Tendrils stretch across the walls and flesh veins make up the walls, ceiling, and even the floor. Imprinted human bones cause a lamp on the flesh veins and the spreading veins pulsate with a faint golden glow inside the red mass. Tumors balloon on some areas and weakly beat, mimicking a human heart. The source of the cancerous spread is none other than Beelzebub, who feeds on living things - absorbing and growing. Regular humans is like only a drizzle in a raging fire of their hunger. The victim is a weather station building with a nearby lighthouse - or at least what was once a human building. Tumors, tendrils, and viscera spread across the walls, roof, and bursting out of the windows.
"..."
Any living humans left are mostly consumed, leaving them desperately gasping for air but still conscious and aware of their surroundings. Half of their bodies sink into the wriggling and twitching mass. Some of them are stuck in position of stretching their arms for help and their mouths left open after they screamed.
"Hmm. Now that's a proper human expression~"
Asmodeus shrink themselves to not crush anything at first step. They run their chin and nods in full agreement after scanning all angles of the humans slowly being gnawed by Beelzebub.
"Not enough They taste so bland!"
Beelzebub is right outside the building, large enough to lift a human by their legs with only two fingers. They slowly shake the trembling human while despairing over flavorless meat.
"Hey, is there anything worth my collection? Like something shiny and expensive?"
Mammon rubs all of their six hands and widely grin to display their glittering teeth. The raw desire to jewels and gold is laid bare. The beast clad in melted gold and other steel frantically scan their surroundings, carefully searching for anything that Belezebun hasn't consumed yet.
"Perhaps it's as you said, Asmodues. Desires are much more fulfilling than flesh alone"
Beelzebub slowly unhinges their wide jaws, revealing not only their jagged teeth but two more rows of teeth inside. There's a tongue formed solely out of viscera poking and sewing together human faces through their orifices.
"Aaaaaah!" The humans frantically wriggles
What made the human scream isn't the tongue but the several stretching bloody hands wriggling and grabbing his clothes.
"..."
Beelzebub pulls closer their hand holding the human close to their mouth. They slowly snap their jaw close to leave their teeth digging through the man's waist while blood drips from the man's lips and nose.
"Shiny!"
While Beelzebub leaves the man slowly dying, Mammon stretches one of their arms and rips off the circling light on top of the lighthouse.
"This world is bland, Asmodeus. The Sirens, the kansens - it's all too bland! I want to taste my food!"
Beelzebub slurps the dead human. They stand up and swings their tail, breaking the concrete wall and steel roof with the sheer weight and force of their body.
"That's right. Junk isn't sufficient. The good stuff is the shiniest ones!"
Although Mammon is carefully removing the roof of the lighthouse, they giggle in sincere agreement for having the right to be picky with their desires.
"No, no, no. You can't just swallow in one go. You have to prepare not only the meal but the spices. The peppers, the soy sauce, the herbs, and even garlic!"
Asmodeus gently removes one of the intact humans that's partially buried in Beelzebub's blood-soaked flesh. They ensure the human has his whole limbs still connected to the rest of his body while they dangle it in front of Beelzebub.
"Even if you eat, you'll never be satisfied. You have to make the most of your meal! That's why humans evolved to add ingredients to their food"
After briefly using the human as an example, they toss it far. It catches Mammon's attention who leap with their jaws wide open and snap it close when they successfully bite the dead human.
"Maybe try your luck in the Sardegna Empire! Their wine and pasta are top class. Perhaps someone their might be your next meal"
"Eugh! I don't want a dramatic meal. What I want as my main dish is someone full of spirit - strong emotions and a strong body"
"Iris Libre?"
"The cardinal might taste sweet, but she's the dessert"
"If you want someone strong then try going up against the likes of Enterprise and Bismarck" Mammon shrugs
"Eagle Union? I want flesh and blood not fat and oil! Do you want me to puke from all the grease?!"
"To be fair, they love burgers and fries so much that they're like cattle lining up to be eaten" Asmodeus pats Beelzebub's back
Since Beelzebub isn't bothering using their armor, the mere touch is a slimy mucus and soaked in blood. Their body is cold from the messy fusion of viscera, bones, muscle, and tendrils creating a form of a skinless sea dragon.
"Yeah, yeah! Let's go to a trip! I can make a new necklace out of their guns" Mammon eagerly wags their tail
"It's settled! You fight Enterprise and see if her wisdom cube is worth as a main dish!" Asmodeus claps on excitement
"If that doesn't work, we go to Iron Blood next! I'll make sure to use their riggings to make a new chair!"
"There are many kansens in this world, my brethren. You'll find someone who never hungered if you haven't decided your main dish. Perhaps a human perspective is all you need!"
Asmodeus pulls Beelzebub close to them, being more excited at selecting ingredients and preparing meals. They cook and Beelzebub tastes - that way they satisfy both of their desires.
...
...
The memory doesn't feel like a memory at all. Tirpitz feels she's experiencing everything herself. It's horrible because she could still taste the man's innards sliding on her tongue and the blood spreading all over her mouth. Tirpitz wakes up gasping for and flailing her arms.
"...!"
Fortunately, the water is shallow, but she gags at the rotten stench and polluted taste. Bubbling lumps of fat and clumped innards float everywhere. Tissues stretch upwards and sidewards. It's a world filled with visceral horror displaying humans burst open with their exposed torso housing breathing fungus and floating corpses with wormlike parasites wriggling on the head, stomach, and back.
"Huh?"
The scene changes with a single blink. This time, Tirpitz finds herself sitting in front of a dinner table. The room itself is spacious, but flesh creep through the walls and flayed skin decorates the ceiling and walls like banners. The lump of innards and tumors throne with excitement.
"..."
One of the decorations appears to be a human pressed against the wall their bones and splattered organs remains stuck in the moment it splattered. Blood drips from the ceiling and a glance reveals unblinking eyes merge with the squishy and slippery flesh.
"What's this supposed to be?" Tirpitz frowns at the other being across the table
"Dinner"
Unlike their monstrous form, Beelzebub takes time to dress themselves in a black luxurious suit with golden patterns on their wrists and dollar. Their head remains skinless and formed from unknown bright red flesh dripping with red sticky mucus and peach-colored human tissue.
"Why do you still persist even after death?"
"I am cancerous and parasitic hunger. Eben if you destroy me, hunger never ceases to exist. Humans hunger - even someone as bland and cold as you hunger"
Beelzebub starts with carefully slicing a severed man's forehead and turning it clockwise as they slide their knife. The head's eyes have long been gouged out and the mouth left side open.
"What do you hunger, Tirpitz? Surely you crave something"
Beelzebub twists the sliced cap and pops it open with littler effort. Thanks to the precision, the brain remains intact and free of any cuts. It's still fresh with transparent fluid and blood spilling everywhere.
"You once hungered for battle and any form of purpose. You wished to taste warmth and glory, did you not?" Beelzebub taps the brain with a spoon
"..."
"I'm always hungry. When flesh alone became bland, Asmodeus showed me volatile human desire. Kansens make the best meals because they're born from human emotions. Yes, emotions have such a long-lasting taste that I wanted to marinate them. The stronger the emotions, the better they taste"
Beelzebub opens their mouth and sprouts out bloodied human hands that grabs the brain in all directions when they slightly bend their head forward.
"Am I slowly dying because of your infection?" Tirpitz reluctantly asks
"D...ying? Yes, let's go with that. It's true cancer only propagates by draining its host. I am the same, but humans discovered treatment" Beelzebub swallows the brain in one gulp
"Not everyone survives it"
"What do you want from me?"
"I want to eat you"
"...!"
Almost instantly, the distance between them disappears. Beelzebub appears in front of Tirpitz, hunched and their legs folded. Their hands are cold to the touched and a single stroke makes Tirpitz's lips twitch. She could feel their exposed veins pulsate and sticky blood stain her cheeks. It's as if wet raw meat dipped in coagulated blood slides to her skin.
"That's it. Fear and helplessness are spices...but still not enough"
While Tirpitz remains paralyzed in her seat, Beelzebub gently presses their hands on their cheeks and leans their head closer. Instead of saliva, red viscous mucus drips from their mouth and slow down Tirpitz's cheeks.
"..."
Tirpitz couldn't move or say anything while her face is forced to stare at a skinned and mangled corpse with all six eyes staring directly at her.
"You're very, very afraid. Good. Very Good. Sweet and sticky like syrup"
The beast's breath sends a shock down to Tirpitz spine. She's a living rabbit between the wolf's jaws. However, the beast themselves doesn't wish to mutilate her just yet.
"...!"
Beelzebub licks the area where their red mucus stained her skin earlier. They're holding back the urge rip off her throat first or gouge out her eyes out of curiosity on how they taste.
"I...only bite...deeper"
Beelzebub grins and just as they're about to pull themselves away, they unhinge their jaws. The multiple bloodied hands emerge from their mouth again and in a second, only darkness follows. It's a mild relief as it's rather swift that Tirpitz couldn't remember what it felt or if she felt anything at all.
...
Iron Blood Headquarters...
Bismarck barges into the medical laboratory when she hears the familiar muffled scream of her younger sister. Tirpitz is a stoic and reserved person and never once she raised her voice, but Bismarck could never mistake her voice for anyone else.
"What's going on here?!" Bismarck storms inside
"It's alright. Physically, Tirpitz is completely alright. I can't say the same thing for her mental state" Neumark pats Tirpitz's back
"..."
Bismarck pauses and scans the room where all sorts of medical tests and examinations take place. The metal tray Neumark pulls around is completely knocked off, flasks and test tubes shattered on the floor, and even the medical cannot is wrecked by blunt force.
"It...feels sticky. Something...crawling in my skin..."
Tirpitz mutters of herself while her left hand is covering half of her face and the other is pressing against the floor.
"What happened?" Bismarck turns to Neumark
"I was scanning Tirpitz's wisdom cube for any signs of you-know-what, but she started screaming and thrashing around. She even tried to bite my hand off..."
Neumark lifts her left arm where a deep bite marks. Human teeth aren't pointed, but torn skin on Neumark's forearm is easily pierced and the torn is similar to a fanged beast. It appears Neumark tried to pull her arm away from the damage on her skin and blood on the floor.
"Bismarck...I can...taste their victims...in my mouth. I...only see...flesh everywhere" Tirpitz claws at her cheeks
"You suffered a nightmare. Abaddon poisoned you, but we made it in time before you were killed" Bismarck approaches her sister
"It's not the snake! I can see that thing. Beelzebub...they're still screwing with me even in death"
"Tirpitz, Beelzebub is gone. That thing can't haunt you"
"I'm hungry. It's making me think of what my allies taste like" Tirpitz grits her teeth
"At this rate, Tirpitz requires anesthesia, or she'll panic again"
Neumark holds Tirpitz close, but the latter can't stop trembling and mumbling under her breath as if she's plagued by fear of herself and everything.
"Do it. Tirpitz might need a proper rest while we discuss the last incident"
It doesn't appear Tirpitz is in the right state to be reasoned with. Bismarck herself is unsure how to respond because Tirpitz never once had a violent outburst, let alone trembling in fear.
Thirty minutes later...
The medicine acted quickly, and Tirpitz soon peacefully falls asleep in a nearby room, hopefully not waking up with a panic attack. Bismarck closes the door behind her and somewhat sighs in relief while Neumark sweeps off the glass shard before someone injures themselves.
"Beelzebub's infection spread quickly. Abaddon must have accelerated it with their venom" Neumark displays the tests results in the computer screen
"It progressed with their venom alone. Why did they poison Tirpitz? They could have killed Richelieu if they wanted"
"I can't say for certain. Abaddon instigates conflict by spreading distrust between allies. I want to think they want the two of you to be at each other's throats, but it's too simple to think about it..." Neumark shakes her head
"What makes you think of that?"
"Asmodeus administered neurotoxin. This caused paralysis, but this also caused increase dopamine, and I found traces of choline. They targeted her brain, stimulating it as a matter of fact"
Neumark slams the file where she recorded the effect and contents of the venom. Since it's not like any venom recorded, Neumark can only based on how it has a selective effect than simply kill someone no matter the symptom.
"They let her live for some reason. Otherwise, Abaddon could have just stabbed or choked Tirpitz in the half hour you left with that snake" Neumark sits on the edge of her desk
"It still doesn't make any sense and there's no motive at all"
"Are you sure? You managed to make Abaddon talk before they escaped"
"...Abaddon spilled that Sovetsky Soyuz helped Tirpitz trick Beelzebub. That's impossible because they never interacted"
Even Bismarck finds it hard to believe because she, of all people, would notice her younger sister leaving Iron Blood to meet with Sovetsky Soyuz. The latter is often occupied, so they rarely entertain guests and leave them Sovetskaya Rossiya as a representative.
"Azur Lane couldn't counter the Leviathans. They assimilate even after humanity progressed. The Sirens tried to keep them away because they simply adapted to their technology. We even tried everything!" Neumark is also skeptical
"Tirpitz isn't someone to go behind my back unnoticed. She's also a terrible liar!"
"Are you sure?"
"What do you mean?"
"I can tell Tirpitz never shares all of her thoughts. She hides more than she lets on, especially ever since Iron Blood started losing to the Leviathans"
"Are you telling me planned something behind my back and never told me even after she nearly died?" Bismarck slams the desk
"Yes" Neumark immediately replies
"..."
The thought of Tirpitz being secretive and lying to her never once crossed Bismarck's thought with the amount of trust she puts in Tirpitz.
"Abaddon wanted whatever Tirpitz knows. They may have tried to force her to talk by messing with her mood and memory" Neumark sighs
"How would Abaddon know that Tirpitz tricked Beelzebub with the help of the Northern Parliament? I don't even know my own sister planned with Sovetsky Soyuz!"
Bismarck is both puzzled and upset after learning a part of Tirpitz's secret from a Leviathan of all beings. For the longest time, Bismarck always believed Tirpitz has been straightforward to her and everyone else.
"They found a way to kill Beelzebub, but the effect may have been unpredictable or a gamble. Tirpitz was infected with Beelzebub and not only she has an increased appetite, but the progress of the infection gives her nightmares" Neumark remains relatively calm
"From the looks of it, they only temporarily stopped gluttony when Baal Zebul replaced Beelzebub"
"From what you've told me, Baal knew about you losing to chess and about Geryon's special attack. Not a Leviathan should know what part of Geryon to damage"
"I feel like there's something we're not seeing with Gluttony" Bismarck walks back and forth
"I doubt Tirpitz has any answers. She becomes speech impaired whenever she tries to remember about Beelzebub"
"If Tirpitz can't answer then that leaves Sovetsky Soyuz"
Still, Bismarck finds it difficult to believe that Tirpitz managed to secretly plan while she remained clueless. It's not a plan against her, but Bismarck keeps walking back and forth, restless and anxious at what else Tirpitz might not be telling her.
Meanwhile...
Whether it's an afternoon nap or a good night's sleep, Tirpitz still dreams of her last encounter with Beelzebub. She remembers refusing to retreat with the others and rushing back to the center of the battle.
"This is the only chance I have..."
In that dream, Tirpitz pants and sternly reminds herself. Her eyes focus on the clouds swirling at one area and the dark red sky dimming everything else.
[What was that chance?]
Unknown to Tirpitz who's drifting in her dreams, Beelzebub closely observes while thoughts flow from the wisdom cubes. The memory is there - not destroyed but restricted even to the kansen herself.
"Good grief. I always wanted to die with a bang, but I still regret dying for others when Bismarck told me to live for myself"
[What's that supposed to mean?]
Beelzebub stomps the shallow water of the part of the consciousness where they reside. They couldn't mistake the dry smile and sorrowful stare of someone prepared to die. Tirpitz rushes to Bismarck's side without the slightest hesitation because of her certainty to die.
This might not go well as we intended. Are you still prepared to go through with this?
The memory shifts to Sovetsky Soyuz standing in front of Tirpitz. As usual, her tone and expression lack any emotion, but for a moment, the stoic leader of the northern fleet is actually discouraging Tirpitz than testing her.
You will be consumed and disappear. No one will know of your deed...
I...never wanted glory or recognition...
Then why are you still prepared to give up everything...?
An era of peace had always been built of sacrifices. Our history taught us much...
You will leave both your sister and dearest friends behind...
It's better if I leave them behind. I'm sick of tired of it, Soyuz...
It seems your heart truly thawed out...
Take it as me just fulfilling my role...and repaying their kindness...
The surroundings don't match with any location within Iron Blood - at least from Tirpitz's memories. Beelzebub can only narrow down the guess to either a Northern Parliament base or their main headquarters.
[It was a long-planned suicide. I could never think someone would just walk up to me, preparing to die...]
Of all the kansens and humans Beelzebub have encountered, they all feared of being eaten by them. They pour all their strength to avoid being food and never once willingly offered themselves as food to save one measly life.
[I want to skin you alive and tear you in my mouth. Eat, eat eat! I want to crush you within my jaws!]
Beelzebub unhinges their jaws and tears through the stretched muscles taping the side of their mouth.
[No. I have to focus. What did they do that it worked against a Leviathan like me?]
Blood and mucus spills from their mouth, but Beelzebub shuts their jaws close when they nearly snap at nothing. As much as they crave to devour the main culprit of their dilemma, Beelzebub already committed the mistake of being hasty and ignoring caution.
[Not enough energy...]
Beelzebub reels back when an invisible pressure squeezes them from all directions. Their stomach feels cold and blandness spreads all over their tongue.
[Tiring...this feels tiring...]
In just mere seconds, Beelzebub lies down and rests their head on their folded arms. Beelzebub doesn't run out of energy to seek food in the past, but their starvation has left them lethargic and sluggish.
[I need to find out their research. Why was this brat confident that her death will mean something]
Whenever Beelzebub thinks of nearly eating the two battleships, they grit their teeth in frustration. They have won against Bismarck and just before they can snap their jaws at her, another one appeared. The "brat" stood before them and persuaded them to eat her first.
...
"Huh?"
Tirpitz lightly shakes her head and massages her temples. A few seconds later and she realizes, she's sitting at the side of a bed and within the four walls of the infirmary.
"I was being checked by Neumark when..."
When Tirpitz relaxes her lying body and slowly closes her eyes seconds before the examination begins, she finds a flickering light within her dark surroundings. A greyish blue wisdom cube - completely devoid of its light and cracked on some corners. Red fluid spills on it and as if it's sentient, the fluid crawls within the slightest openings within the cracks. The wisdom cube's core faintly beats then its faint light sheds light.
"...!"
Tirpitz covers her mouth when she also recalls of a skinless hand covered by translucent membrane, leaving red bumpy flesh exposed. The hand pierces her chest, but only enough to gently squeeze her intact her around its palm.
A tinge of mild sweetness. The flavor isn't strong and doesn't leave a long-lasting impression, but food is food...
Tirpitz couldn't breathe, but there's not blood on her chest or her mouth. She couldn't also sense pain - just her heart racing wildly upon gazing up at a large, unhinged maw above her. Beelzebub's red mucus drops from their teeth and tongue because it's difficult to not instantly bite any meal.
"What happened after that?"
It's only a glimpse, but she briefly recalls her mangled body staring at the dim sky. There's no pain or anxiety, just the strong desire to shut her eyes while she feels what remains of her body warmth spills out of her body alongside her blood. Her breathing had significantly slowed down, and only the feeling of drifting exhaustion remains.
"I don't remember much about the right with Beelzebub. I can't even remember how I got here"
Unknown to her, the voracious beast occupying her body is currently observing her while resting on piles of chewed carrion with some meat and hide still stuck to its ribs.
"My body feels stronger than before, but..."
Tirpitz swallows her breath when she feels a tingle in her tongue and her stomach rumbling once again. She's supposed to be disgusted at unknowingly eating one of her allies, but the sensation disappeared upon waking up. Instead, Tirpitz feels "lacking" and dismayed.
"I'm craving for human flesh now..."
The memory is vague, but she still recalls Neumark calling her name over and over before she sinks her teeth into her arm. Her teeth pierces through Neumark's skin and blood stains her teeth and small amount spills inside her mouth. The mild warm fluid and metallic sensation tickled her tongue, sending her in a mixed euphoric and frenzied state for a minute or two.
"Beelzebub's gone, but their disease passed on to me. I doubt there's a cure, but I have to find a way to suppress it before I resort to killing myself a second time"
Tirpitz smiles dryly. Rather than let her hunger drive her mad, she knows the other and permanent solution is taking her own life. Her hunger is rather different that Tirpitz unknowingly hesitates and fears the mere thought of death due to self-preservation.
"Damn it. I keep craving human meat..."
The veal cooked from an Iron Blood destroyer is soft and tender. Her normal senses are disgusted and somewhat traumatized, but the infected half of her is restless without biting and chewing more human flesh.
The next day...
Bismarck has just fully recovered after the encounter with Baal Zebul when unexpected allies visit them. The Northern Parliament are recently on their own, occupied with either Satan or Mammon stripping them of their resources.
"The plan meant a complete sacrifice. The fact Tirpitz is alive and well like nothing happened meant something didn't go as expected" Sovetskaya Belorussiya whispers to Chkalov
"Something went wrong midway, but the result is still the same. Beelzebub couldn't resist eating. They lack Abaddon's caution, so they didn't detect any tampering before biting down" Chkalov shakes her head
"Soyuz expected it might not go as smoothly as we hoped. Although we stopped Beelzebub in some other way, that thing is occupying a corpse"
"No one detected any abnormalities within the wisdom cube. If they did, Bismarck wouldn't be this relaxed to let us visit"
While the two converse privately on one side, Kirov and Kursk have no choice but to stand at a distance, completely unaware of their conversation. They could only see their lips and hands moving, but not a single noise can reach them.
"Beelzebub is a parasite. They feed on their host while keeping them alive. Still, I have no proper answer to why they stayed even if they manifested their monstrous form" Chkalov's eye brighten in curiosity
"They're still after something or someone. It's rare for them to be this patient when hunger renders them impatient and reckless" Sovetskaya Belorussiya rubs the back of her neck
"We need to personally examine and observe Tirpitz, but if Bismarck knows something is amiss, she wouldn't let an outsider perform an examination
"I doubt it will be easy. It's not only Bismarck being cautious, but Beelzebub might act. If we attack Tirpitz, this will become a problem for both nations" Sovetskaya Belorussiya observes the walking kansens
"Problem, huh. Everyone seems relaxed. Beelzebub was presumed defeated, and the likes of the vengeful Satan completely ignored Iron Blood"
When they observe their surroundings, the atmosphere is neither tensed nor nervous. Beelzebub isn't the only one Iron Blood had faced yet the other Leviathans are preoccupied with the others and ignoring Iron Blood.
"One thing is for certain: they don't get in each other's way. You may be right that Beelzebub is latching like a parasite, so the others aren't interested in Iron Blood" Sovetskaya Belorussiya groans
"If Beelzebub becomes agitated or feel threatened, we'd be caught off guard. We and everyone here will become an eat-all-you-can buffet"
For someone focused on discoveries and research, Chkalov shrugs at the possibility that Beelzebub will suddenly rampage and eat everyone in their path.
Thirty minutes later...
Bismarck allows the Northern Parliament kansens to visit their research facility and the main laboratory, Iron Blood keeps gathered pieces of Beelzebub's remains in bulletproof glass with metallic frames.
"Metal plating, huh. Well, at least what appears to be dried membrane and veins are still stuck to it"
Chkalov inspects one of the containers closer and walks around. She narrows her eyes, studying the greyish and crusty appearance of the dried vein at the back side of the metal plating. There's also a sign of torn membrane sticking to it with a small part of it peeled off and about to fall.
[Those two. They're in the brat's memories, especially that insomniac researcher. I have to eat her to access her memories]
Tirpitz has just entered the facility. Upon spotting Chkalov in her line of sight, Tirpitz stops in her tracks when her body tingles in frustration and killing intent.
"I can sense killing intent from Iron Blood's ice queen. In hunting terms, it's a wolf baring their fangs at the hunter" Kursk whispers to Sovetskaya Belorussiya
"Pay no attention to it" Sovetskaya Belorussiya taps her shoulder
"Alright" Kursk sighs in dismay
"Chkalov" Sovetskaya Belorussiya whispers
"If they have assimilated their host then, we need to scan their wisdom cube"
Chkalov only briefly glances at Tirpitz to avoid suspicion, but she already assesses that their seemingly normal appearance is much more suspicious.
"Tirpitz, are you okay?"
Nearby, Bismarck spots Tirpitz tightly gripping her left wrist because the finger of her left hand is erratically twitching.
"Why do you look like you want to snap their necks?" Prinz Eugen tilts her head
"Perhaps you're still not in the condition to move much" Bismarck also sees Tirpitz's trembling lips
"I-I'm fine..."
Tirpitz can barely maintain her balance and her vision is dimming as darkness creeps from the side of her eyes. Beelzebub can barely restrain their annoyance and impatience when their next prey is right in front of them.
"..."
Although Prinz Eugen only jokingly remarks earlier, she frowns when Tirpitz's expression is both anxious and annoyed. The battleship's gaze is fixated towards two certain Northern Parliament kansens.
"Listen to your big sister. If you're not feeling well-"
Prinz Eugen taps Tirpitz's shoulder. The latter briefly jolts and slowly turns her gaze towards her. Beelzebub suppresses their host again and they respond with a silent yet grim and displeased sharp glare.
"...!"
Prinz Eugen quickly pulls her hand away and nearly slides her left foot back. Somehow, it reminds her of the night where she was drunk and has her strength drained by an unknown culprit. After her strength was drained, her back violently hits the ground with the culprit staring down at her with the exact demeaning and unsatisfied eyes.
(This can't be right...) Prinz Eugen shakes her head in disbelief
"Is something wrong with your sister, Bismarck?"
Sovetskaya Belorussiya found the opportunity to closely approach Tirpitz without drawing suspicion from anyone, especially Beelzebub.
"I'm fine. It was probably the side effect of anesthetics..." Tirpitz takes a deep breath
"Don't try to act tough, Tirpitz. Considering what happened during your check-up"
"Check-up?" Chkalov rubs her chin
"Neumark couldn't scan her wisdom cube properly with our improved...uh, scanner because she freaked out and bit Neumark!" Blucher raises her hand in excitement
"Dumbass! You're not supposed to say to anyone outside Iron Blood" Admiral Hipper rushes and pulls away her talkative younger sister
"You're uncomfortable with your wisdom cube being scanned?" Sovetskaya Rossiya furrows her eyebrows
"..." Beelzebub refuses to answer
"Some scars never faded away. The encounter with Beelzebub still left scars in her mind" Bismarck calmly explains
Even she's not certain to what caused Tirpitz to suddenly have a violent outburst when she has always known her sister to be calm and stoic even when on the brink of death or angry. Tirpitz dislikes their presence, and it further confuses Bismarck when it adds more to her younger sister's moments of unusual behavior.
"Anyway, let's focus to the purpose of our visit" Chkalov waves her clipboard
"Indeed..." Bismarck clears her throat
"Bismarck, I would like to request a private discussion between the two of us" Sovetskaya Belorussiya glances at Tirpitz
"...Why?" Bismarck senses Belorussiya's wariness towards Tirpitz
"This is confidential information regarding the Leviathans"
"..." Beelzebub clenches her fists
"Alright. The facility has a private office we can use"
Both Sovetskaya Belorussiya and "Tirpitz" are cautious to each other, leaving Bismarck worried for her sister and puzzled since the Northern Parliament have been trustworthy allies for a long time.
Ten minutes later...
As Bismarck closes the door behind them with Kursk standing guard outside, Bismarck relaxes her sore back on the office chair.
"Did something happen? I feel like there's something I needed to know" Bismarck immediately asks
"I will get to the point. Beelzebub hasn't been defeated or replaced"
"What...do you mean?" Bismarck leans forward
"Something is going on with your sister. I don't want to make baseless accusations, so I want to confirm with you if her behavior changed ever since the encounter with Beelzebub" Sovetskaya Belorussiya crosses her legs
"How is this related to my sister?" Bismarck frowns
"It's because you also noticed something is off. You were nervous about your sister earlier"
"...After waking up from the last encounter with Beelzebub, she lost some of her memories and her appetite increased. She was biting her hand when the hunger starts to take over"
Bismarck hesitates for a few seconds, but Sovetskaya Belorussiya sternly stares at her with full confidence and certainty.
"How about her examinations?"
"Why do you want to know that?" Bismarck lightly slams her hand on the table
"..." Sovetskaya Rossiya mildly sighs
"When I faced Abaddon recently, they discovered that my sister was involved with Sovetsky Soyuz over an unknown matter. It caught their interest for some reason. I never knew Tirpitz spoke with your leader"
"I won't deny it. Tirpitz did visit the Northern Parliament and spoke with Soyuz"
"Since when?" Bismarck nearly raises her voice
"That was when you were in a three day coma after Beelzebub nearly smashed you flat. You were fighting for your life while unconscious and Tirpitz realize it's only a matter of time before Beelzebub eats half of Iron Blood" Sovetskaya Belorussiya immediately responds
"...!"
It did happen once during the second encounter with Beelzebub. The stocky and fleshy monstrosity swallowed her blackhole-like attack and proceeded to slam their fist on her. Geryon lost their left wing when the attack was a near miss.
"Only Soyuz is aware of the more important details, but you have to know that Tirpitz wasn't supposed to survive"
"What?!"
"In order to defeat Beelzebub, sacrifices had to be made. The fact she lived meant that Beelzebub wasn't taken down"
"What are you trying to say?" Bismarck stands up
"Beelzebub influenced her in some way"
"..."
"Oh, so you do know something" Sovetskaya Belorussiya faintly smiles
"..."
The two stare each other for a moment. Sovetskaya Belorussiya is sharp and keen on learning more, but Bismarck doesn't want to endanger her nation and her sister by flatly telling everything to the Northern Parliament.
"You're worried for her, Bismarck. If you want to help her, you have to be transparent" Sovetskaya Belorussiya calmly speaks
"...Something is happening with my sister. Neumark detected traces of Beelzebub in her wisdom cube"
"Then it's as Soyuz suspected. Since Beelzebub is parasitic and cancerous, Tirpitz is infected. It's either slowly killing her or gluttony is twisting her hunger. We might be able to help her, but you have to trust us"
Sovetskaya Belorussiya chooses her hypothesis carefully because she guesses she's not the right person to reveal how Beelzebub themselves latched on to Tirpitz. More importantly, since Beelzebub dislikes their presence, she doesn't want the Leviathan to act for now.
Meanwhile...
Chkalov busies herself by writing down initial observations since she's not allowed to open, let alone touch the samples.
"You're rather interested in Beelzebub..." Beelzebub frowns
"The hungry monstrosity? I'm interested as a scientist. I want to learn how their infection functions. Beelzebub can assimilate their prey and grow stronger or heal themselves. If possible, I wish to dissect them or study their brain - if they have one"
"...What?"
Beelzebub grits their teeth when a human they only see as prey can casually talk about dissecting a Leviathan that can regrow pieces of themselves even after Eagle Union sacrificed an island to restrain them long enough to bomb them.
"Do they even have intelligence? I doubt intelligence is required when the sole purpose of hunger only requires basic motor functions. Their brain is probably my least priority. It's the digestive system I'm rather interested in"
(Is she mocking me?) Beelzebub takes a deep breath
"Even if Beelzebub had human level intelligence, they weren't as smart as the others. They failed to kill you and Bismarck after all"
"..."
Chkalov waves around her pen and chuckles, deliberately testing if Beelzebub is indeed latching to Tirpitz's wisdom cube.
"Abaddon and Lucifer are difficult to track sometimes, Satan is restless, Belphegor hibernates in secret, then Mammon and Asmodeus are unpredictable. All seven are difficult to study since they're either elusive or move too much" Chkalov shakes their head on dismay
"There are six others. Why are you focusing on Beelzebub?"
"Beelzebub is a parasite bringing cancer. They are a pest and a disease - something this era can understand. I want to confirm if they can absorb memories and abilities of those they consumed. A creature who learns and adapts by merely consuming is a rare specimen" Chkalov keeps blabbing with enthusiasm
"Are all scientists this obsessed with research?"
"I thought you'd get used to me by now. You've seen me work when you visited our motherland after all. That was back when you had a meeting with Soyuz"
"A...meeting?" Beelzebub feels their hands sweat and their heart race
They're both anxious and intrigued since it's one of the memories they cannot access. They recall a glimpse of Tirpitz indeed speaking with Sovetsky Soyuz at a Northern Parliament base. Chkalov was also present in the scene, but they were occupied with flipping through documents.
"That was before you nearly died against Beelzebub. It was an important meeting. Don't tell me you forgot about it"
Chkalov observes both Beelzebub's facial expression and gesture. The normal Tirpitz wouldn't react, and Beelzebub cannot perfectly mimic the host's personality.
"I don't think Bismarck told you this, but my wisdom cube got damaged after the fight. There are things I can't remember"
Beelzebub begins to suspect that Chkalov wants them to react the way she wanted, so they're forced to already reveal about the restricted memories. They have to make an excuse, especially that Beelzebub hasn't discovered what or who caused it.
"You can't remember? Then you don't remember why you rushed to your death?"
"I did what?" Beelzebub nearly shakes their head in disbelief
"It was part of the plan. Well, it worked in the end anyway" Chkalov turns away
"What plan? What did I do?"
"That was between you and Soyuz. It surprised me that you were prepared to throw your own life at the jaws of the beast like that"
"Soyuz - your leader. She knows important details and what happened, I presumed"
"...Beats me. I'm a researcher, not a secretary"
Chkalov has direct involvement, but she doesn't believe the one speaking and moving isn't the kansen. The fact "Tirpitz" has forgotten it is proof enough, no sample needed.
"..." Beelzebub freezes and stares at the floor
"Hey, are you still listening?" Chkalov snaps her fingers in front of her
"I...blacked out again...?"
Tirpitz rubs her eyes and shakes her head, visibly confused. Her last memory is worrying about her shaking her arm, but now she's in front of Chkalov while Bismarck and Sovetskaya Belorussiya are nowhere to be found.
[Why was I pushed back?! I'm close to eating this wretched researcher!]
Beelzebub whips their tail, splashing filthy red water and sending animal and human bones flying.
"You blacked out again? Has this been happening frequently?" Chkalov leans closer
"W-well...sometimes?" Tirpitz takes a step back
"Interesting. Do you also experience increased hunger? How about craving for raw meat and flesh?" Chkalov flips the paper on her clipboard
"Why are you asking something like this?"
"I suppose you don't remember. We already met before and I told you I'd check on you the next time we meet"
"Right..."
Tirpitz isn't sure whether to believe someone she has no recollection of. Chkalov has no reason to lie either, but this leaves Tirpitz dumbfounded and lost.
"I'm serious. Has your hunger progressed to targeting...your own allies?" Chkalov softly asks
"..." Tirpitz averts her gaze for a moment
"So it progressed"
"Why are you asking these questions?"
"Beelzebub" Chkalov straightens herself and responds sternly
"...!"
"Indulge in hunger for too long and it becomes excess. Without moderation, it spreads uncontrollably and becomes...cancer. Your hunger won't leave you until it eats every last part of you"
Chkalov lightly pokes Tirpitz's cheek with her ball pen. Tirpitz responds to her annoyance by gently swatting away the pen from her face.
"...How do you know I'm infected?" Tirpitz swallows her breath
"There are others who might hear right now, so I can't go into all the details yet"
To lessen Beelzebub's suspicion or at least be sure since Chkalov has no proof Beelzebub is aware of their host's surroundings, she shifts her gaze to the right and random looks at the kansens.
"You won't last long if there's still any of you left in there. I doubt you're still who you believe you are"
A brief glance and compassion has Chkalov remember of the brief meeting with Tirpitz some time ago. That Tirpitz is both gentle and firm, the person who's determined to gamble her own life for one victory.
"...I did hope there was another way"
Chkalov turns away again and unlike her laid-back and focused tone earlier, her voice fades away in mild regret. She sighs as she observes another sample Iron Blood has recovered.
"I kind of feel bad for Bismarck..."
The sample is a bone-like chunk from Beelzebub's body. Petrified veins sprout out from the gaping cracks on it. Just like the other samples, every organic matter either dried in a greyish color or petrified with actual stone-like texture and structure.
Unknown Location...
Bathing in bubbling magma with floating rocks and popping hot liquid, Satan submerges their limbs and tail. The spikes on their back glow brighter as if feed on the heat and their skin absorbs some of the magma. The heat is bland to them, leaving them unsatisfied much like the attempted napalm strike on them a week ago. It obliterated an island, but they only spit out the seawater splashed in their mouth.
"The Northern Parliament made their move. I suppose that's natural since they won't wait until Beelzebub regains control"
Mammon is nearby, occupied with scooping magma to sculp a miniature version of their current form. Their four thick arms with elongated fingers make it easy to grab large amount of magma and absorb the heat to create a round volcanic stone.
"Can we kill them now?" Satan scoops magma in their hand and spills it on top of their head
"Not yet. Asmodeus just made their way to the so-called motherland. They say alcohol is poison. Well, they have no idea what's coming?"
"Inner conflict again? That's boring! Let's crush them from the front!"
Satan swings their tail and splashes the magma at all directions. A bit splashes on Mammon, but their steel frame is almost impenetrable, so even magma only slides down without the slightest burn.
"They tricked Beelzebub. I want to tear them apart now!"
Even more furious, Satan roars as they stand up on their hind legs. Their once air tight metallic skin splits apart in gaping cracks filled with brightly glowing magma coursing through vein-like pathways. The center of their chest splits open to reveal a single eye releasing lava as tears.
"Too bright like Lucifer" Mammon shields their eyes with their two upper arms
Satan's lion mane is engulfed in flames, setting their neck and the top on head on fire. The once bright orange and yellow color turns to a shade of ultra-violet and indigo. It's as if they are raging flames encased in a steel shell that can barely hold their intense vengeance.
"We will have our revenge, my brethren. However, crushing them plainly won't satisfy us. Let's make them suffer first! I want to take what matters to Soyuz the most - unity"
"I want to break them and tear them apart" Satan growls
"Hoho~ We'll have our moment, but first...let's rob them of any future. Of course, Beelzebub needs to completely assimilate their host first"
There are several sculptures from volcanic rocks lined up neatly. Mammon grabs the one resembling a bear with the Northern Parliament logo engraved at its chest. With a tight and swift squeeze, they crush the carved rock in bits and nearly turning them to dust. They may not be arrogant like Lucifer or short-tempered like Satan, but Mammon cannot tolerate one of their own being tricked.
"Their icy motherland will burn! I will melt their leader with my own hands and toss her boiling flesh at her people!" Satan smashes their fist in the pool of magma
A mere sigh and Satan releases purple flames from their mouth. Physical contact with them while they're at their hottest is instantaneous death as human flesh and bones will disintegrate even for a split second of contact. They roared as they declared and don't flinch even as their mere stomp caused stalactites to fall on their head and shoulders.