Two-Person Galactic Journey: Earth Was Destroyed While Imprisoned in Space Prison-Chapter 210

Chapter 210
In the end, Kadiri Ki agreed to guide them to the central area.
It would be troublesome if they carelessly traveled through the country and got invited to join the 'Liberators of Darva Ni'. Apparently, those people live disguised among ordinary citizens like guerrillas.
The surface is a scene of devastation so severe that it's fitting to call it the "Heavenly Prison" for the Smallfolk. No, it's probably not even about body size. Even if Earthlings were here in their original form, they'd likely end up as food for carnivores without being able to do anything.
In that sense, there's certainly meaning in the Smallfolk having evolved to their current body shape. Above all, it reduces how often they get targeted as food.
Kadiri Ki said he wanted to return to the workshop and explain the situation, so they let him go and waited for a while.
"The biggest hassle would be if he comes back leading the military to capture us, I suppose."
"No. The worst would be if he doesn't come back at all."
As long as he comes back, no matter his intentions, it won't be much of a problem. With the underground Smallfolk's technological system, it's fundamentally impossible for them to kill the four people here. No matter how many people he brings.
If it's a matter of capture or detainment, and he claims it's to avoid unnecessary contact with the Liberators of Darva Ni, it would be hard to argue. If the wait becomes too long, they can just act after arriving at the scene.
The worst case would be being dismissed as mere braggarts and left alone. After all, he might have just been pretending to go along with their conversation.
'That's unlikely. Kadiri Ki definitely showed surprise at Emotion's explanation as a Fifth-Rank Citizen of Alto Romia. One way or another, he definitely intended to come back here.'
"Then we should be fine."
Hearing Terapolapaneshio's words, both Rutimi De and Adie Ze seemed somewhat reassured. Still, since coming to the underground, Terapolapaneshio seemed a bit sluggish in responding. Perhaps the distance was too great and causing some kind of lag.
Wondering whether it needed confirming, she refrained out of politeness. If a problem arises, they just need to assume Terapolapaneshio's reactions will be delayed and plan accordingly.
'Looks like he's here. He's brought a few of those Kambandi creatures.'
"Hmm."
As if to confirm Terapolapaneshio's words, several biological signals entered Emotion's recognition range. Even in a sluggish state, she could still detect a wider area than Emotion—impressive.
Just as the words suggested, the signals were from Kadiri Ki and the Kambandi. There were four Kambandi.
"......Could one of them be for me to ride?"
'Probably?'
The distance must have been too far for even Terapolapaneshio to read Kadiri Ki's intentions.
***
"Whoa. That was close."
Kait, who had been attacked on the surface, continued dodging attacks while literally leaping through the forest ravaged by the giant beast.
Ideally, he'd be riding the Queen Bee and floating in the air, but with no knowledge of the underground situation, he hesitated to reveal his hand prematurely.
Body slams, scythe attacks, and occasional bites—the opponent kept switching methods to kill him, but Kait avoided every single one. Unlike the giant beast, this one didn't indiscriminately destroy everything. That alone made things easier to handle emotionally.
"I'd be glad if you'd indulge me in some small talk to kill time."
No response. He had a faint hope that maybe a Smallfolk was inside controlling it, but that pleasant fantasy seemed unlikely.
The swinging scythe—that was the most dangerous. If he accidentally blocked it with the Barrier, it might snap in half in one blow. Kait seriously hoped it would just detach and be placed somewhere else.
If it's just the jaw or body slam, the Barrier likely wouldn't take much damage, if any. Well, the jaw might break its fangs. A body slam should be fine. The build was larger than Segari Gug's and reinforced with metal. Even if it collided with the Barrier a little, it didn't seem like it would cause fatal damage.
A little restraint would be manageable, but when it seems like any defense will result in destruction, it's hard to know how much to hold back.
"Maybe I should just take it apart cleanly once and reconnect it later."
Most likely, the opponent in front of him wasn't a living creature. It was probably a weapon made by the underground Smallfolk, stitched together from various organisms. To think he'd meet a Frankenstein's monster on a distant star.
In that sense, the giant beast was probably of the same kind. The underground Smallfolk had extremely advanced technology to stitch different species together and make them obey commands. It might be a taboo field of study in the Federation, but he couldn't deny their effort to overcome their handicaps and survive on this planet.
The underground Smallfolk had become the dominant species of Ramadite without the surface dwellers even knowing. Kait was genuinely impressed by that.
"Man, other civilizations really are stimulating."
It was like his brain cells were firing up. This must be what the Federation citizens hoped for when encountering new civilizations.
Maybe the reason he became a Federation citizen instead of staying an Earthling was for this very moment. Kait couldn't help but smile.
***
Emotion ended up riding behind Rutimi De, who was controlling the Kambandi. She might have been able to control a Kambandi herself if she tried, but then Terapolapaneshio might have ended up riding behind her.
In the end, Terapolapaneshio didn't ride behind Adie Ze either, instead floating along gently. Kadiri Ki hadn't noticed Terapolapaneshio's presence at all, and when he finally saw her approaching, he was so startled he shouted out loud.
'Do we appear frightening to unknown intelligent lifeforms...?'
"Captain wasn't afraid, was he?"
'But quite a few Earthlings reacted the same way. Even we understand that Kait, the Third-Rank Citizen of Enec Lagif, is special.'
Leaving the self-conscious Terapolapaneshio to her thoughts, Emotion leaned over and whispered to Rutimi De.
"Rutimi De, Fourth-Rank Citizen of Darda Elra. What do you think of them?"
"Hmm... I suppose I can't say until I know how severe their so-called exile punishment really is."
"That's true."
While there was no need to respect the exiled surface Smallfolk, there was a history of respecting the tree-dwelling Smallfolk. Something must have happened.
Just from that fact alone, it didn't seem too difficult for the Federation and underground Smallfolk to become friendly. But the existence of a resistance movement also meant the political system had its issues. Until they heard the reasoning and claims of the Liberators of Darva Ni directly, they couldn't make any rash judgments.
Feeling relieved that Rutimi De had a solid grasp of the situation, Emotion picked up on the biological signals of a group of Smallfolk approaching.
Were they Smallfolk approaching to observe something rare like Emotion?
"......Stop."
No, that wasn't it. Kadiri Ki's voice had turned stern.
The Kambandi halted. Soon after, a group of Smallfolk emerged and surrounded them.
Judging from Kadiri Ki's reaction, they must be the Liberators of Darva Ni. Now, how should she prioritize things? Emotion desperately wished for time to gather her thoughts.