I Became A Playwright In Medieval Fantasy

<Cthulhu Mythos> Just after the secret network of demon worshippers was exposed thanks to the Cthulhu Mythos.

I heard all sorts of strange news from Vanderbeune’s tent.

Phantom and the leader received commendations and rewards side by side for their contributions to the eradication. I came to congratulate them and stumbled upon totally unexpected stories.

It was about a newly established sub-organization under the Inquisition, oddly reminiscent of the SCP Foundation from Earth.

The members scheduled to work there were referred to as…

“Lovecraftians?”

“Yes! That’s what everyone calls themselves!”

“Ha.”

“I heard they follow the meaning of ‘the recluse Lovecraft’! They say they prevented a fire that could have spread greatly thanks to Lovecraft’s warning!”

I slapped my forehead at Fluffy’s words.

‘Of all names to choose, they picked Lovecraftian?’

It’s a world where linguistic similarities exist, so it’s not impossible, but it sure is amusing.

Originally, ‘Lovecraftian’ referred to the fandom that explored and recreated the author’s works. Yet here, it ended up as a moniker for those studying the world’s mysteries under the influence of Cthulhu Mythos.

It’s not an exact fit, but I must say it’s a strangely fitting naming sense.

“Ta-da! And I received this too!”

Fluffy, watching me in a daze, proudly displayed a small document she pulled from her chest.

“An honorary membership card for the Foundation! I received a teleportation ticket too, and they requested us to periodically perform Cthulhu Mythos! ”

“Oh? Congratulations on the membership, Chief. Now you’re an undeniable citizen of the Empire wherever you go.”

“Hehe, it’s all thanks to Phantom! I hear they said the same would be issued to the original author! It should arrive soon!”

“Huh? Me too?”

I don’t particularly need it. What am I supposed to do getting involved with places like the SCP Foundation?

However, on the other hand, this truly is a stroke of luck for Vanderbeune Theater Company.

Even if it’s an honorary position, a membership is a membership.

Who would dare disregard a theater company that received commendations from the Empire and a certificate from the Inquisition? From now on, the Vanderbeune Theater Company can walk with their heads held high anywhere.

“By the way, the Foundation requested performances of Cthulhu Mythos? Periodically at that?”

“That’s right! Ah! Are you worried about future profit sharing?”

At my question, Fluffy perked her rabbit ears and said.

“Don’t worry! The dividends from the performances will be sent regularly by mail! After all, the true owner of Cthulhu Mythos is Phantom, right?”

“No, it’s just out of curiosity. Why do the Foundation employees want to see Cthulhu Mythos? Seems like there’s no reason for them to watch it.”

“They say it’s for the spiritual uplift of the employees! The Lovecraft Foundation will face phenomena related to demons in the future! If they’re not trained in advance, it might be tough!”

…So it’s a kind of practical training? In preparation for actually confronting the existence of hell?

Indeed, the epicenter of cosmic horror, Cthulhu Mythos. It surely has one effect.

Who would have thought it would be used as a teaching resource, not to mention inciting mass hysteria?

Wait a minute. Isn’t an upgrade a bit necessary?

“Shall I add some demon rough sketches? It’d get awfully boring showing the same Great Old Ones every time.”

If Fluffy wants it, I could show artwork of the Outer Gods that didn’t appear in the drafts.

Shub-Niggurath, Azathoth, Yog-Sothoth, etc., monstrous entities, adapted as demonic beings according to a fantasy worldview.

“…No! It’s okay!”

But surprisingly, Fluffy just shook her head eagerly.

She confidently stroked the purple gem on her staff and said.

“We are a roving theater troupe! We can’t be dependent forever on the capital Phantom! I’ll design additional dolls myself!”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay without my help?”

“Fufu, don’t underestimate us! The grotesque puppet theater was Vanderbeune’s specialty even before collaborating with Phantom!”

Swish!

Spinning the staff like a circus member, she declared.

“There’s also Apprentice Witch Morgan and many talented members in this area! From now on, Vanderbeune will complete the Cthulhu Mythos on our own!”

“Got it. I’ll continue to support the activities of the Vanderbeune Theater Company.”

“Hehe, it’s mutual! Vanderbeune also supports Phantom’s creative endeavors!”

Thinking it over, the original work wasn’t purely created by Lovecraft alone.

Howard Lovecraft wasn’t particularly interested in copyright on his created ‘settings’, allowing his fandom to freely take and use them.

August Derleth, Lord Dunsany, Algernon Blackwood, Zelia Bishop, and so on.

Countless creators gathered to form a shared universe, which is the result we know, right?

“The Vanderbeune theater members are crafting their version of Cthulhu Mythos, free from the original creator’s hands.”

Perhaps it’s the most isekai-like ending for Cthulhu Mythos?

Muttering that inwardly, I smiled faintly.

<><><>><><>

The Doctor, who had conducted heinous experiments, was killed by Magic Swordsman Kyle.

During a thorough investigation over several days at his residence, surprisingly, there were no valid results.

They couldn’t even find a clue to uncover the identity of the deceased ‘Doctor’.

They didn’t even know what he aimed to achieve by conducting such inhumane experiments.

“Did he dispose of major research materials before dying?”

“Yes. What’s left are just seemingly important trivial documents. It seems he anticipated a tracking and made preparations in advance.”

“…”

The young magic swordsman, Kyle, listened to the report and the Army Minister Sir Wenford silently fiddled with his red beard.

Did he sense the tail had been caught and dispose of the data to avoid future trouble?

At first glance, it seems plausible logic.

But the capable minister Wenford instinctively sensed something suspicious.

“That doesn’t make sense. If he was going to escape, why didn’t he flee earlier? Didn’t he stay in the laboratory until the moment of his death?”

“Well, that’s…”

“No, the premise itself is already strange. If he got rid of his research data to escape quickly, why did he painstakingly select only important types to dispose of? Wouldn’t it have been more efficient to destroy the lab and erase all traces?”

“Certainly, you make a good point, but the investigation results show this… I too am puzzled as to why the Doctor behaved so suspiciously, Your Excellency.”

“…”

Something feels off.

I can’t pinpoint it, but it definitely doesn’t add up.
My instincts are continuously sending ominous whispers.

For him to try to flee seems clumsy, and knowing he was being tracked seems too calculated.

Just then.

Crash!

“Y-your Excellency! Your Excellency! It’s bad!”

The door to the Army Minister’s office swung open without knocking. The assistant jumped in, pale as a ghost.

After catching his breath for a moment, the assistant delivered entirely unexpected news.

“The Alchemist Association contacted us about the autopsy! The body of the Doctor we found is a fake!”

“What, what did you say?!”

“Did you just say it’s fake?”

“It’s just an alchemical chimera dressed in a lab coat and glasses! The completeness was such that even the autopsy couldn’t nearly catch the mistake!”

“W-what?!”

Rubbing his aching temple while grimacing, Wenford felt the weight of the proverb about getting killed with eyes wide open.

Now he understood why only part of the laboratory’s materials had been destroyed.

‘Was it a smoke screen to disguise his death?’

Creating a believable environment with the chimera as a decoy to avoid showing materials that could expose his true motives?

Surely, the real Doctor must have casually made his escape. It would take the Empire quite a while to realize the body was fake.

If that was true, the remaining question was just one.

“Then where on earth did the real Doctor disappear to?”

“Well, um, I don’t know that either…”

“Cough.”

The magic swordsman and the deputy minister could not provide a definite answer to their superior’s question.

All Wenford could do was hold his forehead in frustration.

Just then, a realization flashed through Wenford’s mind.

“They said they rescued the only survivor from the laboratory where the fake Doctor and the chimera were killed, right?”

“Yes? That’s correct. It was a young woman in her early twenties.”

“Then where exactly was she sent? Is she still being protected at the government residence?”

“No, they just finished a rough investigation and sent her back immediately. But suddenly she… ah!”

Kyle, the magic swordsman, finally caught on to his superior’s intention.

As he briefly glimpsed the young man’s expression twisting in surprise, Wenford clenched his lips.

Then he issued a serious command.

“Find the survivor in question. Bring her here at once. Hurry!”

<><><>><><>

Clop-clop-clop!

A carriage swaying up and down moved through a forest path.

Busy escorted by heavily armed soldiers, it hurried towards its destination.

Inside, a conversation was taking place between two passengers.

“We are nearing the eastern gate shortly, Lady Derby. Once we pass the gate, you can go back to your home in the eastern territory.”

“Thank you, Sir Knight. Thanks to you, I’ve arrived comfortably. I’ll never forget this favor.”

Cough, “No, I was just doing my job.”

The knight’s humility evoked a fresh smile from the beautiful woman, Derby.

According to her own explanation, she was the daughter of a humble family from the eastern borders.

It seemed she had traveled to clear her head before a wedding with her fiancé, only to fall into trouble.

Thus, she was on her way to the east, provided with a carriage as quickly as possible.

‘Indeed. Judging by her hair alone, she seems eastern.’

In contrast to Earth, the hair colors in this world are quite vibrant and diverse.

Specifically, Derby’s green hair is a common physical trait among those from the eastern borders, right?

I don’t know how she ended up kidnapped this far from the east, but it wasn’t a significant problem.

A brief investigation before releasing her revealed no particularly suspicious points.

Clack!

Just then, the carriage finally came to a stop at their destination.

This spot was a secluded path where if they move a little further, they would reach the eastern gate.

From this point on, Derby pleaded to go back alone, so they reluctantly obliged her request.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay, Lady Derby? Even if it’s not far, it could be dangerous for a woman alone.”

“Fufu, thank you. But don’t worry about me. Although I was unlucky last time, I can handle myself, you know?”

“Haha. Is that so? That’s a relief. It can’t be helped.”

With that, Derby fluttered her lime-colored hair along the roadside, walking confidently.

Thump!

“Huh? Lady Derby! You’ve dropped something!”

A small item tumbled out from her clothes pocket.

Assuming it was some wallet or trinket, the knight hurriedly ran to pick it up.

Then, turning towards Derby, who was pivoting around to face him with the ‘item’ in hand.

“…Huh?!”

The knight’s face suddenly turned ashen as he recognized its identity.

What Derby had accidentally dropped was none other than a quite aged badge.

Just by the glossy material and radiant color, it was no ordinary insignia.

But what was even more shocking was the two lines of inscriptions on its surface.

The truth shall set you free

Warrior of Alchemy, Asenath van Sohr-sieh

It was from the fierce eradication war that occurred over a century ago among the followers of demons.

The badge belonged to the traitor warrior, who had suddenly turned and stabbed humanity in the back.

“W-why does Lady Derby have something like this…?”

The knight froze in utter disbelief.

The moment he raised his trembling hands and looked up hastily.

Thwack!

“Gah?!”

“Ah, how nostalgic, I brought it with me.”

Derby’s hand shot out like a lightning bolt, gripping the knight’s throat.

Even a warrior training in martial arts all year round would struggle to react at that speed.

“Even managed to hide it during the body check yet made such a trivial mistake. Guess getting old is unavoidable,” she mocked with a chilling smile.

Then in the next moment.

Whoooosh!

“Gahhh?!”

With the sound of wind, his life force rapidly drained from his body.

That life force was instantly absorbed by the grinning Derby.

Ten seconds later, the knight was reduced to nothing but bones and wrinkled skin.

“This is the Absorbing Nature Law of our school. My junior really is full of ideas. Thanks to her, I learned quite a bit.”

With a swift motion, Derby tossed the knight’s corpse aside and mumbled lightly.

Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a pair of pitch-black glasses, which she had intentionally gone without using throughout her journey.

“Picking up just the right technique and advancing my research, what a perfect kill two birds with one stone!”

“Ugh?! Lord Galet!”

“W-what’s happening here?!”

The guards in the carriage were startled by the sudden turn of events.

As they scanned over, the green-haired woman stretched and yawned.

“Wow, they say old habits die hard. My body sure is feeling good now.”

Then she grinned chillingly and began muttering strangely to herself.

“A chimera, no matter how well made, struggles to settle its soul, so the sensations feel off. Plus, it decays way too quickly.”

“C-Capture her! Hurry and surround that lady!”

“Dark magician?! No, is she a demon worshipper?!”

“Who are you?! What’s your identity?!”

“That?”

As the soldiers bombarded her with questions, the true ‘Doctor’ Derby openly revealed her name.

“Asenath van Sohr-sieh. Does that ring a bell?”

“Asenath… van Sohr-sieh?!”

“W-wait, could it be! The traitor warrior who betrayed humanity?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! The traitor warrior was said to have died at the end of the eradication war a century ago! Captured and torn apart by the imperial army…!”

“Oh, my cute little child. Let me share something good with you, shall I?”

Adjusting her crooked glasses slightly, Derby—no, Asenath sneered chillingly.

“You shouldn’t blindly trust what your own eyes can’t see. There’s a lot of nonsense spread for political reasons in this world.”

“W-what? You mean you really are the traitor warrior…?”

“Does my identity matter? Just swiftly surround that lady!”

“If she resists, feel free to kill her! We outnumber her anyway!”

Quickly surrounding her, the guards shouted.

They had come to protect the noble daughter ‘Derby’ but faced a new mission to subdue the traitor warrior ‘Asenath’.

Yet Asenath merely chuckled mockingly.

From her palm, the sigil drawn with blood glowed a green luminescence.

“Capture? Kill?”

Zing!

“You lot?”

And in the next moment.

SHRRAAAAR!

“Gah?!”

“W-what’s that?! Tentacles?!”

With a slimy sound, several tentacles sprang from her back.
They twisted grotesquely like rotten branches or vines, forming a horrific spiral structure of flesh.

WHUMP!

“Gah?!”

“Gahhh!”

“F-Fall back! Run now, ughhh!”

In an instant, the tentacles lunged at the guards.

The terrified soldiers swung their weapons to resist, but it was utterly useless.

Crunch! Squelch!

Every time that grotesque mass with blades and fangs twitched, the soldiers’ heads and limbs scattered through the air.

At last, as most of the soldiers met a gruesome death.

Only one soldier remained alive, kneeling in fear, laughing maniacally.

“I-Iihih!”

The tentacles approached him, jaws wide open for the kill. The sight drove the former warrior Asenath to a smile.

And behind her, the faint presence of an unfathomable being swirled.

“It’s coming! It’s crawling!”

A mere human, witnessing what he should never have seen, muttered.

“Chaos… Chaos is crawling forth…!!”

And just one second later.

The tentacles lunged at him, baring their fangs.

<><><>><><>

“Aaah, me too, huh?”

Moments later, having just massacred all the guards and left the scene, Asenath strolled happily down the deserted path.

Flipping her green hair back with a flick, she spoke to herself.

“I really got carried away after a long time. I have to tone down my excitement a bit.”

Using the hieroglyphs from the Codex of the Dead, she newly crafted the sigil glowing radiantly in orichalcum.

Looking at it, Asenath’s eyes sparkled.

“…I’ve drained just about everything from those demon racial guys, and thanks to my junior, I’ve gained quite a bit of power.”

With a powerful grip on the badge, she coldly whispered.

“Shall I go prepare for a new future?”

Thus, the warrior of alchemy, Asenath van Sohr-sieh quietly vanished towards the eastern gate.

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