... what should I do?)
Yū had just declared herself the "goofy god's" designated player. That single statement served as proof that a divine being stood behind her, and reinforced the deduction that this world was a proxy battlefield for gods.
It was information worth a fortune. However, the critical fact that Takuto did not know his own patron god suddenly became the glaring problem.
"Whoa, a game I don't know... Actually, I'm not that well-versed in games at all. Oh, but I get simulation games!"
"Simulation. Right."
It seemed Yū's interest had shifted to the name of the game.
Perhaps he could offer a little lip service and give a brief explanation of "Eternal Nations"?
But that plan crumbled at once.
"Oh, that reminds me, Master. What kind of person is Takuto Ira's patron god?"
"Oh, right! I almost forgot! What’s my patron god like? Is it some weirdo like mine?"
(She’s saying unnecessary things...)
He couldn’t tell whether the slave girl’s action was intentional or accidental.
But it was hardly strange to wonder why he hadn’t claimed a god’s name in that situation.
Even if she hadn't pointed it out, Yuu himself might have naturally realized it.
A bad bet, it seems, predictably ends in defeat.
Takuto, setting aside the skeptical Yuu, turned his thoughts over. Now, how should he answer?
After all, he had only just heard the term "guardian deity."
He had predicted such a being likely existed, but it was in an unexpected place that this fact was confirmed.
During the battle against the TRPG factions, Takuto himself had felt the intervention of some immense power. That was probably the exchange between gods.
Takuto himself was aware that using the mechanics of the TRPG to seize GM authority was quite a major violation of the rules.
Normally, a penalty would be expected.
Therefore, it was not unreasonable to judge that this was a penalty from the TRPG god against him, and a prevention of penalty from the SLG god.
If that was the case...
(Without a doubt, I also have a so-called guardian deity.)
If that were true, his honest feeling was that they should come meet him quickly. He also wanted to grumble that because they hadn't met him, he was now behind in information.
(Additionally, "Is it some weirdo like in my place?" she asked. That definitively proves she has made contact with a god! Not only that... even without proof, she is undoubtedly receiving some kind of information from a god.)
Yuu had come here to propose an alliance with Takuto against the Succubus faction.
Therefore, it could be safely said that they possessed certain information leading to that decision.
The possibility that the other party was receiving favors from a god was high.
Feeling a deep-seated envy toward that fact, Takuto pondered.
(First, the immediate matter is the deity's name. Should I make up a plausible one? There's no way to confirm it anyway. Actually, it would be best if my guardian deity contacted me to correct it.)
With that thought, he was about to voice a name that came to mind on the spot...
"...The Nameless God."
The words that left Takuto's mouth were, strangely, familiar-sounding.
(...? Is this name truly appropriate? But...)
Hero <The Nameless Evil God>.
That was the name of the unregistered hero Takuto had been linked to when he came to this world. It was also an ability currently in a state of temporary sealing due to its unique and ambiguous nature of being able to become anyone.
If Kurahaku Keiji, whom he had once fought, was a Game Master, and Jinguji Yu, now before him, was a Hero—then Takuto was a Hero Handler called <The Nameless Evil God>.
It was strangely unsettling that this particular name had come up.
(Well, as god-like names go, it's plausible. If it were <The Nameless Evil God> versus <The Nameless God>, it might cause some confusion. Rather than picking a weird name, this might serve as a decent smokescreen.)
"For now, just remember it that way."
He added that one sentence as his reply.
<The Nameless God>.
Takuto declared himself to be a god with that name. It was purely a hypothetical name, a bluff to prevent the other party from realizing the extent of his own information deficit, but his opponent didn't seem to notice.
"I see. That god of yours has a weird name too. Well, I guess gods are often like that!"
He found the casual remark enviable. That so-called god could be arbitrarily tampering with their fates, perhaps even watching this scene now with a smirk...
Takuto was deeply troubled by this headache-inducing issue, but dwelling on matters beyond his control was also an exercise in futility, so he slightly reconsidered.
For now, he'd set it aside. It might remain unresolved forever...
In any case, what was needed now was the negotiation with Yu before him. It was obvious that his answer here would greatly influence the future of Mynoghra, and by extension, Takuto and his companions' fate.
"So, what do you think? About joining forces to oppose the Succubus. Seriously, she and we are fundamentally incompatible. We are destined to clash."
The proposal itself was attractive. If it meant another player force becoming an ally, there could be no more reassuring existence.
Particularly with RPGs, all sorts of magic and abilities exist. The system's details aren't yet clear, but there's definitely some advantage involved.
Still, it wouldn't do to nod agreeably just yet.
"Countering the Succubus... an interesting proposition, but a question first. We've been attacked by the Demon Lord's army once. I don't know what relationship you have with that, but we can't just sweep this matter under the rug. Negotiations or whatever aside, resolving that problem should be the priority, wouldn't you say?"
Takuto prodded with a jab, watching the reaction.
He wasn't sincerely accusing them. He was poking at a sore spot, trying to infer their thoughts, policies, and hidden objectives from the content of their response.
"Ah, about that. My bad! The Demon Lord's army was summoned by my god without my say-so. It's out of my management entirely, you know? A hero controlling the Demon Lord's army would be way too broken for a game. That's not what Brave Questus is about."
"So you're saying it wasn't Mynoghra's intention to be attacked by Brave Questus's Demon Lord's army? That's what you want us to believe?"
"That one seemed to be prepared originally as a sort of test for us, but I really am sorry about the whole thing."
"Do you think we'd buy such a convenient story? Being underestimated this much is problematic."
He raised his voice, feigning irritation to project impatience.
Simultaneously, he sent instructions to Atou via telepathy.
The subordinate waiting nearby immediately sprouted tentacles from her back as if receiving her master's will, their tips aimed toward Yu and the others.
It was, of course, staged, and he'd made sure to convey that an attack was absolutely off-limits.
It was merely theatrics to heighten the tension.
(Now, how will they react?)
"In the first place, you seem to want to establish a cooperative relationship with us, but you haven't presented the benefits on our end. Especially if it becomes clear you don't have control over the Demon Lord's army, your military strength is just you and the girl there, isn't it? No matter how strong a hero is claimed to be, wouldn't that be an overwhelming disparity in force to consider?"
Takuto's psychological pressure made Yu show a slightly flustered attitude.
The key was "slightly." This didn't look like panic over their own imminent danger; rather, it seemed more like anxiety over the negotiations potentially going south.
In other words, even if he were to antagonize Mynoghra here, he presumably had at least a plan to escape.
Takuto thought he was being looked down upon quite a bit, but simultaneously accepted that such confidence could be expected from a player given the abilities of a "hero."
"Still, I have to say that's a rather attractive proposition. Two camps would be easier to handle than just one, right? Yeah, that's it. That's how it is?"
"Exactly, Master! One plus one equals two!"
(Hmm, even after this much provocation, he remains completely unfazed...)
Atou was under strict orders not to attack. On top of that, he'd been instructed to project killing intent to provoke the other party. Yet the man maintained that attitude.
The fact that the Demon Lord had once defeated the Elful sisters with a single blow was proof enough that he possessed considerable power.
Further provocation would clearly put our side at a disadvantage. Takuto didn't actually want to start a fight either.
He was more interested in building a cooperative relationship. What he needed now was some kind of proof that it was worthwhile.
"Indeed, the more numbers, the better. There is a risk of becoming a disorganized mob, but numbers are still strength. Ah, I see—a manpower problem. So that's why you wanted to team up with Mynoghra, which possesses its own army, to counter the Succubus forces. I can see through your scheme now. ...And?"
In other words, what's in it for us?
He now understood their situation. The lack of manpower, the certainty of conflict with the Succubus faction for some reason.
But that was merely them revealing their own circumstances. This was the stage where there was still room to discuss terms, and on top of that, the current merit for our side was far too thin.
Yuu probably vaguely grasped that as well.
The wind had shifted.
"Ah, Your Majesty's anger is entirely understandable. Therefore, as a sign of our sincerity, I would like to give you this."
The words were natural enough, but what happened next was enough to startle Takuto.
From where, and when had he taken it out?
Before Atou, who was on guard, could react, a single sword appeared in his hand.
Sheathed in a scabbard decorated just enough to avoid being gaudy, it caught the light streaming through the window, giving off a faint glow.
"——!?"
The moment he saw it, Takuto—uncharacteristically—showed clear confusion, displaying for the first time in this meeting a sign of being shaken.
The same was true of Atou, who sat beside him.
The question simply repeated itself in his mind, filling most of his thoughts with confusion: Why is this here?
"I call this the 'Hero's Blade,' but your side calls it something different, right?"
(That's right. This is definitely not the Hero's Blade. This is, this is...)
"Your side's name was something like this, wasn't it—"
Impossible. He couldn't possibly have it.
How could this even be possible? More importantly, why did they need this?
Suddenly presented with what was, in a sense, Takuto's group's Achilles' heel.
It was sufficient reason to consider an alliance. Overwhelming material.
That very thing...
"The 'Sacred Regalia Blade.'"
One of the elements required for Mynoghra to achieve an Ascension Victory and reclaim everything it had lost. It was one of the victory conditions known as Regalia.
=Eterpedia===>
[Ascension Victory] Victory Conditions
—Praise the victory. Rejoice in the joy of reaching a new dimension. Here the gates of the Kingdom of God are opened, and you shall become eternal beings within the love of God—
Ascension Victory is a form of victory achievable by meeting certain conditions known as Regalia.
There are multiple types of Regalia, and investigating how many and which Regalia are required is also part of the victory conditions.
Furthermore, a Regalia does not necessarily take the form of an item; in some cases, it refers to the unlocking of a particular achievement.
These necessary conditions and their difficulty vary according to the game's difficulty setting.
Some of the many Regalia are as follows:
• Creation of specific items.
• Acquisition of specific items.
• Acquisition of specific personnel.
• Unlocking of specific technologies.
• Construction of a great empire.
• Defeat of specific units.