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

Chapter 263

Chapter 263

High above the desert. From far above, where the night wind kicked up clouds of sand, Kait looked down upon the massive machine striding across the sands as if it owned the place.

Since Emotion wasn't with him this time, he didn't expect to find a clear answer to what was causing the sense of wrongness. For now, he would just get a basic look at things to save time and effort during a full investigation later.

Popping the last piece of dried fruit from his left hand into his mouth, he began his descent toward the machine.

"Quite flavorful. A bit too tangy, though."

Asban's cooking skills were indeed reliable. If he could get his hands on some Dangaresion, it might be worth trying it with this planet's cooking methods.

He approached from above, but the machine showed no particular reaction to his presence. He didn't think it was unaware of him. In the worst case, he had braced himself for a barrage from built-in weaponry.

"Well, that's a bit anticlimactic."

He landed softly on the topmost part of the massive machine. It shook less than he expected. Apparently, the vertical movement during transit didn't reach all the way up. Kait tilted his head at the imbalance between the high level of technology and the steam being vented.

That lingering discomfort he'd always felt in the back of his mind—watching the machine, it slowly began to take shape.

He looked up at the sky. The night had only just begun. He didn't have time to inspect everything, but maybe he could at least check out the interior a bit.

"......Still, are they really not wary of an approach from above?"

Walking across the top, he searched for a place that might serve as an entrance.

When he had looked from the air, he'd seen multiple objects on the wall that looked like gun barrels. But the topmost surface where Kait now walked was almost entirely flat, with no facilities aimed at attacking from above.

"Are they assuming allies will be present in the air...?"

Like the Queen Bee, for example.

This might be a mobile fortress designed to sweep away enemies on the surface, meant to be operated in tandem with airborne units of the same type.

He imagined a mechanism where similar machines flew overhead and connected with the top and bottom sections. But Kait shook his head—surely that was too far-fetched.

"Merging and separating with something this huge? Yeah, that's a bit much."

To achieve such super technology would be impossible with this planet's current level. It would require technology on par with the Federation. He shook his head—but even so, Kait couldn't completely dismiss the idea as absurd and came to a stop.

No. If he were to say that, then this machine itself already clearly exceeded the technological level of this planet. Yes, in that sense, the planet Mardila had always been a bit off from the beginning.

The reason Talvani was so obsessed, and the reason the townspeople avoided it. Kait felt that reason must also lie deeper within, and he let out a sigh.

"This is bad. No matter how I look at it, this is going to be a big deal."

***

Beaten to a pulp by Gada and the other rough residents, the Talvani—Cozon—staggered back to the settlement on the outskirts of town. This settlement, where Talvani who lived in the city gathered together, was managed by old man Godron, a town elder and supporter of the Talvani.

"M-Mr. Cozon!?"

Cozon was one of the oldest Talvani in the city. Even among the townspeople, he was regarded as a Talvani leader.

"W-Where is Damsirea?"

"Y-You're seriously hurt! First, we need to treat you—"

"No time for that. Damsirea—"

The Talvani who caught Cozon's body hesitated momentarily, but supported the delirious Cozon and began walking deeper into the settlement.

***

From the topmost level, there didn't appear to be any route leading inside.

If Emotion were here, she would've found it smartly, no doubt—but Kait was alone. He gave up on being smart and decided it was time for psychic power.

"Alright then."

Tapping the ground with his foot, he considered how to break in.

Peeling open the topmost layer would be the quickest, but the real investigation was scheduled for next time with Emotion. If someone's will was behind this machine's operation, he didn't want to break in by force.

"In that case, I guess this is the way to go."

A short-range teleportation to instantly descend to the lower level.

"Whew, thank goodness. Glad I didn't end up inside a wall."

The next moment, Kait appeared in a place where mechanical parts pulsed. Just as he thought, there was a fairly large cavity, which was a relief. If he'd ended up inside a wall, he would've had to break it to get out.

But the moment Kait took a step forward, the color of the interior lighting changed.

It didn't feel like a welcome. From a distance, clattering sounds hurriedly approached.

"A bit too hostile to call it a warm welcome."

It seemed Kait had officially been designated as an intruder to be eliminated. Since he had indeed trespassed, he had no excuse.

"I'd prefer to keep things peaceful, if possible. Anyone willing to talk?"

No response. The presence sneaking up behind him launched an attack without warning.

"Can't be helped. I'll just have to procure Emotion's souvenir locally."

Blocking the attack with a barrier, Kait spun around and unleashed a full-power sweep at his surroundings.

***

"You really got messed up, Cozon."

"Yeah. I sure did."

"We're not young anymore. Try to avoid rough stuff, alright?"

"Can't argue with that."

Carried into Damsirea's room, Cozon leaned back in the prepared chair as he received treatment.

The fact that the Talvani were disliked by the city's older residents wasn't new. The only reason it hadn't escalated into a full-blown purge was because of old man Godron's influence.

The Talvani who investigated the massive object in the desert were the true Talvani. Those who used the name Talvani for bandit-like activities were false Talvani. Among the Talvani, the distinction was clear. The ones living in this town were all true Talvani, gathered with genuine passion to investigate that massive object.

That's exactly why the current lack of understanding was so frustrating, and why they were growing weary of the slow progress in their research.

"So, is that information reliable?"

"Yeah. I saw it with my own eyes. That Pautri flew through the sky without any tools. The direction she flew off in was that desert. No doubt about it."

"I see... To think it actually existed."

"The ancient, great people. I believe she's the rightful heir to that giant thing."

Damsirea let out a long sigh.

It wasn't that she didn't believe Cozon—she just seemed troubled by something.

"You don't believe me, Dam?"

"No, that's not it. If she really is one of the ancient, great people, will she come back here again? If she's already left, then haven't we lost our greatest opportunity?"

So that's what it was. Cozon forgot his pain and grinned.

"It's fine. She probably left something behind at the inn. When I sent Asban to her room, we heard a voice from inside—no idea what kind of trick it was, but it must've been ancient technology. She'll definitely come back at least once."

"I see. So your injuries weren't for nothing. Impressive, as always."

Damsirea gave a firm nod and smiled back at Cozon.

"Alright. I'll place people around Asban's inn. We'll have them notify us if Pautri returns. You just focus on healing."

"I'm counting on you... for tomorrow's harvest."

"Yeah. For tomorrow's harvest."

Having said all he needed to, Cozon exhaled deeply and let his fatigue and pain take his consciousness.

'Gently carry him to bed,' Damsirea's gentle words seemed to reach him through his fading awareness.