“Am… am I alive?”
He thought he was dead, crushed.
But somehow, he was still alive. Looking outside, it seemed like some kind of membrane was enveloping the ship.
The steel plates were glowing. Thin green lights connected the plates, struggling to keep the sun’s effects at bay. A barrier, perhaps. Maybe that man didn’t intend to kill him after all.
“Ah… I’m alive.”
Relief. He felt like he’d aged five or ten years as he slumped to the floor.
Everywhere he looked, red, red, red. Alone amidst flames and light.
He touched the instruments. Still no response.
“How do I get out of here? …Can I even get out?”
How long would the barrier hold? Would he starve to death there first, or would the barrier collapse under the pressure? No help was coming. This was the inside of a star.
Then it hit him. Maybe that man planned this from the start. He didn’t know how long the barrier would last. He wanted him to wait for the end, in terror and despair, not knowing when it would come.
“No.”
A voice devoid of intelligence escaped Gilbert’s lips.
“No, help me! I don’t want this, please, someone!”
He thought he saw smoke coming from the steel plates. No, maybe the green light was fading.
He frantically operated the equipment again. He pounded on it with enough force to draw blood, but the alien ship didn’t budge.
“Ah, ahh! No, I’m not burned out yet!”
He clung to the monitor, pleading from the bottom of his heart. Praying to a god whose existence he wasn’t even sure of.
In the midst of it all, one thing was certain: Gilbert-Jane’s life was about to end.
The artificial celestial body Avakia is a counterpart to Zodgia, known as the Absolute Fortress.
The difference is that, unlike Zodgia, Avakia is inhabited only by a mechanical intelligence, allowing for easy modification of its internal environment.
This time, Avakia is being used as a temporary habitat for the newly joined species in the Federation, the Earthlings, until they undergo the necessary physical modifications.
“You will choose the type of physical modifications you’ll receive upon arrival at Avakia. After that, you’ll be moved to the artificial celestial body prepared for your living quarters.”
Several days had passed since the battle with the Divine.
Ritmiele and the others were accepted by the Earthlings faster than expected. After all, those who provide food, clothing, and shelter have a strong influence.
Today, they took the time to carefully explain the upcoming process to the gathered crowd. Some were understandably anxious about leaving Earth. Unlike Damos, who had exaggerated their destination as some kind of paradise, Rebecca, who had taken on a secretary-like role, seemed satisfied.
“Regardless of the modification plan you choose, the first session is free. Subsequent sessions will be charged, so choose carefully.”
While some naturally felt uneasy or resistant to the idea of physical modification, the reasons for it as a necessity for living as Federation citizens were thoroughly explained. Gradually, the objections and resentment subsided, and most decided to immigrate to the Federation.
“Normally, your citizenship would start at the 13th rank, but thanks to the offer of Kaito, of 3rd-rank citizen Enek-Ragif, you’ll be granted 10th-rank citizenship. Please understand that 7th-rank citizenship or higher is required to reside on natural celestial bodies like Earth.”
The crowd murmured in awe, and their gazes turned to Kaito. For some reason, Rebecca looked proud, but she didn’t interject.
According to Emotion, even 13th-rank citizenship offers a fairly high standard of living. With 10th rank, a lifestyle akin to Earth’s wealthy is possible.
“…What will happen to Earth?”
A lonely voice spoke up.
It was an elderly man. Even though he understood logically, leaving Earth was painful. That sentiment was shared by many. A somber air filled the room.
[Don’t worry about that, Earthlings!]
A synthesized voice echoed from nowhere.
Kaito instinctively covered his head, and Ritmiele did the same. Her fur was changing color, so Kaito guessed she was thinking the same thing.
Ah…Everything’s ruined.
“What, what is that!?”
“Is it a meteor!?”
“A monster!?”
“…No, they’re Federation citizens. Even if they look like that.”
Ritmiele’s voice was barely audible, but who heard her? Everyone was in a panic, overwhelmed by fear and confusion.
Meanwhile, Kaito and Ritmiele exchanged glances. It seemed time was up.
[Ritmiele, sorry to keep you waiting! I’ve brought Avakia!]
“We weren’t waiting, so please return to space, Representative. You’ve ruined everything.”
[That’s harsh, isn’t it!?]
The Representative’s energy was clearly high. Kaito couldn’t tell where the voice was coming from.
No wonder. From the distant sky, countless objects resembling the Representative were descending.
“Ritmiele… I don’t want to believe it, but…”
“Yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking… I was worried they’d do something like this…”
They really did it.
The galaxy-spanning companions of Terraporapanesio. Every single one of them had abandoned their jobs—or brought their coworkers along—and come to Earth. They must have erected some kind of barrier around themselves. Their barriers even block gravity. They’re doing whatever they want.
Their destination is the sea. The ones who accidentally headed for land are turning mid-air toward the ocean, making the sky look like an aquarium.
Rebecca, who had witnessed the conflict with the Divine firsthand and had built up some tolerance, was pale. She grabbed Kaito’s arm and asked anxiously.
“Kaito, what is that!? A biological weapon? Some kind of ship? Or an enemy!?”
“None of those, Rebecca. How should I put it… well…”
Kaito wasn’t sure how to explain it clearly. Out of Rebecca’s suggestions, biological weapon seemed closest.
But that might cause more misunderstanding, so he avoided saying they were the Federation’s strongest life forms. Looking up at the individual approaching them, likely the Representative.
“They’re sentient space jellyfish.”
“Huh!?”
Of course she wouldn’t get it. Kaito wouldn’t either.
He couldn’t think of a simpler explanation. Kaito sighed deeply.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
An overwhelming number of space jellyfish were beginning to land in Earth’s oceans. Footage from Zodgia’s cameras was being sent to Kaito’s terminal, and he watched in a mix of disbelief and amusement. It would be horrifying to witness from the coast, he thought, as he looked away from the terminal and addressed the individual floating in front of him. By size, he guessed it was the Representative, not the council member.
“So, Representative. I don’t need to ask, but what’s this about?”
[Indeed, Kaito, the 3rd-rank citizen Enek-Ragif. I’ve brought everyone along with Avakia!]
“I thought so…”
Looking at Ritmiele, Kaito saw her fur had turned a dull gray as she shook her head. It seemed the Federation headquarters was in chaos.
The species that had greatly influenced the Federation’s operations with their psychic abilities had abandoned everything and gathered on Earth. The rest of the Federation must be panicking.
[Don’t worry, Ritmiele. Such a massive migration is a one-time thing. From now on, we’ll take proper vacations to come here.]
“…Yes. That would really help.”
Defeated. Ritmiele’s response was so weak it fit the description.
The Representative, oblivious to Ritmiele’s state, eagerly moved it’s tentacles.
[Sorry, Kaito, the 3rd-rank citizen Enek-Ragif. I’ve kept the others waiting, so I’ll keep this greeting short. After the communion, we’ll talk again.]
“Of course. Feel free.”
[Thank you. Fuhohohohohohoho!]
With a whoosh.
Watching the representative leap towards the sea. Behind him, Rebecca seemed dazed and bewildered.
After this exchange, you must understand that the space jellyfish have high intelligence. That’s enough for now.
“Did you say Kaito?”
“Yes?”
“D-Does the Federation really have such terrifying creatures?”
The one asking with a frightened look was the woman who had been relatively positive about immigrating to the Federation until recently.
Holding back the urge for his cheeks to twitch, Kaito answered. His head was spinning, desperately searching for a soft landing.
“There are various races, aren’t there? It’s thanks to them that our accession to the Federation went so smoothly this time.”
“Is that so? Th-They’re not trying to eat us or anything, are they?”
“Of course not. As you can see, I haven’t been eaten, have I?”
“Y-Yeah, I guess we were able to talk to you too, so it should be okay.”
With an expression of mixed skepticism that could take human form, the woman nodded hesitantly.
Help. Kaito glanced over at Ritmiele, but a few people were talking to her too, probably with the same expression as Kaito.
“Captain.”
“What is it, Emotion?”
“The arrival of the Terraporapanesio has increased the stress levels of the Earthlings by about thirty percent.”
“……I see.”
At this moment, Emotion’s calmness seemed almost hateful for some reason.
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
BUY THE SOURCE MATERIAL TO SUPPORT THE AUTHOR !!!
Kindly click on the green button above and contribute to filling the green bar if you’re interested in having another LN from the request page translated. Also, every donation is being used to purchase the source material and to fund more English translations.
Please consider joining my Ko-Fi membership. By becoming a member, you’ll also gain access to 2-10 additional chapters of all of the novels from this site translated into English. Last but not least your support will also assist me in upholding the translation quality and speed. For more information, please follow the link.
Donation for faster release is always welcome
Additionally, I am now accepting translation requests.
