kscans

Chapter 69 - The Terrifying Barbarians

"Quite a few of them survived."

The fleet was decimated after being slammed into the lunar surface I had reinforced. At worst, complete destruction. Even with good luck, more than half destroyed. Given that state, I thought quite a number of crew members had died, but that wasn't the case. Judging from the life signs I could sense, quite a few seemed to have survived. Should I thin them out so only about 100 remain?

【Die, Universe Invaders (Fuck)】

Since this was my first time using it on extraterrestrial life forms, I activated the death authority with stronger output. Why can I use it, you ask? It's probably because I've fought death gods repeatedly. After fighting Hades' subordinates during my trip, I tried to see if I could learn it, and I could. Well, I have other instant-death type techniques too, so I could have used those instead.

"Good, good. They died properly."

From the presence I sense, these invaders seem like life forms superior to humanity. At this rate, they probably possess not just advanced science but also innate supernatural abilities.

"Now then, let me take a look at what they look like."

I snapped my fingers and teleported the 100 survivors before my eyes.

【Y-you... did you do this!?】
【Impossible! Weren't the low-intelligence monkeys just consuming abundant resources wastefully!?】
【This is a failure of the intelligence department!!】

They were chattering and making a fuss, but I didn't mind at all. I opened my eyes wide and stared at the invaders.

"Th-this is... crabs? No, shrimp? Hmm...?"

They had an incredibly appetizing form. Like big crabs or shrimp... a hybrid? Like a pig-boar cross?

【Revenge for our comrades! Die, monkey!!】

A beam shot from their claws and hit me directly. Measured by the average firepower of the supernatural world, it had considerable power. Since it didn't seem particularly strong, it was probably an average individual. Even average individuals have this firepower... firepower... what would happen if I grilled these guys? My head became filled with thoughts about the taste of the invaders before me.

(Well, if they had humanoid appearances, I wouldn't have such grotesque thoughts even if they were somewhat aberrant...)

But they're exactly like crustaceans. They're talking, but I can only understand them because I'm using special powers. Without that, they'd just be making squeaking sounds.

【U-unharmed...?】
【Is the immaturity of blue star technology a side effect of individual strength reaching its peak!?】
【Damn intelligence department! Making judgments based only on surface appearances...】
【We should retreat!】
【Without being told... b-body won't move!?】

Unable to suppress my curiosity, I pulled the crustacean that had fired the beam toward me and grabbed it by the scruff of the neck. Then I ignited it. I carefully cooked it so it wouldn't burn, but...

(It smells incredibly good!!!!!!!!??)

No way! Even though I tried to stop, the drool wouldn't stop dripping! The saliva overflowing like a waterfall was endless no matter how much I wiped. I mean, I've eaten expensive crabs and shrimp before, but... th-there's no comparison...!

(N-no, but... there's a possibility that only the smell is good...)

When I tore off an arm, an even richer aroma hit my nose. If the smell alone could make me lose my reason, how good would the meat be...? I lightly tore off some of the hot, steaming meat with my hand and brought it to my mouth.

"――――"

I cried.

【Eek!? H-he ate it! Th-that monkey... does he intend to eat us!?】
【This isn't just barbaric!!?】

What, with no seasoning at all...? No salt, nothing. Just grilled. Yet it was rich and delicate... I was acutely feeling the immaturity of language itself. Because I couldn't find words to express this emotion.

"Space is amazing."

Ten thousand emotions. When put into words, how simple. But that's the only way to say it. Happily, there was no toxicity at all. It would be OK for others besides me too.

【He's crying...?】
【Th-this is... what is this emotion I'm sensing... respect? Gratitude?】
【A-a culture where when you defeat an enemy, you incorporate them into yourself with gratitude...?】
【B-barbarians... such a dangerous species existed in this universe!!】
【Their mental structure is fundamentally different from ours! D-dangerous!】
【Even if we die here, we must get information to the homeland...】

Gratitude for this encounter. I activated the death authority again. They died peacefully like falling asleep.

"..."

I silently devoted myself to dismantling work, binding the meat with chains of time to preserve it without allowing even the slightest deterioration. Now, my business is done, so I'll go home... ah, no good. There are still wreckage remains. I stored several ships in alternate space and made the others vanish without leaving any trace. Can't have space debris increasing. I have to do this properly. It's manners.

"Good work, Satou-san. By the way, um..."

When I returned to Earth, the chairman welcomed me. The chairman... no, the others too. The bigwigs on the monitor aside, those in the room are Japanese. Of course... they'd be curious. If they had heard the words, the story might have been different, but only I could hear them.

"I'm said to be generous, but... sorry. Just this once, I'm keeping it to myself."

"T-to that extent...?"

"Chairman... Prime Minister and everyone else... space is vast, you know?"

Saying only that, I teleported home. Since I spent time dismantling, it was already past one o'clock. As expected, Takahashi and Suzuki were still at home. They were in a groggy state.

"W-welcome back... Satou-kun, how was work...?"

"An emergency request from the government. I made a clone and sent it to work."

Normally I should switch and go out from afternoon, but... today is impossible.

"Suzuki, make some food."

"...You're asking me in this condition?"

"Heh, can you say the same thing after seeing this?"

I released the time stop on part of the meat and lightly grilled it. The two of them jumped up with a start. Just the smell... heh, irresistible, right?

"This smell is... crab? Shrimp? No, but this is similar to both yet neither..."

"Either way is fine! It's probably some supernatural magical life form or something!? M-more importantly..."

"Ah, I understand, Takahashi-kun. ...There are still plenty of ingredients we bought yesterday, so what should we make?"

"Don't worry. There's quite a lot."

"...I see, then everything. Let's make everything we can think of!!"

"As expected of Suzuki-san! You understand!"

"You're in good spirits... ah, but..."

"I understand without you saying it all. Let's endure thoroughly. Right, Takahashi?"

"Absolutely. I don't care how many hours it takes!"

"...I've certainly received your determination, you two."

Several hours of hell began. But thinking of the paradise that awaited after this ordeal, I could even find joy in enduring it. By the time all the dishes were finished, it was already dinner time, but it was worth the wait.

"Delicious!"

"Ha, ha, ha... it's good, so good."

"So good... so good..."

We devoured it single-mindedly. The cream croquettes were the best! The mixed rice too! Ah, no no. This is bad, this is bad.

(...Is it about time?)

When things calmed down, I brought this up.

"Well now, to think there are such delicious aliens out there. Space really expands our dreams too much."

"...Space?"

"...Aliens?"

"Ah, this is meat from aliens who were trying to invade Earth."

When I carefully explained the circumstances, the two fell silent for a while, but...

"Space is amazing."

"Space is incredible."

They started eating normally again. Good, with this reaction, it should be fine to serve to Chika-san too.

(I was a bit worried, but...)

That person is basically serious but has some eccentric aspects, so this should work.