I Am The Swarm-Chapter 767: Probing
The Swarm Empress awakened from her so-called “severe injuries and coma” without displaying the slightest confusion. Although she had been captured by the Ji race, and there were no clear signs inside the chamber to indicate ownership, she was still able to accurately deduce who the ship belonged to. This inevitably raised suspicions about whether she had ever truly been unconscious at all.
However, the mysterious organization didn’t dwell too long on this point. For a creature capable of wielding a negative energy shield, installing a few more things—say, a biological version of a recorder—didn’t seem far-fetched at all.
Perhaps it was due to the Swarm’s infamously direct and brutal style, but neither side wasted time on irrelevant formalities. They quickly got down to business. In fact, the mysterious organization had initially hoped to flatter her a bit—build some goodwill with flowery praise—but after wracking their brains, they couldn’t figure out what the Swarm Empress might actually like. Unprepared, without a plan, throwing compliments might backfire if they hit the wrong note—wouldn’t that just be asking for trouble?
“Your Majesty, forgive our bluntness. There have long been rumors that the Swarm obtained the inheritance of an ancient civilization. Might we ask if that is true?”
Regardless of the actual truth, at least on the surface, it was the mysterious organization that had rescued Sarah. And as an Empress of a race that was known for clear-cut gratitude and grudges, one that repaid kindness with kindness and enmity with vengeance, Sarah intended to make use of this goodwill. Though the question was indeed audacious, after a moment’s thought, she still answered.
“That’s right.”
Up to this point, the rumor that the Swarm had received an ancient inheritance had only ever been claimed unilaterally by the Ji race. By strict definition, it was hardly more than hearsay.
But when the subject of the rumor casually and openly confirmed it herself, even those who had mentally prepared were still shaken. The black-robed figures of the mysterious organization felt a tremor ripple through their hearts.
Excitement, greed, desire—all kinds of emotions surged within them. For a fleeting moment, they even considered forcibly taking it.
Of course, if they had the chance, they would absolutely seize it. But seeing how openly Sarah acknowledged it, they figured that even if she had the inheritance on her, it was likely guarded by terrifying safeguards. Trying to steal it by force would surely fail.
The Ji race might know a way to use the Swarm Empress to locate the inheritance, but such information was clearly top secret. Very few people knew about it. At the very least, the Council of Elders had not made this information public. Otherwise, with their influence in the Ji race, there was no way the mysterious organization wouldn’t have heard of it.
The atmosphere turned a bit awkward. The black-robed individuals had prepared all sorts of rhetorical strategies and persuasive language, yet none of it was needed. They got the answer before they even started. For a moment, they were at a loss for what to say.
“Ahem… Your Majesty, might that inheritance be available for sale or trade? Rest assured, we would never treat you unfairly.” Reluctant to give up, one of the black-robed figures still asked, knowing the odds were slim.
“Impossible.” Sarah’s answer was as concise and firm as ever.
Visit freewebnoveℓ.com for the best novel reading exp𝒆rience.
“You see, the Ji race targets your people precisely because of this inheritance. If Your Majesty were to transfer it to us, we could bear that pressure on your behalf. Wouldn’t that be ideal?” another tried again.
This time, Sarah didn’t even bother to answer. She simply looked at them with an expression usually reserved for the mentally impaired.
“Heh… Just a joke! That was all just a joke!” Sensing the tension, another tried to defuse the situation and steer the conversation away. “Your Majesty, after what the Ji race did to you, what do you plan to do next?”
“The Ji race?” Sarah pondered briefly. “My Swarm has its own methods. This is not the place to discuss them.”
“Come now, Your Majesty, no need to be so distant. Since you could so easily identify us, you must already understand our intentions. We are not enemies of the Swarm.”
“Then what do you intend?”
“If Your Majesty seeks revenge for what the Ji race has done, we would be willing to lend our support.”
“Conditions?”
The black-robed figure shook his head. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend. If the Swarm can weaken the Ji race, that’s a win for us.”
Sarah considered for a moment and nodded. “Very well.”
Hearing this, the black-robed figures were inwardly overjoyed. That things could go so smoothly seemed like a dream. It now appeared that the Swarm wasn’t as hard to deal with as rumors had claimed. No, it must have been the Ji race’s malicious propaganda. Yes, definitely that.
“Then, Your Majesty, should we perhaps sign an agreement to formalize this?” one of the black-robed figures suggested. After all, a verbal agreement and a formal pact were very different.
Only… he seemed to have forgotten the circumstances that led to Sarah appearing on their ship in the first place. Suggesting a contract now was like deliberately rubbing salt in a wound.
As Sarah’s expression visibly darkened, his companion quickly tried to smooth things over: “Ah, no need! Her Majesty is someone who honors her word. Since she’s given it, how could she possibly go back on it?”
Hearing this, Sarah’s expression eased considerably. She nodded. “Naturally. As for the details, once I return to my Swarm, I’ll have someone contact you.”
The black-robed figure nodded in turn. He understood what Sarah meant—there was no issue with cooperation, but the first and foremost condition was that she had to return safely to her people. Escorting her back in her current situation was no small feat.
But the black-robed figures had already anticipated this, so they didn’t panic. They readily agreed to Sarah’s plan. “Rest assured, Your Majesty. Since we’ve rescued you, we’ll see it through and ensure you return safely.”
Sarah gave a nod. Once again, the room fell into silence. Watching the Swarm Empress’s expression, which practically said, ‘Anything else? If not, you may leave now,’ the black-robed figures couldn’t help but feel a bit humiliated.
“Your Majesty, since we are now allies, there is something you ought to know,” one of the black-robed figures spoke up, launching a new topic.
“Oh?” Sarah’s expression showed instant interest—was this going to be juicy gossip?
“Since Your Majesty was able to identify us on sight, it’s clear you’re quite familiar with the goings-on in the Confederation.”
Seeing Sarah nod in acknowledgment, the black-robed figure continued, “The Ji race is composed of countless factions, riddled with internal strife. But perhaps you don’t realize… this appearance is only skin deep.”
Sarah made a face that invited him to continue.
“In truth, we only recently discovered this ourselves. It’s precisely because of this revelation that we risked everything to rescue you. Because we know… time is running out. Not just for us, but for the Swarm as well.”
