Koya Alliance

The sudden departure of the Epoch Clan restored peace to this star system. A few years later, a fleet of more than fifty warships entered the Riken Star System. Judging from their style, these warships did not resemble the Epoch Clan fleet; they did not even look like a regular fleet. This was not because they were dilapidated or anything, but rather because they appeared somewhat "flashy."

Rowan recognized at least a dozen different styles from the more than fifty warships, making it seem like a hodgepodge. If they weren't so few in number, they wouldn't pose a threat to the Riken Race. Moreover, Rowan also spotted a somewhat familiar dark red pattern among them, giving him a vague idea of what was going on. Otherwise, he would have thought they were a group of space pirates.

The visitor made no attempt to conceal their identity and openly announced their arrival. Judging from the information, the other party was also a member of the Star Sea Alliance and could be considered a neighbor of the Riken Race.

However, judging from the undisguised arrogance in their statement, they were not there to offer their best wishes to their new neighbors. According to the statement, they belong to an organization called the Koya Alliance.

Both the Riken Race and the Swarm were newcomers to the Star Sea Alliance and knew absolutely nothing about this organization. Perhaps realizing this, if the other party didn't even know who they were, wouldn't it be like putting on a show for the blind? So, immediately afterward, they sent over information about the Koya Alliance.

According to available information, the Koya Alliance was an offensive and defensive alliance composed of more than twenty civilizations, initiated by a powerful civilization called Koriato. The alliance was initially established to unite neighboring civilizations, exchange resources, support each other, and jointly resist oppression from a more powerful civilization.

However, this information comes from their own accounts, so it is bound to be embellished. At least in Rowan's view, besides resisting external oppression, their greater purpose might be to band together and oppress others.

For example, this time, the other side mobilized most of its members, with each civilization sending several warships to form the Visit fleet. That's why they appeared so flashy; even with just over fifty warships, they couldn't achieve a unified style. Perhaps, in their view, this was simply a display, a demonstration.

As expected, the other side bypassed the Swarm territory of the Riken Star System and landed directly in near orbit around Ricken's Mother Planet. Subsequently, a diplomatic team boarded a small spacecraft and entered Ricken 'Mother Planet.

The Riken Race, believing that it's always good to be polite, gave them a grand welcome. However, the other side clearly didn't appreciate it; perhaps they thought it was their due. Before the two sides could exchange even a few pleasantries, the representative of the Koya Alliance got straight to the point and stated their purpose.

The first option is to invite the Riken Race to the Koya Alliance. The Koya Alliance's sphere of influence is about to border the Riken Star System, and if the Riken Race joins them, these territories will be connected. This seems like a good thing, if there isn't a second option.

The second point is compensation, that's right, compensation! The closest member of the Koya Alliance to the Riken Race is the Duoqi Civilization. They used the pretense of inviting the Riken Civilization as a pretext to immediately hand over the civilization to the third prince of the Swarm, "Flaming Red Lips."

So it turns out this whole thing is to avenge the Duoqi Civilization.

Logically speaking, in that conflict, the two sides were the Duoqi Civilization and the Swarm, Riken Race the Riken being at best bystanders who were just standing nearby. So why would they lose the fight, not dare to confront the main culprits, and instead seek compensation from the bystanders? That makes no sense.

The officials of the Riken Race had the same question and raised it with the other party. However, because they were unsure of the true nature of the Koya Alliance, they remained quite polite in their words.

However, the Koya Alliance was ungrateful, and the representative of the Duoqi Civilization seemed to act quite arrogantly because he had the alliance's backing. However, the Riken Race is currently considered a reserve force of the Star Sea Alliance, and this small alliance still has to give the large alliance some face.

So, Representative Duoqi presented his reasons, speaking with great conviction.

It turns out that the Duoqi Civilization believed that the Riken Race were indeed bystanders in the battle against the Swarm. However, when the Duoqi Civilization retreated, they arranged for a large number of surviving members to go to the base of these bystanders.

But after the battle, this bystander didn't even resist, handing over all those noble Duoqi members to the Swarm. This was wrong, erroneous, and unforgivable.

Those Duoqi members have been imprisoned by the Swarm for decades, undoubtedly suffering from hunger, cold, and torture, far from their homes, families, and friends, enduring immense longing. Furthermore, their relatives and friends frequently organize demonstrations, causing unrest and instability in Duoqi society, tarnishing the image of the royal family, and so on...

In short, after a long and rambling explanation, the conclusion was that the Riken Race must take responsibility for this matter. Not only must they be responsible for retrieving all the Duoqi members from the Swarm, but they must also provide emotional compensation to these individuals and their families, make up for the losses suffered by the Duoqi Civilization, and settle the appearance fee paid by the Koya Alliance for this incident.

As for the exact amount of compensation, given the impoverished state of the Riken Race Duoqi Civilization and will allow 110,000 the Alliance points. As for the Koya Alliance, a few hundred tons of Life-Extending Plant and related technology should satisfy those powerful figures.

The Riken Race was naturally outraged. They had only exchanged 100,000 researchers and technical data for a total of 110,000 points, and they hadn't even had a chance to enjoy it. The Duoqi Civilization wanted to take even a fraction of that—and they considered that generous? As for the Koya Alliance, the several hundred tons of Life-Extending Plant were a different story; they were easy to grow, manage, and had a decent yield. But the Renji Epoch Clan had already paid 100,000 points for them. These guys were trying to get something for nothing. There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Therefore, the Riken Race naturally tried to distance themselves from the situation. They claimed that they hadn't taken those people in voluntarily, and that they had treated them well on their territory, showing absolutely no disrespect. But later, the Duoqi Fleet ran away, Swarm came demanding those personnel, since, legally speaking, they were their spoils of war.

Besides, even the powerful Duoqi Civilization couldn't defeat the Swarm, so the pathetic Riken Race is even less capable. Moreover, they're not related, so why should the Riken Race fight to the death against the Swarm for the sake of the Duoqi Race? If they want people, they should go ask for them themselves. The Riken are just an accessory now and have no say in anything.

As for the Life-Extending Plant and technologies, that's easy to discuss. However, the Ji Epoch Clan's leaders have already purchased the entire production capacity and copyright of the Riken Race for the next few decades. The Koya Alliance wants them, and for the sake of neighborly relations, the Riken Race will naturally not refuse. But these things no longer belong to the Riken Race, and the Liken tribe has no control over them. If the Koya Alliance really wants them, they can talk to the Epoch Clan's leaders.