Chapter 425: . Goals and amibitions

[Remember why we came down here guys?]

[To escape our responsibilities?]

[No! Crinis, what the hell?!]

[Sorry, Master! I- I thought you said -]

[Never mind what I said! Those are things we keep between us. Special secrets that we never utter out loud.]

[But we aren't talking out loud?]

[Besides the point! No, let's focus on the other important reasons we're here.]

Crinis raises one of her thin tendrils to scratch herself on the top of her sphere.

[Well. We're here so you can absorb mana and survive long term…]

[Wonderful!] Crinis considers again for a moment. [We also came to get experience and Biomass for Tiny and myself.]

[Right. Since we don't get much experience up above, or Biomass, we should find more challenging, highly evolved monsters down here.]

[And we want to scout out the strata for the colony, since the Queen will need to come down here eventually.]

[She will, and soon.]

[And you wanted to try and find traces of others like you.]

[Correct! More like myself and Garralosh. According to the Sophos, there are a few of us down there in the depths. I'd love to hear what they've been up to, so long as they managed to hold onto a little sanity.]

I think for a moment.

[Does it bother you that I was from another world and resurrected here as a monster, Crinis?]

[No? Why would it?]

[Uh. I have no idea. Perhaps you would think I wasn't a proper monster since I used to be a human?]

[Pfft. Master? Not a proper monster? Surely you're joking with me!]

Eh?

[What do you mean?]

[Come now, Master. I don't think you'll find another monster that's as strong…]

Well I mean, that's true.

[… or as wise…]

I am known far and wide for my great wisdom, it's true!

[… or as savage…]

Natura- … wait, what now?

[… as cruel and relentless…]

Hold on, really?!

[… merciless and ambitious as my Master!]

[That's really how you think of me?]

[Of course!]

Ouch. That's some serious psychological damage you're inflicting there Crinis. You don't even realise it, either. Actually, somehow that makes it worse. Am I really that nasty? I mean, I've done some stuff, but cruel? Savage?! I'm not confident that Crinis' views can be trusted on this one. She has a strange slant sometimes.