“Anyways, just remember that name,” Takuto added for good measure.
The Nameless God.
Takuto had identified his assigned god by that name. He’d made up the name to prevent his opponent from noticing his lack of intel, and his bluff seemed to work.
“Huh. Your god’s got a funny name too,” Yu said. “That seems to be a thing for the gods!”
Takuto envied his carefree attitude. He was so nonchalant about the whole thing when these so-called gods were having a field day messing with their lives. Maybe they were even snickering away somewhere, watching as they conversed…
Takuto was worried sick about this headache of a problem, but he also realized there was no point burning himself out worrying about something he couldn’t resolve. He’d save it for later. He might end up leaving it on the back burner indefinitely, but it was what it was…
At any rate, what mattered right now was negotiating with Yu. Clearly this conversation was going to have a huge impact on Mynoghra—on Takuto’s future.
“So, what do ya think?” Yu asked. “Wanna take down the Succubi together? We seriously can’t get along with them. We’re destined to go at it.”
An appealing proposal. Gaining a Player as an ally was the best kind of ally you could ask for. Especially when Yu’s RPG forces brought a whole host of unique magic and abilities with them. Takuto didn’t know the specifics about his system yet, but it obviously had its own advantages.
But he couldn’t just agree.
“I’m intrigued by your offer, but I have questions first,” Takuto said. “We were attacked by the Demon Lord’s Army before. I don’t know what your relationship is with them, but we can’t leave this incident unaddressed. Resolving it comes before we can proceed with any talks.”
Takuto addressed his concerns with a biting tone and watched closely for Yu’s reaction. He wasn’t seriously criticizing them for the Demon Lord’s actions. He was purposefully hitting a sore spot to garner their thoughts, plans, and hidden agendas from their response.
“Er, sorry about that, man! Our god just went ahead and summoned the Demon Lord’s Army on his own. They’re outside of my jurisdiction, anyway. Right? The Hero commanding the Demon Lord’s Army would break the fundamentals of the game. That’s no Brave Questers, that’s for sure.”
“So, you’re saying that Brave Questers’ Demon Lord Army didn’t attack Mynoghra intentionally? You expect me to believe that?” Takuto asked, letting skepticism coat his voice.
“Sounds like they were originally prepped to test my skills, so I feel real bad it turned out the way it did.”
“Do you honestly think I’ll believe such a convenient story? Please don’t underestimate me,” Takuto said, raising his voice in a show of irritation.
At the same time, he sent telepathic orders to Atou. Tentacles erupted from her back and directed their points at Yu and the slave girl, as if she were acting in accordance with her king’s volatile emotions. Of course, Takuto had arranged this and ordered her not to actually attack. It was little more than an act to put on pressure.
Now, how will they react? Let’s give it one more push.
“Besides, while it appears you want to work with us, you haven’t indicated how that would benefit us. Now that I know you can’t control the Demon Lord’s Army, I can assume your fighting strength is limited to you and your companion there. For as strong as The Hero may be, don’t you think there’s too much of a difference in strength between us?”
Yu started showing slight signs of panic as Takuto put on the pressure. Slight being the key word here. He seemed more flustered over the conversation growing more complicated by the minute than panicked over the danger they were in.
In other words, Yu had measures in place to escape if things became hostile with Mynoghra. Takuto felt offended at being underestimated, but accepted it as the confidence a Player would have if they’d been granted all the abilities of The Hero.
“Now, now, I’m confident it’s a juicy offer. Ain’t it easier to go at things with two forces instead of one? Am I right, or am I right?”
“You’re absolutely, positively right, Master! One plus one equals two!”
Hmm, he’s completely unbothered even after I’ve provoked him, huh?
Takuto had strictly ordered Atou not to attack. He also instructed her to unleash her murderous aura to provoke them—to no effect.
Considering Yu had defeated the Demon Lord with a single blow during his battle with the Elfuur Sisters, he had proven he wielded considerable power. Continuing to antagonize him would only serve to worsen Mynoghra’s position. Takuto wasn’t interested in picking a fight either.
“It never hurts to have more numbers on your side,” Takuto conceded. “Greater numbers pose a greater risk of chaos among your ranks, but there is undeniable power in numbers. I think I see the problem now—you’re a two-man team. So you thought it’d be better to join up with Mynoghra—another army-controlling faction—to better counter the Succubus Army. Now what?”
Takuto posed his question to mean: now what benefit does that bring us?
He’d figured out his opponent’s circumstances. They lacked manpower—an army—and they seemed absolutely certain they would clash with the Succubus Army for whatever reason. But that only scratched the surface of what Yu wanted from this partnership. Takuto framed his question to get across that he was still willing to hear them out and that he didn’t see much merit in working with them yet.
But before Yu could answer Takuto, Atou sent him a panicked telepathic message.
“King Takuto? Are you considering working with them if the conditions seem right? We know nothing about this person—and he’s a Player. It feels like playing with fire…”
Atou voiced concerns that matched perfectly with Takuto’s and that made him happy.
“Don’t worry. I’m just trying to gauge his response. Besides, I doubt Players can ever get along in the end. Not only is his background suspicious, but we don’t know what he’s hiding…”
“True. Your Majesty’s anger is based.”
Had Takuto let too much of his focus shift to his conversation with Atou? Or was it just a coincidence? Yu had cleanly cut their telepathic conversation short with his comment. His tone and aura seemed no different, but the mood had shifted.
“So I came prepared to give you this as a token of our sincerity.”
Yu spoke as if he admitted he was in the wrong for coming out of the blue. And what happened next was enough to take even Takuto by surprise.
Where and when did he bring that out?
A sword appeared in Yu’s hand before Atou could even react, despite being on guard. Sheathed in a scabbard decorated without being too ostentatious, it emitted a faint glow reflecting the sunlight slanting in through the window.
Takuto gasped the moment he saw it. For the first time since the start of this meeting, he let his mask slip to show his surprise. Atou had a similar reaction beside him.
Why is it here? That question echoed on repeat through Takuto’s mind, dominating his thoughts.
“I call this guy the Hero’s Sword, but you’ve got a different name for it, don’t you?” Yu asked.
He’s right. There’s no mistaking this for the Hero’s Sword. It’s…it’s…!
“I believe your name for it is—”
It shouldn’t be here. He shouldn’t have it. What’s going on? How do they even know we need it, and why is that what we need?
Yu had brought what could essentially be considered Mynoghra’s Achilles’ heel. It was of such overwhelming value to them that it more than merited considering an alliance. For it was none other than—
“The Regalia Sword.”
This sword was one of the key items required for Mynoghra to achieve an Ascension Victory and regain everything they had lost. One piece of the victory conditions called Regalia…