When Hus first made contact with the Swarm, he didn’t have any ill intentions. Shortly after receiving the Swarm’s gift of custom biological armor, Luo Wen could confirm this.
However, this wasn’t necessarily good news. At the ti, Luo Wen had already noticed many irregularities and anomalies, indicating that at least one unknown force was plotting sothing against the Swarm.
But as a mber of the highest authority in this galaxy, and the most likely participant in any conspiracy, Hus was completely clueless about the hidden sches. He couldn’t even offer a plausible guess, which made one wonder how he had even beco a Ji Race elder.
However, Hus wasn’t as incompetent as he seed. Perhaps the conspirators needed to avoid suspicion and the attention of more powerful forces, so they sent soone unrelated to the matter.
Fortunately, even if Hus was truly incompetent, his status as a Ji Race elder was genuine. All ordinary information, and even so classified information from the Ji Race, began to flow to the Swarm, helping them prepare for the Interstellar Technological Confederation’s plans.
The footage the Overmind had transmitted, though its exact timing was unclear, showed that Hus was already an Intelligent Entity at that point. Otherwise, Luo Wen wouldn’t have been able to obtain this first-person perspective.
Clearly, this was a communication between Hus and Elder Cecil. As a Ji Race elder, it was normal for Hus to converse with another elder. From Hus’s informal greeting, Sarah could tell that the two weren’t enemies.
“Sa as always, Elder Hus. What brings you to today?” Cecil’s response was polite and proper. Sarah sensed that while the two weren’t enemies, they weren’t particularly close either—just ordinary colleagues.
“Haha, nothing much. I just wanted to thank you for your help last ti. Without your vote, I wouldn’t have gotten this assignnt. Your support was truly a lifesaver.”
Sarah understood a bit more now. She knew that Hus, with his limited lifespan, had gone to great lengths to secure the assignnt to the Riken Race to obtain longevity serum.
While others were focused on the Swarm, his goals were different. The hidden forces had likely chosen a neutral party through their machinations, which might explain why Hus was sent to the Swarm.
From their conversation, Cecil clearly wasn’t a close friend of Hus, yet she had supported his assignnt. In this world, few people help others without reason. Cecil likely had her own motives, aligning with the earlier analysis of hidden forces.
Thus, Elder Cecil was probably a mber of those hidden forces. Sarah focused her attention. Cecil’s identity carried significant implications, and there was undoubtedly sothing in this exchange that had troubled the Overmind. She needed to pay close attention.
“You’re too kind, Elder Hus. I never sought that position, and your appointnt was widely supported. My vote was just a small addition, nothing significant.” Cecil’s response remained polite, maintaining a subtle distance.
“Elder Cecil, there’s no need to be modest. Regardless, I owe you a favor. I’ve lived for centuries and served as a Ji Race elder for over two hundred years. Everyone knows my style—I’m not one to forget kindness shown to . Now that I owe you, consider a friend. If you ever need anything, just ask.”
Sarah didn’t know much about Hus, but it was clear that even if the hidden forces had chosen a neutral party, they would have picked soone with so level of prestige and support.
At Hus’s words, Cecil raised an eyebrow slightly. From the study of microexpressions, this usually indicated interest. It seed Hus’s words had struck a chord with Cecil.
After a brief pause, Cecil didn’t continue to feign modesty. Instead, she said softly, “Thank you, Elder Hus. It’s an honor to be friends with soone of your stature.”
Cecil’s response remained courteous and proper. After a few more pleasantries, she suddenly shifted the topic: “Elder Hus, I have a question. Would you mind enlightening ?”
Sarah’s eyes narrowed. Here it was. Cecil clearly valued Hus’s friendship. Being close to the Swarm, Hus had access to firsthand information, while others could only rely on hearsay. The best way to get accurate information was to befriend soone like Hus.
“Haha, Cecil, no need for formalities. I said we’re friends now. Ask away, and I’ll answer to the best of my knowledge.”
“Alright, then I’ll be blunt, Elder Hus… Hus. I’ve been a Ji Race elder for so ti, but I’ve never sought an assignnt outside the core regions. I don’t understand why so many people compete for these postings. Especially this ti—just a few newly added outer-ring civilizations, yet so many wanted to go.”
“Haha, everyone chases profit. There’s always a reason for such competition. Each place has its own nuances, and so things are hard to explain without firsthand experience. You’d have to see it for yourself.”
Their relationship was still new, and Hus wasn’t ready to share everything. So, he gave a vague, non-committal answer, as befitting his status.
“Elder Hus, you just said we’re friends. Is there sothing you can’t share? I’m just curious. If it’s too sensitive, forget it.” Cecil’s expression darkened slightly, and her tone grew colder.
“It’s not that sensitive. What I said earlier wasn’t a brush-off. Everyone has different needs, so their reasons for going out vary.” Hus, perhaps feeling it was too soon to contradict himself, continued after so thought:
“For example, money is like scrap tal to us, but so are obsessed with accumulating wealth, even if they never use it. Others crave power. Within the Ji Race, elders are at the pinnacle of authority, but they still have to contend with other elders. Outside, especially in the outer-ring regions, a Ji Race elder can act like a king, enjoying the full satisfaction of power.”
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