For humanity, burn the stars.

After Qin Heling finished speaking, the air in the basement seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

After a considerable amount of time, Chen Zhenguo took a deep breath and spoke:

"That's enough..."

Within their withered bodies, an inextinguishable flame of passion still beats.

"We preserved the Starmark... and... the most important device."

His gaze went up to the ceiling, as if piercing through layers of metal, and he saw the well-preserved warship.

His voice grew increasingly strained, yet increasingly resolute.

"For this reason... we have... persevered until now."

He spoke the word "persistence" very lightly, but Qin Heling knew its weight.

It was through the pain of aging every minute and every second, the lonely vigil day after day, and the deep-seated attachment to their homeland and civilization that they persevered for more than a hundred Earth years.

It is the 'persistence' of watching helplessly as one's companions choose to leave with dignity, while one must survive and hold onto that last spark of hope.

Qin Heling looked quietly at the four people in front of him, his respect for them growing ever deeper.

"As someone who came later, I am incredibly grateful for your perseverance."

"This relentless persistence is meaningful."

He is not the only one working for 'humanity'.

In this way, even if he is alone on the road ahead, he can continue to walk firmly.

Just as Qin Heling was about to turn and leave, Chen Zhenguo seemed to remember something and spoke up again to remind him:

"Mr. Oshido... is indeed a respectable figure; he will help you leave..."

"But please don't forget its identity..."

"I'm not speaking ill of you behind your back... nor am I forgetting the care you've given me..."

Chen Zhenguo seemed to be in a good mood, and he couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"Or rather, it knows everything that's happening here... it shouldn't be considered doing it behind people's backs..."

"He was a... frank and honest Villa."

"That's why...it has never hidden its stance."

"It will help humanity, but it is also incredibly loyal to its civilization."

Qin Heling nodded slowly, his expression solemn.

"I see."

"This assistance naturally has its bottom line, and I will not forget it."

Chen Zhenguo looked at Qin Heling and, seeing that he understood perfectly, nodded slightly.

The last trace of worry in his eyes gradually faded, turning into a deep calm.

Qin Heling didn't say anything more.

He took a half step back and gave the four elderly men a proper military salute once again.

He gave them one last, deep look, forever remembering these predecessors.

Those deep-set eyes still burned with an unquenchable flame.

He will remember all of this forever.

Then, Qin Heling turned around and walked back to the passage she had come from with steady and heavy steps.

His steps were heavier than when he arrived, but also more determined.

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

Behind Qin Heling, four pairs of eyes were quietly fixed on his back, watching him leave.

After his figure completely disappeared, Chen Zhenguo spoke with some reluctance:

"We... have so many people supporting each other, which is why we've barely... made it this far."

"But from this day forward, he will have to shoulder the responsibility for all of humanity alone..."

One person shoulders the future of all humanity.

A person flees into the dark and vast depths of space.

A person facing the unpredictable universe and destiny.

Chen Zhenguo didn't finish speaking, but the other three elderly people beside him all understood.

They remained silent, their eyes reflecting the same emotions—a shared sense of heaviness and a sense of helplessness.

Then, the turmoil gradually subsided, turning into silent blessings.

The elderly people around gradually fell silent, sighing one after another.

"Whether he can do it or not...we can only...respect him."

"His back, from this day forward, may well be... humanity's last banner."

The burden, expectations, and entrustment in their eyes... all these complex emotions gradually subsided.

Ultimately, it transformed into a profound and serene tranquility.

They finally heard what they wanted to hear, saw the people they wanted to see, and completed the final handover of their mission.

The last breath that sustained them through the long years, the last breath they refused to take in death, seemed to finally be swallowed with Qin Heling's promise.

The nerves that had been taut for countless years quietly began to relax.

An utterly exhausted stillness gradually enveloped the four withered bodies.

As the life support equipment ticked rhythmically, their breathing gradually calmed and eventually blended into the silence that had protected them for a century.

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

When he returned to the study, the sunlight outside the window was already slightly setting in the west, casting a warm golden outline on Oshido's dark purple body.

It hovered behind the desk, its fiber optic organ swaying gently, as if deep in thought.

Hearing footsteps, it slowly turned around to face Qin Heling.

Oshido's synthesized sound was softer than usual, more like a sigh.

"They...are they resting?"

Qin Heling nodded, walked back to the desk, but did not sit down.

He looked directly at Oshido and spoke calmly and directly:

"You know everything about that conversation, right?"

Oshido did not deny it.

A tentacle gently rested on the edge of the table, stroking the smooth wood grain, and responded:

"Everything in this underground facility is under surveillance."

Qin Heling nodded slightly, looked directly at the other person, and asked:

"So, what are your thoughts on this?"

"I want to know your clear stance, as this will be more appropriate for our next steps."

Oshido's optical organs drooped slightly, revealing a frank and open demeanor:

"I am still a warrior of the Valar, an inspector of the Empire."

"Helping humanity is my personal choice, but I have never betrayed my race."

"I didn't hide this from them; I told them from the beginning."

It paused for a moment, as if searching for a more appropriate metaphor.

"If I had to make an analogy... it would be like the 'animal rights activists' among you humans in the past."

"I will treat injured animals, fight for habitats for endangered species, and even feel heartbroken for their plight."

"But if an animal attacks a human, regardless of the reason... the only option is probably to handle it humanely."

"So, our plan is simply to help you escape Earth smoothly."

Qin Heling listened quietly, his face expressionless, but a hint of understanding flashed in the depths of his eyes.

He had actually understood this long ago, since Oshido had already made it clear in their previous conversation.

Its starting point, besides atonement, was also for the sake of the Vera civilization itself.

Maintaining the last vestige of respect for the conquered civilization is also to prevent that civilization itself from becoming numb and degenerating in the process of conquest.

Therefore, Oshido would not assist Qin Heling in doing anything that would harm Vera's interests, and it is far from being a betrayal of the race.

But that's precisely why this help feels so real and precious.