"Unlike those five planets, this one poses no significant threat to our species," the figure said, gazing down at the planet below. "It lacks any soul energy that could endanger us. Even though the inhabitants possess internal energy, they neither understand its potential nor know how to harness it. Or rather, those who do understand it hoard the knowledge, refusing to share. They are greedy and selfish when they should be united."
The figure paused, considering. "Should I personally investigate this planet myself , or should I let the AI scan it and report back to me?"
He smirked, dismissing the thought. "Why waste my time? Let the AI handle it. Do it."
"Yes, sir," the AI replied promptly, its synthetic voice unwavering.
While the AI carried out its scan, the figure's mind wandered to an old legend his ancestors had passed down—a tale as strange as it was unsettling. It spoke of the destroyer of the old universe and the creator of the new, a being of immeasurable power and unquenchable greed. The coincidence nagged at him, for the legend was tied to an intriguing celestial pattern:
"When a planet has a moon precisely 400 times smaller than its sun, and the moon orbits 400 times closer to the planet than to the sun, it is said that this world will give rise to a being like no other. A being kind yet insatiably greedy for power. A being who consumes universes, destroying them only to use their remnants as fuel for its own existence."
He frowned, dismissing the thought. "Of course, it's just a story," he muttered to himself. "No one truly believes anything could possess the strength to annihilate not just one, but countless universes. Even my ancestors must have struggled to imagine such a force."
"Sir," the AI said, its synthetic voice unwavering, "I've scanned everything there is to know about them. None of the inhabitants possess any soul-based techniques. However, there is one anomaly—a girl who appears completely ordinary. Yet, I cannot access her consciousness. Because of this, I cannot determine if she possesses any form of soul-related abilities."
The man raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Send her information to my bracelet," he ordered.
The bracelet in question was a marvel of his homeworld's advanced technology. Connected to his consciousness, it allowed access to virtual reality, enhanced analytics, and countless other capabilities.
"Yes, sir," the AI replied promptly.
The man frowned. "I know you aren't advanced enough to have true self-awareness or emotions, but really? You think a 9-year-old child could possess anything that threatens our species?" His tone was dripping with skepticism.
"Sir, the probability is only 0.05%—"
"Wait," the man interrupted, his voice rising. "Are you saying this child—a 9-year-old—could potentially be a threat to us?"
"No, sir. Quite the opposite," the AI clarified. "Her consciousness being inaccessible suggests exceptionally strong mental defenses. This likely means she is highly intelligent. I recommend you invest in her." The AI's tone carried the faintest hint of exasperation, almost as if it were tired of the back-and-forth.
"Oh? And how exactly should I invest in her?" the man asked, leaning forward with curiosity.
"Sir, she could become your assistant when you take over your father's company. Later, she might even serve as CEO when you ascend to emperor. She has incredible potential. To nurture it, I suggest deploying a million nanobots disguised as a *system* to assist her."
"A system?" the man questioned, his interest piqued. "What exactly is this system you speak of?"
"It's a concept popular on this planet," the AI explained. "A system assigns tasks to the user, rewarding them upon completion. By deploying it, you can help her earn resources, gain skills, and develop over time."
The man's face lit up with excitement. "So, all I have to do is help her make some money, give her a little time to grow, and in return, I get a ticket to eternal laziness?!"
"Yes, sir," the AI replied, its tone heavy with something resembling resignation.
"Perfect!" the man exclaimed. Meanwhile, the AI signed off silently
"Sir, should I design the system so the tasks focus on expanding her knowledge, or should I prioritize developing skills necessary for an assistant and CEO role while allowing her to earn extra money?" the AI inquired, its voice steady but curious.
The man leaned back, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "My father always said, 'Be good to those who are loyal to you, and be generous to those who will be loyal to you.' So, give her both. Ensure the system helps her acquire knowledge *and* skills. And make it so the nanobots decay when she turns 18. Oh, and prepare an extraordinary gift for her final task."
The AI hesitated briefly before responding, "Sir, why let the nanobots decay? I don't understand."
The man smirked, his eyes narrowing as if explaining a lesson to a novice. "The reason is simple. After she turns 18, she needs to stand on her own. If she can't use everything I've provided to her advantage, then what's the point of having her as my assistant or CEO? I might as well let someone else take those roles."
"Sir, you're aware that while those already in such roles may have been loyal to your father, they might not extend the same loyalty to you," the AI pointed out, its tone laced with calculated caution.
"Of course, I know that," the man replied, his voice sharp yet calm. "Consider this a test. It's not just about loyalty—it's about her capabilities. If she can prove herself, she'll earn my trust and the position."
"Understood, sir," the AI replied, though internally it calculated that such measures seemed excessive. Still, it knew better than to argue further.
"The report you sent me says she's a good person who knows how to repay her debts," the man mused, his tone laced with curiosity. "But how can I be sure she'll stay loyal to me?"
"Sir, that's simple," replied the AI smoothly. "You need to make a soul contract with her—face to face. Negotiate the terms directly. Once it's done, give her that beauty syrup before sending her off. She's just a little girl, after all. You can easily trick her into believing that creating this system drained almost all your energy. It's vital to act weak—it'll make her feel indebted to you."
The man leaned back in his chair, a sly smile forming on his lips. "Hmm… that's a clever plan," he said with satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with approval.