Xia Jin’s demand for 100 intensity units of Zero Point Nuclei was actually equivalent to about 500 Zerg units.
This would save a lot of resources and time.
However, she felt the other side was more likely to provide Stellar Azure Crystals because they were indeed easier to collect and carried less risk than Zero Point Nuclei.
When the results of the negotiations were sent to the Faluer Civilization, the high level officials of that civilization fell into a long silence.
“The Fed Civilization has caused us a great deal of trouble. Let them handle it themselves.”
“They should know what to do. Although they lack the corresponding technology despite having no Stellar Azure Crystal mines, they have imported plenty from other civilizations over the years. Even if they don't have enough, they can sign a loan. In the end, they just need to use their internal factories or certain resources as collateral.”
Once the decision was made and a resolution was passed within the Starsea Alliance’s meeting hall, the pressure shifted to the Fed Civilization.
The most unfortunate one now was undoubtedly the Black Forest Civilization.
If this continued, the Black Forest Civilization would certainly be unable to hold out. Once they were finished, it would be the Fed Civilization’s turn.
After all, the two shared a border. Before they were even attacked by the Zerg, they would likely face condemnation from their own allies.
Thus, out of desperation, the civilization could only buy enough Stellar Azure Crystals for payment by taking out loans from other surrounding civilizations.
These loans would have to be paid back slowly in the future, and the cost for such strategic resources was extremely high.
An annual interest rate of five percent was enough to drop the standard of living for the entire Fed Civilization by a level.
Of course, they could choose not to pay and instead go to war with the Zerg, but that would undoubtedly be unwise. Even if they won, their strength would eventually be weakened, allowing other predatory civilizations nearby to take advantage.
...
About a month later, the Fed Civilization passed the news to Xia Jin through the Kawi people.
“We can pay the compensation and will deliver it in full over the next ten years.”
“Ten years, huh?” Xia Jin stroked her chin.
They were being quite sincere.
After all, for these civilizations, just a single trip could take two or three years for a starship.
“Very well. Abide by your promise. The Zerg have already ceased their attack,” Xia Jin said with a slight smile.
“Already ceased the attack?”
Hearing this, the representatives across from her looked at each other.
The girl before them shrugged and said nothing more.
But half an hour later, intelligence arrived from the Black Forest Civilization’s home planet: the Zerg armies on the front lines had stopped their offensive simultaneously.
Due to the consecutive days of war, many local Black Forest people had lost their loved ones.
Some harbored deep hatred for the Zerg.
Yet at that moment, the global Swarm acted like a machine, suddenly halting their attacks at once before retreating in an orderly fashion to the far reaches of the battlefield.
The sudden peace left many people bewildered. They soon learned of the armistice between the two sides from their superiors.
The Zerg had agreed to stop their attack.
Even so, a large number of civilians, consumed by hatred, suffered mental breakdowns and rushed forward to attack the Zerglings that had returned to a neutral state.
Some Zerglings were even killed outright.
However, Xia Jin didn't care about it at all. Even after several were killed, the Swarm remained quiet and showed no reaction.
“What are you doing?”
After two unwilling civilians killed several in a row, they were stopped by the Black Forest army rushing up from behind.
An officer snatched the firearms from their hands and drove them to the rear.
“Idiots! Don't waste this hard won peace!”
Though he cursed loudly, the officer felt an indescribable fear in his heart.
Those bugs were living, breathing creatures, yet they showed no reaction when attacked.
They stopped when told to stop.
They followed orders so strictly that even after suffering fatal injuries, they remained emotionless and strictly compliant.
At that moment, many Black Forest people witnessed the terrifying sight of the global Swarm halting their attack simultaneously at the final moment of the war.
Landing craft began to descend from space, picking up the bugs to return them to their ships.
...
The angry Black Forest civilian quickly regained his composure. He hadn't actually understood the real situation before.
Now he realized that the Fed Civilization had agreed to pay war reparations, and only then did the Zerg stop their offensive according to the agreement.
But the efficiency of the process was a bit excessive.
Sitting in a chair, he gazed at the cold bugs in the distance.
One of the Hydralisks looked back with a meaningful gaze.
“I think it’s a bit scary,” another Black Forest person whispered nearby.
“Yeah.”
On a large screen in the distance, the news was being broadcast:
“This report states that the Fed Civilization, which provoked the Zerg, has agreed to pay war reparations to the Swarm. The Black Forest Civilization, which bore the brunt of the conflict, cannot simply let this go. The diplomatic department has sent representatives to that civilization to demand life rights compensation for their errors.”
The voice echoed through the ruined streets.
“Why don't they ask the Zerg for compensation? Those things attacked indiscriminately,” the whispering Black Forest person said viciously.
A soldier standing behind him glanced at him. “Probably because we are weak.”
The truth hurts.
The group continued watching the news.
A few minutes later, the content of the broadcast changed.
“The representative of the Zerg invasion fleet has landed on the home planet. Both sides have met in the capital city.”
Following the host’s words, the scene shifted to a spherical assembly hall ten kilometers in diameter.
Inside the solemn and sacred building, a girl who looked somewhat eerie yet very similar to a human slowly approached the magnetic levitation platform in the center of the sphere, accompanied by two Ultralisks.
On the silver titanium alloy floor, the girl suddenly floated up and landed slowly in front of the platform.
Rate on N.U.
