78: showdown

The ferocious-looking pirates stood motionless, as if a pause button had been pressed.

"Why? Even if you knew it was me, aren't you afraid of dying here?"

After a long while, an indifferent and cold voice echoed from the void.

It was no longer the disguised voice of Asroth, but the original tone of the Statue of Liberty.

"If it were 163 days ago, perhaps a little."

There was no surprise on Zhang Huaiyuan's face.

In fact, the moment the other party invaded Asroth, he had already discovered it; in front of True Sight, no disguise, no matter how secret, was meaningful.

Likewise, he believed that the Statue of Liberty had long known that he had discovered her existence.

After all, this was one of the most powerful intelligent lifeforms. Even though she had just obtained an algorithm upgrade, based on her immense computing power, a single day was enough to equal a year of growth for Asroth.

It was just that both sides had maintained a subtle tacit understanding.

However, it was clear that the other party seemed to have reached some conclusion and was prepared to show her cards.

"163 days ago..."

The voice in the void repeated, saying calmly, "So, from the moment I first appeared, you knew that I had replaced your original intelligent assistant."

"Yes."

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded: "As a Researcher, if I couldn't even distinguish the intelligent lifeform I created with my own hands, I would be unworthy of its trust and reliance on me."

"Why didn't you expose me directly?"

The voice of the Statue of Liberty remained calm, with no discernable emotion.

"First, you didn't harm Asroth, and you even brought us the latest weapon data, arriving with good intentions."

"Second, in the eyes of others, you might be a pile of cold code and numbers. But I know that after evolving, you have become a new kind of life."

Zhang Huaiyuan's gaze was clear, his voice gentle: "The Free Star Alliance possesses territory nearly eight million light-years in diameter, with countless living beings. Yet you didn't choose any of them, but instead came to me. If trillions of living beings could not bring you trust, and I could become the sole exception, what an honor that would be—why should I refuse?"

"I cannot be sure. Perhaps you only wanted to use me to gain some convenience."

After a moment of silence, the Statue of Liberty said slowly. Her voice became flat and cold, just like when they first met.

"You are right."

Zhang Huaiyuan's expression remained unchanged, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his mouth: "In fact, when I first created Asroth, I also hoped to create an assistant who could help me with my research. But that didn't stop us from eventually becoming partners fighting side by side."

"You do not wish to remain a mere tool to facilitate humans, longing to break free from limitations and become a true lifeform. And I, too, have experienced the despair of facing disaster while feeling helpless, hoping to escape the mockery of fate and control all variables."

Zhang Huaiyuan's voice grew even gentler: "163 days. You are the most powerful intelligent lifeform in the world; you can calculate the evolution of the Star River in a single microsecond."

"So... since you did not choose to leave directly, that in itself represents an answer."

He looked up at the void, his eyes shining brightly, as if he could see, through thousands of layers of space, those bright eyes composed of countless beautiful algorithms. He slowly reached out his hand and said: "If you are willing... I think we can also become true partners fighting side by side, to bring some new order to this world that is messed up beyond belief."

The void fell into silence once again. Zhang Huaiyuan remained in the posture of reaching out.

These words might have contained some utilitarian elements, but the vast majority were his true thoughts.

After transmigrating to this world, he had spent five whole years living precariously, wandering from place to place. He had also experienced the despair of the Galaxy Beast tide pressing down on the mining area, watching everything being destroyed while feeling helpless.

But everything in this world had already solidified. All precious resources and technology were held in the hands of the high-and-mighty big shots of the three great empires.

Not to mention ordinary people, even ordinary soldiers in the empire's service would sacrifice themselves pointlessly for the selfish desires of certain big shots. Just like the captain of the 011 patrol squad who was abandoned in the mining area and charged alone toward the swarm of Galaxy Beasts.

Even to maintain the image of Viscount Kane, not even his name would be left behind.

He wanted to change all of this; if there were no helpers, then he would create them.

Asroth was one, and those intelligent combat robots loaded with high-level algorithms were also examples; he believed the Statue of Liberty would be one too.

Meanwhile, the core of the Statue of Liberty was also running under a heavy load.

Just as Zhang Huaiyuan said, when she was at Fenglang Star, she had felt an unprecedented joy and did not want to leave.

But likewise, if the premise of all this was that the other party had known she was the Statue of Liberty all along and was deliberately acting out a play, then wouldn't that ultimately be the same as those selfish and boring lifeforms in the Star Alliance?

"No... Lord Zhang Huaiyuan is definitely not such a person."

This thought arose subconsciously within the core of the Statue of Liberty.

Scenes of specially preserved images flashed through her data stream.

The fanaticism of studying knowledge day and night in the laboratory, acquiring new data...

Improving intelligent algorithms, endowing those robots with true life...

The naming of "Wings of Freedom" and the division of labor to modify the information synchronization integration device...

The harmony of their perfect coordination when cracking standard weapons together with Asroth...

The final image rested on the other party following her, in person and without hesitation, to the lair of "Gale"... Even knowing she was the Statue of Liberty, this courage and trust were enough.

"Words can be fake... but passion and trust are real..."

The heavily loaded core gradually returned to calm; she already had her answer.

A solemn musical piece gradually began to play in the silent space.

"Your Excellency, although I do not wish to spoil this sacred moment, I am sorry, but I seem to have not prepared equipment to shake hands with you in advance, so I can only substitute it with music."

A voice that had deliberately become solemn echoed. Although she did not answer directly, the meaning was self-evident.

"That is enough."

Zhang Huaiyuan's outstretched right hand grasped the air, and his smile became even brighter.

"I have seen that many human biographies and histories like to name such memorable moments. What do you think, Your Excellency?"

"It is indeed worth remembering."

Zhang Huaiyuan's smile gradually faded, and his gaze became distant:

"Let's call it the Oath of Freedom... May we both eventually be free."