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

Chapter 217

Chapter 217

"I win."

Emotion said, sounding somewhat proud, to the three Smallfolk from the underground who were staring blankly at the footage.

Rutimi De sighed.

"Emotion, Fifth-Rank Citizen (Alto Romia). Isn't that a bit tasteless?"

"I believe it was an extremely moderate response to someone who insulted the Captain."

"......Terapolapaneshio."

'It was more than moderate. In fact, the fact that you didn't leave it to us shows great mercy.'

"I-I see..."

She was probably hoping someone would scold Emotion, but when it comes to matters involving Earth jellyfish and Kait, Terapolapaneshio tends to become extremely radical.

If they had left it to Terapolapaneshio here, it could have ended with the Smallfolk being wiped out from Ramadite. Kait surely wouldn't have wanted that, which is why Emotion took the initiative.

Having received that explanation, Rutimi De let out an even deeper sigh than before.

"Perhaps I chose the wrong person for the job......"

Emotion felt the same. As long as Earth jellyfish and Kait were involved, Terapolapaneshio was like a floating powder keg. Worse, for some reason, she had the bad habit of wanting to be close to Kait.

Normally, Kait was nearby as both the object of her obsession and a stopper, so it didn't surface. But when separated like now, the number of ways to stop her dropped drastically.

Even Emotion couldn't think of any other option but to act faster than Terapolapaneshio and settle things herself.

"Uh, but you really were angry, right?"

"Of course. I feel nothing but anger toward those who insulted the Captain."

However, Emotion was not as extreme as Terapolapaneshio. Her anger was solely directed at the three who mocked Kait, not at the entire Smallfolk.

"From my perspective, there's not much difference between the two."

"That's unfortunate."

***

Now then. Since both Emperor Zelekia La and Kadiri Ki seemed to have regained their composure, she spoke once again.

"So, shall we agree that I've won?"

"......Yes. Unfortunately, we concede."

As expected, Emperor Zelekia La was gracious. He honestly acknowledged their defeat and bowed his head. Taking it as an apology for mocking Kait, she decided to let it go without pushing further.

Now then, on to the demands.

"Now, as for my demands to all of you......"

"Very well. If it is within our power, we promise to fulfill anything."

"Good. Then, Zalt Va, please hand over the Sacred Tools in your possession."

"What?"

Apparently not expecting the focus to turn to him, Zalt Va was taken aback.

"Isn't it natural? We want to see it too. The legacy of the civilization that once existed here. Are there any other functioning Sacred Tools?"

"No. If there were, my influence wouldn't have declined this much."

"There you have it. Hurry up and bring it."

"D-Don't be ridiculous! The agreement was between His Majesty and you! Why should I have to comply!?"

"The Sacred Tools aren't your personal property. They should be shared national assets. You and your ancestors were merely occupying them unjustly. Am I wrong?"

"No! I don't care! Don't drag me into something you all did on your own!"

Zalt Va hurled insults at Emotion, refusing to accept her words.

Before Emperor Zelekia La could act, Kadiri Ki moved. He grabbed Zalt Va by the back and lifted him overhead.

"W-What are you doing, Kadiri Ki!?"

"You're disgraceful, Zalt Va. For the crime of your family secretly hoarding the Sacred Tools, we could exile your entire lineage."

"Damn it, let go!"

Zalt Va struggled stubbornly, but Kadiri Ki remained unfazed.

Still holding Zalt Va, he turned to Emperor Zelekia La and bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty, I will inspect Zalt Va's private quarters on your behalf."

"Please do."

"Then I'll help. It's too much for one person, right?"

Then, Adie Ze, who had been quietly standing by, volunteered to accompany him. Thanks to body modification, the tree-dwelling Smallfolk had far superior physical abilities compared to the underground Smallfolk, despite their similar appearance.

Even if Zalt Va's private soldiers tried to interfere, Kadiri Ki would be safe with Adie Ze present.

More than anyone, Kadiri Ki—who had been effortlessly restrained during their first encounter—appreciated the offer. Still holding Zalt Va, he exited the audience chamber.

Zalt Va's scream-like cries echoed for some time afterward.

***

When Kadiri Ki and Adie Ze returned, they had brought quite a crowd.

Kadiri Ki was still holding Zalt Va overhead with his upper hands, and in his lower hands, he carried a large Sphere. It was likely the Sacred Tools that Zalt Va's family had been hiding.

Meanwhile, Adie Ze held a rope he had somehow acquired. At the other end were over ten Smallfolk, all with their four arms bound, being led along.

"W-What's going on, Adie Ze? Who are those people......"

"They were the ones trying to attack Mr. Kadiri Ki, Elder. Leaving them there would have caused trouble, so I neutralized them for now."

Rutimi De held her head. It was more forceful than she expected.

But Emperor Zelekia La burst into laughter, clearly amused.

"Well now, the surface dwellers are truly something else."

"Your Majesty. We brought it. This is the Sacred Tools Zalt Va was hiding."

The Sphere Kadiri Ki held was about twice the size of Emotion's own spherical body. Placed side by side, they might be seen as similar, but she didn't want them to be lumped together.

With a thud, the Sacred Tools was placed right in front of Emperor Zelekia La. As he looked at it, his gaze turned to Emotion. If he dared say they looked alike, she'd sew his mouth shut.

"Then, I'll give this to you."

"Ah, no. I don't particularly want it."

"?"

"I just want to examine it a little."

With that, she declined and began scanning the interior of the Sacred Tools.

Within Emotion's knowledge, she couldn't find any elements of Federation technology in its internal structure.

Some parts were crudely made, likely due to Zalt Va's family's poor repair skills. That detail didn't matter, so she proceeded to activate the Sacred Tools externally.

"Hmm. ......This seems to be a device for mapping the surrounding terrain. In other words, they used it to avoid dangerous areas."

A faint map-like image appeared on the Sphere's surface. The poor visibility was probably due to their inadequate repair skills.

Even so. Emotion finally realized why Zalt Va had been so adamant about not surrendering the Sacred Tools.

"Zalt Va, may I ask you something? Which part of this device displays the information on which Smallfolk should be exiled?"

"T-That is..."

This device was only meant for mapping the surrounding terrain. It didn't appear to have any function useful for prophecy.

In other words, many of the decisions made by Zalt Va's family as prophets to control the underground Smallfolk were based not on prophecy, but on their own convenience.

"Kadiri Ki, didn't you say your family was exiled based on a prophecy?"

"Yeah. What about it?"

"This Sacred Tools has no function to make such a selection."

"......What?"

"They pretended prophecies existed, but in reality, they just told you convenient lies to suit their own agenda."

Zalt Va didn't deny Emotion's theory. He only let out a strained, strange groan.

The reason was that Kadiri Ki, his face bright red, was squeezing Zalt Va's side tightly.

"Calm down. We still need to investigate what kind of prophecies they fabricated, don't we?"