Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [279]

A lavish room. A brightly lit living space.

No matter how dazzling the lights were, they could not dispel the shadow that gripped her heart.

It was early morning.

Topaz had sent a report back to corporate headquarters overnight, and the response arrived just as swiftly. Upon confirming that there was indeed a significant opportunity to establish cooperation with the Empire, the board of directors immediately convened an emergency meeting, notifying every available executive without hesitation.

The urgency of this meeting was unprecedented—it bypassed most standard protocols and went straight into discussions based on Topaz’s report.

But really, there wasn’t much to debate.

The Interastral Peace Corporation had never expected to gain access to all of the Empire’s technology. What truly interested them was astronavigation technology—a key to accelerating and solidifying trade networks. If they could have more, they would also like the Empire’s seemingly limitless ability to manifest resources out of thin air.

That was all.

And yet, the Imperial Governor had actually offered to share all of their technology. The exact conditions remained unclear, but for the IPC, just gaining access to hyperspace corridor linking and faster-than-light navigation was enough to revolutionize their stagnating trade network.

This could very well be the biggest expansion opportunity the company had seen since the Two Border Wars—a chance to unify galactic trade!

Against such an unrepeatable opportunity, any price seemed trivial.

During the meeting, Osvaldo, the Head of Market Expansion, even lost his composure and shouted outright, “Whatever he wants, we give! No matter how much, we give!”

Under normal circumstances, such an impulsive statement would have been immediately rebuked or criticized by others.

But this time, no one objected.

It was clear—Osvaldo had spoken the truth that was in everyone’s heart. Every single corporate leader understood the significance of this new trade system!

The Empire’s mastery of hyperspace travel was no secret to the IPC.

From the moment those Imperial cruisers appeared in Xianzhou Luofu, the company’s representatives stationed there had tried everything to gather intelligence.

Although they hadn’t received invitations to step foot on those massive warships—which were larger than dreadnoughts—the generals of the Luofu, the Divination Commission, and the Six Commissions' leaders had been allowed aboard.

Rumors said that these ships were equipped with:

• Antimatter reactors (a technology IPC had yet to grasp)

• An array of high-powered laser, plasma, and antimatter missile weaponry

• Devices known as ‘Subspace Sensors’ and ‘Experimental Hyperlane Navigation’

Not only could they detect subspace ripples from FTL travel across vast distances, but they could also break through natural hyperspace barriers—reaching previously inaccessible star systems.

This technology was like a skyscraper built on top of gravity itself.

It meant that any ship movement within range would be completely exposed—with no way to hide.

Places that once took 50 system days to reach? With Imperial technology, it could take five days at most.

And what could be more valuable than speed in interstellar trade?

Nothing.

At this moment, a new dawn was breaking over galactic commerce.

Limitless wealth and the glory of a new age—compared to the cost of war against an ancient civilization, even an idiot would know what choice to make!

Wearing a silk nightgown, Topaz lay in bed, staring at headquarters' response.

A few simple sentences shattered the last trace of resistance in her heart.

—Director Topaz, no, Minister Topaz.
First, congratulations on your promotion from P45 to P46.
From now on, all your reward programs—including stock options and performance bonuses—will be tripled.
You are also appointed as the head of the newly formed ‘Public Information Department.’
Your exact responsibilities will be sent via email.
Regarding personnel, you are free to transfer or recruit at your discretion.
Additionally, regarding the ‘Lifetime Contract’ you signed… We trust you understand its true meaning.
Time is of the essence. Speed takes priority.
No matter the cost.
We await your good news.

“Lifetime Contract…”

Closing the terminal, Topaz pressed her forearm over her eyes, feeling her strength drain away.

These four words had once been a source of pride—a symbol of honor.

A lifetime of employment at Interastral Peace Corporation. A career path that would always remain open. An unlimited climb up the corporate ladder.

No matter where she went, she could proudly declare:

"You may call me Topaz. I am one of the Strategic Investment Directors of the IPC."

Yet in this moment, those same four words had turned into cold, iron chains, shackling her to the company’s most prized profit-making tool—a commodity.

Yes, she had become a product—a bargaining chip in the negotiations between IPC and the Empire.

And the company—her supposed master—was more than happy to sell her off.

The truly terrifying part?

This outcome was exactly what she had predicted last night.

As if she had foreseen her own fate.

Absurd. Inevitable.

She thought back to just a day ago, when she had boldly declared that refugees could not survive on their own—that IPC, for a modest brokerage fee, could help them find a suitable home.

The only price was that they had to work for their benefactors.

Life that was meant to be lost had been granted hope. A tragedy had been averted.

Wasn’t that a good thing?

Yet now, she herself had become a commodity—and only now did she understand the terror of the unknown.

She didn’t know how she would be treated.
She didn’t know what exactly she had gained.
She didn’t know if she would be forever reduced to a mere trade token—a pawn exchanged between two towering behemoths.

A merchant always had a keen sense of profit and compromise.

Now that the IPC board had touched the Empire’s goodwill, she, as the connection between them, was expendable—a sacrifice for astronomical profits.

And even if this gamble failed?

It didn’t matter.

IPC had plenty of employees. Plenty of replacements.

If you won’t do it, someone else will.

In truth, Topaz could refuse the board’s demands.

Every IPC employee had the right to reject unreasonable assignments.

At worst, they would simply replace her.

But what would the consequences be?

She was bound by a lifetime contract—she could never leave the company.

Most likely, she would be isolated, cast aside to some forgotten corporate outpost, reduced to a mascot performing monotonous tasks until death took her.

At Interastral Peace Corporation, once an employee reached a certain level, they were granted stock as an incentive.

Her defiance would mean massive financial losses for her colleagues and upper management.

A quiet exile would be the best-case scenario.

And the worst-case…

Of course, the worst outcome would be that she gave everything, gained nothing, and was discarded by her original masters—erased from existence altogether.

What exactly did Topaz want?

Wealth? No. She had no interest in money—as long as she could maintain a normal life, that was enough.

Status? No. Status was just an illusion brought by wealth. Topaz had never cared for empty flattery and shallow applause.

Then… what was her dream?

Topaz’s dream was to prove her worth—to be recognized. And with that recognition, she wanted to save worlds in turmoil, just as her own home had once been saved by the Interastral Peace Corporation.

She wanted to fight for a better tomorrow, even for people she had never met.

Topaz hadn’t lied to Chen Lin. Every word she had spoken was true. Even if Jarilo-VI had not been annexed by the Empire, as long as it wasn't beyond saving, she would have given it a chance—to let its people choose for themselves whether to follow the IPC or forge their own path.

She wasn’t lying. If it had been possible, she would have done it.

Topaz was an idealist—but she was also a pragmatist and a true altruist.

She didn’t just dream; she acted. She didn’t hesitate to sacrifice her own interests when necessary to secure benefits for others.

And since she had been recognized and promoted—from P45 to P46—she had a responsibility to live up to the trust placed in her. She had to prove her worth in return.

And so, in a tone that carried no doubt, the board of directors had told her:

"Whatever the Imperial Governor wants, you will give it to him—including your life. We approve."

She had signed a lifetime contract.

Her actions, her wealth, her future, her past—even her life—no longer belonged to her.

They belonged to the Interastral Peace Corporation.

In other words, Topaz was like one of those thousands upon thousands of servants raised in ancient noble houses—where, should the master choose to offer them as entertainment for a guest, they had no right to refuse.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door.

A subordinate’s voice came through the intercom:

“Boss, about today’s morning meeting—”

“No need. Cancel it for the next few days. Everyone, just focus on your own tasks.”

Inside the room, Topaz’s voice was cold. The employee outside sensed that their boss wasn’t in a good mood and hesitated, considering whether to ask about it. In the end, they decided against it.

“Understood. Do you have any other instructions?”

“Withdraw all personnel from this floor. Any official representatives from the Empire are to be allowed in without question.”

“…No problem.”

Silence returned, broken only by the quiet hum of multiple terminals processing data.

For a long time, Topaz lay still.

It was the knock of room service that finally made her get up.

She changed into simple attire, sat before a beautifully arranged breakfast, but found herself without the slightest appetite. She nibbled at a few bites, then called Pela.

“Good morning, Lady Pela… I have a request. Please relay a message to His Excellency Chen Lin—I humbly ask the Governor to grace me with his presence at the Belobog Grand Hotel today. I will be waiting there to discuss the details of our cooperation and to convey headquarters' official stance… No, no, I assure you, this time our sincerity will not disappoint your nation.”

After hanging up, Topaz collapsed onto the sofa, utterly drained.

She let out a helpless chuckle, then sent a call request to a friend.

The connection was established within seconds.

A holographic projection flickered to life, showing the control console of what seemed to be a station.

In the frame, a young woman gently placed a small, adorably dressed pet on the floor.

"Go play over there for a bit, okay? I need to take a call."

Then, looking into the screen, she waved and asked with concern,

“Hey? Why aren’t you saying anything? Work problems again? I remember hearing from a few of the elders that you went to Jarilo-VI recently…”

Topaz rubbed her face roughly, and by the time she pulled her hands away, she had once again donned her usual confident smile.

“Yeah, I’m here on Jarilo right now. Everything’s going smoothly. And work stress? That’s normal, isn’t it? Nothing I can’t handle. I just realized it’s been a while since we talked. How have you been? Still enjoying your freedom?”

“Same as always! I’m doing my work, of course… Oh! By the way! I’ll be coming to Jarilo soon—let’s meet up then! It’s been way too long.”

“Hm? What are you coming to the Empire for?”

“Wait… You don’t know?” The girl tilted her head, looking a little surprised.

“Jarilo’s hosting a Grand Military Parade. Chen invited me. Herta is coming too—she said she’s bringing a few friends.”

Topaz’s expression briefly stiffened.

“Chen… Governor Chen Lin? You… know him?!”

“Oh, you didn’t—? Ohhh, I guess I forgot to mention it! Hehe…” The girl laughed awkwardly, then continued:

“Chen is my good friend. We both love astronomy, and he often sends me fascinating reports about celestial anomalies. They’re really interesting! I’ll bring some for you to read when I visit—there’s so much I want to show you…”

The girl started reminiscing about how they had met, how Chen had introduced her to strange and fascinating civilizations, how he had supported her dreams, and how he insisted on paying back even the tiniest debts—despite the fact that so many others had borrowed from her and never repaid a single credit.

It was obvious.

He was different.

He wasn’t after her money.
He wasn’t after her connections.
He wasn’t after her family’s influence.

What they had was a pure friendship, untainted by material interests.

They recognized each other. They supported each other's dreams. Their bond was one of intellectual and spiritual companionship.

Without realizing it, the girl talked on and on—about the worries during the time he was missing, the joy when he founded his nation, the shopping news that made her think of him, and her excitement for the parade.

Because that person had promised to give her two warships to strengthen the security of her space station.

It was all so natural—just friends helping each other.

"Saw something tasty? Share it."
"See something missing? Send it over."

In her eyes, that terrifying spiked and armored Governor was a dear friend she could talk to about anything.

In Topaz’s eyes? He was a calculating fox, impossible to read. A man who could turn on you in an instant.

Topaz listened quietly, wanting to ask for help—but in the end, she chose silence.

She simply smiled and listened.

They chatted for a while longer, and just before hanging up, Topaz let out a soft, bittersweet laugh.

“…I really envy your freedom. Maybe the path you chose was the right one after all, Asta.”

...

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This is a fan translation of 在星穹铁道点群星科技树真的没问题吗? by 杏雨诗韵 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!