Time flowed steadily. The Shining Silver Empire bore the brunt of the battle against the Descended Species on the frontlines, while the other two major human powers—the Starry Church and the Purple Thorn Federation—remained safely in the rear. Despite their distance from the fighting, as fellow humans and mortal enemies of the Descended Species, they shared a responsibility to combat the invaders.
Both powers fulfilled their obligations by sending substantial military supplies and a million troops annually to support the empire.
This arrangement was expected to persist indefinitely. To many war scholars, the conflict between humans and the Descended Species was seen as a prolonged war, one that would eventually end in humanity's victory—though it would require a great deal of time.
However, recent developments disrupted this status quo. The empire, in the midst of its struggle against the Descended Species, was shocked to discover that both the Starry Church and the Federation had begun annexing the smaller nations around them, actively expanding their territories.
What was even more alarming was how similar their methods were, almost as if the two powers had coordinated in advance. This speculation caused a wave of unease within the empire. As one of humanity's three major powers, the possibility of the other two uniting against the third was a nightmare scenario. The outcome of such an alliance didn't require much imagination—it would almost certainly spell doom for the isolated party.
This realization was deeply unsettling for the empire, which had been locked in constant warfare for years. Its resources and wartime potential were nearly depleted. If not for the annual aid from the Federation and the Church, the empire's war machine would have long since collapsed.
Alarmed by the developments in its rear, the empire quickly questioned its two allies, demanding an explanation for their actions. "While we're fighting tooth and nail on the frontlines, you two are feasting comfortably in the rear, gorging yourselves on the spoils!"
In response to the empire's accusations, the Federation and the Church offered nearly identical replies: they invited the empire to join them in annexing the smaller nations and consolidating humanity into just three powers.
Faced with this proposition, the empire initially declared itself unable to spare the resources. However, after prolonged internal deliberations, it reluctantly bit the bullet, diverting a portion of its forces to aggressively annex its neighboring nations.
As one of humanity's three major powers, it couldn't afford to lag behind. Even if annexing these smaller nations brought no immediate benefits to the empire, it had no choice but to follow suit.
In a remarkably short period, all the smaller nations were eradicated, their lands and populations absorbed by the three dominant human powers. Humanity was now divided into just three factions.
The rapid consolidation of humanity bewildered the Descended Species. To the alien kings of these invaders, humanity had previously appeared fragmented, despite controlling far more territory and possessing a vastly larger population. This disunity had given the Descended Species hope for eventual victory, even in a prolonged war of attrition.
But now, with humanity more unified, that hope began to fade. If humanity's three great powers were to merge into one, the invaders would have no place left in this world. Staying in such a unified world would only lead to their extinction.
The Descended Species wished to intervene in humanity's transformation, but they were dismayed to find themselves powerless. As outsiders, they had neither the ability nor the qualifications to meddle in humanity's internal changes. All they could do was watch helplessly.
For years, the Descended Species had waged war with the Shining Silver Empire, which received annual support from the Federation and the Church. In contrast, the Descended Species had no such aid. They had only themselves to rely on, and in truth, their situation was even more dire than that of the empire.
In a grand metallic hall shimmering with purple light and inscribed with countless flowing runes, eight imposing figures sat facing each other. Each exuded a menacing aura and a terrifying presence.
The atmosphere in the hall was heavy. The eight alien kings sat in silence, seemingly lost in their own thoughts. The only movement came from the dazzling ribbons of purple light drifting through the chamber.
"Let's hear it," one of the alien kings finally spoke, his deep voice reverberating through the hall with the weight of authority. "In the face of humanity's recent changes, how should our race respond?"
"What can we do?" another king replied. "This is the extent of our strength. Even if we throw everything we have at them, the most we could achieve is the destruction of the empire. If we fight them head-on, our race faces certain extinction."
"Why has humanity undergone such changes? For now, these changes aren't immediately fatal to us. The smaller nations they've annexed will only distract their focus and won't significantly increase their strength."
"True. Swallowing those nations brings them no real benefit. Yet they've done it anyway, and that's what's truly frightening. It shows they now have a unified intent."
"Are you suggesting that the three major human powers might unify in the future? That's impossible," another alien king scoffed. As a species intent on eradicating humanity, they were well-acquainted with the divisions among their enemies.
"Under normal circumstances, it would indeed be impossible. But do you think the current situation is normal?"
"It's far from normal. The Grand Marshal of the Empire, the newly ascended god in the Starry Church, and the so-called greatest martial arts genius leading the Federation—none of them are normal. Their very existence is anomalous in this world."
"Exactly. These three individuals are fundamentally at odds with the natural order of this world."
As outsiders, the alien kings could see more clearly than humans just how abnormal Muria's family was.
"This isn't how things were supposed to unfold. We've wandered the void for so long and finally found a world to call home. And now, we're once again facing extinction."
"We have three choices: First, we stay and fight humanity to the death. We'll all die, but at least we'll go down with dignity. Second, we try to force humanity to acknowledge our right to exist here and achieve peace. But humanity is unlikely to agree to that. Third, we leave this world, return to the void, and resume our aimless wandering."
"Are those really our only options?" one of the alien kings murmured, his voice tinged with weariness.
"Yes, because we, as kings, have failed to grow strong enough. If we were more powerful, we'd have more options."
"The first option is out of the question. As kings, our purpose is to lead our people to prosper, not to march them to extinction in a futile battle," one king declared, immediately dismissing the first choice.
"The third option—returning to the void—is also unacceptable. The uncertainties of such a plan are too great. Our race could very well perish entirely in the void."
"Then it's the second option: force humanity to acknowledge our existence and seek peace."
"Humanity wouldn't agree before, and they're even less likely to agree now. The years of war have sown deep hatred on both sides."
"So what choice do we have left?"
"What if we submit to humanity? As a race, we could surrender to them," one of the kings, Ryan, proposed. His suggestion immediately drew the attention of the other seven kings, their gazes fixed sharply on him.
Undeterred, Ryan met their stares without flinching.
"Why would you propose such an absurd idea, Ryan? Humanity is a lowly species that relies on sheer numbers to dominate. What right do they have to demand our submission?"
"Look at what our pride has gotten us! We're on the brink of extinction. Our priority should be ensuring our survival, not clinging to meaningless notions of racial pride."
"Surrendering to humanity? Do you realize that doing so would break the spine of our race? We'd never be able to stand tall again. If our only choice is to become their slaves, I'd rather lead my people to die fighting on the battlefield."
"If—if—it comes to the most desperate circumstances, I'll be the first to bow to humanity to ensure our survival," Ryan declared.
"Are you sure about this, Ryan? Have you thought about the consequences? You'll bear immense pressure. All our people will despise and scorn you."
"If sacrificing my reputation can ensure our survival, then let them hate me for millions of years. I don't care," Ryan said resolutely.
"You—" The other kings were moved by his words, their faces showing both admiration and shame. They knew they couldn't make the same sacrifice Ryan was willing to make.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Suddenly, the sound of applause echoed through the hall. A voice filled with admiration followed.
"To sacrifice yourself for your race, willing to bear eternal infamy—you are a true king. Remarkable, truly remarkable."
"Who's there?" The eight kings were instantly on edge, their anger and alarm directed at the figure that had suddenly appeared in their chamber. The intruder had the form of a human woman, her body seemingly woven from starlight.
"You may call me the Star Goddess, Raya," the Golden Dragon Lady's divine avatar said with a smile. Her expression radiated an unusual warmth, as if she bore no hostility at all.
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