The Mech-Servant was a miracle born from impossibility.
Xu Xi was the creator of this miracle.
He personally witnessed and facilitated Ailei's growth, transforming her into an unimaginable high-dimensional Mech-Soul.
Yet, such a form and power were still far from the Supreme.
Therefore,
Xu Xi was particularly curious about Ailei's future growth.
"Sit down, Ailei."
Xu Xi instructed the loyal Mech-Servant to take a seat.
Ailei was much like Krisha, both lacking self-will. They were more accustomed to following Xu Xi's orders than making decisions for themselves.
Thus, when Xu Xi didn't speak, the Mech-Servant remained standing.
"Yes, Master."
The Mech-Servant complied and sat down.
She gently lifted the hem of her dress on both sides and took her seat with graceful poise.
The morning light streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on the Mech-Servant's black hair with golden highlights, making it shimmer.
"Now, Ailei, tell me,"
"What happened after my death?"
Xu Xi sipped the water prepared by the Mech-Servant.
Many questions filled his mind.
For instance, what was the fate of the civilization behind the Neutron Battle Star? What was the so-called Supreme Judgment? And how did Ailei achieve transcendence?
"Yes..."
Ailei sat quietly, her expression calm as she recounted the interstellar voyages of the past.
Burying Xu Xi's body.
Sailing into the vast expanse of the stars.
The millennia-long war against the Captor Civilization.
And later, challenging multiple civilizations across the universe single-handedly, never once faltering.
Without any subjective embellishments or imaginative additions, Ailei recounted only the facts as they had occurred.
"This..."
Xu Xi had mentally prepared himself before asking.
He knew about the "sacrificial" hidden attribute.
That it would awaken Ailei's potential.
But, but, this!
Was this even reasonable?!
Xu Xi sighed deeply, just as he had with Mo Li, Krisha, and Ying Xue before. Ailei's performance was too extraordinary—single-handedly challenging the universe's top civilizations.
"How should I put it..."
"Though I expected something, this outcome is just too outrageous."
The Mech-Servant continued to calmly recount her achievements.
Xu Xi looked at her face, delicate and pale, and found it hard to connect it with such feats.
But upon closer thought,
Perhaps there was no reason to be surprised?
After all, even in the early stages of the fourth simulation, the loyal Mech-Servant had been the best support, constantly feeding him "soft rice."
Now, Ailei's so-called transformation.
Had long been foreshadowed.
Ailei's "soft rice" was just that potent.
Xu Xi was filled with emotion as he continued to listen to Ailei's tales.
The final battle against the apex civilization of the physical universe, shattering the vast cosmos into a single point, collapsing it into a zero-dimensional universe.
And then,
The Mech-Soul underwent a complete metamorphosis.
The singularity exploded, chaos divided, and dimensions were created.
Thus, the sublime Creator of the Universe was born, adjudicating across multiple timelines and judging all civilizations.
Yes, it was true.
The recent influx of refugee civilizations fleeing to Earth was a result of the Mech-Servant's influence, fleeing the might of the Supreme Judgment.
"Huh?"
After listening to Ailei's story, Xu Xi looked at her obedient face and felt a question mark pop up in his mind.
It wasn't that he was shocked by Ailei's power.
But rather, Xu Xi realized.
Those refugee civilizations had come to Earth to escape Ailei.
And now, Ailei had come to Earth to find her master.
Wasn't that like walking into a trap?
"What is it, Master...?" Ailei blinked, puzzled by Xu Xi's sudden silence.
No, it's nothing. I'm just feeling a bit emotional, Ailei, you've grown so quickly.
Xu Xi reached out and gently stroked Ailei's hair.
He believed.
The Mech-Servant had her own code of conduct. She wouldn't harm the innocent, nor would she affect Earth.
So, Xu Xi didn't intend to make any decisions for her.
"Still, speaking of which,"
"Ailei, why did you decide to judge civilizations?"
The autumn chill
had cooled the water quickly.
Ailei extended her slender hand, gently touching the side of the cup, warming the water inside with a meticulous and professional demeanor.
After finishing this task, she softly answered Xu Xi's question.
"To restore the stars to their purity..."
"Purity?"
Xu Xi sipped the water, the warmth spreading through his body.
He was puzzled. How could the Mech-Servant's reason for judging civilizations be this?
Ailei continued, "To await your resurrection, to ensure your safety, to protect you from the threats of predatory civilizations."
"I had to..."
"Eliminate all evil for you..."
The autumn wind grew stronger, blowing through the window into the room.
It blurred the girl's voice.
And tousled the strands of hair on her forehead.
Revealing those silver-blue eyes, calm yet brimming with emotion, like exquisite gemstones.
Not for herself, but for you, so that you would no longer face danger.
So that your life... could endure forever.
Ailei spoke thus.
These were words Xu Xi had never imagined.
In the lonely passage of time, in the emptiness where only she existed, the Mech-Servant waited endlessly, cleansing the filthy stars for Xu Xi, so that upon his resurrection, he could live free from all danger.
Machines may lack hearts.
But love is real.
"Thank you, Ailei," Xu Xi said after a brief silence, reaching out once more to gently ruffle the Mech-Servant's head.
He truly felt the sincerity of her intentions, her desire to protect him.
But at the same time,
This reckless disregard for her own safety was something Xu Xi never wanted to see.
So, Xu Xi curled his index finger, preparing to lightly flick Ailei's smooth forehead as a small lesson.
"Whoosh—!"
Ailei reacted quickly.
Before Xu Xi could act, she swiftly covered her forehead with both hands.
"Thud—"
Xu Xi changed tactics, using his knuckle to gently tap the top of Ailei's head instead.
"Don't be so reckless in the future, understand?"
"Yes..."
Ailei's ears drooped as she responded dazedly.
Now, her hands covered not her forehead but the top of her head.
She looked just like some of the cute memes circulating online.
"Master, it hurts..." she said, not lying. Her reconstructed body had real sensations.
The Mech-Servant demanded that Xu Xi take responsibility and continue to rub her head a little longer.
"..."
Outside the room,
The atmosphere was eerily quiet, the autumn wind howling through the corridor.
Krisha stood in the kitchen, her expression indifferent as she looked at a plate of breakfast prepared for Xu Xi.
Should she go in?
No, better not.
The magnanimous witch would grant each person one chance, just as she had once given a kind soul an opportunity. This time, she had also given the Mech-Servant a chance.
But there would be only one chance.
In the future, the witch would not tolerate any disturbances to her mentor.