Reborn as an Evolving Space Monster: Harem Of Otherworldly Beauties

"Roka's worry is that the Syndicate might try to stop this mission from succeeding. Acquiring a Tsero Crystal has always been thought of as impossible. Tsero Crystals have always been seen as things that only the Syndicate is capable of taking. But… With us being able to obtain Tsero Crystals, not just those thanks to you, but even the one before, it does put a dent in the idea… It changes just how impossible acquiring one is."

"So you think that some before you have managed to get Tsero Crystals from Serolia?"

"There is no proof." Raya shrugged. "And without proof, and I can't suspect anything. I mean… I wouldn't worry about it. Still, Roka does. As if Visero weren't enough… Thinking that even the Syndicate stands in the way… Tsero Crystals are a big part of what gives the Syndicate their power. Without their monopoly over Tsero Crystals and their ability to sign treaties through the trade of the power source in exchange for countless things, they would find themselves in trouble."

"I suppose that makes sense." Cero whispered, rubbing his chin. "I noticed something on Serolia. While it might not be related to this, it might have something to do with the Syndicate."

"Is that so? Do tell."

"Well, you see… After coming back with Roka and a Tsero Crystal in hand, I went back out there."

"And brought a bunch of stuff, including many Tsero Crystals."

"That's right. I went to the same place where Roka and I had taken the Tsero Crystal from. The same… Mountain." Cero explained. "Upon taking all of the Tsero Crystals from there… Well, most of them. I guess I did leave one for the kids. Anyways, the Tsero started getting restless, which is understandable. They lost their energy source. Without the Tsero Crystals, they would starve to death."

"Do you think they did?" Raya asked, her eyes narrowing. "Starve to death?"

"The thing is… After a bit, one of the Tsero started digging."

"Digging?"

"Yes. Alarmed by this particular one, other Tsero started approaching, and digging as well."

"You don't think they were…?"

"It seems that way to me. Digging for Tsero Crystals which remain underground."

"So there are more of them than we think? Is that what you're trying to say?"

"Yes, but not only that." The Paru scratched his chin. "If the Tsero were truly digging for Tsero Crystals, then it would mean that… Hm. How do I explain this…?"

"Take your time."

"If the Syndicate has hundreds, or thousands of Tsero Crystals, then it wouldn't be impossible that… The reason there are mountains on Serolia is the Syndicate."

"The mountains where Tsero and Tsero Crystals are found?" Raya's eyes widened suddenly. "You don't mean…?"

"Yeah. What if the whole terrain was changed by Tsero from having their Tsero Crystals stolen? If the entire surface was once filled with Tsero and Tsero Crystals, but as Tsero Crystals were stolen, Tsero had to move, and start digging… I'm not sure if it makes sense."

"It's definitely possible, although maybe not this way." Raya muttered, rubbing her chin. "Since Tsero Crystals are how the Syndicate gains power, then we would have to go back to the beginnings of the Syndicate… That's… A couple of centuries. The terrain being flattened… Well, not flattened but you get what I mean."

"Sure."

"If the terrain changed because of them, it would be from them doing the digging themselves. Machinery can be used to do the Tsero's work… You would only need one Tsero to detect the Tsero Crystals."

"Yes, I suppose that's possible too."

"Interesting... I'll keep this in mind and think about it some more."

"So... Roka?"

"Yes. I guess the impossible mission turned out to only be very, very difficult. After all, with about 100 people, we did obtain a Tsero Crystal. But people believe that it's such an impossible task, that we are at the Syndicate's mercy, that they are our only hope and saviors... That only dumbasses like us end up having the balls to try it."

"But you think that other dumbasses have tried before as well."

"Yes, well... Roka does, at least. If other dumbasses have tried, then they either didn't get as lucky as us... Or they failed to make it back, like we would have without you... Or they were stopped."

"Stopped by Syndicate before making it back."

"Exactly. Whether they were stopped on civilized territory or before that... Well, who knows. The mission took so long that no one should care, expect, or worry about us making it back."

"But if Tsero Crystals are the Syndicate's whole thing... Then they would worry. I would keep worrying until they see a crashed ship.

"There already is one. A crashed ship."

"Yes... There is. They were identical, weren't they? Was that on purpose?"

"Of course not." Raya chuckled. "Even if we didn't want to leave a crashed ship, we didn't really have a choice. Still, leaving it there does give the idea of failure. Sure, we took two ships. But no one outside of Wor knows about the details. Actually, very few people know of the details even on Wor. If a ship is found, that should be enough to declare that we have failed. I suppose it'll depend..."

"I don't think they will stop until they find the second ship as well."

"Hey, hey! There is no -They- for now! No one is coming for us, alright? Relax!"

"I don't know about that..."

"So you agree with Roka?"

"I don't know anything about the Syndicate, about Wor... Or about how your Tsero Crystal was stolen."

"You ate it."

"..." Cero scratched his cheek for a moment. "I'm talking about the one that used to be on Wor."

"Oh... Right." Raya chuckled. "Sorry about that."

"Any idea? About what happened to it?"

"You said that it was stolen, but there's no proof that that's the case. I assume Liz gave that idea, or talked in a way that conveyed something similar. True... It could have been stolen by a traitor, by a different civilization..."

"The black market one, right?"

"It has a name, you know? Anyways... Looking for who the traitor is won't help. A lot of people land on and take off from Wor every day. If there was a traitor, he's long gone... Gone before our mission even started. Before anyone found out that the Tsero Crystal was gone."

"Don't you want to beat them up? Whoever it is, they did betray your whole civilization."

"I don't really care." Raya shrugged. "You seem to be under the misconception that our civilization stands as one. It doesn't. We're divided. Sure, we're all citizens of Wor, but we're divided in many, many countries... Some countries detest the Syndicate, some are the Syndicate's bitches... Some countries want nothing to do with the Syndicate..."

"Right..." Cero muttered, taking hold of his chin and lowering his gaze. "For some reason, I assumed there weren't different countries..."

"No one expects a Paru to know much." Raya chuckled as she shrugged.

"So are you all from the same country?"

"Well..." Raya looked away. "Not exactly.

"Not exactly? It's a -Yes- or -No-. Don't try to sound mysterious."

"We do come from different countries."

"But you speak the same language. I remember Liz saying something about that."

"Yes." Raya shrugged. "If you're going to rub shoulders with some savages, you might as well make sure they all talk one language, right?" She chuckled. "So that you only need to give the order once."

"..."

"It was a joke."

"I think I get why some of the others don't like you."

"...!"

"Anyways, I need as much information about this next Planet as you can give me."

"It's a pretty chill one." Raya muttered. "Oh, right..."

"Yes." Cero nodded as he stood up. "You know how my body works now. Well, we don't know the details but..." The Paru stretched his arms up. "We're having another meeting before landing there, right?"

"Slow your horses." Raya chuckled. "We haven't even left Tyl yet."

"Sure, but I leave the job to you."

"What job?"

"Look for as much stuff as you can about that Planet we're going to after leaving Tyl. Find out everything about the creatures leaving there. No, not just the creatures..."

"Huh?" Raya's eyes slowly widened, while the corner of her lips curled upwards. "Wait... You mean you want me to...?"

"Yes."

"So I should make you a menu, huh?"

"Hahaha. Yeah, something like that. A diverse and rich one, please."

"With the most useful ones and their approximate locations..." Raya muttered, holding a thumb to her teeth. "That could work. There is quite a bit of information on this next one... Despite it being a wild one too."

"I leave it to you then."

"Yeah." Raya nodded as Cero walked towards the door. "Wait." She called out, causing him to stop. "Shouldn't we... Weren't we going to talk about... Something else? Or did it go wrong with Liz?"

The Paru chuckled.

"No, it went well with Liz."

"Then...?"

"I'll see you later, Raya."

"...!" The door was closed behind him. "Dick!" She cursed, once left alone.