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

Chapter 189

Chapter 189

The name of the artificial celestial body responsible for observing 9th-Terra was called Bulvada.

It had no special equipment. Just armaments and combat crafts meant to deter forces outside the Federation attempting to interfere from beyond the star system. It was an artificial celestial body identical in form to Zodogia, which was known externally as an impregnable fortress, but otherwise unremarkable.

The only notable feature was the Kissinger, operated by the Earthians of 9th-Terra (a term used for convenience to distinguish them from the Earthlings like Kait), who had fought through the war against Divin that had toyed with their fate.

Once it became known that Kait, a Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif), shared roots with a different species, many expressed a strong desire to be assigned to Bulvada. It would be no exaggeration to say there was a rush. Some Earthlings, overcome with nostalgia, also applied, but were excluded from selection due to concerns about careless contact with 9th-Terra.

And the most intense competition took place when—

'Let this individual remain here.'

'No, no, this individual should stay.'

'Now, hold on. This individual currently holds no responsible duties.'

It was a scramble for the assignment slot by Terapolapaneshio.

"No good. Only one Terapolapaneshio per artificial celestial body. That's an internal rule of Federation law."

'O-Of course I know that!'

For some reason, the decision was left to Asheido. It was Kait who nominated him, unfortunately.

Asheido still couldn't accept that he had been chosen for such a disgraceful reason: because he was relatively used to the madness of Terapolapaneshio. Initially, it had been said that only a congressman could deal with Terapolapaneshio on equal footing. That reason made sense, and he had accepted it as logical.

But after witnessing this madness firsthand, he had to admit—anyone else would probably be shocked.

"Seriously, don't you all share a single consciousness? Why are you fighting so much?"

'Congressman Asheido. You don't understand.'

'Exactly.'

'You completely lack comprehension.'

What a terrible way to be spoken to.

It was quite harsh to be constantly criticized by every single individual. Asheido crossed his arms and glared at the Terapolapaneshio.

"Ugh, you're all so noisy! If you keep making a fuss, I'll disqualify everyone!"

'Honestly, this is why Congressman Asheido is—'

'Yes. Third-Rank Citizen Kait would have handled this masterfully.'

'You should be more aware that you're acting as Third-Rank Citizen Kait's proxy.'

Absolutely dreadful.

But Asheido wasn't about to lose.

"Is that so? Then those three individuals who just insulted me—disqualified."

'Hold on! Using authoritarian power to suppress speech is tyranny!'

'How lamentable! What would Third-Rank Citizen Kait say if he saw this!'

'Congressman Asheido, you are unfit to be a Federation Congress member!'

"Hey, what's with this excessive trust in Kait?"

The Federation Congress held Kait in high regard. Lately, he was seen as someone who lacked brakes, but even so, Terapolapaneshio's evaluation of him remained consistently high.

Perhaps because they called him an eternal friend, his reputation would only rise, never fall.

Still, constantly being criticized with Kait used as a comparison was unacceptable.

Then, with a knowing expression (assuming they even had a face), a particularly massive Terapolapaneshio congressman stepped in to mediate.

'Now, now. There's no doubt Third-Rank Citizen Kait is outstanding, but Congressman Asheido is his proxy. Shouldn't he be treated accordingly?'

"Terapolapaneshio......"

As expected of the partner who had resolved Kait-related matters alongside him. In times like this, they could be relied on. Asheido almost felt moved.

But unfortunately, he had to say it.

"You're a congressman, so from the start, you can't be assigned to Bulvada, you know......?"

'You inflexible toad, Gamahadeg!'

See? Told you so.

***

Realizing there was no way to settle things as they were, Asheido decided to rent out a training facility and conduct a test.

In the end, nearly every Terapolapaneshio, apart from Zodogia's representative, sought assignment to Bulvada, so he temporarily gave them leave and gathered them here.

The Terapolapaneshio congressman was not invited from the start, being excluded from the selection pool. By now, they were likely attending Congress with several times their usual strictness.

"Everyone's here. We'll begin the test. This is our assistant for today, the representative of Zodogia."

'Pleased to meet you, all of us.'

They were invited as a peacekeeper in case of riots. This individual, charged with restoring Earth's environment, was entirely neutral this time. It was only natural that Asheido chose them as an assistant.

However, the atmosphere felt tense. Obvious hostility was directed at the representative of Zodogia. What was going on?

'Y-You traitor!'

'How dare you show yourself before us!'

'Synchronize immediately, you demon!'

"?!"

The verbal abuse hurled at the representative of Zodogia was far beyond anything directed at Asheido.

Unlike the confused Asheido, the representative of Zodogia remained cool.

'We are synchronized, you know. This individual is sincerely engaged in restoring Earth's environment. Can't you see how hard they're resisting the urge to commune with the Earth jellyfish?'

'Lies! You've secretly split your consciousness, haven't you!'

'It's obvious you've been sneaking yourself into Earth's oceans!'

'Share that bliss with us immediately!'

'......That's an outrageous accusation.'

Apparently, the representative of Zodogia was suspected of having committed a major betrayal against the Terapolapaneshio species.

What was supposed to be a test had taken a strange turn. Asheido grimaced and looked toward the supposed assistant who caused all this.

"Don't tell me, are you the reason for all this?"

'Deputy Asheido! We demand confirmation! That individual is suspected of replicating their consciousness in secret and releasing it into Earth's oceans!'

"I-Is that even possible?"

'Of course not, Congressman Asheido. That's pure paranoia.'

'Lies! With Earth jellyfish that close, there's no way you could resist!'

'Exactly! You are us! There's no way you could endure!'

What a thing to say. And disturbingly persuasive.

Unable to find grounds to refute them, Asheido held his head. The representative of Zodogia calmly countered.

'Once you experience the grandeur of Earth, you stop caring about such trivial things. This individual's role is to restore Earth's ecosystem and create a place where Earth jellyfish can live happily, right?'

"Isn't that a little biased?"

'......Ritimiele occasionally gives me scoldings. I do make adjustments accordingly.'

It seemed they were indeed slightly favoring the Earth jellyfish, as they subtly turned away from Asheido's gaze.

'In any case, there's no time for such selfishness when considering the happiness of Earth jellyfish. In fact, I believe the real problem is that this individual's feelings haven't been shared with the rest of us.'

"I see."

Hearing that, Asheido's resolve solidified.

With even a smile on his face, Asheido declared firmly.

"All disqualified. Terapolapaneshio is hereby banned from entering Bulvada."

'!?'

Screams and shouts rose from the Terapolapaneshio, but Asheido had no intention of reversing the decision.

"Because if you go to Bulvada, you'll all secretly interfere with 9th-Terra, right?"

They were so convinced of their own betrayal based on their inability to resist, after all.

No one objected. Watching them calmly, Asheido realized that his approval rating among the Terapolapaneshio had dropped to rock bottom.

Now, the only thing left was to appoint a representative to Bulvada that everyone could feel safe and satisfied with.

***

"So, Kait, that's why I'd like you to serve as Bulvada's representative for a while."

'Absolutely not.'