Even two nations on the same planet faced countless suspicions and potential risks of war. What, then, of two planets separated by the vast sea of stars? This was the reality facing the rulers of the three empires.
The boundless starry sky concealed too many secrets and possibilities. Gawain hoped that other intelligent civilizations among the stars possessed goodwill and virtue as well, but he could not believe such a thing unconditionally.
Before a civilization had developed to the point where it could set foot on other planets and establish "disaster backups" there, its survival in the sea of stars would remain like a lone boat adrift. Any unexpected storm could capsize that boat completely. It might be a natural disaster like the Magic Tide, or it might be a hostile extraterrestrial civilization. Either possibility was something the nations of this planet could not afford to gamble on.
"...Before discussing whether we should respond to this signal, I want to confirm something first," the Silver Empress suddenly said. "Do we truly have the means to respond to it? If, as the scholars suspect, it crossed the sea of stars at an instantaneous speed, then it may already exceed our technological limits. If we do not even possess the fundamental technology, then it is a little early to discuss whether we should respond..."
"That is exactly what I was going to say—if necessary, the Alliance may truly be able to respond to this signal," Gawain said, lightly tapping the table. "The sirens... you should know that they crash-landed on our planet aboard a gigantic starship, and not long ago, they partially repaired the ship's FTL Communication Array."
Rosetta and Bercetia immediately exchanged glances, their expressions shifting slightly. Gawain then looked toward Amun, who had been sitting beside them in silence. "I