Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [263]

A collaboration—

Or rather, a transaction.

The Kruz Civilization, having lost its entire population, could never reclaim its former glory.

Every fragment of their accumulated knowledge now resided within a single object—an unassuming square device known as "X."

Aside from those who had willingly surrendered their individual selves to the plan, merging their consciousnesses into this box, the Kruz Civilization no longer existed.

Chen Lin voiced the question that had been on his mind:

"I could provide suitable bodies for your people, load their data from the central processor, and bring them back to life. But why haven’t you asked for that?"

From the history of the Kruz Civilization, Chen Lin had seen defiance.

A refusal to accept their demise at the hands of the Divine Faction’s calamity.

A helplessness—watching a friend march to war alone.

If this was a transaction, then both sides should be allowed to make demands.

Yet all the data-consciousnesses within this box only wanted one thing—

To know what had happened to their lost people.

Even if it was just a confirmation of life or death.

That was all.

And in return—

They were willing to offer everything they had.

All their technological knowledge.

To Chen Lin, it was an entirely one-sided trade.

Saik paused.

Even though he was merely a machine, the glint of amusement on his metallic face was unmistakable.

【Explanation: The past should remain in the past. This playground belongs to you children now. We, whether dead or barely alive, are at our best when we are simply history.】

If an ancient civilization were to suddenly return—

One that possessed world-ending weapons beyond imagination—

One that had once glimpsed the true form of the Aeons—

Even if they did nothing, their mere existence would send civilizations into a frenzy.

Panic.

Greed.

Predators lurking in the dark, eager to claim a piece of their power.

That was Saik’s reasoning—

And it was the will of every Kruz consciousness stored within the X-box.

Chen Lin understood now.

"And what about me?" He gestured to himself. "What if I have ulterior motives?"

"You’re just going to hand everything over? To an empire you’ve never even met?"

There was no way they hadn’t considered that possibility.

This was a civilization that had once stood toe-to-toe with the Divine Faction at its peak.

Even reduced to mere data and algorithms, they couldn’t be that naive.

【We have no choice.】

A single sentence—

And it stunned Chen Lin into silence.

"Your lost people… they’re that important to you?"

Saik shook his head.

【I don’t think there’s any time left.】

Chen Lin: "…?"

Under his puzzled gaze, Saik pulled up an overwhelming flood of data.

【The universe… what you call the Milky Way… is not the only one.】

【We traced the history of the Zroni race—you reviewed it as well, correct?】

"Yeah. But unlike other records, theirs contained no coordinates."

【Exactly. Because there were no coordinates.】

【Because they had slipped between the cracks of the wall.】

Saik continued his explanation, overlaying it with old research footage from Kruz scientists.

【Our theory is incredibly complex, but let me simplify it.】

【Imagine the universe as a conveyor belt.】

【Now assume there are other universes—each one a separate conveyor belt running parallel.】

【These belts all move at different speeds—never at the same rate.】

【This means that time itself is different in each one.】

【At the starting point, they align perfectly—"we" exist in the exact same position. But the moment time begins flowing, every object on every conveyor belt shifts, misaligning from the others.】

【However, from a certain perspective—these conveyor belts still exist within the same space. Just at different times.】

【Thus, the belts themselves form a wall.】

The Kruz Civilization had searched tirelessly for the missing Zroni.

And finally—

They found a breakthrough.

A single wisp of psionic energy.

One that refused to fade.

Strangely enough—

Their instruments detected nothing in that space.

【That single strand of psionic energy laid the foundation for our conveyor belt theory.】

【Because even though it remained visible to our eyes—】

【It had already crossed onto another belt.】

【The space was identical. But the time was different.】

【We could see it. But we could neither touch nor measure it.】

It was like a visual bug.

The psionic energy existed—

But not in their timeline.

Using this phenomenon as their cornerstone, the Kruz had devoted their entire civilization to studying it.

Eventually, they calculated the speed of the misplaced energy.

And what they discovered—

Was that its timeline moved several hundred billion times slower than their own.

【Do you understand now, child?】

This wasn’t light distortion.

Nor was it psionic energy being preserved in some kind of pocket space.

It was real.

It had passed through the wall.

To somewhere else.

Chen Lin exhaled.

"I understand."

"But what does that have to do with running out of time?"

Saik’s response sent a chill down his spine.

【Because our scientists found a pattern.】

【They discovered a number—a colossal number.】

【And when that number reaches zero—】

【There’s a 94% chance that everything on every conveyor belt will realign.】

【In other words—】

【The wall will break.】

Saik’s voice was laced with sorrow as he sifted through the decayed remains of the central processor’s data.

【Unfortunately… we have no idea how long we’ve been here.】

【We don’t know how much time remains until that number hits zero.】

【Our damaged equipment ceased recording long ago.】

【But I believe… that day is not far away.】

【Child…】

【Jabaxsti entrusted you with their legacy.】

【Trying to predict the calculations of the human heart is foolish—】

【We learned that lesson the moment we began the Great Calibration.】

【You asked me why we aren’t afraid of you misusing our technology.】

【Why we aren’t worried about you wiping out your enemies with our knowledge.】

【The answer is simple.】

【We don’t care anymore.】

【All we care about is that when the moment comes—】

【There is someone who stands at the front.】

【Someone whose power at least rivals our own.】

【Even if they can only hold the line for a few more days—】

【Those few days could be enough to save this universe.】

【Restarting our civilization?】

【Even if it worked—our mere existence would destabilize everything.】

【But you?】

【You belong in this playground. You already have your own friends. Your own enemies.】

【You can minimize the damage of our return.】

The light in Saik’s eyes dimmed.

【Besides…】

【Only in death can we truly atone for our sins.】

【Jabaxsti placed his faith in you.】

【And we… must trust the one our friend once chose to protect.】

【Because we have no other choice.】

【So tell me—】

【Do you still accept?】

Was this a dilemma?

Not at all.

The Kruz Civilization had devoted their final breath to ensuring the survival of this universe.

They felt their sins.

They feared what they might do if they returned.

They needed someone who could act.

Chen Lin smiled and shrugged.

"Of course."

Saik looked at him, puzzled.

【Aren’t you going to consult with your empire’s leadership? Our offer of cooperation will remain open.】

Saik recalled Chen Lin’s self-introduction—he was supposedly just a governor overseeing a particular star sector.

Back in the Kruz Civilization’s prime, their star sector governors alone numbered in the dozens. At most, such a position could handle regional matters—nothing of grand importance.

Had times changed that much?

At this moment, only Chen Lin and Phantylia remained in the room.

Phantylia knew him far too well.

They were practically bound together at this point—sooner or later, she would figure out his identity.

He didn’t mind letting that day come a little sooner.

Chen Lin took a deep breath.

He recalled the moment when Jabaxsti had examined him—

Every detail, every sensation—

And replicated it exactly.

Saik’s gaze locked onto the swirling violet mist forming in Chen Lin’s palm.

He understood immediately.

The method of reading psionic memories—

Yes, the Kruz knew of this technique.

A section of the ceiling slid open.

A transparent tube extended downward, stopping right in front of Chen Lin, absorbing and analyzing the data within the psionic mist.

The instant the data was processed—

Saik froze.

His body glitched.

The emoticon-like expressions flashing across his display flickered in rapid succession.

【This… so that’s how it is!】

The X-box trembled under the weight of the new data, distorting Saik’s projection.

【A manifestation of an entire civilization… An individual that represents an entire species…】

【How is this even possible? There must be a scientific explanation…】

Saik’s image remained distorted for a long while before stabilizing.

The Kruz never wasted time with hesitation.

【Understood. We acknowledge your authority to represent your civilization in this partnership.】

Chen Lin was just as decisive.

"Deal. I’ll verify those nanobots for you."

"In return, you’ll provide my civilization with everything you can offer."

"If the opportunity arises—"

"And if I can accomplish my own goals—"

"I’ll do my best to ensure this universe’s survival."

"But I have one more condition."

【Name it.】

"Find me a specific conveyor belt."

Saik had expected an additional price—

But not this.

This was… a simple request.

【Accepted.】

Phantylia, who had been watching with an indifferent expression, suddenly went rigid.

The conversation Chen Lin had transmitted to her mind kept replaying over and over.

She glanced at Saik, who was laughing heartily.

Then she looked at Chen Lin—

Who wore an unfathomable expression.

A civilization’s manifestation?

An individual who embodies an entire species?

One with the authority to make decisions for them?

The Aeons were said to be Ascended concepts, beings that embodied principles.

And her master—

He now carried a concept within him.

And it was this vast?

Wait.

Her scalp tingled.

Her smile became painfully stiff.

The next moment—

She bolted.

Hands over her ears, she screamed as she ran.

"I HEARD NOTHING!"

"I KNOW NOTHING!"

"MASTER, YOUR TRANSMISSION MUST HAVE GLITCHED—"

"NOTHING! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!"

"Hmph. You think you can run?"

Chen Lin caught her by the back of the neck like a misbehaving cat, grinning.

"What’s wrong with your master being a civilization, huh?"

"You should be honored I even told you."

"Or do you have a problem?"

"…"

Phantylia turned her head mechanically.

Her smile was worse than a sob.

"Who—me? No way, Master! Who would dare have a problem with you?!"

"I’d personally take care of anyone who did! Ha… ha…"

"You don’t sound convinced."

Chen Lin narrowed his eyes.

Under normal circumstances, revealing his secret should have solidified Phantylia’s loyalty—

Yet she was reacting like she had seen a ghost.

Like she wanted to be anywhere but here.

Wasn’t she supposed to be more devoted after learning the truth?

Why did she look like she was trying to escape faster?

Sensing his displeasure, Phantylia frantically shook her head.

"No, no, no!"

"Master is righteous! Master is wise! Master rewards and punishes fairly! I am eternally loyal—swear it on my soul!"

"Really?"

"Really!"

"My instincts tell me you’re terrified."

Chen Lin let go.

Phantylia’s whole body trembled.

He sighed.

"Fine."

"If you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t force you."

"When you’re ready—"

"You can tell me yourself."

"Th-thank you, Master! Thank you, Master…!"

Chen Lin had guessed correctly.

Phantylia was terrified.

So much had suddenly made sense.

This should have been good news.

And yet—

Another realization crushed her.

Following Nanook had already been dangerous enough.

Destruction’s final fate was self-destruction.

That was the ultimate consequence of walking the path of Destruction.

It was the inevitable end of all who pursued it to the bitter conclusion.

And now—

She had switched masters.

And this master—

His concept was so vast that it could do anything.

Good. Evil. Neutrality.

It encompassed everything.

And that raised the real question:

What was the price?

Phantylia resisted the urge to slap herself.

Why?

Why had I been so greedy?

I could have just taken the deal and walked away…

And now—

She had stepped into an even bigger trap.

Phantylia was miserable.

But she wouldn’t dare complain.

Wouldn’t dare speak her fears aloud.

What she didn’t realize—

What no one had realized—

Not even Chen Lin himself—

Was that, even now—

He had never walked any Path.

Every Jarilo native—

Seele, Bronya, Gepard—

All of them carried at least some influence of a Path, beyond their psionic potential.

Even Phantylia could freely switch between Destruction and Abundance, getting paid by both sides without picking a permanent allegiance.

Yet Chen Lin—

Had done so much.

Had defied so many fundamental rules.

By all logic, a Path should have claimed him long ago.

With the sheer weight of knowledge he carried—

Elation should have been watching him closely for days.

And yet—

He had never once received the slightest blessing from a Path.

If Phantylia had realized that—

She might not have been so afraid.

---

T/N: woahhh

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!