Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord

Isaac directed the followers as they moved supplies back and forth.

To be honest, he was somewhat surprised that the lord had truly granted them such generous conditions, and so quickly at that.

Last night, the documents were delivered, and this morning, they were notified that a laboratory was available, allowing them to move their equipment inside.

The people even inquired about their needs, such as workbenches and tools.

And just a few hours after making those requests, the tools were already piled up in front of him.

This gave Isaac an almost unreal feeling.

At the entrance of the laboratory stood a clock, making it easy to see the time at a glance.

This place seemed to place particular emphasis on time and efficiency, unlike anywhere else he had seen.

Isaac had dealt with many nobles, whose efficiency, or rather, their lack thereof, was an insult to the very concept of efficiency.

They only worked when they felt like it, and working would quickly sour their mood, causing them to abandon their tasks.It seemed that only personal interest could spur them into action.

Imperial officials were not much better, blatantly procrastinating. If one did not resort to bribery or threats, nothing would get done.

But the people on this island were different.

They cared deeply about time. Almost every request was fulfilled as quickly as possible, and if they couldn’t complete it immediately, they would at least inform when it would be done.

It was a strange feeling.

Isaac was mainly responsible for logistics within Moths Chasing Fire.

Chloe led the followers forward, while he ensured no one lagged behind.

Thus, he was well aware of people’s working states.

Those working for the lord were not driven by the greed for gold like the nobles.

Instead, they seemed propelled by an immense motivation, as if they were simply accustomed to working efficiently and keeping an eye on the clock.

This was actually the influence brought by Hughes’ factories.

Everything in the factories instilled a sense of time in people, the duration of each step, the coordination of different processes, the intervals between each technique.

Most of the territory’s people were Hughes’ employees, and this punctual mindset quickly spread throughout Castel.

Unknowingly, even though the islanders themselves did not notice it, to outsiders, the difference was stark.

If this were in later eras, such values would be basic expectations.

But in this age, punctuality was a rare trait. Clocks were incredibly expensive, and very few people could always know the time.

As a result, those who valued punctuality and efficiency here seemed out of place in this world.

Isaac did not dwell on it for long before noticing a familiar figure.

”Chief.”

”Hmm? Everything is already set up here? That fast?”

”It is indeed fast. The people here are highly efficient.” Isaac nodded, his face showing some approval. ”That lord treats us quite well.”

”Hmph, he just helped me find a job, too.” Chloe crossed her arms, then sighed after a moment, picking up a cup of water from the table and drinking. ”How many people can you still contact, especially in the Northlands?”

The Northlands?

Isaac had a vague guess.

”Not many. What is this about?”

”Well...” She hesitated. ”Today, he asked me if we had any followers in other places and if we could bring them here.”

Isaac nodded.

Moths Chasing Fire excelled at concealment, and their followers were scattered across the continent.

If they wanted to remain undetected, it was not difficult.

Not everyone was willing to wander with the cult; some chose to hide in a place and quietly conduct their research.

If they could bring them over, that would be a good thing.

”I knew he had ulterior motives, he actually wants to gather intelligence on the Northlands. You know, Nora from the Silent Sanctum has close ties with him.”

”Nora’s situation...”

”It was that lord who informed me. Last time, when the Outer God descended, I forcibly activated my vessel, so I won’t be able to contact her for a while.”

”I see. Then there’s nothing we can do. I will give you the contact information for our Northern followers, but...”

He hesitated before speaking.

”The Silent Sanctum is barely surviving right now. Getting too close to them may not be a good choice.”

”The Silent Sanctum and the Candlelight Church are at odds. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. If they come, the Candlelight Church will be in trouble.”

Chloe casually sipped her tea, speaking with confidence.

But Isaac fell silent.

After a while, he said quietly, ”Don’t forget where our stronghold is... Right now, we are the Candlelight Church.”

”Pfft!”

Chloe spat out her tea.

After parting ways with Isaac, Chloe walked into the adjacent laboratory.

At the cost of a few bags of snacks, she successfully negotiated with Monica for the rights to use a steam engine.

This was something Hughes had helped coordinate.

Monica had reached a bottleneck in her research on the Machine Spirit.

Or rather, she was never particularly good at systematic analysis and research, she relied more on bursts of inspiration.

Ordinarily, that would be an ineffective approach. But she had a lot of inspiration.

Thus, Hughes handed this steam engine, infused with a Machine Spirit, over to Moths Chasing Fire, who were experts in studying the fusion of souls and machinery.

A few Sirens stepped forward, carefully carrying the steam engine into the Moths Chasing Fire laboratory.

The followers paused their work, watching the Sirens with interest.

These supernatural beings from the sea were a fascinating sight to the cult’s fervent researchers.

However, the two sides had been enemies not long ago, and tensions still lingered.

The Sirens spoke little, setting down the steam engine before leaving.

Chloe stepped forward, running her hands over the machine, feeling its cold, sturdy steel.

”This is the steam engine?”

”Yes.”

Chloe glanced at Isaac, then turned back to the steam engine, her eyes filled with reluctance.

”I’m leaving the research to you.”

”You’re not leading the study yourself?”

Isaac was surprised.

He and Chloe were both part of Moths Chasing Fire, and he knew how much these soul-infused machines fascinated her.

Why was she handing this work over to him?

”I plan to take a trip to the Northlands, of course, only after I fully understand the situation there. I may stay for a while.”

”You’re going to the Northlands? But that wasn’t part of our agreement with the lord.”

Chloe sighed, gently patting the steam engine.

”That wasn’t included, true. But he doesn’t have much spare power left. I’m the best candidate for the job. He hasn’t explicitly asked me, but I know what he means.”

”Once things here are settled, there should be news about Nora. I will go to the Northlands for him, whether he wants to negotiate with Nora or gather refugees.”

Chloe smiled.

”After all, I am the Chief.”