Two-Person Galactic Journey: Earth Was Destroyed While Imprisoned in Space Prison-Chapter 232

Chapter 232
Emotion's definitive statement that Lufate Gainun is of the same species as the creature that had parasitized the space eel.
The data Emotion presented was far too clear to refute that claim.
"This difference in values basically means they multiplied inside using the space eel's somatic cells... that's the most reasonable interpretation, right?"
"Most likely. It's believed that Lufate Gainun adapts to a planet's environment by absorbing some of the biological data of its host. As a short-term adaptation strategy for different planetary environments, it's quite clever."
"I see."
Gorou, seemingly convinced by Emotion's explanation, gave a deep nod.
The parasite of the space eel looked like an arthropod. Its appearance wasn't very similar. And its size was quite different too. The creature that had parasitized the space eel was about the size of a spaceship. By comparison, Lufate Gainun's larvae were far too small.
"The comet-mimicking mobile mother body was a size that wouldn't be surprising even if it had been the one parasitizing the space eel. But the larvae seem a bit too small, don't they?"
"Well, it's also possible that parasitizing the space eel was merely one of many host options. After all, we don't know what Lufate Gainun's ultimate goal is."
"I think it's safe to say that the final host was indeed the space eel. After Tuna won, the parasite that emerged from the large space eel targeted Tuna as its next host."
"I see. Unless something extraordinary happens, the space eel is at the top of the ecosystem. It's rare to find a better host than that."
"So that's what it was..."
Kait still wasn't fully convinced, but finally let out a breath, satisfied with Gorou and Emotion's exchange. However, if that thing had chosen the space eel as its final host, the question arose—how did it predict the space eel's movements?
If it just had a vague hunch and casually entered the star system, expecting to run into one... depending on that kind of coincidence in space felt incredibly sloppy.
"Well, if we don't know, let's just ask."
There was no need to toss around hypotheses endlessly. Kait requested a connection to Yamloson.
***
Contacting Tuna, who was enjoying the search for squirmy creatures, was relatively easy.
After all, Tuna was with Palnesbrogia and Terapolapaneshio. Contacting Terapolapaneshio immediately revealed their location.
"Hey, Tuna. How are things going?"
'Kait! It's been a while! Have you been well?'
Tuna, who appeared on the screen, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying life in a new body. As the one who had suggested the new lifestyle, Kait was happy to see it. When he glanced at the edge of the screen, he saw Palnesbrogia's small device waving the part corresponding to a hand.
'So, I heard you needed something?'
"Yes. There's something I'd like to ask."
Kait remembered how much Tuna disliked parasites. If he asked directly, Tuna might not answer honestly, so he decided to approach the topic a bit indirectly.
"I contacted you because I wanted to confirm something about the space eel's ecology. Is there a reason you were heading toward the area where you met us?"
'Hmm? You ask strange things, Kait. I don't mind. Let's see...'
Tuna stopped and stared into the air, as if trying to recall a distant memory. Behind Kait, Emotion and Gorou quietly waited for Tuna's answer.
After a moment of silence, Tuna turned back to face them.
'Umm, if I remember right. I sensed a curious light.'
"A curious light?"
'Yes. Compared to other lights, it strangely captivated me. That's why I headed that way.'
"I see. That's helpful, thank you."
'Not at all. If it's something like this, feel free to ask anytime.'
Feeling a bit guilty about ending the conversation with the ever-friendly Tuna after just the main topic, Kait decided to engage in a bit of small talk. Behind him, Gorou seemed to be leaving after hearing the conversation. Surprisingly, Emotion remained.
"How are things over there? Have you found the creature you were looking for?"
'Listen to this, Kait! Terapolapaneshio is being so mean!?'
Oh dear, what was supposed to be just small talk seemed to have sparked a bit of conflict.
***
Apparently, Tuna and Terapolapaneshio were in disagreement over how to handle the discovered creature.
According to Tuna, they had tried to protect every 'squirmy creature' they had found. Given Tuna's past attachments, it wasn't too surprising. Terapolapaneshio, who was accompanying Tuna, had stopped them.
Wanting to avoid hearing only one side, they also asked Terapolapaneshio, who had been keeping some distance.
'Tuna, the Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif), was trying to protect creatures that weren't even at risk of extinction. We simply said we couldn't support actions that might damage the planet's ecosystem.'
"I see, I see."
'Don't you think that's awful, Kait?! To have to choose which creatures to protect and which not to! I think Terapolapaneshio is being tyrannical!'
Until meeting Kait and the others, Tuna likely had no concept of camaraderie or protection toward other creatures. Her emotions were leading, and she probably couldn't accept Terapolapaneshio's logical explanation.
Often in such situations, there's no room to listen to persuasion, and expecting Terapolapaneshio to pick up on such nuances was quite a tall order.
Kait thought for a moment about what to do, then spoke to Tuna in a sympathetic tone.
"I see. I think your feelings are very noble, Tuna."
'Right!?'
"Yes. But to persuade everyone at Terapolapaneshio, there's something I'd like to confirm."
'Ask me anything!'
"Tuna, you want to protect all eel-like creatures, right?"
'Yes!'
"Then if two eel-like creatures were in a predator-prey relationship, which one would you protect?"
'...Huh?'
Tuna, who had thought she had Kait on her side, tilted her head in confusion.
"Well, remember when you tried to eat that big space eel? On a planet, there are often predator and prey relationships too. If you keep protecting eel-like creatures, the future of that planet will be one where only big and small eel-like creatures remain."
W-Wait a minute, Kait.
"It's just a simple question. If you continue protecting them, there will eventually come a day when you have to choose which one to protect."
Tuna clearly didn't understand, but Kait continued without concern.
"I think protecting both would be difficult. Tuna, could you just tell me what you'd do?"
'Umm... well...'
Kait was presenting an extremely extreme scenario. But given Tuna's level of attachment, it wasn't entirely unrealistic.
If the pressure from natural predators disappeared, the population would increase in the short term. Then, due to food shortages, they'd either starve or expand their territory elsewhere.
Kait gently said to the speechless Tuna with a smile.
"Once you've decided on that, contact me. If it's a convincing answer, I'll take responsibility and persuade everyone at Terapolapaneshio."
'B-But what should I do? I can't decide on my own!?'
"There's someone right there who knows more than anyone. President Palnesbrogia is well-versed in creature protection, so I think you should ask and learn from them."
Tuna quickly turned to look at Palnesbrogia. Judging from the situation so far, it seemed Palnesbrogia hadn't explained anything to Tuna. Perhaps they thought opposing her alongside Terapolapaneshio would only cause resentment.
'O-Okay, Kait! I'll contact you after learning more, okay!?'
"Alright. I'll be waiting."
The call was cut. Palnesbrogia's reaction wasn't visible, but surely they also thought it wasn't good to leave things as they were. Hopefully, they'd guide Tuna more gently than Terapolapaneshio.
Kait stood up with a wry smile. A reply probably wouldn't come anytime soon anyway.
"Alright, let's go back, Emotion. Things might be more serious than we thought."
The hint Tuna had provided suggested that Lufate Gainun might have infiltrated the Federation's sphere of influence more deeply than expected, stirring a sense of unease.