Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [85]

A physical body lacked the agility of a psionic construct. It couldn’t slip through barriers, nor could it take flight.

Even though both Seele and Chen Lin sprinted as fast as their legs could carry them, time stretched interminably as tension mounted.

“You said the kid’s just a little girl, carrying a big sack? White hair, red eyes?” Seele furrowed her delicate brows as she ran, murmuring to herself. “Could it really be her…?”

Chen Lin rubbed the now-healed wound on his forehead, giving her a curious glance. “There were heavily modified armed robots protecting her,” he explained. “A bunch of them were already wrecked when I saw the scene. Judging by the explosions, those machines were likely the source.”

He quickened his pace. “Do you know who that little girl is?”

“More than that!” Seele gritted her teeth. “She’s part of Svarog’s group. The modified weapons on those robots? She probably built them herself.”

“A child prodigy?!” Chen Lin was astonished.

In a place as resource-starved and chaotic as the Underworld, someone capable of creating such advanced, adaptable technology—even if it was relatively basic by his standards—was nothing short of a genius.

And that Svarog... Oleg had described it as a relic of ancient warfare, an advanced combat machine with capabilities beyond understanding. For it to control such a region in the Underworld, its technology must be formidable.

If what Seele said was true, Chen Lin couldn’t pass up the chance to enlist this little girl’s help, even if it meant being accused of child labor. After all, he wouldn’t even be paying her wages.

But first, she needed to survive. None of that would matter otherwise.

Seele fell silent for a moment before saying, “Wildfire and Svarog’s forces don’t see eye to eye. We clash more often than not. But Clara’s not part of that conflict. She’s the only one who can communicate with Svarog. For everyone’s safety, nothing can happen to her!”

For Seele to set aside her usual combative mindset meant she had truly learned something in recent days. The old Seele would have been too brash to acknowledge such nuance.

It also underscored how critical Clara was to the Underworld’s fragile balance.

She had to be protected.

---

Clara lived among machines, dwelling in the mechanical settlement beneath Svarog’s Furnace Core.

Most of her life had been spent in the company of automatons. Today, like any other day, she noticed several smaller robots showing signs of external damage. It wasn’t unusual—wear and tear or data overflows were common among the settlement’s inhabitants. Clara had long since taken on the responsibility of maintaining and repairing them.

After a careful inspection, she identified the issues. It was a routine repair job, but as she worked, she ran into a problem.

Her supply of replacement parts was running out.

Lately, the failure rate among the robots had been increasing, and the components she scavenged last time were nearly depleted.

Clara brought this to Svarog’s attention and explained her plan: she would venture out to Rivet Town to search for usable parts. Word had it that the area had seen intense fighting recently, with Wildfire clearing out large numbers of Fragmentum creatures.

She wasn’t sure what Wildfire was trying to accomplish, but judging by the festive mood in Boulder Town and the lack of reports about casualties, the Fragmentum monsters must have been thoroughly dealt with. Rivet Town would likely be safe.

Svarog listened and relayed Clara’s intentions to the patrol robots stationed near Rivet Town, ensuring her safety during the excursion.

When she arrived at the outskirts of Rivet Town, Clara confirmed her expectations: the Fragmentum creatures infesting the streets and alleyways had largely vanished. Major roads once teeming with danger were now eerily quiet, save for the tracks left by vehicles and the marks of heavy machinery.

Encouraged by the newfound safety, Clara ventured into areas she had previously avoided. Factories and workshops, places she had only dreamed of exploring, were now within reach.

She quickly filled a large sack with usable parts, gathering enough to last the settlement for a while.

As Svarog’s patrol robots joined her, Clara felt even bolder. If Rivet Town was this safe, why not collect as much as possible before Wildfire returned?

It wasn’t that she disliked Wildfire—they had helped her before, even giving her canned food when she was hungry. But the tensions between Wildfire and Svarog made any interaction awkward. To avoid the hassle, Clara decided it was best to steer clear of them.

She moved on to larger factories deeper in Rivet Town, only to find them almost completely emptied.

“What happened here…?”

The massive machines she had once seen were gone. It was as if someone had come through and methodically dismantled everything, leaving behind only scraps.

After scouring several factories, she noticed a pattern: only the main factories along Rivet Town’s central thoroughfares had been stripped bare. Smaller, more secluded workshops still contained some salvageable materials.

Clara adjusted her route accordingly, moving through the quieter parts of town. Her efforts paid off when she stumbled upon a cache of canned food hidden beneath the floorboards of an old workshop.

“Everyone will be so happy to have more food!”

Her eyes sparkled with joy as she handed the precious supplies to the patrol robots, instructing them to deliver the food back to the settlement.

After a productive afternoon, Clara had amassed an impressive haul.

Not only had she scavenged food, but she had also found high-quality fabrics, mechanical components, and several containers of machine lubricant.

"Everyone will be so happy when I bring these back!"

Her eyes curved into cheerful crescents, her happiness radiating in her every move.

But just as she was about to leave the workshop, the sharp alarms of the patrol robots rang out.

The sudden, piercing sound sent chills down Clara’s spine. She rushed outside and froze.

A massive Fragmentum beast loomed in the street. Its body radiated blistering heat, flames flickering across its molten exterior. The patrol robots didn’t stand a chance—one by one, they melted into puddles of molten metal under the beast’s attacks.

That was when Clara realized: she had wandered into the industrial district beneath the northern mines of Rivet Town—the most dangerous area.

The patrol robots urgently repeated their commands, imploring her to retreat. One after another, they charged forward to engage the monster.

Some robots melted before they could even get close. Others activated their self-destruct mechanisms, their explosive efforts barely scratching the Fragmentum beast. A few fired weapons Clara had personally installed, but even those proved ineffective.

The monster was unscathed.

Instead, it seemed to grow more enraged, rampaging with even greater ferocity.

The commotion was like Pandora's box being thrown open. Along the path they had traveled, more Fragmentum creatures began to emerge, their twisted forms blocking any hope of escape.

If it weren’t for the massive beast, Clara might have had a chance to retreat. But now, surrounded and outmatched, any hope of returning the way she came was crushed.

The lead robot, equipped with advanced processing units, scanned for alternative escape routes.

“Analyzing terrain… Direct path to the main road is blocked by hostiles. Recommended route: bypass through Polica Geomarrow Mine. Path is dangerous but navigable.”

Upon receiving the directive, the patrol robots quickly formed a defensive line, shielding Clara as they guided her toward the abandoned mine.

The retreat was perilous. Robots fell one by one as they shielded Clara from the relentless assault. Some were reduced to slag by the intense heat; others were obliterated entirely, their cores destroyed beyond recovery.

Tears welled in Clara’s eyes as she glanced back at the machines sacrificing themselves. These were her companions, her family. And now, they were gone, leaving nothing but puddles of molten metal in their wake.

She gripped the strap of her bag tightly, her heart heavy with guilt. I should have left earlier. I was too greedy.

The group reached the mine’s entrance, a dark, labyrinthine tunnel that wound deep into the earth. As they ventured further inside, more robots were left behind to hold the line.

Unlike Svarog, these robots weren’t designed for combat. Against such a powerful foe, they barely stood a chance.

In less than half a minute, the massive Fragmentum beast breached the mine’s entrance. Its fiery projectiles collided with walls and support beams, causing sections of the tunnel to collapse. Clara’s intended escape route was blocked by rubble, leaving only small cracks through which faint light filtered.

The lead patrol robot recalculated, issuing new orders to the remaining units.

“Path obstructed. Initiating last stand. All units: prioritize hostile elimination. Clara, retreat to a safe distance. Primary objective: protect Clara at all costs.”

The robots’ cores activated auxiliary power, their frames glowing as heat vents opened. Some units began to emit high-pressure gas, preparing to self-destruct.

Clara crouched behind a pile of abandoned tools, clutching a scrap of fabric tightly as she trembled.

She wasn’t a fighter. The knowledge she’d learned from Svarog’s database was technical, not combative. Her frail, frostbitten body was ill-suited for battle.

The best she could do now was to stay hidden and not distract the robots with her presence.

But even as they fought valiantly, the robots were no match for the Fragmentum beast. Its scorching flames and colossal fireballs reduced their numbers rapidly.

In mere minutes, the cavern fell silent.

Only one battle-worn robot remained, its frame barely holding together.

Bang!

A massive fireball struck the robot, shattering its armor. As the dust settled, the machine collapsed, its circuits exposed and sparking.

“Error… Unable to retaliate… Protect… Clara… Must… protect…”

Another fiery blast engulfed it, melting the remaining metal. The robot’s voice sputtered and ceased entirely.

The Fragmentum beast turned its attention toward Clara’s hiding spot.

Its molten body radiated intense heat, scorching the walls of the mine. Clara’s face flushed red as the temperature rose, her breath coming in short gasps.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pressed herself against the wall, her small form trembling uncontrollably.

Why did I let this happen? she thought, her heart heavy with regret.

But regret wouldn’t save her now.

The beast inhaled deeply, its chest glowing as it prepared to unleash another wave of searing flames.

Clara shut her eyes tightly, clutching her knees as she whispered a desperate plea:

Please… someone… anyone… save me!

---

T/N: PROTECT CLARAAAAA

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!