Stellaris Tech Tree HSR

A one-sided massacre—swift and decisive.

The newly formed Rifts and the creatures they spawned were in a weakened state. Though they remained formidable enough to overwhelm an individual Silvermane Guard, they were utterly powerless before weapons from beyond the stars.

Each Rift could spawn nearly a thousand monsters of various forms, and every life lost within its influence only served to fuel its energy, creating even more Riftspawn.

No wonder Belobog had never heard of a way to eliminate Rifts before. They had simply never been able to defeat such overwhelming numbers without sustaining casualties. This revelation sent shockwaves through everyone who learned it.

After two days and nights of relentless artillery fire, the once-lost Commercial District was reclaimed by Belobog. Cleanup operations were now underway under the direction of Bronya and other military leaders.

Meanwhile, the instigators of this offensive—Chen Lin and his group—had quietly left the frontlines. Some rested, others indulged in a midnight snack, each taking time to process their recent experiences.

Chen Lin had already shared critical intelligence with Dan Heng, leaving him to pass it along to March 7th and Stelle. Meanwhile, a message from a Silvermane Guard had reached Chen Lin—a request for a private meeting.

Now, waiting at the arranged location, Chen Lin didn't have to wait long before his visitor arrived.

"Hello, are you Mr. Chen Lin?"

The voice was soft, almost cautious, yet carried an air of poise that set it apart from March's cheerful nonchalance.

Looking up, Chen Lin saw a mature woman with light makeup and a distinctly unique sense of style standing before him.

"That's me. And you are?"

"Oh, my apologies! I completely forgot to introduce myself," she said with a light chuckle. "My name is Serval Landau. Although, I don't particularly care to use that last name anymore. But perhaps it rings a bell?"

"Landau?"

Chen Lin's memory served him well. Having studied Belobog's history and its influential families, he quickly pieced together the significance of the name.

Belobog's feudal society mirrored other such systems in its reliance on aristocratic factions under a central ruler. Among these was the Landau family.

A cornerstone of Belobog's defenses, the Landau family had produced many leaders who served in government and the military, building their reputation on valor and strength.

And then there was Gepard Landau.

"Are you, by any chance, related to Captain Gepard Landau?" Chen Lin asked, connecting the dots in mere moments.

Serval's lips curved into a wry smile. "Not bad. You really are as sharp as they say—the brilliant scholar who brought us revolutionary theories in thermodynamics and energy. Yes, I'm Gepard's elder sister."

"What brings you here, Miss Serval? If it's to thank me, there's no need. Your brother is a remarkable individual, and saving him was the least I could do." Chen Lin waved dismissively. "Frankly, I'd much rather head back to clean up. Look at me—I'm filthy."

He wasn't exaggerating. From the moment he had stepped into the battlefield, he hadn't changed clothes in two days. His outfit was covered in soot, sweat, and the acrid stench of gunpowder—a discomfort he could no longer ignore.

"Oh my, I didn't realize…" Serval chuckled apologetically. "You're right. Let's not stand out here in the cold. Why don't we go inside? This is my workshop—just the two of us, no one else."

This piqued Chen Lin's curiosity. Serval's connection to Gepard suggested she had good reason to approach him.

After a brief moment of consideration, he nodded. "All right."

"I'll even grab you a new set of clothes from a nearby shop," Serval offered as they stepped inside. "In the meantime, feel free to use the facilities to clean up."

Chen Lin hesitated. Did she just invite me to bathe at her place? This feels oddly... forward. Not exactly the kind of situation I expected to find myself in.

Still, he accepted her offer. True to her word, Serval returned shortly with a fresh outfit bearing Belobog's signature artistic flair.

By the time Chen Lin emerged, freshly cleaned and dressed, he looked like a completely different person. His sharp features and composed demeanor caught the attention of passersby as he walked through the streets.

"Chen Lin," Serval began, her tone more serious now, "you've done so much for Belobog. Whether it's through my brother, the neighbors, or anyone else, I've heard all about it. But I must ask you to be cautious."

"Oh?" Chen Lin raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

Initially, he thought she might be here to ask for a favor, but her words suggested otherwise. Her sudden shift in tone carried a weight that immediately set him on edge.

"You've given Belobog hope—new energy, new theories, and now a chance to reclaim lost ground. These past two days, you've become a beacon for the people…" Serval's expression darkened, and she lowered her voice.

"But please, be wary of Cocolia."

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T/N: its back, back again but maybe it wont be back again for long, if so follow me on the p@treon and scr!bblehub both WiseTL

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