Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord

In this world, pursuing knowledge and attempting to study technology was an extremely dangerous endeavor.

The Moths Chasing Fire had no real interest in overthrowing the world; they merely longed for knowledge, yet they had become the most dangerous and terrifying cultists on the continent.

It was not just knowledge that brought pollution and madness—cognitive interference lurked right behind. A single careless misstep could bring destruction upon one’s entire territory.

If researching on Blue Star was like walking forward in the dark with a torch in hand, then in this world it was like a blindfolded man groping ahead, with cliffs on both sides. A moment of carelessness, and everything would end.

But even so, should one just stop in place and never take a step forward?

To be honest, Hughes was somewhat disappointed with this world.

He had descended several times, visited many places, and what he saw were civilizations circling endlessly in place, even viewing progress as a dangerous and insane act.

Even the Moths Chasing Fire admitted they truly were cultists, that it was “wrong.”

Hughes had no intention of judging them. Surviving in this rotten world indeed had its difficulties. He was simply disappointed.

And the Prince was the most promising person he had ever seen.

He was sly, treacherous, and brutal, treating human lives like grass. He had no lofty ideals, being a staunch feudal warrior—but he was not cowardly.

He had the courage to explore, to pursue. He did not mind failure, nor did he fear falling into the mud.

He might not necessarily be a friend of Castel, but Hughes still hoped there would be more people like him.

A stagnant world of dead water was somewhat boring.

The matter of providing Blood Harbor with weapons still required careful consideration, but Hughes did not mind sharing his knowledge and theories with him.

Theory was also a kind of weapon.

After pondering for a long time, the Prince suddenly spoke:

“You just said they are not yet strong enough to overturn this system. Then what counts as strong enough?”

Hughes froze for a moment, then pointed downward.

“Like this would be enough.”

The main cathedral’s courtyard was not only adorned with colonnades and gardens. Beneath it lay a massive pit.

A colossal steel furnace, covered in countless rivets, release valves, viewing holes, and pipes of all sizes.

The Stellar Furnace was located right under the cathedral, and through the hollow opening in the courtyard, one could catch a glimpse of a corner of it.

Inside the Stellar Furnace burned an eternal fire. Countless pollutants surged within it, and at the very center of it all was a gigantic body.

That was the Pirate King who had stolen the Sea God’s power. He had already become a monster, yet still labored to burn and shine for Castel.

“We built the entire industrial system of Castel around it, and constructed the greatest furnace in the world, yet even then we could not fit it all inside.”

“I remember it was called the Stellar Furnace?”

“Yes, taken from the image of a star that burns eternally and quietly—of course, stars do not truly burn forever, and neither will the Stellar Furnace. But by then, we should have better sources of energy.”

Hughes lifted his head, gazing at the starry sky above.

Would he one day touch the true stars? It was far away, but not necessarily impossible.

One shell died, and another would take its place. There would always be a new Hughes standing tall, leading the tide of industry. One day this world would rid itself of heavy gravity and sail toward the true sea of stars.

“So that’s it. Only a Heretical God is worthy of rebuilding an entire system?” the Prince murmured, lost in thought.

His gaze gradually grew resolute.

“Could you take me to see more of this kind of industrial system?”

An industrial system—not airships, bombs, or machine guns.

Clearly, he was also one who had come from outside, yet he had made a choice completely different from Galahad’s. A faint, barely perceptible trace of admiration flashed across Hughes’s eyes.

The strongest aspect of industry had never been a single standout product, but the entire systematic structure.

To have such awareness was rare. Perhaps he really could bring Hughes some surprises.

“Then I won’t take you to see the Stellar Furnace. After all, you couldn’t reproduce that anyway.” Hughes adjusted his earlier plan. Instead of taking the Prince to tour the Network Path Project and the Stellar Furnace, he led him to the factories.

The Prince observed carefully. Not only the machines—he showed great interest in the entire production process, pulling Hughes along and asking many questions.

Hughes did not hold back. What he showed the Prince were relatively basic industrial projects. Most people in Castel had already completed advanced training courses, and keeping so many tied up in basic industries was a waste of manpower.

If the Prince really could build some factories and take over part of this capacity…

That would not be bad.

Take olive oil, for example. Such factories had almost no technical content, yet they were essential for the subsequent chemical industry. They were quite suitable to be transferred out, allowing Blood Harbor to take over.

That way, Blood Harbor would gain an industrial production line, while Castel would save its precious manpower to build more factories. In the future, skilled workers from Blood Harbor could even be absorbed back. A win on all sides.

The tour lasted a whole day.

When evening came and they returned, Hughes yawned as he walked to his desk. Taking the Prince around had been rather tiring. The man seemed to have endless energy, always asking questions with great enthusiasm. And worse, his questions always struck right at the key points—Hughes could not brush them off casually.

On the desk lay a diary—that was Chloe’s diary. When he had brought Monica down earlier, he had taken her along as well.

Hughes deftly cut open his finger and began writing with blood in the diary.

【I thought about it. Leaving you hanging up there really wasn’t very nice. After all, you’ve done so much for Castel.】

〖Really?〗

【Mm. I’m planning to take you down. From now on, you should be stored in a warehouse. You can finally rest.】

〖Why does it sound like you’re saying I’m about to die? Wait, I think I’m already dead…〗

【Either way, you can rest now. I’m exhausted today.】

〖Because you took those two people on a tour?〗

【Yes, that was Duke Tis, William. Though privately, I always call him the Prince. Perhaps he might bring some changes to this world. But that will be for the future. For now, I need to sleep first.】

Finishing his words, he closed the diary without waiting for Chloe’s reply. After washing up, he lay on the bed and fell asleep.

“How strange… why does it feel odd?”

It was as if he had overlooked something important.

Though a strange sense lingered, Hughes did not care. He truly was tired, and fell asleep the moment he lay down.

His consciousness sank deeper, and everything before his eyes blurred. Just as he was about to drift into slumber, he suddenly widened his eyes and shot up from the bed.

Not even bothering to button his clothes, he rushed to the desk, grabbed a pen, and flipped open the diary.

【What did you mean just now, when you said two people?】

〖Just what it sounds like. Didn’t you take two people on a tour? A man and a woman.〗 Chloe’s tone carried some confusion.