[54]. The Time Machine

After the devastating encounter in the ancient era, the Lolita Tribe had suffered heavy casualties. Due to their extremely low fertility rate, even after all these years, their total population barely numbered over 200.

The current generation's leader was already elderly and soon to retire. Philiya, the tribe's princess and his only daughter, possessed extraordinary talents across multiple domains. She was widely considered the most promising candidate to become the next tribal leader.

If she were to die, it would be an irreplaceable loss to the entire Lolita Tribe.

"...Mouth to mouth?"

Yuna's snow-white cheeks flushed crimson. But to save Princess Philiya, there was no time for hesitation.

She quickly pressed her lips against Philiya's.

Meanwhile, the death of the dog-headed alien had thoroughly shocked the remaining dozen or so space pirates.

Among the cosmic pirates, there was an unspoken rule: if you wanted to "hunt" in a certain star system, you had to pay tribute to the dominant pirate in the area.

And that dog-headed alien just so happened to be the biggest boss around here.

These little pirates never imagined their "big bro" would get instantly vaporized!

"Big bro!"

"Quit crying—RUN!"

"Right!!"

One by one, the alien pirates turned and scrambled for their ship.

As if the Saiyans would let them go that easily.

"This planet isn't just a random tourist attraction," Bardock snorted coldly. "Eliminate them."

"Yes, sir!"

Kast didn't dare meet Bardock's gaze. He still remembered that ominous "I'll deal with you later" threat, so he was the first one to shoot into the air.

The rest of the Saiyans followed swiftly after.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

A flurry of brilliant explosions erupted in the distant sky, like fireworks—if the fireworks had blood, screams, and severed limbs.

Back on the ground.

The senzu bean was doing its job—even if Yuna didn't fully understand how. She only knew it was Philiya's last hope.

She chewed the bean and mouth-fed it to the unconscious princess.

When they parted, a faint, glistening strand of saliva still connected their lips.

"…It's over already?" Kaso muttered, disappointed.

Watching two big sisters kiss was extremely soothing to the eyes. He hadn't gotten his fill yet.

Yuna: "..."

Are kids these days all this... unserious?

Before she could say anything, Philiya stirred.

Cough!

Her pale lips parted, and she blinked weakly. In front of her, she saw Yuna cradling her—and a little boy standing nearby.

She vaguely recalled being struck down by a two-headed mutt. She should've died… Right?

And didn't she hear something about Saiyans before she lost consciousness?

"Princess Philiya, how do you feel?" Yuna asked anxiously.

Across the universe, there were many mystical items. But typically, only healing pods could mend injuries this severe. Even then, Philiya would've needed several months to fully recover.

Yet… this one tiny bean had completely restored her in seconds.

"I'm fine now," Philiya replied in her usual cool tone—so composed, you'd never guess she had been near death just moments ago.

"That's good." Yuna hugged her tightly in relief.

Kaso watched her silently. Although Philiya looked calm and composed, her eyes told a different story. She was the type of person who never wore her emotions on her sleeve.

A cold beauty.

…A stunning cold beauty.

Elsewhere.

"Lord Bardock, all targets have been neutralized!" the Saiyans returned triumphantly.

Those pirates barely had power levels above 2,000. Even if the dog-headed alien were still alive, it wouldn't have changed the outcome.

"Where's Kast?" Bardock asked, not seeing him among the returning warriors.

"Captain Kast… went back for more training," one Saiyan said with a dodgy expression.

They all knew Bardock had beef with Kast. The guy fleeing now probably just sealed his own doom.

Bardock: "..."

This little bastard had guts, huh?

Fine. Let him run. I'll deal with him later.

His attention returned to Kaso.

Unlike space pirates, who rarely carried communication equipment, the origins of the Lolita Tribe were unclear. Bardock had never heard of them before, but based on their ship's tech, it was obvious they belonged to a highly advanced civilization.

What if they had already transmitted information about this planet before landing?

They'd need to be thoroughly questioned.

The Saiyans only needed peace to grow stronger—thanks to the gravity chambers and senzu beans. Any potential threat had to be crushed before it took root.

But when Bardock looked at Kaso standing in front of those two women—with a slightly creepy expression—he had a strange thought:

"The future leader of the Saiyans…"

The Saiyans were an arrogant race. None of them were ever truly willing to bow to Frieza. Even King Vegeta, their former ruler, had secretly been amassing power, waiting for the right moment to strike back.

Unfortunately, King Vegeta had been arrogant, short-sighted, and brutal. He'd exiled Broly just because he feared the child's potential.

That wasn't a true king.

But Kaso? He had the qualities of a real leader. Bardock only hoped the boy had the resolve to be ruthless when it counted.

"Don't disappoint me," Bardock muttered under his breath.

Meanwhile,

"Well then," Kaso said with a smile, "since you're fine now… care to tell me about the Saiyans?"

The Saiyans' origins had always been shrouded in mystery. Any chance to learn more piqued his curiosity.

"Saiyan history?" Philiya glanced at Kaso calmly.

Yuna, standing beside her, looked a little awkward. She had earlier claimed that her ancestors once did a favor for the Saiyans. That was… a stretch.

But seeing Kaso's hopeful little face—and considering he had saved their lives—she could only bite the bullet and make something up.

"Well… uh… a long, long time ago, our Lolita Tribe made a major breakthrough in technology."

"…What kind of breakthrough?" Kaso raised an eyebrow. Wasn't this supposed to be about Saiyan history?

Still, when it came to advanced tech, he was interested.

"Um… we successfully developed a time machine."

!

Kaso's eyes widened.

You mean like the one Future Trunks used?!

If that's the case… the Lolita Tribe was seriously impressive.

"The time machine works," Yuna said, "but it can't be used to target specific timelines. It sends you to random points in time—and once someone goes, they can't come back."

"…Tch."

Kaso clicked his tongue in disappointment.

So it's a half-finished product.

Figures. His Bulma was still the GOAT of tech.

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