Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 586: Section 403: Mechanical Mind (Part 3)

Chapter 586: Section 403: Mechanical Mind (Part 3)

Faye heard that Malin was going to meet with the Ancient people, her first reaction was whether it would be too dangerous. Malin had to reassure her, explaining that it was merely a visit to those who had already died.

"Like last time, that Mr. Thainan who turned his brain into a mechanical one?" Faye was somewhat curious, "He... I really can’t understand if someone like him is considered alive or dead."

"Some people are alive but dead, while some are dead yet still living. The one I’m meeting today belongs to the former category, while Mr. Thainan we met that day is of the latter," Malin said, and then comforted Faye.

Although she looked skeptical, Faye eventually chose to trust Malin and didn’t opt to follow him.

"I will wait for you in this city. Don’t make me wait too long."

During their farewell kiss, Faye said these words with a resolute tone.

"Don’t worry, I’ll come back, quick as lightning."

Malin caressed her face, then opened the teleportation portal.

Destination, Athens.

Honestly, when Malin stepped out of the teleportation portal, what he saw was a pure white world. Above the transparent ceiling, Malin saw black... "Seawater." Jason’s voice came through the tiny earpiece in Malin’s ear.

"Athens is underwater now?"

"Yes, the whole of Greece and Turkey are submarine, the invasion of Chaos changed too much. This refuge was actually an underwater hotel, and it surprisingly survived... Someone’s coming."

Following Jason’s directions, Malin saw a door opening on the distant wall. Looking at the humanoid machine standing there, Malin fell silent for a moment, then smiled and nodded, "Hello, I’m Malin Gaiate, Mr. Jason gave me the coordinates."

"So you are Malin, welcome to the world of the Casters. We are the Ancient people you speak of in legends." The mechanical being, with a robotic head displaying the number 87 on an electronic screen, said so.

"Ancient people... Are they mechanical bodies?" Malin followed up with his question.

"No, our bodies have collapsed, but we achieved eternal life through technology you’d consider miraculous. You know, I’ve been alive in this world for eight millennia, Malin."

"...it’s difficult to imagine," Malin remarked.

It truly was hard to imagine. He had never anticipated that, eight millennia ago, humans could have achieved this... Pity, it was a blessing only for a few.

Following the individual numbered 87, Malin could see its feet, which were typical mechanical bodies, lacking even the "skin" Malin had imagined they might wear. Perhaps it was a matter of cost, or perhaps these were just their everyday-use mechanical bodies. Malin felt sure they must possess a technology to perfectly recreate their bodies.

Perhaps, virtual technology was one such method. As long as stimuli to the brain were sufficient, what couldn’t be emulated?

Technology changes life, indeed.

With such reflections, Malin noticed they were walking into a completely transparent corridor, where lights illuminated the dark seabed.

Strange, are there no Sea Clan in this area?

"Won’t the Sea Clan notice this place, sir?" Malin asked out of curiosity.

"Those Sea Clan are in the Western region. Here, the machines you see as out of control dominate this area. Those pitiful creatures without legs couldn’t possibly make it here alive," the one leading the way said with a laugh.

This made Malin marvel even more at the era before the great destruction. It truly was... a perfect era of technology. He wondered what today’s human space colonies were like.

"This is the power of the Ancient people. Here, the forces of the Raging Sea that you know of cannot permeate. You wouldn’t have thought the sea floor of the Raging Sea could be this tranquil," number 87 said, then turned to glance at Malin, "Of course, I assume you can’t believe all this, since it’s quite miraculous, right?"

"...Yes, I have never seen such a profound sea," Malin’s sincere response seemed to provide the being a reason to be proud. It nodded and said, "Here, you will see more things beyond anything you’ve ever heard of in your life. Trust me, child, you will see them."

"I am quite eager, sir," Malin said with a feeling of anticipation.

"However, you will still have to wait one day. Tomorrow, I will be presiding over a meeting between Wizards. You will meet beings you have only heard of in legends and stories. Speaking of which, it was also us who urged the Wizards to go to your domain, after all, a qualified Mage is better than continuing to use Spiritual Energy like a ticking bomb."

"That makes sense. I must thank you, for their joining strengthens my own forces. Mages, having transformed from Wizards, far exceed in potential what they could achieve while they were Wizards," Malin said, with genuine earnestness.

"Alright, child, I have placed your room here. Jason taught you how to use the tablet. Given that, try to learn how to rest here for a day. But I must warn you, don’t look into things you shouldn’t. You can move around this floor, but don’t leave and go up. If you lose your life or something else because of it, I can only say I’m sorry," number 87 said, making Malin nod, "I understand, sir."

"Good, then, Malin, see you tomorrow..." As the being moved to leave, it turned around again and pointed toward the wall behind Malin, "The clock is on the wall; don’t forget to sleep."

"Thank you for the reminder, sir." Malin nodded vigorously.

Once he watched it leave, Malin immediately returned to his room and picked up the tablet to explore what services were available, then he discovered that, aside from many standard services, a lot had been blocked.

Among the unblocked services, Malin saw meal delivery.

Navigating through the menu, Malin saw many dish names, including salads featuring various vegetables and fruits—this forsaken place actually had these items. Where did they come from, did they use cultivation racks? After some thought, Malin still decided not to order—after all, he had just eaten in the morning.

Then there was the service. Malin quickly turned on the television. Honestly, although there was no news anymore, the tens of thousands of movies and various programs available to choose from still dazzled him.

"Mr. Malin, the surveillance system is now under control."

The message came through his earpiece. Malin, having just opened a war movie and looking both surprised and expectant, saw the World Tree Sapling on his left hand settle down, then burrow under the bed and dive into the ventilation duct.