Many Parties

"I've shut down the automatic Machine Spirit."

Trazyn glanced at the distant planet. "As for the rest... you know what to do."

Hades gave him a knowing look, said a few words into the channel, and Trazyn knew he was issuing orders to the troops on the planet—there was a Grand Sage named Jin among them, whom Trazyn had wanted to contain for a long time.

"Want to go down and take a look together?"

Hades tilted his head.

But Trazyn shook his head.

"No." The Necron raised an eyebrow in a humanlike manner. "I trust you—and besides, this is still something I can't bring myself to do personally."

Hades knew what Trazyn meant—not participating directly would lessen the guilt, while he could still take his share afterward, right?

Hades inwardly sweated, but he understood Trazyn. After all, this involved cooperation with Xenos. Cooperation with Xenos? That had become a distant, taboo subject long ago.

Small-scale "cooperation" with Xenos was naturally no issue—a few Xenos got along, and who knew whether they might pick up weapons and fight together? But now... both Hades and Trazyn knew this was no small deal.

It was like how Trazyn had once thought he was investing in a small project, only for it to grow into a colossal entity over ten thousand years—and as the investor, he was now stuck between taking interest and not taking it.

If he took interest, he would have to board Hades's pirate ship—even if Trazyn tried to avoid it, he would still have to get involved to some degree.

Then... he would board it!

No matter what, it was better than the Silent King's ship!

Once the time was right, so long as there was no direct conflict between him and Hades, Hades's side would be easy enough