Chapter 716: The Old Farseer
The meeting took place in a special space.
It was not located on a physical ship or any faction's base, but rather, by mutual agreement, in a highly encrypted and psychically shielded quiet room adjacent to the Death World base's main control center, through a virtual venue constructed via highly stable psychic projection and holographic imaging technology.
Ryo sat at one end of the venue, his figure solid.
At the other end, the image of Ulthwe's High Farseer Eldrad Ulthran slowly emerged.
His projection appeared more ethereal than a physical body, shrouded in a faint layer of psychic light, but the majesty and wisdom accumulated over tens of thousands of years, along with the deep pressure he deliberately restrained yet remained palpable, were still clearly transmitted through the illusion.
Elandir stood quietly at a slightly distant position behind Ryo, her eyes lowered in silence, like a soundless bridge.
The brief silence was a tacit acknowledgment of each other's weight and the nature of this meeting.
"Honored Ryo," Eldrad spoke first, his voice resounding directly in the quiet room, ancient and peaceful, yet lacking the detached distance of the past. "Thank you for taking the time to meet. Elandir should have already conveyed my core concerns to you. Today's meeting has nothing to do with etiquette or probing between two civilizations; it is solely to seek a possible path for survival."
Ryo nodded slightly, his attitude calm. "Survival is the most fundamental driving force of any civilization. I understand. Please speak freely, High Farseer."
Eldrad's image seemed to ripple slightly; he did not hide the heaviness he felt.
"You have personally experienced the cleanliness of the Pandora universe. To our race, that is not merely a new world, but the only hope to be isolated from the eternal curse and allow our souls to rest in peace. Since the Fall, the shadow of Slaanesh has constantly coveted every Aeldari soul. Our survival is like walking on thin ice every step of the way; every ripple of emotion could bring about a devastating disaster. The Craftworlds are but fragile, lonely boats drifting in a raging sea."
He looked directly at Ryo, his gaze piercing the barrier of the projection. "You command the power to cross dimensions, anchor, and open stable gateways. The relocation of the Predator homeworld has irrefutably proven this point. Ulthwe, and indeed all Aeldari children still struggling to survive, implore you, allow us to migrate to that universe. We are not begging for a gratuitous gift; we are willing to pay the price, assume obligations, and become your reliable aid beneath that starry sky."
Ryo did not answer immediately. He tapped his finger lightly on the armrest of his chair, seemingly weighing his words.
"High Farseer," Ryo began after a moment, his tone steady but carrying a trace of detached scrutiny. "I understand the predicament the Eldar face. But the establishment of trust cannot be achieved overnight, nor can it be reached solely based on unilateral, urgent needs. Your civilization has a long history and profound heritage, particularly excelling in foreseeing the future and guiding the course of events. Over the long ages of the past, when the Aeldari dealt with the Imperium of Man, and indeed other human factions, utilization and unequal cooperation seemed far from uncommon. Not to mention betrayals at certain critical moments."
He paused, his gaze clear, as if able to see through the ancient soul shrouded in psychic light. "I admire Ulthwe's foresight and restraint, and I acknowledge the sincerity and capability your side has demonstrated in this cooperation. But this is not enough for me to generate sufficient trust in the Eldar as a whole, trust that concerns the safety of a universal portal. After all, if the key to a safe world is handed to a race not historically known for being trustworthy or stable, I must carefully evaluate the risks."
His words were straightforward, even somewhat sharp, not showing the slightest euphemism just because the other party was a renowned High Farseer.
This was not arrogance, but a calm statement based on facts and his own position of absolute superiority.
Eldrad listened quietly. No anger at being offended appeared on his face; instead, a very faint, almost bitter understanding emerged.
He knew all too well that what Ryo said was not slander, but the true brand left in the eyes of humanity by the Eldar's past actions.
He also heard that Ryo had not completely closed the door in his words; behind the careful evaluation lay room for negotiation.
"Honored Ryo's concerns are entirely reasonable," Eldrad said slowly, his voice carrying the heaviness of a confession. "Past actions shape present perceptions. The Eldar have indeed, while indulging in fragments of prophecy and our own racial superiority, made many short-sighted, even erroneous choices. The complex entanglements with the Imperium of Man cannot be easily clarified. I cannot change the past, nor can I guarantee the hearts of all Aeldari children."
He leaned his projection forward slightly, lowering his posture even more. "Then, in your opinion, how can Ulthwe, or rather, the Aeldari who are willing to follow a new path, establish a new foundation of trust that you recognize? What must we pay, what must we prove?"
The core of the negotiation was pushed directly to the table. Ryo knew the other party had understood his subtext.
He did not immediately make specific material demands, but first pointed to Elandir beside him.
"The establishment of trust takes time, and it requires suitable communicators and executors. Lady Elandir's performance on Pandora and during this joint operation has proven that she is a capable and relatively pragmatic collaborator. My communication with her has been fairly smooth."
Eldrad immediately understood and responded without hesitation. "Elandir will remain by your side as the fully authorized liaison and coordinator between Ulthwe and yourself. You can trust her loyalty and capability. Not only that, if you require it, Craftworld Ulthwe can dispatch more warriors, artisans, and seers proficient in various crafts at any time, awaiting your orders. They will prioritize your will, assisting you in handling affairs in this universe and any other dimensions you might encounter."
He raised his voice slightly, making an extremely significant promise. "This is not merely my personal promise, Honored Ryo. If you need it, I can use my remaining influence to try and contact, to persuade other Craftworlds still eking out an existence, and even certain sensible splinter factions. Let them understand that cooperating with you, gaining a safe future, is the only viable path for the continuation of the Aeldari race. As long as it can save the Eldar from the eternal curse, I, Eldrad Ulthran, am willing to act as a go-between for you, convincing them to serve you."
The quiet room was dead silent.
Elandir's eyelashes fluttered slightly, but she remained completely silent.
Ryo's gaze grew profound.