I Am The Swarm-Chapter 559: Public Sentiment

After confirming that the information source was reliable and the surrounding area was indeed safe, the crimson warship relayed the message back. The miraculous effect of quantum entanglement effortlessly transmitted the information to the Confederation forces still within their warp bubbles.

In the vast emptiness of space, another crimson warship jumped out, followed by more and more ships arriving. Each of them shared the same design and paint scheme. The elite-looking crimson warship turned out to be just a mass-produced standard model.

Despite the Confederation forces’ assurance of safety, the ships that jumped out afterward remained vigilant. They deeply understood the principle of relying on oneself rather than others.

A large number of spherical probes were ejected, flying off into the distance while conducting detailed scans and observations of the sector. Being so close to Swarm territory, and with the Swarm’s stealth technology well-known within the alliance, it was impossible to be too cautious when dealing with such a formidable enemy.

The Confederation forces didn’t mind the Rashudia Race’s distrustful behavior. After all, they were merely allies, and the Rashudia Race’s eccentric nature had earned them countless enemies in the shadows. Given the right opportunity, over 20% of the Confederation forces wouldn’t hesitate to kick them while they were down. So, it was only natural for them to be cautious.

Learning from the Yuntu Race’s experience, the Rashudia Race had reorganized their fleet during their journey. They concentrated a large number of ships equipped with quantum communication devices into the vanguard, ensuring that even if they fell into a trap, they could still transmit information.

Thus, the ships now appearing were all capable of sending messages. As more and more ships confirmed the safety of the area and relayed the information back, the main force of the Rashudia Race finally began to arrive. However, with nearly 200 million standard warships, each 4,500 meters long, plus other functional vessels, the total number exceeded 200 million.

Although the Confederation forces had tried their best to accommodate the Rashudia Race, the sheer size of the fleet—over 200 million ships—meant that it would take a considerable amount of time for all of them to arrive.

This period was conservatively estimated to be two to three years. This was also why, during the meeting, when the Rashudia fleet was still seven years away, Mowei had requested a ten-year wait.

Fleets in warp travel are at their most vulnerable when they first exit and begin to assemble. If the Rashudia Race were alone, no matter how eccentric their nature, they would never dare to jump to their current location.

Fortunately, the Confederation forces provided initial protection. A large number of patrol units surrounded the area in multiple layers, conducting continuous patrols. Additionally, fleets from three mid-ring civilizations were stationed nearby to ensure their safety.

However, the Swarm seemed to have suddenly become passive. Since their last battle with the Ketou Race, they had not engaged in any large-scale actions. Over the past few years, they hadn’t even conducted small-scale harassment. If it weren’t for the massive gathering of Confederation fleets, sharpening their blades for battle, one might think they had returned to an era of peace.

As more and more Rashudia ships arrived, they gradually took over the defense work. Outsiders’ protection could never be as reliable as their own. Although the Swarm hadn’t made a move in years, security measures couldn’t be taken lightly.

Yet, even as the Rashudia Race’s 200-million-strong fleet fully arrived, the Swarm remained inactive. While this brought relief, it also raised questions.

“The Swarm these years has become unlike the Swarm of old.”

“What are they trying to do? Just watch as we gather our forces?”

“What else can they do? Right now, just in their First Star System, we have over 2 billion ships. Over the years, the Swarm’s forces in the First Star System have only increased by 1 billion, reaching 3 billion. There’s no comparison in combat power.”

“Exactly. Even the weakest race in our alliance has ships with size and firepower that completely outclass the Swarm’s standard units.” The alliance referred to the Swarm’s standard units as the Primordial-class Space Octopuses. At 500 meters in size, they were indeed no match for ships several kilometers long.

“Haha, the way you talk, it’s as if the Swarm is worthless. Even at their weakest, they could easily crush those outer-ring civilizations in equal numbers.”

“True. After all, the Swarm has transitioned to the dark energy era. Those outer-ring civilizations wouldn’t stand a chance against such a Swarm.”

“It’s about the same. The Swarm’s standard units have a fatal flaw in their size. One hit from a dark energy main cannon, and they’re done. Even energy cannons from controlled fusion systems would only take two or three shots. What’s the difference?”

The speaker, a blue-furred monkey-like alien, was one of the earliest outer-ring races the Swarm had encountered. When the Ji Race sent personnel to the Riken Race to pick up researchers, one of the New Ji Race members had this appearance. Surprisingly, his race turned out to be a powerful mid-ring civilization.

“The difference is huge! It’s two to three times worse!” another alien exaggeratedly retorted.

“Enough. While Fuyi’s words are a bit harsh, with our current forces, completely crushing the Swarm might be impossible, but we do have a significant advantage. Winning this battle shouldn’t be a problem.”

“However, it’s the Rashudia Race leading this battle now. History will only highlight the commanders, while we’ll likely be mentioned in passing.”

“What else can we do? You missed your chance back then.” A member of a mid-ring civilization who had arrived in the past decade spoke dismissively of the earlier civilizations’ actions.

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“Please. Our forces back then were nothing compared to now. With the forces we have today, even I could do it. No need for strategy—just push forward and win.”

“Well, there’s nothing to be done. The Rashudia Race proposed all this, and with their strength, you can only watch with envy.”

“Are you looking for trouble, kid?”

“Hmph!”

“Enough, enough. This isn’t the time for arguments. The Rashudia fleet has fully assembled, and the time for all-out war is near. But I still feel something’s off.”

“Indeed. I think it’s because it’s too quiet. According to intelligence, most of the Swarm’s forces are still basking in the sun, showing no sense of urgency about the impending war.”

“I said it earlier—maybe they’ve already given up, knowing they’re doomed. If I knew I was facing certain death, I’d go sunbathe too.”

“Use your brain! Those are mindless biological weapons. If your ships knew they were doomed, would they go sunbathe?”

“You!…”

“Enough, enough. Stop arguing.” The alien who had played peacemaker three times in such a short span felt exhausted. He began to wonder if discussing the situation with these allies was the right choice.