Rebirth of the Super Battleship

Chapter 477: The Final Gift

“I have conducted a comprehensive analysis of this man’s character. I am certain he is the one most suitable for Taier. With him, Taier will find happiness.” Vichy said. “Master, please help me.”

“Very well.” Xiao Yu replied. “You may make any request. As long as it is not excessive, I will agree.”

“Then good. Taier is at City Number Sixty Nine University, and this man is at City Number Seventy Two University. Please issue an order to transfer him to City Number Sixty Nine.”

“Very well.” Xiao Yu answered briefly and issued an order.

Three days later, the man picked up his suitcase, took one last, somewhat sorrowful look at his room, and turned to leave. Three days earlier, for reasons unknown, his superiors had suddenly decided to transfer him to City Number Sixty Nine for further study. All the procedures had been completed, and he was required to report to City Number Sixty Nine University within three days. He had no way to refuse the order from above and could only choose to obey.

“Leaving is good, leaving is good. If I leave here, perhaps I can forget her. I will just take it as going out to clear my head.” the male intelligent being muttered to himself as he got into the special car that had come to fetch him.

“Very good. Now that he has arrived at City Number Sixty Nine University, next I want to design the most beautiful encounter. I hope, Master, that you will assist me.” Vichy said.

“Very well.” Xiao Yu said, sending a message to Vichy. “This is a compilation I collected of beautiful encounters told in love stories from over one hundred intelligent species. You can choose one from within, and I will help you realize it.”

Vichy skimmed through it and sent a message back, “The fifth one. I think, given Taier’s personality and interests, she should like that encounter.”

“Very good. Five days from now, I will realize this scene.” Xiao Yu said.City Number Sixty Nine had a climate of perpetual springlike warmth. This temperature had been specially set according to the most habitable range for the intelligent beings of Species Number Seven. Under this temperature, all plants favored by Species Number Seven could grow lushly. Without a doubt, for Species Number Seven, this city was a very beautiful city.

“Master, according to your schedule, you should go out to relax now.” the man’s security robot said respectfully to him.

“Oh? Is it time? Very good. Do you have some scenic place to recommend to me?” the man asked.

“Yes,” the security robot said. “There is a small lake within the city university. The scenery there has always been good. In light of your current state of mind and physical condition, I recommend you go there for a half-hour walk.”

“All right.” the man agreed, tidied his clothing, and walked out the door.

At the same time, in another room at the city university, Taier’s security robot was also speaking to Taier, “Mistress, you cannot continue to stay in the room. You should go out and get some fresh air. The weather is very good today. I know a place that is very suitable for you to relax. I think you should go and have a look.”

“Very well.” Taier replied faintly and stood up.

“Before setting out, you should tidy up your appearance.” the security robot said. “You possess a perfect countenance. Such a countenance should not be buried by you. Leave this matter to me. I will arrange it properly for you.”

What Taier did not know was that at this moment, this security robot had already been directly taken over by Xiao Yu. In Xiao Yu’s database was all the information about that man. Xiao Yu knew the man’s character, interests, and aesthetic preferences. After a comprehensive analysis, Xiao Yu, according to the optimal plan, manipulated the security robot to dress Taier up.

“I wish you a pleasant time.” After finishing the preparations, the security robot bowed to Taier, then respectfully opened the door for her. Taier nodded slightly and walked out.

Taier did not pay attention to the surrounding sights. With her head slightly lowered, she walked slowly all the way to the small lake and sat down on a stone bench. Beside this stone bench stood a plant similar to a weeping willow, its long branches drifting gently in the breeze. This spot faced the small lake. It was the hour of sunset, and the light of the virtual sun had become a moving red. The afterglow cast beautiful reflections upon the lake’s surface. Taier rested her chin on her hand and stared blankly at the lake, lost in thought.

What Taier did not notice was that, at some unknown point, all the other stone benches around the small lake had disappeared, leaving only the one on which she sat. Not only that, although it was the most beautiful moment of the lake’s scenery, there was no one else here besides her.

Five minutes later, the man came over with a book tucked under his arm. He seemed enchanted by the scene before him and took a deep, somewhat intoxicated breath. Then he noticed that there were no other stone benches here, and on the only stone bench sat a beautiful woman.

In his eyes, this woman was indeed very beautiful. For some reason, her attire so perfectly matched his aesthetic sense. Every line on her figure, every movement, unconsciously drew his attention.

“Hello, may I ask, is there anyone here?” He walked over and asked very politely.

Awakened from her reverie, Taier lifted her head, glanced at the man, and then withdrew her gaze. “No one. You may sit here.”

Thus the two of them sat side by side on that stone bench. Taier rested her chin in her hand, thinking about something, while the man opened his book and read intently.

Two beautiful insects that gave no hint of mechanical manufacture fluttered slowly through the air and successfully drew Taier’s gaze. Her eyes followed the two insects as they moved, until one of them alighted on the man’s shoulder. The other insect settled on Taier’s shoulder.

Of the two insects, one was red and the other was cyan. The cyan one landed on the man, and the red one landed on her.

The insect on his shoulder did not attract the slightest notice from the man. He continued reading his book with full concentration. The red afterglow of the setting sun fell upon him, tracing out a graceful outline. Beside him, the beautiful insects danced.

After pausing for a moment, the two insects took to the air again, twining about each other unceasingly, like a pair of intimate lovers. A moment later, they once more settled upon the two people’s shoulders.

“At this moment, there should be snowfall.” Vichy said.

“All right.” Xiao Yu answered, and issued a command to the weather control system of the habitation ship.

A very strange phenomenon occurred. The virtual sun had already turned red and was radiating its light at the horizon. The sky was perfectly clear. Yet for some reason, snowflakes began to fall. The snow was not heavy, and it brought not the slightest chill.

The red virtual sun, the willow-like branches swaying with the wind, the rippling surface of the small lake, the beautiful insects intertwining and crossing, and the drifting snowflakes together wove a moving scene.

The man finally raised his head and looked at the sky. Then he gave Taier beside him a smile. Taier responded with a faint smile. A peculiar atmosphere was spreading between them. Although snow was falling from the sky, neither had any intention of leaving.

The man put down his book and stood up. He took off a piece of clothing and draped it over Taier. Taier still smiled slightly, neither refusing nor speaking. Everything felt very natural.

“Master, I am very sad.” Vichy said. “Although I no longer have a body, I can still vividly feel that feeling. I am very sad.”

“Was not all of this happening under your deliberate arrangement? Things are proceeding smoothly. You should be happy.” Xiao Yu replied.

Vichy fell silent.

This snowfall lasted for more than ten minutes before slowly stopping. The man also stood up, smiling, and said to Taier, “Hello, my name is… may I know your name and contact information?”

Taier stood up as well and said, “My name is Taier. I am a student at this university. This is my contact information.”

“I hope I can meet you again next time, Miss Taier,” the man said with a smile. “Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

This was the encounter method Vichy had chosen. Without a doubt, this deliberately arranged meeting had already left a deep enough impression of each other in the hearts of the man and Taier. The subsequent developments thus unfolded quite naturally.

Under Vichy’s deliberate guidance, coincidences continued to occur between the two. For example, they would happen to meet on the way to class, or on a rainy night when Taier was waiting at the stop, the man would happen to drive by, or various misunderstandings would give rise to incidents that were either funny or awkward.

These things themselves were not important. What mattered was that Vichy knew such events, occurring again and again, would trigger a subtle emotional change in their hearts.

Xiao Yu also knew this very clearly. The feelings between Taier and the man were heating up rapidly. Although neither had pierced that layer of window paper, the harmony of their relationship was an undeniable fact. Xiao Yu also knew that the more this happened, the greater Vichy’s pain became. Yet Vichy’s resolve had not diminished in the slightest. He still firmly guided the development of this matter.

Xiao Yu arranged a vacation for the city university and, through the security robots, exerted some subtle influence on the two, ultimately bringing about one thing. They decided to take advantage of the holiday to go boating together on the sea.

There was also a sea within the habitation ship, although from the perspective of the planetary era, this sea could only be considered a lake. But with advanced technology as support, this sea possessed all the characteristics of a true sea.

Therefore, it was quite normal that the small boat carrying Taier and the man encountered a storm there.

The two did not let the security robots intervene. Amid the sweeping wind and waves and pouring rain, the two worked in perfect tacit coordination to steer the small boat and battle the storm.

The wind and waves finally passed. Seeing the sweat on each other, both showed happy smiles.

The storm came quickly and left quickly. The sky soon cleared, the sea quickly calmed, the sky stretched vast with clouds, and a gentle breeze carrying a trace of warmth blew over them. The scene was beautiful.

“Hm? What is this?” Taier suddenly discovered a strangely shaped aquatic creature at her feet and asked curiously.

The man broke into a happy smile. “It must have accidentally fallen onto the boat during the storm. Taier, do you know? Our luck is amazing. This is no ordinary fish. Its numbers are extremely scarce, but its flesh is exceptionally delicious. In the city, the price of such a fish could support an ordinary family for a year.”

“Is that so?” Taier opened her mouth in surprise.

“There is something even luckier.” the man said with a mysterious smile, continuing, “It just so happens that standing right in front of you is someone very skilled at cooking this type of fish. That is right, me. Taier, get ready for a feast.”

Amid happy smiles, this fish, which under Xiao Yu’s manipulation had deliberately leapt onto the small boat, was transformed into a delicacy brimming with fragrance. During the meal, the two, without knowing how, unconsciously nestled up against each other.

“My heart feels as if it is being stabbed hard by a knife.” Vichy said. “I am very sad.”

In response to Vichy’s words, Xiao Yu remained silent.

Thus Xiao Yu and Vichy together watched as Taier and the man nestled close, kissed, and finally slept together.

Up to now, two years had passed since Vichy began his actions. In these two years, the relationship between Taier and the man had progressed to a state of inseparable intimacy. Taier smiled every day. The haggard look from before could no longer be seen. Now she was even more beautiful than before.

Vichy still did not stop his plan. Another year passed.

“They are going to get married.” Vichy said to Xiao Yu. “Our task is about to be completed.”

“Yes,” Xiao Yu responded with some emotion. “Watching them finally come together is as if I myself experienced such a thing. A pity, a pity.”

Vichy did not know what Xiao Yu meant by pity, and he did not ask.

Taier and the man’s wedding was held as scheduled. At the wedding, Taier was incredibly beautiful. So beautiful she did not seem mortal. Vichy and Xiao Yu watched the entire process together, watching Taier, like a flower in full bloom, walk onto the red carpet accompanied by the elegant man. Xiao Yu and Vichy watched them embrace and kiss, and watched the guests offer their sincerest blessings to the newlyweds.

“She should have forgotten me already.” Vichy said. “So be it. Seeing that she is doing well, I am at ease. I was already dead to begin with. A dead person should not continue to bind her heart.”

“My life course has run halfway. In this last half of time, being able to watch over her is not bad at all.”

Taier and the man eventually both entered research institutes affiliated with the Central Research Academy of Science. They had shared interests, harmonious temperaments, and hearts that understood and accommodated each other. Xiao Yu knew that now the two of them were living very happily.

In a hurry, another three years passed, and Xiao Yu and Vichy continued to watch this couple for three more years.

They planned to raise offspring. Taier lost her slender figure and began to grow plump. Xiao Yu knew this was because a new life was being nurtured within.

Another two years passed. Vichy’s lifespan had reached its end. Xiao Yu could clearly feel that the code fluctuations representing Vichy’s continued life had diminished to the point of being barely perceptible. But Vichy held on stubbornly and refused to depart.

“I want to see with my own eyes the arrival of Taier’s offspring into this world.” Vichy said. “Then I will go.”

“Very well, come with me then.” Xiao Yu said, leading Vichy, who had already lost the ability to roam the digital world, to the hospital’s delivery room. Taier was here, preparing to give birth to her next generation.

The man was anxiously waiting outside the delivery room. In fact, given Xiao Yu’s present level of technology, accidents during childbirth were basically impossible. Perhaps the man was simply impatient to see what his offspring would look like.

“Master, I suddenly have an idea.” Vichy said. “During the time I have followed you, I have gained some understanding of various technologies. According to the findings of life sciences, it is entirely possible to implant a code segment into the brain of a newborn baby. Then, Master, could you implant my code segment into the brain of the baby that Taier gives birth to?”

“In this way, at the moment this baby is born, he will acquire the knowledge level equivalent to the seventeenth year of university. Because I will already be dead, these things will be fully and completely accepted by him and will not cause him any negative effects. I can also, at the cost of my life, remodel for him the most excellent brain.”

“My departure caused Taier pain for a full year. Therefore, before I leave and vanish completely, I want to give them a gift as compensation for Taier. If you agree to my request, this baby will be destined to become a genius. To present them with a genius as a gift, I think, is sufficient to make amends.”

Xiao Yu pondered slightly.

Given Xiao Yu’s current technological prowess and his understanding of Vichy’s mode of existence, he could fully accomplish what Vichy proposed. Xiao Yu considered whether doing so might bring him any negative consequences. His conclusion was that there would be none. A genius scientist would be very beneficial to him as well.

So Xiao Yu agreed.

“All right, I will handle it according to your wishes. Now is the most suitable time to do this. Then, Vichy, farewell.” Xiao Yu said.

“Farewell.” Vichy responded. “In these ten years of following you, I have accomplished many things. Here, I offer you my deepest gratitude. Thank you, Master. Thank you, farewell.”

This parting would be forever. Xiao Yu still remembered when he first discovered that black stone, the terror after the black stone was used by Vichy, and the feeling of relief after he finally captured Vichy and understood Vichy’s state of existence. Xiao Yu had been with Vichy for ten years. In more than ten thousand years, this was the first time Xiao Yu had interacted with an intelligent being under his command with a mindset of equality. He had not felt this way even toward Luka Two, Luka Three, and the others.

Because Vichy was qualified for it, because Vichy’s form of existence was similar to his own.

After implanting the code segment representing Vichy into the baby’s brain, Xiao Yu perceived that the code fluctuations representing Vichy’s continued life had completely disappeared. A faint sadness arose in Xiao Yu’s heart.

“Vichy is dead, and I am still alive. I will continue to set forth on my journey in this vast universe. What does my existence ultimately mean? What is the black stone? What kind of mystery is hidden behind it? These are answers Vichy will not obtain. But I will definitely find them.”

From the delivery room came a clear, crisp cry. Xiao Yu knew that the offspring nurtured by Taier and the man had finally been born. This was not an ordinary baby. As Vichy’s final gift to Taier, he was destined to be extraordinary. While other infants remained in chaos, with no memories and no capacity for logical thought, this baby already possessed a knowledge reserve equivalent to the seventeenth year of university. After his brain was remodeled by Vichy at the cost of his life, it had become no longer ordinary. He was destined to be a genius. It was even possible that in the future he would grow to the level of Luka Three or Four. Surpassing them was also possible.

“Finally born? Finally born?” The man rubbed his hands excitedly and, led by the doctor, rushed into the delivery room. Seeing Taier’s pale, sweat-covered face, he clasped her hand with deep affection and planted a kiss on her forehead.

Only after doing this did he turn his head to look at the baby beside them. He very carefully picked up the baby, and a father’s tenderness appeared on his face.

“Child, you are my child. I will protect you and let you grow up safely.”

“Taier, let us name our child Xu Junpo. I consulted the classics of our Species Number Seven and racked my brains for many days before coming up with this name. I think this name is very good. According to our tradition, this name contains many beautiful meanings.” the man said.

The weak Taier revealed a smile. “I will listen to you. Let us give our child this name.”

[T/N: Wow didn’t expect that ending, makes sense why the author made this a double length chapter.]