It was a tad disconcerting, but Takuto set it to the side as he had nothing else to go off of. All that mattered right now was that his self-introduction was done and over with. It wasn’t the smoothest interaction, but Takuto was just glad it was over.
“This now concludes the introductions of everyone present.”
Freesia executed a crisp bow, drawing the introduction phase to a close. Tension returned to the room.
The attendees had indeed finished their meet-and-greet. Normally, this was where Vagia or her two Succubi attendants would act as the MC and announce the agenda for the conference. However, everyone in the room vaguely sensed that the introductions were not over yet.
Their gazes naturally drifted to the mysterious objects placed on top of the empty seats. A strange stone statue sat there, clearly placed for some purpose.
“Okay, it looks like everyone present has finished their introductions. Buttsies, aren’t all you lovelies just writhing with curiosity? Worrying those dirty minds of yours about those who are not here ♡! Naughty, naughty! Relax, darlings. I will properly walk you through it, so don’t get pushy! Sex is an art that requires proper etiquette. The ladies don’t like it when you breathe down their neck.”
“Good pointers,” Yu mumbled, becoming convinced about the wrong things.
Takuto cut him a look before readying himself for what he assumed was the heart of this conference.
There were three objects. One resembled dice. If Takuto’s prediction was correct and these objects represented the missing Players, then the dice was a stand-in for the TRPG Player, Keiji Kuhara. Takuto had defeated but not killed him during their fight. He had neglected to follow up on what had happened after that, so he was a little curious.
It seemed Keiji had indeed survived. Takuto was certain Keiji would hold a grudge after what happened, but he likely wouldn’t resort to petty revenge so soon after being put in his place. Still, Takuto couldn’t be too optimistic with how overpowered the Game Master abilities were.
Takuto turned his gaze to the broken object next. It had been shattered into pieces, symbolizing the Player behind it had been defeated. The Player who fit this description was Masato Kigou, the one killed by Yu Kamimiyadera. He was the first elimination, the Player who came to this world with the Seven God Kings system.
Looking closely, Takuto saw that some of the shattered pieces resembled card designs. It didn’t seem like a long shot to assume that it was Kigou’s.
Which leaves the last one as the real problem…
The final object had a strange design. An orb filled with weapons, shields, necklaces, and other items. It was unclear what kind of game it represented. The sword and shield gave it away as some sort of fantasy game, but Takuto didn’t want to form any preconceptions, so he withheld drawing definitive conclusions.
What mattered was the fact that there was a new force he knew absolutely nothing about—another Player, hidden from him.
“As you know, a lot of powerful beings called Players have come to this world♡. I’m sure you have noticed by now, haven’t you? All the people with incredible powers! This event is being held to let the world know about these Players and for them to meet. Although it seems a few deigned not to participate, ehe♡.”
Gasps rose from the Qualia and Phon’kaven representatives. This news must have been a bolt out of the blue for them. Qualia had suffered much at the hands of Erakino and Mynoghra. And although Phon’kaven had allied with Mynoghra, the threat posed to their existence by the Demon Lord’s Army was still fresh in their minds. They also witnessed firsthand the insane powers possessed by Mynoghra.
These almost godlike beings were lurking in far more corners of the world than they could have possibly imagined. Learning this naturally sent them into shock and despair. However, they already understood that they were no longer the major powers at the table.
The Players. They had gathered here to strike some kind of deal. Although Qualia and Phon’kaven were allowed to participate in the conference, it was as if they were being blatantly told they were nothing more than a sidepiece. As if to drive home that point, Vagia spoke before Qualia’s Pope could voice his complaints. She was clearly addressing the Players instead of him.
“These little stone statues represent those who declared they wouldn’t participate or couldn’t come. Personally,” Vagia drawled, “I wanted to meet them in the flesh and get to know them better♡. They said they were just too busy, so I prepared these in their stead.”
I wish she would’ve told us that was an option… Or maybe it was prepared as a last-minute compromise for anyone who was too stubborn to come? That would make sense at least… I wonder how they work?
Vagia seemed inordinately invested in this conference. Apparently, it was essential that all the Players participate in one form or another. Since nothing was done to represent the neutral nations that chose to skip, it was clear that they didn’t matter as much as the Players did.
“So does that mean those strange objects connect the audio between the absent Players and this venue?” Yu asked. “Can they hear us too?”
“That’s right! All the secret little conversations we’ve been having up until now are being listened in on, hun♡! They can hear us with the clarity of the highest quality wiretapping device♡.”
“Hmm,” Yu hummed and fell silent.
If they were following the general order of these things, it should have been the absentees’ turn to be introduced. Yu probably wasn’t happy that they remained silent. Even if one of the objects had been destroyed and its Player was no longer in this world, the other two should still work. Was there a reason why there was no reaction from them?
Hmm… Should I prod them here? I’m not great at these things, but now’s not really the time to whine about that.
“Then would you introduce them to us?” Takuto requested. “It would be cruel to leave them out of the conversation.”
Takuto wanted to know their names at least. Keiji he could leave or take, but the other statue represented an unknown Player. He hoped one of Vagia’s subordinates would step forward and introduce him like she had done for the others in attendance, but…
“You heard him. What would you like to do?”