Progenitus

Shiro pulled the trigger.

The capacitors struck down on the rails, The bolt shot forward in blinding white light as lightning arced wildly across the light rail cannon.

The bolt blew off one of Alamak's tongues while the other two stuck onto the light rail cannon and bolts he had gotten from the sailor.

Alamak's tongues retreat back into his stomach.

Shiro raised his hands instantly before Alamak could open his stomach again.

"Hold up! You got me! You know I have no talents and you just took my weapon. Why not tell me more about the collective before you end my life?"

Alamak studied Shiro.

"You're stalling for time. What happened to not beg for your life at the vote?"

"I'm just giving you a chance. You're betraying the Collective to kill me. Are you sure you want to do that? What if we could have been allies against the demon king?"

Alamak's eyes narrowed.

"Tell me about them. Or kill me? But if you do kill me, you're going to have to explain why you betrayed them to kill me while I was unarmed and asked to learn more."

"This is just stalking and you know it!"

"For what? Even if the whole crew rushed you at once, could they stop you? None of them have talents."

Shiro kept his hands up as Alamak began to circle him.

"That fact that you're even listening to me tells me you think there is a chance I might join. Why wouldn't I? Vermelionne keeps me collared? The demons want to enslave me too? Why wouldn't I be interested in a 3rd party option?"

"You're right. The members of the collective have noticed that you more than most would be interested in joining The Collective?

That's when I start talking...

"And why is that? Once again I don't know anything about you guys? Is the Collective a group that believes in peace between humans and demons? I could see us getting along."

Shiro could see the frustration building on Alamak's face.

"Close. Very close. But every day you live, is a day closer to Revorgress getting his wish. Whether you want it or not. So long as you live there is a chance."

"You want to kill me because Revorgress force reincarnated me into this world!?!? You realize no one hates that abomination more than me!? Everything I have done is to deny that guy what he wants!"

The frustration kept building on Alamak's face.

"You think you can defy fate?!"

"Do you!? Because If you believe my fate is to fulfill Revorgress wish, then killing me is also defying fate? Look me in the eyes as I tell you Revorgress, that true demon, that abomination, had rules even he had to follow."

Alamak matched his stare.

But Shiro hadn't spoken a single lie. While he may have been stalling, he didn't even know what he was stalling for.

"Alright. Fine I'll tell you."

Shiro's eyes widened, he had not expected to get this far.

"Revorgress was right when he told you our world has been locked in the endless cycle of Heroes and Demon Kings. Almost none live long enough to ever see this cycle. Countless generations will pass before a new Demon King arises. History gets lost in the fires of war."

These guy is starting to sound a lot like Revorgress....

"But there is ONE who has lived through multiple Demom Kings and Heros. Progenitus. A Being born with the talent to warp biology. They made themselves immortal, they can warp and change other's bodies, like they did with me."

Don't tell me you wanted a stomach mouth?

"Do you remember Lilith? My pretend to be wife, as well as the other 7 women?"

"Yeah?"

"Demons. Each girl was a different subrace of demons, But it wasn't a simple illusion spell! No. They were physically altered to look and feel and be human on the outside. Here in Vermelionne to collect the seeds of those with powerful talents."

I thought the guys had some weird preference but this is starting to get weirder.

"Sorry but you're losing me. What's the point of collecting men's...seeds.. can't the Progenitus alter bodies?"

"Physically yes! But not magically. Progenitus has seen the stagnation of this world just like Revorgress. But unlike that fallen god, they believe the of both races isn't locked behind wiping the other out but by combining?"

Combining... Like half demons?

Alamak read his thoughts.

"Exactly look at Azura! Amazing isn't she? Rough around the edges and only knows battle, but she was born from powerful human soldier and demon general, she was made for the battle field."

I remember Alamak told me he supported Azura becoming Master general...

"Either way you look at, half demons are the best of both races. Human intelligence and skill, demon strength and magic. Not to mention, I see the way you look at Azura."

"Well...I... ummm"

What am I saying!? Is this really the time to get flustered!?

"Now with some better match making, we can combine the two races into one superior race with the best of both. You may not have a talent but your intelligence will pass on."

Shiro felt himself getting embarrassed. As if he was back in Alamak's manner again with women all around him.

"You know me and Azura aren't even a thing yet. Like theirs some there right? Right? But kids. One day i'd like to but I haven't even...."

"Well you would have kids with Azura."

"Huh!?"

"She's already a half demon, and your full human. Both of you would be matched with different multiple partners to produce the best possible offsprings. You can of still be romantic with each other."

"So when you said 'match making' you mean like how we breed animals and planet. But with humans and demons?"

"Exactly. The strongest, smarter, most talented individuals will have children together."

"Yeah me and Azura..."

Alamak's expression darkened.

"Is that a problem for you?"

"Ugh! You really had me there! I thought I was going to have my Isekai Hero harem. With monster girls, or Demi humans, or Kemonomimi, or half demons or whatever you call it. And we'd be working together to end the cycle and create world peace in a world of Kemonomimi. Ugh you were so close!"

"You'd still have that!"

"Yeah but I'd have to share and they would be having kids with other men, yuck! No No No NO NO! Sorry I'm out."

"I see. It looks like I was right all along."

Alamak opened his mouth on his stomach.

"Yeah sorry it had to be this way."

"I'm sorry too"

"One more thing though, before you eat me."

"...what?... more stalling"

"No. When I was stalling at the beginning I genuinely had nothing to stalling for.... but have you noticed... We hadn't heard the brass horns in a while?"

Alamak eyes widen in horror as the floor between him shredded from countless light rail cannon bolts being shot straight up though him.