Why is this world always full of mutual hurt?
Fang Zheng stood there, staring at the stone pillar before him.
Isn’t peace what all intelligent beings long for? We hope to communicate with each other, to live harmoniously, rather than to fight one another. What good does it do, to you, to , to all of us? It was not my intention to hurt you, but the fact that you hurt has left deeply disappointed.
Why is this world always filled with hurt?
Could it be an endless cycle?
Could it be that we can only prove ourselves right by inflicting pain on each other?
Why can’t we sit down calmly and talk, exchange our views with one another? Perhaps we could find a new way out. We are the crystallization of civilization; we should learn to use communication, not force, as a ans of solving our problems, so...
"Can’t you fucking change this damn exchange system?!"
Looking at the exchange system in front of him, Fang Zheng’s eyes were lifeless.
Why did it turn out like this?
I completed the mission, activated freedom mode, and obtained the activity module of the Naval Code. Two joyful events coincided, and both brought even more happiness. What I should have had was an almost dream-like bliss, but why did it turn into this?
What am I supposed to do now...
Fang Zheng was completely speechless.
He had never anticipated that the system would retaliate against him in such a way.
Wasn’t it just that I made a discount and unlocked a hidden module? Do you have to treat like this? You seem to have forgotten that I’m your "father."
Using Warship of Sea Mist’s underwear as exchange material... Can I curse out loud?
How are you expecting your dad to continue living afterwards?
Am I supposed to rush up to every Sea Mist and yank down their trousers?
No, Fang Zheng would absolutely not do that. If he really did that, it would an his reputation would be utterly destroyed. Even if he had other Mind Models do the stripping, isn’t it his own reputation that would ultimately be damaged?
So, should I ask my own Mind Models for their underwear?
But whom should I ask?
Unicorn, Rodney, Iona—definitely impossible. Just thinking about it makes feel like a pervert, a pain of conscience!
Then, what about Vampire? Although the little one is mischievous on a daily basis, it could turn bad if she were angered...
So that leaves... Takao?
But how should I put this?
After careful consideration, Fang Zheng, you’re not the newbie who was just reborn into this world. You’ve traversed nurous worlds and taken control of both worlds and the universe, becoming the Zerg Overlord and Legendary Powerhouse. How can you allow yourself to be stagnant at this point? Right! I’ve got it!!
At that mont, a spark of wisdom flashed in Fang Zheng’s eyes, akin to the first lightning the primitive human beings saw or the Fire Seed that ignited human civilization. Yes, what overca countless obstacles was human wisdom and strength! And he had just grasped the key that was within his reach!
Yes, this is it.
With that thought, Fang Zheng clenched his fists, a confident smile spreading across his face.
The system is just a system, after all. To think such a trivial obstacle could halt my progress is nothing but a daydream. Witness now the power and wisdom of humanity!
Fang Zheng packed away the Dinsional Codex and then turned, retracing his steps. Behind him, the towering White Tower began to slowly collapse.
"... Sorry to keep you waiting."
Returning to Musashi’s side, Fang Zheng greeted the girl before him, and Musashi quietly watched him. After a mont, the girl finally spoke.
"I can feel that the constraints of the Naval Code have disappeared..."
"..."
Faced with Musashi’s words, Fang Zheng didn’t quite know what to say. To him, this was just part of the mission. But for Musashi, the Naval Code, which had been there since their inception, maybe held a deeper significance.
"Human."
At that mont, Musashi raised her head again. Her tightly closed eyes slowly opened, revealing the vivid red within.
"I have a question, and I hope you can give an answer."
"What’s the question?"
"Who... am I, exactly?"
"That depends on you."
Fang Zheng spread his hands.
"To , you are the mind model of the super battleship Musashi, at least that’s how I see it. But what you believe, well, that is beyond my knowledge. Perhaps you consider yourself rely a puppet, or maybe you feel that you are the beginning and the end of everything, but that is your freedom. You can consider yourself a warship, or a human, or an alien, a super life form, but none of that really matters. What is important is that you know who you are, that’s enough."
Upon hearing this, Musashi’s brow furrowed slightly, then she posed her second question.
"Where... exactly do we, the Sea Mist, co from?"
"......"
Confronted with Musashi’s question, Fang Zheng was silent for a mont before shrugging his shoulders.
"I can’t really answer that question. To be honest, I don’t care about that. Whether humans are the experintal subjects of aliens or evolved from monkeys, these matters are not important to . What is important is that we are here now, we have built our civilization, our ho, and we know who we are and what we are doing. That’s enough."
"......"
This ti, Musashi fell silent, then she asked her final question.
"So... where should we go next?"
"Although by standard convention, I should say that’s for you to choose, I will instead say..."
As Fang Zheng spoke, he looked straight at Musashi.
"...that’s not why I’m here. So let say this again, Musashi. I don’t know exactly how you, the Sea Mist, ca to be, nor do I know whether you consider yourselves weapons, living beings, or so kind of unknown entity. But what I can say for sure is that if you join my fleet, I will take you to see the vistas of different worlds, where there might be war and slaughter, as well as peace and freedom. Your world will no longer be limited to this vast sea. We will head to the skies and into space, even to other worlds, embarking on completely new adventures. I don’t know if these adventures will ever end, but I can assure you, it will never be boring."
"Exploration... and conquest?"
"That’s about right."
"I understand."
Musashi nodded slightly and, in the next mont, the space in front of Fang Zheng vanished and he once again found himself within his own Sealing.
"So... what’s your decision?"
"...... We are weapons."
Musashi looked down.
"To fight upon command, that is our purpose... Is that alright, even so?"
"If it’s fighting on command, it’s the sa for humans. And it’s not just humans; if you’ve seen enough worlds, you’d find that it’s not only Sea Mist and humans who fight on command."
Fang Zheng looked up at the sky.
"I now have many comrades, as well as subordinates, so of whom are kids even younger than you. But under my command, they have been on the battlefield, and they have fought enemies no less frightening than the Sea Mist."
"Why is that?"
"The reasons for fighting are not singular; so may do it to protect their friends, others for revenge, and so might simply be searching for a place to belong. There are even those who hope to catch my eye... In any case, no matter what their motivations are, we ultimately fight for the sa goal, and that’s enough."
"So you an as long as there is a common goal, it’s possible to fight side by side, even with different thoughts and motives?"
"Of course," said Fang Zheng, looking again at the young girl before him.
"Just like the Sea Mist, according to your statent, all of your warships act on the orders of the Naval Code. Can you guarantee that all mind models have the sa thoughts as you when taking action?"
".........."
This ti, Musashi opened her mouth but said nothing while Fang Zheng smiled and spread his hands open.
"So, you see, Sea Mist, humans, or any other race, the differences aren’t as vast as you might think."
"I understand."
After a pause, Musashi looked up resolutely.
"To , humans are not a race to be trusted..."
"I suggest it’s better you keep that thought. The actions of an individual don’t represent the whole, and vice versa. If you think all humans are trustworthy, that’s where the real headache is."
With that, Fang Zheng reached out, patting the cap on Musashi’s head.
"Look, I could say that if you co with , I’ll take you back to my world and introduce you to so people. Of course, I’ll say they are all good kids. But what the situation really is, you’ll have to judge for yourself. Even if they are all good kids, it doesn’t an there aren’t people in that world who are against ; otherwise, I wouldn’t need your help. I do not expect you to have goodwill towards all humans, just accept so, and that would be great."
"Then... I have made my choice."
Feeling Fang Zheng’s gesture, Musashi hesitated for a mont, then she opened her eyes once more.
"Under the orders of the Naval Code, from today on, I... the flagship of the Crimson Fleet, the super battleship Musashi, will fight alongside you."
As she spoke, a faint smile appeared on Musashi’s usually expressionless face.
"Please teach well, Master."
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