How Dare You!

Xi Yan carefully read through the information Beta had given him.

It contained little more than his life history and some detailed classified records. As the marshal of the Interstellar Human Military Junta, he had access to all data and records.

Xi Yan used the wristband's built-in little screen to look at his own face.

It was the handsome face of a young man, just like whoever was reading this book right now.

He was young, but becoming the leader of an interstellar empire at such a young age put him under no small amount of pressure.

Empire, empire-in Stellaris, every interstellar power was called an empire, regardless of whether it was a monarchy or used some other system.

So his empire was nominally a military dictatorship, but in practice, the son inherited the father's position?

Otherwise, how had he managed to become a marshal so young?

Come to think of it, suddenly transmigrating and then being told he had to lead an interstellar empire's development really was a bit surreal. Xi Yan still hadn't quite adjusted.

He kept reading. His father, the previous marshal, Xi Lie, had passed away recently, and he was only serving as acting marshal for now. His succession wouldn't become official until the year 2200 of the Cosmic Era.

Speaking of the Cosmic Era...

Ever since the first Hyperlane was built, the civilizations among the stars had achieved faster-than-light travel and communication, marking the end of the ignorant age of the dark forest.

For civilizations that ventured beyond their home systems, the civilizations they were most likely to encounter were the ancient Fallen Empires.

[Ancient Caretakers], [Keepers of Knowledge], [Enigmatic Observers], [Holy Guardians], and [Militant Isolationists] were five ancient and powerful civilizations. They stayed out of the affairs of the Sea of Stars, and some would even lend other civilizations a helping hand, teaching these fledgling civilizations general knowledge about the universe.

The Cosmic Era was the shared measure of time throughout the Sea of Stars, a universal calendar established using the rotation of the entire Milky Way as its reference.

As Xi Yan read, he couldn't resist looking up information about the universe, and his thoughts wandered farther and farther afield.

In the end, Beta called him back to attention. "Marshal, it is now time for work. Please proceed to your office."

"Lead the way." Xi Yan lifted his chin.

"It is downstairs," the AI said succinctly. "However, please change into the proper clothing first, Marshal."

"Can I wear casual clothes?"

Xi Yan didn't want to take Beta's advice.

Beta fell silent for a moment.

"According to work protocols, you must put on your uniform before beginning work."

"Uh, is it really not allowed?"

He tried pushing back against the AI.

Xi Yan's dark eyes darted around as he surveyed his surroundings.

The room's decor looked simple, but who knew how many pieces of futuristic technology were actually hidden inside? After all, this was the residence of an interstellar empire's leader.

Even if that interstellar empire currently encompassed only a single star system.

Still, it had at least developed faster-than-light travel, so it no longer counted as a primitive civilization in the Stellaris universe.

Xi Yan found a large wardrobe in the room, walked over, and yanked it open.

Then he took out a T-shirt and shorts.

Gold, with a dragon design and the words "How dare you!"

What a bizarre outfit! The guy who used to be me definitely had something wrong with his head.

Nevertheless, Xi Yan put it on with complete satisfaction. Absurd art attracted absurd people.

"This outfit has failed the protocol check. Please change into another," Beta said.

Xi Yan couldn't help looking around, trying to figure out how Beta was watching his movements.

"I am an intelligent program preserved from ancient times. I can hack into any device capable of connecting to a network." Beta sounded perfectly calm.

"Returning to the matter at hand, please put on suitable clothing for work."

"We'll talk about it next time. If you've got a problem, take control of a robot and come fight me in person."

Xi Yan grabbed his wristband, pushed open the door, and walked out.

Xi Yan wasn't doing this deliberately. Rather, having transmigrated, he was now isolated and helpless, and he instinctively used absurd behavior to conceal his panic.

He seemed to be in a high-rise. Through the numerous floor-to-ceiling windows, he could see a bustling, futuristic metropolis outside. Still, objects seemed to cast only tiny shadows. Was he somewhere near the equator?

A short corridor led to a transparent elevator.

Stepping into the elevator, Xi Yan noticed that he was on the 114th floor. Hmm, a number that was at least ninety percent familiar, if not a hundred.

Xi Yan observed his surroundings keenly.

Every floor had a label in the elevator, and Xi Yan saw that his destination, [Marshal's Office], was on the 100th floor.

The top fourteen floors were actually all reserved for his exclusive use, complete with plenty of recreational facilities.

Fantastic! I transmigrated straight into being the marshal of an interstellar empire!

I'm going straight to enjoying myself!

But he still needed to familiarize himself with the work. As a wise Stellaris player, he had to examine his faction's affairs one by one and use his familiarity with the world to guide the empire's development.

Although he had no relevant experience, the situation was beyond his control, and he still had to shoulder the responsibility.

Beta slipped into the elevator's intelligent system, continuing to nag Xi Yan in a flat voice.

"Dumbass."

(Short and powerful.)

"Fuck."

(It fought back! This really was a highly intelligent AI!)

After leaving the elevator and walking around a futuristic screen made of glass and silver metal, Xi Yan entered a luxurious office of over a hundred square meters and plopped down in the ergonomic chair behind a spacious desk.

Xi Yan narrowed his eyes and settled into a comfortable position, ready to catch up on some sleep first.

"Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!"

The computer on the desk started automatically, and an irritating ringing came from its speakers, just like an alarm for an eight-a.m. class.

"Supervision protocol activated. Slacking off during working hours is prohibited!"

Beta spoke in a mechanical voice while sounding the grating alarm.

"Fuck your mother! Who the hell are you to boss me around?" Xi Yan slammed the desk, going off without a moment's warning.

"I am an artificial intelligence from ancient times," Beta answered honestly.

"I give up."

Xi Yan slumped back into his seat and reached for his mouse. "Ahem, sorry, I was joking just now. Anyway, what do I need to do?"

"Instruction protocol activated."

Beta sounded a notification, and then Xi Yan saw a chibi Synth icon appear on the computer desktop, like a desktop pet.

Next, Beta patiently explained the work expected of a marshal.

As supreme commander, Xi Yan didn't need to handle the specific details. His role was to issue orders and make decisions.

Legally, the highest decision-making authority in the Interstellar Human Military Junta, Xi Yan's empire, belonged to him.

Just like playing a Paradox game.

The empire had a unified platform for its administrative work.

[Empire One-Click]!

The corner of Xi Yan's mouth twitched as he opened the software on the computer. After his identity was verified locally, he was greeted by a dense array of announcements and documents.

The empire's officials did all their work here.

"I personally designed this program. Its ease of use is guaranteed."

There was even a hint of pride in Beta's voice. This fellow wasn't an ordinary AI, after all.

Xi Yan casually looked through a few work documents and found that they were merely decrees or expenditure requests awaiting his approval. They would generally also be reviewed by the secretariat, so his job wasn't difficult. It was actually fairly easy.

He could even choose not to do it and leave the cabinet to deliberate instead.

The empire would be the same with or without him...

"All right, time to slack off!"

Xi Yan excitedly rubbed his hands together and opened the browser.

"It is currently working hours..."

"Beta, an AI shouldn't be so inflexible. I've only just taken office. Surely I ought to familiarize myself with things first?"

Xi Yan tried to argue his way out of it. "I'll read some information and get to work in a bit."

Beta took control of his computer and opened the database.

"One hour approved for reviewing information."

Xi Yan scratched his head.

Are you the marshal, or am I?

I'm going to read for two and a half hours today!

Otherwise, won't I give myself away the moment I start talking to someone?