I stood atop the altar and looked down.
The altar was the size of two soccer fields. It could accommodate about 100,000 people.
Wriggle. Wriggle.
Those eyeball bastards were entering down below.
“Oh! The altar is very large. How did they prepare something like this in just one day?”
Pickol marveled. I had chosen him as my partner to assist with today’s ritual.
“The Shoggoths love theater.”
There are many large theaters like this on this planet. This was just one of them that had been renovated. For the wealthy Doros family, it was nothing.
“Young Master. The seating arrangement is finished.”
The butler approached and reported politely. Out of the 100,000 seats, only 10,000 were filled. And those were only in the topmost sections.
“Then. Let us begin the ritual.”
“Understood.”
The butler gave a signal. Then, the Patriarch of the Doros family stepped onto the stage far below.
Murmur, murmur.
The gathered audience members were restless. These were all high-ranking officials of this planet. They were uneasy because their leader had stepped onto a lowly theatrical stage.
They were a race that loved theater more than anyone, but also a race that looked down on actors more than anyone else. Additionally, he was positioned below them. This did not fit Shoggoth etiquette.
“Listen! Until now, we have failed to care for our kin living together on this land. We have divided ourselves into ranks, ignoring and despising one another!”
In a way, it was natural for classes to be divided. Shoggoths are recognized for their value only when they die, depending on how many tentacles they leave behind.
The value left by the parents is enjoyed by the children. As a result, the gap between the rich and the poor grew wider with each generation. The situation on the planets inhabited by Shoggoths was much the same.
“The time has come for us to look after our neighbors. From now on, starting with me, I will look over everyone from the very bottom.”
The officials trembled at this shocking declaration. The atmosphere was hardly welcoming.
It was only natural. Everyone gathered here was a member of the established elite.
Regardless, it was none of my business. I just needed to take the divine artifact and leave.
“Begin the play.”
The Patriarch declared, extending one tentacle to the side. The time had come. One of the suns was slowly setting.
Boom— Boom— Boom—!
Several drums rolled. The sound echoed along the curvature of the theater. The ground vibrated slightly.
Swish—!
One sun set completely. A shadow formed beneath the Patriarch.
“Hehehehe!! Hahahaha!!”
The Patriarch burst into a fit of mad laughter. Hundreds of tentacles erupted from him, writhing. As expected of the ruler of this planet, the amount was immense.
“”Bring the food! Quickly!!””
Hundreds of mouths spoke simultaneously. The mouths were filled with sharp teeth. It was a sight terrifying enough to appear in nightmares.
“Start it.”
I commanded calmly. The ten altars surrounding the stage became busy. On each altar stood a person holding a hammer and a chisel. Beneath the chisels were the seeds of the sacred object.
Clang!
First, one shattered.
“Aaaaagh!”
The Patriarch screamed in agony. The Eoduksini was one and many at the same time.
In truth, there was no difference between the Patriarch and the smuggler. He was a man standing at the pinnacle of exploitation. That was why the core of the Eoduksini was parasitizing the Patriarch’s body.
Clang! Clang!!! Clang!!!!
The Patriarch struggled every time a seed broke.
Thump, thump, thump!
The drumbeats grew more intense. Eventually, the Eoduksini that had been attached to the Patriarch was completely torn from his body. Black flames vibrated from the sound of the drums.
“The darkest one in the world. The one who dwells within the abyss. Eoduksini, hear my words.”
I looked down arrogantly at the creature from atop the central altar. The creature seemed to feel fear and confusion, as over ten thousand people were looking down on it.
Quiver—!
It shook violently. It couldn’t even grow its body size. There were no shadows for it to devour.
Slide!
I slung my crowbar over my shoulder and slowly descended the stairs.
“Eoduksini! Will you be extinguished?”
The creature cringed at my words. It had witnessed the other seeds being destroyed. There was no law saying that it, the main body, wouldn’t end up the same way.
“Or will you submit to me?”
The creature shook its body weakly. Naturally, it didn’t want to.
Step. Step.
I slowly walked down the stairs. With every step I took, the creature became severely agitated.
However.
Bang!! Bang! Bang!!
Gunshots rang out from somewhere. At the same time, a burning pain flared in my leg.
‘Damn it.’
Even so, I didn’t take my eyes off the Eoduksini. The moment I looked away, the thing might escape.
“Young Master!!!”
Pickol hurriedly extended his arm to support me.
‘This hurts like hell!’
I had fully expected something like this might happen. But I didn’t think I’d actually get hit by a bullet. Since the combat power of the Shoggoths was bottom-tier. Still, I was lucky I was only hit once out of three shots.
Zzzzt!!!
Several spots in the audience seating flashed. The bastards who fired the guns would have been turned into charcoal.
Though the others around them were agitated.
[Anyone who stands up from their seat will be considered an accomplice and executed immediately.]
The announcement went out. Even so.
Ch-ch-ch-! Ch-ch-ch-!
It only calmed down after a few more flashes. There might have been some who died unfairly, but it couldn’t be helped. This was a war against corruption.
‘Whew!’
I descended the stairs with Pickol’s support. I would have tumbled down the stairs if it weren’t for him. Why didn’t I just use ropes or mechanical devices from the start? Because they couldn’t be trusted. The air was thick with the smell of burning slime.
“Submit.”
I stood before the Eoduksini. The creature tried to make one last desperate struggle, but.
“Hmph—!”
When I raised my crowbar high, it flinched and quietly transformed into a sacred object. The seeds created by the corrupt officials burning to death were also absorbed. Such a coward, acting tough until the end.
“Ha— damn.”
I eventually slumped into my seat.
“Captain!!!”
A snake crawled toward me quickly from afar. Looking closer, it wasn’t a snake but the medic.
“Stop!!”
I hurriedly blocked her. I already had one hand missing; I couldn’t afford to lose a leg too.
“Hohoho. Don’t worry. This isn’t the ship.”
Her long, slit eyes curved. She had a face that would have made her a huge success as a sexy actress in the world I used to live in. It was just that she was a scary snake.
“Well. That’s a relief then.”
I picked up the divine artifact from the floor. It was shaped like a lens.
“Here is a hand mirror!”
Using the mirror the medic handed me, I inserted it into my eye. It wasn’t just a lens; it was a navy-blue circle lens.
Whoosh—!
As I concentrated, the world surged. The dark energy I usually felt only vaguely expanded into a vast territory.
The function of the sacred object ended exactly there. That alone would make it easier to command the fleet.
However. From here on was the true ability of the divine artifact.
Shaaa—!
When I concentrated, time appeared to flow slowly. On top of that, it was possible to predict the movement of waves. Since I could also play back or reverse events, I could establish detailed battle plans. It was amazing that I could do this with my consciousness instead of a mouse.
As long as I had this divine artifact.
‘Seal released, you bastards!’
I had become able to exert my true command abilities.
***
I was moved to a hospital room. The Naga medic came to me after consulting with the doctor.
“Fortunately, it’s not a serious injury.”
Getting shot isn’t a serious injury?
“It’s because you are a noble, Captain. And the opponent used primitive lead bullets.”
So that’s why it hit. You can think of primitive lead bullets as standard bullets from the world I lived in. Naturally, they are not affected by dark energy.
Instead, it’s difficult to harm those who possess the Force. That must be why they aimed for the leg. Since it’s less affected by the Force.
“Are you sure I don’t have to cut it off?”
“If we were inside the ship… I probably would have cut it?”
She gave a chilling answer with a smirk. Her smile was deadly. I quickly turned my gaze away because the crowbar reacted.
“Then. How long do I have to keep this cast on?”
A large metal cast was placed on my leg. It was incredibly heavy. It made a thumping sound every time I walked.
“I think you’ll have to keep it on for a while.”
She said they used general equipment because there was no human specialist. Still, I was glad I didn’t have to go into a capsule.
“Then. Please get some rest. I’ll get a prescription and keep it in the infirmary.”
She left the room, her tail swaying.
***
The Patriarch visited the hospital room. His skin color had returned to its vibrant glow.
“I have come to express my gratitude to you.”
“I am glad to see you have regained your health. I hope our two families continue to maintain a good relationship in the future.”
From what I heard, the Park family had been on good terms with many other families. Until the previous owner of this body started causing trouble, that is. Even the engagement was something established between the previous heads of the families.
“Hahaha. Of course, we should. The Park family is no longer a stranger to us. You resolved the curse that had plagued our family for a long time. I owe you a great debt.”
“I only did what had to be done.”
Perhaps the other nobles might hate it. If the Doros family estate, the only supplier of lenses in this vicinity, raised welfare, the price of lenses would naturally rise.
“Is there anything you want from me?”
“I would like to buy lenses in bulk. Military-grade ones, if possible.”
Just because they are Shoggoth eyes doesn’t mean they all make the same lenses. There were differences in quality and various types.
“It seems you have a great interest in the military.”
“Are these not turbulent times? I believe there is no harm in increasing one’s private army.”
“The Marshal’s Office might keep you in check.”
“That… is unavoidable.”
“Since I thought as much, I have filled your cargo ship with military-grade lenses. Naturally, I will not accept any payment.”
What’s going on? Why does he have a sense of shame? These people are a race that inherently loves to deceive others. From old times, it was said that if you know gratitude, you are not a Shoggoth.
“Hahaha.”
At my reaction, the Patriarch’s fifteen mouths laughed loudly. No. I’m telling you, it’s scary, man!
“You find me difficult to deal with.”
Of course. Would anyone be unfazed with a tentacle monster speaking with multiple mouths right in front of them? It even had a 3D effect coming from multiple directions, making it quite grand.
“No matter how much I am to be your father-in-law, there is no need to be so uneasy.”
“Pardon…?!”
What on earth was this tentacle monster saying? Did I mishear because he had too many mouths?
“Hahaha. It seems you are out of your mind with joy. I shall permit the marriage.”
“Uh… well… That… I don’t think it’s a matter I can decide unilaterally.”
No wonder he was being so nice.
More importantly, things had gotten complicated. Completely tangled. Originally, I had planned to take just one divine artifact and leave quietly.
“Your father will be pleased as well. If our two families are joined in alliance, even the Marshal will not be able to treat us lightly.”
“That is true, but… there is such a thing as procedure. And since I am still lacking, I do not think I am worthy of being the son-in-law of the prestigious Doros family.”
“Hahaha. I told you not to feel burdened. Why bother trying to prove anything more here? Since things have turned out this way, let’s just have a simple ceremony tomorrow.”
My head was spinning. A traditional Shoggoth wedding is just a sudden consummation. And that, in front of all the family members.
‘No… Absolutely not!!’
That was something that could never happen.
“My goodness. I’ve kept a sick person for too long. Get some rest. Hahaha.”
Yeah, I’m a patient. What kind of common sense is it to make a patient consummate a marriage! You barbaric tentacle monsters!
***
I racked my brain over what to do.
“Captain. Preparations for departure are complete. All personnel have been returned to the ship.”
Coincidentally, the First Officer had returned.
“G-Good! As expected of the First Officer. I can’t help but admire your foresight.”
“Are you… referring to me?”
I hurriedly got down from the bed.
Thump!
The floor shook due to the cast.
“Let’s go! We have to leave right now.”
“Right now? I believe the scheduled departure time is two days from now.”
I had to escape before tomorrow. No matter how much it was a divine artifact they couldn’t use, it was strange that they gave it up so easily. The Patriarch had handed it over to me on the premise of the marriage with his daughter.
“Let’s go! We have to go to the capital immediately. Time is of the essence.”
“U-Understood.”
I hurriedly limped out of the hospital room.
Thump, thump, thump!
The sound of my footsteps due to the cast echoed through the hallway. Thanks to that, attention was focused on me. Come to think of it, Shoggoths have no footsteps. They are of a slime-like nature, so they move like snails.
‘There’s no way to sneak out quietly.’
The employees already flocked toward me.
“Is there anything you need? Honorable Groom.”
These bastards. They were already treating me as the groom-to-be.
“No. I’m just going to take a short walk.”
“We will escort you. Is there a place you’d like to go?”
“No need for such a fuss. I have some private matters to discuss with the First Officer here.”
Only then did the employees back off.
“L-Let’s go!”
I hurriedly took a step.
Thump, thump, thump!
Attention continued to be focused on me because of the sound of my footsteps.
“Captain. Did you perhaps cause some trouble?”
The First Officer, seeing my behavior, narrowed her eyes.
“Cause trouble…?”
“Then why are you trying to leave as if you’re running away? And those people seemed to call you ‘Groom’…”
“Those bastards are trying to force me into a marriage! If I get married, it will affect your career as well. Wasn’t your goal to achieve glory on the battlefield with me?”
At those words, the First Officer’s face hardened. She grunted as she jumped down from her wheelchair.
“Lean here.”
“What about you?”
“I will lean on it too.”
The First Officer, who had casts all over her body. And this body, which was missing a hand and had an abnormally large metal cast on one leg. The two of us leaned on opposite sides of the wheelchair.
“Let’s go!”
“Yes!”
We struggled as we entered the massive garden next to the hospital. It was definitely a peaceful place, but to us, it was as treacherous as a dense jungle.
“Are we going the right way?”
“Trust me, a person of the forest race!”
She answered confidently, but strangely, it felt like we were lost. For your information, the trees here were more like protists similar to seaweed rather than plants. Simply put, they were half-plant and half-animal. This is a random bit of information, but it’s why seaweed soup is delicious.
“Are we going the right way?”
“It… seems so.”
We lost our sense of direction. The ground was slippery. And the grounds were vast.
Ugh!
Gah-gah-gah!
We soon became exhausted. Our bodies were drenched in sweat. We looked like nothing more than beggars.
However, we broke through the adversity and hardship and emerged from the garden.
“F-Finally! We’re out.”
It was more desperate than any battle.
“I’m glad we weren’t caught. Now let’s call a taxi.”
We were genuinely happy. We fully deserved to be.
However.
“Where are you going?”
A Shoggoth dressed in a maid outfit approached us. her expression looked quite cold.
‘Dammit.’
Looking around, the place we had emerged from was right next to the entrance we had gone in. Cutting across was nothing more than an illusion the two of us shared.
It was the crisis of a lifetime.