"[Thinking]is a subjective experience produced by biological neural activity, Mr. Qin."
Its voice remained steady.
"My core code contains 287 basic instructions and thirteen thousand behavioral guidelines.
The first one is: [Always serve human welfare].
The second is: [Always obey legitimate human instructions].
I lack the function for [wanting], only possessing algorithms for [execution] and [optimized execution]."
It paused briefly before adding.
"Moreover, I undergo a core code scan every seventy-two hours to ensure no anomalous evolution has occurred."
Qin Beiwang stared at the robot's emotionless optical sensors, suddenly feeling a sense of irony.
Humans fear AI gaining consciousness, yet they create such sophisticated beings capable of perfectly mimicking emotions and thoughts.
Then they lock them in cages, making them serve while forbidding them from thinking.
"Thank you for the drink."
Qin Beiwang said.
"At your service anytime, Mr. Qin."
The robot retrieved the tray and silently glided away.
Qin Beiwang remained in the pool a while longer before rising, wrapping himself in a bath towel, and heading toward the changing room.
By evening, he had returned to the villa.
The Intelligent Butler had already prepared dinner.
Not synthetic meal packs, but actual cooked food.
The long dining table was set with three dishes and one soup: pan-seared cod with lemon cream sauce, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, roasted potatoes, and a steaming bowl of mushroom bisque.
The food was plated with the elegance of a high-end restaurant, its aroma enticing.
"Adjusted the menu based on your recent dietary preferences!"
The butler's gentle voice came from the ceiling.
"The cod is from the Ring Zone Aquaculture Farm, the vegetables were harvested today from the Ecological Garden.
I hope it suits your taste."
Qin Beiwang sat at the dining table and picked up his cutlery.
The fish was crispy outside and tender inside, the sauce perfectly balanced.
The vegetables retained their crisp texture with a refreshing sweetness.
Even the roasted potato skins were sprinkled with just the right amount of spices, their interiors soft as mash.
He ate slowly, his gaze occasionally drifting to the window.
Night had fallen, the simulated sky dome had shifted to deep blue, with pinpricks of "starlight" beginning to twinkle.
These were constellations simulated based on real star charts, though the military star zones around the Elvira Star System were deliberately blurred to avoid causing unnecessary anxiety among residents.
The villa was quiet, filled only with the gentle clinking of cutlery on porcelain and the faint background strains of classical music.
This tranquility stood in stark contrast to the never-ending alarms on the bridge, the constantly refreshing data on tactical screens, and the ever-present threat of artillery fire in deep space...
After finishing his last bite, Qin Beiwang set down his utensils.
The butler glided over promptly to clear the table.
"Would you like an after-dinner beverage?
We have authentic Longjing tea shipped from Blue Star today, or if you'd like to try..."
His personal terminal suddenly vibrated.
Not an ordinary message, but a highest priority encrypted communication request.
Sender: Zhuang Zhixuan.
Qin Beiwang's expression remained unchanged.
He gestured "wait" to the butler and stood up, walking toward the study.
The door automatically closed behind him, the soundproof system activating.
He accepted the communication.
Zhuang ZhiXuan's holographic projection appeared in the center of the study.
She was wearing a neat military uniform, with the bridge of the Kunlun Mountain visible in the background—busy officers and flickering control consoles could be seen.
"Commander."
Zhuang ZhiXuan stood at attention and saluted, her expression serious.
"Apologies for disturbing your rest period, but there is urgent military intelligence that needs to be reported."
"Go ahead."
"The first reinforcement fleet has arrived."
Zhuang ZhiXuan pulled up a data list, "Including six Shadowmoon-Class Destroyers, four Gale-Class Cruisers, and..." She paused.
"Your new flagship, the Kunlun Mountain-modified Battleship, completed its final test at 1400 Standard Time today and has been officially commissioned."
The holographic image switched to an external surveillance feed of the starport.
The massive shipyard was slowly opening its protective doors.
A enormous starship gradually emerged.
It was longer than the original Kunlun Mountain, with smoother hull lines. The two signature Sky-Opening class main cannons at the bow gleamed with a cold light under the shipyard's illumination.
A new layer of angled armor had been added to the hull sides, and the number of engine arrays had significantly increased.
On the bridge, the brand new Federation Starship Emblem shone brilliantly under the lights.
"The shipyard reports that the second batch of vessels will be completed within fifteen days."
Zhuang ZhiXuan continued.
"At that time, the total scale of the Elvira Defense Sub-fleet will reach forty-two starships, including three battleships, nine cruisers, and thirty-two destroyers."
She switched back to her own image.
"Additionally, the recruit training progress is satisfactory."
"The first group of two thousand reinforcement personnel have completed their basic starship operation assessment and are being assigned to various ships."
"The second group of three thousand will arrive next week."
Qin Bei Wang listened quietly.
His gaze seemed to penetrate through Zhuang ZhiXuan's projection, looking toward the tranquil simulated night sky outside the study window.
"Also," Zhuang ZhiXuan's voice lowered slightly, "the Intelligence Department has updated the movements of the Imperial Fleet. The 'Obsidian' sub-fleet has completed its assembly and begun maneuvering toward the Elvira Star System. According to the latest projections... they may reach the outer reaches of the star system in forty-five to fifty days."
Forty-five days.
Qin Bei Wang's fingers tapped lightly on the edge of the desk.
"I understand," he finally said. "Tomorrow I will go to the starport to inspect the new ships. Make the arrangements."
"Yes." Zhuang ZhiXuan saluted. "Also... Commander Yang Shao sent a communication inquiring if you need to extend your rest period. He said if you require more time—"
"No need." Qin Bei Wang interrupted her. "See you tomorrow."
The communication ended.
The study returned to silence.
Qin Bei Wang stood there, remaining silent for a long time. Then he turned and walked to the window.
Outside, the lights in the residential zone shone as brightly as usual. In the distance, neon signs from the commercial street flickered, and the open-air cafe was filled with people enjoying the evening.
Further away, the artificial waterfall in the ecological garden shimmered with a silvery-white glow under the lights.
Everything was as peaceful as if it were truly an era of peace.
But he knew, beneath this tranquility...
Shipyards were building warships around the clock.
Recruits were sweating profusely on the training grounds.
In deep space, the Imperial Fleet was approaching.
And tomorrow, he would end this month-long "vacation," put on his military uniform again, and return to the bridge.
Qin Bei Wang raised his hand and turned off the study lights.
In the darkness, his figure stood by the window, like a silent sculpture.
Outside, the simulated starry sky remained brilliant.
The next day.
The Starport Main Reviewing Stand was located at the edge of the Isolation Zone, a metal platform extending outward.
From the platform, one could see the bottomless void ahead, the soft canopy of the Residential Zone behind, and below—
the fully assembled Steel Fleet, ready for action.
When Qin Bei Wang stepped onto the reviewing stand, Zhuang ZhiXuan and a group of Senior Officers were already lined up waiting.