-"So to summarise, you are saying that we were chosen to lead this [Roundtable Hold], and by doing that, we will be able not only to solve our troubles but also grow even more in the future."-A soft voice echoed in the room.

-"Indeed, each of you now represents the principle of this Hold: [Hope], [Domination], [Duty], [Avarice], [Progress]. With those in mind, this place has the following purpose. First, to unearth and extinguish any outside influence other than Hold on [Myriad of Worlds]. Second, to help and improve all under its realm. Third, to strengthen Hold's own power by recruiting new members and gaining resources and knowledge. Fourth is to expand the Hold through [Myriad of Worlds]."- an ethereal voice clarified sounding from all around.

-"I see..."-The same person nodded while in thought.

-"Well, I never was one to mull over things much. As long as this place truly can grant me more power, why not."-Gestured a short person with a military cap sitting on the red throne of dominance.

-"Yes! Is it not magical that this beautiful lady can continue her travels to other worlds!"-Shouted pink self-proclaimed 'beautiful lady' jumping from the pink throne of Hope. 

-"While your enthusiasm is admirable, I'd like to know more than a simple introduction when it comes to power so far outside my understanding."-Complained a tall beauty smoking a pipe while sitting with legs folded on the golden throne of Avarice.

-"It does not seem like we have much choice over this matter. If it's a blessing, then fine. As for calamity, you won't be able to avoid it."-I answered calmly, sitting on the white throne of Progress.

-"You all are right. Now the only thing we can do is to move forward and see what the future holds."-Sighed a lady with a soft voice and dignified appearance sitting on the blue throne of Duty.

-"I suggest we start with introductions and then brainstorm what this is

all about."-I proposed while looking at the four ladies.

-"Good, then I'm first! Hello, new friends, my name is Elysia, and my hobbies are traveling and having fun. My dislikes are those honkai monsters destroying interesting places."-Cheered pink Elysia.

-"Then, going in order, I seem to be next. Well then, I'm Astraea, goddess of the same-named familia. My domain is justice. I have been chosen for the position of Duty."-Astraea bowed lightly to us.

-"You all stand before the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven. My name is Oda Nobunaga. You better remember it as I shall lead you in the future."-The girl on the red throne acted haughty despite a literal god sitting next to her.

-"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, please. I'm known as Ningguang, the Tianquan of Liyue Qixing. As a businesswoman, I'd say it is quite the honor to be chosen for the seat of Avarice."-Ningguang quickly stepped in, preventing Oda Nobunaga from continuing her speech.

-"I'm known as Yue. My interests are quiet evenings with a book in hand. As for my power, I'm the Emanator of Finality, by the grace of Aeon Terminus."-As the only man in the room, I spoke after letting all the ladies first.

-"Wow! You all sound so powerful. It's my first time meeting with the true goddess! What are those Liyue Qixing and Emanator things, tho?"- Elysia tilted her head.

-"Well, think of it as leaders of the people of Liyue."-Answered Ninguang

-"Emanators are those who attracted the gaze of Aeon, or in simpler terms, I'm given power from THEM because I attracted THEIR interest."-I added my explanation.

-"So those Aeons are similar to us gods, giving blessings to mortals?"-Asked Astraea.

-"As I'm not aware of the powers of gods, nor their habits, I can not answer this question fully, but from what I can infer, While the act itself is similar, purpose and effect are different."-I spoke carefully while gauging Astraea's power.

-"When we gods inscribe blessing for a mortal, we give them the power to gather Excelia to increase their strength."-Explained Astraea after noticing me trying to understand her power.

-"Hmm... Then, I was mistaken. We can hardly call both similar at all. Emanator can wield part of the power given by the Aeon but is also afflicted with similar restrictions to THEM. We can't be in contradiction to the Path we represent."

-"That would mean that Aeons are similar to us gods. THEY also have a compulsion of divinity they possess."

-"It may be as you say if I could ask you for some books on that subject. It would be splendid."

-"I'll look for some for you."

-"Thank you."

-"OK... ok, stop, enough! Not all of us are in the mood for the tea party. Get back on track, for god's sake."-Nobunaga interrupted us.

-"We were talking for 'gods' sake', but you are right. Let's return to where we left off."- I chuckled.

I looked around the room. It was round with a big table around which we were sitting. There were four exits, one behind me with doors closed and three on the opposite side. The central one led to the balcony while the rest to adjacent rooms.

What stood out the most were the five thrones we are currently on and the thing in the center of the table. It would look like normal flame if it were not for its color, as rather than red, it burned with five colors representing our principles. 

While calling that fale 'It' may sound strange, I do so as even with my power, I can not see through the strangeness of that thing, and when I subtly tried using my power to influence it, there were no results.

-"Well then, ladies, are you up to sightseeing first, or would you rather continue the discussion?"

-"There is no point in sitting here. Right now, we must understand where we are, and after that, we can talk about what to do next."-Spoke Nobunaga as she stood up.

-"I also agree we need to know where we stand"-Seconded Ningguang.

Astraea also nodded in agreement.

-"Then let's go! First, let's check what's there."- shouted Elysia while running toward the eastern exit.

The rest of us followed after Elysia while looking around the surroundings for more clues about our current predicament. After a short passageway and a few steps, we entered the hall with the room in front of us and doors at the end of it. First, we entered the room in front as it was closer. Inside were rows after rows of bookshelves. Some had books on them, but most were empty.

-"It would seem that this place is my domain."-I spoke as some knowledge appeared in my head.-"This place is called the [Grand Library]. It gathers the knowledge of worlds under our watch. Each of us can enter here and read what is needed, but I can allow or restrict other members' permissions. Only the majority decision of the roundtable can overrule me on that."-I continued my explanation.

-"How great is knowledge gathered here? Can I learn anything about my world from here?"-Asked Ningguang

-"One day, it might be possible. What is here is the sum of the raw knowledge of all members, meaning you can learn anything we know right now. Oh, and by raw knowledge, I mean that there will be no emotions or personal points of view and experiences, only the 'Truth'."- I clarified

-"Oh.. Interesting."-Astraea looked at the books with great interest.

-"What?! No travel guides, only maps, isn't what I went through the most important thing? Boring...."-Whined Elysia while picking a book about her world.

-"Place for nerds then, well how about I give you the position of strategist and advisor in exchange for me not having to read all of this?"-Proposed Nobunaga.

-"It's an honor, Your Majesty Demon King. I'll make sure to pass on the most important thing from here to you."-I jested.

-"Good, I expect great things from you and your service."

We exited [Grand Library] and continued down the hall to the doors at the end. Elysia pushed them open, and what greeted our eyes were rows of chests, hangers, and tables. 

-"Now my turn to explain."-Spoken Ninguang-"We are in the [Vault], the most important place for my seat of Avarice and where more material parts of our interests are held. This room is a joint property of the Hold. Additionally, each of us possesses a smaller place. You can enter from that portal."-Ningguan pointed left. There was a portal doorframe through which one could see the smaller room.

-"How does this thing work? I can see the room, but there is nothing behind it."-Asked Elysia while circling the portal.

-"It is either a folded space or a wormhole to another room. Also, each of us sees a personal room, right?"-I also asked, interested in this phenomenon.

-"Yes. Also, inside, each of us can see The Artifact of Principle. Mine is the [Horn of Plenty] while yours will be different."-Spoken Ningguang as she walked through the portal and dissipated from our eyes, only to appear shortly after with a horn in her hands.

-"[Horn of Plenty] allows me to generate basic resources such as food and building materials. It is restricted, of course, by the [Law of Equivalent Exchange]. I need to consume riches of [Vault] for it to work."

-"Fascinating."-I tried my best to analyze the horn in Ningguang's hands.

-"It can be called the highest divine relic by the standard of gods."

-"Useful for the army..."-Nobunaga seemed to be already planning how much she could benefit from this artifact.

-"What are you waiting for? Quickly grab yours and show them!"-Shouted Elysia while running into the portal.

After shaking our heads, we did as she told us.

-"I first! This is [Torch of Bellif]. Its power is to strengthen people following our cause and keep them from harm's way. Sadly, it also is restricted by the strength of belief in the cause we are pursuing."-Elysia quickly explained to us 

-"It also is a powerful divine relic..."

-"It seems I need to write to Uesugi Kenshin to duel with her again."

-"Allow me to continue. This is [Sword of Promise]. It has two powers. First, to strengthen the person wielding it, and second, to make a vow between two parties. It can be wielded only by those who officially perform duties of Hold. The vow is unbreakable, but both sides must fully accept it."-Astraea explained -"There are also few special vows such as [Knighthood of Hold] or [Fortress of Hold]. One grants membership to Hold as a knight in exchange for performing duties it requires, another one gives the right to the small territory as embassy of Hold in that world in exchange for access to some of Hold's places and privileges for that world."

-"It's certainly in line with a mission to expand Hold influence."-I commented while wondering how powerful the Hold must be to create those artifacts.

-"I was given [Banner of Command]. Its job is to gather armies of Hold from different worlds in time of need. Also, while holding it, not only will my orders be heard by all those who are considered soldiers of Hold, but it also gives me the highest authority of command, unless overruled by the majority, sadly."-Spoken Nobunaga.

-"Then I should consider accepting the strategist position more seriously."

-"You should."

-"OK, back to the subject. My artifact is [Scroll of Mastery]. It gives me the power to pass knowledge and abilities from the library to others, but the person passing the ability must first master said power. Quite useful to expand our power base."-I played with a scroll in my hand.

-"All artifacts work for the power of Hold as a whole rather than for one person."-Comented Astraea.

-"At first, I was skeptical about this whole 'gain power' thing. Now I believe it."-Ningguang was second to voice her opinion.

-"So now we will have to truly discuss our cooperation."

-"Right"

-"Let go to [Throne Room]. We have much to talk about."-I joined the conversation, and as everyone had the same idea, we directly returned to the [Throne Room].

After everyone was seated, we resumed our talk.

-"First, how will we join the interests of Hold and the worlds we come from?"-I started

-"Whole worlds? I would understand our interests, but ones of the world? Can we even speak for the whole world?"-Ningguang expressed her doubt.

-"No, at least not yet."-Spoken Nobunaga-"But with the assistance of Hold, we can gain the right to speak for the world."

-"I agree with Nobunaga. While Aeons are powerful, they only pursue their Path. I believe that only residents of the world can decide for the world by their actions, and, as Emanator, my voice holds considerable power."

-"As a goddess, I think that what Hold represents is for the greater good, but my power in the world is limited. Only by getting the approval of Ouranos and the Guild would we be able to get legitimacy in my world."

-"On my side, there is an apocalypse happening. We can save the world, and we will get the approval of the people easily."

-"If you think so. Teyvat is divided into seven countries. I can get Liyue behind. The rest is more problematic."

-"I will conquer the whole world. Simply give me enough time."

-"Then how about we start moving in two directions? Ningguang, if you can get the approval of your country and use it to support Nobunaga in her conquest in exchange for some resources and technologies. It will solve the troubles of both of you."-I spoke after understanding the overall situation of everyone present.

-"You are right, Yue. It indeed can help my side. I'll have to contact Emperor and the rest of Liyue Qixing to get details sorted."

-"My people have fighting hearts, but having a strong resource base would be much appreciated."

-"While at it, try to recruit some more people to Hold. Five of us are not enough."-Astraea added from the side.

-"Astraea is correct. We need more people, but we will have to offer them something in exchange."-I looked at the goddess.

-"Acces to Orario and its gods may be a good price to offer. I'll talk with Ouranos, but I believe that he will approve of more mortals coming to help with clearing the dungeon, and they can more easily get power in exchange."

-"Gaining power is always a good incentive."-Nobunaga nodded after hearing Astraea's words.

-"Astraea, every god is in charge of one family, right? If so, could you get a few more gods to join Hold?"-I continued to try to arrange everything.

-"I think that Loki would be interested, but for rest, it may be difficult... Most gods pursue entertainment but will not risk giving up their full power in that world for the unknown. After all, we are already powerful."

-"Then focus on artisan gods. Those who pursue craft will be easier to convince."

-"I'll try that"

-"Returning to what I said, the second focus should be solving Elysia's troubles. If we truly become saviors of her world, it would give us the mandate to rebuild that world with Hold in mind, gaining an 'industrial world' for future expansion."-I explained my idea.

-"Why are you thinking more like Avarice than me? Not that I don't agree."

-"Good idea, but it'll take time."

-"Huh? Right, I forgot that years for an immortal are as days to a mortal."

-"Are you immortal, Yue?"-Astraea looked at me with interest after hearing that.

-"Yes, my birth situation was special. I'm an experiment of the Long, the Aeon of Pernamence, a combination of Foxian genes born from Yaoshi, the Aeon of Abundance, with Vidyadhara power strengthened to the extreme. As such, In the words of Nous, I'm a paradox of the universe, son of Pernamence and Abundance chosen by Finality."

-"Foxian...Vidyadhara..?"

-"Races form my world. Foxian is a mortal race with fox-like characteristics and great agility, while Vidyadhara is technically an immortal race, but they must undergo rebirth every few centuries. Vidyadhara possesses dragon-like characteristics and some power over nature."

-"So, are you more like fox or dragon, or a mix?"

-"From the appearance, Foxian. I possess nine tails. Rest is closer to Vidyadhara."

-"Can you show them?"

-"No problem, just keep your hands to yourself"

After saying that, nine white tails unfolded behind me with mesmerizing movement.