Starting with the defeated female knight

That is, even though the followers of those ancient gods had all turned into that distorted appearance, and were in unbearable pain, almost as if they were living a life worse than death.

Even so, those believers and their families often remained loyal to their gods, and even until the last moment of their lives, they would not harbor the slightest resentment or dissatisfaction.

But after getting to know Green, she felt like she was gradually coming to understand.

Especially now.

After the tentacles spread out, she subconsciously squeezed her legs together slightly.

Soft, smooth, delicate, with a slight wriggling motion, like a breath of air.

She felt a little itchy, but it wasn't quite itchy. It was only on her skin, but the strange feeling wasn't just on her skin; it was even itchier inside her body, and there was a damp heat, which made her unconsciously rub her legs.

Before meeting Green, Edith had never felt this way, nor did she know what this feeling was.

But what she knew was that, despite the inexplicable feeling and the discomfort she should have felt, she couldn't even muster the slightest bit of disgust.

Even after being enveloped, feeling the strength of the tentacles wrapping around her, feeling the soft, smooth material tightening against her skin, she felt a sense of peace, even a kind of 'satisfaction,' despite what should have been uncomfortable and eerie.

This is so strange, and it's getting stranger and stranger as I spend more time with the tentacles.

She's probably broken.

Or perhaps, it was corrupted by that tentacle and became degenerate.

she thinks.

Apart from this, there was no other explanation that fit her understanding.

Even so, even knowing that she was being corrupted and polluted by this tentacle, she couldn't muster any resistance.

Even reason failed to react, as if everything was normal, as if everything was supposed to be this way.

The tentacles hugged her even tighter.

Moreover, as time went on, it began to become increasingly restless, constantly extending, shifting, and manipulating, making her feel increasingly 'uncomfortable'.

"That's going too far..."

Although she complained pitifully, she didn't try to stop it. Instead, after a moment, she reached out her little hand and gently hugged the tentacle in her arms, as if that would make her feel better.

for a long time.

Sorry, I spaced out again. Are you alright...?

Green stopped swinging, looking at the girl in front of him whose face was as red as an apple, whose eyes were glazed, whose body was trembling slightly, and whose fingers and toes were curled up, and hesitated to speak.

moment.

After the girl came to her senses, under the other party's resentful gaze, the tentacle gently swayed.

[Next time for sure, next time for sure!]

After a moment, having comforted the girl, Green once again perched on her chest, swaying slightly.

By the way, there's something I want to ask you.

[What were the conditions you just mentioned for the ancient gods to take root?]

[Or, to put it another way, what conditions must be met to be considered a successful establishment?]

Edith paused for a moment, though she didn't know why Green had suddenly brought this up, but she quickly gave a reply.

"There aren't any particularly explicit rules within the church, but if you had to put it in perspective, it would roughly mean having a church, at least several dozen loyal believers, and a small number of family members accompanying them..."

Oh, I see.

The tentacle bent twice.

[In that case, that thing should have already taken root.]

Now, it should be time to re-establish roots.

As he spoke, Green took another look.

[Oh wait, the secondary rooting is also complete.]

They're starting to mass-produce troops now.

Volume 1: Chapter 33: Are there still humans?

Secondary establishment, mass production of troops.

Edith couldn't understand what Green meant.

But it didn't matter, because she, and all the members of the investigation team, soon saw the 'things' that Green had mentioned.

The land, which should have been a scene of devastation and ruin after the rampage of the demonic tide, is now teeming with life.

The murky river flowed with venom, the roadside ditches were teeming with poisonous insects, colorful mushrooms were everywhere, and all sorts of mutated, twisted little animals scurried around, frolicked, howled, and died.

A gentle breeze blew, causing the nearby flower bushes to sway slightly and release a poisonous fragrance; even a single sniff could make one dizzy.

Amidst this beautiful scene, the 'centipede-like people'—whose skin cracked and oozed pus, gradually forming a shell that could resist venom—were also moving about in clusters and segments.

He used his twisted limbs to dig out the insects, crushed them, mixed them with poisonous herbs, and then swallowed them.

The sensation of swallowing a thousand needles, and the subsequent acidic pain, caused them to howl in agony and even roll on the ground.

Is it painful? Of course it is.

But at least, after becoming like this, they can survive.

The gods did not force them to become like this, but they could only give them poisonous food. If they did not become like this, they could not even eat insects.

Moreover, this suffering is not permanent.

After each meal, after each bout of suffering, their bodies 'grow'.

The pain is lessening, the strength is increasing, and some believers who 'converted' earlier and worked hard are now showing signs of insectification and no longer feel pain when eating.

Because of the guidance of their excellent predecessors, the other centipede people are in great pain, but their hearts are full of hope.

I long for the day when I can become like that.

They became able to eat their fill and to get closer to the divine.

As for his original human identity?

As residents living close to the border, they were regarded as 'impure' by the imperial high command, and their identification with humanity was far less firm than that of the inner circle.

Prior to this, after the demonic tide destroyed their homes, the capital city, apart from the church, had almost no reaction.

Instead, it was that legendary, brutal, twisted, and insane god who cast his gaze upon them.

Not only did they not harm them, but they also gave them food and favors.

That sincere and pure love was something they had never experienced before.

God loves the world.

The mind gradually becomes distorted, and the body begins to degenerate.

At first, people were terrified of the changes happening to them, crying and begging the gods to spare them.

But the gods simply watched them quietly, their gaze gentle and concerned, like a mother looking at her child.

And so, they understood.

That is not alienation, but a blessing from the gods, a way to bring them closer to the gods.

Having understood this and embraced the gift, the door to a new world opened for them.

At the same time, it completely erased their last remaining existence as humanity.

They are no longer human, but God's people.

But this doesn't mean they'll be arrogant or think they're superior.

On the contrary, because God is gentle, they should also learn God's virtues, be kind, be merciful, and learn to use their own strength to help others.

So, when the gods expressed their desire to help more people, even though their original place was sufficient for their livelihood, they responded without hesitation.

"Lord...we will follow you..."

"Your will... is so merciful..."

"We...will certainly carry out your will..."

Then, the enormous god raised its head and, accompanied by the tremors of the earth, entered the devastated land ravaged by the demonic tide.

Naturally, they caused panic.

But soon, through their efforts, the panic began to subside.

Because these strange-looking things actually provide them with food.

Yes, after they were able to eat poisonous insects and plants, the Thousand-Legged Church gathered up non-poisonous food and other supplies. After entering the border of the Empire, they distributed them to refugees who had not yet been converted. As their reputation grew, they gradually attracted more and more people.

Faith has also grown stronger.

The problem is that food was already scarce, and more and more people were coming.

The best way to solve this problem is, of course, to convert other people as well, so that they can also eat poisonous insects.

Coupled with the previous accumulation of trust and the performance of outstanding predecessors, people gradually began to accept and even embrace the transformation.

The population grew so large that there weren't even enough poisonous insects and plants to go around.

But it's okay.

Because the transformed Kin are also insects.

If they starve to death, they can provide nutrients to their kind.

Even dead people can be put into their mouths without hesitation.

After all, they are no longer human. As insects, eating dead corpses is perfectly normal for them.

Looking at everything in front of it, the giant centipede was very happy, waving its limbs joyfully, like a child who had done a good deed.

They were no longer hungry.

Their suffering began to lessen.

He has helped many people, gained many believers, and his community continues to grow, making everyone very happy.

so......

Why...why do such a thing...?

Another group of humans has arrived.

He thought they were visitors and happily sent messengers to invite them in and show them his proudest 'achievements'.

But in the end, neither humans arrived nor the messengers returned.

Some time later, the messengers' bodies were discovered.

He tilted his head, somewhat puzzled.

Why...do you have to hurt...?

How strange...

Thinking this, He retrieved the messenger's body, shared it with others, and then sent out another group of messengers.

This time, not only did the messengers not return, but their bodies were also burned to ashes by the holy flames.

He began to feel uneasy.

Why...should we waste...?

[Bad kids... need to be punished...]

With this in mind, and without the slightest malice, He issued a command to His people.

Find them... Catch them...

Eat them