Stellaris Tech Tree HSR

After leaving the research facility, Bronya didn't immediately seek out March 7th and the others. Instead, she returned to her quarters to rest before heading to the administrative hall.

This was where Belobog's aministers handled official business, and it also served as the center for Supreme Guardian Cocolia's governance.

The hall buzzed with activity as ministers crowded around their desks, engrossed in their work. Bronya made no stops, heading directly toward the large square table on the elevated platform where Cocolia stood, gazing out the window with her hands behind her back.

"Mother…"

"Did you send him over?"

"I did. I saw him enter the research lab with my own eyes. By now, he's probably in discussions with the senior researchers."

Bronya hesitated before voicing her doubts. "Mother, is it really necessary to test the identity of Chen Lin and his team like this? There are only a handful of them. Even if they had malicious intentions, how much damage could they cause?"

Cocolia pulled a chair from the side, gently seating Bronya before explaining warmly, "Bronya, this is the first time in centuries that outsiders have visited Belobog. Even if there are only four of them, it is my duty as the Supreme Guardian to verify their identities rigorously. Belobog… can no longer withstand destruction."

The Rift's spread had filled Belobog's sealed-off districts with monstrous creatures. This era of Belobog was far from its once-thriving past.

Bronya had witnessed firsthand how the citizens' living spaces were shrinking, while the Rift creatures were growing in number and strength.

No one knew where these creatures came from or how many more awaited.

Each time Cocolia ordered the Silvermane Guards to launch an assault on the Rift-claimed districts, Bronya—having served on the frontlines and ventured into the Rifts herself—felt the more prudent approach would be to build defensive platforms and secure the remaining safe areas rather than sending young soldiers to die needlessly.

These were sacrifices with no purpose or value.

But her mother wouldn't listen, stubbornly sending strong, young men to their deaths. After every crushing defeat, she would loudly proclaim the Guards' victory, emphasizing how many monsters had been vanquished to boost morale and recruit more soldiers—only to send them to the same grim fate.

Her mother's obstinance bordered on incomprehensible.

The night before, Cocolia had summoned Bronya to ask about her conversation with Chen Lin's research team. When Bronya recounted their discussions, Cocolia had inexplicably begun doubting their identity as scientists.

She had even unearthed an old research proposal submitted by the department years ago and approved it, staging this elaborate ruse to test Chen Lin's credentials as a researcher.

It was absurd.

Even without specialized knowledge, Bronya knew scientific research encompassed a wide array of fields. Not every scientist could contribute to projects outside their expertise.

Yet, in her mother's view, if Chen Lin and his team were not genuine researchers, they represented a threat to Belobog's stability. Anyone who jeopardized Belobog's unity was an enemy and had to be eliminated.

Cocolia's mantra echoed in Bronya's mind: anything that hindered Belobog's unity must be eradicated.

Bronya had tried to reason with her mother, analyzing the potential consequences of antagonizing Chen Lin's group if they were backed by a powerful force. Could Belobog, already struggling against the Rift creatures, afford to face an unknown external threat simultaneously?

The answer was obvious. The Guards were barely holding the line against the Rifts; engaging in a two-front conflict would be a disastrous decision.

But Cocolia had simply replied, "The snowstorm will bury all invaders, just as it did 700 years ago."

Bronya couldn't understand this logic.

"Mother," she asked hesitantly, "if the outsiders resolve these issues, will you still make things difficult for them?"

"Of course not," Cocolia said with a gentle smile, patting her daughter's head. "If they can solve the problems threatening Belobog's survival, they will be heroes. Belobog will no longer have to fear the depletion of geomarrow veins, and they will be our most honored guests—our dearest friends."

Her tone was warm, her smile maternal.

"Bronya, do you take me for an unreasonable person? As the Supreme Guardian, I must prioritize Belobog's well-being above all else. It's my duty—a duty you will one day understand."

"I understand, Mother," Bronya replied softly.

Relieved, she felt reassured that she wouldn't be ordered to apprehend Chen Lin and his team. She didn't want Belobog to provoke an enemy it couldn't afford to face.

Besides, she found herself liking the gentle young scholar. His stories and his respectful demeanor were refreshing, offering glimpses of a world beyond the sky.

Especially his attitude toward her—it wasn't one of fear or deference due to her status. He spoke to her as an equal, addressing her by name. Was this what it felt like to have a true friend?

Bronya had always understood that her position as heir left little room for personal connections. Most relationships were transactional, shaped by hierarchy rather than sincerity.

As her mother had once told her, the truest friends are those you meet when you have nothing to offer. Without ulterior motives, such friendships are pure and invaluable.

The mother-daughter conversation continued as time slipped by.

Eventually, the hall's doors burst open, and an elderly man with a white beard stumbled in, falling to his knees as he presented a thick stack of schematics and data files.

"Supreme Guardian! We've found it—there's hope! A replacement for geomarrow!"

A minister stepped forward to take the documents from the elder, placing them on the table before Cocolia.

Straightening her posture, Cocolia began reviewing the files, Bronya standing rigidly behind her, also glancing at the papers.

"An underground heating system? Steam engines? Thermal energy?"

Both Cocolia and Bronya stared at the unfamiliar terms, their brows furrowed.

"What is this supposed to be?" Cocolia asked.

"Supreme Guardian, please come to the research facility. You'll understand everything!"

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