Star Sea City, the Mechanicus's temporary quarters.
Ralph sneered at the building before him. He simply could not understand what gave a civilization without even its own delegation or permanent quarters the confidence to refuse him. Besides, he had come prepared to pay.
No matter how I look at it, they have no reason to turn me down, Ralph thought.
Then Ralph addressed the soldier temporarily stationed at the entrance.
"I'm here to see the envoy from that Mechanicus or whatever it's called. Please announce my arrival."
The soldier adopted an extremely deferential attitude upon recognizing Ralph. After all, he was one of the representatives in Star Sea City of the Shatra Civilization, one of the Six Giants.
The soldier was just about to enter the lobby when a voice came from a camera near the entrance.
"There's no need to announce you. Please come in, Ambassador of the Shatra Civilization."
Ralph then turned to his attendants.
"Wait here for me."
The attendants, dressed in somewhat old-fashioned clothing, bowed their heads slightly.
"As you command, Lord Ralph."
Under the soldier's guidance, Ralph soon met the Wisdom envoy.
The Wisdom envoy was trimming some oddly shaped plants with a pair of scissors.
When Ralph arrived, a smiling face appeared on the glass-sphere head of Envoy Wisdom Unit.
"Our Mechanicus quarters are still under construction. Please forgive the discourtesy of receiving you in these temporary lodgings, Ambassador."
Ralph was somewhat surprised. Was this robot really so intelligent? It not only had hobbies of its own, but also understood social etiquette and spoke with remarkable polish. Was this really a robot?
The Wisdom envoy spoke, its smile unchanged.
"Are you puzzled by my choice of words, Ambassador?"
Only then did Ralph realize how rude he had been, and he hurriedly refocused his attention.