Jiang Yu scratched his head with a long sigh, "Do you also know of the existence of Paradise?"
The two parties communicated using the most primitive form of writing, yet Jiang Yu felt an inexplicable sense of assurance from it.
Gyro Guard: "In the three-dimensional universe, there are only a handful of god-level civilizations. They are generally the ones that broke free from their own shackles in the earliest days and stood at the pinnacle of civilization.
"The Dark Forest Law existed even then, hence many of the universe's physical laws were altered to be more conducive to the development of god-level civilizations.
"Paradise is just one of the traps set by a god-level civilization. I would've never imagined that even after so many years, this trap is still in operation."
Jiang Yu noticed that the Gyro Guard was more talkative today, "This time you're communicating, you're not saying that you don't have the authority to explain to us?"
Gyro Guard: "This information is common sense to me. Besides, the creators of Paradise will definitely follow your trail here, to destroy me as well.
"There's not much time left for you. Even if I disclosed some key information to you, you wouldn't have a chance to apply it."
Jiang Yu smiled and shook his head, "We haven't given up yet!"
Gyro Guard: "It's futile. The outcome is already set."
Jiang Yu took a deep breath, "Since these are the final moments, let us talk properly about Paradise. Let us die knowing."
He asked, "Has your civilization encountered Paradise as well?"
Gyro Guard: "No, but we learned about Paradise from those who failed."
"Failed?"
Gyro Guard: "The civilizations we destroyed!
"No civilization that stepped into Paradise has ever survived, but the creators of Paradise leave behind the artifacts built by the civilizations they destroyed.
"It's like a pastime for them, or like leaving a tombstone for a civilization.
"Moreover, the destroyed worlds usually leave behind positive information about Paradise, effectively spreading the word about it.
"After all, this Dark Forest is filled with deceit and trickery, but the relics left by 'the dead' are usually not deceptive.
"Many civilizations have been fooled by this false information, exposing their location.
"And the civilizations that aren't deceived by Paradise also help spread the word, hoping that other civilizations will fall for it."
Jiang Yu gently tapped his forehead with his hand, "Isn't there any way to escape the clutches of Paradise?"
Gyro Guard: "There is, god-level civilizations too must abide by the Dark Forest Law. Although they are at the highest ranks, they are not omnipotent and have their own fears."
Jiang Yu was taken aback, "They fear other god-level civilizations?"
Gyro Guard: "That's probably one of them. But as of now, all the Dark Forest Strikes at my civilization's disposal are akin to throwing ourselves into the net when it comes to the creators of Paradise.
"Such deterrence is inefficient, and it's essentially a suicidal threat for you. By providing other god-level civilizations with clues about Paradise, you also expose yourselves.
"Even if Paradise doesn't destroy you, the civilizations that obtain your information certainly will.
"Moreover, ordinary universal broadcasts are useless; you have no means to contact other god-level civilizations.
"Additionally, studies have shown that they should be apprehensive of threats from time!
"But, these are all means beyond your reach.
"So, accept your fate."
Jiang Yu took a deep breath, "Humanity will resist until the very last moment!"
The Gyro Guard said, "Good luck."
After the communication ended, the atmosphere in the conference room grew even more solemn. They hadn't received any viable means of resistance from the Gyro Guard.
Jiang Yu looked around at everyone, "Do you think I was just making empty talk when I said we would resist to the end?"
"Remember, don't talk about giving up until the last moment!"
"Now we must evacuate as many civilians as possible. If we can escape with a group of people, it will be a great victory for humanity."
"But just running away isn't enough. We need to think of a way to hold off the enemy's offensive!"
"The enemy is too fast!"
The initial Trisolaran invasion of the Solar System would have taken four centuries, even with lightspeed spacecraft, it would still take more than four years.
The two-dimensional foil launched by the Singer towards the Solar System took over a year to reach us and ten days to consume the entire Solar System.
The assault by the creators of Paradise seemed to be even faster—at least the contagion source could now detonate the consciousness plague in the New Continent Star System.
Would their next attack be far off?
Jiang Yu continued, "Mobilize all the Monster Cannons that can return in time to join the battle. Even the Dark Matter Explosive Weapons that are still in the lab should also be thrown into the war. Whether they are useful or not, we have to fight this battle with our most advanced weapons!"
Cooper stood up and said, "Yes!"
Even if humanity was truly facing extinction, its warriors would still rise up and fight back. How else could they be content?
Jiang Yu, massaging his temples, added, "Let's review the footage sent back by Fleet 66 again. We need to compile all the information; maybe we can find something useful."
Galaxy III had already watched the video sent by Colonel Bod. At Jiang Yu's signal, it began to describe again, "Appearing on the screen is Colonel Bod, the highest-ranking officer of Fleet 66."
"His facial expression is strange, the left side fervent, the right side pained."
"He says, 'I am engaged in a difficult struggle, more difficult than all the struggles I've faced before, because my enemy is myself.'
"'This isn't a metaphor, but a description of reality!'
"'I am acutely aware that many things inside me have changed. On the one hand, I eagerly wish to reach Paradise as soon as possible, but on the other, I'm painfully aware that Paradise doesn't seem all that enticing.'
"'Sorry, such a description sounds weird, but please believe me, no words can describe the torment in my heart.'
"'The reason I can keep my nature now is due to my last adherence to a soldier's duty. I know our fleet was sent to hunt down the enemy, not to some damned Paradise.'
"'But after just a short rest, I've already lost control of the entire fleet. Everyone is bickering about going to Paradise, like children on their way to a playground, very lively.'
"'I plan to go to the captain's room shortly and pretend to be also beguiled by Paradise, then use the Self-Destruct System to blow up all the warships of the fleet!'
"'Recording this video is to remind everyone that something is infiltrating! As a soldier, I stood firm until the very last moment.'
"'Also, I just zoned out for a brief moment, and, and it seems I saw the true face of Paradise!'
"'The feeling is bizarre, as if, as if suddenly my perspective is from a point several light-years away!'
"'There is no Paradise there; it's more like a cemetery of space craft, with all kinds of ships floating around.'"