The two sides looked completely different from each other.
On one side of the empty cargo hold, four human phase lords stood tall and proud.
Each of them wore decorated nanosuits that had been programmed to take on the form of uniforms that showed off their superhuman physiques.
On the other side, Ves along with his chief of staff and his bodyguards practically looked like ants in front of the four monstrosities.
The confrontation did not look equal at all. Just one of the human phase lords could easily the human-sized figures with a single foot!
Ves did his best not to let the extreme size difference bother him. It was not much different from meeting people who were noticeably taller than him. Sure, the gap was much greater this time, but he already anticipated this in advance.
Seeing as the four human phase lords had yet to break the silence, Ves decided to do it himself by raising his hand to form a casual wave.
"Hi."
He deliberately assumed a more casual tone in his greeting in an attempt to disarm the tension in the cargo hold.
This usually worked, but not this time.
All four phase lords scowled or showed signs of displeasure.
"" Scilo Karneon said with contempt. ""
Ugh. Ves could immediately tell that this was not going to be an easy conversation. The sentiment betrayed by the department head along with his decision to approach this meeting in his current stature showed that he had truly fallen for his delusions of godhood.
"Good day to you too." Ves calmly responded. "I greet you in this form because I identify myself as human. I am not doing this to insult you and your like-minded subordinates. My humanity is precious. Since I am a proud and upstanding member of human society, it is natural for me to retain my original height. It is rare for me to use my phase lord physique for anything. As a mech designer, I have less need to tap into the greater power of my true body. I believe we are both civilized people. My stature should not have any bearing on this conversation."
The polemarchos shook his head. ""
Ves absolutely could not go along with their demand. Not only would doing so validate their delusional claims about giants, but the bigger problem was that it would allow Sev to usurp control over his body!
The latter consequence was unacceptable and had to be prevented at all cost!
Who knew whether Sev’s crazy delusions would encourage the compromised human phase lords to completely separate themselves from the human race?
"I regret that you think this way, but I still choose not to meet with you in the form of a phase lord. I come here as a representative of the humans who make up the Red Collective and red humanity as a whole. I take on their form so that they will know that I am on their side. I may have made the opposite decision if I was interceding on your behalf, but that is not the case this time."
Although the human phase lords did not like it, they reluctantly dropped the matter, though their good mood after meeting with their ’progenitor’ had faded.
The air grew more tense as a result. Although Scilo Karneon maintained a deliberate posture of control, his phalanx leaders looked a little more poised to go into action.
This subsequently riled up the Apocalypse Warden guards who were ready to take action themselves if necessary.
"Mr. Karneon, I would like to—"
"" The leading phase lord raised his palm. ""
Ves wanted to palm his face at this artificial nonsense. What was wrong with holding two names? Why were these ’Ascended Giants’ so sensitive about their names?
It was a rather bad sign that they held so much contempt towards the names that tied them to their human identities. They tried so hard to distance themselves from their mortal human origins that it was as if they were afraid of anything that suggested weakness!
Ves decided to no longer push them on this particular issue. The first time already sufficed as a test. There was no reason to provoke this bunch any further.
"Would you like to introduce your fellow officers to us?" Ves asked. "I have read their records, but I figure that they have made the same decision as you and taken on new names for themselves."
The Oscillating Fist smiled and placed his giant hand on the shoulder of one of the men standing behind. ""
Keirzan Hoslin, now going by the Unshakeable King, took a step forward and made a somewhat respectful salute towards Ves.
""
That sounded ominous.
The Oscillating Fist proceeded to introduce his next commander.
""
The Phase Lord Department counted significantly more male than female phase lords.
Nonetheless, Fasia Meledor managed to stand out and become the head of the Flesh Chopper Phalanx.
The female human phase lord stepped forward and bumped her rigid fist across her chest. ""
The woman formerly known as Fasia Meledor stepped back after completing her simple greeting. She had conveyed all she wanted from her look, gesture and words.
The Oscillating Fist proceeded to introduce the third commander.
""
The man who used to be an infantry commander by the name of Haroudi Molain stepped forward with an impeccable posture and bumped his fist against his chest like the previous strategos.
""
But they could be, was the unspoken implication.
As the last commander stepped back, the Oscillating Fist proudly faced the human delegation.
""
What?
Just because Ves insisted on sticking to his human identity and stature, these Ascended Giants rejected the possibility of trying to talk their way out of an impending conflict?
Had these guys gone crazy?
No wait. That was a stupid question. There was no doubt that they had lost their sanity!
"Let me make sure I heard you correctly." Ves said. "Are you sure you want to stop any hope of figuring out a way to realize a peaceful end to the current disputes?"
"" The Oscillating Fist responded. ""
Ves had a feeling that he might not like what he was about to hear next.
"Please explain."
The phase lord leader began to smirk and assume a more aggressive posture. ""
"..."
For a moment, Ves could not believe what he just heard.
Instead of engaging in a tense and difficult dialogue where both sides would continue to verbally wrangle each other until they reluctantly formed an uncomfortable compromise, these Ascended Giants wanted to solve their disputes in a different way.
Through martial duels.
It was a delightfully simple yet incredibly primitive way to determine primacy!
Ves did not have any desire to enter an arena and brawl against any of these human phase lords!
He was a mech designer, not a prize fighter!
There was no way he could stand a chance against these professional and experienced warriors!
Besides, as soon as he unfolded his true body, Sev would return from the depths of his mind.
His alter ego was a disaster!
Who knew what Sev would do once he took over Ves’ body. Perhaps he might side with the Ascended Giants and lead them into declaring full independence from the human race!
"No."
The Oscillating Fist and his fellow commanders looked down at Ves with contempt.
""