Vol 1 Chapter 3 (1/2)

“Did she leave?”

Yue Ying quietly murmured, as she saw off the aircraft leaving the island.[1] The shapes of the aircrafts were generally rich in variety, from discal to conical. A few kilometers after leaving the island, the aircraft will then blend into the sky. That way, it wouldn’t be witnessed. In rare cases, humans who noticed them would make a big fuss about UFOs.

Yue Ying turned on her heels, and directed her gaze to the shrine. There was no trace anymore of the commotion from when Irukinuf’s Songstress, Lynn, had been given a new tentacle. The Tentacle King was back into meditating, and the 12 Apostles had returned to their posts to fulfill each of their duties. Including herself, only a few people remained at the shrine.

The total number of pillars rising at the shrine were 72. It represented the number of upper Tentacles that served the Tentacle King Swodar Nyarmain and his master, the Tentacle G.o.d Irukinuf. The number remained fixed since a long time ago, back when Swodar was called Solomon. As for how much the number would go up were one to include the lower believers without tentacles, that was something Yue Ying didn’t know.

She heard that those who got a role to intervene in the human society, like Rasputin, were accompanied by many lower believers, but that was something irrelevant for Yue Ying. It had been a long time since the last time she was interested about the rise and fall of the nations. When her husband Zhuge Liang, aka Kongming, died, the country he had created fell apart, and she left it all behind.[2]

An eternity had pa.s.sed since then, the way of life of her former friends and husband having become a myth. She had met the Tentacle King in frustration, and it had been like 2000 years since she became a believer of Irukinuf. And now she had just seen off the girl who left to make a new comrade join them.[3]

By fusing themselves with Irukinuf’s body cells, the believers could acquire various abilities. Their life was greatly extended, and no matter how much time pa.s.sed, they showed no signs of aging. There were a lot of people that had lived for a several thousand years, like herself, Leonidas, and the oldest from the Tentacle Group, Rama.

But if it was just to follow a life with no purpose, Yue Ying would have rotten away long ago, as others did. During these several thousand years, as one would expect, there had been many who died because they couldn’t withstand the enormous power Irukinuf had given them, as well as those believers who had lost sight of their purpose and perished. In that sense, she thanked the Tentacle King for giving her a purpose.

The purpose the Tentacle King had given her was to a.n.a.lyze the transfer device called the Gate. Being able as she was to have a glimpse of near endless parallel words through the Gate, there was no place for boredom. Still, the annoying part was that Yue Ying could merely look at it, she couldn’t cross over to the Gate’s parallel worlds. Her seventh tentacle, broken off in the middle, and the mere root remaining from her eighth tentacle, were testaments to that.

Even for her, who carried eight tentacles of Irukinuf and had a body close to the ultimate life form, it was impossible to cross over parallel worlds. But, there was someone who had managed to. Lewis, the mother of the “Gate Opener,” also known as the “Gate Toucher.” The a.n.a.lysis of the Gate had gone swimmingly thanks to her. Based on the data she had left behind, they had been able to discover some lost Gates.

By the end of the next day, the adjustment of the Gates they had brought to this island would be over. That said...

“There’s something I’m wondering about...”

The words unintentionally escaped her lips. Occasionally, the Tentacle King acted as if he could foresee the future. He had made Lewis touch the dangerous Gate as if she was expected to. Also, the way he often interacted with the Irukinuf’s Songstress. But even though he had taken measures about the upcoming Irukinuf’s rampage, due in a few years, and told them to obtain the required body parts for Irukinuf’s body to return to perfection once again, these measures were too lenient.

”Irukinuf’s rampage.” That referred to the fact that the current, incomplete Irukinuf couldn’t control its own power, so, according to the Tentacle King’s experience and estimations, it would be the year 2012 when Irukinuf’s power would start going wild. Also, it was said that the true power Irukinuf possessed was one that reduced the molecules’ movement speed. In other words, it was the power to cause a sudden drop in temperature. The storm of ultra-low temperature Irukinuf would create in its rampage would not just stop at the collapse of the human civilization, but would destroy the Earth’s ecosystem by means of global freezing.

Even Tentacle King with his current strong body would have a hard time surviving a world where the whole Earth, including the oceans, was frozen. For this purpose, the Tentacle Group was collecting the Irukinuf’s body parts that came to be known as OOPArts, scattered around this world, and in the process were sending out a message: ”The crisis of the world is imminent. Gather under Irukinuf, and save the world.”

“O King. What are you thinking about?”

Yue Ying, the beauty with red-brownish hair, left the shrine, lost in thought.

Her job as one of the 12 Apostles of the Tentacle G.o.d, as a Great Tentacle with eight tentacles ranking just below the Tentacle King’s Nine Tentacles, was to research and start preparations on the Gate. There was a lot of work to do in the island, and many circ.u.mstances to consider.

“Lady World’s best schemer, sounds like you’re worried.”

A voice calling out to her interrupted Yue Ying’s deep thoughts.

“Rasputin. Do you need something?”

“Not much in particular, I just thought we could have a little chat.”

The Great Tentacle Rasputin. An elite among elites, that man had risen up to Eight Tentacles in the blink of an eye (in less than a hundred years, to be exact) silently showed up in front of Yue Ying.

“Coming out from a woman’s shadow can’t be said to be a good hobby.”

“Oh, excuse my manners.”

“This is good timing. There’s something I wanted to ask you, too.”

“What an amazing coincidence.”

“The Salzburg Cube was hidden in Russia, that was your jurisdiction.”

“Yes.”

“Did the Songstress really steal a march on you?”

A contemptuous smile appeared on Rasputin’s face after her question.

“Do you doubt little old me?”

“Yes. I don’t think the man that became a Great Tentacle, one of the 12 Apostles, in less than 100 years wouldn't be watching his steps.”

His only answer was a contemptuous smile , that she interpreted as confirmation.

“Rasputin. What are you thinking about? Keeping parts of our G.o.d’s body hidden.”

“Acts of betrayal would rightly get my tentacles cut off... was that it?”

He took the words straight from Yue Ying’s mouth.

“If you know, then why?”

“Frankly speaking, should I say I distrust the Tentacle King?”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear.”

Yue Ying turned away from Rasputin. The words right now could be considered treason against the Tentacle King.

“We serve the Tentacle G.o.d Irukinuf. Not the Tentacle King.”

“Your excessive ambition will be your undoing.”

Yue Ying told him in a mocking tone. Rasputin was still young. Youngsters had the illusion that they were all powerful.

“Then I ask, Lady Yue Ying, what’s this Gate you’re hastening to restore under the Tentacle King’s orders?”

“I don’t know what it is.”

Yue Ying dodged the question, cautious against her partner’s att.i.tude. The reason behind the Tentacle King's haste in restoring the Gate was his intention to use it to send Irukinuf back to its original world. Completing the Gate was the true purpose of the Irukinuf cult, and also why Irukinuf had given the believers its own power. But only a few among the 12 Apostles were privy to this information.

“After sending Irukinuf back through the Gate, what will happen to us?”

“...Who did you hear that from?”

Rasputin didn't bother to answer Yue Ying’s question, he just went on talking.

“Just like Irukinuf, Arukinuf should have drifted to this world, how can we protect the world against it?”

“I won’t let you speak any more about that topic!”

Before Rasputin could notice, Yue Ying had gotten hold of her ”Zhǎngsuì jiàn”, and now pushed it right before his eyes. [4]

“The Gate is our earnest wish. You need not concern yourself with it.”

Arukinuf. That was a taboo name. Paired with Irukinuf, it was the name of the G.o.d of Destruction in a parallel world. [5]

“Aren’t you following orders without thinking, then?”

“This is the conclusion I reached after extensive deliberation long before you were born. And, your thoughts also being leaked to the Tentacle King. You should appreciate our King’s generous discretion.”

“Kukukukuku, is that how it is?”

Rasputin twisted his lips in a smile.

“What?”

“The Tentacle King can’t read the thoughts of little old me. If you think that’s a lie, please read my thoughts, by all means. If you Lady Yue Ying have been serving the Tentacle King longer than little old me, it should be child's play.”

Hearing him say so, Yue Ying looked into Rasputin’s eyes. Even though both were the same rank, 12 Apostles, if Yue Ying had more experience as a believer than him, she should be able to read his thoughts.

However:

“...I can’t read them?”

“Kukukukuku, I’m told this ability is unique to little old me and the Tentacle King. By the way, what do you suppose would happen if there was another Tentacle King with Nine Tentacles?”

“Another Tentacle King?”

The words uttered by Rasputin were very dangerous for the Irukinuf cult, considering the fact that many people of transcendence gathered there. There was only one existence such as the Tentacle G.o.d Irukinuf's. And thus, just one Tentacle King as well to wield it directly. That was a law of the Irukinuf Cult in order to prevent fights among the people of transcendence, but if that didn't apply anymore...

***

The Book Building of St. Label's Academy.

A large-sized plate was attached to the entrance of some empty librarian rooms. The words “Literature Club Exhibition Hall” were written on it, with a tasteful touch to them.

“Dorothy, is this good here?”

“Yeah-, that’s qui-te all right. Please put it so that we can see the inlay properly.”

Dorothy was giving instructions to the members, who were arranging the OOPArts that would become the bait in the exhibition hall. They were separating them into several exhibition rooms, out of consideration to not involve in the fight all the other exhibits the rest of the members had brought.

On a white table cloth that covered the folding table used for the exhibition, the genuine OOPArts Dorothy had brought were on display now, unguarded. One could wonder if that was the proper way to treat such precious inheritance...

As she sat on a chair, Alice was half-eyedly staring at the members’ work.

Aah! Hey theere! Don’t even think of grabbing those with your bare hands! If the grease from his hands gets on them, they’re gonna oxidize!

Barely enduring her impulses to start shouting at them, Alice oversaw the preparations being completed. The members wouldn’t even imagine that what they were holding were actually the genuine articles. It couldn’t be helped if they treated them roughly. Yeah, it couldn’t be helped...

“I won't have that-!!”

Hearing her sudden scream, the members’ eyes concentrated on Alice.

“What’s wrong, Chief?”

“Is there something you're missing?”

“Maybe you can't stand not having that[6]... Ugyah!?”

The third boy, the one who had blurted out that joke, fainted when the hardcover Alice threw hit him. He was called Rancourt, a boy who wrote a story about a maid who served everyone for free all over the world in the current literature club journal. Just one of the members who didn't partic.i.p.ate in club activities among the large staff, he did get some points for working hard, aside from his ideas.

But, Alice couldn’t stand his personality and his indecent behavior. In times like these, she’d like to have a device that made a pit appear under guys who made vulgar remarks with just the press of a finger.

“What’s that thing you were saying that I don't have yet... huuh?”

Alice rose up, swaying. Since she tried to keep her day-to-day, it seemed like she had to indulge the ordinary people. She closed a new book with a ‘thud’, and holding it, Alice looked down at the boy who had fallen unconscious.

“How long do you intend to sleep? If you have that much talent as a performer, why don’t you become an actor?”

She stepped on the visible half of Rancourt’s face with the tip of her boots.

“Bubehh!?”

“Oh, that’s a good answer. It seems you want to be in the drama club.”

While twisting her lips, Alice raised her hardcover.

“W-Wait a bit, Chief, that’s too much for a joke, it’s too much!”

“Whatever happens with that thing of mine, why would it be your business~?”

“It-It's not, really!”

“If it's not your business, watch your rude tongue. I hate vulgar men.”

Despite having his face stepped on, Rancourt nodded with desperation in his eyes, nod nod.

“By the way, about me acting like I don't have ”that”, it's not like I specially want to, nor do I want to meet your expectations.”

Finally, she twisted her boot’s tip light with a grinding sound, and raised it from the male member’s face. Since it’d be bad if she got serious, she ended up being gentle... yeah, she'd leave it at that.

“While I’m at it, you guys!”

Next, Alice aimed her sharp gaze at the staff who had been watching the situation. Their backs straightened with a snap.

“No matter if it’s just a replica, don’t touch it with your bare hands!”

The other members gently left on the table the items they were holding.

“Yeah, like that, and treat them carefully! Where’s my reply!?”

“Sir, yes sir!”

“Good! And finally, Dorothy!”

“Yes!?”

Dorothy’s body jumped in surprise, suddenly turning into her target as she was.

“You also have to pay a bit more attention to how these guys act! Get angry every once in a while! You’re spoiling them too much lately! Got it!?”

“Y-Yes!”

Seeing Dorothy’s frightened expression, Alice's bad mood went away.

“No matter if the advisor here, our teacher Faye, is having a break; I won’t forgive you if you slack off.”

After telling off the staff, Alice sat back on the chair she was on until a few moments ago. She had to let it out of her system, after all. As for the members Alice had scolded, they properly started wearing gloves and caring for the exhibits now.

Or rather, if they had some, use them from the beginning-! After retorting in her mind, Alice reached for her cell. She opened it over her legs, making it into a handy palm-sized PC, and operating several keys, requested the required information from the monitor. If watched from afar, she’d only appear to be caught up in a ma.n.u.script for the club journal.

Oh, here it is, here it is.

Seeing the e-mail that had come from Hatter, she opened the file burning with antic.i.p.ation. The t.i.tle was “Creation Myth of Irukinuf/Arukinuf.” That was her Hatter, achieving such results in one night. Her eyes sped through the file’s contents.

“In the beginning, there were two G.o.ds, Arukinuf and Irukinuf...”

Arukinuf was the herald of fire, destruction and death, Irukinuf the herald of ice, regeneration and death. The two G.o.ds usually had stretched out battles with each other. The flame rock Arukinuf dropped would rebound in Irukinuf’s ice mirror. After a long time battling, Irukinuf was brought down from heaven by Arukinuf’s plan, for Irukinuf to give life to a barren land. Irukinuf prayed to the G.o.ds, but they didn’t have the powers to return him to heaven. Even so, Irukinuf's nature was also death, alas. When he didn’t have enough strength to return to heaven, he decided on divine punishment against life. Letting the ground and sea freeze, he came back to life creating a white world. However, Irukinuf gave all new life with his regenerative powers. Irukinuf, wanting to go back to heaven, created life again.

“Hmm...”

A myth of dualism? Alice closed the file. It’s not like she was disappointed at Hatter for only achieving this... On the contrary, that was a testament to what lengths the enemies were going to skillfully hide their tracks.

In fact, the affair at the Museum of the Soviet Army from the other day not only had been covered up in Russia, none of it had come up in any online conversations or phone calls. Underestimating them would prove dangerous.

“With this, all is ready.”

Dorothy sat down beside Alice with a cheerful voice.

“Good work.”

She said, as she folded the monitor casually. Though they were cooperating for now, Dorothy was still a rival, basically. She shouldn’t show her hand any more than necessary.

“You Allie too, good work.”

“I didn’t do anything, I just coached these morons.”

“Yeah, seems like that was a nice reward for them. Rancourty was quite pleased.”

“Huuh?”

Alice replied involuntarily. Did he enjoy being stomped on? Did that guy have those kinds of hobbies?