"Svarog! We haven't settled our final score," Seele said, placing a hand on her hip as she glared at the towering machine.
Svarog responded in his usual mechanical tone. "Seele, subordinate of Wildfire. Your resistance is futile. The result of my calculation is unequivocal—remaining in the Underworld is the optimal strategy for survival."
Seele sighed, shaking her head. "This again? Calculations, survival strategies... I don't have time for your theories. Withdraw your forces, or I'll lose my temper!"
"Observe, Clara. Even under abject conditions, humans are unable to avoid division and conflict," Svarog said, ignoring Seele as he looked down at Clara.
"But... Mr. Svarog..." Clara's voice wavered, sadness evident in her tone.
Svarog's red optics scanned the humans before him. "Human failure to accept calculated results presents a significant threat to the survival strategy of the Underworld. Calculation complete. Result unequivocal: Armed suppression of Wildfire and their allies is the optimal course of action."
Hearing Svarog's words, Phanes fell silent. He found himself agreeing with the logic—at least, in most respects.
Unlike Svarog, who sought to protect humanity, Phanes did not. He held no real attachment to the human race. The only reason he allowed his creations to protect them was because she had made them in their likeness and that she loves them. That was all.
The only thing Phanes truly cared to protect was the planet called Teyvat—not out of love for its people, but because of a promise. A promise he had made to her. That he would protect everyone and everything on it.
But he would never tell that to anyone. He had learned his lesson the last time he spoke words that made her sad.
Even if he could not understand emotions—despite being the embodiment of divinity—he could not bear to see her sad.
Every time he caused her sorrow, an unfamiliar, uncomfortable feeling stirred deep within his core. A sensation he could not define.
"That robot looks strong," Stelle said, snapping Phanes out of his thoughts.
March glanced at the girl standing next to Svarog. "Ah! What about the girl in red? That robot is gonna take her away!"
Svarog remained unmoved. "We must leave. Clara, external variables have triggered a calculation reset. The Furnace Core Hub requires protection."
"They're trying to escape," Dan Heng muttered, frowning as he watched Svarog and the massive robot preparing to attack.
Phanes' gaze shifted between the advancing robots, Svarog's retreat, and his own hand—stained black, tainted by the forbidden knowledge that had burrowed deeper within him. He now understood. Svarog knew where the Stellaron was. Otherwise, the fate he was witnessing would not connect to Stelle.
"No… I don't have time to wait."
With a single wave of his hand, Phanes sent the colossal robot flying to the side. Then, with a simple grasping motion, he seized Svarog—who was still holding Clara—and pulled him down, forcing him to the ground in front of the group.
Svarog struggled against the unseen force, but it was futile.
Everyone else stood frozen in shock.
Unbothered, Phanes spoke. "He knows where the Stellaron is."
His words snapped the others out of their shock—except for Seele, who had no idea what a Stellaron even was.
Without hesitation, Phanes stepped toward Svarog and Clara.
Seeing this, Clara panicked. "Please, let Mr. Svarog go!" Despite her fear, she gathered all her courage and stood her ground.
Phanes glanced at her. "I will—after he answers a few questions."
Elysia, watching the scene unfold, sighed dramatically. "Great, Phanes, now you've made us look like villains to this poor girl." Then, her eyes sparkled as she took a closer look at Clara. "Oh! She has such beautiful skin! What do you use?"
And just like that, she drifted into her usual obsession with beautiful girls.
Dan Heng and the rest approached as well. Looking at Svarog, he spoke firmly. "We have a question for you. Where is the Stellaron—the cause of all the disasters on this planet?"
"Stellaron? Searching database... Access denied. Discussing Stellaron with unauthorized targets: prohibited."**
Svarog's mechanical voice carried a hint of hesitation, as if processing an anomaly. "You are broaching a secret that lies at the heart of this world—a secret that should remain unknown to humanity."
Though devoid of emotion, there was a trace of something unusual in his tone. Confusion. How did these unknown outsiders possess knowledge of the planet's greatest secret?
March, hearing this, turned to Phanes with an excited grin. "You did it, Phanes! High five!"
Phanes blinked, unfamiliar with the term. High wave? He didn't fully understand the gesture, but still, he raised his left hand and mimicked it.
"Hm, as expected, he knows about the Stellaron… but it's a restricted topic." Dan Heng crossed his arms, deep in thought.
Meanwhile, Stelle stepped forward, standing over Svarog, who remained on one knee, unable to get up. She looked down at him, a smirk forming on her lips.
"Listen, tech-head, tell us about the Stellaron, or I'll beat it out of you." She waved her bat threateningly before adding, "And if I can't, that guy over there definitely will."
She gestured toward Phanes.
Ever since March introduced her to Phanes and Elysia, Stelle had learned one thing—with Phanes around, no one could bully them… but she could bully others. Hehe.
Suddenly, Clara jumped in front of Stelle, arms outstretched. "Mr. Svarog can't fight! Please don't hurt him!" she pleaded, tears welling in the corners of her eyes, her nose slightly red from distress.
Seeing this, Stelle hesitated, guilt creeping in.
"Clara…" Svarog's mechanical voice softened as he looked at the girl standing protectively in front of him.
Clara turned back to him, determination shining through her teary eyes. "Mr. Svarog, please… tell them what you know. I don't want to see you get hurt."
Svarog remained silent.
Taking a deep breath, Clara continued, her voice trembling but firm. "Mr. Svarog, you said you were willing to make all my wishes come true, right? Well… my biggest wish right now is for everyone to work together, like a family."
She clenched her fists. "Recently, I learned something new—calculations don't always bring happiness."
Clara looked up at him, eyes filled with hope. "Even if the world outside the cage isn't beautiful… people still want to know what it's like."
Assessment system reset... successful. Processing variables..."
"Variable 1: Clara's request.""Variable 2: Outsiders' intentions."
"Updated assessment result: Transference of decision-making to outsiders. Outsiders are granted authority over Stellaron intelligence."
With that, Svarog's system completed its reset and granted authority to the outsiders.
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Author's Note:This is the first chapter that made me cry… Dang, Clara. I have a fixed update plan now, every Saturday and Sunday now.
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Chapter Question:Why do humans always want to see what's outside the cage, even when all that awaits them is cruelty and despair?
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[ Continue.... Find out what happens next in the upcoming chapter!]