novelraw Chapter 202
Chapter 202
Chapter 202
While organizing the contents of the report to the council in his head, Kait absentmindedly watched the conversation unfolding before him.
Emotion, now in android form, emitted light from both eyes onto the ground. A Smallfolk figure appeared on the surface. Since it wasn't the familiar Adie Ze, it was likely Rutimi De.
The local Smallfolk stirred. One of them spoke to Rutimi De. The words were still unintelligible. However, since Rutimi De and the local Smallfolk seemed to be conversing, it was probably a dialect or something similar.
After finishing their conversation, the local Smallfolk stared intently up at Kait's face. What was this about?
"So, Rutimi De. Were you able to determine who they are?"
'Yes, I was, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif). They are not Federation citizens.'
Kait had somewhat guessed that due to the micro-machines' translation function not working. The real issue was figuring out what kind of Smallfolk they were.
'They said they're Smallfolk who emerged to the surface after we became part of the Federation.'
"Emerged to the surface...?"
'Yes. The language they speak is the one our ancestors used. In short, it's an ancient tongue.'
Emerged to the surface, Rutimi De had said. That meant they originally lived somewhere else.
If the Federation had missed them, then the location must be extremely limited. Supporting Kait's assumption, Rutimi De continued.
'They're apparently descendants of Smallfolk who once lived in the underground of Ramadite. After losing the survival struggle underground, they fled to the surface.'
"Underground dwellers of Ramadite...!"
Another romantic phrase had appeared. On the surface, plants fought daily over territory, alongside massive animals. It wouldn't be strange if the weaker Smallfolk had made the underground their home.
No, perhaps even Rutimi De and Adie Ze's ancestors originally lived underground too. For some reason, they came to the surface, and over generations, they forgot their roots.
On the other hand, the local Smallfolk must have retained knowledge of their origins. But if that's the case, one thing becomes concerning.
"So they came from underground. But why did they attack that giant beast? There's no way they thought they could win, right?"
'That's true. ...Wait, they actually challenged that thing?'
With an exasperated look, Rutimi De questioned the local Smallfolk. When Kait glanced at Emotion, she responded that the translation function update would take a bit longer. It was helpful that she could read the situation without being told.
After confirming, Rutimi De held her head in her hands with a serious expression. It seemed she had heard something she didn't want to accept.
'...Apparently, that giant beast is a magical beast used by the underground Smallfolk. It seems there was a settlement of theirs in that area.'
"Ah, I thought so."
The phrase "magical beast used by the Smallfolk" sounded extremely fantastical. In essence, it was like a machine used for collecting lumber.
"When I brushed off the dirt, I saw seams like stitched-together fur. In other words, it's probably something like heavy machinery for Federation citizens."
The fact that it only occasionally appeared on the surface was strange to begin with. If that massive body lived underground, there would need to be a huge supply of food down there. Also, the fact that it had grown so large without ever being seen above ground until now was odd. As a creature, the giant beast was full of contradictions. It made more sense to assume it wasn't a living being.
Besides, if that massive thing had been moving underground, there should've been more shaking at first. Most likely, it was inflated near the surface.
Whether it was science or some other form of technology was unclear. It seemed the giant beast was collecting an entire forest's worth of trees to support the underground Smallfolk's lifeline. In the process, it had destroyed the local Smallfolk's settlement.
'They say they were driven out of the underground. Forced from their homeland, and now their dwelling has been taken as well. They said they felt they had to risk their lives to retaliate against the tyranny of their underground kin.'
"Ah... yeah. I see?"
Their words were bold, but at that rate, they'd probably never manage a counterattack.
No matter how hard they tried, it wouldn't change the outcome, so Kait hoped they'd give up. Still, the way they looked at him was suspicious. Surely, they weren't about to ask for help?
"Well, since they've been given a second chance at life, they shouldn't waste it. Rutimi De, can I leave their fate to you?"
'What!?'
"We're just outsiders and tourists. Whether you invite them into the Federation or teach them how to live with the Guardian Tree—those decisions are up to you."
His usual instincts were whispering that they shouldn't get any more involved.
Leaving the Smallfolk behind as they began discussing among themselves, Kait once again headed toward the giant beast.
There might be other survivors from the settlement still out there.
***
The Smallfolk settlement was found surprisingly quickly. The survivors were running around trying to rebuild it.
As expected, the ones Kait had rescued were the reckless faction among them. As Adie Ze had said, "daredevils." Perhaps their culture naturally produced a certain number of risk-takers.
"Now, what should I do?"
Their settlement seemed to be built half underground and half aboveground. It gave the impression that they retained more of an underground lifestyle than the Federation's Smallfolk.
The giant beast was still collecting lumber. The settlement was closer to the beast than Kait had thought. If it turned this way, the danger would spike. Well, the locals probably knew that too.
It wasn't easy to find a place suitable for building a settlement. Whether they were gambling on the beast not turning toward them or risking their lives to fight it as a final act, either way, they were putting everything on the line.
"Well, I guess a little help wouldn't hurt."
Kait still hadn't figured out the best way to treat the local Smallfolk. Should he see them as natives of an undeveloped planet, or as comrades of Adie Ze and the others?
Either way, he couldn't abandon them until a conclusion was reached. But he couldn't just destroy the giant beast, which was heavy machinery for the underground Smallfolk, either. Kait deployed a barrier around the settlement. This way, even if the massive creature turned and charged, they'd have time to escape.
Most likely, the underground Smallfolk controlling the giant beast had no idea the local Smallfolk were living on the surface. They were too small to notice. In other words, Kait setting up a barrier wouldn't immediately interfere with their goals.
It was a passive approach, but there was no guarantee the locals would choose to become Federation citizens. Kait judged that this was the limit of what he could do for now.
'Captain. Did you find the settlement?'
"Yeah. It looks like a decent number of them survived. They're running around trying to rebuild the settlement."
'I see. Rutimi De, Fourth-Rank Citizen (Darda Elra), has a proposal. She'll report the planet's current situation to the Federation Congress and request protection for them.'
"Hmm? Does that include repelling the giant beast?"
'Complete destruction would be a problem, but she says repelling it should be fine.'
In other words, even if it gets damaged, they'll fix it later with Federation technology, so don't hold back. From the underground Smallfolk's perspective, that would be infuriating, but it was better than letting the local Smallfolk die in vain. Truly, dealing with the Smallfolk on this planet was complicated.
"Got it. Please do it quickly."
Kait gave the order to Emotion in midair.
Just then, the giant beast turned in their direction.
"Before I mess up and destroy it beyond repair."