The Ground of Fanaticism 4

The weather is a bit muggy.

The Ark usually maintains an internal temperature of 10-20 degrees Celsius, the optimal environment for human habitation, but the environment here seemed to have very high humidity and a temperature similar to early summer.

“Marlang…”

Even Marlang, who had been sleeping, seemed to feel the heat and stirred in the mechanical tendril’s embrace.

I subtly took off my coat and put it in my inventory, and I also took off my outer garment.

It would be awkward to wear only a suit, so I changed into a simple dress, and now I would look like an ordinary and helpless girl, not an Overseer.

“The weather is what it is…”

“Insects-Beware-They even eat-people.”

More than anything, I could hear a lot of insect sounds.

Insect sounds are usually very faint to the average human ear.

However, if you concentrate, you can hear them, but the problem is that even these simple auditory signals unconsciously stimulate human discomfort and primal fear.

The sound of something rustling near my ear just before I turned off all the lights in the room and fell asleep, and the sound of Mr. Ba scurrying quickly across the walls and floor.

If centipedes and house centipedes had mass, would they make such a sound?

The sound of countless legs scuttling through the trees, the grotesque flapping of flies and mosquitoes echoing between the forest and the abandoned city, it felt like some kind of hell.

“But-it’s okay-now-they don’t-attack-humans-if they’re-full.”

I raised my head at Valet’s words.

I don’t know what he’s thinking because his expression doesn’t change, probably because he had surgery on his entire body except for his brain.

Well, if I wanted to, it wouldn’t be difficult to hack into Valet’s body and interpret his neural network and electrical signals to find out what he’s thinking and calculating right now, but why would I do that to an ally who’s trying to help me?

“What do you mean by ‘full’ right now?”

“The-religions and fanatics-here consider it-a virtue-to offer blood and flesh-to the gods.”

Certainly, from what I saw on the way here, the cults prevalent in the Enchantment of the Fallen layer generally seem to want human blood and flesh.

“Just recently-there was a carnival-here.”

Carnival.

I think it’s obvious whether it’s a carnival from a human perspective or a carnival from an insect perspective.

I guess it means that the cultists and fanatics held a grand festival and offered their own and their neighbors’ bodies to the insects.

“Karatkrum-Obskulluzin-resides-near the forest and the city.”

“Karatkrum Obskulluzin?”

“It is-considered-a goddess-of abundance-and resurrection… But-surely-you, as an Overseer-already know-about it? I believe-you have much more-access to information-and have received-prior training-than an executor-like me…”

Ah, um…

For a moment, Valet’s eyes seemed to show a hint of disdain.

It was as if he was thinking, “My boss, who’s much higher than me, turns out to be such a clueless idiot!?”

Fortunately, the quick-witted Theresa quickly moved her neural network to access the Ark intranet and search for information.

[Karatkrum Obskulluzin, results found in the Overseer intranet information network. It is a giant unhatched insect egg. It is classified as a Class D calamity and is being isolated in the Enchantment of the Fallen layer and used for ‘deals with hell’.]

“Ah, I remember. Karatkrum Obskulluzin. That giant unhatched insect egg, right? It’s a Class D calamity, so Overseers usually just call it the insect egg, so I forgot.”

“Oh-indeed. An Overseer-is an Overseer-after all. Please-forgive me-for doubting you-even for a moment.”

“No, it’s true that I forgot for a moment too.”

“As expected-an Overseer-who handles-important-matters of the Ark-has many-things to think about-on a regular basis-I understand.”

[Human, do you have no conscience?]

‘Thank you. I love you. Theresa. Muah.’

[Very well.]

That works?

Ah, for reference, even if it’s dangerous, if it’s judged that it can be isolated and destroyed, it’s usually treated as a Class C calamity or lower.

Even a Class F calamity is treated differently from ordinary monsters or creatures.

It’s said that even an S-Class monster wouldn’t even be a snack for a Class F calamity?

And, surprisingly, True Ancestor are at least Class S calamities.

Growth potential, inability to isolate, inability to destroy, sentient beings, infinite regeneration of viral life forms, overwhelming potential beyond humans, and formula and curses engraved in every cell.

I could deal with them without much difficulty, but apart from my power of Gluttony, there are currently no means in the Ark to completely kill a True Ancestor.

Come to think of it, I’ve become incredibly strong?

I can hardly remember the days when I was a tin can android when I first fell into the Ark.

Who am I?

The only natural enemy that makes even S-Class calamities tremble.

[…]

Theresa’s gaze seems to be looking at me as if thinking, ‘What could this poor human do alone without me?’ but it’s probably just my imagination.

What’s with the gaze from an auxiliary personality?

Ordinary True Ancestor regenerate their brains and hearts completely in seconds, no matter how much you destroy and break them, and they increase their kin by sucking the blood of nearby creatures, so even if the Ark tries to respond to a True Ancestor running rampant, there’s a limit.

That’s why Overseers who hunt True Ancestor usually become First-Class Overseers right away.

In my case, I’m Rilstia’s direct Overseer, so there are many exceptions, and in return, I have quite a bit of authority.

In fact, I’m also serving as the Grand Governor of the lower layer.

‘But why is it dangerous even though it hasn’t hatched?’

[Instead of resurrecting itself, it promotes the hatching and growth of all organic matter around it. Regardless of insects, beasts, or plants.]

‘Hey, that’s not much of a problem? It’s actually useful for growing crops in a greenhouse…’

[To give an example with humans, fertilization, division, and childbirth are completed in half a day. It takes about 3 days to grow from a newborn to a teenager.]

‘On second thought, it seems like a fucking problem.’

If you expand it to the entire realm of organic matter, not just humans, it was quite a terrifying calamity.

And if you forcibly hatch it and promote its growth…

I looked towards the forest right next to the abandoned city.

It’s a huge forest.

Such lush and dense vegetation is not the kind of nature that should exist in the Ark layer.

On the surface, it’s such a lush forest that it surpasses the lush forests like Seoraksan and Jirisan that existed on Earth, and it’s a green hell that reminds me of the Amazon.

Considering that the inside of the Ark is not an environment where forests can grow lushly, it can be assumed that the forest here has been forcibly grown by the calamity called Karatkrum Obskulluzin.

“As you-know-Karatkrum Obskulluzin-even though it hasn’t-hatched, it grows-divides-and activates-all the surrounding-organic matter and ecosystems-including humans.”

“Wait, that Karat something calamity said it forcibly grows humans too, right?”

“Yes-that’s why-the population of this layer-is maintained. The religion-of this layer-recommends-fertility-promiscuity, and indiscriminate childbirth-for whatever reason.”

“It’s only natural since there must be many to offer as sacrifice.”

Is it because this is a layer that has a contract with hell, so humans inevitably become corrupted in that direction?

Or is it because the things that the cultists believe in are mostly minor gods like monsters or demons, but at least there is no true religion here that tells you to love your neighbor.

They tell you to show love to your neighbor, but then they tear that neighbor apart with a knife and say, “Ah! They have become one with God, so their life will be blessed. I have made my neighbor one with God first and postponed the moment of becoming one with God, so what a difficult and arduous penance this is!” and they pat themselves on the back.

The problem is that many of the fanatics in this Enchantment of the Fallen layer genuinely believe that, not just patting themselves on the back.

“Alice-Overseer-please-be careful-this way. The insects-here have developed a taste-for human flesh, so if you-recklessly provoke them-you will have to face-the entire swarm of insects-in the forest.”

“Are the insects strong?”

“One-or two-are not a problem-the problem-is the number.”

“How many are there?”

“Estimation-impossible-However-it will be-more than enough-to cover-the entire layer.”

“Oh my.”

Certainly, with that number, I should be worried about the layer itself being swept away by insects, not whether I live or die.

Valet took the lead and headed towards the abandoned city.

Even while going, I could feel a considerable gaze.

I could naturally feel the gaze of insects and bugs drooling at me, but I could also feel the gaze of humans hiding in various parts of the abandoned city.

Are all of them fanatics or henchmen of cults?

That’s not likely.

There are many fanatics with corrupted minds here, but there are also quite a few people who have been driven here for unavoidable reasons, like in the lower layer.

I heard that even investigators and combat personnel from mega corps are here?

Since this is a place where such natural and huge vegetation always grows, mega corps would have enough reason to use even just the water resources of the Enchantment of the Fallen layer.

-Bang bang bang!

And Valet, reaching a certain abandoned house, kicked the door roughly three times.

“Who-is it?”

A voice with a mechanical tone came from inside.

Probably an executor who had surgery like Valet.

“Legion-Executor-Valet-is here.”

“Sleepless-nights.”

“Embrace-the void.”

-Click!

The door opened quite easily, but judging from the subtle traces of formula felt inside, it seems to be structured so that it explodes if someone who is not authorized opens the door.

“By the way, Valet, the password sounds quite fanatical? Are you already a fanatic or something?”

“…You’re quick-witted… I’m joking-The mechanical-tendrils-are scary-so put them-down-Overseer.”

“Ah, you were joking?”

Geez, how boring.

Usually in places like this, the security forces, including the police and military, are all corrupted by fanaticism and betray the main characters who came to investigate, but that’s not the case.

[If that were the case, this layer would have burned down a long time ago, Human.]

I see.

I know very well how crazy the Ark Central Administration is about peace and order.

…Wait, it’s only been about half a year since I came here, but why do I think I know it well?

“Valet-Executor-it’s not-the scheduled-date, but what’s-the matter?”

“The Overseer-has come-Guide her-to the priestess.”

Only then did the executors hiding inside reveal themselves from the shadows.

They all had executor standard weapons loaded in their hands, probably thinking of immediately killing him if Valet had brought a strange person or had become corrupted by fanaticism.

The executors’ gazes at me were quite diverse.

There were surprised expressions, embarrassed expressions, and faces that couldn’t believe it.

My appearance is that of a young woman in her prime, and I look completely harmless on the outside, so they probably never even thought of me as an Overseer.

Overseers are somewhat unusual beings, but among those Overseers, I have the appearance of a seemingly vulnerable girl, so it’s even more surprising.

By the way, these executors are quite excellent.

They are not careless and do not have a disheveled appearance.

If you stay in a closed layer for a long time, it wouldn’t be strange if your mind became corrupted or if you colluded with the residents of the layer, but the executors here, except for having undergone full-body surgery, seem to be genuine executors who protect the peace of the Ark.

“Welcome-Overseer-We are protecting-the priestess…”

“Ah, the formalities are fine. My name is Alice. You can omit the Overseer title and just call me Alice.”

“But-”

“I said it’s okay. I’ll probably be staying here for a while anyway. Please take care of me.”

“Yes-I understand.”

[Human, a large amount of high-energy reaction is detected.]

Which way?

[Underground.]

“Then-Overseer…no, Alice. I will guide-you to the priestess.”

With those words, the executors entered the interior as if escorting me.

It was an abandoned building on the outside, but the inside was quite neat.

In addition to various surveillance formula, there are mana bombs that shoot out blades of wind like landmines as soon as an intruder is detected. An energy field that even an ordinary person cannot pass through surrounds the outside and inside of the building, so it seems that no one can even try to enter here unless they are on the designated route.

‘That’s strange.’

[What is it?]

‘I thought it was a security device to prevent intruders from the outside… but now that I see it, it seems to be preventing people from going out from the inside.’

[I agree. The executor legion alone would be enough to defend against external intruders. This security device seems excessive.]

The way down to the basement was quite eerie.

Unicorn pictures and rainbow pictures that could be found in fairy tales were connected like a dreamland, and the dust and toys of the ruins were piled up randomly under the dim lighting, making the atmosphere itself eerie.

The eerie atmosphere continued and continued, and what was located on the lowest floor of the basement was an iron door.

It wasn’t just a door, but all sorts of sealing formula were plastered all over it, and again, it was speculated that this was not to guard against outside intrusion, but to confine something inside.

-Creak!

-Clang!

“Security-released.”

Only after the executor released the security did the iron door move its heavy mass and open.

And inside… it was bright.

Bright lighting and fragrant soap scents that didn’t seem like an abandoned building, pictures of unicorns frolicking were drawn so cheerfully and beautifully here, and pictures of butterflies and bees that someone had drawn were scattered randomly on the walls and floor.

Crayons, paper, fairy tale books, toys, delicious snack crumbs.

It was like a kindergarten.

“Ah! A guest!”

At that time, a cheerful voice was heard.

Dodo-dodo-

Judging from the footsteps, it’s an adult.

Not a man.

A woman?

Roughly felt like she’s in her late 20s.

“Wow! A guest! Hello!”

A woman coming towards me with a bright smile.

A beautiful appearance as bright as her smile and white skin as if she had never seen sunlight.

Her innocent appearance like a princess in a story and long blonde hair flowing in waves down to her ankles reminded me of Rapunzel in a fairy tale – although it wasn’t that long.

But the woman’s smile was somehow awkward.

It’s not that the woman is a fanatic or a strange person.

That’s…

[Human.]

‘I know too.’

Yes, I understand.

An adult woman with a cheerful and innocent smile on the outside.

But, the inside is a child.

Definitely a child.

At most, kindergarten.

Maybe even younger than that.

“Nice to meet you! Guest, nice to meet you! Hehehe!”

An adult’s body.

A child’s mind.

And…

A slightly protruding belly.