Chapter 414: The Koya Alliance
The sudden departure of the Ji brought a sense of calm to the region. A few years later, a fleet of more than 50 warships entered the Riken System.
Judging by their design, these ships bore no resemblance to the Ji fleet and didn’t even look like a formal navy. That’s not to say they were dilapidated or makeshift, but their appearance was unusually “flashy.”
Among the 50-plus warships, Luo Wen identified at least a dozen different design styles, giving the impression of a hodgepodge fleet. If not for their small numbers and lack of a real threat to the Riken, Luo Wen might have mistaken them for a band of interstellar pirates.
Notably, he spotted a familiar dark red pattern on some ships, sparking a vague suspicion about their origin.
The fleet didn’t attempt to hide their arrival and openly announced themselves. According to their transmission, they were members of the Interstellar Technological Confederation and could even be considered the Riken’s neighbors.
However, their tone, dripping with unrestrained arrogance, left little room for misinterpretation—they hadn’t come bearing friendly tidings for their new neighbors. The fleet identified themselves as belonging to an organization called the Koya Alliance.
Neither the Riken nor the Swarm, as newcomers to the Confederation, had any knowledge of this organization. Perhaps realizing this, the visitors promptly sent over an introductory dossier, apparently unwilling to “perform for an audience of blind men.”
According to their self-description, the Koya Alliance was a defensive coalition of more than 20 civilizations, spearheaded by a powerful civilization called Koriato. The alliance was ostensibly founded to unite neighboring civilizations, foster mutual support, and collectively resist oppression from stronger powers.
Of course, the dossier was undoubtedly polished to present them in the best light. To Luo Wen, the alliance’s true purpose was just as likely to involve bullying weaker civilizations under the guise of unity.