"Can you tell me what you have in mind first?"
After thinking for a moment, Zhou Qing decided to hear Taros and Tais's plan first.
The two of them clearly intended to continue exploring downward. Their staying on this level was by no means simply to enjoy the Swarm Kingdom's "way of life." They wanted to build up their strength, advance to the Seventh Layer, defeat the two Guardians, and proceed to the Eighth Layer.
"Indeed, we need to show some sincerity."
Taros no longer asked why Zhou Qing knew the name "Cremation Cannon" and stated her goal: taking control of the swarm.
The swarm!
Different species! Different roles! Each performing its duties! Tireless and obedient!
"Control the swarm, cultivate bug breeds devoted to combat, and win through swarm tactics, minimizing losses."
That was Taros's method.
"This isn't how an explorer should act." Riko strongly rejected this approach. "They're living beings too!"
"A swarm without intelligence is merely a collection of living tools." Taros smiled. "Besides, even the Abyss People, who value peace most highly, still have to hunt the creatures in the Abyss Ruins if they want to eat meat. They even tame some relatively gentle creatures, don't they?"
Riko's face flushed red, and she was unable to refute her.
But Zhou Qing would not be fooled by such sophistry. In the calmest tone possible, he said, "Killing and taming are done only to survive, or because they are necessary for things like medicinal research.
"Even when Soul Masters hunt Soul Beasts, it is only because of the world's rules—they need Soul Rings to break through. Even then, they do not torment them excessively.
"But using them in battle is a disrespect for life itself.
"At the very least, shouldn't you ask for their consent?"
"You really are clever."