After Yamato, had agreed to the request of the gods, a small celebration was called for. The 13 gathered gods and Yamato enjoyed a small feast prepared in another parlor, a short distance away. Unlike the time when the gods appeared with a flash of light, this time they had walked alongside Yamato, through the mansion.

They moved to a parlor that offered a scenic view of the Zen garden outside. It was the garden from where the sound of the shishiodoshi originated. The garden was grand and beautiful, allowing everyone to walk around and enjoy the space.

Apparently, the manor was said to be a guest wing of Lovell Manor. A rest retreat of God Tsukuyomi, on mount Takamahagara, and this garden was said to be one of god Tsukuyomi’s most favorite.

During the course of the festivities, Yamato’s expression lightly eased but still maintained a serious and noble appearance. It was complimented on by some of the goddesses. Boundaries were being broken as the gods treated Yamato closely and had many small talks about events and activities of the mundane world on earth.

Contrary to his image and expression, Yamato was well aware and well versed on happenings across the world. Topics from national affairs to current world affairs to sports and even fashion. Very many unexpected comments were expressed by the gossiping gods that tickled a sense of humor from Yamato.

Also during the festivities, Amaterasu introduced the 2nd god that was present with her and Tsukuyomi, that offered part of the explanations to Yamato. It was god Daikokuten. Lord of darkness and the five cereals. He was also one of the seven lucky gods and their chief representative.

Yamato expressed great surprise for the image of Daikokuten did not match the figures on earth, explaining that on earth, Daikokuten was shown to have a short figure and chubby face, whereas the Daikokuten infront of him was a slender, youthful and charming person. Yamato offered salutations to Daikokuten, apologizing for not properly addressing him before. Daikokuten amicably expressed nonchalance at it, stating that it was his failure to offer an introduction.

The feast carried on for a couple of hours. It only ended when Yamato expressed his bloated feeling from having over eaten. The dishes were taken away by serving spirits of the manor, while the gods continued to enjoy drinking. They were truly elated, and expressive of that feeling. God, Takemikazuchi’s laughter rang aloud the room, as he drank alongside Bishamon.

Things carried on for another hour, before Goddess Amaterasu called order to the gathering.

Once everyone had calmed down, she called on Yamato to specify what he may need as his initial support so that they may be worked upon when Yamato returned to rest.

“From the expressed intention, in having me build a faction and become a commander, the first most important thing would be a headquarters or a command post.”

“Wouldn’t such a thing be built overtime after you arrive there?”

To Yamato’s ‘stating of facts’ expression, god Bishamon inquired puzzled.

“That would in a typical ‘other world adventure’ story.

However, right now, we are not thinking about an adventure, nor is this a story. This is reality, and I believe the focus of activities is confrontation and suppression. We are trying to prevent a catastrophe and fight against an opposition. Technically, it is ‘war’.

Therefore, I will need a command or outpost to start from. Referencing the games from Earth, RTS is the most accurately relevant genre. In that, every player must start with a command post, initial resources and a support unit. A faction, an army, cannot function or grow without a base.”

“Forgive me for asking… But what is RTS?”

At this question, raised by god Kagutsuchi, Yamato couldn’t help but stumble. God Kagutsuchi is a minor god of fire and the patron for blacksmiths and potters. Yamato reasoned that he may not realize the aspects of gaming in human life.

“RTS is the short form of Real Time Strategy. It is a category of games us humans play on electronic devices in competition with each other. It is a medium used in alternative of having fights and scuffles.

As I mentioned before, this is the most applicable genre to reference in preparations for the other world.”

“Very well. Having said that you need a command post, what should it exactly have?”

For Tsukuyomi’s query, Yamato took a moment to consider. After contemplating for a minute, he continued.

“The main use of a command post is to act as the first portion of a base, or the bare minimum facility for army functions. These can be a number things, such as;

Accommodation for central staff Basic or core defense – a final line of defense Command room for handling battles Communications post Intelligence post Storage and Warehouse for Resources War room for conferences

There can be other things as well. Those mentioned are in most application to the modern concept on Earth.

To discern the needs for the other otherworld, I need to know about the otherworld.”

“That is true. We do not know too much, but we have information from our last attempts.

The otherworld, if summed into a simple definition, is a mess of mixes of all fantasy worlds from the literatures you can find on earth.”

“You mean?”

“As it implies. Any and all forms of fantasy elements exist in the otherworld.

I am aware that you are an avid reader of fiction novels. You should be familiar with the genres like, Magic, Martial Arts, Wuxia, Xanxia and Wizardry. What you typically find in the eastern fiction literature.

The ‘realm world’, which is an amalgamation of multiple different types of worlds, has a mixture of all the types of energies. That world, is diverse to the point, no one can classify it under a single category and also cannot confirm all the types of things in existence.

Like in the Wuxia and Xanxia genres, there is the cultivation method for martial arts and spirits. Like in the Wizardry genre, there are classes of magic of various elements. And then there is general Fantasy category, introducing beings other than just humans. Elves, Dwarfs, Monsters, Demons, Beast-men and Half-breeds exist in that world.

On a whole, the entirety of that world was in age that you on earth would call Medieval. That said, there are technologically advanced pockets scattered about. These have either alchemy or scientists at their back, with unusual invention not in line with regular paths of research that can be found on Earth.”

Coming to last portion of his explanation, Tsukuyomi had a wry smile, looking melancholic. He looked as if he remembered something bad. But Yamato chose to ignore his expression, continuing his own thoughts.

“To such a mess, cast into the medieval ages, I think that a castle, maybe the best option to go for as a layout.

As for the scale… the important elements and factors would be;

Natural camouflage, as a hidden base is most necessary for a stable and proper build-up. There should be sufficient space so that things built inside would not be congested or have a risk of fire being spread. Partitioned areas, with at least 3 segmentations for defense. A pentagon or octagon format will be ideal. It can also not be uniform and more mismatched The design must be adaptable to rugged terrain. It is preferable if a castle is built on mountains and hills as it boosts the defensive ability.

These 5 are factors that should be focused on.”

“These… conditions that you have mentioned, it may be too difficult to meet the requirements. Because, we would not know where you will arrive, once transferred to the new world.

If we made a construct for a mountainous region, and you end up somewhere with great plains, it would be useless.”

After a moment of consideration, Bishamon, spoke after Yamato. And to his words, Yamato couldn’t help but scrunch his brows.

“I may have a solution to that. Could you leave the affair of the base to me?”

Just as the odd moment a silence fell, Ōkuninushi, spoke. His words garnered the attention of everyone there.

“How certain can you be with getting a solution to the problem?”

Tsukuyomi asked.

“I have a fairly good idea on how to achieve the requirements.”

After moment of scrutinizing Ōkuninushi, Tsukuyomi gave his nodding accent.

“Then, what else would you need?”

Amaterasu continue the discussion.

“Next important item would be resources. To define that, it would be resources for nation-building. From the games on earth, resources can be identified as metals, gems and gold, food, lumber, stone and most recently, oil. These are general descriptions. As we are talking about a real, alternate world, more things should be considered, such as water.

A sizeable quantity of resources for the initial phase of building, and their appropriate means to process and utilize would be required. The means can be classified into, long term storage facilities, processing facilities and a market.

The last element maybe unexpected, but it will be most crucial. From the games on earth, a market is a place to get resources one maybe lacking and cannot attain easily. As such, when going to another world with no foundation or connection, I will need a method to getting resource support among several other things. Without it, this endeavor may end prematurely.”

“Another difficult dilemma.

But… Daikokuten, would you have a solution to that?”

“I believe I have an idea in how we could achieve a workable solution.”

“That will be good. Please work on that.

Any other requirements? Please do list them all out.”

After discussion between Amaterasu and Daikokuten, Yamato continued, on Amaterasu’s behest.

“The next thing I will need is supportive units or forces. I don’t know how or what you can provide, but I will need extra hands and boots on the ground to help me.

We will need to build many things to fit the needs and requirements, resources must be searched and collected, many items will need maintenance overtime, transportation is also going to pose challenges and not least basic defense. A base cannot defend itself after all.

The next thing I need is…”

Yamato continued to list and explain 8 more items that he explained that he needs. At the end a question and answer session was held for the gods to clarify more details about what Yamato needed.

By the end of the session, the gods greatly complimented and praised Yamato for his insightful thinking, expressing the feel of great fortune in having selected him for the task.

Just as things were about to be brought to a close, Yamato posed a light question.

“So, with the factional needs out of the way, what about the blessing and gifts for me?”

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“Eh?!”

A bomb-like question was dropped by Yamato. To the gods of Takamagahara gathered in this space, the question came unexpected. Their dubious expressions made Yamato frown.

“You don’t really expect me to go with nothing, do you? You did say it was a mess of a world, where my common sense of many things would be useless if not nonexistent?”

Yamato scowled at their reactions. He spoke dissatisfied as he exchanged sharp glances at both Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, both having expressions of utmost baffled surprise.