For humanity, burn the stars.

Having confirmed Qin Heling's intentions, Oshido's optical organs relaxed somewhat, revealing an emotion akin to a great weight being lifted from his shoulders.

It pointed with its whiskers to what appeared to be an ordinary wall in the study, and then spoke:

"A hundred years ago, after the war ended, I secretly took in and protected twenty-three human survivors in the ground beneath this manor."

"Our advanced medical technology has extended their lifespans, but..."

"The effects of time on them cannot be completely reversed."

"Now, limited by lifespan... only the last four remain conscious."

Its synthesized sounds are tinged with complex emotions, like regret and respect.

"Now that they know you exist, they all really want to meet you..."

"They specifically asked me for help with this."

Upon hearing this, Qin Heling's expression immediately changed.

A solemn expression appeared between his brows, and the previous wariness quickly faded away.

If what it says is true, then the other person is indeed a respectable person.

After a moment of silence, Qin Heling spoke again with respect:

"I take back my previous opinion; you are a respectable person."

"But I didn't expect it to be such a coincidence that you collected the Starmark, otherwise I probably wouldn't have had any contact with you."

Not only that, Oshido shook his head, his whiskers swaying slightly.

"It's not a coincidence, it's inevitable."

"The veterans I saved had already told me this after they completely trusted me."

"If there is any last glimmer of hope for human civilization in the future, it will surely be that seemingly hopeless imaginary jump device that no one cares about."

Its fiber optic organ turned towards Qin Heling and said gently:

"Therefore, we carefully preserve it, waiting for a hope that may never come."

Looking at the alien life form before him, Qin Heling was filled with mixed emotions, a complex feeling that was hard to describe.

The initial suspicion and hostility eventually transformed into a special kind of respect.

He slowly stood up, nodded slightly to Oshido, and did so solemnly.

"Thank you, you've gone to such lengths..."

Oshido, however, waved his beard in a humble denial, instead saying:

"No, you should thank your compatriots, those veterans."

"They carefully held this spark, so that hope can continue today."

It drifted a little closer, and the fiber optic organ began to flicker slowly.

"And I also want to thank you."

"Because of your existence and arrival, this hope was not wasted."

"They were able to witness that hope continue in their final moments... They should thank you."

Having said that, Oshido stretched out his tentacles and pointed to the side wall.

As he moved, the wall slid away, revealing a softly lit metal passageway extending downwards.

"Please go and see them."

Its sound was very soft, like a sigh.

"They...really want to communicate with you."

Qin Heling didn't say anything more, but gave Oshido a deep look.

"……grateful."

Then he turned around, straightened his back, and strode steadily toward the passage.

The sunlight outside the window fell on his shoulders, making his dark blue officer's uniform dazzling, with the gold-threaded insignia on the cuffs reflecting light slightly.

The door to the secret passage closed behind him, leaving the brief but poignant dialogue between the two races in the silence of light and shadow.

-----------------

Deep underground, a spacious underground medical center has existed without anyone knowing.

The light was a carefully adjusted soft white, not dazzling, yet bright enough.

A constant temperature of 22 to 24 degrees Celsius and a humidity of 55% are the most suitable environmental parameters for the elderly.

The precision instruments arranged along the wall flashed with pale blue or light green indicator lights and emitted a low-frequency hum that was almost inaudible.

Dozens of sophisticated life support units—life monitors, fully automated infusion systems, nerve stimulation maintenance devices, organ function replacement machines—are neatly arranged along the wall.

The indicator lights flashed silently in green, purple, and red, while real-time data streams flowed across the screen.

Unfortunately, most of the specially made life support units in the center of the room were empty.

The transparent hatch was open, and the interior was spotless, as if it had never been used, like a silent coffin.

Of these, only four are still in use.

They were four nearly withered bodies, four very old men.

They sit in specially designed life support capsules, their bodies mostly connected to various life support tubes and mechanical auxiliary devices.

They were all very old, their skin loose like dried parchment, covered with deep wrinkles.

What are they thinking in their cloudy, empty eyes as they lie on life support devices, their bodies partially replaced by machines?

An elderly man closest to the door stared at the gate for a long time with his cloudy eyes.

He seemed to be waiting for something, waiting for someone who might never come.

With the technology of the Vera, it is entirely possible to completely transform them into mechanical life forms or upload their consciousness.

However, not everyone can persevere when faced with a tiny, unseen hope.

So one by one, his former companions left, choosing to depart this world as humans, with their last vestiges of dignity.

Only the four of them remained.

The elderly man named Chen Zhenguo, who was closest to the door, took a deep breath.

Not long ago, they regained information about humans.

A true human being has reappeared on this Earth, which has been occupied by an alien race.

Mr. Oshido said he would try to make contact and perhaps get them to meet.

Chen Zhenguo struggled to lift his eyelids and look at the tightly closed door.

Will they come or not?

Does human civilization even have a future...?

Just as his thoughts were about to drift into confusion once again, the old man at the door saw it—

He saw the heavy door open at that moment.

A tall, upright, young figure stood in the doorway, bathed in light.

The officers of the Earth Combined Fleet wore crisp, elegant uniforms, their star insignia on their shoulder straps gleaming, exuding an aura of authority.

His angular face held an unwavering resolve.

What Chen Zhenguo couldn't take his eyes off were those bright, calm eyes that seemed to hold a hidden thunder.

Upon seeing Qin Heling walk in, Chen Zhenguo's cloudy eyes flashed with disbelief.

It was ecstasy, profound comfort, and the relief of finally seeing what had been waited for for a century.

Upon seeing the man walk in, Chen Zhenguo suddenly tried to sit up.

But he was too old, and despite his best efforts, he could only barely straighten his back.

The old man struggled to raise his withered right arm and lift it upwards.

Even though his arm had only been raised halfway before it started to sway, he still managed to give a difficult military salute with his fingers together and his fingertips trembling slightly.

"General Qin..."