Experimental Subject

Although humanity could understand the string of statements from earlier, they had no idea what this being that called itself the Adelie Civilization—or Adelie—meant.

What did it mean, they were still around, they were coming? What was all that supposed to mean?!

This suspected Gaia Life seemed to have stopped influencing the Crimson Flame People as though it had gone mad. After a long silence, it sent them another message. "By the way, you have a Gaia Consciousness Detection Device. Are you a Level 5 Civilization?"

At humanity's instruction, the Crimson Flame People of the Probe Team answered, "We are only a Level 4 Civilization, but a Level 5 Civilization is stationed at our Star Alliance Headquarters."

"An alliance made up of one Level 5 Civilization and a group of Level 4 Civilizations?" the suspected Gaia Life, Adelie, asked again.

"Yes!" the Crimson Flame People replied.

"You are lying!" the suspected Gaia Life, Adelie, declared decisively.

That certainty startled the humans aboard the Lyra. They secretly wondered whether there was a flaw in their story, or whether this suspected Gaia Life could distinguish truth from lies.

However, before humanity could instruct a reply, the suspected Gaia Life, Adelie, continued, "How could a Level 5 Civilization possibly form an alliance with Level 4 Civilizations? They are merely deceiving the Level 4 Civilizations. In the end, you will become experimental subjects just like us."

At humanity's instruction, the Crimson Flame People replied, "How could that be? The leader of our Star Alliance is very good. It is a benevolent civilization."

"Hahaha, a benevolent civilization? That is the funniest joke I have ever heard. For their own development and interests, Level 5 Civilizations casually destroy Level 4 Civilizations and use all kinds of low-level civilizations as experiments. And you call that a benevolent