Chapter 1083: It Is Not Yet the Time

Hearing Magnus mention that Yingxin wanted to organize an "interstellar trip," Guilliman's eyebrows rose slightly.

"Interstellar trip?"

Guilliman repeated.

"The little one wants an interstellar trip? Alone? Or...?"

Magnus set down the book he was organizing, the pages closing automatically with a faint "snap."

"Oh, it's not the kind of 'trip' you're thinking of."

Magnus chuckled and waved his hand.

"It's not about her piloting a shuttle all by herself to roam the edge of the galaxy. She just... well, in her own words, 'wants to see what the worlds her brothers protect are like'."

Guilliman breathed a sigh of relief, but his brow remained slightly furrowed.

"Even so, an interstellar trip is by no means child's play. Even within the most tightly controlled sectors of the Star Alliance, there are jump risks, environmental adaptation, potential political sensitivities... and besides, she is still..."

"Not even 10 years old, just a child by Star Alliance standards."

Magnus took over the conversation.

"I know what you want to say, Guilliman. I think the same."

Magnus walked to the tea set stand on the side of the study and pressed a few buttons; the machine emitted a faint hum, and a moment later, two steaming drinks were dispensed: one cup of strong tea, one cup of Psionic Flower Tea.

Magnus handed the strong tea to Guilliman, picked up the flower tea himself, and gently blew on the steam.

"But think about it carefully,"

Magnus continued, returning to sit by the edge of the carpet.

"The little one proposing this idea is actually quite reasonable."

Guilliman took the tea without drinking it immediately.

"Reasonable? Magnus, you know our working environment."

"Even as Primarchs, we must be vigilant on the front lines: accidental jumps, spatial turbulence, unregistered asteroid belts, the occasional remnants of space pirates, and those... surprise attacks that might be launched by unassimilated Alien Buluo."

Guilliman took a sip of tea; the temperature was just right.

"We can survive in this environment because we are Primarchs. But what about Yingxin? She is Human, a fragile Human. A single cabin pressure leak, a radiation spike, or even a bad case of jump vertigo could cost her her life."

Magnus listened quietly until Guilliman finished speaking before slowly opening his mouth.

"Everything you said is correct, Robert. But you also missed a few things."

Magnus set down his teacup and traced his fingers through the air, where several pale blue psionic light rays intertwined to form a simple star map.

"First, the 'interstellar trip' Yingxin mentioned is not about going to the front-line battlefields or unknown star sectors. Her preliminary idea is to visit a few highly developed Core Worlds with the highest safety ratings."

On the psionic star map, several cultural centers around the Xiuluo Holy Star.

"The surrounding planets are indeed safe,"

Guilliman admitted.

"But what about the travel between planets?"

"It requires suitable ships and escorts."

Magnus had been prepared for this.

"Not military vessels, but specially modified civilian ships; you know, some planetary nobles and wealthy merchants customize these ships for inter-system travel."

"The hull is reinforced, it has a complete life-support system, the jump stabilizers are the latest models, and it can even maintain artificial gravity during a jump."

Magnus paused and added.

"And, a fleet escort can be arranged. It doesn't need to be an entire fleet; one or two Frigates would be enough to handle any accidents on a safe route."

Guilliman was still hesitant.

"Even so, this is an unprecedented arrangement. There has never been an 'interstellar sightseeing trip' for non-combatants."

"That is why we need to discuss it, Guilliman."

Magnus's tone was gentle.

"It is not about refusing because it has 'never been done,' but about considering 'how to achieve it safely'."

"Yingxin is not just our sister; she is also a Star Alliance citizen, theoretically possessing the right to travel freely within the Star Alliance territory. Of course, in reality, this right is subject to various restrictions, but it exists in principle."

Magnus lowered his voice.

"And, think about what this means to her. Yingxin grew up on the Xiuluo Holy Star, received her education there, and her world is limited to this planet, these buildings, and us 'brothers who don't look like Humans'."

"Her understanding of the Star Alliance comes from books, holographic images, and our accounts. But that is all second-hand information."

"She wants to know what the world her brothers fight for is really like. She wants to see the cultures of different planets, wants to interact with real, ordinary Star Alliance citizens, and wants to understand the true meaning of the term 'Human Civilization'."

"Is this not a... thirst for knowledge worth encouraging?"

Guilliman fell into Silence.

He had to admit that Magnus's point made sense.

As an Archon, he spent his days dealing with reports from hundreds of worlds, but those were all data, charts, and text.

How long had it been since he personally visited a peaceful world, not for military purposes, not for administrative inspections, but just to... see how the people there lived?

"I understand your concerns, Guilliman."

Magnus continued, his tone even softer.

"We all love her and want to protect her. But protection does not mean imprisonment. If the method is appropriate and the arrangements are meticulous, this trip could instead become an important experience for her growth, allowing her to better understand our work, the significance of the Star Alliance, and also... her own place in this grand picture."

Guilliman finally sighed, his shoulders relaxing.

"You have convinced me, Magnus. At least in principle, I agree that this idea is worth considering. However..."

Guilliman held up a finger, his expression becoming serious.

"Details determine success or failure. The ship must be the safest, the route the most stable, the escort the most reliable, and every link in the itinerary must have backup plans and emergency protocols."

"And, it must receive Father's approval."

"Of course."

Magnus nodded.

"Actually, Yingxin has already mentioned it to Father."

Guilliman widened his eyes.

"When? What did Father say?"

"Three days ago, during the family dinner."

Magnus recalled, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"You know how those occasions are, we were all there—me, you, Ferrus, and the other brothers who are on Terra."

Yingxin brought it up quite naturally during dessert time.

"What was Father's reaction?"

Guilliman asked eagerly.

"He remained in Silence for a long time. We all thought he would refuse outright, or at least set out a whole bunch of conditions. But in the end, he just asked: 'Why do you want to go?'"

"Yingxin replied: 'Because I want to understand my brothers' world. You are always talking about the Star Alliance, talking about Humans, talking about the future, but I don't understand.'"

"'I want to see it with my own eyes, touch it with my own hands, and experience it for myself.'"

The room was quiet for a moment.

"After Father finished listening, he was in Silence for a while longer, then said: 'Now is not the time.'"