The Grand Curator's meaning was already perfectly clear.
It appreciated Xi Yan's decision to build the Museum Celestial Pivot, believing that it aligned with the Curator Enclave's ideals. Thus, it was willing to sell Xi Yan some of the Enclave's rare collections.
Why would such a windfall fall into the Interstellar Human Military Junta's lap?
Naturally, it wasn't just because of the Museum Celestial Pivot in orbit around Amat Eiro, nor because of the Lost Escort model the Old Bastard had given him.
The Curator Enclave wasn't affiliated with any empire. It covered all its own expenses, including starbase maintenance and explorers' salaries.
In the game, the Curators could sell special knowledge to player empires, assist their research, or hire out a Curator scientist at a steep price. All of these were sources of income, and naturally, they had even more options in the real world.
But judging by this Curator's tone, the entire Curator Enclave seemed to be... struggling to balance its books.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have projected itself over here, spent ages making small talk, and then offered to sell some specimens.
Xi Yan's hawk-sharp black eyes rested calmly on the Grand Curator.
"Your Excellency Wànjī Ascendant, I take it the Curator Enclave is having some financial difficulties?"
Under that calm, sustained gaze, even the Grand Curator grew a little embarrassed, crossing its six mechanical hands in front of itself.
It let out a remarkably human sigh.
"You noticed after all, Marshal Xi Yan."
"Noticed what?" asked Beta, the Empire's adviser and staunch supporter of virtual ascension, utterly bewildered.
"Go sit at the kids' table." The Grand Curator stared at Beta with electronic eyes brimming with human emotion.
Although Beta didn't quite understand its look, the AI, a veteran of the human internet, immediately worked out what was