The vast sea of stars was broad and boundless, and amid its endless stars lay endless possibilities, all concealed within that infinite darkness. As a planetary civilization that had yet to break free of gravity's constraints, mortals could only imagine and infer what lay beyond that sea of stars when they looked up at the heavens. Thus, under such circumstances, every message arriving from the stars would stir the nerves of those gazing upward.
The sun was gradually sinking toward the horizon. Days had begun to seem short in late autumn, and the festive atmosphere of the Victory Day celebrations had not yet fully faded from the city. Through the window, celebrants still moved along the streets, while vendors and shops sold commemorative goods. Streetlights were coming on one after another in the distance, and faintly twinkling stars could already be seen in the darkening sky.
The Frost Sky Constellation had yet to appear in the sky—but it was there.
Gawain stood before the floor-to-ceiling window in his study, gazing absently at the faint starlight emerging outside. His expression was more solemn than usual as Amber's voice came from beside him. "Looks like this really matters to you..."
"A civilization capable of sending FTL Communication has turned its line of sight toward us from the sea of stars. Of course it matters," Gawain said slowly without turning around. "For a civilization that has begun to notice the stars overhead but lacks the ability to truly step into the universe, living in this world is like traveling through the night. We cannot be certain what lurks in the darkness around us, nor can we tell whether any fellow travelers nearby are enemies or friends. We have noticed the existence of the night, yet lack the ability to light a fire and