When the Silent King was instantly pulled to a position level with Qin Mo, his guards immediately moved to act.
The High Judiciar and several unarmed civil officials began to withdraw, clearing a path for the warriors specialized in combat.
However, the Silent King raised a hand, and all the guards stopped, returning to their original positions.
"To draw space closer through nothing but simple, brute force, without relying on any technological means—this is the power of the C'tan."
"But do not misunderstand. I do not judge whether you are human or C'tan. In a universe where souls truly exist, self-perception is clearly more important than material form."
Those words had not come from the High Judiciar, but from the Silent King.
The light between his skeletal joints flickered with each syllable emitted by his vocal apparatus.
The High Judiciar clearly did not consider it proper etiquette for the Silent King to speak personally, but as one who served a true king, he had no right to criticize the Silent King's conduct.
"I agree." Qin Mo met the Silent King's gaze. "Do you see yourself as a Necrophage, or as the programmed leader of a robotic race?"
"The Necrophages are already extinct, and the true Szarekh died long ago in the Biotransference Furnace. This is a cruel truth that my people generally cannot accept, but I understand and accept it clearly."
Szarekh's tone was cold and even. Qin Mo could not tell whether the vocal apparatus he used lacked the function to simulate emotion, or whether he had spoken this way even before becoming a metal skeleton.
Yet upon hearing Szarekh speak those words himself, Qin Mo felt that one-third of the purpose that had brought him through the portal had been fulfilled.
"Though the Necrophage race possessed souls, it