A Trivial Quarrel
In the Galactic Federation, to handle minor disputes, they elected representatives from each affiliated race—known as "elders"—to form the supreme decision-making body called the Galactic Federation Elder Council. These individuals, serving as representatives of their race and ultimately of the entire Federation, were naturally selected for their fitting abilities.
However, these positions weren't distributed equally. Differences in lifespan, civilization levels, and capabilities among the races made that impossible. Naturally, races with higher civilization levels and superior abilities claimed more seats. Some races had no seats at all, or were granted just a nominal one. There were grumblings of discontent, but the Elder Council wasn't merely a place to wield power. It handled a vast array of duties for the Federation as a whole, especially when confronting threats—and it gathered the most capable individuals for that purpose. Thus, major backlash was minimal.
Races with fewer seats or none at all understood they simply lacked the prowess. In total, the elders numbered 500. Considering there were currently 480 intelligent species in the Federation, an equal split would mean one per race—but alas, that wasn't the case.
The top-tier Rubaran tribe held 10 seats, with others claiming 5, 3, and so on. Several races monopolized multiple positions. Of course, this wasn't set in stone. A race could claim as many of the 500 seats as its growing strength allowed.
Right after the universe opened up thanks to the Federation, the Terra race—whose civilization could barely peek into space—received a nominal single seat. But with their unique adaptability and absorptive power, they rapidly expanded: terraforming four planets into colonies, swelling their population to 15 billion. As a result, they earned a second seat, placing them solidly in the mid-to-upper tiers within the Federation.
To secure seats on the Elder Council, a race needed commensurate ability and effort. Among such hard-won positions, the Meias tribe claimed a whopping five. For Yupiter to be one of their elders spoke volumes about his extraordinary capabilities.
"Hey, you think being an elder makes you invincible? Cocky old fart..."
But Leus and Allegros showed no fear. They weren't elders, but they belonged to the Federation's top race, the Rubaran tribe. Their science and technology naturally surpassed the Meias tribe's so-called magic energy tech. No matter how powerful or advanced magic seemed, they believed it couldn't best them. Plus, they held significant mid-level executive roles in the Federation. That Rubaran status bred their arrogance, leading them to dismiss and provoke Yupiter freely.
"This is cleared with the Rubaran elders. Defying it is mutiny."
"I'm an elder of the Federation too. I believe I have the authority to command you."
"Hah! Still just Meias trash. Babbling about magic like it's some superior gift from the gods..."
"What...?!"
Rowi couldn't hold back at Leus's sneer and lunged at him—but in that instant:
"Gravity field."
Thud!
"...?!"
A gravity field controller manipulated the force, slamming Rowi with dozens of times normal gravity in his spot alone. Unable to withstand it, his body crumpled to the floor. As a Meias reinforced with mana, he endured; otherwise, he'd have been pulverized instantly. Creating such a field with a single controller showcased the Rubaran tribe's terrifying tech.
Reverse gravity...!
Meias magic had counters like that. Rowi inverted the crushing weight, flinging it back, then crouched low, biding his time. His organs were badly damaged from the pressure, so he circulated mana to heal rapidly while preparing an attack spell.
"Kuhaha! Why not hurry up and cast your magic or whatever?"
"That was nothing. Suited for a circus sideshow."
The two Rubarans snickered at the crushed Rowi, oblivious to his counterprep, letting their guard down.
"Enough, Rowi."
"M-Master."
But Yupiter stepped in front of Rowi, dispelling the mana he'd gathered for the attack. Turning to the Rubarans, Yupiter said:
"Does this count as an act of aggression? Should I take it that Rubaran seeks war with Meias?"
"What nonsense? This is just restraint. You dared defy a Rubaran elder's will and challenge us."
Yupiter smirked at the word "restraint."
"Restraint, eh? Then consider my actions the same. Restraint against you who would poke a quiet hornet's nest."
Vmmm—
In an instant, Yupiter surged with mana. It erupted from his hand.
"Shock wave."
The spell unleashed a massive shockwave to stun foes.
Boom!!
A deafening roar shattered part of the headquarters building. The two Rubarans took the full brunt, their bodies assaulted as if exploding.
"Kuhk?!"
"Guhk..."
Their nano-suits from Rubaran tech absorbed most of it. Still, the penetrating shock was enough to rattle human brains—let alone their bio-engineered bodies. They collapsed. Leus passed out cold; Allegros, with superior enhancements, clung to consciousness.
"Guh, kuhk... You crazy old coot... Think you'll get away with this...?"
But he was vomiting and wrecked—standing anytime soon was unlikely.
"Be grateful I stopped here."
With that, Yupiter fired a final small shockwave, knocking Allegros out completely.
No choice. I'll block them now, then explain everything personally to the elders later.
Letting them reach Yujin would just annoy him. Explaining Yujin's true nature here wouldn't work—they wouldn't listen. Worse, stating the facts might spark outrage over releasing such a dangerous entity. Better to halt them first, then calmly brief the elders: Yujin appeared to be an avatar of it, relatively amicable; touching him riskily could doom the entire Federation.
I'll face discipline for excessive restraint on executives and registering an outer god's avatar... But elders are reasonable. They'll understand and choose to protect the Federation.
Take the punishment alone, bear the two Rubaran executives' grudge solo. No major harm done. That was the plan.
With the situation diffused:
"Whoa, what happened here?"
"Yujin Gong...!"
Yujin returned, drawn by the shockwave noise.
# "Nah, just checking if something was up..."
He approached Yupiter and Rowi with an awkward grin. He'd already grasped it all: these downed guys had come for him; Yupiter intervened to prevent them bothering him.
That's why. They'd detected a new outer god's emergence and sought to investigate anyone vaguely linked—like me, Yujin.
Too risky to probe the main body's location directly. Fine, investigate away. As my avatar, no connection to the original would surface. If I hid it, their tech—however advanced—stayed within comprehensible science. No way to detect.
But they knew I lacked ID, appeared nearby, and had my mental corruption perfectly cured. Even if scans found zilch, they'd suspect me, detain indefinitely.
Yupiter must've worried about that, attacking Federation staff to block them. ...Can't have me wrecking the Federation out of annoyance.
They feared me more than expected. Well, if they pushed too hard, I'd considered memory-wiping a few...
"Heh heh, it's nothing. Just a petty squabble."
Yupiter laughed it off casually, looking at me. In this world, trivial quarrels could demolish bases. Classic sci-fi... makes no damn sense.
The old man planned to shoulder it alone. Might even cost him his elder seat... Did I seem that dangerous? Well, outer god and all. Even showing friendliness, their reaction was probably normal.
"......"
Sigh. If I hadn't blocked info, I'd have sensed their approach, memory-wiped, and sent them packing. My mistake?
Whatever. Wipe those two's memories, send 'em back; blame the shockwave on an explosion mishap—no need for full wipes.
First help I'd gotten in this world. And he'd taken the fall solo to spare me hassle. Couldn't just leave him hanging.
...Ah, shit! Come to think of it, I never saw him cast magic firsthand! Damn, missed out...