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

Chapter 179

Chapter 179

While they were moving, Kait made sure to confirm something important with Volparek.

"Emperor Volparek. If Divin were to stand trial under the Federation, I believe they would undoubtedly be found guilty."

"What are you trying to say?"

"The fact that they tried to run made me think they were planning to shift the blame onto someone else."

"Don't underestimate me, boy. Even now, I would never do such a thing. Everything Divin did under the name of Divin is my responsibility."

"Is that so? Then that's reassuring."

Kait smiled slightly, and Volparek looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Then, as if something occurred to him, he frowned.

"What? Are you going to dig up the past and pursue the crimes Divin committed back then?"

"Hm? Ah, regarding the incident where our Earth's lives were swapped—I don't intend to hold you accountable for that."

"Oh? How noble of you."

"......Don't get the wrong idea. The only ones who have the right to condemn you for that are the lives that should have been born there. Not us."

Volparek fell silent, sullenly.

There was no reason to explain things in detail to Divin, nor to get along with them. Kait turned to Dan and the others.

"Have you calmed down?"

"......Yeah. I've realized that resistance is futile."

"Well, just hang in there a little longer."

"?"

Kait gave a small smile to Dan, who looked puzzled like Volparek. Who was it that said frowning too much would drive happiness away?

Then, the unusual pressure on their bodies began to ease. It seemed they had arrived at the designated space region.

From here on, it was Kait and Terapolapaneshio's job. He called out to the nearest staff member.

"Sorry, but could you display the outside view? Preferably something we can see as a whole."

"Certainly. How about this?"

With a smooth motion, the wall became transparent. It gave the illusion of being suddenly thrown into space. If there had been no floor, everyone would have panicked. In fact, a few people glanced around in fear for a moment and sighed in relief upon confirming the floor was still beneath them.

"That's... the Moon!?"

"It really is. The Moonbase is there too."

It was Dr. Wu who noticed the familiar celestial body. Tooru quickly spotted their base. It was only then that Kait realized Giolgu wasn't present.

"Huh, Captain Giolgu isn't here."

"Eh? Oh, right. He said he'd stay behind to make sure the Federation didn't seize the ship."

"That guy, always so... Got it."

His complete distrust of the Federation was both admirable and exasperating. No, perhaps that's the most correct stance for someone in charge of an organization.

In any case, with Dan and the others here, they probably wouldn't make any reckless moves.

Divin and the others were speechless. Of course—they were captivated by something different from Dan and the others.

Countless Di-Kigaia Zarmos packed tightly into the space region. Before they knew it, even the Space jellyfish above them had vanished. Maybe they intended to begin without telling Kait. That's how dangerous what they were about to do was.

"Oops. This isn't the time for idle chatter. Sorry, but I need to step out. Lieutenant Carter, don't act rashly."

"Eh?"

"You guys don't need to bear the burden of Divin's lives."

Now then, time to hurry.

Just as he was about to teleport to Queen Bee, he noticed a familiar ship heading toward the swarm of Di-Kigaia Zarmos.

As expected of Emotion. Grateful for her perfect response, Kait teleported toward Queen Bee's pedestal.

***

'So you've come after all, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif).'

"You're so cold. I have the right to participate as one of the involved parties."

'But still. It's truly dangerous.'

"That goes both ways, doesn't it?"

Kait understood why the Space jellyfish wanted to keep him away. But being overly protective isn't good either. It hinders growth.

Realizing Kait had no intention of backing down, Terapolapaneshio and the others said nothing more.

The star system was constantly in motion. The surrounding stars didn't align perfectly with their original orbits. Needless to say, adjustments were necessary.

'The position of 9th-Terra has already been calculated. No need to worry.'

"Is the Moon's position okay?"

'What do you mean?'

"Since Earth disappeared, hasn't the Moon's position changed? It was a star that interacted with Earth, for better or worse. If we don't correct the discrepancy from the time it was gone, won't something terrible happen?"

'Hmm. That's right, the satellite is still intact. Let's have Nijerio, Sixth-Rank Citizen (Ab Rag), run the calculations.'

"Emotion, can you do it?"

'Please wait a moment.'

While Nijerio could probably do it too, Emotion, who knew Earth well despite the different location, would be faster. Soon, the calculations were complete, and the Space jellyfish were given the positional data and total kinetic energy to apply.

As several Di-Kigaia Zarmos approached, the Moon visibly began to move. Can that many really move a satellite? They say they can't beat Kait individually, but Kait himself didn't feel like he could win either.

'Impressive, as expected from Emotion, Fifth-Rank Citizen (Alto Romia). I'm grateful.'

'I'm honored.'

'Then shall we begin? Kait, Third-Rank Citizen, I'll be borrowing your strength.'

"Of course."

Once the Moon returned to its intended position, Queen Bee and the Di-Kigaia Zarmos formed a formation. With Queen Bee at the center, the Di-Kigaia Zarmos took positions surrounding it.

What came to mind was Earth's image. Their home planet briefly appeared in their minds, but they pushed it away as a distraction. Perhaps it was better to imagine the moment it was bathed in light, rather than the planet itself.

Earth, shrouded in a barrier and engulfed in Divin's beam of light. That image solidified, and suddenly, they felt a sensation as if power had reached that mass somewhere.

"Got it!"

He poured all the power he could muster into pulling it toward them. As expected, it wasn't nearly enough. But Kait wasn't alone.

Countless forces gathered to reinforce Kait's connected power. With this much strength, anything was possible. That belief pushed Kait forward.

"Come to us!"

Yes. As long as there's a strong will, nothing is impossible. Kait pulled with all his might. In the next moment, a massive white-lit sphere appeared before them, as if it had always been there.

***

"......It's a miracle."

"No way......"

"That's—"

"It's Earth!"

As the enveloping white light dispersed, a familiar blue planet came into view.

The homeland they had dreamed of countless times. Earth, which should have been obliterated by Divin that day, was right before them.

Dan stared in a daze at the scene. He could feel his anger, hatred, and sorrow melting away. Before he knew it, tears were streaming down both cheeks.

Tooru, Dr. Wu, and the other staff members too. None of them were without tears. No one could remain unmoved by that miraculous moment.

'Sorry, Lieutenant Carter, Dr. Wu. I couldn't bring back the satellites and such. The surface will likely be in chaos, so I'd like you to handle it.'

"Mister! Mr. Crouch! Thank you... thank you!"

"I don't know how to thank you enough......"

There must have been many satellites flying around. But compared to Earth's survival, they were insignificant.

The machine that had tightly restrained Dan just moments ago had already released him. In its place, it offered a small terminal.

"The existing communication network probably won't work. Please use this."

"Eh? Ah, okay."

Following the instruction, he took the terminal. Dr. Wu, standing beside him, smoothly snatched it and began operating it.

"This is Wu Ika from Lunar Development Agency Second Unit. Can you hear me, headquarters?"

'Dr. Wu! We hear you! Thank goodness—are you all safe over there?'

"!"

It was the voice of a colleague on Earth. No mistake. She tried to hold back the sting in her nose, but it seemed Dr. Wu couldn't. She covered her face with the hand not holding the terminal.

'Doctor? Sorry, we lost connection with the observation satellite. The phones aren't working either... Doctor?'

"Sorry, Dr. Wu can't respond right now. This is Lieutenant Carter."

'Ah, Lieutenant Carter. Do you know what happened? We haven't been able to follow the situation from here.'

He nearly spoke in a nasal voice, but caught himself and steadied his tone before replying.

"A miracle happened. An unbelievable miracle."

'A miracle?'

"Yeah. Something happened that I can only describe as a miracle."

Dan didn't know what had happened or what Kait and the others had done. Maybe Dr. Wu could explain, but in any case, they'd handle it after that.

He simply said they were safe and would contact them again once things settled down, then ended the call.

"Doctor. Once you've stopped crying, we'll need to start making calls everywhere. Oh, right—Captain! We'll need the Captain's help too."

"Yes...! You're right!"

A laugh escaped as Dr. Wu nodded through her tears. It was probably only natural that tears streamed down everyone's faces.

That day, Dan and the others were finally able to laugh from the bottom of their hearts again.