Soul of Searing Steel

Chapter 944: The First Expo of the Races

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“...Seventy-two, seventy-three, seventy-four...”

Hovering in the air, the Rund envoy stared at the four reception areas outside the portals, noting down each race coming out of the portals. Unlike other species, the massive metal sphere could achieve all that easily without having to feign nonchalance to turn his head or use a spell to observe what went on behind it.

“...Seventy-six, seventy-seven, seventy-eight... my goodness, even the Huard— the Huard Hunt, a major Void civilization that could occupy the good chunk of a galaxy!”

Remaining in his position, Kvass counted on quietly in his head, and was increasingly somber the more he did so. “So many races, and most of them major Void civilizations. What are Mycroft’s intentions in inviting so many non-vassal stats to the assembly?”

Could the general assembly not be an internal council for the Mycroft people along with their vassal states? Or did we get the wrong idea?

None could answer Kvass’ remarkable doubts, since he was now inside the small ether demiplane—a venue especially made for the First General Assembly that the Mycroft civilization was organizing. It was small and spherical, only the size of a large island and hollow within, not to mention unilluminated. Still, the dark vacuum was filled with dense ether, with the envoys parties hovering while being directed to their seats around the demiplane.

And the center of the small demiplane was the platform from which the Mycroft people would preside over the council.

***

Small ether demiplanes were not suitable for most species’ inhabitation and entrance required their own life-support spells. Nonetheless, those selected to join the envoys had basically considerable ability to survive unscathed even in the Void, while this was merely an airless environment.

Being a Rund who was an electromagnetic metal, Kvass certainly did not have to worry about such a problem—he was merely puzzled as to why the Mycroftians would go to great pains to create an entire demiplane to organize the assembly... they had clearly been so nonchalant about it, especially with the Expo of the Races.

At the mention of that event, Kvass, who was waiting for the assembly could not help but remember a clash in the central hall of the Void installation—there were two civilizations who had been at odds with each other in their very own galaxy, albeit yet to wage full-scale war. Even so, their arms race, cultural assimilation, and other form of cold war never ceased, instead escalating despite the sudden appearance of the Mycroft civilization who subjugated the both of them as vassals.

Both parties’ envoys immediately erupted into a war of words when they bumped into each other in the central hall. Kvass had watched excitedly, convinced that they would go up in arms or apply for a due, never expecting that one of them would have instead merely used its tentacles to created a bubble of water. Compounding it with magic, the envoy created an entire set of advanced and complex magical framework instead of resorting to violence!

Having seen the silhouette of the core, the other envoy’s own tentacles shivered, understanding at once that his own civilization was about to lose out to his archrival in energy technology. His opponent had known precisely that, thus attacking him with the weapon that was not actually a weapon. Even so, the envoy himself shrank his form to gather water elements as well, conjuring the shade of a remarkably advanced engine in the air.

That was when both of their tentacles convulsed.

Indeed, those two races who resembled marine invertebrates—one looking similar to squid, the other an anemone—were at great odds because of their similar forms and the worlds they adapted. Though the key aspects of the core and engine framework were hidden, those familiar with such disciplines could tell at once from the designs that they were valuable technology and a fine measure to demonstrate their civilization’s depth—both squid and anemone were showing their civilizations’ power.

Soon, other civilizations sought out the squid and the anemone, seemingly intent on asking about technological trade while other envoys offered for an exchange... After all, thanks to Mycroft, the Zeta Ram installation hosted envoys of over dozens of civilizations, and it was a chance hard to come by for most civilizations who only developed within their own territories, and at best, engaged in diplomacy or competed with neighboring civilizations.

It was indeed a dream to be able to meet the leaders of so many other races there!

Upon that realization, some of the envoys understood it to be the best time to communicate with other civilizations—regardless of whatever their strength or weakness may have been, there was nothing better than to obtain others’ virtues to amend one’s own vulnerabilities.

Hence, the raucous central hall became prim and orderly at once, with each race occupying their own corner and beginning to demonstrate their own technology, from warp engines to unique superpower cultivation, special naval artillery, or supremely effective terraforming technology... even if each civilization did not show off their finest aspect, they still had many things to trade with.

Kvass was certainly no exception. The Runds had also set up a booth for their own civilization to promote their alloy recipes and metal warship designs that could be dismantled easily. Though rare but not especially valuable, many civilizations who were lacking in material sciences and engineering as compared to the Rund came forward to trade, resulting in an unexpected harvest of profits for the Rund.

In the short period of a single day, the spontaneously-formed Expo of the Races hence commenced. Kvass had basically seen every specialty, novelty, and tailored technology of each civilization then, and while most did not suit electromagnetic lifeforms, they was perfectly fine for complementing their inadequacies. The envoy even realized, to their great delight, that the one-day expo had actually saved the Rund over a century of research and development.

Nonetheless, the Mycroft civilization did not react at once, even if they had expected it and deliberately pulled the strings for the event—which hence left an impression in Kvass that they were being nonchalant. Naturally, the Mycrortians joined the Expo on the second day as well—their technology demonstrated was simply astonishing, including the various means to cultivate Extraordinary power, models of advanced warships and Void fortresses, and even ways to build Dimensional Hubs and Stargates!

Aside from the various cultivation styles for Extraordinary ability, since it had to be adapted to one’s own species, the designs for advanced warships, Void fortress, Dimensional Hubs, and Stargates grabbed everyone’s attention! After all, was it not those things that the Mycroftians relied on to move around swiftly between galaxies, transporting elite Extraordinary individuals and military forces to conquer one world after another?

Being no fools themselves, the envoys could assuredly see through Mycroft’s trick—Extraordinary power was easy to learn but hard to master. Though appearing attractive and even containing rare powers such as Holy Light, not all species naturally adapted to it, unlike humans. There was no purpose in learning their warship and Void fortress technology either, since those were things that could only be used as practical combat force with time and resources, and who knew if their homeworlds could allocate such stores of materials.

Finally, it was a laughing matter when it came to the Dimensional Hubs and Stargates. If one were to say that there was merit to Dimensional Hubs since they stabilized surrounding networks and could act as a torch to illuminate the Void, then Stargates would simply be placebos that the Mycroft people was intentionally selling them—building such things simply provided the Mycroft civilization with free labor, as well as helped them extend their influence! With the Mycroft civilization having the most intricate developments in the dimensional disciplines, only heaven knew if there were any backdoors placed in the Dimensional Hubs and Stargates.

It was little wonder that they had chosen to have those items for their initial exchange...how prudent.

***

Returning from his recollection to the ether demiplane where the assembly was to be held, Kvass’ count reached a formidable hundred-and-twenty races—that was the number of civilizations who would be joining the first General Assembly.

Meanwhile, another light shone at the center of the demiplane. It was a small star that hung above the Mycroftian platform and emanated dazzling golden radiance. Then, a veiled woman with gemlike hair and a wise mage teleported upon the platform, the presence from the advent of two Legendary champions leaving every envoy present breathless at once.

Now, at that very moment....the First Mycroft General Assembly formally commenced.

***

“Joshua, why did you decline the position of chairperson?”

In the immeasurably vast but dark and empty interior of a world filled with ether, Nostradamus’ puzzled voice spoke, “Those are envoys of the diverse civilizations from surrounding galaxies. Your name would instantly be known across most of the Multiverse.”

“...Getting famous? Master Nostradamus, you are mistaken.”

The old mage seemed to have more to say, but Joshua broke into laughter and cut him short, shaking his head while saying softly, “That is meaningless to me. In the end, the General Assembly is just to reminder the civilizations about the impending Evil God invasion even as they embroil themselves in infighting, grudges and mutual sabotaging. At its root, the convention is to disseminate knowledge about the Chaos, so that those still living in their drunken stupor would understand the more vital truth.”

“Not to mention the fact that I have more important things do, such as molding a world.”

As he spoke, Joshua’s deep voice echoed throughout the world, with distinct golden light abruptly appearing upon the total darkness. It continued expanding endlessly until it emanated the stable golden light of a Main Sequence, just like a true star.

With the illumination of the star, the entire world structure could be seen to be unnatural—its integrity must have been artificial altered that it appeared so unique, being empty inside save for the star that was just created! It was only then that the Giant God and Nostradamus’ figures appeared under the brightness of that light. And with all that done, Joshua turned towards the awed Nostradamus and shrugged.

“Or perhaps... building a ring around the star.”

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