Chapter 52: Ice Lake Enlightenment III_1

About the Dark Forest, there's the most important piece of corroborating evidence: The Trisolarans assassinated Logic because of his conversation with Ye Wenjie. This alone is enough to prove the correctness of the Dark Forest Theory.

As for why the Trisolarans firmly believe in the Dark Forest Theory, there are two reasons:

First, the Dark Forest represents the optimal solution for reasoning about the current state of the universe;

Second, the Trisolaran civilization has observed such Dark Strikes.

The most compelling evidence that Trisolaran civilization has observed such Dark Strikes is that Yun Tianming had cryptically mentioned to Cheng Xin the method of "Dimensional Strikes." The Trisolarans must have learned through some means about the many places in the universe that have already been dimensionally reduced, or else they could not have been aware of this method of Dark Strike.

The Trisolaran civilization has even observed "Photoid Strikes," having been in existence for a long period. Humanity has really observed the external sky for just a few hundred years and even overlooked the "Photoid Strike" caused by Logic's verification of the Dark Forest theory.

At the Tea Ceremony Meeting, Sophon expressed surprise that humanity understood the Dark Forest too late. On the one hand, it meant that humanity had not yet truly adapted to the universe and, on the other hand, this could also be deliberate guidance or intentional concealment. It's to make humanity believe that the Dark Forest theory is based on conjecture, rather than established facts observed.

Indeed, during the Broadcast Era, humanity collectively decreased in intelligence—accurately speaking, intelligence had been declining since the Great Ravine, and even after becoming aware of the Dark Forest, they dared not observe the universe seriously, naively believing that there is only one kind of Dark Forest Strike.

The Trisolarans did not wish for humans to know there were other methods of strike; they even vividly described how the Trisolaris planet was destroyed, a sincere deception that is the most fatal. With the intelligence of children, humans even felt pity for the Trisolarans.

Little did they know that the Trisolarans were deliberately guiding humanity to choose the "Wallfacer Project," ensuring that all humans stayed within the Solar System to eventually be "dimensionally reduced" quite literally. Of course, the Trisolarans didn't really expect this trick to succeed; they didn't care and didn't even deign to seek revenge on humanity. Silence is the greatest mockery and inaction is the greatest contempt, while true concern is to eradicate completely.

Only by daring to explore and take risks is the key to survival. On the original timeline, when Logic contemplated the Dark Forest Theory, his first action was to select a star for an experiment to verify the Dark Forest. Had humanity dared to explore, it might also have learned that parts of the universe had been dimensionally reduced. However, humans buried their heads deep into the ground, never daring to look up again.

Not so for the Trisolarans. They maintain the utmost vigilance about the universe. They would not expose themselves carelessly, but for the sake of survival and interstellar colonization, they must cautiously explore outer space. In the original text, the Trisolarans established thousands of observation stations and carefully sent out some information into the universe.

They were preparing to leave the Trisolaran Star System to colonize a new home, which the Trisolaran civilization considered its biggest gamble yet. Rather than whether or not they could find a new home, it was more a bet on whether there was a more advanced civilization within the new home; entering another star system rashly is extremely dangerous.

...

Logic's thoughts were jumbled, then appeared to quiet down all at once. Is this the real picture of the universe...

Logic's body continued to sink, surrounded by the cold and dark. The cold penetrated his body and soul, and Logic felt as if he wasn't sinking into icy water, but into the dark universe itself, deep and silent.

Lin Sen was always at his side. The ice had broken, and he knew that the Grim Reaper had awakened in Logic, but Lin Sen did not want Logic to become the Grim Reaper completely. Even Death needed redemption. At this moment, everything Logic felt was cold, but colder still was his heart. He deeply sensed the malice of the universe, a malice so thick it was suffocating.

Suddenly Logic felt a warm, large hand grasp him. Logic was not alone; he still had Lin Sen. Perhaps the universe wasn't so dark after all. Logic felt a long-lost warmth. In the moment he fell into the Ice Lake, which seemed to last a very, very long time for him, he was sinking alone in the cold, dark universe. But Lin Sen offered him a glimmer of warmth, and his thoughts began anew.

Although the universe is a dark forest, there are always a few sparks that flash in the darkness. Perhaps this is the value of life, for it is only in the darkness that these sparks seem precious. Without knowing death, how can one comprehend life? Logic might not be alone; humanity might not be alone; the Trisolarans might also not be alone.

The Reaper needs redemption, and humans need the courage to face the darkness of the universe. At this moment, he unexpectedly recalled that somewhat cheesy line, "I must stand up, I am not fighting alone, I'm not alone!"

Logic and Lin Sen struggled to leave the ice surface and climbed onto the shore. Logic trembled, hunched over, head bowed, and stood up. He had changed; from this day on, he would become the Reaper.

Logic, with his head bowed and teeth chattering in the cold, said to himself, "Wallfacer Logic, I am your Wallbreaker." From that moment on, he became his own Wallbreaker, breaking through his plan and understanding the threat he posed to the Trisolarans.

Lin Sen, hearing Logic's words, sighed, "You have completed your own Wallbreaking!"

Logic: "Yes, I have completed my own Wallbreaking, and the moment I fell into the Ice Lake, I also unraveled Professor Ye's riddle. Starting today, we can't go back."

Lin Sen: "I understand, I have felt your change too, and it seems to have hit you hard. You're afraid... which is understandable. After all, if the Trisolaran civilization is afraid of it, how could you not be afraid?

Fortunately, we locked it in a safe before, otherwise, you would be the most dangerous person in the human world right now. The Trisolarans would stop at nothing to kill you.

Let's call Ye Wenjie's solution 'Pandora'. Have you decided to open it? Do you know the consequences of opening it? Can we withstand it, or are we ready to withstand it?"

Logic: "Only 'Pandora' is worthy of this solution. I had no choice; humanity's hope is on 'Pandora', it's the only chance for life.

I just want to survive; this is their request. Whether Pandora is effective or not, I'm not one hundred percent sure, so I need to verify the power of this 'Pandora' first."

Lin Sen: "How do you plan to verify it?"

Logic: "I'll consult the astronomical science team, I will choose a star, and prepare to use the sun to send a 'Spell' into the universe. If that star is destroyed, then it proves that 'Pandora' is indeed effective.

It seems unbelievable, doesn't it?"

I thought Lin Sen would be surprised, but Lin Sen was as calm as ever and answered, "Not at all, it's within my expectations. The dilemma the Trisolarans once faced is beyond our imagination. If even they consider 'Pandora' a threat, then nothing that happens with 'Pandora' will surprise me.

Wait... Although I do not know the riddle Ye Wenjie gave you, the fact that it can destroy a star is obviously not within the abilities of the Trisolarans.

We are both staunch atheists and do not believe in supernatural powers, so the only possibility is a higher civilization. That means you have found a way to... I see... but I don't understand why a higher civilization would intervene."

Logic then explained his conversation with Ye Wenjie and analyzed the possible existence of the Dark Forest. After listening to Logic's analysis, Lin Sen also quoted Da Shi's famous saying: "Dark, damn dark!"