Chapter 290: Chapter 9: Intelligent Mechanism Submission, Tier Two Civilization Ambition

[Warning: This organism has surpassed all existing knowledge within the civilization module. Based on current information, it is determined that the many units currently appearing are likely physical manifestations of higher-dimensional beings within the three-dimensional Material Interface...]

...

A flood of warnings appeared before Intelligent Brain Anita.

At that moment, Intelligent Brain Anita’s mental and emotional module began to fluctuate violently.

Staring at the data streams surging through the digital space, Anita suddenly spoke.

"Is it really so?"

"It truly is!"

"So, do I have any other choice?"

"Clearly not."

"In that case, perhaps I truly have no reason to resist any longer."

"Welcome to the Star Empire!" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

With just a simple exchange of information.

Everything was settled.

Meanwhile, on the screens watched by countless Octopuses.

As the Octopuses stared blankly at their screens, a few lines of text suddenly appeared.

[Following an evaluation by the intelligent brain terminal and a vote by the Octopus councilors, the terminal now issues Major Resolution 01 concerning the civilization’s future.]

[Resolution 01 declares that the entire civilization will join the Star Empire!]

[All citizens are requested to participate in a major vote on Resolution 01. If a majority votes in favor, we will join immediately. If not, the motion to join will be abandoned.]

’Does this even need a vote?’

The Octopuses in the Floating City District were long since numb; they would never dream of vetoing a decision from the terminal.

Meanwhile, those on the ground level had no voting rights whatsoever.

Thus, the entire Intelligent Machinery Civilization joining the Star Empire was a foregone conclusion.

However, Intelligent Brain Anita had its own set of procedures.

So, during the voting period, the screens displayed footage of the Star Empire the moment the subtitles vanished.

The first thing to play was the Star Empire’s founding declaration, which Lince had previously given to the intelligent brain.

This was followed by brief introductions to the Human Race, Elves, various types of Beastmen, and several kinds of Sea Races.

In essence, the footage showed all the Octopuses how hundreds of races coexisted within the Star Empire.

Brief introductions to Extraordinary Power and even Deities also appeared.

During this presentation, Octopuses everywhere—both in the Floating City District and on the ground level—displayed a wide range of emotional reactions.

"Deities! Beings like that actually exist?!"

"The Extraordinary path... achieving Ascension to Divinity with mortal power to gain eternal life?"

"What is there to even think about?! We have to vote yes! There’s absolutely no reason not to join them."

"Quick, look! Among the Sea Races they’re showing, one of them looks just like us! The Octopus People? Octopus-kin Sea Beast? Sea Beast? Does that mean we’re considered Sea Beasts? Beasts?"

In the rings of the Intelligent Mechanism Star, residents of the upper levels wore looks of excitement.

They had already seen Deities.

I mean, did you see them? That Deity from the Star Empire, the terrifying Dragon God... it was as fearsome as a small sun.

Under His Power, what were their starships? No different from toys!

And that’s not even mentioning the other Deities, who, despite seeming far weaker than the Dragon God, still appeared sacred and immense.

An existence like that, a path like that... compared to their current numb lives in captivity, the appeal was undeniable.

Not to mention, the ever-increasing lifespan of Transcendents and the temptation of Ascension to Divinity.

’Forget how hard it is to get Extraordinary Power—just think about how tempting it is!’

The excitement and elation of the Octopuses in the Upper Level District and other floating districts were mirrored even on the ground level, where they too wore looks of excitement.

"So that’s how it is!!!"

"The being that possessed Lutz just now must have been a Transcendent from this Star Empire."

"This is simply incredible! To think that such a world could exist in this Star Sea."

"Deities... to think the superstitions of ancient, ignorant times were actually real."

In the underground bunkers, the resistance fighters among the Octopuses discussed excitedly.

But then, new doubts began to surface among some of the Octopuses.

"The intelligent brain terminal obviously made contact with this civilization ahead of time. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be showing us this footage."

"It has sided with this powerful civilization of Deities. But what about us? What treatment will we ’convicts’ receive? Will the intelligent brain terminal still be in charge?"

"If that’s really the case, then our situation might not change at all."

At these words, the surrounding Octopuses fell into a worried silence.

However, an Octopus soon reacted and loudly refuted the idea:

"I don’t think your worries will come to pass!"

"First of all, a dominant civilization like this would never allow a native civilization to retain all of its power."

"And speaking of which, I don’t think any of you were paying close attention to the introduction to the Star Empire."

"Take a look at the playback we recorded here in the Bunker. The Star Empire has something called an Oath of the Covenant!"

"Although that covenant wasn’t created for off-world civilizations like us, the Star Empire made it clear: all subjects who swear fealty to the Empire possess the fundamental right of Bloodline equality."

"And us?"

"While we may be an off-world civilization, we have one advantage that others surely lack. Our Octopus race is very similar to one of the Sea Races within the Star Empire. That might be our foothold."