Chapter 33 Chapter 33: Is Clara Very Useless...
Chapter 33: Is Clara Very Useless...
The journey back to the Furnace Core area went very smoothly. In fact, even without Kevin following along, it's believed that no one foolish enough would dare provoke this vast mechanical army.
Compared to the environments of Boulder Town and the mining area, this place actually feels more like a real yet fantastical underground world—not only is the terrain filled with towering cliffs and bottomless chasms, but even looking up, the hazy mist makes it impossible to see the 'world's' ceiling.
This haze isn't caused by various dust particles but is entirely due to the bizarrely low-temperature environment. Even the ground is perpetually covered by a layer of perennial ice and snow. But logically speaking... shouldn't the temperature be higher the closer you get to the Furnace Core?
"What is the true purpose of that massive device?"
Looking up at the huge mechanical pillar not far away, which seems to be the only connection between the upper and lower districts, Kevin suddenly asked.
"An initial scientific research shaft established during the Geomarrow Pioneering Corps era, capable of simultaneously supporting cable cars transporting up to one hundred people between the upper and lower districts."
"The upper end of the shaft houses the Belobog Greenhouse Effect Device—a device powered by large amounts of Geomarrow, maintaining a constant temperature on Belobog's surface and underground. Currently owned by [Belobog Heating]. The lower end is the old Geomarrow Pioneering Corps scientific research base [Furnace Core], now abandoned."
Svarog's answer was very standard, yet it left Kevin momentarily silent: "...Greenhouse effect device?"
Even though he isn't a particularly specialized scientist, he can understand what level of energy would be required to permanently alter a region's environment.
This clearly isn't something achievable by just this one device alone, even if it truly looks... truly like a structure representing an entire civilization, very grand.
"According to observational results, the counter-radiation of long-wave radiation emitted outward by this device accounts for only about 5.2% of the former. Its commemorative significance far outweighs its practical significance."
"Currently, I am still unable to calculate the true factor maintaining Belobog's constant temperature. The temporary assumed result is—interference from different dimensions."
Based on data calculated over hundreds of years, Svarog can clearly obtain this corresponding result. It's believed that not no one in Belobog has noticed that this massive device, constantly consuming energy, doesn't serve much purpose.
But compared to the elusive 『Aeons』, it's believed most of Belobog's people prefer to believe their stability stems from this visible, massive device.
The sense of security material things provide always surpasses that of elusive spirits.
"Looking at it this way, to maintain this dilapidated ark, those 『Supreme Guardians』 have indeed chosen to shoulder most of the burden."
They have never revealed the harsh truth to the public, allowing Belobog's people to always fight backed by solid faith. But where is their own faith?
"Although I don't quite understand some of it, Clara always feels that Mr. Kevin must have handled many big troubles alone for everyone, right?"
The young girl sitting behind Svarog, working hard, slightly raised her head. Her gaze towards Kevin was full of admiration: "Clara wishes she could be that amazing someday too."
"..."
"Believe me, that isn't a very wonderful thing."
One person can never shoulder everything. When that problem is placed before you, there's only one thing you can do...
That is to give your all.
———— ————
Svarog's current base is the 'base' left behind by the former Geomarrow Pioneering Corps. This place is not only sufficiently large and well-equipped but also has many diaries and scientific research books related to the pioneering era.
Taking advantage of Clara going to inspect and repair Svarog's body, Kevin didn't mind staying in this place a bit longer, giving himself some time to read these books related to this world.
Although he is quite certain he will eventually leave this planet, if it's just a hasty journey like wolfing down food, wouldn't that be meaningless too?
Just as Kevin, standing leaning against a bookshelf, was holding a pioneering-era exploration diary and gradually becoming engrossed, the door to the repair room suddenly opened. Only Clara walked out alone, her youthful face bearing unconcealable fatigue.
"Encountered some problems?"
"..."
After receiving Kevin's concern, which didn't reveal much emotion, Clara fell silent for a moment before speaking softly: "A very crucial part on Mr. Svarog's body cracked due to freezing from long-term disrepair. We can't find a similar model part anywhere in the Underworld."
"Although replacing all nearby parts would also work, but, but... if it weren't for me, Mr. Svarog wouldn't need to be like this."
"I originally wanted to go to the mining area to help everyone, but I couldn't solve problems as decisively as Sister Seele. Instead, because I accidentally got separated from Perkins, it caused Mr. Svarog's condition to become abnormal... In the end, not only did I cause other troubles, but I also made Mr. Svarog suffer such serious injuries again..."
Her tone was normal at first, but as she spoke, this very young girl unknowingly began sobbing slightly.
A child's world isn't as complex as an adult's. If she calls someone family, then she must have long regarded Svarog as her real family. Perhaps even in her heart, everyone in the entire Underworld should be harmonious family members.
But not only did she fail to solve troubles, she even added quite a few...
"Mr. Kevin, am I very useless?"
"I'm not as amazing as Sister Seele, not as mature as Uncle Oleg, and I can't make friends with everyone like Hook can..."
Even her usual expertise in mechanical repair seemed inadequate at that moment just now.
"There are no 'useless' people in this world."
To be honest, Kevin isn't good at comforting others, especially when facing children.
Compared to adults, children are actually harder to pull out of self-doubt. Because adults at least have their own complete worldview; they might walk out of it on their own one night.
But for a child, she might instead imprint others' words into her own world.
Kevin paused slightly before softly speaking his next sentence: "Because there are many paths in this world. Everyone has their own unique fork in the road. This path is different from others', but that doesn't mean it can't reach the destination."
Kevin also once thought his path had already reached a visible destination.
But now it seems, it's still far from it.
There is an illustration here; you can view it after updating the version.
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