For humanity, burn the stars.

Qin Heling walked out of Oshido's study, and the wooden door behind her slowly closed, leaving behind the secrets between the two and the rise and fall of humankind.

He stood in front of the door, pausing quietly for a moment.

The four steadfast predecessors underground, Oshido's frank stance and help, that almost faint hope...

Everything he had just experienced was still echoing in his heart, like the lingering aftershocks of thunder.

Qin Heling took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, suppressing the surging emotions deep within her heart.

Once he left that study, he was no longer the spark that carried humanity's hopes and future, but returned to the status of an exhibit.

From now on, he must put on the mask that was on display again, and there must be no abnormality.

And also due to his status, his opportunity to contact and communicate with Oshido may only be this one time.

There will likely be no more opportunities to communicate with it in the future.

However, the plan has already been finalized, and all that's left is to wait.

Qin Heling walked back along the corridor she had come from, where a streamlined silver mobility scooter was waiting to approach.

There were no warnings, but Qin Heling didn't hesitate and stepped onto it.

The mobility scooter started up silently, carrying him smoothly in a certain direction.

A gentle breeze brushed against my cheek, carrying the scent of a carefully blended, herbal purifying agent from the estate.

Qin Heling's gaze swept over the scenery along the way—neatly trimmed courtyards, dappled sunlight on artificial streams, and the faint outlines of other buildings in the distance.

All of this, which once belonged to humankind, now belongs to another race.

Exquisite and orderly, yet out of place with him.

Qin Heling withdrew his gaze and looked straight ahead.

The mobility scooter entered a dedicated passage, and the lights on both sides lit up one by one as a large door slowly opened.

Luke and Varian were in the room, seemingly discussing something.

Upon seeing Qin Heling finally return, Luke turned around, his synthesized voice carrying a hint of impatience from someone who had been waiting for so long:

"Finally back! Why did it take so long?"

Qin Heling stepped off the mobility scooter, looked up, and gave a perfectly timed, slightly apologetic smile.

"I apologize, Your Excellency, you asked about the details of the exhibition in more detail."

"After all, the Starmark is part of its collection, and it wants to make sure the transfer and future exhibition arrangements are clear."

"Furthermore, Your Excellency the Inspector expressed great interest and willingness to provide assistance."

Luke nodded, not paying any attention.

More than these things, it cares about the upcoming exhibition.

Luke's fiber optic organ swayed twice, his impatience quickly replaced by interest:

"Never mind, it doesn't really matter anyway."

"Varian and I were just discussing that the venue for the second exhibition will be the Crown of the Heavens Museum!"

"That's one of the most exclusive exhibition spaces on the first floor!"

"At that time, the 'Starmark' can be demonstrated indoors."

One of its whiskers pointed excitedly into the air, as if it could already see the scene when it would be exhibited in the future:

"Holographic projection, interactive interpretive booths, and even limited access for visitors to tour the interior of the Starscar..."

"Of course, the number of people and the area must be strictly limited."

Qin Heling listened quietly, occasionally nodding in agreement.

His gaze seemingly casually swept over Luke and Varian in front of him, then lingered on the latter for a moment.

Oshido did not seem to allow Varian any contact with human affairs.

It seems that this is perhaps a preparation for the continuation of the family in the event that things become irreversible.

But Qin Heling quickly looked away, turned to Luke, and said in a calm tone:

"So, do we need to rehearse beforehand, or familiarize ourselves with the venue?"

Luke's whiskers twitched slightly, as if this was the first time he had noticed the problem.

"Hmm...that's definitely something to consider."

"But it's not really that important, is it? Just do it the same way as last time."

Qin Heling shook his head and then said:

"It's definitely better to go to 'Crown of the Sky' beforehand to familiarize yourself with the environment and procedures."

Luke looked slightly puzzled and asked Qin Heling curiously:

"Oh? Why do you say that?"

Qin Heling appeared serious and cooperative.

"With the next exhibition being so large, I think it's unrealistic to rely entirely on the previous process."

"And this is different from what happened at school; this is being carried out in your name, right?"

These words were reasonable, even suggesting that he had put a lot of effort into the exhibition, and Luke's optical organs gleamed with delight:

"Great! You're very focused!"

"Okay, once the venue is almost set up, I'll take you there to familiarize yourself with it beforehand."

"Anyway, there's still some time before the official exhibition."

"By the way, you'll also need to learn how to pilot the 'Starmark'."

Luke had not forgotten that even if it was named after Qin Heling, the body in front of him was just an empty shell.

Qin Heling did not refute, but simply nodded quietly.

Although he had already mastered piloting various spaceships in the game, he had no reason to refuse now.

Rook turned to Varian and said goodbye:

"Then let's head back for now."

"We'll hand over the 'Starmark' once Varian and you're ready."

Varian waved his whiskers and replied:

"Okay, I don't think it will take too long."

"In that case, goodbye."

Qin Heling followed Luke back onto the spaceship and headed towards the manor.

Looking at the rapidly changing scene outside, Qin Heling silently considered his next move.

He cannot place all his hopes on "playing it by ear when the time comes".

In his current situation, any slight oversight could lead to utter ruin.

Furthermore, Qin Heling was not actually ready to take action so quickly.

Because the second exhibition was not the best time to escape.

This was Qin Heling's own decision.

He couldn't guarantee that he could act according to plan without any psychological pressure in such a scenario.

He needs to have a prior understanding of the staff, environment, and timing for the exhibition.

And since this is the first exhibition of its kind on such a large scale, it will likely be closely monitored, no longer just a small-scale event at a school.

Before they are trusted and their supervision is relaxed, they still need to wait.

He needs to use this exhibition to further lower Luke's guard.

Or rather—lower its father's guard.

As the governor of a planet, he is by no means a guy who can be easily fooled.

It may not interfere much with Luke's usual actions, but it will definitely be involved to some extent in what happens next.

Qin Heling must convince the Vera players that he is an exhibit who is "content with the status quo and actively cooperating".

Trust takes time to build, and opportunities require patience to wait for.

His chance, and humanity's chance, is only once.

In that case, let's wait.

"Waiting" and "hope"—all of human wisdom is contained in these two words.