Ch.94Ancient Vessel (7)

# Chapter 94: Ancient Vessel (7)

[PAUSE]

[Event: Return of the Dark Age]

[As you positively accepted the bio-core’s proposal, the ship’s power systems and weapon systems have begun full activation.]

[It appears as if it’s rejoicing at entering the Empire’s embrace.]

[Reward: Leviathan-class Super Dreadnought x1]

This message could definitely be described as sweet.

‘This would be perfect as the Empire’s flagship.’

Although I’d need to examine the detailed specifications after the ship arrives in the Empire…

If its performance matches what I remember, this vessel was one that provided massive buffs to the fleet it was assigned to.

Even if its performance turns out to be worse than expected, its mere existence would certainly prove its worth.

Unfortunately, my current situation wouldn’t allow me to focus solely on this beautiful ship.

[Event: Call of the Precursors]

[Immediately after acquiring the Dark Age vessel, the Precursors who were attempting to destroy it have hacked into your and the Emperor’s terminals to establish communication.]

[It’s unknown why they are taking such action when they typically refrain from interfering with other species and nations according to their laws.]

[Option 1: Accept the communication (triggers follow-up event)]

[Option 2: Reject the communication (event ends, decreased goodwill with the Precursor Empire)]

‘What the hell.’

To think such an event would pop up right after obtaining the ship.

What kind of evil scheme is this?

An event where those prideful Precursor Empire folks directly contact us “inferior species.”

And looking at it now, while they give us options, one of them isn’t even worth considering.

‘I hate these events where the answer is predetermined.’

If our relationship with the Precursor Empire were neutral or somewhat friendly, we could cleanly choose option 2 and ignore them, but…

‘…National window, check diplomatic status, Precursor Empire… hmm… spiritualist?’

[Diplomatic Status]

[Holy Sebelli Empire : Precursor Empire (Unconfirmed, Spiritualist)]

[Diplomatic Stance: Neutral : Neutral (Deteriorating)]

[Current relative goodwill with Precursor Empire: -50]

As shown by this diplomatic status window that I recently discovered by chance, the current relationship between our empire and the Precursor Empire was in a very precarious state.

Above all, as Ambassador Jamiya of Prosnack had informed me, the Precursor Empire considers our empire heretical…

Unnecessarily antagonizing them would be an extremely dangerous action.

If we did such a thing, we might be obliterated by the Precursor Empire’s fleet even before Prosnack, who openly destroyed their descendant nation.

‘No need to think about it further.’

With the thought that the answer had been predetermined from the start, I immediately chose option 1 and released the pause.

[PAUSE RELEASED]

And immediately after.

Even though we hadn’t operated anything, the screen connected to the terminal in our private room changed on its own…

Eventually, a completely noise-free black screen appeared, and a very clear voice began to flow from it.

-“Can you hear us, heretics of the Sebelli Empire.”

“…”

-“Your predetermined fate will not change just because you do not wish to hear it, so open all your auditory organs and listen to our voices.”

In response to this voice full of chosen people mentality and arrogance, I grumbled internally but began to respond to their words.

“Great Precursors, I pay my respects to your civilization.”

Regardless of how unpleasant I felt, since they had extended words before fists, I should respond accordingly.

“However, we cannot understand why you have contacted us.”

Perhaps pleased with my humble attitude, the initially high-handed tone from beyond the screen seemed to soften slightly.

-“Hmm, truly admirable conduct… if all heretics behaved like you, this galaxy would indeed be peaceful.”

‘…’

Is this really the same spiritualist empire that constantly picked fights with materialist and capitalist nations in the game, and started conflicts over mere planetary colonization?

I felt genuinely dumbfounded at the irony.

Of course, regardless of that, the Precursor Empire’s communication continued.

-“What we wish to discuss with you is none other than the vessel you just seized.”

As the event message indicated, they were mentioning the Leviathan-class Super Dreadnought we had just acquired. I nodded and said:

“We merely obtained a ship that was drifting through the stellar seas. According to the lofty laws of the galaxy, ownership of that vessel belongs to us.”

-“Ah, the laws of the galaxy.”

In response to my words, the Precursor on the other side of the screen seemed to snort derisively.

And right after that.

-“I see, we have heard the will of you inferior species and heretics.”

Someone with a voice that sounded the same but gave a slightly different impression intervened in the communication, and then spoke in what seemed like a reproachful tone:

-“But that ancient great ship is not something that those as young and ignorant as you should casually possess, remember that.”

“…”

-“We cannot allow young species like you, who already exist as potential seeds of calamity, to possess that ship.”

-“Cease your futile attempts to own that vessel and entrust it to us.”

Interesting.

When I first heard it, I thought they were just trying to prevent us from obtaining technology equivalent to theirs.

But as the conversation continued, it seemed less about simply confiscating the ship and more like…

It felt like seeing an adult frantically trying to coax a child into letting go of a knife or gas canister they were playing with.

And as if to prove my thoughts, a new event window appeared before my eyes.

[PAUSE]

[Event: Dangerous Game]

[The Precursor Empire, which has existed since ancient times, has requested that the Holy Sebelli Empire hand over ownership of the ancient vessel recently acquired.]

[Though the reason is unknown, the fact that they are showing such behavior even to us, whom they dismiss as inferior species, suggests this is by no means an ordinary situation.]

[Option 1: Hand over the ship (Event ends, Leviathan-class Super Dreadnought destroyed, slight increase in goodwill with Precursor Empire)]

[Option 2: Refuse to hand over the ship (Event ends, relationship with Precursor Empire changes)]

If I chose option 1, the ship I had worked so hard to obtain would be lost.

Option 2 would lead to the decline in goodwill with the Precursor Empire that I had been trying so hard to avoid.

‘They say there’s no paradise in the place you run to, and that’s proving true.’

I recalled this ancient saying(?) in my mind as I deliberated.

But this time, after considerable thought, I decided to reject the Precursor Empire’s request.

‘Fleet buff ships aren’t exactly common.’

How could I possibly refuse a massive battleship?

It embodies every man’s dreams, hopes, and romance.

With my resolve firmly set, I released the pause.

[PAUSE RELEASED]

I turned my head toward Arthraia and exchanged glances.

‘I’m going to refuse.’

‘Really?’

‘Yeah.’

‘Then I’ll trust your decision.’

Having received Arthraia’s implicit consent, I turned my head back.

I decided to express a polite but firm rejection to the Precursor Empire’s communication screen.

“I have no intention of offending you, but the Holy Sebelli Empire clearly states that we have no intention of transferring the vessel to any nation.”

In response to my words, the Precursor on the other side of the screen remained silent and did not immediately reply…

But shortly after.

-“…Young species, I hope you do not regret your choice.”

Leaving behind these very meaningful words, they cut off the communication.

Of course, as a precaution, Riel rechecked our terminals and communication screen.

“Well, the communication has definitely been cut off. There’s no hyperspace connection point either.”

Hearing Riel’s definitive answer, I collapsed onto the sofa as if all strength had left me and let out a long sigh.

“Haaaaaa…”

And after that.

As I tried to adjust my posture to sit properly…

“Damn it.”

I had to grasp my head with both hands and use all my strength to hold back the wail rising from within.

“Are you okay, Arto?”

“No, not at all… now those damned Precursors might attack our empire at any moment…”

Faced with this coldly realistic situation, I felt another lament burst forth.

‘To end up antagonizing the Precursor Empire just to obtain a single ancient vessel…’

But before my eyes, a new event message appeared.

[Event: Gratitude of the Behemoth]

[The ship’s administrator was moved by the fact that you did not hesitate to worsen relations with the Precursor Empire to help it.]

[To repay your kindness, it has contacted the Empire offering to provide some Dark Age technology remaining in its neural network and onboard database.]

[Some ancient Dark Age technologies will be immediately unlocked in your tech tree.]

Upon confirming the message, I stood up proudly and declared:

“Even the Precursors have no right to dictate terms to us, a sovereign nation!”

“Uh…”

“Riel! Contact them and tell them to return to the Empire with the ship as soon as possible!”

Seeing me like this, Riel looked at me with a very peculiar expression and left just one comment:

“My… how pitiful.”

Incidentally, Arthraia also had tears welling up in her eyes as she watched me.

“Arto…!”

As a result, it took me quite a long time to clear up the misunderstanding with the two of them.