Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord
Chapter 638 : Isaac Has Gone Missing?!Everyone’s gaze instantly fell upon Erwin.
“I entered the Empire through official channels. The letter was delivered to the headquarters of the Mechanical Sanctum—I handed it to the Mechanical Priest personally. I can guarantee all of that,” Erwin said in a low voice.
“As for the reply, it was also handed to me on the Mechanical Sanctum’s side. Afterward, I had Isaac examine it. There were no traces of Extraordinary influence or bewitchment.”
Silence settled over the room. The situation had grown even more perplexing.
“So in other words, everything on Erwin’s side was completely normal. Chloe, do you understand the Mechanical Sanctum? If the reply truly came from them, what would it look like?”
〖There are two possibilities. Either they would be utterly dismissive—write back just to mock our overconfidence and our delusion of coveting their sacred knowledge—or they would have taken interest in our technology and, in an arrogant tone, demanded that we present our knowledge to them.〗
Hughes glanced at the politely worded reply in his hand.
〖So this letter is neither like the Church of Candlelight nor like the Mechanical Sanctum. Instead, it resembles the former Mechanical Society—back when they were merely a group of people passionate about machinery and technology. Though their methods were sometimes extreme, they genuinely cared about technology.〗
〖I am now highly suspicious about what exactly has happened within the Empire. If this letter is a trap, then it is far too crude. Anyone who has dealt with those two organizations would grow suspicious. But if they are truly this friendly and humble… oh, just kill me. I refuse to believe these two Churches could change so drastically.〗
An institution like the Church often possessed immense inertia. Systems and traditions built over the years were extraordinarily difficult to change. To be completely transformed in just a few years?
Impossible.
〖This letter may contain a conspiracy—or it may not. But what I am certain of is that this visit to Rhine will be extremely dangerous. I even think that if it were a trap, it might be safer—at least then we would know who our enemy is.〗
Gaia and Zoe exchanged a glance, each seeing the gravity in the other’s eyes.
After a moment of contemplation, Hughes looked toward Erwin. “Where is Isaac? What did he say?”
“He did not read the reply personally, but I conveyed the Mechanical Sanctum’s general attitude to him. When I left, he was preparing to investigate personally. As for the results, I do not know.”
〖It seems he noticed the anomaly as well. Isaac, huh? The methods of the Church of Candlelight cannot deceive him. But if one wished to prevent a mortal from detecting flaws, there are still ways. I am not certain what has happened within the Mechanical Sanctum, but with Isaac’s dual-path Extraordinary power, if he cannot uncover it, neither can I.〗
Only then did Hughes remember that Isaac was in fact a dual-path Transcendent—at least in theory, one of the strongest among them.
He only remembered Isaac being beaten down by Lina.
When he thought about it that way—Isaac was far stronger than ordinary Transcendents. Lina was stronger than Isaac. And Gwen made even Lina wary…
Just what kind of existence was this 【Named One】?
“Very well. Then we shall wait for news from Isaac. Erwin, when you left, he had already set out to investigate?”
“Yes. He had already departed at that time. In theory, his intelligence should have returned quickly.”
Isaac’s intelligence network operated on a separate system. Moths Chasing Fire could relay information through the Lord of Moths, transmitting across immense distances within the Sea of Unawareness.
Later, for reasons unknown, the Lord of Moths had become unreachable. Yet this transmission method inexplicably remained usable—though somewhat less efficient. Chloe and the others could not make sense of it, but Hughes harbored a faint suspicion.
Most likely, his Worker Hughes shell had, to a certain degree, obtained a portion of the Lord of Moths’ authority. Those threads might well have been manifestations of that authority.
Though honestly… why did the Lord of Moths’ authority resemble a relay station so much?
“Then let us wait a while longer. Judging by the time, we might even receive intelligence today.”
Hughes glanced at the clock hanging on the wall as he spoke.
Thus they waited anxiously.
But none of them had expected that this wait would last several days.
During that time, Hughes attempted to proactively communicate with the Ashen Alliance. Each inquiry returned the same answer—no news of Isaac.
After several days, they were finally forced to accept the reality:
Isaac had disappeared.
As a dual-path Transcendent of Moths Chasing Fire—one who excelled in concealment and escape—and the experienced leader of an intelligence organization, disappearance almost invariably implied the worst outcome.
A shadow fell over the faces of everyone in the delegation.
What exactly had happened in Rhine? Should they proceed with the diplomatic mission to the Mechanical Sanctum—or not?
Hughes once again summoned several of them to the office.
“Everyone, I would like to hear your opinions.”
“My Lord, we have already discussed it. We intend to go and see for ourselves,” Erwin said.
Hughes had chosen him as the military representative. In Blood Harbor, he had dealt with the Empire more than anyone else. He had personally delivered the letter this time and was familiar with the route.
He had also maintained contact with the Ashen Alliance. No matter what had gone wrong in Rhine—or what troubles the delegation might encounter—Erwin was the best candidate.
Hughes raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise and looked at them. “Explain your reasoning.”
Erwin’s face was steady and resolute. The young man, tempered by multiple wars, was now capable of standing on his own. Given his usual cautious nature, he would not have spoken unless he had confidence.
“First, this letter was delivered through public channels. We have reviewed the information you provided. The Church of Candlelight places extreme importance on reputation. Since it even mentioned that the Pope would attend, they would not resort to underhanded tactics in this regard—even if Pope Joanne is merely a puppet, he still represents the Church.”
“Second… I believe Lord Isaac may not have perished. He may simply be trapped somewhere, unable to return for the time being.”
〖Ah, that was something I told them.〗 Chloe interjected from the side. 〖As long as Transcendents of Moths Chasing Fire prepare the ritual in advance, they can leave their soul within the 【Chrysalis】 after death, where it will be watched over by Lord Kaeski. But his soul is not within the 【Chrysalis】.〗
〖Given Isaac’s caution, he would never depart without preparing. If his soul is not within the 【Chrysalis】, then either he did not even have a moment to activate the ritual before death—or he is still alive.〗
“Is he certain to activate the ritual?”
〖Yes. I am almost certain—unless his opponent’s strength vastly surpassed his.〗
“Lina?”
〖Uh… that is hard to say. But it cannot be such a coincidence that he happened to encounter Lina, right? After all, he went to investigate the Church. Did not the Church of Candlelight previously send a letter, overtly and covertly targeting Lina?〗
Hughes stroked his chin in contemplation. Mechanical Sanctum. Church of Candlelight. The Pope. Lina…
The situation was growing increasingly bizarre.
“Very well. Proceed with the visit according to the original plan.”
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