"Natsuki...san?!"
Crusch saw the humanoid shadow, who was clad in nothing but a lab coat and wore a monocle over his right eye. He was busy brewing some sort of concoction, or so Crusch came to instantly believe because he was mixing a number of various components while heating them in the oven.
He did all of this while emitting a flood of black tendrils resembling an octopus tentacle. In total, he had roughly thirteen of them out, one of which was logging something in a large book, four of which were steering and mixing things with each other, and the rest had additional utensils ready to use at a moment's notice.
To be honest, Pleiades resembled a humanoid octopus, and his inhumanity only served to establish that the once kind, loving, and valiant man she had come to know no longer existed, and if he did, he was most likely only a spec that remained, if anything at all.
If this was her old self, she would have assaulted this man the moment she saw her, since his current form is what one might believe to come from out of the witch cult book of normalcy.
But, given what Natsuki had shown her in only half a day, this was to be anticipated. But there was a more immediate problem to attend to, so Crusch began a conversation by asking the question she wanted to ask, even as her amnesic self.
"Umm... can I just call you Natsuki, please? It just feels more right to me... and by the way, are you really Natsuki Subaru, a former knight of Lugnica, and the half-elf knight as well?"
Pleiades, of course, responded immediately as he turned his back on Crusch once more and went to retrieve a thermometer and place it inside a glass filled with a strange pink material that was being slowly cooked by the oven.
"*Sigh!* ~~ I'll make an exception for you, so call me whatever you like; names are just expressions of identity, after all. Second, I am the person you once knew 10,000 years ago; I may have changed a lot and appeared different to the point where you might as well be chatting with an alien. But that's what time does to people—it changes them. In my instance, I have had several physical, mental, and spiritual transformations to varying degrees. But enough of me, Lady Crusch; tell me how it feels to be free of death's clutches. How does it feel to be alive once more, strolling among the living?"
Pleiades proceeded to grind a strange blue rock into salt-like particles as the luminous powder began to mingle and combine with the pink liquid. As a result, the material turned a vivid, exotic green.
Crusch, on the other hand, watched Natsuki work; she was entirely lost in what he was doing, let alone making. But just seeing him do his thing was wonderful in the sense that it was a sight that can be described as otherworldly. However, on that note, she began to respond in a way that made this reunion seem so casual. It wasn't a roller coaster of emotions, to be honest, because Natsuki was so apathetic to change, and not caring if the genuine Crusch Karsten was before simply made her feel a bit more awkward given the odd circumstances.
She realized she couldn't remain silent for long and responded accordingly.
"Agh. Yeah! So, hehehe... To be honest, it's surreal to think that the world has evolved so rapidly that I can't keep up. Everything seems, as you said, strange, out of place, and alien-like, but I guess I can't complain either, because even with my memories restored, I still don't know how my body got, you know, undying, vampiric, and golem-like."
However, Pleiades' reaction was as follows:
"Mhm, I figured as much!"
"You... did... when and how?"
Crusch was taken aback. On the other hand, Pleiades responded nonchalantly, taking a small capsule bottle and draining the green liquid inside it, which appeared to be complete.
"Of course, my dear, it only takes minor common sense to come up with the reason as to why? Remember, you were killed before you were resurrected in this day and age." And, as you mentioned, you were encased in an ice prison, so I didn't expect you to recall anything other than your own life. As such, it is only feasible if your last memory is of your death. Trust me, death is a memory worth remembering; nay, it is an event one can never forget, even if they wish to."
Pleiades stated these words casually, almost as if he were speaking solely from experience. Crusch didn't want to believe Pleiades had already died and been revived. If that were true, it would be a terrifying concept in more ways than one.
She tried to think of something else as she proceeded to change the subject and asked the first question that came to mind.
"Is that correct? Hehehe... well, what exactly are you making? You seem so dedicated to the endeavor that it piqued my attention."
Crusch inquired, her curiosity getting the best of her, and Pleiades didn't hesitate to answer any of her queries, as he simply replied as such.
"Well, I did say you're my partner as well as my assistant, albeit only temporarily due to the contract's timetable." Moving on, what I have here is essentially a genetic alteration serum that was carefully designed to not interfere with a person's DNA but rather to simply intertwine the characteristics of specific races with those of a human. To put it another way, it is a serum that will give you the powers of numerous alien species without changing anything, which means you can have the power of a Xenomorph without becoming one, albeit that is simply an example, as the DNA features in this thing are solely from the Amaxtrixian race."
Pleiades said as he loaded the newly created serum into a tranquilizer pistol. Crusch, on the other hand, posed yet another question.
"A... Ama, what now?"
"Amaxtrixians, my dear apprentice, are a highly advanced alien race from the Diacolous Artemize Galaxy of the Pablgin solar system of planet Amada." They are category II civilizations on the Kardashev scale. We are currently in the Utamez galaxy. Moreover, unlike Pabglin, we are not a solar system but rather a big, square-shaped planet orbiting a star and a moon. However, because of the special energy that this planet naturally generates, we can essentially give the rules of physics the middle finger."
"However, to put it simply, my influence is not limited to this planet; I have lived for thousands of years." In terms of technology, I am literally thousands of years ahead of our contemporary civilization. I've been to many galaxies and many different worlds, and, believe it or not, I've been among many different alien species, learning their ways, acquiring their technology, and learning their skills. And I have literally spread my seed to numerous star systems over the last nine thousand years. Lady Crusch, my true strength lies not in my abilities but in my knowledge and connections."
"I go by many names, and many alien species worship me as king, god, devil, and savior." I am the sage who lives among the stars and the creator of the Order of the Black Quill. I have many students throughout the great cosmos, but only four—yes, five now that you are included—are my approved successors. The authority is stronger than even blood, and in some ways, we are conceptually tied."
"And an Amaxtrixians is an alien species that resembles humans in shape and form but has cat-like aesthetics, essentially a planet full of cat boys and girls." However, don't be surprised; they might look cute, but an Amaxtrixian is a very lethal extraterrestrial species capable of outmatching Reinhard in a one-on-one battle. Their weakest link after all can destroy a planet, while their elites can physically destroy many stars with a single thought, but only if you reach the level of an elder."
"Ironically, despite their enormous power, they spend 3/4 of their lifetime, or 3/4 of 900 years, doing nothing but sleeping." Because of their laziness, they only have children once in their lives. In short, Amaxtrixians are cosmic sleepers; there is no greater joy for them than sleeping, and sleeping strengthens them as well. As such, they are gentle, but make no mistake: if an Amaxtrixian is awakened from their siesta, they will physically destroy entire star systems to obtain the silence they want."
"On that planet, I have a mate called Nico with twin boys, and before you ask, they are full-bred Amaxtrixians." The species has the ability to practically rewrite genetics according to their desires. And they can also breed with any species that is not insecticide in nature, making them difficult to eradicate."
Pleiades explained, shocking Crusch, who was looking at him with a puzzled expression, as she said.
"Wait... you... you... actually, have kids?"
However, Pleiades' response was far more horrifying than Crusch had anticipated.
"Kids ha... hmmm... well, that's what many people think of them, but in my case, most of the children I conceived with other alien races were me experimenting and studying their genetic information and how my genetics would react with other interstellar species, and the result is amazing; I've made many breakthroughs." Aside from that, the experiments I conducted on them gave me joy and helped me better understand the lives of other xeno-life forms. And it will be because of all of the samples I have examined and collected thus far that I will construct you in your ultimate life form; it's just that I am lacking the necessary ingredients to construct your core."
Crusch finally realized that the man in front of her was a monster in the body of a human being, but instead of condemning him and telling him off, Crusch calmed herself down, remembering that this version was more akin to a mad scientist than an actual hero like he was in the past; this was a man cursed with wisdom beyond the heavens, as she had previously stated. There was also the issue that alien morality differed from that of humans, and Pleiades was more alien than human if she had to be honest as well.
'Who am I to judge? I don't know what Natsuki has been through; I should just shut up and learn,' Crusch said calmly. The traditional ways of the world I once knew do not apply in this period. Everything seemed so simple back then, but this new world is considerably broader than I can ever understand. For the time being, let's do things Natsuki's way. After all, if I am to live in this new era, I need to understand him, and I really want to comprehend this world, so let's cool down and behave maturely, but I think I understand. So this is why he had no qualms about killing the entire world earlier; he was never out of options from the start. He has attained such strength that a planet is to him what a house or a room is to us. This is a frightening concept in more ways than one.'
Crusch was, for the first time in her life, turning a blind eye to the injustice in front of her. But it also helped her realize that Pleiades doesn't care if you're his own blood or not, as long as you can help him. He will use you without hesitation, even referring to his own children as "useful experimental subjects." He was also very neutral about it, which worried Crusch, but it also made her pity him. His love was terribly warped, so why is she envious of those experimental subjects?
Pleiades seemed to notice the anguish on his pet lion's face, and as such, Pleiades said to her to lighten the situation.
"Of course, I still love my children after all; they have given so much to me." And it's not like they're living in poverty. Let me tell you that some of my children are high leaders in the galactic federation, rulers of their species, and happy family men or women, while others are legendary subterranean bosses or dictators that destroy worlds in my name."
"See... I love them all, and I remember all 53,632 of their names and faces, their likes and wants—well, 34,353 now that some of them die due to various variables that life throws at them." Unfortunately, this is the normal order of things... to be honest, I went on a breeding binge around six thousand years ago when I was younger, so I have slowed down somewhat in the current era, but back then my curiosity was at an all-time high but quite dull, but with you by my side, that flame has been lit once more."
Crusch, at this moment, began to blush quite profoundly as she said out loud.
"5...5...53...53,632.... children...!?
"Yes, I have conceived 53,632 different children." Given that the entire universe is swarming with billions, if not trillions, of distinct Xeno life forms from across the vast, endless spans of space, it is very little compared to the universe we live in."
"Natsuki...
"Yes assistant...
"How many wives do you have?"
Crusch inquired, but his response was shocking, to say the least, as he casually said with zero emotions.
"Are you referring to incubators?" So, the grand total is...
But before Pleiades could respond, Crusch placed both hands on his shoulders and said.
"In fact, please refrain from saying that... Your normalcy may drive me nuts before I can adjust, but tell me what you intend to do with that serum."
Crusch asked clearly, attempting to divert the subject; of course, Pleiades noticed and answered accordingly.
"Agh. Yes. My apologies, assistant. To be honest, if we are to reach the OD, we will need to do a lot of things, such as traveling to different galaxies, collecting material, obtaining certain weapons, assassination, conspiracy, torture, manipulation, and a whole lot of other things, both good and bad. As a result, I planned to inject you with this serum, giving you the ability of an Amaxtrixian. These abilities will allow you to fly MFTL and survive the cold and dangerous vacuum of space; these abilities consist of telekinesis, telepathy, cosmic energy empowerment, and many, many more. We'll even have access to a fourth-dimensional stomach to store stuff, and the time within our stomach is set to zero, allowing us to transport resources without them going bad or being exposed to foreign substances. As such, do you have any questions before I shoot you with AMX-34, also known as the Amaxtrixian serum?"
Pleiades questioned a surprised Crusch in a nonchalant tone, as if it were just another Tuesday for him, which it practically is, because compared to the likes of Nexus-3 this was nothing to him. Crusch on the other hand had a literal wtf expression on her face at the time.