In Bram's ship, everyone looked at the calm human with eyes full of interest. They had met many people during their centuries of life. They had, without a doubt, met those who despised them and those who empathized with them.
Yet, those like Taro were excessively rare. The human in front of them used neither eyes full of disgust nor eyes filled with pity when speaking to them. The realistic hologram showed clearly that behind the human's gaze, there was calmness. A gaze that carried absolutely no judgment.
Such a gaze was not only rare, it was precious. For Bram and the others, who had accepted that their aesthetics were not "in tune" with what was considered attractive, were bound to be considered a disadvantage.
All insectoids that merged into diverse societies would, without fault, bear the discrimination and mockery of many, and the pitiful consolations of others.
"So, you mean to say that your group wants to station in our world? Moreover, you don't want any special status, but to live peacefully?"
Taro's thoughtful words spread on Bram's ship. Bram, together with the others, expected Taro's skepticism. More so when the human didn't look at them with any prejudice.
In a conversation between equals, asking to suddenly be given access to their main "home" was not only rude but also suspicious to the extreme. This notion was even more jarring when the "hosts" were not considered a powerhouse, but an up-and-coming power lacking the strength to protect themselves in the grand scheme of things.
Therefore, Bram's proposition was similar to that of offering a gift while hiding a mysterious knife behind their backs, ready to strike at any opportune moment.
Understanding this, Taro could neither accept their words at face value nor make a decision. After all, while he was important, his influence was limited to one district inside the Golden Sap City.
"Lord Bram, you must understand that our current standing is… sensitive." Taro started, explaining things in a logical and coherent manner. "For starters, our overall strength is not something that can be considered high. Even when we are new to the grand stage of our Galaxy, we know that we are small and have no delusions of grandeur."
Bram nodded. "We understand that. That's why we don't ask to settle in your home world. From what we've seen, this Solar System is quite desolate. The living conditions of the external planets are poor, and life has failed to evolve everywhere else besides the third and fourth planets."
This was not some hidden information, so Taro nodded candidly. "You are right. Only Ceperet and Nualis have evolved life in the Solar System. Some more basic microbial life might have developed on some of the Moons. However, complex life had only occurred in those two worlds. That's the reason why we can't risk losing much."
Taro explained with a sigh. "If we had not two, but eight planets at our disposal, we could risk losing one of them and give a try to living together. Nevertheless, you are asking us to risk 50% of our territory."
Bram understood this very well. Moreover, their current conversation would not reflect the final one. After all, they were delegates who only carried the wills of the upper echelons.
Hence, after pondering for a moment, Bram spoke something that was quite tempting to refuse outright. "If Lord Taro's attitude is considered common among your people, I can guarantee that our people will be happy to settle in your society." With a few movements of his fingers, the hologram scanner expanded to take over the majority of the main cabin.
On the other side, Taro saw the hologram moving to the empty center of the ship and then expanding to a suitable width. A second later, there was a transformation. Instead of just showing Bram, it showed everyone else in the ship's cabin.
Bram spoke while Taro's eyes moved around.
"As you can see, our kin are all insectoids. Lord Taro might be ignorant because of the recentness of your integration with the wider world. However, with your intellect, you might understand that insectoids are not a… welcomed race. We, as any other intelligent species, are not ingrates and know not to treat wrongly those few who treat us with decency."
Taro, however, smiled somewhat sadly. "While I understand your plight, Lord Bram, I know that ingrates are within all species. You and your friends here might not be as such. Sadly, it takes one crooked card to collapse a card castle. Our society is sturdy, our Lady Heavenly Willow being a fair World Tree that treats everyone fairly as long as they follow their rules. Nevertheless, our Lady's one caveat is that she doesn't accept unstable variables easily."
Taro, with Flor's permission, revealed the following. "You must've investigated our place, but even if you didn't, I'll tell you the following. Our Lady, before ascending, had a rival power. When she gained enough strength, she exterminated it." Taro emphasized the last word and even added it with a grim tone. "And when I say exterminate, I mean no survivors. The entire enemy content was reduced to nothing."
Those words somewhat startled Bram and the others. World Trees were known for being territorial to extremes. However, they only ever attacked those who were a threat to them. So, if a World Tree that was Level 100 encountered a large force of Level 50s, she would just forcefully spread her roots to that location and take over. After all, these Level 50s could do nothing under the force of nature that a World Tree represented.
Liu Shu's extreme actions were not just to dominate the area; they were to assimilate society. She was not a conqueror; Liu Shu was a ruler. She looked down from the skies to her lands, and didn't see terrain. She saw an empire.
Therefore, her actions were much more in line with humanoid rulers than those of her species. If, while observing her domain, Liu Shu noticed a group rise to fight her, she would nip it in the bud before it even saw the light of day.
Moreover, with her current influence, the only thing she needed to do was speak a few words. "Incarcerate these people and investigate."
That single sentence could move millions and squash any rebellious power within her domain. No one, absolutely not one power, could rival a single order from the absolute ruler, the Heavenly Willow.
Bram, being an intelligent man, quickly understood the level of "purity" the so-called Heavenly Willow searched for within her domain. And, while he could probably guarantee that 99% of the people would behave, the last 1% was not insignificant. That 1% had families, connections, and influence. Moreover, with hundreds of thousands or even millions, the 1% quickly reached numbers that could form a "revolutionary army."
"...Lord Taro. I understand your concerns. However, you and I are not in a position to take the final decisions, right? Still, we have seen that there is a chance for conversation. We can also see eye-to-eye on a civilized level. Therefore, I would say that continuing to discuss these things among ourselves is rather inefficient. I suggest that our leaders speak with Lady Heavenly Willow, or anyone who can represent her."
Bram admitted that he was between a wall and a hard place. What Taro said left him with basically no room to maneuver with his current identity. Therefore, the most intelligent thing to do wasn't to stubbornly try to show their goodwill but to pull the truly influential players into the conversation and let them battle it out.
Taro, sharp as he was, was quick to the uptake and smiled. "I do agree. How do you plan to do so? Will you send your leaders next time?"
While Taro was speaking, Bram shook his head. "There is no need for that. We can switch places at any moment. While the distance between us is currently large, it should be enough for maintaining a conversation."
Taro didn't disagree. Their conversation, being under the surveillance of the higher-ups from both sides, was not a profound scheme, but basic preparedness.
Soon, the holograms on both sides disappeared and distorted. A second later, a cicada humanoid appeared instead of Bram, while, to the utter stupefaction of the insectoid faction, an insectoid manifested on the other.
The female insectoid's features and eyes were extremely attractive, even from the perspective of an average humanoid species. Her eyes were black and compound, but they carried a glow of majesty and exotic beauty that didn't hurt the rest of her finely crafted features.
Any male from almost any species would call Ignatia attractive and seductive without a hint of doubt. The red-wearing, gorgeous woman crossed one of her legs, her skirt fluttering with her elegant moves, and then she smiled.
"Welcome to our Solar System. I am Ignatia, Lady Heavenly Willow's representative, and also the one who will be leading the conversation on our side. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Rhex, who had been instantly smitten by the gorgeous Ant Queen, stammered for a moment. "I-I am called Rhex Talovar…" Hearing his own stutter, Rhex paused for a second before regaining his composure. "I am the representative of the
Ignatia leaned on her fist and chuckled. "Let's be quick with pleasantries. We've both been paying attention to our subordinate's conversation, am I right? Please, speak your thoughts about it."
Rhex, having recovered from the initial shock of seeing Ignatia, decided to shift the initial planned conversation's focus. Ignatia's appearance had thrown most of his initial considerations out of the window. After all, if someone like Ignatia could represent the highest authority, this society didn't fear or despise insectoids in the slightest. Unless Ignatia's appearance was a prearranged pawn, which Rhex didn't think was possible, he could try to tackle their conversation from another perspective.
"Lady Ignatia, before we continue our conversation, I would appreciate it if you revealed your general species. This would make many of our considerations easier. After all, there are some enmities that are irreconcilable, and we need to take them into account."
Ignatia paused for a moment, as if she was listening to people nearby, and then smiled. Her luscious, red lips moved, uttering a simple sentence.
"I am an ant."
Four words.
Four words that most would consider an insult.
Yet these four words sent invisible shockwaves through all the ships of the Insect Trinity Pirate fleet, making all, without exception, stiffen and widen their eyes in fright.
Among the insect species, ants were special. Few could compare.
The reason was that the ants, at least during the initial Ascension levels, were known for being unable to take humanoid forms. They were, in a way, one of the most "monstrous" insectoid species.
An ant could become "bipedal"; they could gain true "intelligence." But it didn't matter. If they were an ant, their skin would be made of carapace, their heads those of an ant, and their mouths with mandibles. They would also have six limbs and distinguishable thoraxes and abdomens.
No ant, at least not during the initial ascensions, would be able to gain a truly humanoid appearance.
No singular ant… except one.
Rhex felt a shiver travel down his spine, and for a moment, he felt as if the woman sitting like royalty in front of him could pressure him to the ground with just a single gesture of her hand.
Without a moment of hesitation, Rhex bowed down to a single knee with a thud and spoke. "This humble one is extremely sorry for the disrespect, Your Majesty. I hope you didn't get offended by my ignorant actions."