Since ancient times,
humans have held immense curiosity for the stars in the night sky.
Those twinkling celestial bodies, which could only be observed but never touched,
have inspired countless poetic praises and profound meanings.
All the beautiful descriptions one could imagine have been bestowed upon the stars.
Starlight pours down,
shimmering in the wind.
On countless tranquil nights, people have looked up, dreaming of the true brilliance of the stars above.
It wasn't until human technology advanced enough to truly set foot in the cosmos that they realized the so-called beauty existed only in their imaginations.
Pockmarked and uneven—that is the true nature of the universe.
Now, Xu Xi is experiencing this disillusionment, confronting the stark reality of the cosmos.
It is a cold, lifeless void, an abyss of utter darkness.
[Simulation Year 16, Age 35, Ailei’s 14th Year by Your Side]
[After the end of the AI War, you continued to delve into starship technology, scavenging resources from the planet. Finally, you produced a vast armada of starships.]
[Your fleet blots out the sky.]
[Your weapons span the stars.]
[Flagships, escort ships, reconnaissance ships, supply ships, ecological habitat ships…]
[To ensure the safety of interstellar travel, you upgraded the entire fleet based on every conceivable improvement.]
[At the same time, to alleviate the boredom of space travel, you specially designed an ecological ship. Its interior is an automated, lush environment—warm and livable—effectively mitigating the loneliness of the dark cosmos.]
[You board the deck of the ecological starship, overlooking the land you’ve lived on for over a decade, and officially set sail into the sea of stars.]
“Ailei, let’s go.”
“Yes, Master.”
The sky is clear, without a single cloud.
The colossal steel ships rise in dense formations, their deep red rings flickering at high frequencies—a visible sign of the anti-gravity systems activating.
Xu Xi stands on the starship’s deck.
The fierce winds of high altitude and other disturbances are all blocked by a thick energy barrier.
He witnesses it firsthand.
The massive metal constructs ascend into the sea of stars.
From towering behemoths, they shrink into insignificance, quietly sailing into the dark expanse.
The vastness of the universe is indescribable, but if one must try, it is akin to a dream with no end in sight.
Absurdly large.
Terrifyingly dark.
It is both magnificently breathtaking and hollowly desolate.
Only by truly facing the cosmos can one deeply understand their own insignificance.
“Ailei, how do you feel?” In the real world, Xu Xi has already experienced the dazzling brilliance and profound darkness of the stars. He glances at the mechanical servant beside him, curious about her thoughts.
“I feel…”
Ailei gazes at the cosmic sea for a moment.
Then she answers.
“I feel that it’s not as beautiful as you, Master,” she says, her expression serious and calm.
[The journey to the stars has begun.]
[The dark universe holds many unknowns, dangerous yet filled with endless possibilities.]
[You have a premonition that this voyage will not be peaceful. Even if you encounter no enemies, the harsh environment of the cosmos alone is enough to pose terrifying threats.]
[But this is an inevitable step in the development of civilization.]
[The resources of the Federation’s planet are severely limited, no longer sufficient to meet your needs.]
[If you wish to advance technology and explore more truths, the only way is to venture into the universe.]
[You once asked Ailei if she wanted to stay on the Federation’s planet, where she could avoid danger and live a stable life.]
[Ailei refused the offer.]
[“My mechanical soul, my data, my very existence—all of it is for you.”]
[Absolute loyalty, absolute devotion.]
[The mechanical servant declares her heart. She was born for you, and thus, she will accompany you until her mechanical soul burns out, even if the path ahead is fraught with countless dangers.]
[The galaxy is like a painting, the Milky Way rolling on.]
[Your life in the cosmos officially begins.]
[You spend your days aboard the ecological starship, diligently researching starship engine technology, hoping to achieve faster-than-light travel. Only then can you reach the sea of stars more swiftly.]
[Ding—]
[The engine is pleased, Ailei is not.]
[Ding—]
[The engine is very pleased, Ailei is very displeased.]
[One day, after finishing your research, you stare at the instant food cubes before you, lost in deep thought.]
“Ailei.”
“Yes, Ailei is very unhappy to serve you.”
“…”
[The mechanical soul’s emotions are always displayed plainly. Her joy, her sorrow—though not as vivid as a human’s—are expressed without reservation.]
[You return to your research on starship technology.]
[This time, however, you assign Ailei more tasks.]
[Your trust and attention bring genuine joy to the mechanical servant.]
[Your meals return to their former abundance.]
[One day, during a break after a meal, you unexpectedly find Ailei reading a book. Observing her focused expression, you feel a sense of pride.]
[You think that the mechanical servant is not only loyal but also studious, with a bright future ahead.]
[Simulation Year 17, Age 36, Ailei’s 15th Year by Your Side]
[The second year of your journey into the cosmos, your life remains largely unchanged. You still reside on the ecological starship, dividing your time between technological research and peaceful daily interactions with Ailei.]
[A routine without change or excitement, slightly monotonous.]
[But you don’t find it boring.]
[You are not alone; Ailei is always by your side.]
“Master, do other civilizations truly exist in the universe?”
“Yes, they do.”
The universe is desolate.
Dark and silent.
Occasionally, the mechanical servant gazes at the scenery outside, asking Xu Xi questions about the true nature of the cosmos.
But this curiosity doesn’t last long.
Her silver-blue eyes calm, her demeanor serene.
After learning a bit more about the universe, she returns to her usual composed self, dressed in her maid outfit, pouring tea for Xu Xi.
It’s not that she’s no longer interested in the universe.
It’s that something far more important is right before her.
Even as a machine, even as cold metal, she understands the value of holding onto what truly matters.
…
[You and the mechanical servant continue your journey.]
[The universe is so vast that even at the starship’s incredible speed, from a visual perspective, it feels as though you’re standing still.]
[You pause your voyage, stopping at a gas giant to replenish the fleet’s energy and supplies.]
[Simulation Year 18, Age 37, Ailei’s 16th Year by Your Side]
[The starship fleet sets off once more.]
[This year, you successfully improve the engine’s performance, increasing your speed.]
[Meteors streak past on either side, starlight illuminating the steel hulls.]
[The dark, cold void remains your unchanging backdrop as you pass year after year in this silence.]
[Ailei’s mechanical soul remains in a state of joy…]
[Simulation Year 20, Age 39, Ailei’s 18th Year by Your Side]
[Ailei begins to show some changes.]