Chen Lin kept his tone straightforward as he presented his abilities to Svarog, without grandiose words or elaborate justifications.
He knew better than to deceive a robot, especially one as advanced as Svarog. Robots like him weren’t easily fooled, and any attempt at deception would only complicate matters. Svarog could evaluate the credibility of statements using calculation methods that, while not particularly advanced in Chen Lin’s eyes, were more than sufficient.
Deception was unnecessary.
While Svarog worked on verifying the presented evidence, Chen Lin casually browsed through the unread messages on his phone.
As for the messages from Herta? He didn’t even need to check—she was undoubtedly pestering him about deadlines again.
A few minutes later, Svarog shifted slightly. Chen Lin noticed and looked up to see the towering robot approaching.
“Visual data verified. Fragmentum disappearance: cause unknown. Situation aligns with preservation of humanity directive. Given your attitude and the evidence provided, I do not deny the possibility of your involvement in Fragmentum reduction. Outsider Chen Lin, I am willing to grant you an opportunity to explain further. If your actions benefit the preservation directive, I will consider your requests.”
That was one thing Chen Lin appreciated about robots—they operated according to pre-programmed directives. It explained why Wildfire found Svarog so obstinate at times.
“It seems we share the same goal.”
Chen Lin glanced toward the brightly lit Boulder Town in the distance. “Jarilo-VI is unique. I can’t just walk away and watch Belobog turn into a ghost city. I’ve invested countless resources and effort here. My aim is to unite all of Belobog’s people, confront the dangers of the Fragmentum together, and lift the extreme cold that shrouds this planet.”
Svarog’s eye flickered, and his deep mechanical voice resonated once more.
“Based on calculations, the probability of eliminating all Fragmentum zones is: 0%.”
“Stop obsessing over your calculations, Svarog. Before I came here, did your records show anyone who could eliminate the Fragmentum?”
“Database search in progress… Search complete. No individuals or methods capable of eliminating the Fragmentum are recorded in the database.”
“Exactly. You didn’t account for me, yet you’re so certain the Fragmentum can’t be eradicated?” Chen Lin retorted, clearly annoyed. “Your calculations are merely reference points, always lagging behind reality. At the end of the day, they’re just dead-end results.”
He pressed further. “If you don’t believe me, let me pose a question to expose the flaw in your logic. Care to try?”
“Under quantifiable conditions, the probability of a calculation error is less than one in ten million. I do not find your claim credible, outsider.”
“Alright, let me ask you this.” A faint smile appeared on Chen Lin’s face. “Suppose I ask you to buy me a serving of fried rice. But as you leave, I tell you to buy two salmon sandwiches if you see someone selling them. Now, Svarog, if you accept my request and encounter a vendor selling salmon sandwiches, what will you do?”
Svarog paused for two seconds before answering earnestly, “Based on the conditions provided, condition one—‘no vendor selling salmon sandwiches’—is unmet. Condition two—‘a vendor selling salmon sandwiches’—is satisfied. Result: I will buy you two servings of fried rice.”
Pfft…
Seele, who had been keeping watch nearby, burst out laughing.
Chen Lin shook his head. “Wrong. The correct action is to buy one serving of fried rice and two salmon sandwiches.”
“…”
Svarog froze. He repeatedly fed the question into his core calculations, but no matter how many times he tried, the result was always two servings of fried rice.
“I know you have countless ways to counter my point,” Chen Lin said, “but this is the rigidity of programmed calculations. They’re thorough yet inherently limited to one outcome. If you doubt my conclusions, ask Clara—she wouldn’t lie to you.”
He pulled his hand from his pocket and added, “Similarly, my abilities aren’t part of your existing calculations. This includes my method for eliminating the Fragmentum, which relies on a power called ‘psionics.’ Aren’t you curious how I knew you were here? My psionics revealed your location.”
“Deceptive human rhetoric.”
“No, no, this isn’t rhetoric—it’s fact. Let me put it this way: according to your calculations, what’s the future of Boulder Town?”
Svarog replied, “Based on Fragmentum expansion rates and average human casualty resistance, Boulder Town will be completely consumed by the Fragmentum in 10 years, 4 months, and 21 days.”
“And can Boulder Town achieve self-sufficiency in daily necessities and industrial goods without relying on the Overworld?”
“Impossible.”
“Well, let’s see if this fits into your calculations.”
With a snap of his fingers, Chen Lin converted a unit of minerals into iron ore, materializing a pile in the designated area ahead.
Suddenly, chunks of iron ore began falling from thin air, rapidly forming a heap larger than Svarog himself.
Svarog’s CPU nearly overheated at the sight.
“Scanning spatial fluctuations: none detected… Probability of spontaneous generation of ‘iron ore’: 0%… Probability of human interference: 0%… Conclusion: error detected. Cause of spontaneous generation: unknown. Requesting database update… Request approved.”
“Do you understand this?”
Chen Lin snapped his fingers again.
This time, the dirt mound nearby began to tremble, clumps of soil lifting into the air as if supported by an unseen force.
“Energy fluctuation detected. Parsing energy… Parsing result: core operation overloaded. Internal temperature reaching critical threshold. Clearing variable system calculations. Restarting variable system…”
“Variable one: outsider’s mysterious methods. Variable two: Clara’s trust. Variable three: outsider’s contribution to Belobog. Reloading calculations…”
For a moment, Chen Lin thought he caught the faint smell of burning circuits.
After processing a cascade of errors, Svarog finally acknowledged the young man before him. “How did you do that? This power is not documented in any database.”
Hearing this, Chen Lin knew Svarog was convinced of his ability to handle the Fragmentum. The robot’s calculation-based logic was full of holes to someone like Chen Lin, a scientist of interstellar renown. Exploiting these bugs was laughably easy.
Chen Lin smiled. “So, has your calculation finally failed?”
“I acknowledge you as a variable in the calculations. Your existence and methods cannot be resolved through computation. Query: Outsider Chen Lin, what do you want me to do?”
“I want Belobog to survive with as much of its population intact as possible while eliminating the Fragmentum. I believe we share this ultimate goal. Secondly, I need you to reconcile with Wildfire. The divide between the Overworld and the Underworld has grown far too severe, and the Underworld cannot afford further fragmentation.”
Chen Lin continued, his tone calm but firm. “I’ll provide employment opportunities and technology to boost productivity. You, Svarog, as a supercomputer of sorts, hold a wealth of valuable data. Once Belobog stabilizes, your database will be critical to its development.”
“Clarification: You want me to provide information and technology for Belobog’s development?”
“Information, yes. Technology, not much. From what I’ve gathered in the Overworld’s archives, Jarilo-VI’s peak technology barely scratched the surface of space exploration, and that was with support from the Interstellar Peace Corporation. Most of your technology isn’t necessary—I already have what I need.”
Chen Lin shook his head. “For now, your task is to collaborate with Wildfire to stabilize the Underworld. Use your reputation alongside Wildfire’s efforts to unite the fragmented factions. That’s all.”
“…”
Svarog remained silent, seemingly calculating the feasibility and implications of Chen Lin’s proposal—whether following his suggestion could truly extend humanity’s survival.
After about thirty seconds, Svarog finally spoke.
“Calculation results processed. The preservation directive for human survival is approved.”
“Now that’s more like it.”
“Lie detection system engaged. Question: What is your motive for doing this?”
“Motive?” Chen Lin pondered for a moment before replying earnestly. “If Belobog were to fall, I might feel guilty and lose sleep for years. I’ve already come to see this place as an irreplaceable home.”
“Physiological response analysis: passed. Objective fact verification: passed. Adjusted variable probability: 10% likelihood detected. Conclusion: no adverse intent detected. Outsider Chen Lin, I believe your words. Prototype 03—Overseer Machine ‘Svarog’ is willing to continue executing the preservation directive for human survival. I will comply with your request. If there’s nothing else, I will take my leave.”
Svarog’s gaze lingered on the young man before him. The sheer volume of new information he had received today was overwhelming. His core systems, still overheated from excessive calculations, needed time to cool down. Returning to the Robot Settlement for standby processing seemed prudent.
“Alright. If you have questions or concerns but don’t wish to visit town, you can pass a message through Clara,” Chen Lin said, waving a hand. “And don’t worry about her safety—she’s under my protection in town. No one can harm her while I’m here.”
Svarog remained silent.
After watching the mechanical giant retreat toward the outskirts, Chen Lin turned back toward Boulder Town with Seele in tow.
As they walked, Seele kept stealing glances at Chen Lin. It wasn’t until they reentered the town that she finally spoke.
“So, you managed to win over that stiff robot? Is he really that useful?” she asked, her curiosity evident.
“Of course. If I didn’t know the cause of the Fragmentum, I might’ve had to ask him a lot more questions. But, fortunately—or unfortunately—I already know the true cause.”
“The true cause of the Fragmentum…” Seele stared at him, her confusion growing. “You know something that mysterious?”
“What did you expect?” Chen Lin countered with a hint of amusement. “From the moment I arrived on this planet, I knew the Fragmentum was caused by something called a ‘Stellaron.’ The problem is, I don’t know where the Stellaron is. Originally, I planned to leave after my investigation, but, well, things didn’t go as expected.”
“If things had gone smoothly, I wouldn’t have met you, right?”
“Probably not,” Chen Lin admitted. “You know me—I don’t lie. I understand that might upset you, but it’s the truth.”
“I’m not that petty…”
Seele hesitated, unsure why her thoughts had wandered into unfamiliar territory. Normally, she focused on immediate concerns, never indulging in such abstract ideas.
If events had unfolded differently, if Chen Lin had never come to the Underworld, perhaps she, Wildfire, and the rest of the Underworld would have been consumed by the Fragmentum. She could easily imagine herself perishing in a hopeless battle against Fragmentum creatures, with dwindling supplies hastening her demise.
Over the past month, she had spent almost every waking moment at his side.
She had witnessed miracles—Boulder Town’s transformation from a desolate ruin to a thriving settlement. People who had once begged on the streets or wandered aimlessly now had steady jobs. Street fights, once commonplace, had all but disappeared, and Wildfire’s patrols had been reduced to a tenth of their original frequency, yet order persisted.
He’s incredible, she thought. He connects everything seamlessly and gets it all done.
Even so, he wasn’t above his own quirks—like the time he tricked her into carrying him several kilometers to another town, claiming it was to keep watch for potential monster ambushes. In reality, he had just been napping on her back.
“Things are progressing smoothly. We should be able to wrap this up in a few days,” Chen Lin said, stretching lazily. “These past few months have been exhausting—I need a proper break after this.”
“Hey.”
Seele called out to him, her voice uncharacteristically hesitant. “Where will you go after this?”
“Drifting through space, I guess. I don’t even know where my next stop is.”
“So… you’ll leave this place?”
“Of course. Once everything is settled, I’ll be gone. But don’t worry—all the technology and equipment here will be updated before I leave.”
Seele fell silent, turning her head to gaze at something distant. “But what about everything you leave behind…? Without you, no one else will know how to handle it—or teach others.”
“Oh, is that all?” Chen Lin waved off her concern. “I’ll just borrow a few people from my friends. They’ll bring the necessary technical documentation. Besides, most of this outdated equipment will eventually be replaced anyway.”
“I see…”
Seele’s reply was barely audible. She lowered her head, her thoughts unreadable. After a moment, she asked abruptly, “Can I take the night off to visit Natasha?”
Chen Lin nodded. “Sure, go ahead. I’m not leaving town today anyway.”
—
T/N: oh no seele
This is a fan translation of 在星穹铁道点群星科技树真的没问题吗？ by 杏雨诗韵 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!
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