Being able to use decoys meant his mobility had increased. For Takuto, who had been forced into more cautious actions due to fearing the enemy faction's capabilities, this operational freedom was quite literally a new weapon—a gift from heaven. Therefore, he had to maximize this ability.
Takuto had invited Pepe, who was currently visiting Dragontan, to a private meeting.
"Hey, Pepe. It's been a while. If you'd told me in advance, I could have prepared a proper welcome..."
"Don't worry about it, Takuto! I'm here incognito, so it'd be bad if my grandmas found out!"
"R-Right. It's not my place to comment on another country's affairs, but try not to cause too much worry."
"It's fine! It's fine!"
Like himself, Pepe was also a national leader of Fonkavun. While not to the same extreme, he too held an important position fraught with mortal peril. Whether aware of this or not, his guts in casually visiting another country—allied though it may be—made Takuto feel a slight unease. Yet, he proceeded with the thanks he hadn't had time to properly express until now.
"In any case, first, allow me to express my gratitude as King of Mynoghra. Regarding the recent conflict with Renea Amritate, your country's assistance was truly magnificent."
"Well, Takuto, you've been a great help to us too. Something like that was a bargain! Besides, people from the northern continent are tough on those from over here, so I'd prefer they didn't come around too much!"
"So even someone like you finds it hard to get along with them, huh..."
This was a formal expression of thanks from the King of Mynoghra. During the fight against Renea Amritate, it was precisely because he had conducted military exercises in the intercontinental zone that a portion of Renea's Holy Knights had been pinned down. For Takuto, the battle against the TTRPG forces had been a razor's-edge fight demanding speed and stealth, so the flashy activity there had been an immense help as a diversion.
The original plan had been for Fonkavun to deploy troops to the connecting region and establish effective control, but in truth, this territory had also been ceded from Fonkavun. Takuto had honestly worried—was it really okay to keep taking things from Dragontan? Did this mean relations had soured? But upon opening that box, it turned out the reason was entirely different.
"Come to think of it, how are things with the firearms training and the land reclamation?"
"Ah, yes! That's exactly it! I actually wanted to thank you for that very matter! Thanks to those... Spirits of Ruin, was it? that Takuto loaned us, the land in Fonkavun is becoming incredibly fertile! Now we don't have to spend a fortune buying food from traveling merchants! The look of them is, well, quite something, but the results are amazing! So, including all that, there are various business matters I'd like to discuss with you, Takuto!"
Land reclamation. That was precisely why Fonkavun had parted with the fertile land it had so painstakingly acquired.
The mechanism was thus: the cause was the full-scale operationalization of the land's Mana. The land's military magic. This was an extremely beneficial spell that enhanced the domestic aspects contributing to land improvement.
Originally, the Dark Continent was barren land where crops barely grew, but using this magic, one could transform that wild terrain into rich land where crops flourished.
Therefore, Fonkavun was currently swamped fertilizing the lands around all its cities, including the capital, and the newly acquired, uselessly distant territory had become nothing but a burden.
That was precisely why, amidst the chaos, the collective consensus of Fonkavun was that it was more profitable to sell that land to nearby Mynoghra.
(They took a considerable number of guns and ammunition as well, but considered against the land itself, it was likely cheap. Right now, there's only disadvantage in picking a fight with Fonkavun, and it's beneficial for us if they, not tied to any other player faction, become friendly and powerful.)
"Well, for the actual drafting of such talks into a formal contract, that can happen during future official negotiations. For now, this direction is acceptable from my side as well. Pepe, could you ensure the groundwork is laid on your end?"
"Of course! So, our two nations remain on the best of terms, then!"
Both nodded, seemingly satisfied.
Takuto was glad the relationship with Fonkavun was continuing and that various concerns had been dispelled.
Fonkavun was glad this windfall wasn't over and that opportunities to strengthen its national power would continue.
"Mm, yes. The whole continent is getting more volatile by the day. It's better to stay on friendly terms if we can."
That was the policy of both sides, and at present, it was an honest sentiment without pretense.
"About that enormous woman from the other day! She had huge breasts, didn't she?"
The conversation shifted to something else entirely.
From Takuto's perspective, this was necessary information as well, so Pepe steering the conversation here could be considered fortunate. Namely, how the other nations of the Dark Continent, including Fonkavun, were interpreting the current situation.
"Yes, everything about her was quite large... What do you think, Pepe?"
"As for me, I'd like to become friends, but how about you? We are planning to send an envoy in our stead!"
"An envoy... I see."
"Having dealings with people from the Northern Continent requires some caution, you know? I'm not bothered by it, but on this continent, there are many who dislike the Northern Continent. Besides Fonkavun, aren't other nations similar?"
This was an unexpectedly reticent reaction. No, considering Fonkavun's situation, this judgment could be deemed correct.
As a neutral nation situated far from El-Nar, the very epicenter of the turmoil, Fonkavun likely saw little merit in proactively engaging with the other side.
Judging by his tone, the other neutral nations seemed to share a similar policy.
"However, while I have little interest in that 'All-Faction Summit,' there are, I think, quite a few people who'd be eager to converse with Takuto Ira of Mynoghra?"
Oh? Takuto tilted his head internally at the unexpected proposal.
Because Pepe was conversing with him so amicably, it was easy to mistake the relationship, but Mynoghra was, fundamentally, an evil nation. Its interaction with Fonkavun was merely an act born of mutual benefit.
Despite this, what did it mean that the other neutral nations were now showing interest?
The aversion of all living things to evil was something akin to instinct. Fonkavun could interact with them only because they shared a common enemy in the Demon Lord's Army—an irregularity, in a sense.
(Hmm? Even a neutral nation with remote lands... have they finally grown anxious? Well, I'll hear them out.)
"Converse with me, you say. Come to think of it, Pepe, you've had dealings with other nations on this continent as well. Since this is a good opportunity, I'd like to hear your evaluation of them from your perspective."
He had gathered a certain amount of information on the nations of the neutral continent.
However, the reality was that investigation hadn't progressed much beyond Fonkavun, as their capitals were even more distant, or they were simply insular nations.
Until now, he hadn't paid much mind, thinking it fine to leave them alone unless they approached with an offer, like Fonkavun had. But as Mynoghra grew in size, opportunities for contact would inevitably increase.
At the very least, that absurd proposal of a 'All-Species Conference' from the Succubus faction had heightened that possibility.
While organizing the information on other nations of the Dark Continent within his mind, Takuto decided to cross-reference it with Pepe's explanation.
"Indeed. First, there is the maritime nation, Sutherland. This is a dwarf nation that has built its strength primarily through coastal fishing and maritime trade."
"I'd heard tales, but a maritime nation of dwarves... that's a bit off from my image. I had the impression of dwarves being about mines and craftsmanship."
"I'm not entirely sure what impression you had of him, Takuto, but apparently he originally founded a landlocked nation. However, given this land, it seems they reached the sea in their pursuit of wealth."
I let out an internal exclamation of admiration.
The concept of a dwarven maritime nation was a first for me, shattering my preconceived notions, yet it was equally fascinating. However, since I hadn't heard anything about traveling merchants coming to Dragontan, it was likely quite isolationist or stubborn.
In that regard, it matched the stereotype.
"But when it comes to technology, you might be absolutely right in your impression, Takuto. All their ships are massive and impressive! There are rumors they even trade with other continents?"
"Oh, that's interesting."
I feign exaggerated surprise, though it might seem a bit forced. If they were technologically advanced and traded with other continents, their national scale could be larger than imagined.
At the very least, it was now certain they were a larger nation than Fonkavun.
Yet it was also certain they weren't a threat-level nation. A country of that size wouldn't, as Pepe said, be pushed to the coastal regions, and it wouldn't be unusual for them to be in a state of war with Quolia or El-Nar in search of fertile land...
The reality of the Dark Continent and the various neutral nations within it became clearer in Takuto's mind.
"There are also what you might call city-states, two small nations where one city equals one country. One is a multi-species state like ours, and the other is a nation of people from the northern continent who committed crimes or lost political struggles. Both are smaller than us!"
It seemed the total number of nations on the Dark Continent was around five.
Sutherland, Fonkavun, two city-states, and Mynoghra.
Since they were described as persecuted by the legitimate northern continent, their national power was comparatively low, and their population was only so-so.
Sutherland's technology and trade seemed promising, but honestly, I wasn't very interested in the other so-called city-states.
In 'Eternal Nations', they were likely the kind of nations that would either be gone when you noticed or destroyed as a test run for new units.
Still, they might be usable in some way. It was too early to judge.
"I see, thank you. And remember, never call them 'tiny' nations to outsiders."
"Even including those 'tiny' nations, everyone is very interested in Mynoghra. Especially since our Fonkavun has established good relations, it seems to have encouraged them. Shall we have a dining gathering with everyone sometime? I want to eat the food you prepare again, Takuto!"
"Well, I'd be happy to invite you for a meal anytime, but the fact that you're saying this means Pepe already has some of the groundwork laid?"
I was being pressed hard.
I had a strong feeling this was definitely urgent.
After all, Pepe had made the trip all the way here. He was the de facto leader of Fonkavun, so even if he claimed he came just to play—which might be true, given his personality—his presence alone signaled he had some scheme in mind.
His motive was this: for Pepe, the real purpose of this visit was to be a messenger between Mynoghra and other neutral nations.
"Rather, the countries I just listed are all clamoring for a chance to meet with Mynoghra as soon as possible. They've been waiting for your reply, Takuto!"
"Hmm..."
"They're desperate. The big-chested big sister didn't just make an impact with her assets, it seems."
"Ah, that..."
Ah, so that's it.
It was such a simple reason, I was surprised I hadn't realized it sooner.
It seemed my senses for player-related anomalies had gone numb because too many of them had been happening around me.
For Takuto, it was just a flashy event, but for the people who had likely been living poor but peaceful lives until now, it was anything but.
"Projecting oneself directly across the continent... I know of no magic that can do that. Neither does anyone else. And even if it existed, it wouldn't be easy. That's why everyone is so panicked, I think."
In other words, from their perspective, a military force of unknown but immense power was summoning them. With no idea what might be done to them, they wanted to use Fonkavun as an intermediary to build good relations with Mynoghra, which presumably possessed similarly great power...
(I have to choose between a monster of unknown nature and a monster that can at least be reasoned with, huh...)
From his experience as a leader guiding a nation in reality, not in a game, Takuto could sympathize that the leaders of the neutral nations were probably ulcerating with stress by now.
But he had no need or obligation to consider or accommodate them.
After all, Takuto was still only the leader of Mynoghra, a game player who pursued only the interests of his state and himself.
"So, what do you think, Takuto? Isn't this a steal? Don't miss this chance!"
"Pepe, don't have such bad ideas..."
"But Takuto, you love this sort of thing, don't you?"
Pepe, for his part, seemed to be turning the current situation to his advantage, thinking things over in his own way.
His innocent side was highly endearing. That childishness was, in itself, also cruelty.
For the next several hours, neither Pepe nor Takuto allowed a single soul to enter the reception room.
However, their cheerful laughter alone never ceased, continuing without pause.