Star Iron: The Past and Present Life of the Gender-Swapped Dragon Lord

"Seal the "Star Core"..."

Schwarz's red mechanical eyes blinked, as if he were calculating something.

"Throughout recorded history, humanity has made several attempts to contact the 'stellar core.' Without exception, these attempts were driven by human selfishness, seeking to possess this substance for themselves."

"The Builders' Order: Any attempt to contact the 'Star Core' will have severe consequences. Reassessment in progress—the success rate of sealing the 'Star Core' is less than 1%."

"Outsiders, your plan is not feasible."

Dan Heng pursed his lips. So all that talk was useless?

But at that moment, Clara stepped forward.

"Mr. Schwarzlo, could you please listen to Clara?"

“Mr. Schwarz said that you would grant me every wish, so Clara’s current wish is that everyone can unite like family.”

"Over this period of time, Clara has learned one thing—the results obtained through 'calculation' do not necessarily bring happiness to everyone."

Clara spoke sincerely, her eyes full of hope.

Even knowing that the world outside the cage isn't all that wonderful... people still want to stick their heads out and take a look.

Schwarz, who was being gazed at sincerely by Clara, fell silent. This was the first time people had seen helplessness and affection in a machine.

"Evaluation system restarting... Restart successful. Variable transformation in progress..."

"Variable 1: Clara's demands; Variable 2: the demands of outsiders."

"...Assessment results updated: Your request can be accepted, but..."

Schwarz stopped mid-sentence, which greatly worried March 7.

"But what?! Tell me quickly!"

"However, you must pass my test."

March 7th's excited face immediately turned puzzled, "Test...what test?"

"A force test. If I pass the test, I will agree to share information about the 'Star Core.'"

Schwarzroth adopted a fighting stance, startling everyone.

"So... in the end we still have to fight?" March 7th sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

"Tsk, why didn't you say so earlier? I've been waiting for this for ages!" Seele picked up the scythe that had been itching for a long time.

"Clara, move away."

Dan Heng called out to Clara, then stood still without moving, not even taking out his weapon.

"Sister Danheng, where's your gun?"

Danheng shook his head and stretched out a hand.

March 7th stared for two seconds, then widened his eyes and said, "It didn't conjure up anything?"

"No, I mean... you can win without guns."

"?"

To be honest, there was a significant size difference between Danheng and the others and Schwarz. They even had to tilt their heads back to make eye contact with Schwarz.

However, combat strength is not entirely determined by physical size.

"Swarovski, we're ready."

With a command given on March 7th, Schwarzroth began his final warning.

"Although it's a test, I will give it my all, because it concerns everyone's safety."

Seeing that everyone was alright, Swallow also activated his battle mode.

Without any warning, Schwarz extended his mechanical right hand, and the armor on his back opened up like a solar panel, unleashing a barrage of swift shells at the group.

"Is...this really that ruthless?"

Watching the shells explode and create craters of varying depths on the ground, March 7th swallowed hard. Then, Danheng pulled him aside, and a shell narrowly missed him.

“Be serious, Schwarzlo wasn’t lying.”

Danheng helped March 7 to her feet and watched as a purple figure, with Bronya's remote support, wielded a scythe and struck Swallow, producing the sound of clashing steel.

"We can only return to the upper district if we pass his test."

After saying that, Dan Heng rushed forward with the Strike Cloud to help clear out the constantly surging small robots.

March 7th clenched her fist, gave herself a pep talk, picked up her composite bow and took on the role of ranged support, while also providing a shield for Danheng and Xier, who were the main combatants.

"Assessment results: It poses a threat—but not enough."

Schwarzlo's mechanical voice rang out, and he snapped his fingers as if he had received a summons. A pile of steel quickly assembled in front of Schwarzlo, transforming into a large mechanical hand in just a few seconds.

The mechanical hand twitched slowly in mid-air, as if it had its own consciousness.

At Schwarz's command, the mechanical hand seemed to come alive, enveloping Seele who was nimbly maneuvering to the side.

Before Seele, who was still entangled by countless small robots, could react, a large hand had already covered the top of her head.

"Go away!"

Seele used all her strength to sweep away a large group of robots with a horizontal sweep, and then rolled away just in time to escape the range of the mechanical hand.

"Are you okay?"

Bronya rushed over and helped Seele up, who had rolled twice on the ground.

"It's okay, I can't die."

Feeling Bronya's concerned gaze, Seele smiled and patted Bronya's hand.

"Wait... why is this robot so difficult to deal with?"

"Take this from your grandpa!"

"..."

Unlike the group that also had time to flirt and date, the train crew members were all doing their own thing.

The incessant chanting of "March 7th" from his mouth, the swinging of the baseball bat in the sky, and the silent Danheng.

So what is our Danheng doing?

Danheng is in...

Become a mage with your hands behind your back.

Yes, Danheng is using these small robots to test the minor spells in the Cloud Chant Technique and the application of power.

Strangely enough, I haven't seen "Dan Heng" in my dreams these past two days. There's only a secret manual on a table, which records how to use one's own power.

Danheng is now trying to master the methods described above.

After a while, a glint appeared in Danheng's eyes.

That's about enough, we can wrap this up now.

At the same time, countless lasers and cannonballs attacked the group, and Dan Heng raised his hand and cast a spell.

"rise."

With a soft thud, a towering wall of water suddenly appeared out of nowhere in the lower level, which was entirely made of stone, blocking all ranged attacks.

"Binding."

Before the others could react, Dan Heng changed his hand seals again and pointed at Swaro in the distance.

The towering water wall transformed into countless water dragons, which sped towards Schwarzlo like swimming dragons.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, water dragons attached themselves to Schwarz's mechanical limbs, binding him tightly.

No matter how hard Schwarzro tried, he couldn't break free from these ropes, which he determined were all made of water.

"Detection passed - Playback of 'Star Core' related materials is permitted."

Schwarzlo's mechanical voice rang out, and Danheng dispelled the incantation.

"Wow, this ability is amazing no matter when you see it. Danheng, why don't you use it?"

March 7th looked at Danheng, who was expressionless beside him, with a puzzled expression.

"..."

There was only silence in response to her.