Chapter 415: Motive
The Riken officials, feeling emboldened by their newfound relationship with the Ji and believing that this situation was primarily the Swarm’s issue, responded with a mix of polite words and thinly veiled mockery.
Though they maintained a veneer of courtesy, their insinuations that the Koya Alliance were bullies who only preyed on the weak were clear.
This provocation enraged the Koya Alliance. What began as a discussion dominated by the Daqi representatives quickly turned into a collective rebuke, with representatives from various alliance members joining in. Even the Koriato, the leading civilization of the alliance, took the stage.
The Koriato were an imposing species. Five of their members, towering over two meters in height, attended the talks. Regardless of gender, their bodies were robust, and their meticulously groomed manes gave them the appearance of majestic lions.
Unfortunately, even with these “lions” stepping in personally, their unrelenting and exorbitant demands met with steadfast resistance from the Riken.
The Riken now fully appreciated the benefits of being surrounded by the Swarm. Any attack on their homeworld would first have to go through the Swarm. The 50-ship fleet from the Koya Alliance had been ignored by the Swarm only because it posed no immediate threat. However, if a large-scale invasion were attempted, it was unlikely that the Swarm would stand idly by.
Of course, this assumption required confirmation from the Swarm.
Thus, the Riken discreetly sought assurances from the Swarm. This was more for show than genuine consultation, aimed at placating the still-unconverted original Riken population. Once the Swarm gave their unequivocal support, the Riken negotiators felt a newfound confidence.
Though they didn’t know if the Swarm could truly stand against the Koya Alliance’s coalition of over 20 civilizations, they reasoned that it wouldn’t matter. If the Swarm fell, they could always surrender later.