Svarog's Concern

The confrontation with Cocolia is imminent. Please don't put this book on your shelf. Your continued readership is incredibly important to me. I'll be switching shifts in a few days, which will give me a lot more time to update.

Theresa breathed a sigh of relief after putting away her combat aircraft. Now, even if a fight broke out, she wouldn't be afraid.

"Why have the members of Underworld Fire come? I've already said that your conflict with the Silvermane Guard has nothing to do with us."

Svarog said slowly, looking at Seele.

"The reason we've come this time is simple. They can't leave this planet because of the Stellaron, so we need to understand its information. It's said that you, Svarog, as a survivor from seven hundred years ago, should have preserved information about the Stellaron."

Bronya said seriously, looking at Svarog.

But upon hearing "Stellaron," the camera that served as Svarog's eyes flashed with red light.

"Sensitive information detected. You are deemed to be endangering core secrets. Annihilation mode activated!"

In the astonished gazes of Clara and everyone else, Svarog suddenly fired a barrage of missiles at them.

"Everyone, be careful!"

Dan Heng quickly stepped forward and shouted. Seele, holding Bronya, rapidly moved away, while Theresa raised the Oath of Judah and deployed it.

Clang!

Soulsteel spears shot out, shattering the incoming missiles. Then, Soulsteel chains bound Svarog.

"So you think you're the only one who can fight back?"

Theresa said with a knowing smile, watching Svarog struggle against the Soulsteel chains. Clara stood by, looking at Svarog helplessly.

"Beautiful ladies, Mr. Svarog didn't mean to hurt anyone. Can you please let Mr. Svarog go?"

Clara cried out, looking worriedly at Svarog, who was still struggling.

"Hmph, for suddenly attacking us! If it weren't for Theresa, we might have been blown to bits!"

"This is a case of refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"

March 7th said with a chuckle.

"It's refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a penalty, Little March,"

Dan Heng quipped, looking at the smug March 7th.

"Oh, it's all the same. So, Big Robot, are you admitting defeat?"

March 7th said cheerfully, teasing Svarog, who was still struggling.

"Analysis of material failed. Determined to be high-strength material. Probability of victory reduced to 0.8%. Offensive action not recommended."

Svarog analyzed the chains binding him from the Oath of Judah with his camera.

"Mr. Svarog, let's stop resisting. Clara only has you left as family!"

Clara cried out and threw herself beside Svarog. The girl's sorrowful voice made Svarog stare at Clara, his camera flickering.

"Clara is Svarog's most important family. Svarog listens to Clara. I will choose to surrender."

Svarog said, looking at Theresa. Theresa glanced at everyone. Dan Heng nodded. Knowing everyone was wary, Theresa immediately retracted the Soulsteel chains into the Oath of Judah.

"..."

Svarog stood up and moved his body. After looking at everyone for several seconds, the shining red light dimmed.

"You want to know about the Stellaron, right? This is not a suitable place to reveal core secrets. Come with us to the Mechanical Tribe."

Svarog said, picking up Clara and placing her on his shoulder. Without waiting for a response, he walked towards the Mechanical Tribe.

"Let's follow them. Little Theresa really knows how to handle things, saving us from unnecessary conflict,"

Seele said with a smile, patting Theresa's head. Theresa glared at Seele and pouted. Seele chuckled and poked Theresa's puffed-out cheek.

"Pfft!"

March 7th and the others held back their laughter. Seele still instinctively treated Theresa like a little girl.

"Let's go, to the Mechanical Tribe!"

Theresa shouted, putting away the Oath of Judah. Everyone followed Svarog's footsteps towards the Mechanical Tribe. He led them on a shortcut, passing through the great mining area to the snow-covered Mechanical Tribe.

After passing the verification of the gatekeeping robots, Svarog led everyone into the luxurious cabin where he and Clara lived. Clara poured everyone warm water, while Svarog sat on the sofa, staring at them.

"You want to know the core secrets about the Stellaron, right? Then I will agree to your request. As for the price, our Mechanical Tribe needs to maintain neutrality. I don't want Clara to be hurt again."

Svarog stated his condition. The general idea was that he would provide information about the Stellaron, but after obtaining the data, they should not come to the Mechanical Tribe again to cause conflict.

Everyone considered it and found it acceptable. After all, the conflict between Underworld Fire and the Silvermane Guard had been going on for a long time, and they often had to fight Abyss Monsters. They were already overwhelmed and couldn't handle the addition of the Mechanical Tribe.

So, Seele, representing Underworld Fire, agreed to Svarog's terms. Svarog nodded. He then accessed the core secrets and projected the visual data recording the Stellaron.

From the Stellaron data projected by Svarog and the intelligence gathered by past Supreme Guardians, everyone gained a general understanding of the Stellaron's origin.

The Stellaron arrived seven hundred years ago on Jarilo-VI, which was then a lush and vibrant planet. At that time, the highly developed Jarilo-VI had frequent interactions with alien civilizations, and everything was prosperous.

Unfortunately, after the Stellaron's arrival, everything began to suffer heavy damage. First, many people were frightened away by the Antimatter Legion that the Stellaron brought. Then, the City Builders built walls to resist the Antimatter Legion, and the Antimatter Legion set the entire planet ablaze. Following that came the Great Cold, which turned ninety percent of the planet into ice and snow, with the remaining ten percent barely surviving in scattered pockets.

The City Builders, driven to desperation, had to borrow a large sum from the IPC in an attempt to turn things around. Naturally, they failed. After seven hundred years, this debt was considered a bad debt by the Interastral Peace Corporation.

Currently, the only remaining inhabited area is the giant city of Belobog, which survives precariously on Geodough mined from the Lower City.

Everyone had a general understanding of Belobog's history and learned that this Stellaron was ice-attributed. The successive Supreme Guardians had been fighting against it until Cocolia's generation, after seeing no hope of victory, was bewitched by it. Now, she had even issued a warrant for the Stellaron Hunters in place of Cocolia.

[Deployment complete. The following matters are unrelated to the Mechanical Tribe. If you can truly deal with the Stellaron, the Mechanical Tribe will cooperate with you once they see hope.]

[Well then, everyone, please proceed.]

Everyone understood Svarog's meaning. Clara looked at them with great reluctance, especially Stelle and March 7th, with whom she had gotten along very well.

After Svarog and Clara saw everyone leave, Svarog began to self-check if any stored data had been lost.

[Self-checking, core secrets... complete]

[Record of Clara's first time making a tool... complete]

[Record of Clara's first time sleep-talking... complete]

"Huh? Mr. Svarog, can you delete this~"

Clara blushed and pleaded with Svarog, wanting to delete her embarrassing past.

[Request denied. Records involving Clara are my most precious records and have undergone multiple backups.]

Svarog's voice made Clara shyly turn into a "steam girl." Svarog looked at the girl dotingly, then raised his head to look in the direction everyone had left. If he were alone, what would it matter if he accompanied them?

But he already had someone he cared about; he couldn't bear to leave Clara.

Daily character art. New Star Rail character~