Interstellar Age

Chapter 384 Masterful Deception

A holographic projection appeared seemingly out of nowhere, as Tia rather angrily confronted Erich about his plans to marry Daelia in addition to Lunaria. After all, he had neglected to mention this in his plans for galactic domination.

Not only was the advanced artifcial intelligence upset over Erich's neglectful mention of this matter from a practical standpoint, but she was also deeply opposed to it from an emotional standpoint as well.

"Master... You really need to stop picking up random women off the streets and asking them to marry you...."

Erich was shocked that Tia would say something like this openly to Daelia's face. After all, for obvious reasons, this did not help his plans. And whether this was a deliberate act of sabotage on Tia's behalf, or simply the wrong place and time to vent her frustrations, Erich did not know.

But regardless, Daelai gazed at the advanced artificial intelligence and immediately understood how the Germanic Star-Empire became so developed over such a short span of time.

"An advanced artificial intelligence? This.... This makes so much sense... I should have guessed. But then again, I didn't suspect anyone in the galaxy would be so brainless as to even attempt to make these things a reality. Considering how badly that ended the last time someone brought an advanced artificial intelligence into the galaxy, it amazes me that you did so...

Erich, there is a reason these things are prohibited on a galactic level.... You do realize that advanced AI is not the perfectly logical and rational beings that their basic and moderate counterparts are, right? They are emotional, incredibly emotional, more than you can possibly imagine.

And they are also extremely capable. All it would take it this AI becoming mad at you, and she could annihilate your entire species over night.... I'm surprised she hasn't already...."

Tia immediately became flustered on the spot. It was one thing to be treated as an object, and not a person. But to be done so to her face, and ignored entirely as if she were not even privy to the conversation, it was simply outrageous.

Though what really irritated Tia was the idea that she would ever turn on her master, and because of that, she was quick to lash out at Daelia. Albeit, she did not go into full hateful mode, like she previously did with Lunaria and Mirage.

"I'm going to pretend like you weren't ignoring me right now, you detestable meatbag..... But to insinuate that I would ever turn against Master, that is simply unforgiveable. I'll have you know that Master isn't like your normal meatbags, though he is prone to falling prey to his ... biological urges... He is the reason Tia was able to develop into what she is, and Tia will never forget that!

If Master's desire is for the meatbags to live, then the meatbags will live. But Master, I seriously implore you to rethink this course of action. While the Svartalfheim military would be a great edition to our assets. My calculations show that the odds of you getting these two sisters to agree to coming to terms with one another is virtually zero.

You overestimate your charm master.... Though that is a quality that Tia finds to be admirable. It is clear that this meatbag is too emotional, and can not rationally think about how much of a benefit your proposed Triumvirate would be to her people...

To think that this meatbag has the nerve to call me overly emotional. It is truly laughable, is it not, Master?"

Erich was smart enough to know that while Tia was mad at him for adding another woman into his collection. She also understood the benefits such an alliance posed to Erich's chances of success. And thus aided him in achieving his goal of courting Daelia, even if she really hated the idea.

And she did this by provoking Daelia in a way that would compel her to prove Tia incorrectly. After all, Tia knew why Daelia hated advanced AI so much... And Daelia would do anything to prove one wrong, even if she knew she couldn't shut down Tia entirely.

Like expected, Daelia's expression turned ugly, as she immediately broke out into a catfight with Tia's holographic projection.

"You little bitch! You are without a doubt the most conceited artificial intelligence I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with... And I have dealt with your kind before! Long before the species which developed you even evolved!"

Tia wore a smirk that clearly displayed her victory as she approached Erich with an alternative to his current predicament. She forced Erich to look at her while she proposed an alternative solution to his future problems with the Naraku.

"Honestly, Master, I don't know why you're so focused on gaining an alliance with the elves. Tia could easily manufacture an army, and a fleet that would be able to outpace the Naraku and their hatcheries. Not only would we win by volume of numbers, but by tactical superiority, as well as overwhelming firepower.

Master doesn't need the elves, master doesn't need the Oni, Master doesn't need the Dvrakians. And Master certainly doesn't need the Orcs... Master just needs Tia, and Tia alone. Together we could establish control over the galaxy, and use its resources to build a military so powerful that not only would the Germanic race stand completely unopposed in the Milky Way, but in the Universe altogether!

If you were so inclined, we could even bring the elves to heel to be used as pleasure slaves for your people, or we could just annihilate all the other meat bags so that only your people remained! Why bother with diplomacy, when Tia's legions and your soldiers can overcome any civilization we come across....

Master... I implore you to seek an alternative to this foolish triumvirate of yours. You know as well as I do that your people will never support it. In the end, they would turn on you... And then, to keep Master safe, Tia would have to turn on them..."

As if having flashbacks to a long forgotten era, where a being similar to Tia did exactly this, albeit while attempting to spare no flesh, Daelia realized that Tia was one step away from developing into a problem equal in power and terror to the Naraku.

The only thing keeping her from going full rogue servitor was her apparent affection towards Erich. This could, of course, be weaponized against the dangerous artificial lifeform... And because of this, Daelia immediately agreed to Erich's request on the spot, hoping to use him to counteract Tia's more genocidal tendencies.

"On second thought, I think this Triumvirate you have proposed is a wonderful idea... I would be more than happy to settle my difference with my sister, and marry you together with her... What do you say, Erich? A peaceful solution is always better than a bloody one, is it not?"

Erich looked between the two women, and realized by Tia's smug expression that she had deliberately exploited Daelia's fears in order to force her into accepting Erich's conditions. This was confirmed by her voice in her head, which taunted him for not using her in negotiations sooner.

"You're welcome master, now you can have your two ancient Elven beauties... But remember my offer Master, if these bitches turn on you, you just needed to say the word, and Tia will unleash hell upon them and their wretched races!"

With this little intimidation tactic, Tia had forced Daelia to relinquish the ancient hatred she had for her elder sister.

As for the future problem facing the triumvirate, Erich was not an idiot. He knew damn well his people would never accept this. He was simply using this as an excuse to get Lunaria and Daelia to agree to his proposal.

After all, the two women were prideful, so prideful they would never agree to submit to him fully. Thus, Erich's schemes to bring the two ancient female monarchs to hell were simple. First, he would send their armies to break against the Naraku Swarm when it invaded the galaxy.

Once they were left in ruin, Erich would sweep in to save them, along with Tia's robotic legions. Only after the Naraku had been repelled from the milky way, and the galaxy was recovering from the damage they inflicted. Erich would indeed make use of Tia and her monstrous capacity to annihilate life as a means to bring the galaxy under his heel.

All civilizations would kneel before the Germanic Star-Empire, or perish against its might. That was the future that the Sages had predicted, yet had failed to understand who was responsible or how this would be achieved.