Chapter 25: The Apostle’s Awakening

I report to the Master of the Dimension.

In just five years.

During that time, the dimension research at the Academy has made progress.

We confirmed some details about the other dimension and, as instructed, the First Apostle crossed into the second dimension with the search party.

And then.

The beings we encountered there did not communicate.

The alien race we met was deemed akin to wild animals.

They wielded mere rocks, not even polished stone tools, and lacked even the basic concept of throwing something.

It was questionable whether they could even be called intelligent beings.

Still, we thought it wasn’t right to judge them arbitrarily, so we captured a few specimens.

Though the alien race charged recklessly, the Apostle calmly took them alive.

In the process, not a single Tinyfolk was harmed.

They say it’s the result of advancing the capture techniques used on the Bloodkin.

Looking at it this way, the Academy’s technological research capabilities deserve some recognition.

“I’ll take a look. Dimensional Observation.”

I opened the dimensional map and zoomed in on the location of the captured beings.

Perhaps because they were considered the only intelligent beings, they were captured in a rather gentle state.

The room, carved out from a corner of the lab, almost felt like a studio apartment.

The appearance of the alien race inside was… well, peculiar.

“…They’re different from the Bloodkin.”

Their entire bodies were covered in fur, resembling beasts.

Yet, the fact that they moved on two legs was intriguing.

If I had to describe them, they were like werewolves.

Or perhaps tigers or jaguars, just standing upright.

“System, any information on this race?”

[The information has not yet been updated.]

“The dimensional synchronization isn’t complete yet?”

[That dimension has not yet been subjugated.]

Not subjugated?

That meant the dimension hadn’t been conquered.

I set aside the system’s response and examined the alien race closely.

“That’s odd.”

I described them as werewolves earlier, but let me correct that.

They were more like four-legged animals forced to stand upright.

Their movements were awkward, as if they weren’t comfortable with the posture.

So why were they moving like that?

Are they mimicking our kids’ movements?

Hmm…

There’s too little information to work with right now.

In times like these, there’s a simple solution.

“Bloodkin First Apostle.”

You called?

“Instruct the scholars to investigate everything about this race.”

Let’s put those hard-working folks on autopilot.

I heard the Bloodkin First Apostle even pushed for differential research funding based on results.

To secure more funding, the Bloodkin will analyze them with fire in their eyes.

I will follow your orders.

That takes care of the alien race for now.

What remains is the mystery of the dimension.

“Tinyfolk First Apostle, did you notice anything unusual while exploring the dimension?”

From our observations, the dimension was covered in dense forests.

“Well, that’s not too surprising, is it?”

It could be, but the forest seemed endless.

The First Apostle said they explored with the search party for nearly half a year.

Yet they never once left the forest.

Dense trees, huh? 

Sounds like we could log them without anyone noticing. 

Should we aim for forestry too?

Chop down trees, sell them, and use them to make furniture.

With easy access to raw materials, there are plenty of business opportunities to expand into.

Of course, this is something to consider after we’ve taken control of the dimension.

We haven’t even started the iron ore business yet, so thinking about forestry is premature.

I pulled my thoughts back from business and revisited the First Apostle’s words.

“You wandered the dimension for over half a year, and it was all forest, and you couldn’t explore it fully?”

That’s correct.

Even if the Tinyfolk search party couldn’t travel far at once, wandering through a forest for half a year didn’t make sense.

They were veterans trained in various specialized skills by hunters, after all.

And they didn’t see anything besides these aliens, yet the dimension isn’t subjugated?

“Is dimensional subjugation based on subduing the alien race?”

[That is one of several conditions.]

“So, dimensional subjugation can be achieved by meeting just one condition, but none of them have been met?”

[Correct.]

This feels ominous.

That same uneasy feeling I got when checking happiness levels came rushing back.

To tamper with a dimension, you’d need at least an Apostle.

A naturally occurring Apostle would be required for dimensional tunnels or travel.

But the alien race we’ve encountered so far is pure wildness.

They haven’t developed writing or language, let alone the concept of theology, so the idea of an Apostle emerging from them is absurd.

There’s something more to this.

“Tinyfolk First Apostle, once the search party has rested, explore the dimension again. This time, investigate the forest in detail as well.”

Understood.

“And make sure the search party is okay…”

As I was issuing orders one after another.

BANG!

A Bloodkin burst into the room where the Apostle was.

Foaming at the mouth, his skin had turned red, as if he’d consumed a lot of blood.

That alone was strange enough, but the Bloodkin charged straight at the First Apostle.

“What’s wrong with him!”

Startled by the sudden situation, I froze for a moment.

Master of the Dimension, I beseech your power.

The Tinyfolk First Apostle immediately offered a prayer, and a pillar of light crashed down on the Bloodkin’s head.

When the blindingly intense pillar of light faded, the Bloodkin had collapsed unconscious.

The crisis was averted, for now.

I calmed my racing heart and spoke to the two Apostles.

“What’s going on? Bloodkin Apostle, are you plotting a rebellion?”

No! We’ve chosen a life far removed from war.

“Yeah, I figured. Then what the…”

Before I could finish, two Tinyfolk and another Bloodkin stormed in.

Their condition was much like the one before.

Foaming at the mouth and charging at the Apostles, they looked like zombies.

The two Apostles calmly used their powers to subdue them.

Unable to grasp the situation, they knocked them out one by one.

But the more they used their powers, the faster the Apostles grew exhausted.

And the attackers kept coming.

Master of the Dimension! Protect us with your power!

Finally, they gave up knocking out the attackers.

With their remaining strength, they created a small barrier.

But with the attackers relentlessly pounding on it, there was no telling how long it would hold.

Seeing the two struggle so desperately made my blood boil.

“System, change the time scale. Slow it down to the minimum!”

[Adjusting the time scale.]

Everyone’s time slowed.

I wanted to extract only the Apostles, but they were trapped in that slowed time as well.

Right now, I’m the only one who can act.

“System, analyze their condition. Are they infected with a native disease?”

[Analyzing.]

[Analysis complete. An unidentified alien entity has been detected in their bodies.]

“What?”

[Confirmed: an alien parasite has infected the Bloodkin and Tinyfolk.]

I turned the map to look at the captured alien race.

In the slowed time, I examined them closely from every angle and found it.

“Sprouts are growing from their bodies. That’s it!”

Sprouts were growing from the captured aliens’ bodies.

Given their similar form, that had to be it.

These plants were likely the masters of that dimension and the ones attacking us.

This realization explained why the Tinyfolk and Bloodkin were acting like zombies.

So then.

“System, how far have these aliens spread?”

[Checking.]

[Check complete.]

[Approximately 40% of the Academy’s population is infected.]

“Damn.”

I see.

The reason there were so many trees in that dimension.

It wasn’t just an environment with a lot of forests.

Every single tree, every single plant in that forest was an alien being.

“We walked right into a trap.”

These plants couldn’t move between dimensions on their own, so they lured us in.

To spread themselves.

GRIND.

“Those bastards dared to mess with the races I’ve painstakingly nurtured?”

Today’s the day for a massive charcoal burn.

Those alien bastards!

I’ll burn every single one of them to ashes.

“System!” [You called?]

“Among the powers the Apostles can learn, is there one that can handle this situation?”

[Upon review, one of the Apostle’s abilities may be applicable.]

“What is it? Use it now.”

[Would you like to impart the power ‘Sacrifice’?]

The ominous tone made me swallow my words.

“Does that involve killing them?”

[It is a power that requires the Apostle’s life.]

[It annihilates all enemies in the area.]

“Damn it! No way!”

The First Apostle is special.

Their faces may change with each generation, but their faith in me is genuine.

Sacrifice the First Apostle to save the others?

Are you insane?

All Apostles are special, but the First Apostle is especially dear.

They’re the ones who believe in and follow me the most across generations.

I can’t lose them.

“Is there nothing else?”

[Other powers have limitations.]

“Even so, do something…”

Master of the Dimension.

A voice echoed in the slowed time.

I am your servant, your tool.

In the slowed world, the Tinyfolk Apostle was praying to the heavens.

As if ready to offer everything.

We will follow and believe in you, even in death.

“Stop talking nonsense! You’re not a tool!”

I don’t use people as tools.

No, I mean, I did in the past.

But not anymore.

And that includes the Tinyfolk.

“Wait. I’ll figure something out.”

Use us as the foundation to move forward.

Our light, our salvation.

The barrier surrounding the two began to fade slowly.

The attackers, spotting their prey, threw themselves at it.

The moment the Tinyfolk First Apostle prepared for death.

[The Tinyfolk First Apostle has met the conditions for a class change.]

A massive pillar of light crashed down.

This was on a completely different level from the light that appeared when appointing an Apostle.

It was more intense, more sacred.

The pillar of light that descended upon the Tinyfolk First Apostle granted them new power.

[The Tinyfolk First Apostle has advanced to High Apostle – Proxy.]

The pillar of light faded.

Above the head of the Tinyfolk Apostle—no, the High Apostle—a ring-shaped halo now floated.

Master of the Dimension, this is… 

“…That power is for protecting everyone. So.”

The system restored the time scale to normal.

“Tear those damn bastards feeding on our kids to pieces.”

I obey your command!

The Tinyfolk High Apostle spun the halo while chanting something.

The wave of light that spread out uprooted only the alien parasites in their allies’ bodies.

The aliens, having lost their hosts, writhed on the ground and withered away.

Get lost!

With transcendent divine power, the High Apostle began wiping out the aliens.

It was a massacre.

This was a far cry from the Apostle’s previous displays.

“System, did you plan this?”

[No.]

“Then how did they change classes at that exact moment? Why didn’t you tell me about High Apostles sooner?”

[The conditions for advancing to High Apostle are as follows.]

[Can you abandon all you’ve built and believe solely in faith?]

…So.

To advance, they have to abandon all their accumulated prestige, titles, and powers and believe only in me?

That’s, well.

It feels awkward to say this about the First Apostle who believes in me, but.

“Isn’t that basically a fanatic?”

[Apostles with unwavering faith.]

“…Right.”

I shouldn’t rely on this kind of luck again.

As the High Apostle swept through, only the ashes of burnt plants remained.

At this rate, it won’t take long to wipe out all the aliens in the Academy.

Obviously, not a single one can be allowed to escape.

I will annihilate them all!

The High Apostle looks reliable.

The remaining aliens in the Academy can be left to the High Apostle.

What I need to do is.

“Prepare for war.”

It would’ve been nice if we could’ve formed a friendly relationship.

But knowing they lured us in to screw us over from the start, I feel no guilt.

“Tinyfolk Second Apostle and Bloodkin Second Apostle. Assemble.”

You called?

Is there something you wish us to do?

“Immediately check with the blacksmiths for fire-related technologies. Then, based on those technologies, create weapons capable of burning the enemy. Understood?”

We’ll start right away.

Master of the Dimension, may I ask where you plan to use these weapons?

“Where else?”

To burn the weeds trying to devour our dimension.