Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [56]

Bronya’s reddened eyes betrayed her recent tears.

Strands of silver-white hair clung to her forehead, damp with sweat, suggesting she had rushed to get here. She must have learned of Cocolia’s disappearance early, swiftly mobilized the Silvermane Guards to conduct a citywide search, and only after overseeing all of this did she hurry to Chen Lin.

Of course, Chen Lin already knew about Cocolia’s disappearance. He even knew where she was and what she was doing. But for now, he had to feign ignorance, putting on a convincingly shocked expression.

“What?! How could this happen?! Please, sit down. Let’s talk it through.”

Chen Lin gently patted Bronya’s trembling back, soothing her as he coaxed the story out of her.

The Silvermane Guards stationed at Qlipoth Palace operated in three shifts, rotating posts at fixed intervals. These guards were handpicked for their loyalty and dedication to Belobog.

But this morning, during the shift change, a soldier reported that the guards stationed at the Supreme Guardian’s chambers, along with Cocolia herself, had vanished.

The situation was dire.

Upon hearing the report, Bronya immediately sealed off Qlipoth Palace to investigate. After questioning multiple people, she finally learned from external guards that Cocolia had left the palace the previous night, claiming she couldn’t sleep and wanted to take a walk. Since then, she had been untraceable.

“Did the guards mention which direction she went?”

Chen Lin frowned. Cocolia has nerves of steel, pulling a stunt like this and leaving witnesses. Doesn’t she worry about returning alone and raising suspicion?

Then again, considering her history, perhaps Cocolia had done similar things before. With parts of Belobog already overrun by the Fragmentum, it wouldn’t be unusual for guards to sacrifice themselves while covering the Supreme Guardian’s retreat.

After all, who would suspect that their leader—their symbol of unity—had secretly betrayed them to the Stellaron?

Bronya pressed her lips together. “I sent people to search, but so far, no leads.”

“If she’s not within the safe zone, could she have encountered trouble outside it? Maybe she’s trapped in the Fragmentum?”

“That’s unlikely,” Pela interjected. “Every route leading outside the city is heavily guarded. There’s no way she could leave without anyone noticing.”

“People don’t just vanish into thin air,” Chen Lin pointed out. “Why not inspect the guards at each major checkpoint? If there’s an issue, we’ll know soon enough. If not, we can reassess other possibilities.”

He had a point. Belobog was surrounded by walls, and all access points to hazardous areas were guarded by Silvermane troops. Without orders or an emergency, no one could leave the city unnoticed—least of all the Supreme Guardian.

“Pela, follow Mentor’s suggestion,” Bronya decided.

“Yes, Miss Bronya.”

With no better options, Pela left to carry out the task.

Now, only Chen Lin and Bronya remained in the room.

Usually, their one-on-one moments were devoted to Bronya learning governance from Chen Lin. In those lessons, her mind was lively and engaged, and their conversations, though serious, never felt as heavy as this.

Chen Lin let the silence linger, picking up a newspaper to read.

Eventually, Bronya broke the silence.

“Mentor… there’s something I don’t quite understand.”

“Go ahead,” Chen Lin said, setting the newspaper aside and giving her his full attention.

A chilly breeze slipped through the slightly ajar window, stirring Chen Lin’s unkempt hair. The long strands framed his refined features, lending him an air of a reclusive scholar.

“You’ve mentioned before that political struggles can be brutal. Do small nations like Belobog also experience the kinds of power struggles you’ve described?”

“Politics isn’t dictated by the size of a nation or its population,” Chen Lin replied. “Any action involving the pursuit of political power qualifies as political struggle. Belobog is no exception.”

He gestured to a table stacked with books. “Take the histories of the past ten Supreme Guardians I’ve read—they all contain varying degrees of political conflict. Some were weak leaders who maintained control by pitting factions against each other. Others were overshadowed by powerful ministers who rendered the Guardian a mere figurehead. And some concentrated power to such an extent that they nearly sparked internal rebellions."

“Understanding the underlying causes requires more than surface observations. It’s abstract and complex, often difficult to grasp without firsthand experience. However, in Belobog’s case, any significant political conflict is likely rooted in differences over governance strategies. It could be between defeatists eager to surrender and preservationists seeking to salvage what they can. Or it could arise from disagreements over whether to prioritize military defense or territorial recovery."

“Just as there’s no constant in warfare, politics is equally fluid. Bronya, your unique position makes it crucial for you to develop political awareness. It will help you discern allies from adversaries, gain the upper hand in precarious situations, and protect yourself. Of course, this is merely my advice.”

As Chen Lin spoke, Bronya listened intently, occasionally nodding. Her expression, however, betrayed a deeper internal struggle.

Suddenly, she asked, “Does the Supreme Guardian always act in Belobog’s best interests?”

“Hmm?”

Her question caught Chen Lin off guard. After a moment’s pause, he shook his head firmly.

“Not necessarily.”

“Why?”

“Human nature is flawed. Personal desires and self-interest are the hardest to suppress. Regardless of rank or title, leaders are human. Under certain circumstances, their decisions may be influenced by subjective or external factors, leading to irrational actions."

“You’ve seen it yourself. In my homeland and here in Belobog, there have been rulers who, in their later years, acted with folly. So, it’s essential to view such matters from multiple perspectives. Not everyone in power truly fulfills their responsibilities.”

“I see…”

Bronya mulled over his words before offering a sincere, “Thank you, Mentor.”

Chen Lin studied her thoughtfully.

He had expected his subtle manipulations to influence her thinking, but her sharp questioning suggested an exceptional level of insight. What kind of intuition is this?

If not for Cocolia being an obstacle in his plans, Chen Lin might have commended her for her foresight in choosing Bronya as her successor. At the same time, he couldn’t fathom what had possessed Cocolia to trust the Stellaron’s lies.

Her early policies—encouraging research, strengthening defenses, and exploring alternatives to Geomarrow—had been commendable. What had driven her to such betrayal?

The situation reminded Chen Lin of a certain historical figure…

His thoughts were interrupted as Pela returned, bringing significant news.

“Mr. Chen, Miss Bronya, we’ve found a lead! The guards stationed at A57 Route’s checkpoint also went missing last night. And we discovered several footprints that the snow hasn’t yet covered!”

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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!