novelraw Chapter 258
Chapter 258
Chapter 258
The first thing Kait found strange was that the appearance of the large machine roaming the desert seemed to have occurred only after it had clearly slipped out of the Federation's observation. According to the Federation's investigation records that Emotion had examined, there had been no construction of such a massive machine during the period between observing Mardila's civilization and their departure.
And from what the Federation had observed, Mardila's civilization seemed to center its development around steam engines. The differences from the steam engines that once developed on Earth were a point of interest, but that wasn't the main topic this time.
The large machine clearly appeared to operate on a mechanism resembling a steam engine. That machine, which had appeared after the civilization on the planet had come to an end, could at least be considered to have originated based on Mardila's civilization.
"The problem is, what is it doing?"
'The purpose of running around the desert, you mean?'
"Yeah. Whether it's for environmental restoration or searching for something. Either way, the fact that something like that could be created means they must possess considerable technology."
'True. As far as we can observe, the standard of living across Mardila is largely the same as this city. Clearly, only those machines stand out as distinctly abnormal.'
"So that means those machines aren't providing any benefit to the residents of Mardila."
'Right. We'll probably need to observe a bit longer to determine their purpose.'
"We can't rule out the possibility that, like us, they came from space, right?"
'That too, yes.'
Kait nodded at Emotion's words.
That Mardila had been abandoned by the Federation as a declining planet would be immediately clear to anyone familiar with the Federation's internal affairs. And so too would the Federation's cold response to such planets. Rescuing a dying planet is not a course of action the Federation takes. It may seem heartless, but it is also a form of reflection on past mistakes—when unnecessary intervention led to ruin. The regret of the staff aboard the artificial celestial body as they depart from a dying planet likely never makes it into the official reports.
Now then, the matter at hand is the purpose of those machines. These large, precise machines seem to have extracted the planet's technology and refined it to match standards far beyond the current generation. At first, Kait thought it might be to conceal something from the Federation, but if they knew the Federation, they would also know there's no point in doing that.
"If they came from outside the planet, wouldn't it be easier to just use their own technology?"
'Maybe their goal is to hide their origin in case the Federation discovers them, like this time? After all, this planet is technically within the Federation's sphere of influence.'
"That makes sense. But then, what purpose would they have for coming to this planet?"
The Federation hardly even pays attention to intelligent lifeforms that still live on declining planets. They didn't even attempt to help the residents of long-dead planets, even when they were abducted by the Divin people.
Could it be that even the Federation couldn't overlook whatever is happening here?
At the very least, it didn't seem like they were trying to abduct the residents of Mardila.
"Could there be something rare in the planet's composition?"
'Unlikely, but not impossible.'
"Yeah. That possibility seems thin too."
It's obvious, but the universe is vast. Searching for rare materials buried specifically in Mardila seems unrealistic.
Especially if it means risking attention from the Federation.
"Whether it's for invasion or colonization, choosing Mardila is inefficient."
One of the things Kait felt strongly after venturing into space was the sheer distance between stars and how meaningless invasion becomes as a result. If you have the scientific capability to reach another star, it's clearly more efficient to terraform a nearby planet. That is, unless the star is nearing the end of its life.
'So not all of Earth's old stories were prophetic, huh?'
"Well, yeah."
The case of Lufate Gainun was just an exception. Normally, coincidences like that don't happen. The story gained traction because of how uncanny the resemblance was, but the fact that a fair number of people within the Federation actually believed it was one of the things that troubled Kait.
"I've had enough of coincidences—like how space jellyfish and Earth jellyfish look alike."
***
At dawn, Kait stepped away from the city wall.
He adjusted his cloak, making sure not even a glimpse of his clothes showed. Emotion and the bag were carefully hidden within the cloak.
"Sorry about this, Emotion."
'Not at all. It's better than being touched out of curiosity by the locals.'
Creak—the gate opened with a sound.
A large Mardilan, apparently in charge of opening the gate, looked at him in surprise. His face resembled a bear from Earth. Depending on how you looked at him, he could also be seen as vaguely resembling Ritimiele, but the shape of his face was completely different.
Still, the man's appearance wasn't important right now. Kait waited slightly tense for him to speak.
"A traveler, huh? You spent the night outside? That's pretty reckless."
"Not really. This area seems safe enough. I was able to rest easy."
"True. That big thing's out in the desert. Unless you're a Talvani, no one would dare come near here."
He breathed a small sigh of relief. It seemed the language data Emotion had gathered was working just fine.
That said, there were still words he didn't understand. He couldn't afford to let his guard down.
"So, are you a Talvani too?"
"No, I'm not. Just an ordinary traveler."
"Is that so? I thought only those reckless Talvani, trying to board that big thing, would come all the way out here."
"......The city I lived in got swallowed by the desert."
Apparently, "Talvani" referred to people trying to get involved with the machines. Kait sensed the man didn't have a good impression of them, so he shared the backstory he had prepared.
A citizen driven from his home by the expanding desert. Perhaps realizing he'd touched on something sensitive, the bear-faced man shifted his gaze away.
"That was rude of me. I'm sorry. ......Was it because of the big thing?"
"Probably. We left the city early, so I don't know what's become of it now."
"That was a bold move. But I think it was the right one. So, where are your companions?"
"Scattered. No place had the capacity to take in a large group, right? We agreed not to resent each other whether we lived or died, and went our separate ways."
"I see. You're good people. ......I'm Garmaph. And you?"
"I'm Kait. Nice to meet you, Garmaph."
The bear-faced man stared behind Kait, as if confirming he wasn't traveling with anyone. It was clear he had suspected Kait and only introduced himself after confirming there were no lies.
As a gatekeeper, that was the correct response. If Kait had brought companions, it wouldn't have been strange to assume they came to take the city. The planet wasn't on the brink of collapse just yet, but its vitality was steadily declining. Even on Earth, there had been cases where displaced people became rioters or bandits.
"Kait, are you planning to live in this city?"
"I kind of want to, but for now, I think I'll keep traveling."
"Is that so?"
"Outsiders aren't exactly welcomed, right? Especially when resources are scarce."
"That's true... Well, if it turns out to be a comfortable place, give it some thought."
"Of course. Thanks, Garmaph."
Garmaph, the bear-faced man, let out a soft chuckle. It was a surprisingly charming laugh. The emotion behind it wasn't unpleasant either.
It was a promising first encounter. Garmaph apologized, saying he couldn't leave his post as a gatekeeper, but Kait told him not to worry and passed through the gate.
First, he needed to secure a base of operations in the city. As he quietly surveyed the streets, Kait headed toward the inn Garmaph had recommended.