Chapter 149

Just as expected, the remnants of Tsubanda were thoroughly captured by Terapolapaneshio. Apparently, after seeing Kait's method and thinking it was efficient, they rounded up the remaining crew and gathered them onto a single ship.

The wailing and chaos after they woke up were apparently intense, and the Space jellyfish assigned to transport them looked rather displeased. It strongly requested to be swapped with the one handling the cargo ship, but they're all the same individual anyway.

Tilting his head at the mysterious ecology of the Space jellyfish—whether they had individuality or not—Kait returned ahead of the others to the Central Star Cluster aboard Queen Bee.

Since he could report from his room, he first headed to the Earthlings' residential area to return to his original duties.

"Hey, welcome back. You saved me."

"Is it really okay for you to be slacking off here, Asheido?"

A rather bizarre scene had formed in the plaza.

Asheido was elegantly enjoying Earth tea at a table, surrounded by floating Space jellyfish. Watching them from a distance were the Earthlings.

Clearly, Asheido and the Space jellyfish were in the way.

"Saying I'm slacking off is harsh. You're involved too, you know. I came to report the progress."

"But with Terapolapaneshio here, isn't it fine if Asheido doesn't come?"

"Mmm! That's not true. Terapolapaneshio must focus on defending this area. I'm the right person for this."

'Not really. We're quite bored.'

"Ngh."

Unable to deny the slacking accusation, Asheido averted his gaze, cleared his throat, and turned back to Kait. Just because he liked Earth's theater didn't mean he had to act like an Earthling in daily life.

"Batmute has been safely secured. He's now under house arrest at the Administration Bureau."

"So, was the information intact in the end?"

"Yeah. Almost all the data was extracted—from the ledgers to the rosters, and even records of their crimes. I'm baffled. I can't understand why he ran."

Apparently, they had acquired all the information the Federation Congress deemed necessary. When Kait glanced at Terapolapaneshio, they affirmed it with a nod.

'In fact, it was so thorough, it felt like the goal was to gather and eliminate the remnants. If someone told me they had coordinated with someone else to arrest Tsubanda, I might believe it.'

"So there's no such conspiracy?"

'Nope. With us around, there's no need for such hassle.'

That was certainly true. In the end, with Terapolapaneshio involved, concealing crimes was nearly impossible. If Batmute had truly wanted to arrest Tsubanda, he should have asked Terapolapaneshio from the beginning.

The fact that he didn't meant Batmute had another motive.

"So, do you have any idea what he was trying to hide?"

"Not at all. Apparently, there aren't even any hint-like memories left. He thoroughly erased them from his memory. The Congress decided it would be impossible to pursue it further."

"What about the involvement of the Semenon System?"

"There seemed to be connections with certain congressmen. But the overall conclusion is that the people of Semenon weren't involved. It seems he didn't engage in wrongdoing in his homeland of Semenon."

"...I see. That's fine then."

He recalled the moment he faced Batmute. Even when Kait launched a surprise attack, Batmute had remained composed. That was clearly the attitude of someone with no regrets.

Since private property held little meaning in the Federation, Kait had guessed it was either comrades or homeland. When he saw Batmute's relationship with his crew, he had assumed it was to avoid involving his homeland.

In any case, Batmute had successfully hidden what he wanted to protect. Since Asheido and Terapolapaneshio had given up, Kait decided not to bring it up again.

He just felt a little frustrated about it.

***

Then, on a day when the trial date was approaching, Kait was invited by Asheido and Terapolapaneshio to visit the Congress.

It was because Batmute had requested a meeting with Kait. Having no particular reason to refuse, Kait agreed and headed to the room where Batmute was under house arrest.

"Don't you think it's quite the security, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen of Enec Lagif?"

"Well, maybe. With the skills that let you manipulate not just the Congress but even Terapolapaneshio, I don't think it's strange they see you as a threat."

"You overestimate me. I've got no tricks left."

Batmute gave a wry smile, but neither Kait nor Asheido reacted.

After all, they still didn't know the purpose of this meeting. They couldn't even offer a polite smile carelessly.

"So, what's the reason you called me here?"

"Oh, I'll be found guilty soon. Since I caused a lot of trouble for you and your people, I just wanted to offer a word of apology."

"An apology, huh."

"That's right. I swear, the unjust employment of Earthlings in Tsubanda wasn't on my orders. I want to make it clear that those who used it as their base did so on their own accord."

"I see. Then I'd prefer you direct your apology to the Earthlings themselves, not me."

"Of course. I intend to bow my head sincerely during the trial."

Noble sentiment. Still, Kait wasn't the only one hearing this. Which meant this declaration was likely sincere.

Then, Batmute gave a smirk, as if mocking him.

"Well, that aside. I imagine you have plenty of questions, so I wouldn't mind answering them."

"Oh?"

That was quite an intriguing offer. If he hadn't been acting so arrogantly, Kait might've been eager to learn from him.

Asheido wore a stern expression. For some reason, it seemed there was information Batmute hadn't let slip. Though they had assumed it was forgotten, apparently not. Asheido nodded, so Kait suppressed his feelings and asked a question.

"Then let me ask. How did you erase your biometric data?"

"Oh, it was simple. I had already been exiled."

"Don't be ridiculous. Even exile from the Federation requires a complex procedure."

"Yeah. It was quite risky. But you see, the title of former congressman is surprisingly useful."

Then Asheido, who had been listening beside them, seemed to realize something. He muttered in disbelief.

"No way, First Authority...?"

"Correct. Oh, I suppose it's unfamiliar to you, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen. It's an authority granted to congressmen who've made significant achievements in the Federation Congress, allowing them to bypass secondary-level agendas. Before the incident surfaced, I was allowed to use the First Authority up to three times."

"B-But! The motion for exile is a first-level agenda, isn't it?"

"You haven't read the statutes closely enough, Asheido. Motions to exile others are first-level, but when a congressman or former congressman personally applies to 'withdraw' from the Federation, it's a second-level agenda. Actually."

"!"

Since it involved Federation law, Kait couldn't intervene. But Asheido's changing expression confirmed it was true.

Well, from what he heard, it wasn't surprising that Asheido didn't know. Applying to leave the Federation after becoming a citizen was probably extremely rare. Apparently, the only time it had happened was when the Corporation President Palnesbrogia used it to leave the Federation. Even in a vast universe, it was a small world.

"Well, it's not good for such a dangerous authority to be granted to a single congressman. That's why it was abolished a long time ago—except for those who already had it."

In other words, Batmute removed himself from the position of Federation citizen and used that status to erase his biometric data. It was a non-reproducible method, which was somewhat reassuring, but was it really worth using such a valuable authority for?

"You went that far... just to protect it?"

"What are you talking about?"

Playing dumb now? He was probably just pretending to forget. His attitude certainly made it seem that way.

Kait no longer had anything he wanted to ask Batmute. With a sigh, he stood up.

"Oh, leaving already?"

"Yes. I'm done here. The rest is up to Asheido's questions."

"Eh—"

"I'm not very familiar with Federation affairs. Asheido, it's possible that former Congressman Batmute still has some hidden memories. Make sure to investigate thoroughly."

"What was that?"

"W-Wait!?"

Oh, now he was finally panicking. Whatever method he used, Batmute seemed to have a trick to resist data extraction. Perhaps having such a long congressional career gave him opportunities to learn these backdoor tactics.

He could only enjoy peace for now. Kait gave a sly smile and waved lightly at Batmute. Seeing Batmute's stiffened face, Kait felt a little sense of satisfaction.

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