Story Reader / Main Story / 28 Polaris Bond / Story
Time is the father of truth and history. When it decides to strip its capricious child of its swaddling clothes, there always follows an endless stream of piercing cries.
As Qu sifted through these historical swaddles, she stumbled upon a story that would never appear in Kowloong's official records, leading her into uncharted territories.
Time marches on, and under their family's guidance, Qu and Dai grow into adulthood.
Meanwhile, Zheng, ever dedicated to his duties, shows signs of aging.
The people of Kowloong also note this transformation. Under the stewardship of the Kowloong Chamber of Commerce, the city has flourished and gained respect in this era of peace.
But the more Qu observes, the less she understands.
Zheng pats her shoulder, pulling Qu out of deep thought.
The father and daughter lean against the railing on the observatory's rooftop, their eyes fixed on a distant, faint light.
This is the heart of the radio telescope array, nestled deep in the mountains, far from the bustling lights of Kowloong City.
Even from this distance, the city's never-ending glow is visible.
Unlike the perpetual motion of the city, this place holds the solemn quietude of a graveyard that leads to the stars.
Calling you out at this hour, you don't blame me, do you?
No, accompanying father is what I should do.
I feel the years creeping upon me, Qu. Memories don't seem as sharp as they used to be.
But there's one thing I could never forget.
It was right here that I first met your mother.
Is that so...
Not here at the main array, but at the observation post of Array 57. I remember it vividly.
Back then, the astronomical array had just been completed. The Kowloong Crew and I came for a visit, and we ended up at Array 57.
It was that day.
I... I've never heard you talk about this before.
Yes, well, she left us when you were too young to remember anything.
If only she could see what Kowloong has become today.
Are you... blaming Dai?
I read in the family records that Mother was in danger during his birth.
Why would you think that, Qu? No, I don't blame Dai.
He is my child, just as much as you and Yin are.
Time has dulled the sharp edges of his grief, or perhaps the responsibilities of leading Kowloong fill the spaces where pain once resided.
Some things simply happen as they do, and feelings cannot be derived from the outcomes.
I see.
Do I really understand?
What kind of feelings is Father talking about?
Qu, we are father and daughter.
Father and daughter?
But in my heart... it feels like there's an invisible wall between me and Father.
Father.
...
Zheng senses the subtle gap too.
A faint awkwardness blossoms silently between them.
The title "Monarch of Kowloong" is an indelible mark upon him, creating a respectful distance that is hard to bridge.
In Qu's heart, a resistance lingers, pushing against the emotions her father tries to share.
Qu.
Do you see that white star?
He points toward the sky, where the light of distant stars traces paths through his fingers, silent rivers flowing in the cosmic sea.
Are you referring to... the North Star?
Yes, the North Star. Or rather, what is now the North Star.
The Polaris, a trinary star system.
Hundreds of years ago, our ancestors used it to navigate vast oceans and explore the world.
Qu once read that over seven hundred years ago, when humanity sought to conquer the seas, the ancestors of Kowloong organized massive ocean voyages, their ships vast and sails stretching toward the horizon.
Just like how the star once guided their ancestors, it guides them now, bringing the brisk sea breeze from the starry sky of history.
Among these stars, only one shines the brightest, yet it stands far too distant from the others.
That's four hundred thirty light-years away... Such a vast distance, isn't it?
It burns alone out there, a solitary beacon, so that we on Earth can see it.
Shining radiantly from afar, it leads the way for us here on Earth.
He withdraws his hand, resting it on the railing, the gravity of Earth still a tangible pull against the weight of his thoughts.
Lead the way...
Father, you mean...
Qu.
There's a confession I've held close to my heart...
One that dates back to the dawning days of the Guild—leading Kowloong was never a role I sought.
Why?
If leadership could be deemed a vocation, it was not the calling of my soul.
Instead, I yearned to explore, to venture deep into the galaxy, to leave my name among the stars.
The universe is actually small, Qu. The nearest star, Proxima Centauri, is only four light-years away. In contrast, this world is too vast for us to bridge its gaps.
So that's why you've been pushing for the Aerospace City in the far north... and this astronomical array?
Far more than that.
Zheng continues to gaze at the starry sky, forever beyond his reach, and speaks calmly.
In this era, there's no competition, no fear.
Everyone now cherishes their hard-won peace and prosperity, shunning the arduous journeys into the unknown.
Civilization itself is eroding our potential to reach the stars.
So making such decisions isn't easy, and pushing forward requires great courage.
It's not just about the Aerospace City or this array. I believe artificial intelligence will soon play a crucial role in our future.
So you approved that project of the Fuxi Research Institute, didn't you?
And much more.
Our people, their basic needs, their welfare—these are the foundations for Kowloong's future.
As the ruler of Kowloong, I must lay a solid foundation and provide the signposts for our path forward.
Because my people chose me to lead.
Why?
In turbulent times, our family took decisive actions to guide Kowloong through unification and conquest, ensuring that all assets of the Chamber were secured for the benefit of every citizen.
The Kowloong Crew supports us in implementing our decisions, and we are accountable to all of Kowloong.
While this support is vital, too much dependence, like too many vines on a large tree, can hinder its growth.
Ultimately, the essence of Kowloong is shaped not by a single individual or a small group, but by every one of its citizens.
Since they've chosen me to represent the spirit of Kowloong, I must fulfill their expectations.
Fulfill their wishes.
Zheng instinctively reaches out to pat Qu's head but stops, a bitter smile crossing his face.
Ten years have passed, and the girl beside him now stands as a pillar of Kowloong, rooted deeply in its land.
Her eyes reflect the starry sky, as cold as the distant Milky Way.
Will you fulfill their wishes?
Zheng's response carries a plea, a subtle entreaty laden with deeper, unspoken hopes. At that moment, Qu cannot fully grasp the breadth of his aspirations—the man who steers Kowloong is also a father with simple, profound desires for his children.
I believe Yin, Dai, and I will fulfill the family's mission.
Her reply is immediate, resolute.
At her words, a fleeting dimming of light fills Zheng's eyes.
It is as if time rewinds to a distant afternoon eighteen years prior when a child sitting on the ground picked up an ancient tome without tears or hesitation.
Zheng feels the inexorable pull of destiny.
To him, Qu is always his beloved daughter, never merely a successor to the Chamber's leadership. He favors her more than his eldest son Yin and second son Dai but never neglects his sons.
He has watched her grow, flourish under excellent tutelage, and enjoy a childhood filled with joy. Yet, he knows he cannot shield her from the obligations of their lineage.
He just wants her to live a life true to her own wishes and heart, to live peacefully.
This is his only wish as a father, beyond being the vessel carrying Kowloong's myriad aspects.
Of course, Qu. I believe you all can do it.
Zheng extends his hand and places a warm screw in Qu's hand.
This is...
This is Kowloong's way of forging the backbone of this world.
Zheng lets out a long sigh.
People always have to give up something.
To see further, to reach beyond.
...I'm sorry, Qu.
That wish I have for you, Qu, it can never come true.
Those stars, they travel light-years across the empty, lonely universe just to cast a fleeting glance at Earth.
It's just that the weight of reality and gravity are far too heavy.
Three days later.
...Perhaps this world won't remember, but people will.
From the ashes of conflict, we raised a resplendent Kowloong, its backbone sturdy enough to shoulder half the world.
We envisioned a world free from orphans, famine, poverty, and war.
Yet, as he admitted himself...
Suffering still lingers in the corners of Kowloong, and deep-rooted injustices remain, too complex for one person to eradicate.
Perhaps he could never achieve the ideal of true fairness driven by advanced productivity, nor ensure every Kowloong citizen could truly enjoy the resources they deserve.
But at least he tried. Even today, as we look around the world, the people of Kowloong are still the closest to that ideal.
If laws and regulations are the arches of our societal dome, then it is the overflowing hope and the vision for the future that form the keystone, holding everything together.
And he was the one that set the keystone for the future of Kowloong and the world beyond.
He was the most visionary and greatest statesman of our time.
Future generations, as they strive toward that ideal, might not remember his name, but they will surely shed tears of gratitude for the world he built.
In the end, I am unable to leave a brighter future for Kowloong and this world.
Sorry.
That is the last sentence in his will.
