Very Wrong Reincarnation: Isekai with Game Nation

Moderate heat embraced my skin as I gazed at the horizon.

It's been a week since we set sail, and now we're approaching Nephritis, the new capital of Valur. The city of Vale, once the political heart of the Valur Empire, had been abandoned and burned down by its own people. It later became a notorious den for bandits and crime syndicates until Empress Dahlia herself razed it to the ground, necessitating the establishment of a new capital.

Nephritis, the current capital, was previously the seat of the Akraz Dukedom—Dahlia's home before she took over the reins after Auxas' death. After purging all political opponents, other empresses, concubines, and children of Auxas down to their relatives and collateral families, she solidified her power. This bloody consolidation of power was secretly supported by Cignus to ensure the stability of the new government of Valur. It appears to have a history with young Dahlia by the time, youngest daughter of Akraz Dukedom, who was later chosen to appease the Valur Empire and stabilize the simmering tensions between the aristocrats of Akraz and the imperial faction loyal to the Valur imperial family. The conflict subsided when the then-nine-year-old Dahlia was married as the first empress of the empire to the now-deceased Emperor Auxas.

Standing on the bow of the CFN Monsoon, I enjoyed the climate in contrast to the snowy landscape of Cignus right now. It was a tropical region after all; though the cold was still persistent, it was generally a good climate compared to the freezing temperatures back in the capital, Yurken.

"Quite a change in scenery, isn't it?" Leo remarked, standing beside me.

I nodded. "Ah yeah, it is. It's a welcome change from that frigid cold place back."

The port of Nephritis came into clearer view as we approached. The scene was dominated by numerous cranes and a couple large cargo tankers—nine in total. These vessels form the backbone of primary commerce fleet between us and Valur. Heavily armed — if I remember each ship is equipped with recoilless rifles, 75mm field artillery, and TOW missiles for defense against potential pirate attacks. Nonetheless, they could likely outrun the pirates, given that most pirate vessels here are basically sailing ships.

As the city’s alien architecture became more distinct, I gaze on many buildings that had a Russian-like architecture. The port facilities even resembled the Kremlin palace.

While I was absorbed in observing the city, someone tapped me on the back. "It looks like we’ll be waiting a little longer," Mila said with a cheerful tone.

“Good morning! How was the week-long journey?” I greeted her with a smile.

“It was quite comfortable. But, can’t you sell one of your metal ships to us?” she asked.

“Hell no. Besides being expensive, you lack the facilities to maintain them.” Mila’s face soured slightly as she turned her gaze back to her mother’s city.

“The architecture of Akraz is quite different from other cities and regions of the Valur, isn’t it?” she asked. I nodded in agreement. The places associated with her maternal lineage were far more advanced than most medieval-like cities of Valur. The Akraz Dukedom of Dahlia was vibrant with colorful, swirling cone towers and a strong addiction on multi-story buildings and towers.

“According to historical texts, the founder of the Akraz Dukedom, my foremother, was someone who came from another world called Akraz. She used it as her house title to remember her home world and to show those in similar situations that they were not alone. Unfortunately, she passed away without ever meeting others from Akraz here in Pandora, let alone returning.”

“Isekai, huh?” I remarked, noticing Mila’s confusion.

“Isekai?” she asked while tilting her head.