Chapter 151

The Federation's Institute for Primitive Lifeforms is apparently one of the more historic and prestigious research labs among the many biological labs in the Federation. And it was clearly different from the lab Gorou had joined.

Until he came here, Kait had vaguely assumed he was summoned to help persuade the citizens of Ragav who opposed the relocation. But he never expected a Federation biologist to show up. Though surprised by the unexpected development, he decided to hear them out first.

"So, what is this about?"

"They are staff from the Federation's Institute for Primitive Lifeforms. The directors are currently petitioning the Federation Congress to halt the project."

"Oh. So they're requesting cancellation in accordance with Federation law?"

"That's correct."

The one who explained was Emarimores. The one who confirmed the statement was another member of the institute.

When Kait turned his gaze, the person placed a hand on their chest and began to introduce themselves. They looked unlike any species he had encountered before. No body hair, and smooth skin. They resembled the Lizardman-like species he met on Traltan 4—perhaps only vaguely.

"I am Welienne, Deputy Director of the Institute for Primitive Lifeforms, and a Seventh-Rank Citizen (Tetna Ilchi). It is an honor to meet you, Third-Rank Citizen Kait (Enec Lagif)."

"Ah, thank you."

"We heard that Third-Rank Citizen Kait intends to disassemble the planet and relocate it to another star system where it will be reassembled. Is that correct?"

"Yes. I proposed that method as it would minimize environmental impact and save Planet Ragav from a near-miss with a star."

He had no intention of hiding anything. After answering Welienne's question, Welienne looked up gravely at the ceiling. What was that about?

"I believe there was a trial recently regarding the Tsubanda incident?"

"Yes. I was reluctantly involved."

"After reading the court records, we rushed to petition the Congress to halt the project. Please take a look at this."

What Welienne pulled out was a palm-sized vial. Inside was a green, slime-like substance.

"What is that?"

"Tramnelende bacteria. A microorganism found only on Planet Ragav. Unfortunately, it was used in the production of illegal drugs on Tsubanda."

"Ah, right. That was a thing."

If he recalled correctly, the main reason Bunaha Boon infiltrated Planet Ragav was to smuggle this bacterium. He could now guess why Bunaha wasn't present here.

And the fact that this topic was brought up meant the institute's motive was becoming clear.

"In other words, you're concerned that relocating the planet might cause this bacterium to go extinct?"

"Yes. While it may seem that Tramnelende is only used in producing illegal substances, it is also essential in synthesizing valuable medicine. The loss of this bacterium would be a tragedy not just for the Federation, but for the entire galaxy. Please reconsider."

"I see."

Just hearing their reasoning, it didn't sound entirely irrational.

Perhaps sensing Kait's reaction, Welienne gained momentum.

"To begin with, isn't relocating an entire planet a rather reckless method? The various complications that arise during relocation could drastically alter Planet Ragav's ecosystem!"

"Yes, you're absolutely right. It's not like I proposed this method because I wanted to."

"Then...!"

"Indeed. I believe it wouldn't be unreasonable for the project to be canceled."

'Third-Rank Citizen Kait!?'

Terapolapaneshio, who wanted to use the know-how for Earth jellyfish and Earth, reacted, but Kait stopped them with a hand. The conversation wasn't over yet.

"Then, please present an alternative plan to ensure the survival of Planet Ragav during the upcoming near-miss with another star."

"...An alternative?"

"We share a common goal—you and us both wish for Planet Ragav to survive as it is. Isn't that right?"

"Y-yes, of course."

"We proposed relocation to protect as many lives on Planet Ragav as possible. If your alternative is superior and offers a better future for this beautiful planet, then please prove it."

If so, we'll gladly freeze the project. At Kait's words, Welienne fell silent. The other researchers followed suit. This project was what remained after countless alternatives had been considered. If what the researchers presented had already been reviewed, then this discussion would lose all meaning.

"By the way,"

Kait had no intention of letting them say whatever they pleased.

Generally, people who only push their own agenda tend to have shady motives.

"Where did you obtain that bacterium, anyway? Don't tell me it was from Tsubanda."

Welienne averted their gaze. Apparently, it had indeed come from Tsubanda. Sensing the chill in the room, they began a poor excuse.

"W-we had no choice! There was no other way to acquire it."

"With the funds you paid, Tsubanda lined their pockets. Now that the middlemen are gone, you wanted to deal directly with Ragav?"

"That's..."

"So, what's your alternative?"

The tables turned in an instant. Terapolapaneshio swayed with delight. Since the institute had followed Federation law in their procedures, the Space jellyfish couldn't easily object. Especially since in this case, the Space jellyfish were right in the middle of the conflict of interest.

And if the Space jellyfish couldn't object, then Emarimores and Korolkerol would find it even harder. This was one of the downsides of placing too much trust in Terapolapaneshio.

Kait had no intention of reading the room. Whether the Space jellyfish objected or not, he would say what he wanted.

"There is... no alternative."

"I see. Then we have no reason to stop the project."

"Why not!? If relocation is abandoned, we could continue harvesting Tramnelende until the very end! If the planet is destroyed by the near-miss, so be it!"

"That 'so be it' attitude is exactly why we were asked by Fourth-Rank Citizen Leen (Darda Elra) to protect the lives of her home planet."

"Under Federation law! The right to life is not guaranteed for non-sapient beings!"

That's true. Current Federation law does state that.

But Welienne's words were clearly a blunder in this situation.

"...So to you, the only value of Planet Ragav lies in that bacterium?"

The one who muttered that was Leen.

The queen who loved Planet Ragav and endured any hardship for its survival. She kept acting despite falling out of favor with the Federation Congress. She must have had regrets and frustrations, but in the end, she agreed to the relocation for the future of more lives. Welienne's careless words must have been unspeakably unpleasant.

"So, you plan to keep harvesting the bacterium until the planet is on the brink of destruction, and then what?"

"What do you mean?"

"You won't be able to make that precious medicine anymore, right? What will you do then? Just give up?"

"That's what it comes down to, yes."

"Hmm."

Kait felt something off about Welienne's apathetic nod. Perhaps the idea of cultivating bacteria was a uniquely Earthling concept. After all, the Federation had long since been freed from issues like lifespan and resource scarcity. It wouldn't be surprising if the mindset of cultivating scarce materials had faded away.

There was no need to give hints to unpleasant people. Kait decided to revisit the topic later and coldly addressed Welienne and the others.

"For something you call precious, your approach seems awfully haphazard. I see no reason to petition the Congress to stop the project."

"...You'll regret this."

"Oh?"

"Many people seek our medicine. Third-Rank Citizen Kait, you've made enemies of them all."

"Is that so."

The members of the Institute for Primitive Lifeforms glared at him as they left the room.

He wasn't afraid of making enemies, but he wanted to avoid Earthlings getting caught in the crossfire just because they were involved. Leen followed the researchers out. Once their presence had faded, Terapolapaneshio quietly spoke.

'Sorry, Third-Rank Citizen Kait. Thanks to you, we were saved.'

"No problem. Emotion."

"Yes. I've reviewed the list of medicines synthesized using Tramnelende. Some developed by the Institute for Primitive Lifeforms are also publicly available."

Makes sense—they probably thought it was fine to disclose since the raw material was rare.

Emotion tried to explain their effects and value, but Kait didn't need to know that much.

"Well, never mind the details. Can anyone make it as long as they have Tramnelende?"

"Yes. It's not particularly difficult. Are you asking whether it can be synthesized using materials other than Tramnelende?"

"That's part of it."

In response to Emotion's tilted head, Kait turned to Emarimores and Korolkerol with a question.

"Just to confirm, the Federation isn't cultivating bacteria these days?"

"Cultivating?"

As expected, the reaction was sluggish.

The Space jellyfish seemed to know and responded with a slightly surprised tone.

'Third-Rank Citizen Kait, you know some pretty old tech. Yes, that kind of technology did exist. But many strains couldn't be cultivated, so it eventually fell out of use.'

Medicines essential for treating diseases are now synthesized as resources from the start. In other words, medicines made from Tramnelende are likely for recreational purposes.

'Cultivation, huh. I wonder if the technical data still exists...'

"Well, there's no need to make unnecessary enemies. Emotion, please propose a cultivation experiment for Tramnelende bacteria to the Congress."

"Understood."

As Kait wondered whether Earth's cultivation techniques still existed, he suddenly remembered someone who might know a lot about that.

"Also, contact President Palnesbrogia of the Corporation. Since the Corporation deals with protecting rare lifeforms, it wouldn't be surprising if they had cultivation technology."

"Got it. I'll include that in the proposal to the Congress."

"Thanks."

In fact, the Corporation might even ask to be involved in the relocation project.

Increasing the chances is a good thing. Use every connection available.

"If we're talking about lives on Planet Ragav, then whether it's fungi or animals, they all deserve to survive."

Maybe he had been influenced by Leen's attachment to her homeland.

However, there was undeniably a part of Kait's heart that found this decision strangely comforting.

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