Felicity ultimately didn't dismantle the automaton.
Not because of any reservations, but because Felicity sensed a faint life force emanating from the robot.
She was curious about how such cold machinery could develop life—was it the birth of an ethereal soul? Or like in fantasy novels where intelligence gradually emerges?
If a spiritual monkey could emerge from a stone and wreak havoc in heaven, then a robot developing intelligence didn't seem so hard to understand.
Felicity had met Screwllum—one of Herta's few friends, member #76 of the Genius Society, a more complete mechanical lifeform than the robot before her.
He also emitted a life force that surprised Felicity, and was quite the gentleman. However, regrettably, even he couldn't fully satisfy Felicity's curiosity about mechanical life.
But since it was life, it deserved the right to live.
Felicity detested unnecessary killing. Her Path was Abundance, not Destruction—she wouldn't unleash her Emanator's power just because something displeased her.
"Hurry along. If you're interested in that... robot, you'll probably find Svarog even more intriguing."
Seele seemed to have accepted Felicity's dual nature of immense strength and healing abilities, leading the group forward through the mining tunnels.
Soon, they encountered new faces.
A white-haired girl with crimson eyes stood at the deepest part of the mine, bare feet resting on the filthy ground. Her face carried a faint trace of worry and sorrow as she gazed up at the massive ore vein before her.
"This ore vein... everyone fought for this..."
Beside her stood a towering robot, different from the chainsaw models they'd seen earlier. This one had a more humanoid form and even wore a long coat like a human would.
It was immediately obvious which one was Svarog, but Felicity's attention didn't linger on the robot. Her gaze fell upon the white-haired girl.
Despite lacking the power of any Path, the girl could walk barefoot through this land while remaining spotlessly clean. Her skin was as pale as her long hair—delicate and snow-white, glowing with dazzling dreamlike radiance under the ambient light of the luminescent ore.
It was as if she were emitting light herself.
Perhaps Felicity's stare was too brazen, because even the girl who had been conversing with Svarog noticed their arrival.
"Um... please don't stare at Clara like that..."
Clara's delicate face immediately flushed pink. She looked timidly at Felicity, instinctively shrinking behind Svarog while tightly clutching the hem of his coat. Her voice was soft and hesitant.
Felicity's gaze was too direct, as if trying to see right through Clara, making the girl feel inexplicably ashamed.
"Seele of Wildfire, and... high-threat target."
Svarog lifted his head, his single red-lensed camera locking directly onto Felicity as he stated his calculations in a cold mechanical voice.
"Your resistance is worthless. The calculation results are clear: remaining in the Underworld is the optimal survival strategy."
"Oh?"
Felicity raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Svarog's focus remained entirely on her, clearly having detected Felicity's threatening presence.
But why?
This was their first meeting, wasn't it?
"High-threat target...? But, Mr. Svarog..."
Clara's eyes widened slightly, her glistening orbs filled with concern, but her words were cut off mercilessly by Svarog.
"Analyzing... Analysis result: target does not belong to Wildfire organization. External variable detected. Unable to scan. Unable to read. Target presumed to be special existence. Archiving records. Calculation complete. Conclusion confirmed: Using force to compel Wildfire and associates into compliance is the most efficient solution."
"Prioritize elimination of high-threat target..."
"...?"
Suddenly Svarog found his movements restricted. He looked down, red light scanning his immediate surroundings, only to discover clusters of shrubs that had inexplicably grown around his feet.
He instinctively glanced at Clara beside him and noticed nothing unusual around her before turning his attention back to Felicity.
Raising his hand, he unleashed a scorching laser from his palm that instantly incinerated the bushes beneath his feet.
What Iron Man wannabe.
Felicity mentally scoffed. Ignoring Svarog's threat, she instead pointed toward Clara and asked Seele beside her,
"Is that little girl also with Svarog's faction?"
"You mean Clara?"
Seele followed Felicity's pointing finger, her gaze quickly settling on Clara. She explained in a hushed tone,
"Yes, she seems very close to Svarog. Always follows him around."
Felicity hummed thoughtfully and nodded slightly.
Clara appeared to be an innocent child. To protect such a pure-hearted child so well in the Underworld, Svarog didn't seem to be purely evil.
"No hostility detected.It is speculated that the high-threat target intends to restrain. Clara, evacuate first."
Svarog spoke with cold composure. Raising his arm, his entire frame trembled slightly as white steam erupted from his metal casing, quickly entering combat readiness.
"W-wait a moment..."
Clara's eyes showed traces of reluctance. She tugged at Svarog's garment and looked toward Felicity, pleading in her tone:
"Clara thinks... there's still room for discussion... Big sister, could you please stop fighting?"
"Negotiation with humans yields the lowest efficiency, Clara. Even under extreme survival conditions, humans cannot avoid division and conflict."
Svarog responded to Clara while continuously attempting to scan Felicity's data.
"I don't really mind either way~"
Felicity's tone turned cheerful as she took several steps toward Clara, prompting Svarog to immediately raise his arm and shield Clara behind him.
"Stay away from Clara!"
Whether it was an illusion or not, the red light in Svarog's single eye seemed to grow brighter.
"You see, it's not that I don't want to stop now."
Felicity playfully winked at Clara.
"..."
Clara didn't respond, only turning her head to gaze pleadingly at Svarog beside her, stammering:
"Mr. Svarog... could you please stop? Clara feels they aren't bad people..."
"...External variables detected. Recalculation required."
Svarog didn't give an immediate answer, merely staring at Felicity while maintaining a ready-to-strike posture.
Compared to Screwllum, Svarog's thought process was clearly more mechanical. He only trusted his own calculations, and... Clara?
Felicity showed an intrigued expression.