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

Chapter 136

Batmute Semenon Egilameftio was the most well-known figure in the Semenon system. He had once served as the chair of the Federation Congress, and until he retired thirty-five cycles ago, he had held his seat as a Federation legislator for an exceptionally long time. His personality was known to be gentle, honest, and as pure as a picture, earning him a good reputation.

Batmute's involvement in the administration of the Tsubanda system wasn't driven by personal greed. It was discovered that Hezmoda, the most incompetent among the clans, had invested in the construction of an artificial celestial body in the Tsubanda system.

Originally, the matter could have been resolved if Batmute had punished Hezmoda and made the situation public. However, the fact that Hezmoda came from a large-scale clan in Semenon and was a direct descendant of the clan chief complicated things.

The clan chief, who was Hezmoda's great-grandfather, doted on his great-grandson. Hoping for a peaceful resolution, he requested Batmute's help. The fact that Batmute came from a small clan within Semenon also posed a problem. Implicitly, his own clan had been taken hostage. Justice within the Federation, or the safety of his clan—on that day, Batmute turned his back on the justice of the Federation.

"......Honestly, if you're going to get into politics, you should abandon family and connections beforehand."

"Master Batmute. Even now, what if you were to ask the Congress for forgiveness?"

At his aide's words, Batmute dismissed the idea with a single sigh.

Hezmoda's clan was dismantled and scattered by Batmute's hand. In despair, Hezmoda chose eternal rest, leading to the clan's extinction. It had taken a considerable amount of time and effort.

While separating Hezmoda from Tsubanda, Batmute seized control of Tsubanda and used that power to pressure Hezmoda's clan through various means. There was anger at being cast out from the righteous path, but more than that, there was a strong sense of crisis that if Hezmoda made any more strange moves, it would affect Semenon's standing.

Within the Federation, Hezmoda's infamy wasn't widely known, but inside Semenon, there was considerable anxiety. The fact that Batmute had resorted to foul means to eliminate Hezmoda was an open secret in Semenon, and yet, few held a grudge against him.

"Is it that difficult?"

"Don't underestimate Terapolapaneshio. That one is less flexible than mechanical intelligence. And if I were to surrender to them, the relationship between Tsubanda and Semenon would be exposed. That wouldn't bode well for Semenon's future."

"We are prepared for that!"

The Batmute-class vessel—so it was called—was a massive ship crewed exclusively by those from Semenon. Those aboard would never betray Batmute. However, the surrounding fleet was another matter. They were the ones who had gorged themselves on privileges in Tsubanda.

They gathered under Batmute's banner simply because they had no place in the Federation. Of course, it wasn't out of belief in Batmute. Ultimately, they likely hoped to receive a pardon from the Congress by defeating Batmute.

There is nothing more repulsive than enemies who approach with the face of an ally. Batmute had used them with that understanding. He had no intention of whining, but they were certainly unfit as traveling companions.

"Fools."

He spat the words while looking at the monitor. He'd nearly fainted when he heard that some fools, unable to read the times, had purchased Earthlings. Though Batmute had already retired from the Congress by then, he had heard that Terapolapaneshio had shown an abnormal obsession with Earth and an Earthling named Kait, a Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif).

In reality, the purchase of Earthlings by a buyer in Tsubanda had occurred before Kait joined the Federation. However, the Federation Congress had recognized Earthlings as Federation citizens from the point Kait joined.

Incompetent subordinates tend to cause problems one after another, and the Tsubanda staff, fearing exposure, delayed reporting to Batmute. By the time he learned there were Earthlings in Tsubanda, Kait had already begun fighting the fleet of the Divin people. The rescue of the Earthlings had become the official course of action for the Federation.

When Kait approached the Federation Congress with the desire to welcome Earthlings, they went as far as to declare that even the Earthlings previously sold to the Divin people were eligible for Federation citizenship. Everything had been reactive. At that moment, Batmute regretted having retired from the Congress and being slow to respond.

"Any word from the Central Star Cluster?"

"We've lost contact. The last emergency message said that Terapolapaneshio had split and begun pursuit."

Misfortune piles upon misfortune. There was little hope of escaping now.

The logic that the purchase occurred before Kait became a Federation citizen could no longer be used. Batmute searched for a way to have the Earthlings in Tsubanda accepted as Federation citizens, but it didn't go well. The Tsubanda staff fiercely resisted. Apparently, they had ignored Batmute's instructions and were abusing the Earthlings.

If the purchased Earthlings were taken in by the Federation and testified, it would mean ruin. Batmute was filled with the urge to strangle Manager Molnotina, who shamelessly screamed such things.

One day, Tsubanda would certainly face its moment of ruin. Seeing Kait's actions, Batmute became convinced of that and began working behind the scenes to at least protect Semenon's position.

"I wonder if my biometric data was properly discarded......"

"We don't know. Terapolapaneshio moved faster than expected. Why did they act directly before the trial even began?"

It was Batmute who leaked the information about the Earthlings in Tsubanda and placed Terapolapaneshio at the center of the trial. By placing them at the center in advance, Terapolapaneshio would refrain from actively participating in this incident from the standpoint of fairness. That was the plan.

There were quite a few members of Congress who, though unrelated to Semenon, had ties to Tsubanda. Batmute thought that by leveraging those connections, he could complete the preparations.

He didn't know why, but it was easy to tell who had acted. There was only one Federation citizen Batmute could think of who could freely manipulate Terapolapaneshio.

"It must've been Third-Rank Citizen Kait who acted."

"Him? Why?"

"Who knows. Given his role in protecting witnesses, he shouldn't be making conspicuous moves..."

At the very least, as long as he was related to the witness, he couldn't engage in actions that might compromise the fairness of the trial. Batmute didn't think he was someone who would act recklessly, so he figured there must have been another objective.

"But I don't know anyone besides Third-Rank Citizen Kait who can move Terapolapaneshio. They hardly ever act on anything other than Federation law."

"Me neither. Did he perhaps see through our intentions?"

"If he could do that, he wouldn't have let me run free this long."

"True."

Batmute wasn't running away out of selfishness.

He had pride in having worked for the future of the Federation. Getting involved with Tsubanda was a stain on his life, but even so, he had tried to correct course and find a way to help the Federation.

The final duty that the aging Batmute imposed upon himself was the purification of the Federation and the future of Semenon. That hadn't changed.

"Since the opportunity has presented itself, if I am now an enemy of the Federation, I'd like to face that Captain Kait in the end."

"Please don't, Master Batmute. In this state, doing that would only enrage Third-Rank Citizen Kait."

"You're right."

At his aide's words, Batmute's expression clouded with sorrow.

"Truly, what a bunch of fools."