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

Chapter 223

Chapter 223

Artificial celestial body Ramadia.

This artificial celestial body, which appeared in Ramadite carrying several Smallfolk, was apparently one of the artificial celestial bodies prepared for the relocation of Planet Ragav.

It had been kept in reserve in case other artificial celestial bodies malfunctioned or if more were needed than initially predicted, but in the end, it was stored away unused. Now, with the circumstances of Ramadite coming to light, it was repurposed.

"I am Pasinesi O, the representative of Ramadia. My rank is Sixth-Rank Citizen (Ab Rag)! Pleased to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Pasinesi O."

The representative was also a Smallfolk. Being a Sixth-Rank Citizen meant a rather capable individual had been dispatched.

"This artificial celestial body will be permanently staffed not only by me, but by about a hundred Smallfolk. Of those, about twenty percent are planned to be surface Smallfolk who were recently accepted into the Federation."

"Planned, meaning they haven't arrived yet?"

"Yes! It was determined they still have much to learn before joining! Also, unlike in the elders' time, all Smallfolk living on the surface this time were fully accepted. For now, it seems there will be no Smallfolk who should be called surface Smallfolk."

As Kait listened to Pasinesi O's explanation, he thought about the Smallfolk of Ramadite. For the underground Smallfolk, exile to the surface was equivalent to a death sentence. Given the recent political upheaval, Emotion had guessed that a fair number would be sent to the surface. The first standard would be whether or not to recognize them as surface Smallfolk.

Emotion listened silently without raising any objections. Perhaps she agreed with the criteria already set, or maybe she had another reason.

"Thank you for your support regarding our kin. Now, about the distinction between surface and underground Smallfolk—"

"Yes. I've been asked to provide advice on how to draw the line based on the information I've gathered about the underground Smallfolk."

"How did the underground kin appear to you, Emotion, Fifth-Rank Citizen (Alto Romia)?"

"Well... I think their view of the world is quite limited."

Kait understood what Emotion meant.

For the underground Smallfolk, the underground where they lived was their entire world. The surface, which they called the 'Prison of Heaven', was like another world to them. That was probably why exile existed at all.

Kait's standard was that those who didn't know the surface were underground Smallfolk, and those who didn't know the underground were surface Smallfolk. He believed that Smallfolk who had lived on the surface for more than a generation without returning to the underground could rightly be called surface Smallfolk.

It was a harsh standard for Smallfolk who might suffer beast attacks during that time, but it was at least easy to understand.

"The ancestors of Borno-kki and the others risked their lives to adapt to the surface. I think it's best to consider Smallfolk who have adapted to the surface and no longer compare it to underground life as surface Smallfolk."

"I see. That's helpful."

As expected, Emotion's standard wasn't so different from Kait's.

Pasinesi O didn't seem to have any objections either. He nodded, as if to say that was a realistic compromise.

But that wasn't the end of it. "One last confirmation," said Pasinesi O, presenting a hypothetical that was hard to judge.

"What if the underground Smallfolk began expanding their living areas on the surface as a policy?"

***

In the underground empire, Emperor Zelekia La sat on the throne, holding the only remaining Sacred Tool.

Power had returned to the Imperial household. That he had accomplished this during his reign was his greatest pride.

He had extracted from Zalt Va both the usage and repair methods for the Sacred Tool. If he could master it, the underground Smallfolk would surely achieve even greater prosperity. There were also Bassalem and Dandariol. Eventually, expansion into the Prison of Heaven should be considered. Perhaps not in his own reign, but as a glory for his children or grandchildren.

No good. He couldn't help but smile even when acting normally.

"Heh. This country is bound to get even better. How wonderful."

Neither Emperor Zelekia La nor any of the underground Smallfolk knew the truth.

The cunning Zalt Va had left out just one detail in the Sacred Tool's repair method to preserve a path of survival for himself.

Zalt Va had several miscalculations. One was the treetop Smallfolk who caused his downfall. He never realized they had come not strictly from the surface, but from somewhere else. Another was his mistaken belief that the treetop Smallfolk were using Kait as a beast. He misunderstood and thought "Captain" was the name of a new species of beast. Zalt Va, who had naively tried to confirm the safety of their surface territory, never returned and told no one of what he knew.

As a result, the underground Smallfolk were unknowingly dragged into a game of chicken, uncertain when the Sacred Tool might break again.

"They might even call me the founder of the empire's revival. Heh..."

Emperor Zelekia La would never know.

That generations after his death, the Sacred Tool would break and become irreparable.

And that the underground lifestyle would become impossible, leading to the dissolution of the Imperial household.

***

"If they are moving between the underground and the surface, they should be considered underground Smallfolk. Their mentality remains that of underground Smallfolk, so I don't think they should be recognized as surface Smallfolk."

"I see. The elders and Adie Ze, Fifth-Rank Citizen, shared the same opinion. After all, shouldn't we still view the underground kin as kin..."

With a look of understanding, Pasinesi O bowed to Kait and Emotion.

"Kait, Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif), and Emotion, Fifth-Rank Citizen. Thank you for the valuable information. I plan to organize this standard into a document and seek approval from the Federation Congress."

"Yes. Good luck."

"Yes!"

Kait and Emotion never knew.

That due to the policy established by Emotion and the Ramadite Smallfolk, the Ramadite Smallfolk never again attempted to recruit Smallfolk to the surface.

Because generations later, underground Smallfolk began considering securing living space by moving between the underground and the surface.

Ramadia ultimately became a useless relic, but it continued to observe Ramadite's natural changes for many years thereafter.

***

"Well then, where shall we go next, Emotion?"

'Good question. Let's mull it over while nibbling on some smoked meat.'

"That sounds good."

As always, Kait, Emotion, and Queen Bee were running business as usual.