Industrial Cthulhu, starting from the island lord

Chapter 84 The Price of Moving Forward

Zeus's eyes lit up, then dimmed.

Monica was right, the Banshees were the most suitable race for scientific research.

With his purification ability, they are not afraid of pollution, and the consequences of cognitive interference in this world pose no threat to them at all.

He has a symbiotic contract and a strong body. He can perform dangerous experiments and can recover quickly from injuries thanks to the contract.

but
"Monica, your idea is good, but it is not the real solution to the problem." Hughes looked at the Type II aircraft in the distance. Hughes filled some fuel into it every once in a while, and it was still roaring.

"If my territory only included Castel and my subjects were only the people on the island, then there would probably be no problem."

"But what if, I mean what if, we have an entire country in the future, or even establish a regime that encompasses the entire civilization?"

"By that time, only the Banshees will be able to conduct scientific research, and this will no longer be such a beautiful thing."

"If the Banshees become powerful, you will form an academic clique, monopolizing knowledge. You will eventually part ways with humanity—even if you share similar ideas."

"If you are weak, you will be controlled and forced to study science—perhaps through brainwashing with moral principles, or through coercion with force. In essence, it is another form of slavery."

"Either way, it will hinder the development of civilization and bring suffering to everyone."

Monica's emerald green eyes widened.

She looked at her six arms.

"Is this because we're not human?"

"No, it's because knowledge is monopolized."

Hughes looked up into the distance, as if recalling something, as if mourning.

"Whether it is an active or passive monopoly, it stops the circulation of knowledge."

"Exchange, communication, and sharing will not lead to the leakage of knowledge. Technology cannot be blocked. The more it is blocked, the more backward it becomes. The more it is monopolized, the more ignorant it becomes. In the end, knowledge will be elevated to a sacred place, revered as an unchangeable standard."

The church on Blue Star was once a representative of progress and knowledge, and the monks were once the most literate group of people. However, they were eventually abandoned by the times, and the corpses they left behind are still hindering the development of civilization.

Knowledge itself is not important. The Type II machine that is like a god at this moment will be just a toy placed in a museum in the 21st century, but the things behind the knowledge are very important.

If knowledge can only be monopolized by a few people, if scientific research can only be enjoyed by a few people, it will inevitably bring tragedy.

but--

"Of course, Monica, you're actually right."

Xius shook his head and smiled with a hint of pain and powerlessness.

"If in this world, people without extraordinary powers had to sacrifice their lives to pursue knowledge and science."

"If only Banshees could conduct scientific research."

"Then do it."

"Why? Isn't it said that this will lead to tragedy?" Monica was a little surprised.

"Yes, yes, yes, it is a tragedy, a great price, a great sacrifice, a painful scar that will tear civilization apart."

"But even so, it's worth it."

“Truth is worth pursuing at all costs. For progress, no sacrifice is too great to accept. For the future, any pain can be endured.”

"But isn't the purpose of technological progress to bring happiness to people? Progress is achieved at the expense of happiness."

"No!"

Xiusi uttered the word in a firm tone, his voice so low that it was almost a roar, as if a ball of fire was burning his body.

Monica was startled and looked at her lord, only to find his eyes brighter than ever before. He looked at the frightened Monica, at the banshees standing nearby, at the factories and people in the distance, and at the endless Storm Ocean.

He withdrew his gaze, and after a brief pause, his face showed no hesitation:
"no."

“It’s not a question of should or should not.”

"If a race loses the courage to move forward, it will slide into the abyss. If a civilization chooses to escape, it will never be able to take another step forward."

“The biggest problem for the capitulationists is never surrender, but choosing to surrender.”

Xius's eyes softened and he lowered his voice:
"So, do you understand, Monica? The choice you made wasn't something as simple as research. You were burdened with a fate far too heavy—you were originally free, but now you're faced with a pair of shackles you can't remove."

"Now, do you still like science?"

Until it got dark, there was no unusual change. The Type II machine was working normally and there was no pollution nearby.

Everything was peaceful inside Xiusi's body.

After repeatedly confirming safety with the banshees underground in the manor, Zeus lifted the state of emergency.

Due to the dangers of research and experiments, he specifically stipulated several emergency situations, with different levels of mobilization depending on the situation, so as to minimize the harm caused by pollution.

The students also left. Connor found a few carriages and specially dispatched some patrol members. After all, it was dark now, and there were wolves on the island.

The banshees gradually dispersed, and Una glared at Zeus. This banshee, who had always been a little timid, was the first to come over and hold Monica aside after Zeus finished his long speech.

"Don't scare the children!"

Xius was a little amused. He was indeed a little engrossed in what he was saying and forgot that Monica was still young.

He wanted to apologize, but Una protected Monica tightly, like a mother cat holding her cubs.

Forget it, let’s talk about it later when we have a chance.

Commanding the banshees to move the steam engine aside, Hughes was thinking about how to use it.

He was planning to put the Type II machine into production, but there was no rush for this one.

The most important task now is to train qualified engineers, and let them practice on this steam engine.

You need to gradually become familiar with disassembly and assembly, maintenance, operating procedures, troubleshooting of problems, which are minor problems and which require immediate shutdown.

He plans to work with these students to compile a set of special operating manuals, and leave the future teaching tasks to them.

And there is——

"Connor, I'm planning to expand the experimental base in the east. It's still too rudimentary right now, and the means to deal with danger aren't quite enough. Let Alexi come over tomorrow, and I'll explain it to him in detail."

"Yes, Master."

At this time, Xiu Si had returned to the manor and was yawning and preparing to go back to bed. He didn't sleep well after tossing and turning for so long last night.

Although the new way the pollution came cast a shadow over his eyes, it did not prevent him from showing a tired smile.

This is a steam engine. This is the farthest he has traveled since he traveled through time. Although the road was rough and bumpy, he finally took the first step towards industrialization.

The old butler seemed to be hesitant to speak, and Xiusi glanced at him.

"What's wrong, Connor, anything else?"

Connor hesitated and handed over a few sheets of paper.

"Master Hughes, the Candlelight Society's ship will be arriving tomorrow. Would you like to take a look at Miss Beatrice's information first?"

(End of this chapter)