The royal palace construction site where Takuto and the others lived, and the residential quarters occupied by the Dark Elves. Between the two places stood a simple ceremonial ground created by clearing a section of the forest. Though it was merely a location where Atou had forcibly uprooted trees with his great strength, leveled the ground, and arbitrarily arranged nearby boulders, it was now an important strategic facility for Mynoghra.
"Takuto, preparations are complete. The food supplies match the exact quantity required."
"Okay, thanks, Atou."
At the center of the ceremonial ground, large quantities of food were piled high. The base consisted of ominous lumps of meat borne from the "Flesh of Man Trees," though some newly harvested crops from the farmland could also be seen among them.
Takuto approached the mountain of supplies and gently held out his palm.
Instantly, the food contorted from the center inward, beginning a strange pulsation as if condensing toward the middle. The clumped supplies twitched and convulsed until they coalesced into a single mass. Changing color and shape, it had now become a solitary lump of meat.
Simultaneously, a pale blue surge of mana flowed from Takuto's palm. Stream-like, it wound around the meat mass, coiling and agitating to increasingly shape it. Watching this scene that clearly manifested the rhythm of life, Atou observed Takuto's work with a gaze of reverence.
Before long, the faint light emanating from the mana ceased, and something viscous dropped to the ground with a wet plop. It was not the familiar "Gyeeee" cry, but rather the scout unit of Mynoghra—the Long-legged Insect.
"Well done, Takuto. I am delighted you have successfully birthed a new unit."
"Yes, yes. I'm glad it worked out, Atou. I was worried it might not function properly."
Takuto exhaled with a relieved expression, and Atou scurried over, flapping its limbs in concern. This was an experiment in standard unit production, finally made possible now that Mynoghra's foundations as a nation were solidifying and productivity had reached a surplus.
Everything was a first for him, and he was somewhat on edge, but the strange memories floating through his mind guided him through it all without much trouble.
"I didn't realize it while playing the game, but thinking about actually producing units like this is kind of fascinating."
"Yes, who would have thought that gathering the necessary food and resources, then tossing in some mana would complete production... What kind of system is this, really?"
"That much isn't recorded in the Brain-dia, I'm afraid..."
Takuto had died in the real world and been reborn in this world as the leader of "Eternal Nations." Despite the countless differences between this world and the game, the fact that he could carry out actions identical to the game system was thanks to the mysterious information surfacing in his mind. Whenever he considered a question, even briefly, the relevant information would simply appear. Takuto called this "Brain-dia," a play on the help function "Eterpedia" built into "Eternal Nations."
The earlier experiment — unit production, specifically — was no different. In the game, all he had to do was select the desired unit from a list and click the produce icon. In this world, however, a certain ritual appeared to be necessary. Though the instructions for the ritual from start to finish were all laid out for him, there was no explanation of why the system worked this way, or why they had come to this world in the first place. That information simply did not surface — an extremely limited system, all told.
"I see. So that means we'll need to continue conducting various investigations and analyses, including hands-on experiments..."
"Yep, that's about the size of it, Atou. Now then, newly born Long-Legged Bug, go cooperate with the others and start surveying outside the forest, little by little."
"Gyeeeee!"
Letting out that same neurotic-sounding cry as always, the Long-Legged Bug scurried off into the depths of the forest and vanished from sight.
Watching it go, Atou pressed further with questions, attempting to deduce why Takuto had bothered producing an additional scout when he should already have one.
"By the way, Lord Takuto. This time you produced a Long-Legged Bug, but what about units that consist of groups rather than individuals?"
"That one the Brain-dia actually had an answer for. Apparently, for group units, you generally need base citizens as a foundation. Say you wanted to produce cavalry — that'd be a thousand horses per unit, a thousand volunteer soldiers, resources and mana for equipment, plus training time. And on top of that, monthly food maintenance for each unit, in bulk!"
"I was aware, but the balance does seem off. Or rather, does that mean individual units are absurdly cost-effective? A small elite force centered on heroes really does seem like the best approach for now. Ah, I see! That's why you chose the Long-Legged Bug!"
"Right. The Long-Legged Bug can be upgraded into a Headcutter through tech development. Once that happens, its combat power falls just slightly short of the cavalry I mentioned. The cost-to-performance ratio couldn't be better."
Some units, including the Long-legged Insects, can be upgraded. This is a method of transforming units into more powerful ones by acquiring new technologies and resources.
The Long-legged Insects fall into this category of upgradeable units and can be upgraded twice once the corresponding technologies are unlocked. Of course, since it is one unit per individual, the cost remains low. Furthermore, they are insect-type units.
Atou’s eyes sparkled as he pieced together the information and a strategy began to take shape. "Oh!? So that means -- I see it now, my King! The next hero to produce, then, is..."
"I've thought about it from various angles, but I've decided to summon the 'Queen of All Insects, Isla'."
"Isla, as expected! She is quite the cheat character, after all."
The "Queen of All Insects, Isla" -- a hero unit that Mynoghra prides itself on, an exceptionally powerful insectoid hero.
One of her traits is the permanent enhancement of all insect-type units. The enhancement value of +2 is a remarkable bargain, and the effect is gained with no demerits. This ability, which can transform a scout unit like the Long-legged Insect into a frontline combat unit, is a weapon that holds its own not just in the early game, but the late game as well.
Because it also grants bonuses to several other insect-type units that exist, its benefits are immeasurable.
In fact, in "Eternal Nations," most players who choose Mynoghra summon Isla first rather than Atou in their opening moves. She is that powerful, and she enables a playstyle that aligns perfectly with Mynoghra’s characteristics.
"In addition to strengthening insect-type units, Isla can produce various larva units. Her personal combat ability isn't particularly high, but her 'Larva Spawning' ability, which can be put to use in both warfare and domestic administration, is formidable."
"A splendid choice, Lord Takuto! This should resolve our labor issues as well."
The larvae can serve as a substitute for laborers in land reclamation and production, even if their efficiency is poor. While the "Larva Spawning" ability and the maintenance of the larvae require a massive amount of food, the ability to produce laborers without waiting for the nation's population to increase is a net positive in the long run.
Takuto had not used Isla much in his previous playstyle, so he hadn't noticed, but as a hero summoned at this timing, she was classified as top-tier.
There were other heroes, but they were all too eccentric to be of practical use.
Sifting through his memories and considering the traits of the several heroes who existed, Atou gave his king a two-handed round of applause for Takuto's choice.
Takuto, satisfied with Atou's approval, nodded in return.
It was still morning. Having started his experiments early due to concerns about potential trouble, Takuto found himself with more time than expected. He decided to spend it on a leisurely breakfast with Atou and began heading back to the palace.
Atou, who had recently been swamped with various domestic affairs, seemed visibly pleased at the prospect of being alone with his king. His mood brightened unmistakably as he followed.
"Right, after breakfast, let's go over the intelligence we've gathered on the surrounding regions. We've already collected most of the data on this area, but once we're done, I plan to switch the scouts to basic surveillance. We're not planning to go and punch some other country, so I want to consult on that."
"Surveillance—regarding the human towns near the forest, I presume? It is wise to be cautious. I would even dare to suggest we monitor them with particular diligence, my king."
"The Holy Kingdom of Quolia, was it? It's not one of their towns, right?"
"No, it isn't. It appears to be a different one, a city belonging to a neutral-aligned nation situated much farther east of the forest. It seems to be somewhat of an exclave. The reason for establishing a town in such a location is unclear, but the issue is its position. It will likely be the first to sense our existence."
The long-legged insect they had first created upon arriving in this world.
Despite its bizarre body and cries, it was fully performing its duty.
The Great Cursed Realm, whose true scale was still unknown, had already revealed its full extent, and the investigation had now reached the outer edges of the forest.
During this process, the aforementioned human town had been discovered.
The Dark Elves seemed unaware of its existence, suggesting it was a relatively new settlement, but the problem was its distance.
For Takuto and his forces, who relied on covert operations, this town, which increased the risk of discovery, was their primary concern.
"However, the fact that many nations on this continent are neutral-aligned is somewhat reassuring news. If it's a country we can reason with, that would be good—though the town in question is bothering me, we'll probably hold off for now."
"The residents of that region appear to fear this forest and avoid getting too close, which is fortunate... I will order the long-legged insect to gather information without being detected."
Takuto nodded in acknowledgment.
Before they realized it, they had returned to the palace.
Materials had already been transported in large quantities to the planned site for the royal palace, and preparations were steadily underway.
Since the Dark Elf population was not yet large enough to allocate many workers to construction, the scale was more akin to a grand manor than a true palace. Still, constructed with their distinctive architectural style, it would be an impressive structure.
Someday, he would nurture this town into a great city worthy of being a royal capital, and raise his own palace to pierce the heavens.
Takuto settled into his favored throne, daydreaming about standing on the top floor of his yet-unformed palace and gazing down upon the lands below.
"On the contrary," he said, "if we've been so careful in concealing our existence all this way, then anyone who does approach this forest likely has some sort of intention..."
"That would be the case."
"Well, it doesn't feel like we've been discovered. The Dark Elf pursuers were months ago, and it's unlikely they'd come now. I think we'll be fine, one way or another!"
He slapped the armrest of his throne cheerily, seeking agreement from Atou.
In a better mood from her king's lively attitude, she chuckled and replied with a light jest.
"My, my, Lord Takuto, if you say something so obvious, you'll set off a flag! A flag!"
"It would be a problem if flags were raised so easily. Atou, you're such a worrier. Hahaha—"
However,
The cheerful expression vanished from Takuto's face in an instant.
"...? What is the matter?"
"Someone's actually coming."
Immediately after, the color drained from Atou's face as well, replaced by a cold, indifferent expression that chilled one to the core.
"An armed group is heading towards this forest."
Information about an armed group had been urgently conveyed via the leg-worm. Remembering his earlier words, Takuto understood their implications and a quiet anger ignited within him.
If their Dark Elf subjects were to see them now, they would likely be overcome with fear and terror, able only to hang their heads.
They simply wanted to live peacefully and quietly.
Conflict was out of the question.
But no law of this world states that pacifists are safe.
A clinging, gloomy darkness, and pitch-black malice pregnant with evil emanated from the two.
The time when Mynoghra would come into contact with those of goodness was almost upon them.
=Eterpedia===
[Queen of All Insects, Isla]Combat Unit
Combat Power: 10 Movement: 1
"Wicked""Hero""Spawns Larvae"
※This unit grants a +2 combat power bonus to all insect-type units existing in the world.
※Insect-type units that encounter this unit are immediately placed under the dominion of the nation that possesses Isla.
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~~~All insects in this world were born from her, and filled the land.~~~
~~~The small children still quietly await the command of Mother Isla.~~~
Isla is a Hero unit of Mynoghra.
This unit is characterized by the strengthening of all insect-type units and the production of insect units called Larvae.
Larvae have the characteristics of not leveling up and having weak combat power, but can perform labor tasks such as land reclamation, as well as production activities in farmland and mine districts.
Ravaging or disruption operations targeting enemy territory using large numbers of Larvae are possible, but it is also possible to aim for a fully developed production capability.
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