CHAPTER 250: CHAPTER 165: ENTERING A NEW PHASE_2

Seven boys, five girls.

When he passed away, he was surrounded by hundreds of descendants.

Most of them were extremely exceptional.

At that time, his heart must have been filled with satisfaction.

Closing his personal terminal, Shen Shi slowly opened his eyes.

There was still a smile lingering on his face.

Compared to the past history, this was the first time a dream-fulfilled life appeared. For him, this was undoubtedly a brand new start because from now on, everything he did would make his life more perfect and also make Human Civilization stronger.

"This starry sky is so mysterious, so splendid, so vast. How can I, alongside Human Civilization, continue to struggle just for survival?" Shen Shi felt the Time Crystal appearing in his mind, and a new desire surged within him.

He wanted to explore the secrets of the Time Crystal to see if he truly could ascend to a higher form of life!

So! The new era has begun!

After pondering for a moment, Shen Shi stood up and called out to Ai Xin’Er outside.

"Dear, come in and make some food, Iwen, you come in too."

The two deliberately avoided disturbing him and finally came in.

Iwen had already returned to her usual state, still looking a bit timid.

"This body of yours should have all human functions, right? Like, the ability to taste food." Shen Shi said with a smile to Iwen.

"Yes!" Iwen nodded vigorously, "Each member of the Edgeworth-Sylvester Race actually has two bodies, and a semi-culture, one belonging to their own race, and the other half belonging to the captain. So after you became my captain, I became half-human too."

This half is not just the body, but more importantly, the consciousness.

The soul.

In other words, from this moment on, Iwen could even be considered half-human on a soul level.

There seemed to be more profound Primordial Energy knowledge involved, but Shen Shi could already roughly understand it.

"Then have a seat." Shen Shi’s smile was very gentle, and so was his tone, "Taste Ai Xin’Er’s cooking, it will definitely surprise you. Delicious food is indeed an essential part of our human culture."

"Alright..." Iwen seemed somewhat flattered at this moment.

She was sure it wasn’t her imagination; her captain suddenly became much more amiable, as if he instantly regarded her as a true partner.

Though she didn’t know why, this indeed made Iwen very happy.

As a warship, no one wishes for anything other than being valued by the captain.

She had no idea.

The reason for Shen Shi’s change was because he saw the future.

If in this new future, he was a Sage Saint of Human Civilization, then Iwen even more so than Ai Xin’Er had the right to be called "the woman behind the Sage Saint," whether it was the first war or subsequent wars, Iwen was Shen Shi’s greatest support, even fighting for Human Civilization until the very last moment.

If she were given the title of "Sub-Saint," she would deserve it.

"Iwen, after dinner, list for me the upgrades and spare parts you need for your apparatus." After some thought, Shen Shi said, "Let me see if I can get you some."

He thought of how, in that history, Iwen never got a new set of apparatus till the end, and even the old apparatus had become completely dilapidated.

If not, she might not have sacrificed in such a war.

Human Civilization, including the Shen Shi on that future timeline, couldn’t do anything for Iwen, not even perform repairs.

"Yes!" Iwen’s response was filled with joy this time.

Was she really going to receive equipment upgrades?

For a warship, equipment is the best gift.

In their culture, this is proof of a captain’s "love and attention." No warship does not desire a captain who cherishes them.

She thought it would take a long time to achieve this, but she didn’t expect... she truly was favored.

As Ai Xin’Er served the dishes, the three of them enjoyed each other’s company in the warship.

And after dinner, Iwen, blushing, respectfully handed a note to Shen Shi.

As soon as Shen Shi touched it, a long list entered his mind through a linked consciousness.

"Why so formal?" Shen Shi laughed.

"It must be formal!" Iwen courageously retorted, "The first piece of equipment the captain grants is worth remembering forever, no matter what it is!"

"..."

I wonder if, in that future line, I ever gave her even a single new piece of equipment.

But even if I didn’t, once I obtained the equipment in a trade, that future would change.

Thinking of this, Shen Shi reached out to rub her head.

He solemnly put away the note, which actually had nothing written on it.

In fact, Iwen wasn’t wrong in feeling this way.

After witnessing that part of the future, he genuinely viewed Iwen as a true partner, and perhaps, over time, she would become part of the family.

And Iwen, after being stunned for a moment, touched her head and quickly became excited.

This must be an expression of affection in the captain’s culture.

"Meeting the captain, Iwen is truly lucky." She suddenly looked up at Shen Shi, openly expressing her happiness.

Back in school, when studying warships, she, like all her kin, envisioned and fantasized about the captain she would meet in the future.

A gentle, strong captain who viewed the warship as the best partner and ally.

Her captain was even better than she had imagined!

Not only was he about to seek equipment for her, but he also expressed affection without reservation.

How could Iwen not be excited?

"Alright, you’ll get used to it." Shen Shi smiled, "I’m going to take a break. Unless it’s urgent, don’t disturb me."

"Yes!" Iwen stood straight, her figure quickly fading.

"It’s truly incredible..." Only then did Ai Xin’Er sigh softly beside Shen Shi, "If loyalty counts as love, I almost feel she loves you more than I do, you better treat her well."

"You’re not jealous of a warship, are you?" Shen Shi glanced sideways at his wife.

"What are you talking about?" Ai Xin’Er glared at him, "I’m not being sarcastic here."

"Yes, yes, my wife is magnanimous and gentle." Shen Shi reached out and hugged her.

"What are you doing?" Ai Xin’Er asked, puzzled.

"Doing you. I’m in such a great mood today; we should celebrate."

"Wait, wait..." Ai Xin’Er gasped slightly, looking around nervously, "Iwen... she’s not peeking, is she?"

"Relax, I’ve already told her not to disturb us. Orders are absolute."

"Mmm..."

Shen Shi wasn’t wrong; he was indeed in a very, very good mood.

Perhaps for Human Civilization, today was not a particularly special day, but for him, too many good things had happened today.

Having Iwen, opening a brand new future line, helping those in the First Future Line through a crisis, and witnessing a promising future for the first time.

Although he couldn’t share many happy things with Ai Xin’Er, he at least wanted his beloved to experience this inner joy.

However, after taking a rare two-day rest, Shen Shi began to think about the next steps.

"This future is ultimately too risky. Although I don’t know why the World Convergence doesn’t seem to be affecting this newfound future line, I ought to make this future more perfect." Shen Shi thought deeply, believing the key lay in this new future line.