Chapter 307: The Recorder

Looking at the transport ships packed to the brim with storage chips, Li Qingsong was filled with emotion.

It was only three ships, a trivial number for any normal civilization. But every Strong Core Civilization would likely view them as priceless treasures, willing to launch a war between civilizations and suffer tens of billions of casualties just to seize them.

‘So much technological data… Even for me, it would probably take several hundred, or even a thousand years to fully digest and absorb it all.’

It was a wonderful problem for Li Qingsong to have.

There was simply an immense amount of data. Only someone like Li Qingsong could handle it; for any other civilization, it would take five thousand years at a minimum, and even tens of thousands of years wouldn’t be out of the question.

‘I can take my time with this; there’s no rush. However, there is something I can get to right away.’

The interrogation of the Harvillers began immediately.

Li Qingsong deployed over two billion Clones to interrogate and screen them one by one, collecting any useful intelligence. The interrogations of the Harville Civilization’s Supreme Leader and its high-level officials were given particular priority.

“Now, tell me. What did you mean when you said Human Civilization was extinct? And why would its extinction make you think that every civilization that discovers us will try to capture us?”

Faced with Li Qingsong’s interrogation, a scornful look appeared on Haimo Lan’s face.

“It seems your Human Civilization has absolutely no understanding of this Cosmos, this Galaxy. To think you don’t even know about this…”

Li Qingsong sneered. “Not knowing didn’t stop us from destroying your civilization. Haimo Lan, where do you get the nerve to mock humanity?”

The smile on Haimo Lan’s face vanished, replaced by a look of simmering rage.

“Haimo Lan, an attitude like that is very dangerous.”

Li Qingsong had the Clone speak in a leisurely tone. “If you had a better attitude, we humans were originally planning to make you the vice-chief of the Viller Race. After all, you are a man of considerable talent. You managed to pose a threat to us on several occasions and even persuaded the Intelligent Mechanical Calamity to cooperate with you.”

“But if you continue to be so resistant, well, that makes things difficult for us.”

Haimo Lan shot to his feet, his face a mask of disbelief. “Vice-chief? Me?”

Li Qingsong asked, feigning ignorance, “What’s wrong? A pleasant surprise?”

Haimo Lan gritted his teeth. “Who is the chief?”

“Why, Washilolo, of course. Your civilization’s former Level 9 supervisor. In his time as chief of the Viller Race, Washilolo has been diligent and highly competent, making great contributions to us humans.”

Haimo Lan was on the verge of exploding. “A mere Level 9 supervisor? A petty, insignificant official? You humans make *him* the chief, and *me* the vice-chief?! This is an insult!”

The Clone Li Qingsong was controlling suddenly erupted, its voice sharp and severe. “Haimo Lan, know your place!

“Washilolo’s competence has earned our recognition. You, Haimo Lan—what are you? You’re nothing but the leader of an annihilated civilization! To us humans, you’re not worth Washilolo’s little finger!

“The only reason we’re even giving you a chance is because we see some talent in you. If you refuse to cooperate, then you tell me: what value could you possibly have to us?!

“If you want the position of chief, then earn it with your own merits and contributions! Your past status is worthless here!

“If you continue to refuse, we won’t break our promise. We won’t kill you. At worst, we’ll just spend a few resources to keep you fed and penned up like a pig!

“The choice is yours!”

In the monitoring room, Washilolo heard these words, and he was so moved his eyes turned red. Tears streamed down his face, his heart surging with emotion.

Facing the human flag—an image of a blue planet and a yellow star—Washilolo bowed with a trembling body and murmured, “Loyalty. Loyalty. Forever loyal!”

…

In the interrogation room, Haimo Lan panted heavily before slowly lowering his head.

“I’ll cooperate. I’ll cooperate with everything.

“As you humans know, the sophistication of Super-distance Communication technology is determined by the advancement of quantum mathematics.

“Once your quantum mathematics reaches a certain level of development, you will be able to receive a Super-distance Communication broadcast. The message reads: ‘The Recorder Civilization is dedicated to recording all events that occur within the Milky Way Galaxy. We welcome any civilization to provide us with intelligence on any matter. We will provide commensurate rewards based on the value of the intelligence provided.'”

Li Qingsong’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Wait. You said… a Super-distance Communication *broadcast*? As far as I know, Super-distance Communication is only capable of point-to-point transmission. There’s no such thing as a broadcast.”

Haimo Lan shook his head. “That’s what we believed as well. But how can we possibly fathom the technological capabilities of such an advanced civilization? We don’t know the principles behind it, but they can do it.”

“Continue,” Li Qingsong said.

“Along with this message comes a list… a list of all civilizations within the Milky Way Galaxy that have gone extinct.

“They say that every civilization is a legend, a miracle in this Vast Cosmos. Every civilization, even one that has vanished, deserves to have its name preserved in the Cosmos.

“On that list is your Human Civilization, including some basic information: your world of origin, technological level, time of extinction, language, script, and so on.

“So… after confirming your identity through our communications, I made the decision to intercept you. I wanted to capture you and submit you as evidence to the Recorder Civilization.

“Think about it. A civilization confirmed as extinct by the Recorders—a civilization so advanced we can’t even imagine it—is suddenly proven to be alive by intelligence we provide. How valuable would that information be? What kind of reward… would we receive?

“The reward could even be enough for our civilization to ascend to the next level. What civilization could pass up such a prize?”

‘A civilization that created a list of extinct civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy, a civilization that claims to record everything that happens in the Galaxy, a civilization that can use unimaginable Super-distance Communication broadcast technology…’

Li Qingsong’s mind raced. “The list has Human Civilization’s name on it, and… a time of extinction?”

“Yes.”

Li Qingsong quickly searched through all of the Harville Civilization’s databases. In a moment, he found the list.

Scanning past the vast number of civilizations, Li Qingsong finally found the name of Human Civilization tucked away in a corner of the list.

“Human Civilization. Origin: Solar System, Planet Three. Language and Script Sample: … Time of Extinction: …”

Li Qingsong converted the timekeeping system used in the entry to his own and arrived at the final result.

In that moment, even with his immense composure, Li Qingsong’s heart surged with such emotion that tears almost came to his eyes.

The final time indicated that Human Civilization’s extinction occurred at the exact moment he had lost contact with them—back when he was still on Ceres and received the message, “Do not return!”

On that very day, Human Civilization had perished for some unknown reason. Yet he had gained his current abilities and developed into what he was today.

Putting everything else aside, this at least proved one thing…

‘Human Civilization truly existed! I really did grow up on Earth! All my memories… they aren’t fake!’

‘I’m not some strange, nonsensical being with an unknown origin. I… I am a true, genuine human being!’