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

Chapter 125

No matter what means were employed, the result of the calculation could not be overturned.

King Leen of Ragav grieved from the bottom of his heart and began to think of a way. Was there any way to resist the impending doom?

The planet Ragav would likely perish before long. It was no one's fault. And the means to avoid destruction were not in their hands.

A near miss—or a collision—of stars. Another star system was approaching the Ragav star system that formed the planet Ragav. According to the investigation by the organization called the Federation to which they belonged, there were no planets harboring life in that star system.

If the star Ragav collided with the approaching star, it was expected the stars would merge. Even in the case of a near miss, a massive influx of comets would be unavoidable. What awaited beyond that was mass extinction of all life on the planet.

"Should we rely on the Federation, or request help from the Corporation......"

The Federation, the largest organization in the galaxy, was generous in its response to friendly intelligent lifeforms. On the other hand, its response to non-intelligent life was rather indifferent.

Meanwhile, the Corporation, an organization on par with the Federation, was known for protecting species facing extinction. The issue was that Ragav was under the Federation's umbrella. And currently, the Corporation was devoting its efforts to protecting a nomadic species called Aguares at the Federation's request. There was also the question of whether they would accept a request from a planet within the Federation.

In fact, even when they asked the Federation Congress for action, the response was unfavorable. All residents of Ragav held Federation citizenship. In other words, their lives were backed up in the Federation's Central Star Cluster.

"Abandon the planet Ragav and flee to a residential artificial planet," one of the congress members had said sympathetically—not a memory easily forgotten.

Leen also understood that this was the correct course of action. The current residents of Ragav were only those who held citizenship of Seventh-Rank Citizen (Tetona Ilchi) or higher. Those with lower citizenship resided on the Federation's artificial planets. This was an extremely common lifestyle within the Federation and not something special.

"The citizens' evacuation is proceeding without issue."

"Hmm."

Leen nodded weakly at the words of his mechanical intelligence aide.

Outside the window, beautiful nature stretched out—the forest where he had hunted with friends, the grasslands he had galloped across on riding beasts (Bomoa), the sky, and the rivers.

It wasn't just the memories—he would also be abandoning the lives that dwelled there. Leen simply could not make that decision.

"If the star continues to approach, even this beautiful scenery will surely be affected."

"Yes. If a collision were to occur, it is possible this entire planet would be engulfed."

"Indeed. That's right, Bunaha. I cannot abandon them."

Leen hung his head in despair.

He loved them more than anyone else.

Every life that lived on this planet.

***

Seeing his master, once always strong and bold, now so unbearably small, Bunaha too was crushed. He wanted to see his master full of life again. For that, he needed to come up with a way to protect all the life residing on Ragav.

Bunaha, a mechanical intelligence, had cognitive abilities that surpassed those of the flesh-and-blood Leen. His thought circuits were running day and night to devise a solution that Leen would not have reached.

"!"

He gathered, memorized, and compiled every bit of information flying around the Federation day by day.

And on that day, Bunaha finally arrived at a method.

"There is one method."

"You thought of something, Bunaha!"

In that moment, Leen clearly regained his former vitality. His eyes sparkled at the words of his trusted aide.

"What should I do? Whom should I ask for help!?"

"Yes. I believe the only option is to seek help from the Federation."

"Hmm, that's true. But the Congress has already rejected us. To accomplish this again, ordinary logic won't suffice."

Leen's expression darkened again, tinged with the frustration of his feelings not getting through.

But Bunaha spoke with confidence. He was certain that there were beings within the Federation who held great power and ability, and who shared their concerns.

"There is a chance. We just need to ask for help from those who share our fears."

"Do such people exist?"

"Yes. The people of Terapolapaneshio."

"Don't be ridiculous."

As if all hope had been lost, Leen collapsed to the ground.

For some Federation citizens, the existence of Terapolapaneshio was both a symbol of hope and of fear. Whenever they expanded into space believing themselves to be the rulers of the galaxy, it was always Terapolapaneshio who reminded them of the overwhelming difference in power.

The common folk held deep reverence, and the powerful held fear. Leen understood that the essence of Terapolapaneshio was to proceed calmly and rationally, without letting emotions interfere with their actions.

Moreover, Terapolapaneshio maintained a special position even within the Federation Congress. After all, it was they who had rejected Leen's plea. Leen could still vividly recall the moment Terapolapaneshio had clearly dismissed his petition.

"It's possible now. The people of Terapolapaneshio will cooperate. If you're worried, I can connect you to someone who can make them cooperate unconditionally."

"Someone who can make the people of Terapolapaneshio cooperate unconditionally......? If such a being existed, the Federation would already be under their control by now."

Leen was gradually getting irritated.

He wanted to believe his aide's words, but reason screamed that it was impossible. He should reject Bunaha's words. Now was not the time to indulge in sweet delusions.

Should he act to protect everything, or choose whom to save and let the rest go? The resolve he had never been able to muster before—he felt like he could now.

As Leen raised his head and turned a strong gaze outward, Bunaha answered clearly.

"If it is Kait, Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif), then it is possible."

"Kait, Third-Rank Citizen? Who is that?"

Leen, who had spent many cycles trying to prevent the destruction of the planet Ragav, was extremely unfamiliar with recent internal affairs of the Federation.

An Earthling from a primitive planet, whom Terapolapaneshio had acknowledged as an eternal friend.

As the list of seemingly unbelievable achievements was laid out, Leen felt his cheeks twitch.

"What kind of joke is this?"

"It's not a joke. And the one who connected Third-Rank Citizen Kait and the people of Terapolapaneshio—that is the very possibility for this planet's future."

Had he been calm, he surely would have laughed it off.

But Leen decided to cling to Bunaha's words just this once. If it was only once, even if it failed, he would still have time to make the next decision.

"Understood. Let's do it."

"Yes, sir!"

First, they had to persuade Terapolapaneshio. Leen had no confidence at all, but the certainty he felt from Bunaha was something he could believe in.