Stellaris Tech Tree HSR

Belobog had entered a festive period of celebration. The entire city was adorned with vibrant decorations, banners lined the streets, and lanterns powered by geothermal energy hung outside every home.

Near the central plaza, impromptu stages were erected by the citizens, and music and dance became the city's most captivating sights.

Though it wasn't yet an official holiday, the city was brimming with life. The reason? Just days ago, the Silvermane Guards had successfully reclaimed the commercial district that had been overrun by the Fragmentum.

Despite much of the area being reduced to rubble, the displaced residents—who had regained their homes—were overwhelmed with excitement.

For the citizens of Belobog, it was the first time they had ever heard of the Silvermane Guards defeating the Fragmentum. A historic first in every sense!

Not to mention that in recent decades, the Fragmentum's expansion had become increasingly aggressive. In less than 20 years, its spread had consumed territory equivalent to what several past Supreme Guardians had managed to defend over an entire century.

How could such a victory not ignite hope in a populace long resigned to despair?

The Fragmentum wasn't invincible. The monsters it unleashed could be defeated. Humanity's success on Jarilo-VI suddenly seemed within reach.

"When it comes to the Fragmentum and its creatures, we are not powerless!"

These words, spoken by Chen Lin during the victory banquet after reclaiming the commercial district, were echoed by the Silvermane Guards and quickly spread among the people.

"Since our esteemed guest Chen Lin wishes to investigate the depleted geothermal veins, then those shallow mines are yours from now on! Sigh… Are you sure that's all you need? If word gets out, won't people say that I, Cocolia Rand, am being stingy?"

"Thank you, Supreme Guardian, for your generosity. To us researchers, gaining access to such valuable material is priceless—something money alone cannot buy!"

"So be it…"

Chen Lin emerged from Qlipoth's Citadel with Bronya, who radiated delight, and Pela, whose stern expression belied her own satisfaction.

Cocolia had summoned Chen Lin to reward him for his contributions to reclaiming lost territory. She had even proposed granting him a noble title. However, since Chen Lin was not a citizen of Belobog, such an act would have been improper.

After a brief exchange, Chen Lin suggested that he forgo the accolades in favor of permission to conduct research in a derelict geothermal mine. Unexpectedly, Cocolia generously declared the entire site as his personal property.

Moreover, how he chose to manage the mine was entirely up to him.

Of course, Cocolia likely never imagined anyone could extract a steady stream of resources from a depleted mine…

Chen Lin had also made a new discovery.

The moment he entered Qlipoth's Citadel, he became certain that something was deeply wrong with Cocolia. It wasn't mere suspicion—he now had concrete evidence.

Glancing at his Communications Interface, he reviewed the intel:

Belobog

Ideologies: Extreme Materialism, Authoritarianism

System: Feudal Monarchy

Leader: Cocolia Rand

Attitude: Friendly (145)

This empire is willing to coexist peacefully and trade with us.

Evaluation of Our Relationship:

Belobog receives technology support: +100

Fear of our technological superiority: +50

Assistance in reclaiming lost territory: +350

Admiration from their military: +150

Support from their populace: +100

Active efforts to improve relations: +195 (+10 per day)

Diplomatic support provided to us: +200

Negative Modifiers:

Leader's actions harming our relations: -50 (-1.5 per day)

Outside the "New World Plan": -300

Threat to the leader's secrets: -400

Disruption of the leader's plans by our military: -200

Thanks to Chen Lin's and his team's efforts, their relations with Belobog had improved significantly. Yet, the negative modifiers painted a troubling picture.

The "New World Plan"? What was that? And when had he become a threat to exposing Cocolia Rand's secrets?

Still, the most intriguing modifier was the last one: disruption of the leader's plans by our military.

Seriously? I help you reclaim lost territory, and that's somehow a threat to your interests?

Chen Lin chuckled bitterly. Reclaiming the Fragmentum-infested district had given Belobog hope and bolstered the Silvermane Guards' morale. Yet, none of this aligned with Cocolia's agenda.

This mismatch confirmed his suspicions: Cocolia was deeply entangled with the Stellaron.

Perhaps… just as Serval had suggested, the Fragmentum's rapid expansion under Cocolia's rule wasn't a coincidence.

Of course, he couldn't share any of this with the locals. No one would believe that their leader might be a traitor to their own people.

For now, it seemed Cocolia had been intimidated by the fabricated stories he had deliberately spread about the "Empire" backing him. She hadn't yet chosen open conflict, but Chen Lin doubted this fragile peace would last long.

During their meeting, Cocolia had probed him repeatedly for information about the "Empire," particularly its agricultural and industrial development. Chen Lin had deflected her questions, citing the need to report to his superiors for approval.

Owning a planet feels so far away…

Chen Lin sighed inwardly.

Without a nation, without a faction, without even a homeworld, he didn't even have the right to establish a starbase.

No starbase meant no shipyard. No shipyard meant no colonization. No colonization meant no resources.

Am I playing a poverty-mode version of interstellar exploration?

No, even those in poverty-mode have ships… All I can make are weapons for others to use.

His only option was to secure control of Jarilo-VI and designate it as his home system. Only then could he begin to develop further.

"Everyone looks so happy."

Bronya, uncharacteristically relaxed, gazed at the singing and dancing citizens in the distance. Her mood was brighter than ever. "Thanks to you, Mentor, the Guards have discovered the Fragmentum's weakness. We no longer need to fear its invasion."

If only you knew what your mother was planning. You wouldn't be so cheerful then…

Chen Lin suppressed the urge to voice his thoughts and instead managed a neutral expression. "Let's not forget I still have work to do this afternoon. I'll need your help guiding me to the site."

With Cocolia's approval, Chen Lin had gained the right to establish a space mining station on Jarilo-VI.

In the game, this type of station was a lifeline for players struggling with resource shortages in the early and mid-game. Chen Lin had long been eyeing the energy and minerals it could provide.

More importantly, he had an experiment in mind.

If geothermal energy and other minerals could be categorized as "resources," could he use his own materials to create more geothermal energy?

Belobog's geothermal shortage was well-known. If he could provide the city with a steady supply, its survival resources would become inexhaustible.

When that happened, the Stellaron? Cocolia?

What a joke.

He was still curious about the so-called "New World Plan," though he doubted it was anything good.

For now, he would offer Cocolia both courtesy and opportunity. But if she continued to act against him…

Then… I'll just have to leave it to my covert agents gathering espionage points in the shadows.

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