Two-Person Galactic Journey: Earth Was Destroyed While Imprisoned in Space Prison Chapter 24

Chapter 24

The satisfied space jellyfish obediently began their return journey to space.

Their intense, or rather, overwhelming sense of gratitude was delivered to Kait as a telepathic wave so heavy it felt like it could cause trauma. His head hurt.

As a personal gesture of thanks, the representative of Zodogia instantly transported all remaining Earthlings on Earth to Abakia.

Yes, that included even those who hadn't been at the Port of Ark.

As usual, the rough handling caused new chaos, sweeping up Ritimiele and the chanical intelligences who had been preparing in Abakia.

Kait, already recognized as a Federation citizen, was still on Earth. When he looked up, he could see two dark spheres faintly in the sky above.

Ten Terapolapaneshio remained on Earth to work on environntal restoration. The representative who explained this would return to Zodogia afterward. They had stayed behind to explain the situation to Kait and confirm his intentions. This conversation must not be overheard by any of the surviving Earthlings.

'Citizen Third-Class Kait, Enec Lagif. Once Earth's environnt is restored, do you wish to return here with them?'

"You an that's actually possible?"

'We are deeply grateful to you. As an exception, we are also considering petitioning the Federation governnt to allow your return.'

"I appreciate the sentint... I truly do."

Kait quietly shook his head.

The environntal restoration by the Terapolapaneshio—in other words, a path showing the possibility that humanity might live on Earth again.

Under Federation law, Kait was recognized as Earth's representative. If he accepted the offer, they would earnestly devote themselves to making it happen. But...

"I don't wish for that. If they truly desire it, then I believe it's sothing they should achieve through their own efforts."

Humanity was supposed to perish.

Through a series of fortunate events, extinction had been avoided.

But if they grew complacent in that luck, what awaited them next would be a true extinction, with no one left to help.

Moreover, they had lost nearly all of their history, culture, and everything they had built. To regain the will to live as intelligent beings, they would need a new goal.

'I see. If that is the belief of Citizen Third-Class Kait, we will respect it.'

"Thank you. On a separate note, there is sothing I'd like to ask."

'Oh? Let's hear it.'

"The 100,000 Earthlings abducted by Divin. I'd like your help in rescuing them."

'That goes without saying, Citizen Third-Class Kait. It's our duty. You needn't worry.'

"Thank you, Representative."

He gently grasped the offered tentacle, as if shaking hands.

The representative suddenly seed to recall sothing.

'You once said you didn't think you were suited to be Earth's representative.'

"I did."

'But I think you've done an admirable job as their representative.'

"Do you really think so?"

Whether it was sothing to be thankful for or not, it seed that Kait's thoughts could no longer be read even by the Terapolapaneshio, perhaps because he had gained the ability to use psychic power. Hiding the slight joy he felt at the representative's words behind a wry smile—

Kait headed toward Queen Bee, taking Emotion with him.

***

Inside Abakia, the structure was indeed similar to that of Zodogia.

Yet at the sa ti, the internal environnt prepared for humans felt like a fragnt of nostalgic Earth before its collapse.

"Nice to et you, Citizen Third-Class Kait. I'm Shizuonga. It's an honor to et you."

"Nice to et you, Shizuonga. The honor is mine."

The representative of Abakia had a form sowhat similar to Ritimiele. Their body fur also changed color with emotion, and right now, it was entirely green.

After shaking hands, they walked along the prepared corridor. Emotion, in humanoid form, followed slightly behind.

"Most have chosen the modification of micro-machine implants. It seems few wish to drastically change their natural form. Though there are so who enthusiastically choose full-body chanization—there's always a certain percentage like that in any civilization."

"So even across different stars, things aren't that different."

"Exactly. Species that join the Federation must have acquired a certain level of intelligence and social structure."

I've heard that around 2,000 species are part of the Federation, but that's only about 60% of known species. There are many reasons for not joining: lacking the social maturity to respect others, being species that avoid interaction with others, or simply having no intention of abiding by Federation law.

Interrogations of the Divin people were also progressing, reportedly handled by the Terapolapaneshio. They were currently reading the thoughts and mories of an individual nad Pikrashkaa, and additional cris were being revealed one after another.

"They're in Zodogia, so if you're curious, you should go see later. There might even be a war between the Divin people and the Federation."

"A war?"

"Yes. It seems they wanted to rejoin the Federation, but the ans they used were cris that ignored Federation law. I just don't get it."

Shizuonga's body fur stood on end, colored in mottled red and black. He seed quite angry. Apparently, so Earth myths included interference by the Divin people in Earth's civilization. Honestly, nothing good ever ca from them.

Noticing Kait's gaze, the fur settled down.

"Ah, how embarrassing. You've already t Ritimiele, right? In our species, emotional changes show through our body fur. I like to think I have more control than Ritimiele, though."

"Don't worry about it. So you are from the sa species as Ritimiele after all."

"We're actually related. Ritimiele is still young, but quite talented. I'd be glad if you could befriend her."

"Not just . All Earthlings are grateful for her help."

Though the conversation with Shizuonga could have gone on, their destination was drawing near.

I've gotten used to the corridor shifting just before a dead end. Parting ways with Shizuonga, Kait entered the room. Behind him, the corridor shifted again.

Inside, only Rebecca was waiting. Kait glanced around to see if Alisa and her parents were present, and Rebecca, seeming to understand, opened her mouth.

"The three of them are currently undergoing modification."

"And you?"

"I finished earlier. Doesn't feel any different though."

"That's how it is. Sa for ."

"There's a modification that lets you use psychic power, huh? It did seem like the kind of upgrade you'd go for."

"You're not serious, are you?"

Kait had chosen that upgrade for the sake of romance, but he was a little worried that other Earthlings might want it too—especially Rebecca, who had seen his psychic power firsthand.

But Rebecca shook her head.

"I went with the safe option—nano-machines... Ultra-Micro Machines, right? That one. Alisa insisted on getting psychic power, and convincing her was tough."

"Thank you... I heard you've been protecting Alisa all this ti."

"It's fine. I also felt guilty for not being able to save you."

Silence fell. Three years. It wasn't a short ti.

Rebecca was the first to break. Shaking off the dampened mood, she deliberately asked brightly.

"So? What's the matter?"

"The Earth's environnt is going to be restored by those space jellyfish... the Terapolapaneshio."

"...Really!?"

"Yeah. But at the sa ti, Earth will beco Federation property. Unless one holds Seventh-Class citizenship or higher, living on a natural planet won't be allowed. Earth won't be humanity's planet anymore."

"No way..."

"Once we reach the Federation residential zone, aim to make Seventh-Class citizenship sothing all Earthlings can attain. A life without a purpose is... painful, after all."

Rebecca furrowed her brows at Kait's words.

She must have realized these were words of farewell. With a worried expression, she asked.

"You're not coming with us... are you?"

"The 100,000 that Divin sold off first—we have to save them. I can't just leave everything up to the Federation."

"That may be true, but... you saved so many Earthlings already. And originally, you were the one who—"

"No, Rebecca. That's just how things turned out. I didn't choose to return to Earth. I was the one who abandoned you all in the beginning."

Because he didn't want the role of a leader. Because he wanted to pursue his final freedom as just Kait. The outco may have been good, but there was nothing praiseworthy about it.

To the silent Rebecca, Kait spoke from the heart.

"You'll lead them, Rebecca. I can entrust them to you."

"Why...!? I was only ever a support."

"But before that, you studied the sa things I did. You don't have to cling to what the organization told you. Just use the knowledge you have."

"But..."

He averted his gaze from her pleading eyes.

He no longer intended to play a role he didn't want. Even if it ant pushing that role onto soone else.

"If I ever had a role as a leader, I want it to end with bringing everyone to the Federation. Once I've helped the Earthlings, I plan to wander freely with Emotion."

"Emotion... you an her?"

"Yeah. She's been supporting since the exile sentence. She's a partner I can trust with my back."

"Nice to et you, Rebecca. Forr Warden 8979... perhaps that's easier to understand. My na as a chanical intelligence is Emotion."

"chanical intelligence... You're not human?"

"Correct. I originally served as Warden of the space prison, managing Captain Kait's life."

"I see. Kait must have been a strange one, huh?"

"Yes. His behavior patterns and thought processes were often incomprehensible—quite a handful."

"...I'm jealous."

In that mont, Rebecca's body collapsed.

Kait caught Rebecca before she could fall—while disassembling the blade he had hidden behind his back—and carried her to a nearby bed.

"Captain Kait? Don't you think that's a bit inhumane?"

"What are you talking about?"

"There was no hope of persuading her, but knocking her out?"

"You really are oblivious to hostility directed at you... No, never mind."

"What is it? You're treating like a fool."

If Emotion misunderstood the reason Rebecca was knocked out with psychic power, then it was better left that way. There was no need to teach her about human malice.

Brushing off Emotion's grumbling, Kait left the room.

With this, he had no lingering attachnts to Earth or its people.

***

When Rebecca awoke, she realized Kait and the others were gone and let out a deep sigh. Alisa and the others hadn't returned. She probably didn't even know Kait had co.

The blade she had hidden was nowhere to be found. Either it had been recovered or destroyed. It was a gain just to know it could be made using micro-machines, but could she replenish the ones she had lost?

"So you really... have no interest in Earth anymore."

A bitter smile escaped her lips.

From their reunion to their parting, Kait never once asked why Earth had perished. Maybe he already knew, but from the mont they reunited, he showed no interest. It made more sense to think he simply didn't care.

Suddenly, she noticed a piece of paper had been placed in her right hand, the one that had held the hidden blade.

"...You really do hold a grudge, don't you?"

It was a mo. It said that Alisa and her parents shouldn't be granted authority just because of their ties to her and Kait. Alisa might be fine, but her parents were too worldly and would misuse that authority, so she should be very careful.

The Organization's definition of a leader's qualities.

Soone uninterested in all things including power, yet possessing the intelligence and body to use them more effectively than anyone else.

Kait had certainly grown into such a person. He was so uninterested that he abandoned Earth entirely. Still, within that aloof personality remained a thirst for freedom and a trace of resentnt toward the parents who had sold him off. It was oddly endearing.

"Honestly, nothing ever goes how I want it to."

Letting out a deep breath, Rebecca crushed the paper in her hand and stood up.

"Now then, making Earthlings into Seventh-Class Citizens, was it? I guess that's the extent of my role."

She looked in the direction Kait and the others had likely gone and gave a smug little snort.

"Just like you did, once my role is over, I'll be taking my freedom too."

If they chased her in a similar ship, what kind of face would that blockhead make?

Rebecca Luthiano dread of such a future and made it her goal in her heart.