Single Planet Life Tree - (3)

"Is my origin... derived from a being like you?"

The world tree, pondering its own birth and questioning me. If it truly emerged from a space infused with Cosmic Power, then surely an Outer God from this dimension was involved. No doubt it shattered the entire 'previous universe' and was reborn as a new lifeform in 'this universe.' Honestly, I could create something like a world tree myself, which makes it all the more believable.

But should I tell it that?

"Hmm..."

My guess is that the world tree is a failed experiment. To her or Outer Gods like me, an entire galaxy is mere dust. Yet she, without even a mortal identity, created a Planet Spirit? In truth, she probably tried to make a galaxy-sized tree but failed to control her power, or it's just a fragment from a sliver of that strength.

"You can take your time. I have some idea already."

"You have an idea?"

"Yes. It must be part of the great one's design. Perhaps Silent Starlight intervened, or maybe..."

The world tree fell silent. Had it realized that if there's a galaxy ruler like Silent Starlight, there must be beings beyond that?

"It could be an existence surpassing even Galaxy Spirits who rule multiple galaxies."

Is that it? That's exactly the problem. Gods below the typical Galaxy Spirit level don't even perceive Outer Gods. You're smaller than an Outer God's eyebrow in this dimension, born from a droplet of spit when an Outer God spoke—what good would saying that do? For divinities who unwaveringly believe themselves supreme, it would be too shocking.

Isn't this the essence of Cosmic horror?

Best to dodge it vaguely.

"...Yes. Your guess is somewhat correct."

"Ooh... Indeed."

"Likely the galaxy divinity known as Silent Starlight was involved. I don't know the purpose, but it wasn't malicious."

"To receive confirmation that my roots stem from a great divinity..."

Fortunately, it buys it easily. She thinks I'm a Galaxy Spirit, equal to or above Carnos. Sometimes the truth must be buried. This should suffice.

"The day I confirmed the origin of my roots... Gratitude to the great one."

"No need. It was nothing. Silent Starlight would have answered if asked."

"Heh heh hot. Unlike you from another dimension, that one is so close yet so distant."

Unlike me, a visitor from another dimension, Silent Starlight's whereabouts are mysterious and intimidating. Fair enough. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Though it's practically accepted that Galaxy Spirits contract with federation leaders across generations, asking the top brass directly might feel awkward.

"Next time, I'll show you something truly fascinating. Something I think you'll find intriguing."

What's that now?

After the short time I could descend passed, my temporary body vanished. Yuna boarded the fleet returning to the capital planet, receiving thanks from Beira.

I'd vaguely told the avatars about the world tree's other kin.

"The Single Planet Restricted Life Tree is unique to Great Tree alone, but kin? That might be hard to find."

"Uh, Yuna... Our constellation is speaking right now..."

I recalled our earlier conversation as I watched them. The talk with the planet world tree, Sky-Supporting Great Tree, was underwhelming. I just realized the gulf in our worldviews. No major gains.

It wants to find kin world trees—ones not yet part of the Super Galactic Empire Federation. Not easy to spot.

Well, if another appears someday, I can tell Sky-Supporting Great Tree. The federation's domain expands steadily even now. It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠might take ages, but as long as it lives, it'll find them.

Still, many mysteries linger. The origins of Outer Gods, the birth and purpose of space monsters... I need information. As much as possible.

Examining the model garden 'her' created might teach me something.

Glancing below, federation propaganda broadcasts nonstop from Yuna's fleet.

Watching Yuna listen to federation broadcasts in her assigned space sparked curiosity. They're droning on about planetary development and territorial expansion.

How does a federation with such advanced SF tech 'develop' contacted planets? Back in the old Galactic Empire days, it was imperialistic forced ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mergers, but now?

"Constellation? Curious about planetary development forces?"

"Ah, so you're wondering how planets join the federation? Hmm... There's federation law on that. One sec."

Fiddling with her handheld terminal, she read it verbatim.

"Per federation law, to prevent exploiting info/tech gaps to harm planetary economies, various restrictions apply and..."

Did I time it during a boring part? Yuna's explanation dragged on longer than expected. Roughly summarized:

1. Outer space pioneer fleets or scouts discover thriving civilizations and report to the federation first.

2. Contact civilization leaders, gradually urging federation membership.

3. For a period, civilization protection treaties limit influence.

"That's tied to undeveloped civilization protection laws. Think of it as preventing gun-toting invasions of Stone Age societies!"

Through such procedures, planets gradually integrate. No civilizations match the federation's tech yet, so most join easily. Overwhelming tech leaves no choice. Fresh discoveries risk criminal targeting too.

"But if a constellation resides in an undeveloped planet's civilization, it's different. Fleets dispatch per the constellation's request."

Single Planet Restricted spirits—constellations below Planet God level—might not know, but higher Planet Spirits and above often know other planets as 'other worlds.'

Their planet: their world.

Distant planets beyond space: other worlds.

Beyond dimensional walls: other dimensions.

Thus, Planet Spirits and up interacted with other constellations, aiding or clashing when issues arose.

From their view, contact with the mortal empire ruling countless worlds—the Super Galactic Empire Federation—was inevitable.

"Um... Wouldn't asking Beatrix be better than me?! She messaged recently about visiting a low-tech planet as peacekeeping forces..."

"Ah! That's standard. Natives from planets recognizing a constellation's sovereignty get bonuses for low-tech planet delegations or pioneer forces. Beatrix's planet has royalty, so culturally easier to approach than us..."

Low-dev worlds might be fantasy medieval? Makes sense—Beatrix's type communicates well there.

Wait... Space monsters even in federation-untouched areas? Better check. Might yield clues.

Switching to Beatrix revealed much. A small shuttle of fitting size, pristine natural environment, people in medieval knight armor and soldier garb.

My second avatar visited a medieval civilization planet, no doubt. Abilities exist there too—saw a knight's sword wreathed in blue glow.

And...

"Heroes summoned by the goddess?!"

"They won't understand anyway, but protocol demands it."

"What?"

"This planet's natives are judged humanoids. Thus, you—siding with entity 'Demon King' and massacring humanity—face anti-humanity charges and constellation hostility suspicions..."

"What nonsense?!"

The man, blackened all over with sharp horns at his temples. A male avatar calmly notifying him. Beside him, Beatrix and another female avatar.

Federation dispatched three avatars here?

"Enough nonsense—die!"

Kroooaaargh—!!!

With the demon-like man's shout, a massive black form rose from the earth. Apartment-sized golem? Clearly no ordinary beast, summoned by him.

But the avatars' response was stunningly simple.

"Beatrix avatar."

"Understood-wa yo! Tear them apart-wa yo! Kaiser!"

Krrruuung!!!

At Beatrix's words, a hunting hound ripped through space, clamping the enemy's nape.

Crisis over.

"Th-this mad! Impossible! The high-grade chimera from the Demon King..."

"O-ho-ho-ho-hot! This is the power of the god I serve!"

That golem wasn't a space monster. Just a composite beast warped and recombined by constellation power.