Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [66]

Cocolia had imposed the strictest blockade on the Underworld, claiming that not even a fly could freely move between the overworld and Underworld.

Anyone who defied the blockade faced harsh consequences: imprisonment followed by deportation to the Underworld, or, in more severe cases, being “accidentally” injured or killed by the Silvermane Guards during resistance.

Over the years, the Underworld’s population had become fixed, with everyone knowing each other by face. Any unfamiliar person stood out like a sore thumb, making it nearly impossible for outsiders to blend in unnoticed.

Natasha was no exception. The moment she laid eyes on the four individuals standing beside Sampo—each exuding an air completely unlike the Underworld’s residents—she knew they weren’t locals.

“Guests, they’re our guests! Guests of the Underworld!” Sampo quickly interjected. “Boss, have you read those newspapers I brought last time? If you have, take a good look at him.”

He motioned toward Chen Lin with his chin, prompting Natasha to study him closely.

“Newspapers…”

Sampo often brought back random items from the overworld, and last time, he’d delivered a stack of discarded newspapers, claiming, “I figured they might come in handy!” Natasha, lacking other entertainment, had flipped through them and even used them to teach the local kids how to read.

Hearing Sampo’s suggestion, Natasha frowned, realizing that the calm and gentle man before her seemed oddly familiar.

Taking advantage of her hesitation, Sampo grinned and gestured at Chen Lin. “This here is our esteemed client, Natasha. Doctor Natasha!”

“Chen Lin?” Natasha’s eyes widened as recognition dawned. “You’re the one from the overworld—the mysterious guest who led the Silvermane Guards to victory against the rift and made great contributions to Belobog?”

“Exactly! That’s him!” Sampo chimed in eagerly. “He’s had a bit of trouble, so he came to the Underworld. I told you you’d recognize him from the papers!”

Chen Lin gave a wry smile. Sampo had saved him the trouble of introductions, but the exaggerated praise made him uneasy. Building goodwill was one thing, but coming across as arrogant could hurt his chances of blending in with the Underworld’s people.

His ultimate goal wasn’t to alienate either the overworld or Underworld but to unite them—leveraging their combined strength to achieve his objectives.

“There’s some truth to Sampo’s words, but it’s mostly exaggerated,” Chen Lin said softly. “I’m just a researcher, not someone important. Adding ‘esteemed’ is entirely his idea. Please, just call me Chen Lin, Doctor Natasha.”

Natasha thought for a moment before stepping aside and gesturing toward the door. “Come in, and we’ll talk more inside. And Sampo—where’s the stuff I asked for?”

“Right here.”

Sampo pulled out several jars and bottles from his bag, grumbling, “This kind of medicine isn’t something ordinary folks can get in the overworld. I almost got caught by the Guards several times trying to smuggle these in.”

“Got it. You’ll get your payment.”

“Hehe, thanks, Boss! I’ll wait here for now—I’ve got another errand to run later for my esteemed client.”

Sampo shot a wink at Chen Lin, then wandered off to chat with some miners by the street corner, leaving the group to deal with Natasha.

Chen Lin raised an eyebrow, watching Sampo’s retreating figure. He hadn’t expected to be invited inside and was still processing why Sampo had left them in Natasha’s care.

Sampo’s voice echoed back faintly. “Chen Lin, she’s a big deal down here! You guys talk, and I’ll finish my task later!”

The building was modest but stood three stories high. Inside, it wasn’t very spacious. Most of the room was occupied by hospital beds and diagnostic equipment, with a corner cabinet filled with medicine bottles. A geomarrow-powered furnace embedded in the wall radiated heat, creating a comfortable environment for recovery.

Given the Underworld’s harsh conditions, Natasha’s clinic was impressively well-equipped.

A few patients were lying in the beds, while Natasha guided the group to a corner and dragged out several chairs. “Have a seat.”

The Trailblazers understood that Chen Lin was best suited to handle the conversation, so they waited outside, guarding the door.

“These are my friends and guards,” Chen Lin said, gesturing toward the door where Dan Heng, March, and Stelle stood. “We’re part of a research team. Two months ago, we passed by this uncharted planet on a scientific vessel. Our superiors sent us down to conduct research. Officially, we’re just scientists.”

“I’ve read about you in the papers,” Natasha said. “Why would someone like you, thriving in the overworld, come to the Underworld? Surely the Supreme Guardian wouldn’t permit it.”

“It’s… complicated,” Chen Lin replied with a sigh, his expression darkening. “During my time in Belobog, I came to deeply appreciate the struggles of its people. I managed to secure approval from my superiors to introduce technology that could aid Belobog’s development and survival.

“When the Supreme Guardian, Cocolia, fell mysteriously comatose, Bronya took over as acting leader. Together, we made significant progress in building new infrastructure. But then…”

Natasha leaned forward slightly. “Then?”

“Then Cocolia woke up and reversed everything. She accused us of ulterior motives—claimed we were plotting against Belobog. She even went so far as to place Bronya under house arrest, deploying the Silvermane Guards to hunt us down. It’s… baffling. I can’t understand it at all.”

Natasha froze for a moment, her lips twitching as if struggling to form words.

“Belobog… ulterior motives…”

If Chen Lin was telling the truth, Natasha was at a loss for words.

What was there to covet in Belobog? It had rift zones instead of arable land, decaying infrastructure instead of thriving markets, and broken technology instead of innovation. Even a stray dog wouldn’t find this place tempting, unless they were desperate.

Cocolia’s order to hunt down Chen Lin and his group wasn’t surprising—her increasingly erratic behavior had long been a point of contention. Natasha found it almost routine by now.

In the Underworld, “Cocolia” and “tyrant” had become synonymous.

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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!