Starting with the defeated female knight

“Miss Morphia is wonderful in every way, except that she looks too strange.”

"Orcs don't act like that."

Besides her strange appearance, Morfia herself is not enthusiastic about finding a partner, and can even be said to have no interest at all.

Because, comparatively speaking, she had a problem she cared about more.

"I am searching for the orcs' answer."

She looked at Green and spoke calmly.

"Or, to be more specific."

"You have your doubts too, don't you?"

"Orcs, are they closer to beasts, or... closer to humans?"

As a half-orc, it's only natural for him to want to investigate his origins.

But the more Morphia investigated, the more she discovered that the orcs were less like beastmen and more like 'humans' endowed with beast-like characteristics.

In particular, regardless of how many people reproduce or how many cards are drawn, there is one thing that is ignored by everyone but always exists, even though the birth of the race seems to be completely random.

"That is, all orcs, regardless of race, possess 'human' characteristics."

During her long investigation, she discovered this, and she continues to seek answers to this day.

I do have this suspicion.

Green readily admitted this.

But I think nobody really cares about the answer to this question.

“…You’re right.”

In fact, Morphia was well aware that even if she found out something, the orcs wouldn't care, the humans wouldn't accept it, and she might even face a bounty and be hunted down.

But she just wanted to know.

I can understand it; after all, everyone has some strange obsessions to some extent.

Or rather, belief.

The tentacles swayed slightly.

I don't mind if you research this. If you make any progress, you can tell me about it.

[After all, I'm also a little curious about this.]

"Yes, I will report to you as soon as possible if there are any results."

Mofia nodded slightly.

After exchanging information and entrusting Morphia with the task of identifying herbs and making potions, Green prepared to leave.

But before leaving, Morfia remembered something and suddenly spoke.

"I would like to ask you to give me some tentacles."

As a doctor, Morfia was very interested in Green's tentacle, which could secrete healing fluid.

Green didn't mind. He had been wanting to adjust and develop those tentacles recently, at least to improve their flavor, and Morphia happened to have the same need, so he brought over a few.

[Note that the storage humidity should not be too low, and it should not be exposed to direct sunlight. If possible, it is best to water it occasionally. Room temperature is fine...]

These are some varieties I recently improved. They work better than the regular ones, but the taste is still strange, and they are more sensitive to different flavors and have stricter environmental requirements...

Morphia's pharmacology skills were clearly far superior to those of the others in the camp, so Green thought for a moment and simply got her a few good tentacles.

Since we're going to research it anyway, instead of hiding it, we might as well get it right the first time.

As for Green's trust, although Morfia's expression didn't change much, some details showed that she wasn't as distant and wary as she had been when she first arrived.

As for now, after the tentacles arrived, he took one out in front of Green, held it in his hand, and gently stroked it.

A sticky liquid secreted from the tentacles, gradually wetting the beautiful little hands, but Morphia didn't care.

Although it has a slightly sticky texture and smells strange, it does have a very strong healing power...

Thinking this, Morphia picked up the knife next to her and slashed her own arm.

Bright red blood flowed out, and after applying the mucus, her eyes flickered slightly as she watched the visible healing speed.

"Is there an upper limit to mucus secretion? How long can it last? Will secreting too little or too much affect the tentacles?"

Faced with Morphia's professional question, Green thought for a moment and gave a clear answer.

【I have no idea】

Although the healing tentacles were something he had created a long time ago and used quite a bit, he really didn't know the details and specific data.

Morphia wasn't surprised. She stared at her wound, and after it had completely healed, she looked at the tentacle in her hand again, gently pinched it with her fingers, and moved it, watching it secrete more mucus due to the pressure, her gaze calm.

After a moment, she turned her head and looked into Green's eyes.

"Without precise data, I might need to conduct some special trials, you..."

I don't mind.

Green waved his tentacles.

Just do it your way, I've been wanting to figure these things out too.

As long as it's not too excessive, or you tell me in advance, it's fine.

"I understand, thank you for your understanding."

Morphia nodded, then focused her attention back on the tentacle in her hand, gently grasped it, and began to try.

Touching, squeezing, and rotating to observe the structure, removing the mucus, tasting the texture of the mucus, and attempting to determine its properties through taste...

She did it very seriously and skillfully. Although there were many movements, Green did not feel any discomfort. In fact, he felt a little comfortable.

The only minor issue is that the scene looks a bit messy.

Especially later, in order to test the tentacles' tolerance, after obtaining Green's permission, Morphia began to experiment, applying various stimuli and pressures until the tentacles reached their limit, and the slime burst out, covering her completely.

A muzzle, eyes, and a blue dress...

There were sticky residues everywhere, which was extremely disgusting and made Green feel a little embarrassed.

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

"It's okay, this was the test we were going to do anyway, I was just not prepared."

Watching Morphia calmly wipe the sticky substance from her hair without a single complaint, and even carefully examine the oozing tentacle to make sure it was unharmed before putting it back into the petri dish, Green couldn't help but sigh.

Wow, that's really professional...

And he's so dedicated; no wonder he knows so much...

------

P.S.: I felt the original cover didn't quite match the style of the book, so I tried a new one. I'm not sure if it will pass censorship.

Volume 1: Chapter 28: Uncertain, but worth a try

A few days later, in the capital.

The bishops' discussions finally came to a conclusion.

"The nobles, the church, and the magicians' association will jointly form a team to investigate the situation on the empire's borders and even beyond."

Yes, although it dragged on for several days, the bishops didn't argue. Instead, after quickly ascertaining the Church's stance, they brought the other two factions together, explained the situation, and jointly discussed and planned the next course of action.

After all, this is not just a matter for the church alone. Even the nobles who care least about the border cannot sit idly by and watch the demonic tide damage the empire, since food and various resources still need to be produced and supplied from outside.

If the demonic tide destroys everyone outside, who will make up for the lack of enjoyment they've missed?

Therefore, after discussion, despite the turbulent situation in the capital, it was a matter of the safety of the entire empire, and all parties reluctantly selected some people they could send out.

On the church's side, it's Cecilia and Edith, since they don't really have anything to do in the capital right now, and they have experience facing the demonic tide. They are also familiar with Grin and have been assigned a top-tier combat squad within the church as support.

As for the Mage Association, the newly appointed vice president led the team, which included some battle mages as well as investigators and researchers. They planned to take this opportunity to collect data on the magical tide and rebuild the model.

As for the nobles...

"Long time no see, my dear sister."

The blonde woman twirled the dagger in her hand, looking at the blonde girl in front of her with amusement in her light green eyes.

"How have you been at church lately? It probably hasn't been very good."

"I heard you almost died in the demonic tide, but unfortunately you survived. It's a real pity."

Elise Stewart.

The eldest daughter of the Stuart family possesses a bloodline that is considered top-tier even in the capital. She is stunningly beautiful, possesses exceptional combat prowess, and is known as the 'Blood Rose.' She is practically the designated successor to the Stuart family.

She is also Edith's sister.

"Then you'll have a lot to regret."

Faced with Elise's provocation, Edie showed no weakness.

“I’m doing very well in the church. Lady Cecilia takes good care of me. Although the previous demonic tide did cause me some trouble, it also allowed me to make some ‘new friends.’ I’m doing much better than in that ‘family,’ so you don’t need to worry about me.”

Elise didn't seem particularly angry at Edith's retort. She only frowned slightly when she heard Cecilia's name, but didn't react further.

"Hey, can you sisters wait until the investigation is over before you argue?"

A somewhat helpless voice rang out. Looking in the direction of the voice, one saw a woman with disheveled hair, wearing a loose mage's robe, and with dark circles under her eyes.

"I don't want to see infighting within the team before we even set off, and then when we arrive at our destination, we'll lose members due to internal strife before even seeing the demonic tide, and then be wiped out in one fell swoop by whatever we encounter."

"We're going to a very dangerous place to investigate, can't you be a little more serious?"

"...Do you really think you have the right to say that?"

The blonde sisters turned their heads simultaneously, their gazes passing over the vice president of the Mage's Guild and looking behind her.

The magic-powered carriage was piled high with all sorts of snacks and entertainment items; looking down, you could also find several picture books and novels.

Do you think this is a picnic?

"You're the one who has the least right to judge others, aren't you?"

"Hey, no, I was just trying to be helpful by reminding you all, why are you all attacking me?"

Faced with the blonde sisters' attack, Uri, one of the vice presidents of the Magic Association, 'Mercury Witch' shrank back and then tried to argue.

"As you all know, that place is on the border, and if a demonic tide breaks out, we might have to stay there for a long time. Why not prepare more supplies?"

"Besides, it's as if you didn't bring any."

"We didn't bring any of this useless junk."

The blonde sisters did indeed prepare quite a lot of things before setting off.

Elise had prepared various weapons and even war equipment, making her look more like she was going to war than on an investigation mission.

As for Edith's preparations, in addition to some belongings to be transported to Green, she also purchased a large quantity of grain.

Nominally, it's to provide assistance to disaster-stricken areas, and in reality, it is, but in the specific form, it's being transported to Green.

And that's what Green meant too.

Could you bring something to eat when you get back?

There are a lot of people here. It's okay now, but if this continues, I feel there will be pressure on food supplies.

Don't worry, you won't waste your money. I've got some things on my end that will make up for your losses.

Edith didn't care about the compensation Green mentioned, but she felt a little confused after hearing the news.

Although Green had spoken with her before, saying that he was recruiting refugees and expanding the camp in order to prepare for a possible crisis.

But some things are hard to describe with words alone, let alone since Green can only shake his tentacles. So even though Edith heard some things from Green, she only knew that his number of people was increasing and that he was building a town, but she didn't know the specific details.

Although the details are unclear, Edith is certainly willing to support Green.