[Episode 4: Becoming the Protagonist of a Space Opera]
Kaito’s request was accepted without much issue. The sale of Earth’s cultural information, which was in the process of being priced, would, once completed, become a shared asset of the Earthlings who joined the Federation rather than Kaito’s personal property.
[At this point, it’s safe to assume that the assets are already enough to elevate all Earthlings to the status of Tenth-Class Citizens, Godbrea. If they can reach Seventh-Class Citizens, Tetna-Irch, they’ll gain the right to reside on natural planets. From there, it’ll be up to the Earthlings’ own efforts.]
“That’s enough. From there, it’s up to them to decide how they want to live.”
As Kaito Crouch, who was raised to be a leader of humanity, this was likely his final task: guiding Earth’s humanity into the new framework of the Federation.
For the journey to Earth, Kaito decided to go ahead in the Queen Bee rather than the Zodgia. Arriving in such a massive vessel might unintentionally intimidate the Earthlings. Boarding the Queen Bee, Kaito channeled his will into power. Then Ritmiele and others would follow shortly after, though the representative had to stay behind to manage the Zodgia’s movement.
[I hope they can endure the wait.]
The first group of the so-called Divine people had already left Earth. It seemed that, with the assistance of Terraporapanesio no longer available, they had developed an alternative method of travel. The idea of warp technology achieved through scientific means stirred the blood of any classic sci-fi fan.
“Let’s go, Emotion.”
[Yes, Captain.]
“Captain?”
[Since you’re the master of the Queen Bee, I thought that title would be more fitting. If you prefer ‘Master,’ I can use that instead.]
“No, Captain is fine. Captain Kaito… I like the sound of that.”
The display showed a guidance path. It seemed the Zodgia’s preparations were complete.
[Forward.] Kaito focused intently.
[Impressive. He’s handling that ship remarkably well.]
“Yes, it’s surprising.”
Watching the Queen Bee depart, Ritmiele continued preparing her own ship. The representative contacted her telepathically. While it was a bit of a nuisance, since the topic was Kaito, she engaged in the conversation.
Ritmiele’s ship, known as the [Assault Vessel Aganrange], was operated by her and a crew of four. There was still some time before departure preparations were complete.
“Is that really the same type of ship that the representatives use? I’ve heard that only the Terraporapanesio can properly operate them.”
[There’s no doubt that ship is a Di-Kigaiya-Zalmos. We knew Kaito, a Third-Class Citizen Enek-Ragif, had the aptitude, but I didn’t expect him to handle it so masterfully.]
“Hmm… Does that mean the Earthlings as a whole might have that kind of potential?”
[Unlikely. There’s no record of Earthlings using this power in their daily lives. It’s more reasonable to consider it Kaito’s unique talent.]
Ritmiele felt a small sense of relief at the representative’s words. Her blue fur flickered. While Kaito himself was a trustworthy and admirable individual, Earthlings as a species were still too immature to be fully trusted. If the entire species had the potential to wield the same power as the Terraporapanesio…
The Di-Kigaiya-Zalmos. In the hands of anyone other than the Terraporapanesio, it was just a flawed ship. But when powered by psychic abilities, it could become a weapon of mass destruction capable of annihilating entire stars. Historically, the Terraporapanesio had once single-handedly defeated a star cluster-sized army.
Just knowing that such a threat was unlikely to emerge was somewhat reassuring.
“Then why does only Kaito possess this talent?”
[It’s not mere coincidence… We believe his exile and the circumstances surrounding it granted him this ability later in life.]
The Federation, starting with the Terraporapanesio, named this power [Physical Interference Through the Projection of Will into External Space.]
While physical modifications to grant such abilities were developed early on, no amount of training allowed anyone to control the Di-Kigaiya-Zalmos as effortlessly as Kaito.
[Borrowing Earth’s terminology, it’s akin to ‘psychic powers.’ If we were to define it in words, the closest description would be the ‘Expansion of the Self.’]
“Expansion of the Self?”
[For example, if an intelligent being wants to reach food that’s out of reach, they might use a tool. Or they might create a tool to do so.]
“Yes, that makes sense.”
[Some might enhance their physical abilities to climb to higher places. The former is achieved through wisdom, the latter through growth. But sometimes, there’s no time to wait.]
Intelligent beings, to varying degrees, possess sociality. That’s why they can cooperate, share burdens, and accomplish things they couldn’t alone.
The growth of a species is more about societal growth than individual growth. That’s why the expansion of the self and societal growth are inherently at odds.
[The Expansion of the Self is when someone who can’t rely on others, who can’t wait for wisdom or physical growth, extends their framework beyond their body through sheer willpower. That’s what a researcher studying our power once said.]
“So, for those of us in the Federation, this ability is harder to develop?”
[Exactly. We are a collective, but as such, all individuals share a single consciousness. In other words, we are social yet individual. That’s why the Expansion of the Self is possible for us.]
To develop psychic powers, one must be an intelligent being, but at the same time, they must also be an individual detached from society. Federation citizens, while free, are also under complete protection, making it difficult for them to expand the self. Ritmiele found herself deeply convinced by this theory.
“In that case, Kaito, the third-class citizen Enek-Ragif”
[was exploited without consent, arrested for a crime he didn’t commit, and sentenced to exile. Whether he is aware of it or not, he probably]
has completely given up on his own kind, the Earth people, from the bottom of his heart.
While his body is that of an Earthling, his spirit has already fully developed into the individual lifeform known as Kaito Crouch. That’s why he was able to develop psychic powers and operate the Di-Kigaiya-Zalmos at a level that even the Terraporapanesio found astonishing.
But it’s also a very sad thing. Ritmiele wished that, at the very least, he could open his heart to his fellow Federation members.
“Representative. If Kaito lives as a Federation citizen, will his powers weaken over time…?”
[Who knows? He might not even seek the Federation’s protection.]
Ritmiele wanted to refute the representative’s dismissive words, but no retort came to mind.
“Vice-Representative Ritmiele, we’re ready!”
Ritmiele told herself it was because the ship’s departure preparations were complete.
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The distance that took half a year to traverse on the way there was now covered in less than half a day thanks to the ship’s improved performance.
However, it wouldn’t be good to alert the Divine people. Kaito attempted to disguise the Queen Bee as an asteroid by attracting nearby rocks.
A few steel plates detached from the outer hull, propelled by Kaito’s power, flew through space. They connected via an invisible force field, surrounding the rock and moving it toward the Queen Bee. Simultaneously, the Queen Bee decelerated, maneuvering to align itself with the rock.
[You’re quite skilled, Captain.]
“Thanks. Got it.”
The Queen Bee’s arms firmly grasped the rock.
Now, it was just a matter of heading toward Earth. Once they entered the atmosphere, they could release the rock and descend to the surface.
Kaito adjusted the course, heading straight for Earth. Emotion’s navigation was flawless.
[Captain, I take back what I said earlier. The arms are quite useful.]
“Told you.”
Kaito’s hair crackled with purple electricity.
As he pondered what the next step should be, idly touching his hair, Emotion spoke up with a hint of exasperation.
[By the way, Captain… isn’t that hair of yours a bit of a waste of power?]
“What are you talking about, Emotion? Psychic powers are all about imagination. The cooler you make it, the stronger you’ll get, right?”
[…Kyuru kyuru kyuru.]
It seemed Emotion had finally started using words instead of just sounds.
If Emotion had something to say, it should just say it. Whether Kaito listened or not was another matter. For now, Kaito decided to change the subject.
“Well, this is the final task. Once it’s done, I’d like to take this ship to all sorts of places.”
[What kind of places?]
“First, the other star systems in the Federation. I’m also interested in the habitable planets. Once I’ve seen most of them, I’d like to venture outside the Federation’s territory.”
[That sounds interesting. By the way, what about the Earthlings taken by the Divine people?]
At that question, Kaito couldn’t help but bury his face in his hands.
He didn’t know how many had been taken, but abandoning them wouldn’t sit well with him.
“Right, that’s a thing… Guess we’ll have to prioritize that.”
Though, Kaito didn’t necessarily have to save them all himself.
“Well, I’ll ask for help from the Federation on that front.”
[Oh?]
“What’s up?”
[Nothing. I just didn’t expect you to rely on the Federation.]
“I’m a Federation citizen. It’s only natural to rely on them. I’m not an isolationist.”
[…My apologies.]
Kaito felt like saying “kyuru kyuru kyuru” right back at Emotion, who sounded genuinely surprised.
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