Industrial Cthulhu? It's Cthulhu Industrial!!

Chapter 31 Storm (Please read!)
'System Alert: A large ocean storm is about to land! Please prepare for defense!'

'System Alert: A large ocean storm is about to land! Please prepare for defense!'

'System Alert: A large ocean storm is about to land! Please prepare for defense!'

Ah, important things should be said three times.

Sitting in the sky garden which had grown larger, looking at the black clouds gradually pressing down from the sea level, Leon continued to drink fruit juice without any major hesitation or emotion.

Because everything that needed to be done had already been done. During the eight-hour workday, ever since the tropical storm warning had been issued, he had begun mobilizing these people to begin constructing windbreaks and adding bricks and tiles to the central island cluster, ensuring that the tropical storm would not cause any significant damage.

Hundreds of people were moving across the map, constantly moving various reinforcements to preserve the central area. The Nameless Sect's location was excellent, and given the geological conditions, tropical storms hadn't caused any significant damage in the past seventy years. But for Leon, reassurance and assurance of safety were crucial. Knowing anything was always better than knowing nothing.

The wizards of the Silver Gate manipulated the plants' transformations. They couldn't yet instantly induce entanglement or protective behavior, but they could accelerate root growth in the short term, anchoring the entire land and preventing plants from being blown away by brief gusts of wind. Furthermore, having learned basic architectural knowledge, they even began using cut marble slabs—a very useful occult mine facility left behind—to gradually secure and strengthen the protective structure.

A tropical storm that could be continuously reported by the system must be something more than a simple event. To prepare for the worst, Leon even chose to renovate the No Name Sect's storage cave at the foot of the mountain and moved a series of supplies and related equipment there, just in case.

There was still about a day before the storm arrived, and even from the top of the mountain and the coast, one could see the dark clouds sweeping in violently.

Even the nearby nature spirits seemed to be frightened. The production of soul crystals in the mountains and forests decreased a lot, and the plants were covered with a layer of strange crystal-like substances, as if they were assisting Leon's organization and trying to help resist the storm.

However, during these actions, perhaps due to cultural clashes or perhaps some deeper reason, compared to the past when there was no controversy, some unexpected discussions and conflicts arose among the group of hundreds of people. Although it did not escalate into any armed conflict, it was clear that these differences had also attracted Leon's attention.

"Why don't you repair Ceramic Island? That's where you originally landed, isn't it?"

After the initial mandatory working hours and the shift to self-action time, the people who left Ceramic Island one after another began to ask in a puzzled whisper:

"Aren't our buildings and forges the most important things? And our divinely ordained white walls, we have forged unimaginable glory. Why did the gods choose that island of green trees and fruits instead of helping us?"

'It must be because these people are too weak that we have to help them.'

"But the gods also told us to strengthen our houses?"

"They're probably afraid we'll act on our own and cause some mess, right? And it's just a tropical storm, we've all seen it before. Under the protection of the gods, tropical storms are like the sound of rain outside a crib—it's enough to lull you to sleep."

"But wasn't the throne on Ceramic Island back then? And now it's not on our side, hasn't it moved to the other side? Should we ask the people of Silver Gate to help us repair the buildings to withstand the storm? Honestly, according to the scientists' investigation, many houses have become dilapidated due to the God's removal of his tentacles. Although some facilities have been rebuilt, it's still very dangerous to live in them."

"Shut up! Are you trying to cause trouble to the God? And will those bastards at the Silver Gate let us through? You know what they wrote on the exit gate, right?"

'But……'

"I haven't allowed anyone to pause communication."

Looking at the crowd who were arguing in low voices, Leon decided to give his own answer.

"If you want my advice, I still hope that you can move to the central island and form a comprehensive area. However, if you insist on surviving here, I still respect your choice. After completing my mission, you can do what you want as usual."

"Yes, sir!"

On the smooth white seawall road, the crowd who heard the sound knelt on the ground, fanatically expressing their loyalty and faith.

But apart from this, there is nothing else. They still seem to think that their hometown is the best, and refuse to communicate and interact with people of the Silver Gate culture.

After returning to their respective settlements, the differences between the cultures and communities of the two sides once again became apparent. The Silver Gate culture, led by the wizard, quickly began working together in teams of twenty, continuously strengthening their homes, securing safe areas, and storing drinking water and food.

Meanwhile, the people of the Hill Empire culture continued to sing and dance despite the impending storm, seemingly unfazed. Only a few returned to fill their ceramic houses and basements with clay, as a gesture of respect. But the vast majority showed no concern, some even using kaolin to continue their work on the divinely bestowed white walls.

They looked so jubilant, with no sense of crisis at all, which made Leon feel extremely confused.

"Why do these people keep doing this? Can't they just reinforce their homes and houses? They've already given up on living in the Central Islands, but they still think the storm isn't scary? What are they thinking?"

Facing the once-lit oven and the grilled fish, vegetables, and fruits on it, Leon turned to look at the guard he had promoted with some confusion. "Charlemagne, what do you think?"

"The death toll on Ceramic Island is expected to be between several and a dozen, with many more injured."

"Yes, it can kill people. But it's really strange. I don't understand why they feel that I have to keep them safe, as if I have never tried to persuade them. But since they want to choose to fight the storm, I respect their courage. I really hope they can survive the storm."

Looking at the exclamation mark on the map, Leon shrugged.

Under his power and perception, a wild hunting storm that could flatten an entire island and reshape its terrain would surely be suppressed by the combined efforts of the nature spirits and his own system. However, the current storm was simply a simple one, devoid of any mystical or terrain-changing elements.

Such storms aid the natural cycle, and there's no need to fight or erode them. Even special communication isn't necessary. Simply stay within a safe area and do what's necessary to withstand the storm. The nature spirits of the Misty Islands are truly kind, even allocating some of their power to protect those who are fighting the storm and establishing their territory.

As for the brave man who just wanted to fight against the storm, Leon could only express his respect instead of understanding.

Since they already had a divinely granted white wall, it seemed only natural that they would go crazy and try to resist the storm. Leon greatly respected these ancient human traditions, which enriched cultural diversity. Although sometimes he felt that such richness was unnecessary.

Time ticked by, and countless rays of light began to bloom from the pitch-black clouds, spreading in all directions. The roar of thunder even shook the liquid in the trembling water tank, causing it to vibrate continuously. Compared to the tropical storm they had faced at the beginning, this storm could truly be called a storm. Countless black dots floated up and down within the black clouds.

Perhaps some ignorant people thought it was a crow or some bird or animal, but in fact it was most likely a whole big tree covered with soil, or even a huge rocky hill.

The ferocity and explosiveness of tropical storms are most intensified and released over the ocean, bringing with them fierce winds, torrential rains, and a rapid drop in temperature. This is a manifestation of natural regulation and part of nature's power.

It was almost night. The violent storm would fully arrive at night. As the cornerstone of civilization, Leon's Hanging Gardens had deep roots in the central island, then dug deep into the soil, constantly reinforcing the island's structure to prevent any minor mishaps. The other members of the Silver Gate retreated into the cave, gathering planks and marble slabs to reinforce the natural cavern and assigning tasks for maintenance.

As for the people on Ceramic Island, they were very brave. After the fireworks show, they chose to sleep in the leaky houses on the island. Only a few people felt unsafe and went into the city hall and laboratories to sleep.

But in general, they didn't really follow Leon's advice and do anything.

They are really a group of admirable warriors. I don’t know what the gods of the Hill Empire were thinking at the beginning. Anyway, Leon thinks these people are really brave.

With such a subtle admiration for human beings, Leon finally sat beside the Silver Gate. After watching the various wonderful performances inside the Silver Gate as a program on his mobile phone before going to bed, he fell into a sweet dream.

Howling winds and pounding rain, a tropical storm, seemingly threatening to reshape the world, swept across the Misty Archipelago in the darkness of the night. Screams and cries of terror were drowned out by the piercing wailing of the downpour. Nature, with purest violence, corrected the unstable and disharmonious regions of the world, powerfully infusing its own elements throughout the region to effect its correction.

This was the greatest power in the world, countless tiny particles coalescing into unimaginable violence. The unbridled torrent consumed all obstructing matter. Anyone unprepared would be mercilessly punished by nature. Even those who were prepared would still be struck by the unforeseen attack, shedding tears of despair and lashing out against the ferocity and destructiveness of nature. When Leon opened his eyes again, beholding a clear blue sky and a tranquil sea, the surroundings had subtly changed.

The people from the Silver Gate gradually emerged from the cave. Some of them, with tired looks on their faces, began to move their production tools outside the cave, gradually clearing out the various strange objects brought by the storm.

For people in sparsely populated areas, storms bring not only disasters, but also some gifts from far away places.

For example, fruits, fish fry, specialties from other regions, and many other strange things would be delivered in the storm. The members of the Silver Gate, who had made all preparations, followed Leon's guidance and began to complete their tasks step by step.

However, from Leon's perspective, the situation on the other island was far more dire. Their once-beautiful white porcelain community had been utterly destroyed, with roughly a quarter of it vanishing, leaving the remaining area in ruins and devastation. Those who survived wept as they searched the rubble, trying to find traces of their families. Some even knelt on the ground in despair, mumbling to themselves.

"Sir...you, won't protect us anymore?"

"I remember I asked you to come to the large island? You chose this village yourselves, and I certainly respect your idea."

Looking at the crowd crying in the ruins, Leon tilted his head in surprise.

"I hope you can bring me joy, and let me feel the continuous development and progress of culture and civilization. Simply put, I need you to live a better life. But I also give you full right to choose. You choose death, and then come to question me why I didn't save you."

"But didn't I tell you long ago? This place should be treated as an industrial area. The central island is where you're supposed to live. I thought this was your national custom, a desire to prove your courage against nature."

"Isn't it?"

(End of this chapter)