Intergalactic conquest with an AI

"Ah, yes," Emilia said, her tone shifting slightly, her sharp intellect now on full display. She crossed one leg over the other, resting her chin lightly on her hand.

"That reminds me. The treaty you signed with Lady Cleo, wasn't it something to the effect of her allowing you to purchase advanced technology as a favor to My Lord? But as I recall, there was a condition, wasn't there? You were required to secure the funds yourselves."

Emilia's lips curled into a sly smile, her curiosity brimming. "

I have to say, I'm quite curious. Just how do you and your people manage to make that much money? Especially enough to equip all of this?"

She gestured lightly toward the templars, their equipment a gleaming testament to their wealth and efficiency.

Lilla tilted her head slightly, her blind eyes seeming to fixate on Emilia in a way that felt deliberate.

Her gentle smile didn't waver, but there was something enigmatic behind it, a hint of amusement as if she enjoyed keeping her secrets close.

"Oh, Lady Emilia,"

Lilla said softly, her voice as melodic as a distant bell,

"the truth is quite simple, though not particularly exciting."

Emilia leaned forward slightly, her curiosity now fully piqued.
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"Do tell,"

she pressed, her voice dripping with anticipation.

Lilla rested her delicate hands in her lap, her smile deepening

. "We are traders at heart,"

she began, her tone light and calm.

"We travel, we negotiate, and we capitalize on opportunities that others overlook. With Lady Cleo's permission, we've built a network that spans across several systems. Resources, information, artifacts, whatever holds value, we find it and ensure it finds the right buyer."

She paused, tilting her head slightly.

"It helps, of course, that humans are often underestimated. Few see us as a threat, which makes it all the easier to surpass their expectations."

Emilia raised an eyebrow.

"Artifacts? Information? That's a vague way of saying you deal in things most others wouldn't dare touch. Are you implying your network deals in... less-than-legal activities?"

Her voice was probing but playful, her expression calculating.

Lilla let out a soft, almost musical laugh, shaking her head.

"Not at all, Lady Emilia. Everything we do is above board... or at least, as above board as it needs to be. After all, we must operate within the boundaries of Lady Cleo's approval. But as you well know, legality is a flexible concept in certain corners of the galaxy."

Her smile turned coy.

"I assure you, we're quite adept at... interpreting those boundaries."

Emilia chuckled, leaning back into her seat.

"Interpretation, hmm? Clever. And profitable, by the look of it. I suppose that explains how you can afford to maintain such a well-equipped force."

Her gaze drifted briefly to the two templars standing behind Lilla, their silent presence as imposing as statues. "

Still, I imagine that level of success requires more than just sharp negotiation skills and market understanding."

Lilla's expression didn't waver, but her smile took on an almost imperceptible edge.

"Oh, it does,"

she said softly.

"It requires faith, discipline, and a singular purpose. My templars are more than soldiers; they are devotees. Every credit, every victory, every step forward is for the glory of our savior."

Emilia's playful demeanor faltered for a brief moment, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly.

"Your savior,

" she repeated, her voice quieter now, as if testing the waters of Lilla's conviction.

"You speak of him with such reverence. Tell me… is it faith, or something more practical, that inspires this devotion?"

Lilla's cloudy gray eyes seemed to flicker with something deeper, though it was impossible to tell if it was real or imagined. Her smile remained, but her tone dropped just enough to carry a weight that hadn't been there before.

"It is both,

" she said simply.

"And in time, Lady Emilia, you may come to understand why."

Emilia regarded Lilla for a long moment, her calculating gaze meeting the blind woman's unseeing eyes. A silent tension passed between them, unspoken but palpable. Finally, Emilia let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head.

"You're a fascinating woman, Lady Lilla,"

she said, her voice returning to its usual smoothness.

"And your savior is fortunate to have such... capable followers."

Lilla bowed her head slightly, her smile as serene as ever.

"And I am fortunate to serve

."

The room fell quiet for a moment, the weight of their conversation lingering in the air like the aftermath of a storm. Behind Lilla, the two templars remained still as statues, their glowing visors betraying no emotion.

Emilia finally broke the silence, rising gracefully from her seat.

"Well then, I suppose I'll leave you to your faith and your mysteries. Do let me know if there's ever anything you need from this city. My door is always open."

"Your generosity is appreciated, Lady Emilia," Lilla said, her voice soft but unwavering. "And rest assured... should we need anything, you will be the first to know."

The female templar stepped forward silently, her imposing armor seeming lighter as she moved to stand before Lilla. She reached out slowly, her gauntletted hand brushing against Lilla's delicate fingers. Lilla, as graceful as ever, took the templar's hand, allowing herself to be gently guided to her feet.

Once standing, Lilla turned toward Emilia, her expression calm and composed, though there was a faint trace of hesitation in her otherwise serene demeanor.

"Before I go, Lady Emilia, may I ask... is there any news of Lord Rex?"

Her words carried a softness, but beneath it was something deeper, hope, or perhaps reverence. She paused mid-step toward the exit, waiting for Emilia's answer.

"Mmm? News of My Lord?"

Emilia replied, tilting her head slightly. Her sharp gaze flickered to Lilla's cloudy gray eyes, as if trying to read the subtle meaning behind her question.

"Nothing new, I'm afraid. I only receive updates from him occasionally, when he deems it necessary. Why do you ask?"

Lilla's delicate features shifted into a small, polite smile.

"Oh, it's nothing significant,"

she said, her voice light yet tinged with warmth.

"It's just that he is one of us, and we owe him everything. Please deliver a message to him when you can let him know that, should he ever need us for anything, he has but to ask. We will be honored to obey his orders."

Emilia studied Lilla for a moment, her crimson eyes lingering as if weighing her words. Then, with a slight bow of her head, she responded.

"Understood, Lady Lilla. I will ensure your message reaches My Lord."

Lilla gave a graceful nod before continuing toward the exit. The female templar followed her silently, her every step measured and purposeful.

Before leaving, the male templar turned back to Emilia and gave her a deep, respectful bow, his crimson cape brushing the floor. Emilia returned the gesture with a small, polite nod, watching as the two templars escorted Lilla out of the mansion.

Outside, the underground city was bathed in artificial light, the glow of neon signs and holographic advertisements flickering across the darkened streets. Lilla's private transport ship waited for them, sleek and minimal in design, its engines humming faintly as the trio boarded.

Once inside and en route to their base, the silence of the cabin was broken by the faint hiss of a helmet being removed. The male templar lifted his helmet off, revealing golden hair that fell slightly across his sharp, noble features.

His piercing blue eyes shone with the same intensity as Lilla's cloudy gray ones once had, back when she could still see.

He was none other than Lilla's brother.

"Sister,"

he began, setting his helmet down on the seat beside him,

"do you think it was wise to hide the truth about our income and the size of our forces from Emilia?"

His tone was calm, but there was a thread of concern woven into it. He stared directly at Lilla, his expression serious.

Lilla's serene smile didn't falter as she turned her unseeing gaze toward her brother. Her fingers lightly brushed over the armrest of her seat, and her voice was gentle but firm. "

My silly brother,"

she said with a soft laugh.

"Even if Emilia is our ally now, we cannot be certain that will always remain the case. Humanity has suffered long enough. Only now are we beginning to stand on our own two feet again, thanks to our savior. We cannot afford to be reckless with our trust."

Her brother's expression softened slightly, though his concern lingered.

"I understand your reasoning,"

he said, his voice quiet.

"But what if hiding things creates problems later? What if she suspects us of deceit?"

Lilla reached out and placed her hand on his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"If Lord Rex asks, I will hide nothing. But to outsiders… no, they do not need to know everything. Trust in your big sister, my silly brother."

He sighed, leaning back in his seat.

"I do trust you, Lilla. It's just—

" He paused, running a hand through his golden hair.

"Wait, hold on a second. Big sister? I'm the older one here!"

Lilla tilted her head, her expression playful now.

"Ara? Where's your proof?"

she asked, a small pout forming on her lips.

Her brother's jaw dropped slightly.

"Proof? There's no need for proof! I was the one who took care of you after our parents passed away! Who do you think changed your diapers, huh? Of course I'm the older one!"

Lilla let out a soft laugh, but her brother wasn't done. He reached over and ruffled her hair, his larger hands making a complete mess of her carefully arranged golden locks.

"And this is what big brothers do!"

"Ahhh! Stop, stop, stop!"

Lilla squealed, batting at his hands with her own as she tried to fend him off.

"You savage! Do you know how long it takes me to fix my hair?!"

Her brother grinned, thoroughly enjoying her flustered reaction.

"Maybe next time you'll show some respect to your big brother, huh?"

"You barbarian!"

Lilla huffed, straightening her hair as best she could.

"You're lucky I don't order the templars to throw you out of this transport!"

Their playful bickering filled the cabin, the tension from their earlier conversation melting away.

If anyone were to witness this scene, they would never believe that the blind, delicate woman sparring verbally with her brother was a figure powerful enough to command the loyalty of human nobles, soldiers, and political players alike.

Nor would they believe that her influence extended to the very foundations of the cult that worshiped the

"Bloody Angel,"

a symbol of humanity's rise from enslavement and despair.