novelraw Chapter 213
Chapter 213
Chapter 213
The building called the palace was, in essence, just a residential area with one extra floor.
The interior might be different, but at least to Emotion, the only visible difference was the height.
She figured it couldn't be helped. After all, they constantly migrated underground. Making the palace significantly different from the other buildings would be inefficient.
The underground Smallfolk must be a race that thoroughly pursues efficiency.
"Kadiri Ki. What should we do from here?"
"You all will be granted an audience with our king, Zelekia La."
"Zelekia La..."
That was the individual who currently led the underground Smallfolk.
First, the group had to explain that they had destroyed the giant beast and that they were prepared to repair it. Whether or not they should apologize was tricky. From a formal standpoint, Kait had rescued the surface Smallfolk who had been attacked by the giant beast.
Even if the surface Smallfolk were descendants of those banished from underground, the underground Smallfolk had no right to endanger their lives. If they claimed they couldn't detect them and it was an accident, then they could simply say it was a humanitarian rescue.
As a compromise, they would say it was an unfortunate encounter for both sides and settle the matter with the repair of the giant beast. That's the direction Emotion and the others had agreed on before descending.
The next issue was how the surface-dwelling Smallfolk would be treated. It would be best if the underground Smallfolk simply said they had no connection to them.
"His Majesty is a gentle person. You need not worry about formalities."
"Understood."
"However... no, perhaps it's better if you judge for yourselves."
In the middle of the explanation, Kadiri Ki faltered. It likely meant someone ahead cared about etiquette. Or perhaps they refused to believe the treetop Smallfolk had appeared. That was understandable. For those who had lived their entire lives underground, it would be hard to believe someone came from a dangerous place like the Prison of Heaven.
The issue was how to make them believe. Perhaps either she or Terapolapaneshio would have to make them understand that they were intelligent beings previously unknown to the underground.
Then, the usually quiet Terapolapaneshio suddenly spoke.
'Emotion, Fifth-Rank Citizen (Alto Romia)'
"Yes?"
'On the surface, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif), is being attacked by an unknown entity. It doesn't seem very biological, so it might have been sent from underground.'
"I see."
So Kait's concern had been valid. From the way she said it, it seemed the lives of the rescued surface Smallfolk weren't in danger. Knowing Kait, who disliked complications, he might've quickly sent them into the Queen Bee.
"So, we need to request a ceasefire?"
'Yes. Before Third-Rank Citizen Kait's patience runs out.'
"That shouldn't be a problem."
As for Terapolapaneshio's concern, to be honest, Emotion wasn't too worried.
"The surface Smallfolk are safe, yes?"
'Yes. They are aboard your Di-Kigaia Zarmos along with our main body.'
"I thought so. The Captain is someone who can handle things alone. If it came down to it, he'd just get on the Queen Bee and put some distance between them."
'...I see.'
Kait generally didn't misjudge priorities. He had a bad habit of chasing romance, but when it came to truly important decisions, he didn't make mistakes. Emotion had complete trust in him on that point—though she'd never say it to his face.
***
The interior of the palace was simpler than expected. The first floor was spacious but lacked any special decorations. There was only a grand chair at the far end.
"Ah, Kadiri Ki. It's rare to see you at this hour."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The person sitting in the chair didn't have particularly distinctive features. He had a reasonably well-formed face, but that was it. He wouldn't stand out among other underground Smallfolk. The luxurious chair didn't suit him; he exuded a surprisingly down-to-earth aura.
With a gentle smile, Zelekia La spoke to the kneeling Kadiri Ki.
"No need for greetings. Could you introduce your friends?"
"Yes. These are guests from the Prison of Heaven. I've heard they are Smallfolk who reside atop the Jumoku."
"...What did you say?"
Zelekia La looked surprised. He stared at Rutimi De and Adie Ze's faces and tilted his head.
"Indeed, I don't recognize those faces. Whether or not they lived atop the Jumoku, it's clear they weren't born here."
That surprised Emotion as well. Did Zelekia La really remember the faces of all underground Smallfolk? She didn't know how many lived underground, but if so, that was an extraordinary memory. In any case, if he believed them, things would go smoothly.
"So, how did you get here? The Heavenly Path connecting to the Prison of Heaven shouldn't be open yet."
"Pleased to meet you, Your Majesty. I am Rutimi De of the treetop Smallfolk. We came here after destroying the giant beast you sent to the surface—what you call the Prison of Heaven."
Zelekia La didn't seem particularly impressed by Rutimi De's representative greeting. He probably didn't understand what she meant by giant beast.
"Your Majesty. I believe what they call the giant beast refers to Bassalem."
"What, Bassalem!? You destroyed that thing?"
"Yes. The giant beast's tail was connected to the underground, so we descended from there."
"Wow... That's a reckless thing to do. You used the Jumoku's passage, didn't you? I'm amazed you survived."
It was a trap that violently dropped the tree down, slamming everything inside into the underground. Normally, anyone falling like that would die instantly without leaving a trace. That applied even to Federation citizens who had undergone body modification.
Zelekia La didn't ask for details about the method, so the topic didn't go any further.
"Still, I see. You destroyed Bassalem... That's troubling. We won't be able to procure another Jumoku."
"Yes. That's why we'd like to repair the giant beast—Bassalem—using our technology."
"Oh? Is that alright? If you destroyed it, doesn't that mean it attacked you?"
"Yes. Though rather than us, it attacked the Smallfolk living on the surface."
She used the word "surface," but Zelekia La didn't question it. He probably understood it as the place they called the Prison of Heaven.
Instead of focusing on the word "surface," Zelekia La seemed more interested in the meaning of Rutimi De's explanation.
"Smallfolk? Not you?"
"Yes. They claimed to be descendants of those banished from here."
"What...? Descendants of those exiled to the Prison of Heaven?"
Rutimi De turned to Emotion. Emotion gave a brief apology and then shined a light on the wall. Zelekia La was so surprised he nearly jumped.
"What is this!? Weren't you a tribute to us!?"
I see, if you didn't know, it would look that way.
Ignoring those words, Emotion projected the recorded footage.
"W-What is that image!? Could it be... a scene from the Prison of Heaven!?"
Zelekia La and Kadiri Ki stared intently at the image. It showed the surface Smallfolk, including Borno-kki. Kait was not visible.
After carefully observing each individual, Zelekia La looked away and slowly shook his head.
"Indeed, I don't recognize their faces or clothing... Are they truly—"
"Yes. The one in the center is their representative, Borno-kki."
"I see... So Duke Darva Ni wasn't wrong after all."
Zelekia La exhaled deeply, moved.
That was an unexpected statement. Wasn't Darva Ni supposed to be a problematic figure for the Imperial household?
Just as Emotion was about to inquire further, she turned off the light.
"Hey, what's going on!? His Majesty wasn't scheduled for an audience today!"
From the entrance, a strangely shrill and overbearing voice echoed.