Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 1014: Section 653: Caucasus Trip (Part 4)_2

Chapter 1014: Section 653: Caucasus Trip (Part 4)_2

The pride of this Thainan girl clearly irritated Quetos, but the girl didn’t get angry or discouraged. Instead, she responded with the same proud tone: "We Skinless will also build the big cities you mentioned."

Sostak No.3 raised its eyebrows. This military AI clearly confirmed with its cold logic circuits that these biohumans barely possessed any creativity. Just relying on this child, the biohumans would struggle even to maintain their pathetic level of civilization—actually, Malin thought so too. If they had creativity, they wouldn’t have been oppressed by the Thanan people to this extent.

Jason discreetly smiled at Malin, his expression not so much mocking the child’s overly grand expectations for her people, but more like a caring elder indulging a junior.

Malin smiled back. While Matilda and Quetos were discussing what qualified as a big city, he asked Jason, "You really like this child, don’t you?"

"Yes, because Mr. Zhang always said that if the Great Destruction hadn’t happened, he should’ve gone back to see his daughter back then. He said his daughter was about the same age as this child. I’ve seen her in videos—she’s very similar to this child."

At this point, Jason looked at the girl walking ahead of the group: "When we return to Thainan this time, I’ll take Mr. Zhang’s cyberbrain back to his homeland."

Malin nodded, thinking of Mr. Zhang. Even now, he remembered the man’s reflections during the final phase of his life—living to see the fire of civilization reignite, and passing away contently in the end.

Malin felt a responsibility to help fulfill his wish.

"I’ll go with you," Malin said, gazing at the girl ahead. "By the way, Jason, have you heard of Martin Luther King?"

"You mean the romantic poet?" Sostak No.3 interjected, speaking with mock affectation.

Jason held a different view: "Sostak, drop your sarcasm. Mr. Malin is a man limited by his era. He’s both great and small. His greatness lies in changing a nation, while his smallness lies in being ultimately swallowed by the tide of the era, unable to witness the magnificent world he transformed firsthand."

You see, Jason’s words represent high emotional intelligence.

Malin smiled faintly, looking at the streets ahead. "I too, have my own dreams for this journey."

"Are you going to make another grand speech, Mr. Malin?" Sostak No.3 turned around, walking backward while looking at him, speaking with exaggerated drama: "Ah, I have a dream, a dream deeply rooted in the bones of this colossus called Earth Union."

Malin chuckled and seamlessly continued the young man’s banter: "Indeed. I dream of a day when this world will no longer be corroded by Chaos; when Truth’s avenue shall lead directly to the pinnacle of civilization; when every individual shall be master of knowledge."

"I dream of a day when schools will have dwarves, gnomes, half-humans, humans, elves, domestic fairies, and even these rational biohumans among their children. And all adults shall evaluate children not by their appearances, but by the worth of their character."

Sostak No.3’s expression of mockery gradually vanished, while Jason set aside his anger toward Sostak No.3.

Malin kept speaking in his impassioned tone: "I dream of a day when children of all races can live as close as siblings—discarding preconceived notions about each other’s race, and joining hands to rebuild civilization. I dream of a day when Earth Union will rise reborn in the hands of future generations. In that era, people will wield civilization as their sword, honor as their shield, and science as their philosophy. They will arm themselves with swords, shields, and ideas to reignite the flames of civilization."

Sostak No.3 glanced at Jason, who smiled proudly and playfully tapped No.3’s chest with his fist.

"I dream of a day when the sails of civilization unfurl once more; when our descendants restore their ancestors’ glory—freeing their bodies from the shackles of gravity, freeing their souls from the chains of ignorance. And once again, manned spacecraft will soar into space. The fleet named Earth Union will explore greater routes in vaster oceans."

Toward the end, Malin envisioned the most beautiful conclusion he could think of: "For all who have remembered this dream, for all who have bled, contributed, and sacrificed for it throughout these eight millennia, this dream must come true. And I will dedicate everything within my power to fulfill the mission civilization has entrusted to me."

Sostak No.3 stayed silent for a while. Eventually, he approached Malin, extending his hand: "Mr. Malin, please permit me to reintroduce myself. I am Sostak No.3, the last guardian of the European Community, the last messenger of Earth Union’s Europe Zone. Your words have activated my priority rights. I will do everything I can to assist and supervise you. May the Battle Flag never fall. May Earth Union be invincible."

Malin smiled and shook his hand again: "Indeed, Sostak No.3. May the Battle Flag never fall. May Earth Union be invincible."

"Now that’s a proper relationship. Honestly, that’s what I dislike about military AIs—their minds are always full of riddles unknown to us humans," Jason remarked, crossing his arms.

Meng Quyi scratched her face: "Mr. Malin, I have a question. I’m very curious."

"Go ahead, Miss Meng," Malin said, turning to the young woman.

"I’ve been wondering: are you the Thainan, or am I the Thainan? How come your Mandarin is so precise?" the young woman asked, looking at Malin.

Gazing back at her puzzled and inquisitive look, Malin chuckled: "I’ve said it before—I’m a genius. Language poses no challenge to a Legendary Mage; it’s only a matter of time."

At this moment, Malin demonstrated his "top student" brilliance, crushing the poor girl with sheer intellect.

Meng Quyi, being a War Witch, relied mostly on her innate bloodline advantages—unlike Mages, who constantly copied text... although a maverick like Malin rarely copied texts and instead directly arranged spell formations to smack them onto opponents’ faces.

Indeed, a true Mage can do whatever they please.

"Alright, but... Mr. Malin, what you said is truly incredible. I also want to see such a future," Meng Quyi sighed with admiration.

This War Witch from Thainan looked at Malin with joy and anticipation on her face, smiling brightly: "That would surely be the most beautiful future. I can’t even imagine a day better than that... Mr. Malin."

She gazed at Malin expectantly.

Malin had no choice but to respond to her anticipation: "Is there something on your mind, Miss Meng?"

"Can I become your follower?"

Follower? Like a devotee?

Malin was perplexed by her meaning, but upon seeing the expectation in her eyes, as if driven by some inexplicable impulse, he nodded instinctively: "Are you hoping to help me realize this dream?"

"Yes, I want to help you accomplish this great dream." Her face was resolute and hopeful: "Mr. Malin, your words are truly magnificent. When I was beside my father, I often heard my peers boast about their dreams. In my eyes back then, their dreams were decent, but now, compared to yours, they seem so trivial."

Saying this, she looked at Malin’s face, her cheeks faintly flushed—as though infected by the dream he articulated.

"Then... Miss Meng, let’s work together to shape a future of dreams," Malin replied, extending his hand.

Miss Meng smiled and gave Malin a hug.

Although it was somewhat embarrassing, Malin felt a strange lack of air.

Miss Meng, are you trying to kill me?

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