Chapter 722


    One of the individuals most eager to catch up with Anton was the Great Queen. She had much to say about the goal of expanding into the upper realms, and about the individuality of void ants.


    It is somewhat of a risk, to allow more individuality to develop among our people, the Great Queen signed. But I must recognize that no matter how much I approach it, I will never achieve perfection. Only the intelligent perspectives of those like myself will be useful guidance. But if they spurn our allied cultivators, the consequences will be great for all.


    Anton nodded, mostly listening to her share her concerns. And you think this might happen? That they would make such a choice?


    Not if they think logically. This is one area I am quite certain I am correct on. But allowing people to make mistakes is


    Part of letting people manage themselves, Anton said. Though I believe it is best to let them make smaller mistakes and experience the consequences first, so that they can avoid the greater mistakes.


    Not all performed so admirably as the Sergeant, the Great Queen signed. Some sought their own selfish advancement, taking what was not theirs. A small amount of freedom, and they went so far The Great Queen shook her head in a mannerism adopted from humans.


    Sometimes, that is simply the way things are. If they were not allowed freedom, perhaps those individuals would have simply found a method to work behind your back to the same ends. Your control is not absolute, is it?


    No, it is a matter of factors around birth and how individuals are raised. It is possible to promote the development of certain characteristics. The default is subservience with enough intelligence to fight and follow orders. This holds true even up to the Royal Guard. Queens must have more autonomy, however.


    And what about them? Anton asked.


    They are interested in maintaining positions and wary of what I might do to them. Though I believe we share the same understanding, and I have not had to enact more than minor discipline or corrective training. I am respected as the Great Queen.


    Anton nodded, Indeed, I havent heard of any trouble caused by void ants and if it does not affect humans, then for the most part I wouldnt have any objections.


    Some expand too rapidly. Sending their nest to devour everything around. They nearly starved themselves, and might have repeated the same mistakes were they moved to a new nest. But we have not had such trouble in a century.


    That is good to hear, Anton nodded. He went on to speak of his travels, mainly about Inistra and the surrounding area.


    Hopefully they shall sessfully manage their seas, the Great Queen said. But I am more interested in this Aipra, in subspace. I have spoken about it with Matija. We would not visit ourselves, but the danger of distortion beasts is understood. Simrly with Poriza, it sounds too bleak for void ants. Ack of natural energy would greatly hinder us.


    I doubt they would be open to you establishing a colony there right now anyway. They have their own issues. I do wish I could give them a proper star, however


    If that is your desire, I know you will aplish it, the Great Queen dered. But let us speak of the contacts on our side. We establishedmunications with three systems. Two to the north, and one to the southwest. Initial contact is friendly with two of the three, and we anticipate future developments. These same systems seem to have their own version of Worldbinding or Assimtion.


    I hadnt heard that yet, Anton said. But I suppose I am not surprised if it can be developed twice or more? He wasnt actually certain if the Snis Cluster had developed it separately between their systems. Regardless, it is reasonable others would havee up with simr methods. As long as they had motives to remain in the lower realms


    Udre to the Southwest managed a stalemate with upper realms invaders in the most recent cycle, forcing them to leave as the tides of the world shifted. Nidec to the north retained enough of their cultivation techniques in secret vaults to recover.


    And they developed Assimtion within thest half century? It wasnt necessarily odd, especially if they were already working on it before. Anton managed to formte most of his method before he even reached the peak of Life Transformation- then it took another decade or so.


    It seems to be the case, the Great Queen continued. Thest is somewhat weaker. I heard that they were not subject to the most recent invasion. Perhaps it did not seem profitable to the upper realms.


    And that system is not as friendly?


    Indeed. They are called Vrelt. The n is to monitor them, but it has not been decided if they will ept an ambassador or if one would be provided. The others have permanent contact, though any exchange of information is limited by caution.


    Anton nodded. Nobody wanted another Ekict. Though for that system in particr, he heard they were on a path that might eventually result in further development of rtions. Anishka in particr was part of the driving force behind that. Anton was proud, and hoped they could at least return to amicable terms- at the current moment, Ekict was still undergoingary restructuring and internal growth after their strongest sects were destroyed. It was quite likely they would be more open to outsiders, given the remaining individuals had been oppressed by those same sects- but it would only be clear with the development of the generation.


    -----


    The Scarlet Council was gathered together upon Xankeshan, seated in chambers more expansive than currently required for their numbers. Velvet stood at the forefront, giving her report.


    Weve received word that the saint of light himself will be participating in an attack on the One Thousand Palms sect. This information has already been ryed to them, of course. Here, we must n our response.


    We have to support them, of course, Timothy said.


    And use the opportunity to take out their leader, Tauno grinned, several new scars visible.


    How was this information obtained? Zazil questioned. It may be a trap.


    Oh, definitely, Velvet said. It was way too easy to get this information. <em>However</em>, it has been somewhat widely announced throughout the Harmonious Citadel. If they dont follow through they will look bad which they most certainly cannot afford right now. So there will be <em>something</em>. Its simple about the magnitude of response we prepare.


    I think the true attack will be elsewhere, Catarinamented, However, if they send two or three saints to defeat Prasad, he will be in danger. We need to provide proper support. But if they <em>do</em> happen to send three, that will leave them quite vulnerable.


    Except for their hidden members, Velvet reminded. We cant necessarilymit to a counterattack if something happens. Though that might depend on what they know about what <em>we</em> know. Weve caught some spies before they could report back, but that doesnt mean there arent ones we havent caught. Spies couldnt be true members of the Harmonious Citadel as they were easily spotted, but they had enough wealth to pay unconnected individuals for the great risk involved. Or to at least tantalize people with the prospect of great wealth, since they might never get paid.


    We have also managed to cut down many of their Integration cultivators, Hoyt pointed out. If we bring enough of us, we can at least hold off a saint. I should be one of those to go, since I am the official diplomat to Prasad.


    And we can of course provide ships, Zazil said. But I think the Scarlet Alliance must keep our few Augmentation cultivators in reserve. Is there any word from Everheart?


    Vari shook her head. Hes kind of neutral on the whole alliance thing. Which might be for the best. But if we can inform him of an opportunity to cause trouble for them, I imagine hell take advantage of it.


    Close enough, I suppose, Zazil shrugged.


    -----


    Ultimately among the support for the One Thousand Palms were Hoyt and Alva. Because Alva was going, Fuzz also wasing along. And with Fuzz came Spikes. All were inte Integration or some equivalent, though there was still a significant gap between them and Augmentation. It was not guaranteed that they could defeat an Augmentation cultivator even with the advantage of numbers. Chikere was a freak exception, and would likely only perform that well in her best matchup.


    Languageposed of growls and barks came from Fuzz as they were on their way. We have gone too long without involving ourselves in action.


    Spikes replied in the same manner. Yes. One of our daughters has even surpassed our current merits.


    Though Fuzz was the main progenitor of the wolves actually having anguage, neither he nor Spikes tended to speak much. It was the younger pups that grew up properly speaking to each other and certain humans that were more verbose.


    Alva was pondering on her own when Hoyt approached her. What are you thinking about so strongly?


    I dont think I can dodge light, she admitted. The same is probably true of Fuzz with me riding him.


    Already anticipating battle, then?


    Arent you?


    Hoyt shrugged, I have done all reasonable training. And from the lesser members of the light style, they dont necessarily have long range. If they do, we can still handle them. Or perhaps that will be Prasads duty. He may not be able to dodge light either, but I bet he can p it around.


    Alva nodded, Im just concerned about being so far from the main part of the Scarlet Alliance. The One Thousand Palm Sect was on the far side of the Harmonious Citadels territory, good for nking but reaching them meant taking the long way around the region.


    Well, its not the nicest thing of me to say but if were in real danger, we can just leave. No point in dying honorably with Prasad, if ites down to it. At least our ships should be able to bring us away.


    If we can get to them, Alva agreed. I just dont know if Im ready to <em>really</em> fight Augmentation cultivators.


    I know Im not, Hoyt said. But what better way to prepare than to actually do it? Personally, I feel in need of the inspiration.


    Same here, Alva admitted. I just wish there was another way to get it. Exchanging information with grandpa is limited. And Kseniya is uh <em>like that</em>.


    Still not a good teacher, Hoyt nodded. Her growth is also a bit slower, I think.


    Dont tell her that, Alva said. Or do, maybe? Shes already quite motivated for an old woman.


    Proportionately, were closer than ever. Shes barely more than a century older than us.


    Ugh, Alva grimaced. Will I ever get used to time passing like this?


    Signs point to no, Hoyt said. Time does as it pleases, and leaves us to scrabble about trying to do something as it passes us by.


    -----


    Prasad was waiting for them when they arrived. He wasrge, with much of his muscled dark skin on disy. The sincerity of the Scarlet Alliance is appreciated, Prasad said.


    Even if we arent Augmentation cultivators? Alvamented.


    We are not so close that I would expect such. Besides, sending young talents says more in some ways. It is more individual risk for the likes of you. He turned around, Come, let us get you settled in for whenever that coward decides to show himself.


    Do the two of you have history? Alva asked.


    How could we not, as neighbors for so many years? Prasad shook his head. We were once the target of their conquests, and survived only because I broke through. He would not fight even a new Augmentation cultivator. Now, I am stronger. I cannot swear to y the saint of light, but I can at least drive him off. Depending on the situation, I will call upon you to assist with the task. Or hold off one of their other saints, if it is required.