I portaled over to the goblin terrarium, keeping the arrays of the ancients’ ‘alchemical link’ present in my mind. As they said, it certainly wasn’t magic, though there were similarities. I was still funneling ‘mana’ into ‘spells’, but the mechanics behind it were entirely different.

Normally, magic comes from your own alignment’s internal mana, and simply by expelling it with a thought and in certain patterns, it would rush out at your will into the spell you’re trying to cast. But this ‘alchemy’ was different.

The mana did not originate from my own nor the ancient’s alignment, but rather, was somehow manifested from a secondary alchemical array they referred to as a ‘source array’, which absorbed actual matter and converted it into mana. Then, the mana rushed out from the array into a second alchemical array constructed around the first, known as a ‘funnel array’. As the name suggests, this ‘funnel array’ captured the source array’s mana and funneled it to its destination. In this case, the destination was thousands of other sets of alchemical arrays called ‘function arrays’, each with a different purpose and their own set of ‘funnel arrays’.

As one of the goblins noticed me, they shouted out “ekeí páno, éna téras!” In their own language. A half-second later, the words repeated in my mind, this time in my own language. “up there, a monster!” They said, causing most of the others to murmur between themselves or stare at me. One of the goblins, however, reacted more violently, immediately opening their mouth to form a spell.

If this were the world outside my subspace, I would never even consider risking the lives of the ancients’ by taking any of their forms. However, within this subspace, I’ve learned I have more than enough ability to defend myself. For one thing, my control over the subspace is strong; much stronger than it should be for my rank from what Athro Gofod said. . Secondly, the ancients assured me that their alchemical link had sub-functions that provided ample protection, so long as I’m within my subspace. Though, I have no need to test that theory here.

I waved my hand, and a glass barrier identical to the ones surrounding each terrarium manifested around the offending goblin before it could even finish forming its spell. It shrieked, using its mana to vibrate and tear apart the bubble, but not even coming close to penetrating.

“Enough!” I said louder than intended.

One of the goblins quickly dropped, prostrating themselves before me. “This one apologizes for xefonízon’s rudeness, yes indeed.” They said, looking back at the others and glaring until they all followed suit and bowed. “And Fotia’s foolish claims do not apply to the rest of us. We acknowledge your magnanimity, and we beg your forgiveness for our misdeeds, yes indeed.”

Not quite the reaction I was expecting, but I suppose I understand. They were just killed and resurrected here, and I’m guessing this ‘Fotia’ is the one currently splattered across the floor… I can understand why they might be afraid of me.

“Fret not, little goblin. I harbor no ill will towards your kind, regardless of the fact that I am the one that brought you here. Your deaths were unfortunate, certainly, but you have been brought here for a second chance at life. Here you will be safe, free to live out the rest of your lives as you wish, free from the oppression of the voice.”

The goblins remained silent, though the goblin that had spoken before did look up in confusion. Are they expecting something?

Oh, right. As was the case with Rhannu, they do require food, water, and shelter to live… When was it that I had forgotten the importance of such things? What am I becoming where I can forget such… basic necessities?

Self-reflection aside, there is work to be done. I concentrated on the cavern’s subspace, and with a wave of my hand brought over a large chunk of labyrinth stone. As I brought it over, I created space-bolts of a sort around it, using them to expand and contract the space it resided in until the stone itself bent into shape, eventually turning into a giant standing bowl. Once its shape was set, I transferred some of the cavern’s freshwater into it.

With another wave of my hand, I brought over some of the beasts I had consumed from their corpse pile. Most of them were still dead when I brought them into my subspace, likely since their mana had already decayed to the point I couldn’t normally resurrect them, so meat would be even less of an issue for the time being.

As for shelter, I couldn’t very well create a house for each and every one of them before I had to go back, but I suppose I could bring them some materials to make their own shelter. They have an earth-aligned among them, so labyrinth stone should work well enough. With one last wave of my hand, I brought over another chunk of stone for them to build it out of.

“I must go now. I am required elsewhere, but I will be back soon. Form a list of necessities before I return, and I will provide.”

The goblin who had been speaking before gaped their mouth, taking a few seconds to formulate their response. “Y-You’ll be back?”

I know they’re afraid, but their reactions are a bit slow. Maybe I can calm them down with some positivity? “Tell me, friend, what is your name?”

“Epidexios, y-y-yes indeed.”

“Epidexios. I promise you, I will be back. I expect great things from you.” I said.

* * *

Epidexios was the oldest among the goblins there, one whose mind hadn’t been further corrupted by the voice after manifesting powers, and had some experience dealing with the politics of speaking with those who could kill with impunity. All together, this made him the best choice to speak for his people in the absence of Symvoulos or their royalty. Still, Epidexios couldn’t stop shaking.

That thing… Our judge. Our god. It killed Fotia for speaking its name in vain, yet didn’t even bother to acknowledge it. Then Xefonízon mistook it for a mere monster. Had it been even slightly more vengeful, I’m sure it would have killed us with a thought. Yes, indeed.

And yet, it claims we will be free in this place. It gave us food and water, and even offered to bring any necessities we requested once it came back… Epidexios’s eyes widened. It said it will be back soon, and it expects great things from us. But what does it expect?

Epidexios turned towards the rock their new lord had brought, formulating ideas in his head based on his years of service to their king.

“We must gather offerings.” Epidexios whispered. He spoke again, addressing everyone there. “We must gather offerings, yes indeed! Dexameni, help me carve this statue in our lord’s likeness. Everyone else, make crystals, or think up ways to please them. Whatever you have, prepare to offer, whether that be your services or your head.”