TAKUTO didn’t know what happened after he left, but the meeting ended there for the day and was set to continue the following day. He found a day’s delay within acceptable limits, but the following day came with an unexpected problem.
“Have you all calmed down now?”
“Please accept our humblest apologies, Your Majesty…”
The Dark Elves apologized one after another after reflecting on their actions. Seeing as Elder Moltar and Emle bowed their heads apologetically alongside Gia, they must have felt responsible for not stopping his outburst.
“You better be sorry! The lot of you are pathetic! How could you let that clown goad you into kicking up a fuss and waste precious meeting time?! As long as I am here, I won’t tolerate such a disgrace before the king!” Atou declared.
Yes, she was the problematic element that had joined today’s meeting.
“Atou.”
“Yes, King Takuto?!” Atou directed a sunny smile his way. Perhaps she was trying to assure him all would be well with her there.
Takuto had no idea what she based her confidence on, but he needed to double down and remind her to behave to avoid all hell from breaking loose. “Atou, no matter what happens, don’t lose your cool, either. All right? You are the only one I can ask this of. A certain somebody won’t listen even if I ask…”
“Of course! You can always count on me!”
The more confident Atou was, the more worried Takuto became. But they were addressing a problem that faced Mynoghra as a whole, so they couldn’t leave Atou out of the discussion.
We’ll just have to push through like this, Takuto thought, resigning himself to the inevitable chaos to come. Then he switched gears and looked around the room at the guilt-ridden Dark Elves. Vittorio, the other guilty party, was humming away as he folded an origami crane with two legs. Takuto decided to leave him alone.
“To wrap up what we discussed yesterday, we will go forward with cooperating with Hero Yu, while remaining highly cautious of him. This is a decision that has been made in the best interest of Mynoghra,” Takuto announced.
The Dark Elves didn’t object this time. Partly because they had been convinced by the prior meeting, but also because they were too ashamed after yesterday to speak up. Vittorio had goaded them into arguing for this purpose, but it really was a reprehensible tactic.
Takuto continued to explain the plan while chuckling on the inside. He wanted to keep the ball rolling in this manner to convince them to agree to his true objective—participating in the All-Faction Conference.
Takuto had already decided Mynoghra would participate. They couldn’t keep falling behind on the information front, and participating was a part of his arrangement with Yu Kamimiyadera. Odds were high that this conference was a trap set by Witch Vagia of the Succubus Army, but even so, there was no way he was going to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about the other Players.
He was determined to push this decision through, even if he had to force it. But he also had an ace up his sleeve that would convince—nay, give the Dark Elves no choice but to agree.
“All right, now that we’ve settled the matter of our alliance with the Hero faction, I would like to discuss another matter with you.”
All eyes turned to Takuto. He looked at each of their faces in turn and then solemnly broached the topic.
“As you all know, the Succubus faction recently announced they are holding an All-Faction Conference. I plan to participate. This is normally a matter I should have consulted you about first. However, as this is a matter of grave importance to me personally, you will have to forgive me for taking a different approach to making this decision. You cannot change my mind.”
“Yes, sire!!”
The Dark Elves instantly agreed and bowed their heads because Takuto was especially assertive with his word choice and tone. This might be the first time he spoke in absolutes to his subordinates. He usually always showed a level of consideration to them. Realizing the determination and importance of this decision, the Dark Elves immediately comprehended the danger of objecting.
Even so…even knowing that! If there was even a slight chance the king might be in danger, it was the duty of his subordinates to offer counsel, even if it was disrespectful to do so. That was one form of loyalty. The first to cross that line was Elder Moltar.
“I understand the situation. We understand that it is a matter of great national importance and of equal import to you personally that you attend this conference hosted by the El-Nah Alliance of Elementals. They have been a source of concern for a long time, indeed.”
Elder Moltar kicked off the debate, and Gia took the ball from there.
“However, Your Majesty! Please forgive me for speaking out of turn, but I firmly believe it is far too dangerous for you to undertake this expedition! Naturally, we understand that there are aspects to your relationship with the Hero Yu that are beyond the comprehension of our mortal minds. Nevertheless, there is too much risk in you accompanying someone you have only recently allied with to the wolves’ den! As your humble servant, I simply cannot agree to this.”
As Gia said, it was a risky venture. Not only was there a risk of Yu betraying them along the way, but even if he didn’t, the conference was to be held in the Elven capital. In the heart of enemy territory. No vassal worth his salt would approve of their king participating.
But Takuto already had a countermeasure in place, which was why he was firm in his decision.
“I know. I am in full agreement with your concerns. That’s why I don’t plan on going myself.”
The Dark Elves responded with confusion. “What in the Accursed Lands do you mean?” was the simple question that spilled from many of their lips. The king himself had only just announced he was going to participate in the All-Faction Conference. And yet his following statement contradicted that. They groaned in confusion, unable to understand his intentions.
Takuto flashed a boyish grin, like a child whose prank had just succeeded. Then he directed his gaze toward the Gleeful Spin Doctor, whom he’d dragged to today’s meeting, like he was the answer to their questions. “And there you have it, Vittorio. Good luck.”
“Hruh?” Vittorio returned his gaze with a dumbfounded look, as if he’d been caught off guard.
Takuto arched an eyebrow at him, knowing the jester of a Hero had to have expected this was coming, even if he pretended otherwise. He decided to explain his intentions anyway for the benefit of the Dark Elves.
“Your abilities were made for times like this, wouldn’t you say? I won’t let you claim to have forgotten your Disguise skill.”
Vittorio’s Disguise skill worked like the Botchling’s Mimic skill. Simply put, he could transform into any person and remain undetected. In addition, while Vittorio couldn’t take combat actions, he had the ability to revive back at base when he died. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say his abilities felt like they were made just for attending this dangerous conference.
“Mm-mm! Hold it right there, mon dieu! I’ve already put in a request to use up my vacation days that’ve been piling up! My schedule is packed for that day, as I already made plans to go on a long trip with my precious cult family!”
“You’ll be free to toy with people from the other factions, though?”
“Sacre bleu! Now I’m torn!”
Between the Botchling’s Mimic and Vittorio’s Disguise, Takuto could send doubles for himself and Atou. Vittorio could revive if he died, and Takuto was willing to lose a Botchling if it came to that. This way, he could enjoy the maximum benefits without taking on much risk. Takuto believed this was an efficient strategy.
With the Botchling’s Mimic, Takuto could speak through it remotely. With Vittorio’s Disguise, he could act just like Takuto Ira and respond at the drop of a hat to any unforeseen incidents.
Right now, Vittorio was making a fuss as he was apt to do, but if he got motivated, he would absolutely carry out his mission. Sending in Vittorio and the Botchling was the most efficient and safest plan. Takuto explained this strategy to everyone in a way they could understand.
“P-Please hold on a minute, King Takuto! Slow down! Please repeat! Did you just say body double? That this nauseating piece of filth will transform into either me or you?!” Atou closed in on Takuto in a complete panic. She was in such shock at his decision, she was half in tears. Of course she would be. She and Vittorio got along worse than cats and dogs.
Sludge Atou hated everything about Vittorio—down to the last fiber of his very being. It was beyond scandalous for her archenemy to serve as their body double. If Vittorio refused to transform into her, then he would transform into her beloved Takuto. And if he refused to transform into Takuto, he’d gleefully transform into Atou and act out his deranged take on her. Both options sucked.
Worst of all, this was a decision Takuto had made as king and could not be objected to. Now she knew what it felt like to be trapped like a rat. Despair fell over her beautiful features.
“Hõ hõ hõn,” Vittorio cackled. “I see how it is. Then without much ado~~~!”
Being so obvious about her revulsion was only asking for him to poke at it. An absolutely, positively gleeful smile stretched across Vittorio’s face. Then he began moving both hands in a bizarre dance.
Before long, his outline began to distort and, in his place, appeared—
“Hehehe. How do I look, Atou? It’s me. Your beloved master, Takuto Ira.”
Before Atou’s eyes appeared Takuto Ira in all his likeness, except with the uncanny detail of the most lewd and shady expression possible warping his face.
“UGYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”
“Oh Spirits!”
Atou fell to her knees, letting out the least ladylike scream ever heard by man. The Dark Elves and even Takuto, who knew her the longest, pulled wry faces at her extreme reaction. But Atou couldn’t care less about what others thought of her. Her head jerked up at lightning speed, and she lunged at the fake Takuto Ira with all the menace of a cat ready to tear into its enemy.
“H-Hey! What in the blue blazes are you doing, you nasty clown!!!!!!! O-Of all the people, why would you transform into King Takuto! Your disrespect knows no bounds! How utterly rude! Rude! Rude! Disengage that disguise at once!” Atou demanded in a fit of rage.
“Huuuh? What’s that, missy?” Fake Takuto cupped a hand behind his ear. “It seems moi’s hearing has gotten bad of late. I can’t seem to comprehend the piercingly shrill hysterics of little girlieeeees!”
“Grrrrrrrrrrrr! If you didn’t look like King Takuto, I would punch you in the face right now…”