Two-Person Galactic Journey: Earth Was Destroyed While Imprisoned in Space Prison-Chapter 185

Chapter 185
The situation was resolved faster than expected.
As soon as Kait returned to Sarunzarek, a slightly calmer Terapolapaneshio apparently requested cooperation from other individuals. Before Kait could even speak to them, they had already teleported near the Central Star Cluster. Since the entire fleet of Divin teleported at once, it caused a bit of a commotion in the Central Star Cluster.
Terapolapaneshio was severely scolded by the council, but regardless, the response was swift. In order to treat the suffering Divin, billions of them were thrown into artificial celestial bodies for medical treatment. All talk of judgment and such was put on hold.
Kait left that matter to the Federation and ended up flying around to resolve the issue with 9th-Terra.
"Mr. Crouch... no, Captain Kait. Thank you for everything."
"Yeah. Take care, all of you."
In the end, 9th-Terra did not become part of the Federation. Partly because it was outside Federation territory, but the main reason was that their development was still incomplete.
It wasn't the end of 9th-Terra as a planet, and their technological system was still immature. If it hadn't been for this incident, the Federation wouldn't have considered interfering.
The hardest part was persuading Terapolapaneshio. When it came to the Earth jellyfish, all their usual ethics and sense of responsibility flew out the window, making things difficult. In the end, they agreed to install an artificial celestial body near 9th-Terra. Currently, several individuals are fiercely competing for representative rights there. Apparently, they're envious of Zodogia's representative. Even though they're supposed to be a single entity sharing consciousness.
"If there's anything I can do to help, just say the word. I'll fly over with the Kissinger anytime."
"It might be nice to have days like that once in a while—keeps things exciting."
Dan and Kait, who hasn't undergone body modification, live with different flows of time. They both knew this would likely be their final farewell. And yet.
With a genius like Wu Ika, their technology would soon reach the standards the Federation demands. She had seen much of the Federation. Kait believed that with her keen insight, she would surely guide 9th-Terra to a new future.
"Someday, one of your descendants will meet me in the Federation. I look forward to that day."
"Yeah. I won't keep you waiting too long."
He firmly shook the hand Dan offered.
The many hands placed on top slowly withdrew, reluctant to part.
***
After finishing the on the 9th-Terra incident, Kait headed to Asheido.
Asheido, who was working in his office, must have sensed something. After confirming there were no mistakes in the submitted , he narrowed his eyes.
"Well then, I'll be away for a while."
"...I see. Have fun."
Staying too long might get him caught up in some strange incident again. Now that all Earthling-related incidents were resolved, Kait planned to finally enjoy life as a Federation citizen.
Bound by no one, free to follow his heart.
He only planned to say goodbye to Asheido. After all, if something happened, he could just teleport back. Besides, there were a few people who might try to stop him if he said farewell.
Especially anything involving Terapolapaneshio was risky, so he intended to handle that via communication after departure.
"Where to first?"
"Who knows. I'm thinking of slowly touring the Federation's territory."
A fun cosmic gourmet tour that would delight Emotion might be a good idea too.
Deciding what to do is part of the fun of traveling. If Emotion was with him, even the indecision would surely be enjoyable.
"If anything happens, get in touch. We can always come back here anytime."
"Yeah. I'm counting on you."
When Kait smiled, Asheido shrugged with a wry grin.
***
He walked leisurely down the road to the port alongside Emotion.
Strangely, he felt a peculiar loneliness. Like leaving a long-familiar home. Even though he hadn't spent that long in the Central Star Cluster, having been busy searching for Earthlings.
Then, a figure approached from ahead.
An unremarkable appearance. Average build, nothing notable about the facial features.
Their eyes met. Older than him, he thought vaguely.
"Hey."
"Hello."
He felt no hostility or anything else. Just a passing, unfamiliar Earthling.
The sense of no discomfort itself was discomforting, causing Kait to stop in his tracks. A gentle murmur escaped—oh, so you're perceptive.
"It was tough this time, huh? Good work."
Why, he wondered. He felt no hostility or malice. Rather, he felt affection, but Kait couldn't accept it at face value.
Passing by an Earthling in the Central Star Cluster. Even though it wasn't an Earthling residential area. The abnormality of feeling no discomfort stood out more.
"Being cautious is good. But I'm not your enemy. I'd be happy if you didn't worry."
"Well... I suppose that's true."
He could believe they weren't an enemy. But that didn't mean he should let his guard down.
When they reached into their coat, he instinctively braced himself. What they pulled out was a bundle of papers. As it was calmly offered, he hesitantly accepted it.
"I wanted to give this to you."
"This is...?"
"Blueprints. You should be able to build it with your tech system."
Glancing down, it was indeed in blueprint format. Still, paper blueprints in this day and age?
Kait couldn't understand the contents at all, so he handed it over to Emotion.
"Captain. This is..."
"What is it, Emotion?"
"Well, um..."
After reading the blueprints from corner to corner, Emotion hesitated to speak.
It was a reaction unimaginable from her usual self, causing Kait to widen his eyes. But the other party didn't seem intent on hiding it. They easily revealed the truth.
"It's a blueprint for something similar to that Rule Cannon you used on that thing."
"Huh!?"
The blueprint was dangerously extreme. No, more than that. Even if they said it was a Rule Cannon blueprint...
"Well, it's a bit ahead of its time. But you wouldn't misuse it, right?"
"No thanks, I don't need some ancient artifact like that."
"I think you should keep it handy. You've gotten involved with those beings. With that, you won't fall behind."
It was easy to guess what those beings referred to. The faction acting like gods. Ever since eliminating 'The One Who Can't Be Pronounced', he had considered the possibility of being targeted.
There weren't many who would casually offer a way to counter such a group, and Kait could only think of a few.
"...Are you, perhaps..."
"Heh. I'll refrain from giving my name. I'd prefer to stay second-rate at best."
"What!?"
No, he had a feeling, but still.
A chill ran down Kait's spine. He'd only looked away for a moment, yet the figure was already gone without a trace.
He hurriedly looked around, but as expected, no sign remained. Emotion looked at him with shaken eyes. The blueprint that should've been in her hands had also vanished without notice.
"Emotion. What was in the blueprint?"
"Yes, I remember every detail. What shall we do?"
"Can you build it? Let's do that before we leave."
Kait scratched his head without thinking. He just couldn't help himself.
"They say intelligent design theory is nonsense, but still..."
"...Do you believe it?"
"Who knows. Thinking of them as people from a civilization far greater than the Federation, opposing those beings, is easier on the mind."
In any case, it was a thoughtful gesture. He decided to accept it gratefully.
After all, it was probably full of unreasonable and unexplainable logic that only Kait and the Queen Bee could use.
With a deep, heavy sigh from Kait, Emotion let out a whimpering chirp in sympathy.