Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. Chapter 186 - I'll Focus on Recovering My Energy

Chapter 186 – I’ll Focus on Recovering My Energy

 

[Clone]. A Fifth Hierarchy Mystery of Catastrophic Upheaval.

It was a Mystery that could create a living being by consuming a part of one’s body, including flesh. Like most Cultist Mysteries, its original performance wasn’t particularly impressive.

“The reason being… it requires consuming at least four times the volume of Sir Mek’s head.”

Mek touched his unusually small head, its distinctive facial features densely packed into a compact face, and laughed.

“That’s an awful Mystery. For ordinary people, anyway.”

“Indeed.”

It didn’t necessarily require the cultist’s own body parts. However, unless a sufficient amount of material had been gathered, the Mystery wouldn’t activate at all.

Moreover, another major flaw was that it consumed actual body parts as materials… body parts that weren’t released with convenient high-performance features such as automatic regeneration.

“In ordinary circumstances… It’s practically a dud.”

But who was I? A Cultist walking the Immortal Cultist build, where Stamina served as the head of the household, responsible for carrying every battle and every expedition.

“And to me… [Clone] is a Mystery whose value cannot even be arrogantly measured. It is nothing less than a blessing bestowed by Okail.”

Clink.

Suddenly, the sound of chains echoed from my right thigh.

‘No exaggeration.’

I’d offered just a tiny bit too much praise, and He immediately expressed His displeasure.

Even though I’d reduced the amount of joking to the absolute minimum, He still noticed without fail.

I resolved to restrain my humor even more in the future.

“I understand. I shall never again pursue wit and comedy before the One burdened by confusion.”

With a repentant heart, I solemnly lowered my head and began the child-creation procedure.

Krrrrk!

First, using [Full Moon Executioner], I summoned a crescent-shaped altar into the courtyard of our lodging.

Altars weren’t used solely for sacrificial rituals. They were universal catalysts, useful for every sort of ritual.

“Like this?”

Today’s assistant, Pendrick, carefully arranged Targon’s fur and blood atop the altar.

“But… didn’t Targon not have any hair on his head?”

“Hehehe. Lady Astrimia… If we delve any deeper into that topic… we might violate the content guidelines and bring the Moonlight Expedition’s journey to a forced end.”

“…Who would stop us?”

“Who else? The great Artein… Chief God of the benevolent gods.”

Shhhh…!

“Why would I ever do something like that….”

“All finished!”

Wiping the blood from his hands, Pendrick grinned.

“To be honest… I’m looking forward to this. What unique spectacle will you show us this time?”

“Please enjoy it… together with the beautiful Lady Astrimia… with hearts full of excitement.”

Gracefully extending both arms, I indicated the pond.

“Now… Please step back a little. My friend Mek as well.”

“Alright.”

Mek and Pendrick retreated several steps.

Following my instructions, Marlin and Rosalia were leisurely strolling around District 5.

Since I’d sent the minors outside, it was time to begin a sticky, heart-pounding, steamy solo performance intended exclusively for adults.

“O Great Ones! This clever little Karr has prepared a surprise performance for You wicked and blasphemous beings!”

Bowing twice, I removed only the upper portion of Sky Invader.

Crackle!

Naturally, the Exalted One was greatly pleased.

Unfortunately, while the Evil Gods always responded enthusiastically, their financial circumstances weren’t particularly generous.

The audience I truly needed to impress was those subscribed to my most expensive plan.

“The Arteins of Past and Present.”

Placing a hand over my chest, I offered a solemn prayer.

“If You would bless the child about to be born… I shall become a proper cultist who indulges in radiant purity and true harmony. Please… show kindness to this Half-Elf Karr… who grew up under such pitiful circumstances….”

[A cultist begging benevolent gods for blessings…. Don’t.]

This was all because I’d been born into a poor household.

Had the Evil Gods possessed greater financial means, I would’ve never gone this far.

“I shall continue.”

Holding Full Moon Executioner in my left hand, I slowly raised it in a reverent gesture.

The sort of movement a priest of the benevolent gods might make was meant solely to appeal to the two Arteins.

Then, I placed my right wrist upon the altar and began calmly sawing it off.

Drip.

Fresh blood splattered across the altar.

[In any case, this is an unusual sight. The Wise One has become interested….]

My severed right hand landed atop the altar.

Though it had only just been cut off, my arm was already beginning to regenerate.

The overwhelming power of Stamina, which had nearly reached the realm of transcendence.

I could’ve restored myself instantly using [Ghoul’s Mobility] and [Life · Reverse · Cycle]… but I didn’t.

“Hyah. Hyah.”

Next, I cut off a slightly larger section above the wrist. Then, a little higher.

Continuing upward little by little, I presented an endless show of freshly severed right arms.

“…This performance is far too brutal.”

Our human audience frowned slightly.

My lord would surely watch this with bright optimism, but our super-genius swordsman… still merely a positivity monster… seemed to find it rather overwhelming.

“Oh… My goodness….”

Mek also grimaced. Though the emotions written across his face were entirely different.

“This is exactly why I love humans!”

The goblin known as the Sage chuckled, placing a cigar between his lips.

“Humans are famous for their impulsive, radical behavior… the sort that’s difficult to predict even with prophetic Mysteries. Half-Elves inherit human blood… so they possess incredible potential when it comes to unpredictability.”

Whoosh.

Lighting the cigar, Mek inhaled deeply before bursting into laughter.

“I’ve been thinking this for a while. Maybe the reason you’re always doing bizarre, horrifying things… is because you’re a Half-Elf. And that’s exactly why I like you! More bizarre behavior! More outrageous antics! Kihihihit!”

“…Why do only people like this keep gathering around Sir Kar?!”

While the audience busied themselves chatting instead of appreciating the performance, the crescent-shaped altar gradually accumulated enough pieces of my right arm.

Completely engrossed in the spectacle, Mek asked,

“Isn’t that enough material already?”

“If I merely desired an ordinary result… this would certainly suffice.”

“But what I seek… is an extraordinary and radiant lifeform that resembles me.”

An ordinary child simply wouldn’t do.

“How could the child born between Sir Targon and me… possibly be ordinary?”

“…That wording sounds a little strange!”

Astrimia loudly protested, her blade shaking.

“Then how should I phrase it?”

“Ummm… I can’t think of anything better, but definitely not like that!”

“You shouldn’t reject ideas without offering alternatives. That sort of attitude is precisely what suppresses wholesome and constructive opinions.”

“Where exactly are these wholesome and constructive opinions you’re talking about?!”

Perhaps because she was a sword, Astrimia often struggled to understand human sensibilities.

Fortunately, I was a kind captain. I could generously embrace even the shortcomings of my beautiful weapon companion.

“…Captain. What else do you need?”

Pendrick hugged his beloved tightly, calming her down before speaking.

“Would you perhaps need my blood as well?”

“No. For the child created through [Clone] to inherit the strengths of both parents… only body parts from myself… and Sir Targon… may be used.”

The more body parts belonging to people other than the cultist himself were added, the weaker the lifeform created through [Clone] became.

“I’ll bear your child next time, Sir Pendrick. I suppose I’ll have to become quite the promiscuous cultist.”

“Please stop phrasing it like that!”

“Now then. Let’s begin adding materials other than flesh.”

When creating life through [Clone], flesh wasn’t the only acceptable material.

“Tada!”

I dramatically reached deep into my spiritual subspace before pulling out my hidden treasure.

A beautiful hand mirror decorated with precious jewels.

 

[Seventh Hierarchy Artifact — Mind Usurper]

[Allows the user to temporarily control the mind of anyone reflected within it and issue commands. Originally limited to one command, but enhanced by Eradra, Guildmaster of White Jade Hand, allowing two commands instead.]

 

Mind Usurper. The absurdly powerful artifact that Conspirator Kairas had received from his fellow Apostle, Inventor, planning to use it to overturn the Guild War.

“Oh! That mirror!”

Mek raised an eyebrow.

“The one you used during the Guild War? You can even use artifacts as materials?”

“Correct. Though they become unusable afterward.”

“But isn’t that far too wasteful?”

Astrimia, herself an active artifact, spoke worriedly.

“That’s an artifact powerful enough to affect even someone like Targon!”

“And the side effects… are equally extraordinary.”

Last time I’d used it, I’d been left with an oppressive mental intruder lodged inside my head, remaining there until Seraphina healed me.

Without outside treatment, natural recovery would’ve required over five years… an incredibly severe drawback.

“Rather than enduring that again… I’d much rather consume it here. Besides… the lifeform created through [Clone] inherits some of the artifact’s effects. Wouldn’t that be even more useful?”

“Hmm… You’re right. And now that everyone saw how it worked during the Guild War, nobody would fall for it so easily in real combat. Do as you wish, Sir Karr.”

Having obtained the strict sword’s approval, I confidently placed Mind Usurper upon the altar.

“Lastly… I’ll add just one more thing.”

From my right palm, I summoned a sphere adorned with an ornament representing a solar eclipse.

Lumerlan’s Orb. A sacred relic capable of freely manipulating light and darkness within a designated area.

“…Isn’t that Lumerlan’s Orb? I really don’t think you should add that!”

“What sort of person do you take me for? O Solmiran. This Karr never once entertained such blasphemous thoughts.”

Forming a heart toward the artificial sun overhead with both arms, I transmitted my will into Lumerlan’s Orb, calling forth light and darkness above the altar.

Perfectly mixed. Half and half.

“…Preparations are complete.”

Only one step remained. Placing my left hand upon the materials wrapped in light and darkness, I focused my will.

“My child… sleeping within the shadows, untouched by the sun’s gaze… and ignored by the moon’s mockery. Lift your head… and behold the most radiant golden light.”

Normally, [Clone] required no incantation whatsoever. But I deliberately spoke with solemn grandeur.

For rituals, the most important thing was meaning. Even when using identical materials and nearly identical actions, if the intent differed, the final result would inevitably change dramatically.

“Here… stands your master. Open your great jaws… and bite into me with your razor-sharp fangs. Tear my flesh apart… with claws sharper than any weapon. For your courage… shall reduce every beast beneath heaven… into nothing more than prey.”

Krrrk… Krrrrk!

The materials atop the altar began writhing.

Pieces of Karr’s arm. Targon’s fur and blood. The light and darkness produced through Mind Usurper and Lumerlan’s Orb. Things that had never known one another. Things with no relationship whatsoever.

Miraculously forged into a single whole through hastily improvised friendship.

“Oh…!”

Mek, who had even taken out a recording device to film the ritual, couldn’t help but gasp.

KRRRRK!

The materials, which had all fit neatly upon the altar, merged into one enormous mass of flesh, rapidly growing larger…. Larger…. Larger.

Until it rivaled the size of Targon, the great warrior who could rightly be called its parent.

“They say children grow up faster than expected… but mine has already become bigger than me before even learning to walk.”

Sitting casually upon the wooden floor, I blasted away the blood coating my upper body with black lightning.

“Captain. Has the ritual concluded?”

“Yes. All that’s left… is to wait.”

“Congratulations on the successful delivery.”

“Thank you. I’ll focus on eating well… and recovering my strength.”

“…The way you’re talking about this so casually makes it sound completely real.”

I rested briefly, drinking Charlotte’s health juice.

Even while we waited, the writhing mass of flesh continued gradually taking shape.

After roughly thirty minutes, it was finally complete. 

Four sturdy legs filled with powerful strength. Golden fur covering its entire body.

“…A wolf?”

Mek, who had recorded every moment of the child’s rapid growth, murmured quietly.

Smiling warmly, I approached the child’s head.

“…Grrr.”

The enormous golden wolf slowly opened its eyes.

One eye was white as though containing pure light. The other black as though embracing complete darkness.

“Are you awake?”

Wrapping both arms around my child’s head, I gently stroked it.

“Your name… is Perrin.”

 

[Golden Wolf Perrin (Level 5)]

[A Catastrophic Upheaval Monster created through [Clone]. Against targets weaker than itself, it can temporarily dominate the minds of anyone who meets its gaze. It can also exhale both Light and Darkness.]

 

As its parent, I gave my child its very first command.

“Perrin. Try dominating me.”