Industrial Cthulhu? It's Cthulhu Industrial!!

Chapter 51 The Significance of Culture (Seeking monthly votes!)

From a normal human perspective, the Misty Islands should be a terrifying place today.

A pale green mist shrouded the ocean. If an ordinary person were to take even a single step into it, supernatural forces would scream in their mind, stripping them of their reason and soul. These tiny fragments of their soul would then become nourishment for this terrifying mist, feeding on this misty ocean.

Countless monsters, devoid of facial features and possessing only limbs, are eternally toiling in the endless abyss. Numbly wielding their seemingly holy, pure white tools, they relentlessly dig downwards, gathering clumps of pale white and yellow soil into frames, only to vanish in a dim, yellowish light in an instant. What disappears then reappears in mid-air, falling directly into a factory the size of a hill.

This factory is perpetually spewing forth furious flames, the relentless light and heat scorching the soil and soul within. Countless twisted rays of light seem to materialize within, constantly slicing through the falling soil, mixing it into different formulas, and then dropping it onto their bizarre and somewhat eerie conveyor belts. These conveyor belts don't carry soil, but rather mixtures of what appear to be soft, mushy mud and other substances. Under the spell of this evil supernatural power, these semi-finished products, which should have been forged into porcelain, retain their softness while possessing a degree of flexibility and airtightness.

Thus, the entire monstrous spectacle, under the operation of this terrifying semi-automated production line, continuously smelted various materials needed for this horrific colony in all directions. The smelting time varied, the proportions differed, and even additional ingredients were required in between. Hundreds of people operated within this massive factory. Expressionless, yet moving with superhuman speed, they meticulously handcrafted each necessary component and tool according to precise language and symbols. These humans performed these tasks with utter nonchalance, devoid of any sense of honor, impatience, or anger, as naturally as breathing, simply constructing everything before them in a predetermined order.

Behind this legendary factory, which resembles a small mountain, lies the foundation of the empire they have already built.

The entire circular, crater-like cliff face had been completely encased in a layer of white terracotta steel. Of course, the internal structure of the cliff face also needed to be surveyed, excavated, and then various living facilities constructed. However, due to the current production environment and conditions not supporting construction from within, primarily because sunlight couldn't reach the interior, the unseen light couldn't illuminate the underground facilities through traditional methods. Therefore, unfortunately, the excavation work itself had to be suspended. After reserving some blasting ports and areas on the cliff surface, they abandoned the modification of the massive cliff face.

However, the true inner core, the most central urban area within the Silver Gate, was completely transformed into the ideal form desired by the people of the Silver Gate. They combined the Hill Empire's pursuit of white with the Silver Gate people's reverence for hanging gardens and plants, ultimately creating a pure white garden city. Countless white porcelain passageways, cascading down from the vast mountain lake atop the hill, irrigated one hanging garden after another.

Beneath these rainbow-colored hills lies the Hanging Gardens where their leader, Leon, resides. Even though their leader himself has no ambitions, the Silver Gate people, as his subjects, still created the most dreamlike scene for him.

Their living area was already covered with white porcelain roads and gardens. It was still far from the fully constructed city they envisioned; they couldn't yet transform the entire ground into a world of white porcelain, let alone create a complete city. However, within the valley itself, they had already built a perfect model. Those magnificent and exquisite buildings were meticulously designed by each architect, representing the greatest architecture in their minds.

Thanks to the Great Lighthouse and the wizards, constructing those imagined buildings wasn't too difficult. Furthermore, the terracotta steel they forged served as a perfect structural support, securely sealing their homes together, making it an excellent building material. This filled the entire Silver Gate with countless captivating buildings. Flying eaves and intricate brackets, each vying for attention, showcased the unique architectural styles of various empires and cultures within this vast city. They were also planning river routes, hoping to transform the entire city into a vibrant garden metropolis.

On another island, Mirror Island was built in a strikingly similar fashion to the present-day Silver Gate city. This island, almost identical to the Silver Gate city, also featured various white buildings. However, a slight difference was that the location of the Hanging Gardens had been replaced by a sculpture of a massive silver gate. Leon didn't want his likeness to appear in the progress of civilization; after all, he was still alive and somewhat resistant to such representation. But people ultimately chose a compromise, sculpting the silver gate that gave them birth and placing it in the central area, expressing their reverence for the Silver Gate, as well as their boundless worship and awe of Leon himself.

On the midline between the two islands, a lighthouse shines with unparalleled brilliance, unforgettable to all. Anyone who has seen this skeletal structure will forever retain its imprint on their heart. Such absurdity could only be found on this island.

But all of this is secondary to the Silver Gate people right now. What matters most is that they are taking advantage of their free time to discuss their latest building.

Where would be the most suitable place to put a large library?

This should be a happy problem for the Silver Gate people.

"...May I sit here?"

"Please, sir."

"Thank you."

He asked for a seat from a human sitting in the corner without disturbing anyone else, and watched the performance in front of him with great interest.

“Work hours are over, now is our time for free discussion. I think we should build a large library on Mirror Island, and in the future, when planning, we can also plan an entire area around it as a future urban landmark. We are bound to include the entire area as an urban area, so there is no need to put all the gifts from adults in one place. The area we occupy in the future will definitely be enormous, and we must adapt to life in our respective areas.”

“I disagree. I believe it must be placed behind the core Silver Gate, and in the future, it must be developed into a highly concentrated integrated urban area. Not only because our gods are here, but also for our unity and cohesion.”

In Civic Square, thousands of people stood or sat, watching the figure speaking from the platform, occasionally engaging in discussion. The figure, with a serious expression, pointed in the direction of Ceramic Island.

"Newcomers probably don't know that our true home was once on Ceramic Island. Back then, our first few dozen people lived with immigrants from the Hill Empire. After that, we went through many things, which led to our separation into the Silver Gate and Ceramic Island. It's only a short distance, less than an hour's walk, that we split into 'us' and 'them.' Because of the differences between us, we no longer stick together."

"When we first planned the city, we considered it from a strategic perspective. We needed to build a great city to unite and protect our common home. But if we don't even acknowledge our home, wouldn't the city we build be fragmented from the start? We would become different people. For example, those who rely on the Grand Library would call themselves people of the Library District. And those with adult-sized rooftop gardens would be the core members of the Silver Gate. Just this difference alone led us to perceive others as different, based on height, weight, and build. This is a lesson, a profound one. The remains of the divinely bestowed white walls at sea are still there. Are we going to repeat the same mistakes and treat everyone as different?" "Therefore, I believe all wonders should be placed together, just as we are all the same. Even if we are in different distances or different environments in the future, we must still be placed together. And this place must be isolated from all other areas. Because we are one family, we will act together in this sacred area, plan the huge buildings and urban areas together, and participate in the construction together. Regardless of distance or kinship, in the face of the wonders bestowed by the adults, we are all the same apprentices, we are all individuals who come to learn together, no one is superior or inferior to anyone else, and we choose our own future."

The man standing on the platform was clearly an orator. He spoke eloquently, and his voice carried far and wide across the square, even earning nods of approval from many who held opposing views.

Leon is neither a nanny nor a wish-granting machine that unconditionally fulfills others' desires. Through several incidents, the Silver Gate members have developed a deep respect for Leon, but they are also convinced that they need to work for him.

However, if they are not united, or if they have any wishful thinking, they know what the final outcome will be.

The three thousand sacrificial offerings on Porcelain Island continue their work, and the ceramics on the divinely bestowed white walls by the sea still display the arrogance of the hill empire's culture at that time, and how arrogant they were as so-called chosen ones when they considered themselves the darlings of the gods.

Once a region is divided into different ideas and voices, it will be met with severe productivity losses, which is completely detrimental to the construction of massive projects. The younger generation of Silver Gate people may not understand this, but the older generation of Silver Gate people have witnessed firsthand how much time was wasted just building the Silver Gate defense line after productivity was divided among them.

The scales of discussion quickly tipped, and the man speaking on stage raised his voice.

"This place will become our spiritual sanctuary, the heart of our family. We must never repeat the tragedy of the Hill Empire."

He looked at everyone and said loudly:

"Isolating ourselves from others and repeating the tragedy of ocean storms is unacceptable. We must unite, consider future possibilities from the very beginning, and take them seriously. This is our culture, and it is what we must persist in doing."

"If we all have different ideas, if the children born with the Silver Gate have different ideas from the outside world, then who will judge our culture, our writing, and everything we have worked so hard to achieve? Will the adults feel sad for our foolishness? No, they will only be disappointed in us, just as they were when the Hill Empire's houses were tragically destroyed. We must consider our future."

"We must make this our shared home, our guiding light, our academy, and even our future paradise. We must send our children here for their education, so they deeply understand that we are no different. We must worship our gods and respect one another; only in this way can we accomplish greater projects and make greater contributions. Therefore, not only will the Magic Library be built here, but all the wonders of the world and all the great things that may appear in the future will be built here. Even if it is filled up one day, we must ensure the purity of the core area as we expand outwards."

“We will not live here permanently, and no one has the right to live here. We are who we are, and this place is the core treasure that shapes our spirit and knowledge, and it will become a monument we admire in the future. Therefore, I refuse to divide the construction of the Magic Library; they can only, and must, build it here. I think it's time to apply for a vote.”

As the murmurs gradually subsided, and it seemed that they had reached an answer, the eloquent man on the stage nodded quietly.

The collected tickets are represented by two tiles: white for those who support the idea and black for those who don't.

Soon, people went into the sealed room to cast their votes. The sight of the white tiles, revealed by the boxes pulled out and dumped on the ground, spoke volumes. The final count of over 95% white tiles confirmed the proposal's complete approval.

This was the first vote on a specific detail they had finalized since the grand blueprint was unveiled. It was also the first vote calculated using simple, straightforward language. Although it was still quite inefficient and the future remained uncertain, it was all a decision made by the Silver Gate members based on their own thoughts and judgments. In the shadows of the hall, seeing the man waving his hands excitedly in the candlelight, cheering and applauding the crowd, Li Ang clapped along, expressing his satisfaction.

Perhaps in their eyes this was just an insignificant conversation and proposal, but in future generations, it will surely be the beginning of history.

It's not just about advancements in construction techniques or the creation of wonders; culture is equally crucial to civilization.

System notification: Your people have completed the research for Culture, the early stage of the Empire!

System notification: Your subjects have completed the research and development of culture and corvée labor!

System notification: You have fully mastered all aspects of primitive culture! Your civilization has now progressed further towards maturity!

System notification: Your culture tree has begun the next stage of evolution!

(End of this chapter)