As for what humanity was truly like as a species, humans were so well protected that the Zirick and the Nier could only glean a little from their leader, Xi Yan.
There was no doubt that, physiologically speaking, this was a weak species. Their bodies were frail, they possessed no special abilities, and their only advantages were perhaps their rapid reproduction and strong adaptability.
But in alien eyes, humanity was more than merely a weak species. Humanity was special.
This species had a great leader, and it was precisely because of him that humanity had made it this far.
A leader like that could send any species soaring to greatness.
Even as allies, they could not help envying humanity for having such a steadfast, powerful, and farsighted leader.
Xi Yan was unquestionably a cruel man, at least to aliens. In the eyes of other interstellar empires, he was an outright authoritarian dictator and tyrant.
After learning more about him, however, his allies discovered that he cared deeply for the people of his own empire. Thus, he went from an evil authoritarian tyrant to a wise authoritarian ruler who clearly distinguished those he loved from those he hated.
He never believed in freedom, democracy, or human rights. He believed only in fleets and the economy. In a universe fraught with danger, all politics were tools for keeping the empire running, and an extreme authoritarian dictatorship was the most convenient structure for producing resources with maximum efficiency.
Beneath the Marshal was rule by leaders, and beneath that small elite, all citizens were equal. They enjoyed equal rights and equal access to work. In interstellar society, such a system was extraordinarily sophisticated.
The empire protected ordinary citizens well. They did not need to worry about political matters. With all power concentrated in the