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

Chapter 206

Chapter 206

Unfortunately, Kait had no choice but to give up accompanying them.

After all, Kait had the skeletal structure of an Earthling and couldn't freely stretch or shrink. It would also be rude for a giant creature resembling them to intrude uninvited into the underground Smallfolk's dwelling.

Now, the issue at hand was selecting the members to accompany Rutimi De and Adie Ze. The most important selection came first.

"Can all of you Terapolapaneshio shrink?"

'Hm? It's not impossible. There are two methods. Either split into smaller individuals or physically compress the body.'

"......Aren't both of those dangerous?"

'If we split into smaller individuals, our cognitive ability clearly drops. If we compress our body, it automatically returns to normal once the limit is reached. Also, since we use energy for compression, our control over other powers weakens.'

So, neither option is viable.

However, I'm against sending just Rutimi De and Adie Ze. It's simply too dangerous. Neither Terapolapaneshio nor the individuals themselves seem to care much about their own safety, which is very Federation-like.

'Kait, Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif), how about trying to shrink using psychic power?'

"Don't just say 'how about'; honestly, I don't think I can imagine myself shrinking or returning to normal properly."

Considering the risk of failure in changing body size, he couldn't take it lightly. Kait was rather conservative in that regard.

Shrinking Terapolapaneshio carried risks, and having Kait shrink himself was something to avoid if possible. At that moment, Emotion raised her hand.

"Then I will go, Captain."

"Emotion?"

"I have a form that can match the size of the Smallfolk to begin with."

With that, Emotion transformed into her spherical form. Indeed, with a diameter of thirty centimeters, it would be easy to enter Smallfolk buildings. Even in her spherical form, Emotion's combat ability—upgraded by the Federation—was nothing to scoff at.

Originally, she was also an excellent bodyguard. It's just that since Kait's physical combat ability far exceeded initial expectations, her function hadn't been needed.

"Can I count on you, Emotion?"

"Of course. If it's to apologize for the Captain's blunder, it would be better for me, his partner, to accompany them."

"Ugh."

Honestly, Kait didn't think the destruction of the giant beast was entirely his fault. If they had just retreated quickly, the other side wouldn't have continued attacking with such murderous intent—so they bore some responsibility too.

That said, if he voiced such thoughts, Emotion would just say he lacked remorse. So he wisely chose to remain silent.

'Hmm. If Emotion, Fifth-Rank Citizen (Alto Romia), is going, then we must lend our aid as well.'

"No, but—"

'To Kait, Third-Rank Citizen, Emotion, Fifth-Rank Citizen, is the most important person, right? To us, anyone important to our eternal friend is also important.'

"Though our priorities are lower than his," said Terapolapaneshio lightly. Then, one of Terapolapaneshio's tentacles detached and reconfigured into a smaller Terapolapaneshio.

"I-Is that safe!?"

'Ah, don't worry. It's not a full split. It's just a part of this individual being operated separately. Think of it like one of your "devices."'

"......I see?"

Just what can't this absurd space creature do?

With every incident, it felt like the Space jellyfish's capabilities kept expanding.

'While operating it, my main body's attention might become a bit unfocused, though. As for guarding the main body and protecting the Smallfolk, can we count on you, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen?'

"Yes, leave it to me."

Emotion and Terapolapaneshio had prepared everything up to this point.

Refusing was not an option for Kait.

***

Having been asked by Kait, Emotion took the initiative and slipped into the tail of the giant beast. It was necessary to check for danger.

The hole continued downward in a nearly vertical drop. Its diameter was about five meters. With that width, even surface trees could likely pass through without much processing.

Its surface was coated with a slimy fluid. Perhaps it served as a lubricant. Since Emotion and Kait could float, it was fine, but had Rutimi De and Adie Ze gone in as-is, they likely wouldn't have survived the descent.

"Captain. Your concern was spot on."

'I knew it? Federation folks are surprisingly sloppy in unexpected ways.'

Especially when it comes to their own lives—they're far too indifferent.

From their perspective, even if they died from free-falling here, they'd probably just say it's no problem since they could revive in the Central Star Cluster almost instantly. Then they'd request the next Terapolapaneshio and return. Probably with gear to reduce the danger during the fall.

Emotion also couldn't get used to that kind of mindset and culture among Federation citizens. She hoped Kait wouldn't adopt such thinking either.

'For now, I've prepared a platform that the two of them can ride. Sorry, but Emotion, can you tow it?'

"Understood."

Just as Emotion expected, the platform that appeared was composed of six Worker Bees. Two formed the floor, and four formed the walls. As long as Kait's psychic power was active, they wouldn't separate.

Emotion extended her manipulators to grip the floor portion, and Terapolapaneshio, who had followed behind, gently touched the wall portion.

'We'll handle maintaining the platform. Emotion, Fifth-Rank Citizen, please proceed underground as you are.'

"Thank you."

If they were going to maintain it, it would've been nice if Terapolapaneshio just carried them too.

That kind of subtle lack of consideration was typical of the Space jellyfish. Without voicing any complaints, Emotion began her descent toward the underground.

"This... would've been dangerous if we had just tried to slide down ourselves."

"Yes. I believe this slimy fluid likely functions to reduce friction. Judging from the angle, it seems we would have fallen almost freely straight to the underground."

"......We'd have died."

"Well, if it's just trees falling, no one would complain. Perhaps it's a mechanism designed to efficiently dispose of any organisms inside the trees."

"I see."

And also to finish off any beasts that hadn't died inside the giant beast.

Inside the giant beast destroyed by Kait was a mechanism to pass logs through its tail. Any beasts swallowed during that process would likely be disposed of, but it wouldn't be surprising for creatures like Winged Snakes or small animals to slip through.

Normally, one would be exposed to both the mass of falling logs and the slippery walls. There was a strong sense of intent to eliminate all beasts before reaching the underground. Even if something was inside the wood, crashing into the underground at near free-fall speed wouldn't leave it unscathed.

"What do you suppose they plan to do with all those trees?"

"Rutimi De, Fourth-Rank Citizen (Darda Elra). Could the Smallfolk digest trees as food?"

The simplest use that came to mind was lumber. Next would be as food.

If considered as food, the possibility of tree-eating couldn't be ruled out. That is, if they could digest it.

"I'm not sure. We lived in the Guardian Tree... We regularly ate nuts, though."

Since Rutimi De tilted her head, no conclusion could be drawn. The judgment would be deferred.

Come to think of it, it's only natural—normally, creatures don't try to eat their own homes when surrounded by predators.

As for Adie Ze, he was born in the Federation. Even if his modified body could digest trees, that wouldn't serve as a reference for the underground Smallfolk's biology.

"Still, it's deeper than I expected."

They were descending slowly to be prepared for anything, but the bottom was still out of sight.

Just how had the underground Smallfolk evolved to adapt to life below? Emotion, though not as much as Kait, found herself growing curious.