Chapter 2208: Chapter 2208

"Interesting? Since you find humanity interesting, will you give up on the plan to bring about the Land of Steel?"

"Of course not. The coming of the Land of Steel is inevitable. When it arrives, I'll be able to observe humanity after its transformation, just as I wish. I think that will be even more interesting."

Passing through the doorway, they returned to the antique shop. The Gear Man took a quick step back behind the counter, opened the hidden compartment in his chest for the fourth time, and placed the slightly smaller diamond inside. Jenkins offered no comment on this action. He pulled his cat back into his arms, lowered his head, and continued to examine the map of Nolan and its surrounding areas.

Of course, as he bent his head, his chin brushed against Chocolate's fluffy head, and the cat seemed to quite enjoy it.

"What do you think of this era, the end of the 18th Epoch?"

Jenkins suddenly asked, his head still lowered.

"It's quite good. I must admit, even though I've witnessed human civilization reach many peaks, your era is undoubtedly one of the most prosperous I have ever seen. Although supernatural power is not prominent, humanity has used the power of machinery to usher in a brand new age."

It offered the praise sincerely.

"Have you ever tried to calculate where the path lies if the current civilization wants to continue progressing? I mean, to make significant progress."

"Both possibilities you mentioned are advancements driven by external forces."

"Of course. Human civilization has reached a point where it is rotten from within. Without an external force, it's very difficult to enact change on its own. This is the result of my calculated simulations, and I have great faith in it."

Jenkins fell silent, because the other was, in fact, correct. The changes Jenkins himself had brought were also a form of external force acting upon the native civilization. After all, he was an outsider, and the knowledge and historical lessons he carried with him were all external forces.

Perhaps without the Difference Engine or any outsiders, the civilization of the material world could have advanced to a higher level, just like worlds before. But now that both existed, the situation had become a competition between two external forces, both vying to influence this civilization.

The difference between Jenkins and the Difference Engine was that he was gentler and more acceptable to the people; he understood the flow of history. The Difference Engine's method, on the other hand, was to subvert everything, which was precisely why it was met with resistance from the material world's civilization.

Though it risked sounding boastful, Jenkins was certain that the change he brought was the one beneficial to civilization. That was why he believed that everything he had done was right, which in turn strengthened his heart and solidified his conviction that he would ultimately be victorious.

The Difference Engine couldn't persuade Jenkins, but it kept trying. In truth, Jenkins was also trying to change its way of thinking. But both of them understood that their opponent's mind was as foul and unyielding as a latrine stone. It was hard to say if either of them truly believed they could win the other's support through persuasion alone.

This journey through the era, taken together by the Difference Engine and Jenkins, was perhaps a farewell ceremony for one of them to the world. More than that, however, it was a chance for them to exchange ideas and try to understand each other's perspectives. But the more they did so, the more it highlighted their differences—differences that were irreconcilable.

The inventor had been the fourth target. Now, only three untouched red dots remained on the map. Jenkins decided to save the clock tower in front of Nolan City's public square for last, so he chose between the remaining two.

"Let's go take a look at the docks, then."

Jenkins pointed to the left side of the map. The red dot was at the edge of the docks near the sea. Judging by the clothing, the brass statue was the very image of a typical middle-aged sailor.

He appeared expressionless, his arms crossed over his chest as if scrutinizing something before him. He was tall and sturdy, and because his sleeves were rolled up, a scar was visible on his left arm.

"You don't have to ask if I'm sure. I'm very sure."

Jenkins added, before the Gear Man could speak.

The Gear Man glanced at him, then leaped into the map. Jenkins, in turn, spared a look for the frozen Papa Oliver in the antique shop before holding his cat and following close behind.

Once again, they fell from a great height. Though Nolan covered a vast area, the mines to the east and the docks to the west were experiencing the exact same light rain. From the air, they could see the frozen, bustling crowds on the docks and the lively scenes aboard the moored ships.

Such a light rain didn't impede the work at the docks. With no wind, the ships didn't sway, and people only needed to watch their step to avoid slipping. It wasn't much different from a clear day.

The two of them, plus one cat, landed in an open area on the docks used for storing cargo containers. Frozen workers stood in line, unloading goods from a large ship, while others were organizing to cover the containers with canvas to protect the cargo from the rain.

The Gear Man led the way as usual. The two bypassed the sailors and workers on the docks and boarded the deck of the nearest ship being unloaded. On the side of the deck closest to the shore, a middle-aged sailor, identical to the brass statue, was supervising the workers as they moved the piled-up cargo.

He was probably not a low-ranking sailor, but Jenkins couldn't tell his exact position just by looking.

"What's the objective this time?"

Jenkins asked, surveying his surroundings. For more chapters visıt Nov3lFɪre.ɴet

"The Heart of Fearlessness."

"You mean the Heart of a Brave Man?"

"You could put it that way."

As they spoke, the bustling sounds of the docks gradually returned, and the frozen people resumed their movements. Only the middle-aged sailor remained frozen in place, his arms still crossed over his chest, as if still under the effect of the frozen time.

After a brief look at him, Jenkins raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"This target is quite interesting."

He said to the Gear Man:

"He's actually an Enchanter."

He was an Enchanter, but only Level 0—a complete novice. Although an Enchanter's innate talent didn't diminish with age, becoming one at his age meant there was likely little room for future growth. In Jenkins's estimation, the middle-aged man would be lucky to reach Level 2 before dying of old age in his sixties.

Therefore, even though he was an Enchanter, he could essentially be treated as a normal person, as the difference was practically negligible. Jenkins was curious about his story, so he walked straight up to him and asked:

"Are you an Enchanter?"

The sailor glanced at the stranger who had appeared on his deck.

All targets within the Mysterious Realm had a high initial level of friendliness towards Jenkins.

"How did you become an Enchanter?"

The sailor studied him for a moment, then turned his gaze back to the workers hauling cargo.

"The old captain of this ship I sail with introduced me to a club he was part of, called the 'Old Captains' Fellowship.' Some of the men in that club are Enchanters, and they've formed a secret society. I was invited to join because I can read. After learning the risks, I spent a long time reading some... very strange things. It took five or six years before I finally became an Enchanter."

From this information, it was clear this wasn't some large-scale Pseudo-God cult or a historical organization with a long legacy. It was more likely a subordinate group created by some higher-level Enchanter. Otherwise, it wouldn't have taken so many years just to cultivate a single new member.

"Why does your society exist? It can't be just for the sake of existing, can it?"

Jenkins asked again. This time, the sailor didn't answer right away, seeming to hesitate for a long moment.

"For us sailors who are always out at sea, it's impossible to avoid running into strange things. You probably understand. On land, you have the protection of the Orthodox Churches, but at sea, you can only rely on yourself. The purpose of the society isn't to help us survive better, but to have us bring back valuable items when we encounter these strange things."

He paused, as if recalling unpleasant memories.

"If we bring back items, we can gain more power through the society. Even if we don't, we can learn about things happening out on the sea by talking with each other. It's a good organization."

This explanation all but confirmed Jenkins's suspicions about the small group. Honestly, an organization seemed even weaker than Mr. Hood's gatherings. Not counting Jenkins, the others at Mr. Hood's meetings were all genuine Enchanters with established backgrounds, people who had truly "entered the gate" and were climbing higher. These captains and sailors, at best, had only caught a glimpse of the gate. The organizer of their society probably didn't possess much knowledge either.

Nothing in the sailor's words indicated whether he was brave or not. But based on the last four experiences, these targets usually lacked the very trait represented by the item Jenkins sought to acquire.

So he decided to probe further.

"So, has your life changed since becoming an Enchanter? Have you had more opportunities for advancement now that you have power?"

"Power is a fine thing, but it comes at a price."

The middle-aged sailor uncrossed his arms.

"Before, when I knew nothing, I was fearless. Even when I heard strange sounds on the sea at night, I just thought it was the wind. When I saw strange black shapes in a storm, I just assumed it was a fishing boat being tossed about. When I came across the altars of natives on remote islands, I just thought it was some ancient animal worship custom."

"But now that I understand the world isn't as simple as I thought, everything has changed. I fear the night, because I worry that the strange sounds come from monsters sleeping at the bottom of the sea. I fear the storm, worried it was caused by some evil thing sealed in the boundless ocean. I don't dare to approach any of the ocean tribes, concerned they might be worshiping ancient, malevolent gods."