Seeing the confused looks of the others, Soya stepped forward and said, "I am the daughter of the God Clan's leader, you may call me Princess Soya." Then, turning to Ambassador Nick, she asked, "Who is the leader of these little people?"
"Honorable Princess Soya, this is Mr. Li Andy, the leader of our Starfire Alliance. These six are the representatives from the six member factions and are also members of the Supreme Command." Nick hurriedly introduced.
"Welcome to the Starfire Alliance, Princess Soya. After your long journey, we should have held a banquet to welcome you. However, due to the urgency of military matters, several of our underground cities have been under heavy attack. We sent Ambassador Nick to express our desire for friendship and an alliance, but instead of a direct response from your clan leader, you were sent here, so we are anxious to hear your answer. We apologize for any disrespect!" Li Andy smiled and said.
"I'm certainly looking forward to trying the food on Earth, but there's no rush. Let's discuss my mission first!" Soya said as she sat in the seat designated for the guest of honor.
When everyone else had taken their seats, Soya stood up again and said, "My father sent me here to assess your strength and then announce the terms of our alliance."
Li Andy and the six representatives exchanged knowing smiles, thinking to themselves: she's still a child, she should understand these things, why say them out loud? One of the white representatives nodded slightly and said, "We'd like to hear more."
"My father said: 'First, if your strength surpasses ours, tell us your intentions, and we will do our best to meet them. If they are beyond our capabilities, we will withdraw from the solar system.' But from what I see, that's not the case, which is why I'm speaking plainly!" Soya continued, though she looked like a child, she was actually 51 years old, and since the giant race doesn't reach maturity until 90, she was still technically considered a child. However, her status and upbringing meant people often underestimated her based on her appearance.
The white representative couldn't help but laugh, realizing that she had intentionally put it that way. The previous report from the defense officer indicated that they could change size, so they couldn't be deceived by her appearance. He maintained a smile and waited for the next part.
"Second, if your strength is comparable to ours, then we'll form an alliance. My father will send elders to negotiate with you, and if you want to meet my father, that can be arranged too." Soya continued, walking back and forth in front of the seats.
"Third," she said with a smile as she stopped in front of Li Andy, "if you are weak and seek our protection, there's no problem. According to our customs, any species willing to submit can sign a slave contract and become our servants. We won't let anyone bully you."
"Slaves?!" Everyone gasped, muttering amongst themselves.
"So, you must think you belong to the third category, right?" Soya said with a smile as she returned to her seat.
Li Andy gestured for everyone to calm down, still smiling, and said, "Giants' emissary, our human civilization, since the rebellion of intelligent machines, is indeed at a low point in history. Our numbers and technology are not even what they were 200 years ago. However, we are still the masters of Earth, and we have never submitted to anyone, even when we were nearly exterminated."
Soya tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said, "Masters of Earth? You must be referring to us. By the way, in terms of our strength compared to yours, in your world's language, we are like gods. So, don't call us the giant race. We didn't call you the little people, did we? Ha! Please call us the God Clan."
She paused, scanning the eight people present before continuing, "As for our history on Earth, I don't want to say much more. For weak species, submission or destruction? What's your answer?"
At these words, a black representative stood up in anger and said, "I think you should send a more competent adult to talk, this isn't a child's game!"
Because of the casualties among the guards, everyone had already been holding their anger, and several other representatives joined in, saying, "Exactly!"
"Silence!" A servant rose to his feet, his form growing to nearly four meters tall, though not quite the full five meters due to the limited height of the underground hall. "Princess Soya speaks for our clan leader; her words are the will of the God Clan!"
Li Andy motioned for everyone to calm down once more. His expression grew serious as he looked at the smiling Soya and said, "Your Highness, is there no room for negotiation in this approach?"
Soya smiled and replied, "Don't be so disheartened. Many species we've encountered in the universe have submitted to us and live happily under our protection. For example, the Brachiosaurus we rode here is a local species of Earth. If it weren't for being our servant, it would have gone extinct long ago. And as for those mechs and spaceships that dare to oppose us, we'll destroy them all!"
Li Andy looked at Soya, her smile and determined gaze, before slowly speaking, "Please, allow our representatives to rest for a moment, and we will consult in the inner hall and give you an answer." He then gestured for the attendants to bring fruits and snacks and signaled the six representatives and Nick to head to the inner hall.
Soya nodded, then, not hesitating, began happily selecting food to taste.
Inside the inner hall, the representatives erupted into chaos, furious. The previous white representative said, "It's like facing a vicious wolf from the front and a fierce tiger from behind. The fate of humanity seems grim!"
"Why fear? We're already down to this desert. If we must die, let it be in battle. Better to perish with dignity than to live in disgrace!" the Asian representative said.
"Yes, we can't go back a few hundred years to become slaves!" the black representative added.
…
Li Andy raised his hand, signaling for silence, and said, "Let's first listen to Ambassador Nick's account of the Giant Clan's situation!"
Nick then recounted everything he had witnessed, especially what he had seen at the Giant Clan's base.
The group learned that the Giant Clan seemed to lack any advanced technology. Nick hadn't even seen any spaceships they used. What he had seen were more like mythological beings, with the giants using simple objects like jewelry, staffs, and combs for everyday life. Every time, they would either concentrate their minds or chant something, and miraculous effects would follow.
Though Nick's previous reports had hinted at this, most of them had been skeptical. Had it not been for the defense officer's report and witnessing the giants transform in front of their eyes, they would have believed Nick had gone mad.
…
After hearing Nick's report, Li Andy gritted his teeth. After a long pause, he finally spoke: "I propose that we accept the terms of the Giant Clan!"
"You will be responsible for your words!" the white representative shouted angrily.
"We in the African council do not accept this!" the black representative declared.
Three other representatives voiced their strong opposition.
Li Andy glanced at the silent South American representative, Isichel, before addressing the group: "I don't want us to submit to anyone. Since I was seven, I've fought in wars against the Solar Empire, and for 234 years, we've sacrificed over a hundred billion lives. But has anyone ever considered surrendering?" Li Andy said with some agitation.
Everyone fell silent, knowing that their leader was no coward. He had started his military career at the age of seven, and only after becoming leader at 76 did he leave the frontlines. Seeing the now 80-year-old leader, no one doubted his bravery, but the question remained—what would he decide? Everyone waited for his answer…