Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord-Chapter 161: Steel Prayer

Chloe had long heard of the Machine Soul.

Even for a Moth Chasing Fire like her, accustomed to all kinds of bizarre technologies, this was something truly strange.

Awakening the soul of steel, this was something she had never attempted before.

No, she had never even imagined it.

Chloe was considered a master at manipulating souls, mainly because her Extraordinary path naturally had a significant advantage in this aspect.

Whether it was perception or various communication techniques, she was far more proficient in dealing with souls than others.

However, all these experiences and techniques hit a wall when it came to the Machine Soul.

The Type II Engine before her was the first steam engine to develop a Machine Soul.

Chloe was highly intrigued upon first seeing it and had spent a long time researching it alongside other Moths Chasing Fire.

The result, however, was no progress at all.

Chloe and Monica, one adept at soul communication and the other the very creator of the Machine Soul, had both encountered failure.

They were almost entirely unable to effectively communicate with the Machine Soul.

Simply put, the Machine Soul did not care to respond to them.

On the other hand, Hughes, an ordinary human, always seemed to earn the Machine Soul’s favor.

"So, did you discover anything new from your little secret experiment today?"

Monica’s face darkened. "Anou still refuses to acknowledge me."

This was becoming a major frustration for Monica.

She had put in tremendous effort to successfully summon Anou, yet it was indifferent toward her while eagerly responding to Hughes’ every request.

Monica had tried everything.

Hughes had shared numerous tips on interacting with the Machine Soul, but for some reason, none of them worked when she applied them.

Or rather, only Hughes was naturally gifted at dealing with the Machine Soul.

Other Sirens, Moths Chasing Fire, and even some advanced students had attempted it, but none of them could elicit a response from the Machine Soul.

At first, people assumed Hughes simply had a deeper understanding of machines.

But later, when the Moths Chasing Fire arrived,Chloe, who had an extensive knowledge of steam engines, also failed to communicate with the Machine Soul.

Chloe had nearly given up.

A steam engine with a Machine Soul was not necessarily better,only more efficient when using pollution as fuel.

But today, she had a different idea.

"Monica, have you ever heard of an organization called the Mechanical Cathedral?"

Monica shook her head. "Is it part of the Church?"

"Strictly speaking, it isn’t a church. At least, it does not recruit common believers and has never openly preached. It is more akin to an academic society."

"Academic?"

"Yes, the Mechanical Cathedral has no Extraordinary path, nor are they interested in one. To be precise, they have no interest in anything besides machinery."

Monica blinked in confusion. "And what does that have to do with our steam engine?"

"Quite a bit. The people of the Mechanical Cathedral seem to have a few screws loose. They revere machines as sacred objects and perform highly intricate prayer rituals."

"Prayers? Praying to machines? But aren’t those machines built by their own hands?"

"That’s exactly why I say they’re crazy. They assemble these machines themselves, yet still worship them. But now, I suddenly want to try their ritual."

"?"

"So, why did you drag me into this?" Gaia said helplessly.

She had been minding her own business in the test field when Monica and Chloe had suddenly burst in, grabbed her, and hauled her away without explanation.

She had tried to resist, but the two of them were surprisingly strong.

By the time she realized what was happening, she was already standing beside the steam engine.

"Steam engine,no, to be precise, the Type II Engine. You should have studied it, right?"

Gaia nodded. "Even though my major is chemistry, I’ve learned basic mechanical principles. You don’t have to worry about cognitive interference. But seriously, why did you bring me here?"

Chloe and Monica averted their eyes.

"Well, the ritual requires you. You are a crucial component."

"Crucial?" Gaia eyed them suspiciously. "I’m not some kind of sacrifice, am I?"

"Not that crucial!" Chloe quickly waved her hands. "Relax, the Mechanical Cathedral has tested it. Live sacrifices are not as effective as using holy oil."

"They actually performed live sacrifices?!"

"That was in the past. Nowadays, they use holy oil and ritualistic wrench strikes instead."

"..."

"Anyway, want to give it a try? You’re already here."

"Do I look like I wanted to come?!"

Inside the workshop, the room was filled with a chaotic commotion.

Outside, two Sirens standing guard exchanged glances and nodded.

"Go report to Lord Hughes."

"Agreed. With those three gathered together, something is bound to go wrong."

In the dimly lit room, a single candle barely illuminated the small central area, while the distant walls faded into darkness.

A girl, eyes closed, softly chanted prayers.

The steel machine cast long shadows, making her appear even smaller.

With a hood over her head, her face flickered between light and shadow, radiating an eerie sense of sanctity.

Beside the machine, Monica solemnly raised six hands, each holding a sacred object,a gear, machine oil, a wrench, a pressure valve,each positioned differently, like a devoted dancer in a trance.

On the other side of the steam engine, Gaia held a can of lubricant, applying it rhythmically to the flywheel’s bearings.

She occasionally glanced at the growing crowd of onlookers at the doorway, sweating profusely.

She regretted it.

She should never have let Monica and Chloe convince her to join this Machine Soul ritual.

At first, only the Sirens were watching.

Then, members of Moths Chasing Fire arrived.

Finally, students started gathering as well, including her own friends, who pointed and whispered among themselves.

The final straw was the arrival of Hughes, accompanied by Connor.

Wasn’t the lord supposed to be busy?

Why did he have time to watch them perform this ridiculous ceremony?

Gaia felt her legs cramping.

Embarrassment overwhelmed her, making her want to hide in a corner, but her serious nature wouldn’t allow her to flee.

Chloe’s chanting suddenly grew louder.

The once soft murmurs turned into a soaring hymn:

Father of Steam, Spirit of Steel, hear our roaring hymn!

We are the children of the forge, the devoted disciples of gears and pipes.

With the rhythm of pistons as our heartbeat, the roar of boilers as our breath.

Steam surges through our iron veins, rivets uphold the framework of truth.

Knowledge is engraved in the markings of pressure gauges, glory is welded into the seams of boilers.

Chloe’s eyes snapped open, her fiery orange-red hair billowing like flames.

"Ignite the sacred boiler, awaken the soul within the steel!"