Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 36 Fighting Fire with Fire
After saying goodbye to Benjamin, Levi went to the other side of the Intelligence Research Department. As soon as he opened the door, he heard an argument coming from inside. Levi peeked out and saw Mr. Richard and Ms. Windsor arguing face to face. They stopped arguing when they saw Levi arrive.

"Uh... looks like I came at the wrong time?"

“No, you’ve come at just the right time, Mr. Levi.”

Mr. Richard moved his barrel-like body, stood up, and waved to Levi.

"Actually, Ms. Windsor and I are having some academic discussions about your report. Perhaps you can give us some hints."

"Ok."

Li Wei entered the room and then sat down in front of the two men.

"What are you discussing?"

“We have read your report, and according to your description, these people are trying to use such means to gain power.”

Ms. Windsor reached out and adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses, her expression serious. Seeing her like this reminded Li Wei of his elementary school Chinese teacher—serious, meticulous, and imposing.

“They create events, then spread rumors about them, and try to gain power from them, which in turn strengthens themselves…”

"It's just a guess."

Li Wei gave a very cautious answer.

"Thank God, so far we haven't seen the completed version of this project. My report is based on the other party's description and my own experience, and may not be factual."

"Understandably, rigorous investigation and research are essential."

Ms. Windsor nodded.

"Just now, Mr. Richard proposed a plan, arguing that since the other side can use this method, so can we."

“…………………?”

"Let me explain."

Under Li Wei's questioning gaze, Richard chuckled and rubbed his hands together.

"If they are trying to gain power through the consensus of the human subconscious, then of course we can do the same. For example, we can make someone perform heroic acts that conform to historical or mythological legends, or we can use this method to connect the other person with that hero and gain their power..."

"But that's a very dangerous thing!"

Ms. Windsor quickly voiced her objections.

"I believe our enemies are not so foolish as to not notice what you can discover, yet they still resorted to this method. Why? Because the impressions of historical and mythological figures are deeply ingrained in the public consciousness! Even if your approach succeeds in merging the experimenter with a certain hero, then the question arises: at that point, will we see the experimenter, the hero, or simply the hero as perceived by the public?"

"That's not a problem for us."

Mr. Richard was clearly confident about this.

“We are citizens of the Empire, and of course we can summon the heroes who protect the Empire. We are not cowards hiding in the shadows. We have a proud and glorious mission and responsibility, and I believe that those heroes will also join us in doing their part to protect the Empire.”

“The idea is good, but Mr. Richard, I think you’ve overlooked one point.”

Hearing this, Li Wei understood the focus of the argument between the two, so he chimed in.

"Assuming your theory is correct, and we do indeed gain a superhero as a result, how do we restrict his actions? Or do you think the Empire should disarm and rely on just a few superheroes to conquer the world?"

"This... um... I don't know yet..."

"At least for me, I would never want to have a guy with superpowers whom I know nothing about standing next to me. Who knows what he might do?"

Li Wei made his stance clear, siding with Ms. Windsor, while Mr. Richard merely muttered a few words and scratched his head.

“Okay, I admit it was an oversight… but I think it’s not long before we run into a similar guy.”

"what do you mean?"

"It's very simple."

Mr. Richard chuckled.

"Since those guys spread rumors and hearsay into the human subconscious, and then use real-world existence to anchor themselves and gain power... Assuming this theory is correct, then soon there will be complete beings like the one Mr. Levy described."

"Why? Have you guessed the enemy's next move?"

"I'm not a fortune teller, but have you forgotten?"

Mr. Richard patted the book beside him.

"If it were just a simple process, there would be no need for a leader. Fairy tales, poems, those legends that circulate in the wilderness, forests, and oceans. Fairies, mermaids, unicorns... If we assume that the power of the human subconscious can influence reality, then even without anyone leading it, they would likely appear in this world."

"this……………"

Hearing this, Li Wei's heart sank. Indeed, just as Richard had said, this process didn't seem to require any special ritual guidance. At least for now, all the enemy was doing was committing crimes in reality to make themselves more closely associated with the rumors, and perhaps ultimately, to merge with them.

Apart from that, Li Wei did not see any mysterious cult rituals or strange incantations.

If that's the case... then it means that the mutations in this world aren't just happening to humans!
As Richard stated, for example, mermaids—mermaids have a prototype, and at sea, almost all sailors firmly believe in mermaid legends. Suppose that this is why mermaids actually existed, it wouldn't be impossible…

Similarly, fairies, unicorns, little fairies... these are considered good.

What if it's a witch, a sorceress, or a ghost? How did the world become like this?

Li Wei quietly changed the subject.

"What are your thoughts on what Miss Betty said?"

Upon hearing Li Wei's question, the two exchanged a glance and shook their heads.

“We are not mystics, nor do we possess any magical powers. If you ask about theoretical knowledge, I can only say that I don’t think this era has changed much from the past.”

"But those Luddites don't think that way."

Richard gave a soft hum.

"They insist that humanity's use of machinery and the Industrial Revolution disrupted the balance of nature. They claim that humanity should be a part of nature, not superior to it. Luddites believe that our actions have blasphemed God and the world, and will inevitably be punished..."

Li Wei scoffed at this, clearly not taking it seriously. In his view, these Luddites were essentially no different from the neurotic green terrorists of his own time. They yearned for the idyllic life found in fairy tales: verdant grasslands, wooden houses, everyone farming and hunting, everyone living a life as idyllic as if in a pastoral idyll.

However, the mental illnesses of Livy's time were mostly just simple delusions—like seeing a popular tourist spot on social media, then going on a trip and fantasizing about enjoying the magnificent scenery in the video.

Then I was swarmed by a swarm of mosquitoes and couldn't sleep for half the night.

The problem with modern city dwellers is that they only see the beautiful side of nature and completely ignore its dangers.

The Luddites of this era were not so foolish; they were more fearful—after all, this was the First Industrial Revolution, and steel and steam power had changed humanity's long-held common sense. Many people were unwilling or unable to accept this concept that they could not understand, and wanted to return to their familiar lives, which is not entirely incomprehensible.

These Luddites also have their own reasons, such as their belief that organisms in nature are more convenient and do not require much human attention.

For example—our cows can give birth on their own, but can trains? No, they can't!

Well, of course they can't. If Li Wei ever saw two trains mating and giving birth on the tracks, he must be drunk.

However, it is clear that with the development of the Industrial Revolution, Luddites are being driven to the brink. Take, for example, the recent decree; Parliament has resolved to drastically reform the horse-drawn carriages in the Fog City—the stench and pollution from their manure must be curbed. Therefore, Parliament has begun to gradually shift public carriages to trackless steam vehicles and other public transportation.

The expansion of streets and the collection of carriage taxes were among the measures taken.

Li Wei even saw that they planned to build an elevated rail train for urban transportation. Hmm... I have to say, this era is really crazy.

From the perspective of someone who came after him, Livy felt that there was nothing wrong with the Empire's actions, while from the perspective of someone from this era, Livy could also understand the actions of those Luddites.

If, in Livy's time, people suddenly began to abandon reinforced concrete and steel technology and turn entirely to a purely natural lifestyle, Livy would also think that these people must have something wrong with their brains.

After that, Li Wei talked with the two men for a while and received a lot of advice and opinions—they were both pure scholars and therefore unable to fight on the front lines with Li Wei. So they could only tell Li Wei their ideas and let him verify these theories one by one.

Well, for Li Wei, he would rather these were just theories.

However, Richard's guess also gave Levi quite a headache. If Mr. Richard's deduction was correct, it would mean that he would be facing not just simple human enemies in the future... Well, these troublesome things can wait until they actually happen.

Or rather, I just hope they don't actually happen.

"Oh, by the way, Mr. Levi."

Just as Levi was about to say goodbye and leave, Richard called him back.

"There's one more thing, regarding Professor Franz's arrest warrant, we need more details..."

"Details? I don't know how to tell fortunes, I don't even know what that guy looks like... wait a minute."

As Li Wei was speaking, a sudden inspiration struck him. He then picked up a pen and began scribbling in his notebook.

A moment later, Li Wei handed over the paper.

"Okay, let's release it this way."

"???"

The two took the paper with curiosity, and then Richard read it aloud with a puzzled expression.

"1.6 meters tall, unable to walk properly in his left leg, dark brown skin. Biologically male, but identifies as female and often dresses as a woman to seduce young men. Suffers from syphilis, prostate disease, and kidney stones..."

Upon reading this, Richard looked at Levi with a puzzled expression.

How do you know Franz is that kind of person?

"I do not know."

Li Wei shook his head, then smiled slightly.

"But we can know."

"Uh...you mean..."

"We can't lock onto the enemy right now, so let's just try this tactic."

Li Wei chuckled softly.

"Since this guy enjoys spreading rumors so much, let him taste the bitterness of rumors too."

(End of this chapter)