When the raging war of blood between the holy warriors of the Holy Empire of Lumenasia and the undead army of the Death Lord was seemingly incessantly happening in the Central Umbrafell, Grey and Princess Quintella explored the internal features of the Anon Oriken spacecraft.
Even though she was considered a genius at such a young age of nine, with a mentality that seemed to have matured early due to her harsh reality as a wedlock of the Great Emperor, Princess Quintella's crimson eyes couldn't help but be painted with wonder and extreme curiosity as she scanned the metallic walls and unfamiliar technologies in her serene surroundings.
"Wh–what... are these?" Her mouth was slightly agape.
Looking at her dumbfounded expression, Grey grinned before answering, "These are what you call alien technologies. I assume your Honey Mallows have already taught you some things you find unfamiliar, right?"
In front of Princess Quintella and Grey, several holographic monitors were presently displaying the inner structures of the Anon Oriken such as the production of strange metals in the General Manufacturing Extraterrestrial Cube—a sector within the massive alien ship where things like Anoboids were reproduced with the help and guide of an autonomous nano-AI.
What's more, through these azure holographic screens, there was a spacious laboratory filled with empty tanks, waiting for some subjects to be preserved and experimented later on by the sole Anon Scientist.
Everything was simply a strange sight for the little Princess even after her academic training under the guidance of a modified Extraterrestrial System.
According to Princess Quintella's academic training, which was categorized into two: (1) Inner Wisdom and (2) Outer Wisdom, the latter was focused on the things and knowledge that were not of this world (Outer).
On the other hand, the former was a discussion about things and knowledge that could be found in this magical plane; information that was passively collected and assorted by the Pseudo-Archive for her to learn effectively.
Prioritizing to learn anything that belonged to the Outer Wisdom for Princess Quintella to blend with Grey's peculiar demeanor, she was then reminded, "Alien technologies... Based on Honey Mallows, they are similar to artifacts rarely found inside dungeons or labyrinths."
Dungeons and Labyrinths existed in this world.
The former was a gateway for the monsters of the Dark Lands to reach what was beyond the Mystic Veil—a mysterious curtain of Oriforce that acted as a great border between nations—while the latter were underground ruins containing the buried ancient past, both which possessed invaluable artifacts.
Hearing Princess Quintella's words, Grey responded as he gradually returned to his human form, "You could say that. By the way, let me be your tour guide. Let's explore this ship!"
For some reason, Princess Quintella noticed the unusual delight in Grey's expression as though the latter was notified of something he never thought possible.
"O–okay, Mister!"
"Let's go. I'll also tell you about why the system knows some knowledge of this world—regarding the Alien Archive."
***
"Mister, does it mean you know everything about me?" As they walked in one of the wide Anoboid-made corridors of the Anon Oriken, Princess Quintella reluctantly asked after hearing the absurd capability of Alien Archive from her savior's mouth.
With his hands on the laboratory coat's pockets, Grey unhesitantly shook his head, "Nope. That's not the case. You see, as I said just now, the Alien Archive collects information from anyone I encounter, either dead or alive.
"However, the gathered data would be stored within the archive, and it doesn't mean I would instantly know the information unless I asked Krishnaya to show it to me."
Princess Quintella comprehended every word he said.
"Hm, it means the system knows about me... Then, unless you asked Krishnaya to provide information about me, you would not be aware of my detailed life, everything I've experienced? I'm curious, Mister..." She paused for a second or two before continuing, "Why aren't you asking her to show you everything about me?"
Hearing this, Grey let out an expressive sigh.
"You see, I may be an abnormal existence in this world just like how mutants are viewed socially. However, I still respect one's privacy—whether they are of noble or commoner blood— unless the situation calls for it, okay?"
"Mister... I respect you for that, but..." She stopped walking and looked at his eyes, which turned inquisitive. "What if I want you to know everything about me? I mean, isn't that the right thing? I decided to follow you, and I owe you my life... It's just..."
There was a subtle irritation in her voice, which Grey was able to notice.
"Hey, Princess. That's boring, you know. I don't want to know you based on the Extraterrestrial System's gathered information but instead, gradually tell me your story from your own very mouth and liberty." Grey smirked before walking forward, where an enormous metallic door was situated.
"Ah..."
Princess Quintella was left frozen still for a few moments before delight found itself on her countenance.
She then followed from behind.
"W–wait for me, Mister!"
***
—Welcome to the Genetics Laboratory, Master Grey!—
A female voice resounded within the sector concerning DNAs and Genes, welcoming the host of the Anon Oriken spacecraft.
—L0X at your service! How could I be of service?—
Seeing the interior of the Genetics Laboratory, where various laboratory equipment—both familiar and new to him—were stored and waiting to be utilized, Grey did not forget his first purpose.
"You thought I'd forget about you?"
Grey looked at the sack of bones he brought with his other extra hands as they walked down the corridor.
"Ah, Mister. I cannot wait. I hope I learn something from this!" Princess Quintella said with an innocent tone.
Woosh.
Clack.
"Assemble these bones of the Goblin Chief, and prepare a sturdy Anoboid bed. Chain this fucker up and I will do the rest."
At that moment, as though the entire ship was a living entity of its own, Anoboid-like hands appeared from the ground and lifted up the two sacks of bones before placing them on an Anoboid-made bed that resembled the one that could be found in a medical center.
During this quick process, Krishnaya alerted him.
Ding!
[Remote DNA Modification is now possible.]
[Master, your existence has been tied to the Anon Oriken. Wherever you are, even if you are separated from the spacecraft, it can still be operated via system command.]
'Right... Okay, since we'll have to explore the other sectors, please perform a Remote DNA Modification.'
With those words, several holographic screens appeared in front of him–
[Create a (name) for the grand operation.]
...but this was something that mostly caught his attention.
"A name? Is it like a project?" Grey muttered.
Princess Quintella just listened to him, her eyes fixated on the now chained-up Goblin Chief, whose mouth was also tied with sturdy alien material.
After some time–
"MGT-Operation or Monsters Genetics Testing."
Ding!
[Grand operation has been named as Monsters Genetics Testing (MGT-Operation).]
[Please set a predetermined Gene Editing Category.]
"Ah! I think I know what this is..." Grey muttered as he began setting the Gene Editing Category to be performed on the Goblin Chief, an undead being.
Click.
Clicking here and there, the MGT-Operation had been finalized based on Grey's desire.
Ding!
[MGT-Operation Gene Editing Category]
[] Ori Core Regeneration (OCR+)
[] Ori Core Reinforcement (OCR±)
[] Ori Core Holy Dormancy (OCGD-)
[MGT-Operation Subjects]
[] Goblin Chief (#1S)
[MGT-Operation Objective]
[] To see if the undead Goblin Chief can withstand Holy Power by unlocking the DNA that makes it dormant.
[MGT-Operation Frequency]
[] Every time the subject makes a full recovery.
"Begin the operation."
With his absolute command, the awaiting hell for the Goblin Chief began.
***
"I thought you would let me watch it, Mister." Princess Quintella said as they left the Genetics Laboratory, which was filled with the Goblin Chief's scream.
"No, I'll send you the recorded data after the testing."
'I think it wouldn't be as easy as I thought.' Grey thought to himself, being reminded of his First Subject upon waking up in this new world.
[Soul Core H+ (H-DNA-7)]
Alien Archive Description: [A type of DNA according to this world's standards that signifies the capability of someone to gain or utilize Holy Power. It will remain dormant if the Soul Core is Dark; however, through an Anon Scientist specialized in editing one's existence, ethically so, the existence of Holy Power will be able to coexist and harmonize with Darkness.]
Grey browsed the DNA's information in which he wanted to attempt to Princess Quintella out of curiosity upon meeting her for the first time.
'No, I won't tell her yet.'
[Master, as an Anon Scientist, personally performing DNA Modification will be far more effective than letting the autonomous transformed Anoboids.]
'Oh, is that so? That's good news then. Anyway. We'll have to observe first the Goblin Chief. Send me the gathered data and sort it out to the most promising or interesting results just in case there's a difference in every trial.'
[Yes, Master.]
***
Some time had passed.
After exploring every resourceful sector of Anon Oriken, as both of them were filled with bewilderment and wonder upon seeing something for the first time, Grey and Princess Quintella went back to the Host's Headquarters.
"Master, is that what's going to happen to me?" Out of nowhere, Princess Quintella's question caught him off-guard.
They were watching through a holographic screen the entire process of the ongoing experiment, where the Goblin Chief's existence was gradually burning and yet regenerating at the same time.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Mister, I've been taught about the existence of DNAs. With that said, I've also seen the one regarding the Soul Core H+, which can make me wield Holy Power despite having a Dark-hued Soul Core."
"I see. There's no need to worry about it since it's not necessary–"
"But it is!"
Unexpectedly, Princess Quintella raised her voice; her crimson eyes seemed to pierce his very being.
"I want to have everything I can to get revenge on everyone who wronged me and my Mother!"
Grey was at a loss for words. He seemed to be unable to realize the depth of her hatred towards the rulers of her own nation.
After a minute or two, all Grey could say was...
"Not yet."