novelraw Chapter 214
Chapter 214
Chapter 214
The one who appeared was a Smallfolk dressed even more flamboyantly than Emperor Zelekia La.
Both Kadiri Ki and Zelekia La immediately wore bitter expressions. It was clear that this visitor was not welcome here.
Perhaps because no one offered an explanation, the unknown Smallfolk stomped the ground angrily.
"Kadiri Ki! What the hell are you thinking!?"
"Do I owe you an explanation, Zalt Va? You're nothing more than a prophet. What right do you have to interfere with guests of His Majesty?"
"Don't be ridiculous! I am responsible for His Majesty's safety!"
'That's a lie.'
Terapolapaneshio muttered quietly—likely only Emotion, Rutimi De, and Adie Ze heard it.
In other words, the Smallfolk called Zalt Va wasn't raising objections out of genuine concern for Zelekia La's safety.
Kadiri Ki seemed to understand that too, and scoffed at Zalt Va's words.
"Then perhaps you should have prophesied it. These individuals are here as honored guests of His Majesty."
"...Prophecy isn't all-powerful. You, on the other hand, have ties to those 'Liberators of Darva Ni.' How can you prove these people aren't among them?"
"Then investigate. They aren't citizens of our country."
"What?"
"These two came down from the Prison of Heaven. They are kin who dwell in Jumoku. No matter what you say, they have the right to stand before His Majesty."
This time, it was Zalt Va who scoffed.
After giving a disdainful glance not only at Kadiri Ki but also at the others, he shook his head wearily.
"I wondered what nonsense you'd spout. The kin who dwell in Jumoku are extinct. That was foretold in prophecy."
"Then the prophecy must have been wrong. If you doubt it, produce evidence that these two are citizens of our country."
"There's no need to prove anything. If those two truly are kin from Jumoku, how did they get here when the Heavenly Path isn't open?"
As the two argued, Emotion watched with curiosity.
Zalt Va seemed quite certain that the arboreal Smallfolk were extinct. If we're talking only within Ramadite, there is indeed a record of their disappearance. That's because they migrated to the Federation.
Knowing how he came to that knowledge might shed light on the basis of Zalt Va's prophecy.
"You know about it, don't you? That Bassalem was destroyed mid-operation?"
"...How do you know that?"
"Because they destroyed Bassalem. They descended to this country through the path that drops Jumoku from the Prison of Heaven."
"Destroyed Bassalem? These people? That's incredible! They destroyed Bassalem, the one that scatters all beasts in the Prison of Heaven?"
It was understandable that he couldn't believe it. For someone the size of a Smallfolk, destroying that giant beast was beyond absurd.
But the actual perpetrator wasn't here. Since the conversation was going nowhere, Emotion interjected.
"Pardon me. We weren't the ones who destroyed Bassalem. It was my master, who's waiting in what you call the Prison of Heaven."
"Th-The Sphere is talking!?"
That's where he starts? No, if you think about it, it's stranger that Kadiri Ki and Emperor Zelekia La didn't react to the unfamiliar Emotion.
Even if she explained in detail, they probably wouldn't understand, so she decided to skip the explanation and move on.
"He's much larger than all of you, so he didn't come down. It seems he's being attacked by something unfamiliar—did you send it?"
"Oh? So Dandariol is attacking your companion. Hard to believe, but if you truly came from the Prison of Heaven, it might be true."
As expected. Somehow, Zalt Va had a way to observe the surface. His willingness to believe they came from the surface after hearing Emotion's words confirmed it.
"So, what exactly is your business here?"
"We came to discuss the repair of Bassalem. Also, if possible, to learn about the lost history of our kin on the surface."
"Hmm? Repairing Bassalem will certainly be troublesome. Do you intend to take responsibility for the damages we suffered in the meantime?"
Rutimi De took over the conversation. Perhaps seeing her as an easier target, Zalt Va grinned and pressed the issue of responsibility.
"No. The repair won't take much effort. We destroyed Bassalem to protect those living on the surface."
"You claim to be kin who live in the Prison of Heaven?"
"Yes. They claimed to be descendants of those exiled from this country."
Zalt Va wasn't surprised. He ignored the part about the repair being easy. Maybe he thought it impossible, or perhaps he prioritized the surface Smallfolk.
"You destroyed Bassalem for the sake of exiled kin? Their lives aren't worth as much as Bassalem."
"Let's be clear. Not the exiles themselves, but their descendants. They are not citizens of this country."
"Whether exiles or their descendants, the fact remains—they are not of this country. And being exiled, their lives hold no value."
What an outrageous argument. Maybe the exiled Smallfolk had committed some crime against the underground, but those born on the surface bore no responsibility for their ancestors' sins.
At the very least, if Zalt Va's thinking reflects the general values of the underground, the Federation has no need to form friendly relations with them.
Rutimi De seemed to share that sentiment and spoke in a flat tone.
"I see. Then regarding those on the surface, you claim no involvement, correct?"
"Exactly. Now, what do you plan to do about the repair of Bassalem?"
Without confirming with Emperor Zelekia La, Zalt Va declared it boldly. Neither Kadiri Ki nor Zelekia La objected, only wore bitter expressions in silence.
It seemed Zalt Va already held real power in the underground. That would explain why Zelekia La wore plain clothes while Zalt Va dressed so flamboyantly.
In any case, they had secured the minimum verbal agreement. The underground Smallfolk would not interfere with the surface Smallfolk. And the Federation felt no need to form friendly ties with the underground Smallfolk.
"Wait a minute. Aren't you the descendants of the exiled kin, not the ones who live atop Jumoku? Claiming the name of extinct kin is clever, but I won't be fooled."
'That's a lie.'
This time, Terapolapaneshio said it loud enough for everyone to hear.
'You already understand that we are who we say we are. You're just picking a fight to extract terms that benefit you.'
"What... What are you!?"
A talking Sphere, followed by a talking translucent creature. Perhaps their vision, adapted to the dim underground, couldn't clearly make out Terapolapaneshio.
Emotion gave Terapolapaneshio a gentle light.
"This is Terapolapaneshio. It can read minds."
"H-Haha... Don't be absurd."
'It's the truth. You're Zalt Va, right? You never cared about Emperor Zelekia La's safety. You just don't want your gentle master, from whom you stole power, to be influenced.'
"Don't mock me! Are you calling my loyalty a lie!?"
Well, at this point, all he could do was feign outrage. He'd never admit it in front of everyone.
"Then why not reveal one of the things he's hiding? That should prove the truth."
"I-I'm not hiding anything!"
'Hmm? It seems your ancestors unearthed machines buried underground and made that place their home. So that's how this country was founded.'
"Oh? That's a fascinating story."
'I see. So both Bassalem and Dandariol were created using blueprints found there. And you prophets are hiding machines that can observe both the surface and the underground.'
Zalt Va took a step back. It was probably unconscious, but his expression and behavior were the clearest proof that Terapolapaneshio's words were true.