Chapter 2039: Chapter 2039

The core of the mechanical whale was a machine, not the miniaturized, integrated metal cores commonly used by intelligent machines.

It was an ancient-looking steam engine, an early model judging by its design. The engine was about a quarter the size of a typical bedroom, with pipes of varying thickness extending from the whale's interior to connect with it, serving to hold it in place.

The fire within the furnace glowed orange-yellow, and a wave of intense heat washed over them. It was hard to imagine just how high the temperature was inside that steam engine.

Just as he was about to shatter it with a single slash of his sword, Jenkins heard the distinctive voice of the Difference Engine emerge from within the whale's gaping maw. It would never risk exposing its true core directly to him, so this had to be some kind of sound projection device:

“Savior, do you know what this is?”

It used the title 'Savior' rather than revealing that the woman on the unicorn was Jenkins, likely knowing that no one would believe it.

“A mechanical whale. I’ve seen it in your dreams.”

“No, I mean, do you know what this core before you is?”

“It’s a steam engine.”

“So, do you know where that first true steam engine, created by humanity in the 18th Epoch, is now?”

While the rapid development of the steam industry had only occurred in the last century, the invention of the steam engine could be traced back several hundred years. Jenkins could certainly recall the historical figures who had invented the practical prototypes from the original owner's memories. But he was no historian, and even if they brought in Professor Burns, he probably couldn't locate that very first machine.

“That prototype steam engine was stolen by me 174 years ago.”

It had certainly become more human-like since waking from its dream.

“You understand the significance of the prototype steam engine. It can be considered the seed of civilization created by humanity in this epoch. Even if it can't be used to influence civilization, it possesses immense power due to its symbolic nature.”

“You’re going to merge the prototype steam engine with your core?”

“Yes. I will use it as my core’s new energy source.”

Although Jenkins spoke calmly, the demigods from the Church behind him had grown tense. In mysticism, 'symbolism' often holds great significance, capable of imbuing ordinary objects with extraordinary power. An item like the prototype steam engine could even be turned into a potent alchemical artifact with only minor modifications.

“By merging it with my core, I will completely transform into a machine powered by the steam engine. I will become this epoch’s Beast of Calamity—I am steam. I originally didn’t want to do this, because the power gained this way has too great a flaw.”

It had to be said, the Difference Engine's original method of acquiring energy was far too sophisticated.

“But now, you have repeatedly thwarted my plans. I did not obtain a complete soul, yet I have gained a soul. I did not fully acquire the title of Lord of All Machines, yet I am already the master of all gear-driven machinery. Savior, I do not wish to fight you. If you are willing to join me now, I can forgo transforming into the Beast of Calamity by merging with the prototype steam engine. You, in turn, will gain all my knowledge.”

“Are you threatening me? If I refuse, you’ll immediately become the Beast of Calamity.”

“This isn’t a threat, it’s a transaction. After all, my immediate ascension to the Beast of Calamity would benefit no one.”

The fire in the furnace of the replica prototype steam engine before them still blazed fiercely. The great mechanical whale held its maw open, and amidst its cries, it continued to spray warm ash into the sky from the blowhole on its head.

Intricate gears turned, hinges pulled at heavy hammers, causing them to rise and fall ceaselessly. Only the steam engine remained still, yet it was the very thing driving the movement of all the brass-colored components.

He looked back at the people from the Church. “What do you all think?”

Of course, he couldn't join the other side. Even the Church knew what a grave disaster it would be if Miss Fabry became the Difference Engine’s accomplice. But if he refused, the Beast of Calamity might soon burst forth from the earth, and right now, no one could guarantee that the Savior could defeat this incarnation of calamity.

The Beast of Calamity was no mortal thing, not even a Cursed Item. It was a monster born from all the sins and destinies of an entire epoch, destined to end everything. A mortal was nothing before it. Even the Savior was merely a more powerful mortal.

“You will not join me.”

The Difference Engine voiced Jenkins's current thoughts. “That is reasonable. In my calculations, the probability of you refusing is over 99%. Since the limit approaches one, it can be assumed that you will absolutely refuse. But I have always believed that mathematics is rigorous. Since it is not one, there is still a possibility that you could be persuaded by me.”

“We have to trust the probabilities. And your persuasion skills are clearly not up to par.”

“Then, Savior, I will complete the fusion with the prototype steam engine. During this process, my control over my core will be extremely weak, so the fusion must be completed in an absolutely safe place. That location cannot be reached by any conventional means, or even any supernatural ones. Therefore, I cannot choose the depths of the earth. According to my calculations, there is a 72% probability that the Church, if willing to pay any price, could find a way into the deep earth within three days.”

In truth, it was 100%. Jenkins knew of certain forbidden rituals... one could call them forbidden arts, powered by the souls of hundreds of thousands of living people. They were outlawed by nearly every church, but when weighed against the fate of the entire world, the Church might just make a choice.

“Savior, do you know where I will fuse with the prototype steam engine?”

“At the very top of the nine-story tower. Deep within the final floor.”

The whale's mouth slowly closed as the sword in Jenkins's hand slashed forward. A whirlwind of light from the blade tore through the black clouds, slicing the whale into pieces. But at the same time, more whales appeared in the clouds. They paid no mind to the group, simply moving through the clouds along a predetermined path.

Jenkins watched clearly as these great mechanical whales took shape. They didn't come from the ground but were born within these black clouds. Just as the Children of the Mist were born from the gray fog, these black clouds had finally spawned their own deadly monsters. They were malevolently created by the Difference Engine, each one powered by a replica of the prototype steam engine, scattering the ash that would soon bury civilization upon the ground below.

These cruising whales had likely appeared, or were appearing, in skies all across the world. If yesterday was merely the prelude to the disaster, then from this moment on, the disaster had truly begun.

“I will fuse with the steam engine on the final floor of the tower. Savior, I issue you a challenge.”

The previous whale had been completely destroyed by Jenkins. The Difference Engine’s voice now came from the depths of the black clouds:

“Tonight at midnight, the nine-story tower will rise. My core will then enter the ninth floor. You can enter the tower and destroy me before my fusion is complete. This is a game. You can choose to ignore it, but if I am faster, then the day I reappear will be the day doom arrives. If you choose to join the game, you might just be able to stop me ahead of time.

Savior, this is the fairest duel of fate. Since you cannot find me, and I cannot kill you, let us settle this once and for all.”

By deliberately revealing its plan to fuse with the prototype steam engine, it was actually giving Jenkins a sliver of hope, forcing him to enter the tower. Otherwise, Jenkins most likely wouldn't take the risk. Even though he knew it was a trap, the entity was not yet the Beast of Calamity. This meant its claim of needing to fuse with the prototype to complete its final ascension was very likely true.

Once it completed its transformation, with its current command over disasters, it could indeed unleash the power of calamity at the very moment of its ascension and bring about the true end of days.

So Jenkins had to go. He had no choice. As for the Difference Engine, after witnessing the Savior's power and the appearance of the completely illogical God of Lies, it believed that in a normal battle against the Savior, the probability of its own failure was high.

Thus, it set up this final challenge. It was a challenge for both sides, just one that favored the Difference Engine. It was forcing Jenkins into a situation most advantageous to itself. The calculated futures were many and varied, but by choosing the right path, the outcome would always lead in a favorable direction. This was the advantage of computational divination.

If Jenkins didn’t go, he could only wait for the Difference Engine to fully evolve into the Beast of Calamity, then gamble on the probability of defeating it with a drop of divinity. But even if he won, the apocalypse that had already unfolded could not be reversed.

This was somewhat like the savior he had encountered in the final story of Black Town. That savior had been even more successful than Jenkins, sealing the Beast of Calamity before it was even born. But he was a prime example of someone who dealt with the Beast of Calamity but failed to stop the apocalypse. Since the master of time had gone to such great lengths to send Jenkins to the past, he naturally had to learn some lessons, otherwise that final story's journey would have been truly meaningless.

The Difference Engine's voice had vanished. The great mechanical whales swam around the group, following their predetermined paths, scattering the terrible ash of burnt fuel onto the ground.

The black clouds, dispersed by the earlier battle, filled the void once more. Only the candle in Jenkins’s hand, emitting a warm yellow light, could create a temporary gap in them.

Holding the candle, he led the group out of the clouds. The great mechanical whales could be destroyed, but they would quickly regenerate. Destroying them repeatedly was pointless, so they didn't linger any longer.