Most of those who had escaped with their lives were old pirates. They had crossed the sea of stars and seen plenty of the universe. They had seen creatures that could drift through the vacuum of space, and plenty of things even more grotesque and terrifying—and more sanity-shattering—than that thing that looked like an insect egg.
But for some reason, when the pirates looked with their own eyes at the enormous cocoon-shaped creature hovering nearby—with its hideous horns and tentacles, and the purple light flowing through the gaps in its pitch-black carapace—they felt as though they were witnessing a manifestation of the most terrifying, indescribable thing buried deep within their hearts.
Some fainted on the spot. Others couldn't control themselves and let out panicked screams.
That thing could certainly be called a giant insect cocoon, but many of the pirates felt it was clearly more like a colossal egg hatching an archdemon that would devour the universe.
"R-reinforcements?" A few of the bolder pirate captains looked fearfully at their boss.
"They're reinforcements. If the gentlemen say so, then that's what they are," Gru said with a stony expression. Even with the thing practically pressed against the windows of his flagship, he remained impassive, perfectly embodying the hard-nosed composure of a man who could watch Mount Tai collapse before him without changing color.
Seeing how calm their leader was, the bolder pirate captains relaxed a little. The two "big shots" dressed in black robes that hid their faces seemed pretty calm, too.
"Captain Gru, have your men go out and greet them," one of the black-clad men said in a mild voice.
This black-clad big shot was gentle in his dealings with others and carried himself with perfect decorum. The pirates respectfully called him "Lord Silver."
But how were they supposed