Jack had heard the term in passing.

Tabula Smaragdina and Ulbert Alain Odle had both stopped by the Hidden Tower to pick up Lumière on a farming binge. The three were huddled around a bubbling cauldron that Lumière was prepping to brew for a few hours.

"Did you watch it?" Tabula had asked.

Lumière made a disgusted noise. "I couldn't. The picture freaked me out."

Ulbert laughed, a small smiley face popped up above him. "But it's a classic!"

"Still gross!" Lumière had said. "I listened to a review about it and just hearing second hand... urgh. Stitching their mouths to their... butts... urgh. And eating the—urgh!"

Ulbert and Tabula laughed, little faces spamming over their heads: XD / :D

"If you couldn't sit through Human Centipede, you definitely won't make it through Metamorphosis."

"Boo."

Human Centipede.

A human centipede?

What an intriguing concept. It was one that had interested the undead ever since he heard it. He hadn't been able to indulge his curiosity until recently. How fortunate that he had an excess of parts to use.

Jack had (so far) kidnapped a little over fifty humans between the Roble Holy Country and the Slane Theocracy. Ten of which he had given to Demiurge as a bribe to use the demon's private dungeons so Jack could avoid Neuronist.

Jack tended to kidnap human women that dared to strike a resemblance to his angel. He abhorred the idea of humans making a mockery over her. There were some exceptions, of course. Humans a hair cleverer than most, or perhaps sturdier than anticipated he'd take. He knew Demiurge had a fondness for outwitting opponents, and there were a few humans Jack found that he thought would amuse the demon.

In general, however, he had a special hatred for those who mocked his darling. The more they resembled her, the darker his ire.

Jack was nothing if not pragmatic. He did not kidnap them only to torture. He had thoughts, ideas, interests, and those wretched things made excellent case studies.

For example, could he make a human centipede?

Probably.

Only one way to know definitively. He had to test it.

One evening he selected thirteen women for his experiment. From what he remembered, the human centipede was meant to have their mouths stitched to their anuses. When Jack went to do exactly that, he found that the human mouth was not inherently flexible enough to succeed.

Therefore, he dislocated their jaws and cut their mouths open. He shattered the bones in their faces, then used magic to force it to regrow and heal in a position better suited for his desire.

Jack knew that human stomachs weren't designed to digest fecal matter, and so he ripped out their guts and replaced it with the organs of bug-monsters that feasted upon filth.

A few of them died in the process.

He resurrected them. One lucky soul accidentally turned to ash in the resurrection process, which Jack took note of.

That was fine. He had plenty of extras.

Next, he moved to their limbs. The humans were forced to crawl around on their hands and knees, neither of which were strong enough to continuously support that position. He took out their knee caps and replaced it with the carcasses of the bug monsters he previously used. Their hands, he decided to—for the moment—leave as is. Human fingers were such delicate things, so easily broken...

Anyone could step on his little human-centipede and break their fingers. He liked to leave in that vulnerability.

He tossed his creation into the bowels, watching it squirm and move around. The women who were still coherent—he could tell from the glaze in their eyes that some had already dissociated—were distraught. A few wept. A few glared defiantly up at him.

He could understand why his angel found it revolting.

As Jack watched it move, he was joined by Albedo. The succubus was silent in her approach.

Albedo coolly looked down at what he had created. "Disgusting. It suits them better."

"Thank you," he said. "I'm thinking about doing a flesh-fusion next."

"That would be interesting to see."

"I'm glad you agree. If you have any suggestions of your own—"

"Their reproductive parts are still accessible?" Albedo inquired.

"Yes, I left those holes alone," he said.

"I've some summons looking for playmates," she said. "I don't think they'll be picky."

Albedo, as a high-tiered succubus, was capable of summoning inccubi and succubi to serve her. They mostly performed little errands to assist the Overseer in her day-to-day tasks. As Albedo was steadfastly in love with Momonga she had not used them to service her like Shalltear used her vampire brides.

But they were still... well... inccubi and succubi. They had desires needing to be sated as long as Albedo used them.

Jack frowned. Inccubi and succubi were carnivorous. They were as likely to devour the flesh as to cause it pleasure. Jack did not want to see his little experiment end so early. There was so much more he could do with it. So much more misery he could draw out of the souls trapped inside. If he inflicted enough despair on it, he might be able to turn it into some undead variant. A lot of undead were created from miserable deaths. What would a human-centipede undead turn into? Would it look like its living counterpart, or morph into something... fascinating?

Jack said, "I would like them to refrain from eating it."

"I can let them know."

"Then they are welcome to it, if it will satisfy them."

Albedo smiled, pleased. "Thank you."

Jack pulled out his pocket watch, checking the time.

Time to wake up my lady.

He said, "I must attend to my lady now. Good morning, Albedo."

"Good morning, Jack," said Albedo.

He teleported to his lady's room, unsurprised to find her still asleep and cuddling Cheshire. The angel had her face buried in the cat's fur, hugging him tightly. Jack smiled with fond amusement behind his mask.

Lumière had programmed Cheshire and Jack to love each other dearly like siblings. Jack was also designed to play the big brother role for Aura and Mare. Lumière and Bukubukuchagama were very close to one another, and they wanted their creations to keep that bond.

That was why Jack never felt jealous when Lumière cuddled with Cheshire, or doted on Aura and Mare.

Jack pulled off his mask, setting it on the nightstand.

Jack reached out a hand, gently running his fingers through her hair. Lumière let out a soft murmur of appreciation. She released Cheshire, rolling over and sleepily looking up at Jack.

She opened her arms, a clear invitation.

Jack climbed into bed, letting her pull him into her arms. She tucked his head underneath her chin, kissing the top of his head.

It had become a new morning routine.

Morning cuddles she called them. Sometimes she would hold Jack, and other times he would hold her.

Waking up was a slow, gentle process with lots of touching and sweet kisses. She had made wonderful progress in getting used to being touched. With people she knew, she could hug them without feeling overwhelmed.

Taking away her anxiety from it, the angel instead found the affections addicting.

She knew why. She was touch-starved. Desperate and needy for those sweet gestures she did not receive for years. She was greedy for it, eagerly leaning into what was freely given.

There weren't many who could—and would—give her what she craved. Jack and Cheshire were the most consistent with their affections, and so she had become the most comfortable with them.

Jack suspected that Aura and Mare would be the next to start initiating hugs. He knew both of the elves adored Lumière like a child would their mother. Even if Lumière had not been the one to directly create them, she was the one who stayed and who doted on them. How could anyone resist her charms? It was unfathomable to Jack.

Jack did not think Lord Momonga would initiate anything further than brief pats. Lumière had mentioned to Jack—in passing—that her friend was uncomfortable with physical contact which was why she would never initiate more than brief touches.

He knew Shalltear wanted more, but the vampire was gone from Nazarick and the lich would take extra steps to make it difficult for her to casually approach Lumière again.

Lumière brushed more kisses on top of his head, and Jack buried his face into her chest.

Although clothed, her nightdress was thin enough that Jack could keenly feel the warmth of her skin underneath. Lumière murmured something incoherent, and she began to run her fingers through his dark hair.

Truly, was there anything better?

"Good morning," Lumière whispered.

"Good morning, my darling angel," Jack said quietly.

"Good morning," Cheshire said, crawling onto both of them.

⁽ˇ́˙̫ˇ̀˵⁾

Lumière rubbed tiredly at her eyes. Two maids stood behind her, brushing out her hair while she sat on a cushioned seat. Jack poured her morning tea before he moved to cut up her breakfast. By the time the maids finished brushing out her hair, Jack had completed setting the table and took a seat across from her.

Lumière insisted that Cheshire and Jack always had breakfast with her. She tried to invite the maids several times but they vehemently rejected the notion, citing that they had breakfast before they came to serve her.

The food, as always, was divine. That day it was something new. Some kind of fish with a tangy glaze. It looked nothing like the food she had seen on television from their original world—it had to be exclusive to the new world, or maybe it was on YGGDRASIL's menu.

Lumière only leveled up her cooking skill from one zone—Vanaheim—and as far as she knew Nazarick's chefs had max cooking from all zones.

Yum, she thought, savoring the taste.

「Message from Momonga」Lue?

「Message to Momonga」Yes?

「Message from Momonga」Are you free right now?

「Message to Momonga」Yes, I'm just eating breakfast

「Message from Momonga」Good, I'll stop by in fifteen minutes. I want to discuss the outing.

「Message to Momonga」Okay.

Lumière said, "Momonga's going to join us after breakfast. Five, would you please get more tea?"

"Yes, my lady."

⁽ˇ́˙̫ˇ̀˵⁾

Momonga entered the room—he always came through the door despite being able to teleport because he was a polite and considerate friend—and took a seat on the couch beside Lumière.

It had become standard for the two to discuss their situation in the Hidden Tower. Lumière would shoo everyone out, allowing them to have some privacy while they talked. Momonga found it less stifling than his office.

The Hidden Tower was made for comfort and practicality. His office was rich and imposing. He felt like he had to play a certain role the moment he sat at that desk.

In the Hidden Tower with Lumière, there was no expectation. He was simply someone seated next to his friend.

That morning he had gone there with a purpose.

Momonga was surprised. "... You do not want to adventure?"

"I do," Lumière said. "I really do, but... I don't..." she sighed. "I want to be smarter about this."

He understood that sentiment. It was a risk for both of them to be outside Nazarick. And Lumière could only summon her damage pet once. She could use a Guardian from Nazarick, but none could guarantee her safety the same way the Right Hand could because of his [Sacrificial Love] ability. It was wiser for only one of them to venture out of Nazarick at the time, and until Lumière could better defend herself it made more sense for her to stay put.

Momonga felt bad for his friend. He could plainly see how much she wanted to go. Yet he also felt proud of her. Even though she really wanted it, she was thinking logically and not taking a needless risk.

Momonga affectionately patted the top of her head.

She shivered at his touch, smiling shyly.

"The day you have your temple set up, the two of us are going to find the biggest, baddest boss and we'll kill it together," Momonga promised her.

"Aww, thanks Momo..."

"It's good of you to be cautious. You're the only one in Nazarick with access to tenth-tiered resurrection spells," he said. "While I might be able to use an item to bring you back... I don't feel comfortable taking that risk. It puts my mind at ease to know you'll be here."

She sighed. "I get it. I really do, I just... I've spent so much of my life in one room."

"Nazarick isn't one room," he said encouragingly.

"I know," she said, her smile turning wistful. "I know. Better safe than sorry, right?"

"That's right. Don't worry, I promise we'll go on an adventure soon."

She fluttered her wings happily. "Good. I'll hold you to that. Jack said it'd only be a few months and, well... I've waited years. Surely I can... I can..." Lumière sighed heavily. "I can do this. Right?"

"You can do anything," he said.

She smiled faintly. "Thank you... Um, meanwhile, when you go to the city, can you find this world's professional trainers?"

"Which ones?"

"Alchemy, inscription, enchanting, and runecraft," Lumière listed off.

Lumière had maxed her enchanting and runecraft profession in YGGDRASIL. Cheshire was maxed in alchemy, and Lumière had leveled Jack in all mage-archetype professions along with some eccentric ones like fishing.

"Only those four?"

"For now," said Lumière. "Demiurge has an idea regarding inscription, so please at least try to find anyone who can perform alchemy, enchanting, or runecraft in E-Rantel."

Momonga let out a soft murmur of acknowledgment. They would need to find a way to recreate a lot of their expendable resources with the new world's ingredients.

"If you can recruit them, by all means," she said. "Although I'm not sure how that'll go in this world. In YGGDRASIL, you could increase reputation with certain NPCs."

Momonga let out a soft sigh. "I'll figure something out."

"Thank you."

Momonga steepled his fingers together in his lap. "If you will not adventure with me, what do you plan to do?"

Lumière beamed. She was proud of her idea. Momonga inwardly smiled at seeing how jubilant his friend became. She said, "First, I'm going to learn this new world's written language. Then I can either create enchanted glasses to translate, or something more permanent."

It was the first step to her plan.

She could not leave Nazarick, but she'd be damned if she couldn't explore the world in her own way.

There was one unique ability to being the High Priestess of Silverlight that did not require her temple to be refreshed.

[Sentries]

The Silverlight faction had an affinity for owl-like creatures. Everything ranging from cute little owl-cats to the terrifying owl-wendigo, if there was an "owl" in the tags it could be a member of the Silverlight faction.

Aura had found an abundance of low-level owls in the forest next to Nazarick.

Lumière could imbue any owl creature with the [Sentries] blessing at a percentage cost to her mana—and in turn, would transform the creature to a sentinel. Sentinels were not suited for combat, but rather reconnaissance. They could share their vision and hearing with a designated ally.

Lumière was going to create a spy network made up of cute, unassuming owls. She would designate all the Guardians—and Momonga of course—as allies so they could use her adorable spies as well. She hoped that by the time Momonga had made a name for himself as an adventurer, she would have sentinels in all the kingdoms.

The angel was excited. She had never played the role of a spymaster before. How neat would it be if she could listen in on politics and actually manipulate things from the shadows for Nazarick's favor? She could be the evil mastermind behind some crazy scheme for once.

Maybe.

Hopefully.

She honestly had no idea how to do any of that, but surely she could give it an honest try!

Who knows. Maybe she could find a way to get her temple sooner than Jack anticipated. Wouldn't that be amazing?

But first thing was first.

She needed to learn the common written languages. Not only for her plan, but because the other members of Nazarick needed to as well. With her enchanting profession, the angel could prepare items to help her friends read in that new world as long as she could understand it.

There was warmth in Momonga's voice as he said, "Then I'll see if I can find anyone literate as well."

"Much appreciated!"

Although technically they already were in possession of literate humans. The captured members of the Black Scripture. All were currently in Nazarick's dungeons, where their information was being forcefully extracted. Once drained of every last bit of their knowledge, they were either granted death or... not. Neither the angel nor the undead considered them.

Lumière because she thought they were already dead.

Momonga because he did not want those angel-fetishizing creeps anywhere near her. He could already imagine their reactions to being in the presence of an angel of her tier, and he did not want to deal with that.

There was a brief lull.

"... Momonga?"

"Yes, Lumière?"

"If you see any death-angels—"

"I promise I will not kill any death-angels without you around so you can hear their death cry in person."

"You're the best."

Momonga chuckled.

⁽ˇ́˙̫ˇ̀˵⁾

Lumière is 100% becoming addicted to affection.

Answer: Haunted Victorian castle with a lot of mechanical puzzles to get through.

Question: As a Supreme Being transported to the new world with Momonga, what will be your first goal? Adventuring? Spynetwork? Defense? Straight domination?

Reviews are love!