Next came the meal and drinks.
The Macrosteel People were indeed rather rough around the edges. As long as it was alcohol, they drank it! Whether it was Maotai, vodka, or whiskey, they praised it all to the skies, downing a bottle in a single gulp. It always felt like casting pearls before swine.
As glasses clinked, they talked about what they had seen and heard along the way, and the atmosphere was lively and friendly.
Of course, the humans were also quietly observing this technological civilization that had come from afar.
These Bearded People were burly and generally used heavy weapons. Their strength was certainly no act. They also carried ranged firearms. In fact, humanity's Rune Rifles had been developed by learning from theirs and making improvements.
However, without sparring, it was difficult to judge their individual strength by sight alone.
What the humans could see more clearly was their wealth!
These long-established civilizations really were rich... Even the ordinary soldiers' standard-issue equipment was generally more than a grade above humanity's!
"Their armor seems to be made of carbon black steel, with elegant, refined craftsmanship and large numbers of runes engraved in the inner layers. Their clothing may be woven from the silk of some supernatural creature. It has a self-cleaning effect, resists dirt, and offers some protection. Their soft armor is tanned from some kind of monster hide."
Details such as materials and craftsmanship really did reflect a civilization's foundations.
Wealth was something difficult to fake.
Just think: if humanity organized an ocean-going fleet, would they load all their possessions aboard just to show off? Of course not. It would be a voyage lasting decades, even a century!
No one could guarantee success. If the ships sank, wouldn't the losses be enormous?
Thus, the crew of an ocean-going