Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: The Prophet's Audience
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Even without any warning from the Tin Can, setting up a spy network in the Holy Nation was a matter of course.
We still knew nothing about the Holy Nation's fleet strength or technological prowess.
But its immense territory and the sheer volume of goods flowing through from countless species were more than enough to gauge its national power.
Just looking at Varisa and the Amphibian Cooperative, who lived off trade, their scale was nowhere near this massive.
If the Holy Nation were a typical state, we would've built our network the same way as in the Federation—planting a few rats and exporting Treegalaons.
But there was a problem.
The Holy Nation's citizens were mostly psionic awakeners.
They had a populace on an entirely different level from frail humans.
Just as a handful of psionic soldiers had sliced up rats trying to infiltrate a building, they were likely to detect and purge any intrusions.
Of course, the shields would probably block psionic attacks.
But unlike the Federation, where a single scouting run sufficed, here we needed to maintain the network continuously.
It wasn't about grabbing one piece of intel right away.
Blocking a hit or two meant nothing in the long run.
In the end, we opted to slowly build the network, focusing mainly on immigrants.
There was no rush, after all.
The Holy Nation appeared to be a peaceful religious state on the surface, but actually settling in and living there shattered those preconceptions pretty quickly.
For one, it was more authoritarian than anywhere else.
The Prophet wasn't treated like a pope or some leader—he was God's proxy.
Just using the phrase "treated as" in front of other rocks could've gotten you punished for blasphemy.
And the rocks following the Prophet's commands held ironclad positions as the ruling class.
"This land is required by Lord Oztullan."
They requisitioned goods or conscripted labor without batting an eye in emergencies.
All assets in the Talatullan Holy Nation belonged to Oztullan.
Thus, "for the glory of God" justified everything, just like in any theocracy.
But if you respected that authority and nothing more, the Holy Nation was actually a great place to live.
Crime rates were low, taxes minimal.
Jobs were plentiful—it felt a lot like life in the Lushaka Kingdom.
The Kingdom's structure worked because someone detached from worldly affairs ruled it. Were the rocks the same?
Staying free from public opinion, capital, and power as a national government wasn't easy.
Maybe I was just suspicious because I'd never seen a proper large-scale theocracy up close.
Human faith could produce transcendent results, after all.
"Hey—Al! Quit daydreaming and haul those rocks!"
"Coming right up~!"
A few Hiraks had been dispatched to an archaeological site on the rocky planet and were hard at work.
Since it was my first time on the planet, I'd been concentrating to observe, and apparently my hands had stopped without me noticing.
The Hiraks had adapted to the Holy Nation in no time.
Hiraks could survive in space without oxygen and boasted superior physical abilities, making them prime hires.
Along with other labor-intensive species, they were cheaper than machinery and excelled across various fields as reliable workers.
With the day's grunt work done, we were heading to our cheap lodgings.
"Tough day today."
"Still, not bad."
The work was over, and the planet had plunged into darkness.
To avoid drawing eyes, we walked while role-playing casual chit-chat among Hiraks.
The planet's development was just beginning, so the trek to our quarters was quite a hike.
Woooong—
Ships roared into the planet's atmosphere from space with aggressive engine noise.
They swiftly maneuvered, encircling the Hiraks.
Rocks dropped vertically from the ships' bays, rapidly surrounding us.
"Pardon the intrusion."
One rock floated forward through their ranks.
Unlike the others, it was slim, with a sharp, jagged material that evoked shattered gems and rough surfaces.
"Wh-what business do you have?"
Time to play the timid civilian Hirak.
A voice laced with unmistakable panic at the sudden situation.
Muscles tensed to show anxiety, pupils dilated as eyes darted around.
"Too many ears about. Stand back."
A heavy psychic wave accompanied the telepathic command, and the encircling rocks immediately pulled away.
This wave... felt awfully familiar.
"That should do. Allow me to introduce myself. I am the ruler of Talatullan and the great god's proxy! The Prophet who serves Oztullan—that is I!"
The rock proclaiming himself the Prophet puffed out his chest (presumably) and thrust his arms (presumably) skyward with haughty flair.
In response, the hovering ships shone spotlights on him.
..What the hell is this guy?
Oh crap.
"Th-this lowly follower greets the Prophet."
The Hiraks bowed low.
We'd gotten residency by claiming faith, so kneeling before the Prophet was only proper.
"Hmph. Drop the pointless theatrics. Queen. I've come in person for this talk—raise your head and focus your mind."
How'd he know?
"We, the chosen of God, are unbound by flesh. You tried hiding in that frail body, but one who masters the mind—the galaxy's ruler, the universe's hardest rock. I, the Prophet! You lacked the finesse to fool me!"
Gwoooong—
Another powerful psionic wave emanated from the Prophet.
He was the first being besides my own to call me 'Queen.'
No one had even realized a queen existed in the first place.
But he seemed a notch below me?
No contact when Hiraks moved on autopilot, but he'd zeroed in once I focused my mind on them.
Seemed he couldn't detect me unless my core consciousness was present.
Anyway, the spying gig was blown, so best to play it cool and gauge him.
Honestly, you're spying too.
Everyone knows about your rocks floating around the Federation system.
"Pleased to meet you. I am the Queen of the Lushaka Kingdom..."
"Gah!! No proxy-stone politeness—speak boldly! Express your views diamond-hard!"
Heh, look at this guy.
Think you're the only one who can talk casual?
"Why'd you call?"
"Hmph. Finally, a conversation with someone on my level."
The Prophet reined in his psionic wave and continued.
"Queen, you've mastered the mind too, so I trust you feel the kinship I do."
What're you on about?
"The galaxy's sole kin. No other life sees from our vista. Out of respect, I'll be direct. State your desires plainly. No more skulking like sand."
"So, cut the crap and talk straight?"
"Precisely. But words alone won't earn trust."
He nodded as if agreeing with his own logic.
"One example. Talatullan takes interest in your currency. We need a unified one anyway."
Ooh, that's promising.
"But mighty Talatullan can't use a minor power's coin. We'd like to handle minting and circulation."
"In your dreams."
He's out of his mind.
"Hm, as expected. Still, name your needs, Queen. For a future comrade in devotion to God, small favors are no trouble."
Nothing I want from the Holy Nation, really.
Info, maybe? Worth asking.
"Why send those prayers to Oztullan during services?"
"Simple question."
Oh. He'll tell me?
That'd reduce the need for a spy net.
"But I shan't."
Dang.
"Hand over minting and issuance rights, and I'll consider it."
"Pass."
"Hmph. Bring needs with fitting payment. No groveling like those primitives."
The Prophet signaled the Hiraks with a glance, swirled his cloak dramatically, turned, and departed.
The ships lifted off in unison, vanishing in seconds, leaving only silence like after a storm.
The Holy Nation didn't ignore diplomacy, per Federation reports or ties with others.
No one mentioned the Prophet having such a brazen personality.
So this was just two dictators bonding over common ground?
Nice.
Maybe Si1-L0-K misjudged.
In its database, we weren't supposed to befriend them, but this world differed.
That tin can was never much help anyway.
Chance permitting, I'd ask about the prayers again.
After PATO, I'd snagged another potentially useful new friend. Mood was great.
Until the Talatullan Holy Nation issued a new statement.
Ozz, the psionic awakener, was made from their priests' corpses.