“Are you saying that thing has intelligence?”
 
“What creature lacks intelligence? The problem is what’s needed to communicate with it.”
 
To Stomato’s question, Kaito scratched his head. No creature lacks intelligence. It was Terapolapanecio who said that if a species can employ survival strategies sufficient to increase their numbers, there’s no need to develop intelligence. They also said that creatures who must develop intelligence to survive adequately can’t be considered happy.
 
The planet-eater was indisputably an apex predator. After all, what it ate were planetary cores. Everyone living in the Federation, everyone belonging to the Corporation—all their origins ultimately traced … Read the rest

Episode 2: Do Silicon-Based Life Forms Truly Perceive Organic Life Forms?

 
After shaking off Gorou and heading toward Radia ahead of the Corporation’s fleet, they pass by a massive silicon-based life form devouring a planet.
 
“A whale, huh.”
 
Kaito had that impression as he watched the planet-eater spitting giant rocks into the air from what was probably its dorsal side.
 
Its meal must have finished, as it slowly crawled out from within the planet. Even during this process, it continued spitting out rocks, making it quite dangerous to approach.
 
The Corporation fleet that had been chasing Kaito and Queenbee had … Read the rest

The artificial celestial body was apparently called Radia.
 
Kaito, having boarded Queenbee, immediately connected communications with Radia.
 
Naturally, he had Goro wait outside.
 
[This is artificial celestial body Radia. Reinforcement from the Federation?]
 
“This is combat vessel Queenbee, Captain-Kaito.”
 
[Kaito, Third-rank Citizen, Enek-Ragif! So you’ve come. I’ve heard rumors about you. I’m Radia’s staff, Lacofril Sixth-Rank Citizen Abu-Rug. Please, I’m counting on you.]
 
Video was displayed, but there was no sight of Lacofril.
 
Just as he was wondering if they might be invisible, Emotion beside him explained.
 
“Captain. Lacofril Sixth-Rank Citizen Abu-Rug … Read the rest

Well. Despite the unpleasant reunion, the job was done.
 
Kaito had to head for the next destination, the artificial celestial body. Just as he was about to leave the ship, leaving the rest to the branch manager, a voice called out from above.
 
“Captain-Kaito. Why don’t you stay here until we can confirm with the corporation’s Earthlings? I could arrange an opportunity for you to explain to them.”
 
“I’ll pass. Once you’ve confirmed, you can contact Rebecca-Lutiano of the Federation or the Federal Parliament. I think they can do as they please about whether to go to … Read the rest

 
[Sorry for the wait. The branch manager will handle this. If it’s acceptable, he’d like to meet and talk directly. If you’re willing, please dock with the central ship.]
 
“Branch manager?”
 
Was it a translation error? A quite familiar term had come up.
 
There was no reason to refuse. Kaito quietly nodded and calmly conveyed his request to the communication partner.
 
“Understood. Please provide the route.”
 

---

 
Meanwhile.
 
About the discussion starting up behind his back—unknown to the individual in question—regarding whether Kaito Crouch, called an eternal friend by the Terapolapanecio and capable … Read the rest

Episode 1: The Harsh Realities of Life Don’t Change Much Even in Space

 
Just because someone purchases people through human trafficking doesn’t necessarily mean that all who engage in such acts are monsters—or so it seems.
 
It’s been some time since a hundred thousand Earthlings were sold off to various corners of the galaxy.
 
Kaito and Emotion were working hard on rescue operations, traveling to the locations where Earthlings had been sold based on a list created by the Federation.
 
Given the large numbers involved, priorities naturally had to be established. The most urgent rescues were … Read the rest

Prologue

Whether infinite or finite—I couldn’t care less—but the vast cosmos stretches far beyond anything mere human imagination could conjure.

Kaito Crouch has, due to certain circumstances, been continuing his journey across the galaxy, protecting Earthlings scattered throughout its reaches—something he never would’ve imagined doing back when he lived on Earth.

Yet, as time passes, even these scattered Earthlings seem to find their own places, their own homes, scattered across the stars.

[Can you hear me? You can hear me, right, Captain-Kaito!?]

“I can hear you! Whether I want to is another matter!”

A vibration, thunderous and deep, reverberated through … Read the rest

Epilogue: Rare Humans = Earthlings

 
When you’re among the stars, it’s hard to realize, but the edge of the sky, the deep abyss of space, is literally endless.
 
The tenacity of life sometimes transcends even the planets that gave birth to it.
 
And among them, the Earthlings became a race that fell quite behind and met a tragic end.
 
“Captain, we’ve caught a signal. That ship has reactions from two Earthlings.”
 
“Understood. Let’s go say hello, shall we?”
 

---

 
Far, far away from their homeland.
 
Having lost most of their civilization, the Earthlings … Read the rest

“Ah, my apologies. Our species’ fur reacts to emotional changes like this. I try to control it better than that fool Ritmiele.”
 
“No need to mind. So you are of the same species as Ms. Ritmiele, then.”
 
“It’s about blood ties. Ritmiele is still young, but she’s a talented girl. I’d be happy if you could get along with her.”
 
“Not just me, but all of Earthlings are indebted to you.”
 
The conversation with Sizwonga never seemed to end, but their destination was getting closer.
 
Kaito was starting to get used to the dead-ends shifting … Read the rest

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It was a tense moment.
 
Under the Earth’s ocean, the Terraporapanesio were each choosing their corresponding Earthly jellyfish counterparts to resonate with.
 
Despite all individuals sharing a consciousness, there was a strong will that would never allow anyone to get ahead. Or perhaps at this very moment, the space jellyfish known as Terraporapanesio had each acquired their own individuality.
 
In any case, driven by such a strong will, they had abandoned all their duties to converge on Earth.
 
[Now, let’s go together.]
 
To the floating Earth jellyfish, the space jellyfish reverently extended their tentacles.… Read the rest