Scrutinizing either the interior of the Anon Oriken spacecraft or his current location known as the vast Dark Lands, Grey still could not shake the peculiarity of his circumstances.
Encapsulated within the interiors of the Anon Oriken, Grey felt like he was in a futuristic world because of the surrounding unfathomable alien technologies in his arsenal that even Earth did not or would never possess.
However, being outside the Anoboid-made walls of this ginormous medium of transportation and destructive weapon in its own right, what Grey's eyes could see was an empty land filled with different kinds of monsters born from the mysterious Oriforce, and dead woods where the vitality of nature was nonexistent.
'It feels like going back and forth, from a sci-fi-like environment to a depraved magical one.' He thought to himself as he faced the seven adventurers after temporarily descending from the alien spacecraft.
"Here's a [Spatial Ring] for each of you, an artifact that allows its wearer to use a Spatial Storage. Well, as adventurers, you probably know that." Grey addressed Rahk, Winter, Khan, and the four others before distributing the auto size-adjusting silver ring artifact to everybody.
Before any of them could utter a word, Grey continued, "The right materials for the renovation of this village are stored in there, which include Levitation Scrolls and other helpful inscribed magic imported from the Queendom of Mystigrandum—the Magi Nation.
"Apart from that, stored within each [Spatial Ring] are several Vitality Potions for any possible injuries, and Tranquility Potions for maintaining a healthy state of mind, but it doesn't mean that you should push yourself to work. We are not in a rush.
"You see, I hate overworking, too, so take it easy. No one likes those circumstances, and just in case they do, they are either desperate, exploited, or delusional."
As Princess Quintella stood beside him in silence, Grey continued to discuss the development plan of the Alien Village. Of course, he never mentioned the term [alien] to these adventurers who decided to devote themselves to be in service of him and the royal princess.
"Sir Rahk, this is the blueprint of the village. I trust you to handle this matter before you proceed with sending back the asleep adventurers."
Upon handing the piece of thick and wide parchment, which was designed by the Extraterrestrial System and was physically manifested thanks to the wonders of Anoboids that could become anything, Grey then expressed his utmost gratitude,
"That's all for now, and... I am grateful, truly. You would not regret choosing to follow me."
Rahk, Winter, Khan, and the four others witnessed Grey humbly lowering his head, which painted them with surprise since they instinctively knew that this Mutant was a strangely logical and powerful one.
"No, Boss! We are being paid enough with expensive [Spatial Ring]! Aside from saving us, this payment can even be considered a crime." Khan expressed his thoughts.
'Well, those artifacts are only looted through the dead bodies of the holy warriors under Count Gildeus' command... But it's not like it's necessary to tell them that.' Grey inwardly thought before nodding to everyone.
"Hm, if you want to repay me, then diligently do your work. Also, I will leave Princess Quintella in your care." Grey's gaze swept past them, prompting each one to nod.
"Trust me on this, Sir Grey!"
"I will look out for her, Boss!"
"Yes, Mister Grey!"
Giving those commands, Grey was reminded of his conversation with Princess Quintella before they followed these adventurers down below the spacecraft.
"You want to sleep at the village?"
"Yes, Mister."
"May I ask why?"
"I don't want to forget my purpose by sleeping cozily in my room and experiencing new stuff that is enough to distract me from my own reality. At least I want to remind myself from time to time of what I wanted to achieve—absolute revenge."
Hearing those words, Grey again witnessed her demeanor that spelled maturity at such a young age. Understanding the Princess' fragile yet steeling heart, he granted her permission to oversee the village's development.
With that in mind, the progression of the Alien Village—from crude and dilapidated to one that was civil—all under Grey's command was then commenced and remotely supervisioned.
***
Anon Oriken, Host's Headquarters.
In his human form, Grey arrived at the headquarters of the extraterrestrial spacecraft.
Finding himself a seat, he wasted no time browsing some Anon Folders that would be crucial in making contact with the Earthfolks.
[Opening the Anon Folder: Earthfolks Culture.]
Thanks to these adventurers that had set foot in Earthenshire, which allowed them to encounter at least Dwarves—since Elves were conservative species and were insanely distrustful of Humans—Grey began his study of this species' culture.
Fortunately, there was not much of a difference compared to the Dwarves he was aware of in his previous world, those that were written in fantasy stories borne from the imaginations of humanity.
However, if there was one noticeable thing that caught his attention...
[Black Soil Festival]
Alien Archive Description: [An annual festival of the Dwarves, where selected participants would compete in forging a weapon by utilizing the Dark Lands' tarnished soil through the Earthcall Ritual.]
[Earthcall Ritual]
Alien Archive Description: [A ritual personally performed by the Dwarven King to call forth the selected souls of the deceased, those who unfairly perished in the Dark Lands to become Egos that would be attached to the forged masterpiece.]
"Isn't this basically courting death?" Grey muttered before letting out a sigh. But then, upon hearing Krishnaya's explanation through the proctor adventurer's memories who served the Adventurer's Guild—Earthenshire Branch—Grey fell into wonder.
"I see... So this Earthcall Ritual can specifically call the souls of those who died at the hands of monsters, which will make them willing to become Egos in exchange for the weapon user to wreak havoc against the monsters themselves."
[Yes, Master. These souls are given a second chance to take revenge against what killed them.]
"That's an interesting take about Egos. It's quite different from what I originally knew. By the way..."
Grey continued to diligently study the culture of the Earthfolks throughout the night since the process of [Knowledge Assimilation]—directly inserting knowledge into his brain for him to instantly learn—had yet to be unlocked by Krishnaya, which would need her Manifestation percentage to be at least 50%.
[Manifestation: 25%]
After some time, Grey then inspected the general knowledge of this world he had learned so far, either of his own volition, under Princess Quintella's influence, or the Extraterrestrial System's suggestion.
Among this pile of significant knowledge, which included but was not limited to the Holy Empire of Lumenasia—Royal Family, Culture (General and Spiritual), Guilds, Army, Church, and Soul Core Standards—Grey's attention particularly caught something in regard to being a Mutant.
————————————————
[Mutant Discrimination]
According to Count Gildeus' memories, Mutants are being discriminated against throughout the World of Magica for one reason—Curse of Superpowers.
Unlike the Magi and Witches races, those who take an effort and considerable amount of time to learn magical spells through arduous means, Mutants are born with random innate abilities that they instinctively knew to utilize upon their initial manifestation.
This sparks hatred from the hearts of every other race as they devote years of their life to learning and becoming strong. However, with Mutants in existence, there is still the possibility of being trampled even by those with less experience.
————————————————
[Master, the Mutants being referred to in this record are those who were biologically born and not those who were exposed to the abundant amount of corruptive Oriforce at the depths of the Dark Lands.]
"I see. Can it happen if the couple aren't Mutants?" Grey couldn't help but ask.
[No, Master. One must have Mutant blood for the child to have the possibility to manifest Superpower.]
"Sigh, at least that's still logical in a sense. Anyway. The discriminatory treatment against the Mutants is understandable... I mean, wouldn't someone get inwardly infuriated if they seriously study for the whole semester just for their final grades to be below the procrastinating guy?"
It was an analogy that suddenly came to his mind upon comprehending the dire situations of Mutants in this world—something that Grey would personally experience if he revealed his true form in the world, especially to those who did not owe him anything.
"Anyway. Moving on from this, Krishnaya, show me the blueprint."
With his command, whose subconscious was being intimately shared with the Extraterrestrial System, Grey smiled at the sight shown in front of him.
Ding!
[Spell Eye Blueprint]
It was for the construction of the modified satellite.
***
Two weeks had passed.
The Alien Village was gradually coming to life with a few townhouses being built and finished with the help of the materials that Grey had provided, especially with the remote spells imported from the Magi Nation.
[Village Blueprint—Descriptive]
[] One (1) Chief Headquarters
[] One-hundred (100) General Houses
[] Six (6) Agricultural Houses
[] Twelve (12) Sentries
[] Eight-meter Fortified Circular Walls
With this blueprint, Rahk and the others began with the Chief Headquarters in the center, where Grey would stay when he descended from the Anon Oriken.
After that, with proper materials— genetically modified woods, unknown metals, sacks of sand—tens of general houses of various sizes were built, all of which were taken note of to the blueprint that Grey had provided.
Noting this, Rahk couldn't help but mutter, "What's with these small ponds?"
For some reason, strangely categorized under the general houses, Grey specifically ordered them to create a few small ponds.
It was then at that moment that Rahk received the ridiculous answer to his instinctive query.
Clack!
As the watcher on guard, Khan ran towards them, who were all circling a bonfire this cold afternoon.
"E–emergency! There are hundreds of black crabs coming towards us!"