Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord

Mira lowered her head in a daze to look.

The Compassionate Mother was wailing as She was beaten back step by step. Bullets rained down like a torrential storm, plowing through Her enormous body again and again. The side facing the sea had already been turned into mangled flesh.

“What—what?!”

“This is impossible! All the rituals have failed, even I, the summoner, can no longer control Her. The 【Compassionate Mother】 should have already grown to the point of being completely unstoppable, that’s what the Holy Scripture said.”

“Then you can add a line in the Holy Scripture: a Gatling gun can be used to hold a ritual.”

Mira’s expression became utterly fascinating.

“I am not joking with you. A part of the Imperial Truth’s Holy Scripture was written by me. Every few days I release an updated version. If a scripture can’t keep up with the times, it’s no different from toilet paper.”

Nini looked careless and casual, yet her attacks did not slow. Through the Mind Link, she commanded the Banshees to continue their assault. The battle had almost become one-sided.

“...”

“You just said you were the summoner? Why did you summon the 【Compassionate Mother】—forget it, that no longer matters. Just tell me what other tricks She has left.”

Mira fell silent for a moment, then lowered her gaze to the black threads extending in all directions. “These are Her means. The 【Compassionate Mother】 can use these threads to drag any living being She ensnares toward Her—like this!”

Her voice suddenly rose in pitch. The Heretical God, battered and nearly dying, suddenly roared. With the roar, the black threads tightened.

The Holy Guard, the Harbor Guard, and countless others struck by the threads were all dragged forward a step.

Fortunately, the pull of the threads was not yet irresistible. After a brief moment of chaos, nearly everyone managed to resist.

But the animals were not so lucky. Rats from the gutters, snakes, cats and dogs from the city, even birds in the sky were all dragged together before the 【Compassionate Mother】.

Not only small animals—horses, cattle, and other livestock were also pulled in. Even a few unconscious people were dragged along.

『Strange… by what order is this monster dragging them?』

『Weight? That can’t be. Horses are much larger than people, yet they were still pulled over.』

The Banshees began discussing through the Mind Link.

A thought stirred in Hughes’ heart. He had seen such threads before, within the shell of the worker Hughes. If he guessed right—

『It is divided by willpower.』 He spoke through the Link.

The Banshees went quiet for a moment. Then Nini was the first to ask:

『You mean, those with weaker willpower will be dragged first, while those with stronger willpower can last longer?』

『Yes. It is somewhat similar to...』 Hughes paused, then a word surfaced from his heart. 『A contest of wills!』

『If one’s will is weak and the confrontation with the 【Compassionate Mother】 fails, then they will be dragged over and become Her food. Only those who succeed in resisting can remain.』

Nini frowned, an ominous feeling rising.

At first it was only insects. Then She could pull in birds and livestock. And just now, many mortals had also been dragged. She even noticed that several unconscious people had been pulled over as well.

“Mira, this pull is growing stronger, isn’t it? How many more rounds are there?”

By Nini’s estimation, the next round would drag in some of those with unsteady willpower. If several more rounds followed… then in Blood Harbor, there might not be a single living person left.

“Endless.” Mira’s face was pained. “The strengthening of the 【Compassionate Mother】 has no limit. One round may be endured, but the next follows instantly. When She becomes strong enough, She will release new threads—then we are finished. This world will be finished. Nothing will be able to stop Her!”

Hiss!

The Banshees all gasped in unison, and Hughes, in the sea, also fell silent.

The Church of the Mother Goddess had always given off the impression of being weak. Their priestesses were the frailest among transcendents, the Heretical Gods they summoned were easily defeated. Even if the 【Compassionate Mother】 grew into a giant, She would only attack with Her limbs.

But unlimited growth…

In that moment, a single thought appeared in everyone’s mind: the 【Compassionate Mother】 must be defeated at once. Not a moment could be delayed!

If She truly grew further, things would become disastrous!

Yet upon the 【Compassionate Mother】’s head, Mira showed a look of despair. Watching the creatures dragged before Her, she gave a bitter smile.

“Too late. It is already too late. Indeed, you were able to defeat the 【Compassionate Mother】 of the previous stage, but it is still not enough. This time, once She absorbs these creatures, Her strength will increase again. Your firearms will no longer keep pace with Her regeneration.”

As she said this, the black threads continued to shrink, and the 【Compassionate Mother】’s wounds began to heal at an alarming rate. From the newly grown flesh sprouted rat heads, duck beaks, cow and horse hooves…

Coupled with the insects from before, the 【Compassionate Mother】 had completely transformed into a revolting abomination.

The Banshees never ceased their gunfire, yet the damage their bullets caused was weakening.

Flesh could not stop bullets, but the layers of meat on the 【Compassionate Mother】 were thickening. A bullet could rip open a huge cavity, but behind it was only more writhing flesh.

“But fortunately, even against the 【Compassionate Mother】 as She is now, there is still a way to deal with Her.” Mira glanced at the Banshees and sighed. “You all know that by sacrificing a soul, She can be banished, right?”

“You mean that transcendents can commit suicide, and with their will banish the 【Compassionate Mother】?”

“Yes. That is the only method left. With so many transcendent beings here, you will definitely be able to drive Her away. The sacrifice may be great, but—what is this?”

Mira looked in confusion at the two square objects in her hands. Nini had just found an opportunity to slip them to her.

“Explosive charges.”

“?”

Boom!

From atop the 【Compassionate Mother】 came a sudden blast. Mira was swallowed in fire and smoke.

“Cough, cough! This thing—cough!” After a long while, as the smoke cleared, Mira reemerged coughing.

She was about to speak again, but then her eyes fell on Nini not far away.

Nini had tossed aside her Gatling gun. She now stood beside a massive crate, holding an explosive charge in each of her six hands, looking eager.

Mira’s face twitched.

The next instant, Nini’s six arms swung with blurring shadows.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Even as she threw, she pulled more explosive charges from the crate beside her, replenishing instantly. The 【Compassionate Mother】, who had just been preparing to counterattack, was suppressed once more.

And Nini had also realized: the place where Mira stood was the Heretical God’s weak point. As long as she threw toward Mira, the 【Compassionate Mother】 had to try to block.

Box after box of explosive charges were being ferried from the sea. Very soon, Mira was hardly visible at all.