A tachyon signal was sent from the [Earth], racing toward the fleet ahead.
At the same time, the neatly arranged fleet began to move slowly, revealing an enormous "planet" hidden within it.
It was a standard-sized ice giant, encased in a thick layer of armor.
To Human Civilization in the past, this armor, coated with dense neutron material, would have seemed like a miracle.
But now...
Compared with the surrounding starships, the ice giant looked like a little mud-brick house surrounded by skyscrapers, outdated and shabby.
A spacetime fluctuation rippled outward, and the ice giant slowly advanced along the passage cleared by the Human Fleet-after Human Civilization advanced to level seven, the Imperial Homeworld's propulsion system had been fully repaired.
[Esteemed Tenth Empire, we extend our highest respects to you.] [Human Civilization welcomes your arrival.]
The tachyon message from the Human Fleet appeared on the projection amid the mist, coming into view of every citizen of the Tenth Empire.
As they watched the vast Human Fleet in the projection, every imperial citizen showed some degree of amazement.
Diplomatic words were empty; only the welcoming fleet was real.
A welcoming fleet of such immense size was enough to demonstrate the importance Human Civilization attached to the Tenth Empire.
Without question, it stirred a measure of pride in every citizen of the Tenth Empire.
"We must admit that Human Civilization's strength has already far surpassed the Empire's."
An electromagnetic message from the Supreme Emperor of the Empire echoed through the Flagship, and the atmosphere aboard grew noticeably heavier.
No one wanted to fall behind.
Least of all the Tenth Empire, which had long stood above others.
Being overtaken was not frightening. What was frightening was that the civilization overtaking them had been a mere level six civilization just a