The joyful days passed by in a flash.
After spending several days playing in the entertainment complex, Nyaruko, Shub-chan, and the rest of the Cthulhu girls reluctantly boarded the ship with Setsuna.
"Ah, the Starsea Entertainment Complex is definitely far better than R'lyeh! This place is going to be the entertainment hub of the entire universe someday."
"I still want to play Starsea Racer again..."
"Wow, there are so many shows I haven't finished yet!"
They were still reminiscing about their time in the Starsea Entertainment Complex.
Compared to R'lyeh, the complex offered endless activities—especially the Dream Hotel, where one could experience thousands of different worlds, each bringing a sense of fresh wonder.
Though certain worlds were off-limits to Outer Gods, there were still countless other experiences to enjoy.
Many wealthy aliens spent their entire days inside the hotel, addicted to the dream simulations, truly living in what could only be called a drunken, dreamlike bliss.
It was the ultimate form of entertainment—if taken a step further, extracting one's consciousness entirely into virtual space could very well evolve into some new, bizarre form of technology.
"It's just consciousness uploading, what's so fun about that? I'd rather go sightseeing in another world."
Tohru clicked her tongue.
"You don't understand—it's the joy of life~"
Nyaruko sat cross-legged on the floor, three holographic screens floating before her, each playing a different anime episode.
She held a game controller in her hand, staring intently at the gameplay on the center screen.
If not for maintaining her image, she'd have sprouted extra arms and heads just to multitask between anime and games.
"..."
Setsuna couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the fun-loving Outer Gods.
On second thought, this version of them was far better than facing their indescribable true forms.
As they spoke—
Vwoom—
The starship passed through the warp anchor, leaving Nyaruko's universe and emerging above the imperial capital.
Breaking through the clouds, the colossal interstellar metropolis came into view below.
The moment the returning flagship appeared, shipgirls, Bulins, and little lolis on the surface erupted into cheers, waving and jumping excitedly.
"The Commander's back! Commander's back!"
"That was so fast?! Didn't he say this new world was supposed to be hard?"
"Idiot, it's not like we went there to fight."
"Hmm... I wonder what kind of girls the Commander's bringing back this time..."
Taihou, Akagi, and several other shipgirls with dangerously strong possessiveness stared at the descending vessel, curious to see who these newcomers from Nyaruko's universe might be.
"Oh—"
The Outer Gods, who had been absorbed in their entertainment just moments earlier, instantly turned their attention to the capital.
Even by the standards of the Cosmic Union—or beings who called themselves 'cosmic entities'—the Starsea Empire's capital was breathtakingly vast.
"Hiss—In our universe, this would definitely qualify as an advanced civilization."
Nyaruko's ahoge twitched in admiration.
Click—
Once the ship landed, the group descended the boarding ramp one by one.
"My lord husband!"
A silver flash streaked forward as the Spirit of Origin dove straight into Setsuna's arms, planting a kiss on his cheek.
The other shipgirls, Spirits, and allies quickly surrounded him, chattering and laughing non-stop.
"Eh?"
"Wait a sec... isn't the Commander supposed to be single and pure?"
Nyaruko and Shub-chan blinked in confusion.
Only now did they realize they'd overlooked a not-so-small detail.
"?"
"Why would you even think that?!"
Tohru, Belfast, and Formidable all exchanged odd looks.
Probably because during their stay in Nyaruko's universe, the Commander had spent all his time managing the entertainment complex, giving the wrong impression.
"Ah... I just thought the Commander would be like one of those manga protagonists—handsome and elegant on the outside, but actually shy and pure-hearted on the inside, the kind who blushes if a girl teases him?"
Shub-chan tilted her head.
"..."
Tohru felt that these Outer Gods had probably watched way too much anime—their brains had clearly been affected.
"The Commander's really been underestimated..."
"Didn't you notice that when you tried to seduce the Commander into having children, he didn't react at all?"
"Ah-re? I thought he was just stunned! Turns out I just didn't put in enough effort? How rude of me."
Shub-chan licked her lips, deciding to increase her intensity next time.
Nyaruko nodded in full agreement.
"By the way... is the Commander really that popular here?"
"Things seem... quite different from how they are on Earth."
Kuuko tilted her head.
She noticed that the girls crowding around Setsuna genuinely liked him—not out of reverence or formality, but sincere affection. It wasn't like the distant admiration people showed a world leader.
"Ahem. Didn't I tell you to read more about the Starsea Empire instead of just gaming all day?"
"Here, take this and have a look."
Formidable cleared her throat and handed them a tablet.
It contained introductions to the Starsea Empire—its history, structure, and various guides to help new arrivals quickly adjust to life in the capital.
"As for the Commander's popularity... hmm, how do I put this?"
She crossed her arms proudly.
"If you throw a stone anywhere in the dockyard, it'll probably hit nine shipgirls who want to sleep with him."
Formidable smiled with smug satisfaction.
"So, if you're planning anything... improper, make sure to get in line early. I'll be waiting for you aboard the Eternal Snowfall~"
"???"
...
Later that evening.
In the administrative center, Setsuna gave a brief report on Nyaruko's universe and the results of the expedition.
The Starsea Entertainment Complex would now be managed entirely by the Sophons as an official outpost—and also to fulfill Akashi's dream of earning galactic profit.
But the main highlight was the group of Cthulhu girls he had brought back.
"From now on, the Starsea Empire will welcome a new group of allies—the Outer Gods. Please give them a warm welcome."
"Ooooh—!"
Most of the shipgirls, Spirits, and little lolis were long used to the Commander returning from expeditions with new female companions.
Previously, they had accepted humans, oni, elves, and other beings easily enough.
But this time, even ancient gods had joined their ranks.
"So... you're saying the Outer Gods were so impressed by the Starsea Empire's entertainment industry that they willingly turned into girls and came here with the Commander?"
Yat Sen sighed, rubbing her forehead.
She had read a few Cthulhu mythos books during her free time and couldn't for the life of her connect those nightmarish depictions to the cheerful girls standing before her.
"Of course! The Starsea Empire's entertainment industry is the best in the universe!!!"
The Outer God girls raised their fists proudly.
"..."
They had absolutely zero divine dignity, instead radiating the air of comedians.
"Fine... as long as you're all happy."
Yat Sen and Richelieu instinctively felt they weren't equipped to deal with these gods.
After a few introductions and brief exchanges—
"Ahem—"
Setsuna began arranging accommodations for the newcomers.
"Now then, the Starsea Empire is not like Earth. All goods and services here are completely free. Take whatever you need as you wish."
"Soon, I'll assign each of you a residence and have someone guide you through the capital and its vassal worlds."
"As for your duties..."
He took a sip of tea, thinking for a moment.
"For now, you don't have any. You're free to relax—go shopping, play games, or stay home watching anime. Do whatever you like, as long as you don't cause trouble."
"There may be opportunities later when we begin campaigns in other worlds."
The Cthulhu girls, unlike other units, were either Outer Gods or Great Old Ones—beings far beyond mortal understanding. They didn't need training or growth. Just letting them live freely in the capital was enough.
"Yay!!!—"
The Outer God girls cheered once again.
"Don't worry! The Starsea Empire's entertainment industry is the treasure of the cosmos! Our mission is to protect the Empire and the Commander's safety!"
Nyaruko pulled a crowbar from under her skirt, resting it on her shoulder confidently.
"And if we ever meet an enemy we can't handle, I'll... report it to my superior!!!"
"?"
"You mean calling Azathoth over... I wouldn't mind that."
Setsuna realized that, in a sense, Nyaruko and Shub-chan had the ultimate backup.
"Excellent. We now have an Outer God Legion in our ranks—congratulations, everyone."
After handing over the post-mission operations in Nyaruko's world to the Sophons, Setsuna quickly began settling the newly arrived girls.
"Welcome to the Starsea Empire. According to imperial regulations, everyone will receive treatment appropriate to their status."
Richelieu and Yat Sen divided the newcomers into two groups—
Most were Outer Gods, while a small number were humans from Earth.
"Ordinary humans, please follow Kanae to the residence sector. The Angeloids will take care of your daily needs. When the time comes, we can arrange for Gene Ascension or Meta-Morph procedures."
"As for your future career paths, those can be decided later—whether you prefer research, production, or combat training."
"Alright, everyone, follow me~"
Kanae clapped her hands enthusiastically, guiding the few human girls who followed her. Before she realized it, thanks to her seniority, early arrival, and the Commander's favor, she had become the de facto leader of the ordinary humans.
"And as for the rest of you..."
Richelieu looked at the group of Outer Gods thoughtfully.
"As the Commander said, your daily lives in the capital are entirely unrestricted—as long as you follow the Empire's rules."
"Gene Ascension and Meta-Morph don't really apply to you anyway. Though, I suspect the Life Science Division will be eager to study your physiology."
"For now, I'll assign you residences. If you need anything else, just contact me."
She waved over a few Angeloids, leading the group of Cthulhu girls into the residential district.
Rows of elegant villas lined both sides of the street, each with its own garden and private outdoor pool.
Inside, Angeloids were busy cleaning and arranging furniture.
"Here—this whole area is yours. Pick whichever house you like."
Richelieu handed each of them an information card.
"Every person will be assigned two home-type Angeloids. Unlock them yourself—they'll handle all the housework for you."
"Wha—?!"
The Outer God girls were dumbfounded.
"Free food and housing, personal villas, beautiful maids, and the best entertainment industry in the entire universe... this is heaven—actual heaven!!!"
"Wait, so theoretically, I could just stay in my room gaming for two hundred years straight, right?!"
Kuuko's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"...Technically yes, since the Angeloids will handle all your daily needs—but wait, you don't even need to eat, do you?..."
Richelieu sighed, rubbing her forehead.
"But let's not overdo it. If there's a mission, I expect you to at least follow the Commander's orders."
It was hard to believe—these terrifying, indescribable eldritch deities, and their biggest wish upon arriving in the Empire was to become shut-ins who watched anime and played games all day.
If she hadn't known their identities in advance, Richelieu would have thought Setsuna had brought home a bunch of hardcore otaku.
"No problem!!—"
The Outer God girls eagerly began exploring their new homes.
"Ohhhh—this is even bigger than the Dream Hotel's luxury suite!"
"Huh?! All the Starsea Empire's games are free?! No microtransactions?! You can get every item and upgrade just by grinding?! So generous!"
"Even meals are free too... huh? The Totsuki chefs require reservations? Oh, I can cook too—maybe I'll go exchange recipes with them!"
Once again, they were awestruck by the Empire's prosperity and generosity.
Kuuko pinched her own cheek, then poked Nyaruko.
"Pinch me, I think I'm dreaming."
"Why would such a perfect place exist? Big houses, the best games, the best shows, the best food..."
"It's real, dummy! Have a little faith!"
Nyaruko pinched her back hard.
Then, pulling out the tablet Formidable had given her earlier, she called the others over.
"Anyway, before you get too comfortable, make sure to study the Empire's rules. Don't cause trouble for the Commander."
"Remember: first—no private fighting within the capital. Second—no bullying weaker comrades or children. Third—"
"Anyone who breaks the rules—I'll report them to my superior and have them sent back immediately..."
As one of the Three Pillars, Nyaruko's authority far exceeded that of Third Sequence Outer Gods or Fourth Sequence Great Old Ones.
Everyone listened attentively, nodding earnestly, each promising to remember the rules and treasure this rare opportunity.
When they encountered something they didn't quite understand, they even raised their hands to ask questions.
"..."
Richelieu had originally worried that these Outer Gods might cause chaos in the capital.
She soon realized she had been overthinking it.
"Honestly, I wish Ritsuka Fujimaru, Grey, Tohru, and those Witch of Sin girls would learn a thing or two from these Outer Gods' good behavior."
"How odd... the Empire's average moral standard actually went up because of the eldritch beings. Tsk..."
...
Meanwhile—
"Phew—"
After handing the Outer God girls over to the shipgirls for resettlement, Setsuna and the rest of the expedition members dispersed.
Lucoa returned to the Grand Imperial Library, hugging a pile of strange magical tomes with great satisfaction.
Most were books aliens had exchanged for Starsea currency at the entertainment complex—or rare manuscripts the Outer Gods had brought back from the Great Library of Celaeno.
Another batch of otherworldly collectibles, and the dragon girl couldn't have been happier.
"Hmm..."
Setsuna was about to return to the Eternal Snowfall or perhaps take a rest elsewhere.
But when he looked up, he suddenly noticed a small figure seated atop the administrative tower—sitting quietly before a canvas.
Sometimes she gazed long at the capital below; other times, she painted in soft, deliberate strokes.
"Griseo?"
Setsuna was a little surprised.
It was Griseo's studio.
He made his way up. Inside the spacious, sunlit room, stacks of rolled paintings were piled around her.
"Commander Onii-chan?"
The little artist paused her brushwork and turned around.
She leapt from her stool—taller than she was—straight into Setsuna's arms, where he caught her and gently set her down.
—Though honestly, the height wasn't much of a challenge for Griseo. She just wanted to jump into his embrace.
"Still painting? Is it about Nyaruko's world?"
Setsuna picked up a few of the paintings casually.
Griseo often accompanied him to other worlds. She never fought nor spoke much—she simply observed quietly, capturing what she saw on her canvas.
Compared to her previous works, the paintings of Nyaruko's universe looked... wild. Chaotic even.
The compositions were filled with strange, indescribable patterns. The longer he stared, the more his mind felt like it was melting into chaos.
"Mm, Commander... don't look for too long."
Griseo warned softly.
"Paintings made with their colors... feel strange."
"..."
Setsuna understood.
The pigments Griseo had absorbed from the Outer Gods carried fragments of their essence. Gazing at those colors was no different from looking directly at an eldritch being itself.
A normal person would likely go insane after a few seconds.
"If being around them ever starts affecting you, I can ask Mio or Lucoa to find a way to suppress it."
He pondered for a moment.
Griseo could probably sense the true nature of the Outer Gods.
"No need."
The little painter shook her head.
"Their colors are strange... but... not unpleasant."
She tilted her head.
"Commander, you like them too, don't you?"
"Huh? Ah."
Setsuna blinked, then nodded.
After all, anyone he invited to the capital was someone he liked.
"Ah... no wonder Nyaruko keeps bubbling pink hearts whenever she's near you."
Griseo mused, tilting her head again.
"So, will you treat them like you do the shipgirls, Spirits, and Sister Hua?"
"Ah?"
Setsuna thought about it—technically, yes.
They were all beautiful girls, after all.
He nodded again.
"Oh..."
Griseo tilted her head, thinking deeply.
"If the color of the stars and the color of Cthulhu were to mix together... what would that look like...?"
Strange imagery filled her mind.
Though she looked young and innocent, after spending so long in the Empire, Griseo had some awareness of the relationships between Setsuna, the shipgirls, the dragon girls, and the Spirits.
"Ah—"
Her body trembled as an overwhelming, surreal vision struck her.
Because she could perceive their colors at a fundamental level, her imagination manifested the image of Setsuna and those Outer Gods in their true forms—together.
It was too much. Too wild. Too chaotic.
Too sanity-draining.
"Commander Onii-chan."
Griseo looked up at him solemnly.
"What was that phrase Sister Grey used to say again..."
She blinked.
"Mm... Though everyone's free to have their own preferences, maybe you should see a doctor?"
"???"
—
—
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