Chapter 12: Looking for a culture will be lost first

"Hmm, hmm! This is wonderful. It has more than value as both historical material and entertainment."

Adie Ze exclaimed with delight as he skimmed through the list of data provided by Emotion. The organization he belonged to specialized in assessing the value of various items, and their evaluations were widely recognized within the Federation.

In this case, museums and entertainment industries were expected to inquire about purchasing the rights, and multiple contacts were soon received.

It made Kite nostalgic, reminding him of similar companies back on Earth. Apart from the different role of currency, life in the Federation might not be so different from life on Earth after all.

"With the current deposit, you have more than enough budget for the upgrade. We’ve prepared an account for you, which you can use until your citizen account is set up."

"Thank you."

"The Parliament's dispute over Earth's treatment is already known to those with keen ears. The price will continue to rise."

"Dispute?"

As Cernunnos and Emotion exchanged account information, the efficient process quickly led to Emotion heading to the factory for its upgrade. However, something about Adie Ze’s words felt unsettling.

On the screen that Emotion displayed in mid-air, the numbers continued to rise. The figures were being converted from Federation numbers to Earth numbers, making them easy to understand. Kite could make a rough estimate of the value if only he knew the currency's worth, but for now, they were just increasing numbers.

While Kite pondered how difficult life would be without Emotion, Adie Ze, who had been observing the same data, nodded several times.

"Hmm. With this amount, you can make other purchases. How about I select a few for you?"

"I don't intend to waste money frivolously. This money feels too significant to spend on my whims."

"Don't worry. I wouldn't intrude on how people spend their leisure money. I was thinking you might acquire a ship."

"A ship?"

Kite tilted his head at Adie Ze's suggestion.

For Federation citizens, money is a tool used solely for leisure. Having solved resource and lifespan issues permanently, death for them is merely the final point of rights and choices. To alleviate the near-eternal boredom, they work and enjoy entertainment. In fact, work itself might be part of the entertainment.

And ships are essential tools for both work and enjoyment for Federation citizens.

"After all, the Federation’s habitable celestial bodies aren’t limited to this one. Achieving success at work can expand your citizenship and increase the places you can go."

Guided by Adie Ze, Kite headed to the shipyard. Feeling a bit uneasy without Emotion by his side, he reflected on how dependent he had become on her during his years as a prisoner.

The shipyard had an atmosphere similar to Dirganar's lab on Zodokia, except for the sheer number of artificial intelligences at work.

"Hey, Adie Ze. Who's this?"

"A customer, Hamatu. This is Kite, Third-Class Citizen from Earth, been talked about in the town recently."

"Oh, the one everyone’s talking about. I’ve never seen the Terapora Panesio so riled up."

Kite had a good idea why. It seemed the space jellyfish were highly interested in Earth jellyfish.

Nevertheless, Adie Ze's suggestion intrigued him. Here was a vast universe he hadn't even imagined while on Earth. The prospect of moving freely within it was very tempting.

Deciding how to live, or rather, finding how he wanted to live, might just be possible in the Federation.

"So? What type of modification for the third-class citizen... huh?"

Hamatu, who had been processing the request, froze.

Perhaps Dirganer had sent over some data.

Moving his camera, which seemed to function as an eye, closer, Hamatu said:

"No wonder the Terrapora Panesio like you."

Somehow, it felt like a subtle criticism or mockery.

He was probably commenting on the focus on superpowers in Kite's modifications, which Kite found quite unsatisfactory.

Kite glanced at the catalog presented to him. It listed ships that could be operated with his modifications. The choice was between buying a ready-made ship or customizing one to his liking.

"May I take this catalog with me?"

"Sure. You want to think it over, right?"

"Yes."

Of course, he had to consult with Emotion as well.

Even so, among the ships he had skimmed through, there was one that irresistibly caught his interest. Unless Emotion had strong objections, he would likely choose it.

Feeling Hamatu’s indescribable pressure from behind, Kite decided to return to his room.

Back in his room, with nothing else to do, Kite collapsed onto his bed.

Kite then realized that he had lost all sense of time since arriving in Zodokia.

Maybe it was due to his modifications or the overwhelming experiences. He didn’t even feel sleepy or hungry. Following Emotion's schedule for so long had thrown off his internal clock completely.

Gazing blankly at the ceiling, Kite reflected on his current situation.

"I'm alive."

He was supposed to die, as one of the last remaining Earthlings, a specimen drifting through the stars. He had made peace with that, and in a way, it was the first time he had decided his fate of his own will. During that journey, he had felt a unique sense of freedom.

That was taken from him. In an unexpected way, a path to survival was laid out before him—one that seemed far freer than his life on Earth.

Kite had always known he was tough, but even he couldn’t quickly adjust to this new reality.

"I never really thought about how I wanted to live."

"Heh, well, this is quite the mess, isn't it?"

Laughter was all that escaped his lips.

Experiencing the vastness of space, gaining superpowers (though he hadn't actually used them yet and didn’t really feel it), and now, having received some grand citizenship on a star far from the solar system, Kite felt overwhelmed.

He decided not to dwell on the origins of Earth's life forms that he had learned about. There was no point in worrying about it; it wouldn't change anything.

From now on, he would live as a Federation citizen. He didn’t quite grasp how remarkable being a third-class citizen was, but he figured he’d understand it in due time. At the very least, he knew he was being treated quite well at the moment.

Now, the question was how to live his life in this new, seemingly very free environment.

"Well, I guess I’ll consult with Emotion about that."

There was also the matter of the Earth cultural data that Emotion had preserved.

They were using it for themselves, but it felt wrong to consume it all on their own.

Even at this very moment, their assets were surely increasing. What to do about that?

Kite closed his eyes and let out a small sigh.

"By the way, when will the update be finished...?"

Apparently, he was more tired than he thought.

As soon as he closed his eyes, Kite’s consciousness sank into the darkness of sleep.

"Master. Master Kite. Please wake up. You've slept too much."

"Mmm, it’s fine, Emotion. Just two more hours."

"Sleeping in just because you’re back under gravity—quite bold, Master Kite. If you don’t get up within five counts, I have no authority, but I will administer an electric shock. Ready? One."

The body's reflexes are a sad thing. As soon as the count began, Kite’s upper body shot up. Emotion's electric shocks were painful.

Scratching his head, he looked at the figure standing beside his bed, responding with a sleepy head.

"Okay, Emotion. So, today's schedule is..."

At that moment, he sensed something off. Standing beside his bed?

Kite was slightly confused to find that the person he had been responding to was not the familiar sphere, but a human figure.

"Who might you be?"

It had been so natural that he had answered, thinking it was Emotion. Well, it probably was the upgraded Emotion. Kite wasn't usually slow on the uptake.

Blonde hair. Slender build. A human woman.

Blinking in surprise, he thought, surely this couldn’t be.

"You understand, don’t you, Master Kite?"

"Emotion?"

"Yes. I’ve constructed a form that aligns most closely with your preferences, based on your tendencies. How do you like it?"

Honestly, it was exactly his type (a perfect strike).

Covering his face with both hands, Kite could only whisper his response.