Chapter 785

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 785: A Ruckus (6)

Planet Pareshik of the Hezara Galaxy, the Rescue.

From the standpoint of the Earth Vessel, taking in an external planet was an unprecedented venture, and the same was undoubtedly true for the Hezara Galaxy.

◎ Are you serious? You intend to take Pareshik? You mean to tear him away from his natural orbit?

When the blue incarnation asked with his jaw hanging slack, Yeongwoo cast a lukewarm look toward his counterpart.

“Why, isn't it still better than killing him? From the perspective of fellow celestial bodies, isn't it closer to the lesser of two evils rather than the worst?”

At that, the blue incarnation mumbled with an exceedingly complicated expression.

◎ Be that as it may, are you not arbitrarily altering the galaxy's structure without authorization? Such a thing is simply unheard of.

“Wrong. It’s a thing now.”

◎ …….

“You ought to thank me. If not for me, would you have ever had the chance to experience something like this in your whole lifetime? Something so grand… what should one even call this.”

As Yeongwoo scratched his chin with Bastard, unable to settle on the right word, Sheriff Ganek, who had been staring intently at this, offered an answer.

—Planet theft.

“Ah, right. Something like planet theft.”

At this, Parina cut in, shaking her head.

『Theft? Pareshik wished for this, so it is nothing of the sort.』

Then she gazed upon Pareshik, who had taken the form of a small tree.

『This is… a galactic escape. Now, Pareshik shall depart this tiny galaxy alongside us and roam the vast cosmos. At last, you shall become a true celestial body.』

It was an absurd notion, something a celestial body could hardly dare to imagine.

Yet, because it was genuinely coming to pass, Pareshik could not help but tremble across every branch of his body.

『…A free celestial body.』

Pareshik sobbed as though profoundly moved.

Seeing this, Yeongwoo hastily spoke to Earth.

‘You’re nearby, right? Can you hear me?’

○ Naturally. It feels a bit late to bring it up now, but you really are causing ever-greater trouble.

‘Instead of killing Pareshik, I decided to drag him out of here. Is it possible? Incorporating a new planet into the Earth Vessel system, I mean.’

○ It is possible. Provided you are confident in handling the aftermath, that is.

‘The aftermath?’

○ It means we're putting our hands on the structure of an external galaxy now, doesn't it? Accordingly, the degree of attention directed toward the Earth Vessel is bound to rise.

‘Attention? From whom?’

○ Both celestial society and the ordinary cosmic government.

‘Then does this mean we’ll end up being chased by the government because of this?’

In this question lay the underlying implication of whether Kaujo would be mobilized.

At this, Earth offered a shrug within Yeongwoo’s consciousness.

○ I'm new to being a planetary vessel myself, so I wouldn't know. In any case, there is no way celestial society will overlook this, and naturally, they will request cooperation from the ordinary universe to capture you.

‘At last, my name will be widely renowned throughout the cosmos.’

○ Wouldn't you be known as a planet thief, rather?

‘A planet thief? Sounds pretty good to me.’

○ This is no time to be talking so nonchalantly. If you truly intend to bring Pareshik along, you must hurry. Soon, the Hezara Galaxy will move to rectify its ‘order.’

It meant that genuine enforcers of order, on a completely different level from the stellar incarnations Parina had beaten to a pulp earlier, would come calling.

‘Then what do I need to do?’

○ Deal with the inhabitants.

‘Deal with the inhabitants?’

○ Have you forgotten what kind of planet it is that you stole? It is a planet where inhabitants reside.

‘What about that?’

○ Taking Pareshik means taking the inhabitants living there as well. Therefore, if that is not what you desire, you'll have to relocate them elsewhere. Of course, there is another way, but I would rather not witness it.

‘Ah.’

The final option Earth didn't want to see was bound to be ‘slaughter.’

‘I don't intend to go that far either. Somehow, mass kidnapping feels a bit more advantageous for managing bad karma than being a mass murderer.’

○ Mass kidnapping? Do you have no intention of relocating the inhabitants elsewhere?

‘Didn't you say we don't have much time given to us anyway? And more than anything, I’m a bit curious.’

○ About what……?

‘Once Pareshik is incorporated into the Earth Vessel system, will we be able to collect taxes from Pareshik’s inhabitants too?’

○ Good heavens.

‘You don't know either, right? So the only way is to try it out for ourselves.’

To Yeongwoo’s words, Earth could not muster a reply.

Because it was a fact that Earth itself, as the planetary vessel, had no knowledge regarding that matter either.

○ But Pareshik is… practically on borrowed time, is he not? And should he request extinction, we must grant that request at any moment.

‘Still, that wouldn't be right away tomorrow. There's a bit of leeway while Pareshik enjoys life as a free celestial body.’

○ When we might become cosmic felons this very instant, I hardly know whether it is fitting to use the word leeway.

‘Regardless, if Pareshik comes to perish, we can just relocate the inhabitants here to Earth when that time comes. We still have plenty of land left, after all.’

○ It seems a conclusion has been reached, in any case.

‘Yeah. We incorporate the terminally ill planet into the Earth Vessel system, and kidnap the inhabitants here in their entirety.’

No sooner had Yeongwoo spoken these words than Earth nodded its head.

○ Understood. Then, it is Lady Moro’s turn now.

‘Mother-in-law? Exactly what is it her turn to do?’

○ It will be faster to see for yourself.

It was precisely at this moment that a massive pillar of light pierced the sky above Pareshik and came shooting down into the planetary seal grounds.

The sun Moro had already begun her descent upon Pareshik.

Kwaaaaaaaah!

“Ack, Mother-in-law?”

As a flustered Yeongwoo lifted his head toward the heavens, Parina, sensing her mother’s presence, clenched her fists tight and stared into the pillar of light.

『Mother!』

Then, the pillar of light that had settled upon the seal grounds surged once, and from within it, Moro, seated atop a silvery-white throne, revealed herself while radiating a dazzling light.

At this, the three incarnations scattered across the seal grounds gaped wide-mouthed and stepped backward.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

◎ Good heavens.

◎ A higher-tier star.

◎ Could it be that you have sanctioned a free celestial body?

Even among stars, weight classes were strictly demarcated, and this weight class was the very power of that star; thus, the three incarnations, being relatively smaller-bodied stars, could not help but shrink back.

What was more, was not the star before their eyes a free celestial body?

Swish.

Before long, as Moro cast a white ocular luminescence and advanced toward the accelerator in the central area of the seal grounds, the three incarnations drew their bodies back even while wearing fierce expressions.

◎ There are three witnesses here. This deed shall be recorded in the cosmos.

When the blue incarnation spoke on behalf of the group, Moro gave a low chuckle.

『Our arrival here is destiny. Hence, you have merely witnessed what was already recorded.』

◎ Then your execution at the hearing must surely be recorded as well.

『If you can manage to make a free celestial body stand there, then perhaps so.』

With that, Moro snapped her fingers before the accelerator.

『Now, begone. Return to the places where you belong, atop orbits you cannot leave until the moment of your demise.』

As Moro bade them farewell, cracks splintered across the accelerator's surface, spewing out glowing dust, and concurrently, the three seated incarnations were hurled out into the empty void beyond the seal grounds.

They were being banished from Planet Pareshik.

Immediately afterward, Moro looked down at Pareshik, who was wrapped in astonishment, and spoke.

『Are you the dying one, Pareshik?』

『I… it is an honor to meet a free star.』

When Pareshik drooped his branches downward in a formal bow, Moro extended her hand toward him.

『From now on, that honor shall be yours as well. Take my hand. You shall lose your orbit, and gain the entire cosmos.』

At this, Pareshik wound the longest branch he possessed around the hand Moro had offered.

Tap.

Then, Moro reeled her arm right back, cradling Pareshik in her embrace, and soon turned into a single beam of light that shot upward into the void.

And together with this.

Kugugugugu……!

A heavy vibration reverberated from deep within the planet.

Just as if an earthquake were taking place.

“…What is this?”

As a flustered Yeongwoo muttered while staring beneath his feet, Parina gave the answer.

『Severance.』

“Severance?”

『Pareshik is breaking away from Hezara’s orbit. It is a physical detachment. Mother is exercising an immense amount of power.』

“What… you mean Mother-in-law is pulling Pareshik out of the galaxy right now?”

Yeongwoo, whose mouth had fallen open, soon came up with another thought.

“No, wait. Then if her power falls short, could that ‘severance’ end in failure?”

At that, Parina knitted her brows in displeasure.

『Do you dare doubt the power of the sun Moro?』

“It’s not doubt… isn't it something theoretically possible? It's a practically important matter. If the power of the central star holding onto Pareshik is stronger than Mother-in-law's, wouldn't detachment be impossible?”

『That would be exceedingly difficult. Mother’s power is at a level that puts other stars to shame, and besides… in the worst-case scenario, we could even pool and wield the power of the Earth Vessel system.』

“Pool the Earth Vessel system’s power?”

『It’s a sort of tug-of-war. If the planet doesn't come out easily, there's no choice but for everyone to join forces.』

“Then can't the other side join forces too? Frankly, don't they have far superior numbers over there?”

『That is why I broke the planetary seal, not Mother. So that the celestial bodies of the Hezara Galaxy would react even a moment later.』

“Still, Hezara will know by now. That a thief has broken into the galaxy, that is.”

『However, it is already too late.』

The moment Parina said this, an ominous tearing sound echoed from the planet's interior.

Crack!

Then, something resembling a grand ship's horn resounded.

Gwaaaaaaaah!

The sun Moro had uprooted Pareshik in one clean go.

『We must flee now. Soon, the Hezara Galaxy will dispatch every ‘order’ it can muster.』

“Flee? Where to?”

『As far as possible. And quickly.』

The moment Parina spoke, Yeongwoo activated the call unit for the monstrous vessel Solution.

“Mushio, time to clock out!”

At that, Solution, which had been standing by in the distance, slid forward like a motorcar and came racing over.

Kwadududuk!

And simultaneously.

Pee-ing!

Along with a sharp alert chime, an achievement notification appeared before Yeongwoo’s eyes.

“What.”

[Achievement Unlocked: Planet Thief]

|Achievement Grade: Cosmic

|Completion Rank: #6

「Stole a planet from an external galaxy.」

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]