Chapter 837: Guiding Civilization
Chapter 837: Guiding Civilization
Lindsey had prepared a speech in his mind, but the sudden appearance of the task swept all his doubts into the trash bin. The truth behind his previous questions was now crystal clear, as the task description in the mission panel laid it all out.
The species within the facility was one created by the Craftsmen. After the death of their Creator, this species, not yet capable of independent thought, had fallen into confusion. Their future was a crossroads; guided by the anger of their Creator's death, they could become a terrifying threat to all living beings, or, with proper influence, they could walk a completely different path.
Destruction or guidance? This question stood before Lindsey, and even the task rewards whispered the consequences of different choices.
[Living Metal/Metal Devourer]
Lindsey had no hesitation. Given the chance to guide this newborn species onto the right track, he would never choose to destroy them.
Even if the latter option was incredibly simple for Lindsey and could immediately resolve the enormous issue of temporal chaos.
"Lindsey?" At this moment, Leaf Haiya sent a message through the friends channel.
Silver Witch could confirm that Lindsey was in a normal state, but his companion's prolonged silence naturally sparked her curiosity.
Lindsey: "Leaf, there's no need to tear them apart."
Lindsey: "I just have some other ideas for our next course of action."
Leaf Haiya: "Why the sudden change of heart?"
Lindsey: "My reconnaissance skills provided more information—this species was created by the Craftsmen, and now, without their master, they're in a state of confusion. They can become enemies, but they can also become our helpers."
Leaf Haiya: "Do you plan to make them work for us?"
Lindsey: "I have a bolder idea—if we can bestow enough favors upon them, when we return to the normal timeline, we'll gain an unprecedented powerful ally!"
Leaf Haiya: "Such an action could impact the normal development of time and history."
Lindsey: "I've already done such things."
The two continued their conversation in the friends channel, unaware that the surrounding Mech tribe had no idea what they were discussing.
A few seconds later, a voice from within the machinery sounded uneasy:
"Sir, what are you planning to do?"
"We just need to know what path our future will take and act accordingly."
"If you wish to return to the correct time, we can offer our assistance."
"The core of the temporal chaos is your facility's energy system. With the right adjustments, we can send you back immediately."
Lindsey shook his head in the underground chamber:
"I'm sorry, we come from a very distant future."
"In that era, the universe is far more vast than it is now, and various races flourish in countless worlds. Even if you want to know about the future from me, I can't give you an accurate answer."
"After all, witnessing your future development is a process that must unfold over the years. I can't just point to a random species and say that's what you'll become."
"..."
Lindsey's response left the voice within the machinery in deep thought. The servant doll behind him also fell silent, furrowing her brows as she retreated to the chamber door.
The newborn race began to ponder.
Before they could find an answer, Lindsey spoke up:
"If you wish, I can tell you a few stories."
The voice from within the machinery sounded perplexed:
"Stories?"
"What story are you about to tell us?"
Lindsey didn't answer directly. Instead, he said, "Take humans or other sub-human races as an example."
"Newborn children, during their early years, will always hear stories from their parents and elders, helping them understand the world and form their own ideas. It's an inevitable process for people."
At this point, Lindsey slightly turned his body, even including the automaton servant at the door in his line of sight, and patiently explained:
"You are the creations of the Craftsmen, and can also be considered their children."
"So, I will tell you the stories that human children hear. As for the path ahead, you might also gain some inspiration from them."
This time, it wasn't the voice from within the machine that spoke.
Instead, the automaton servant at the door took the initiative to ask:
"Sir, you can tell us."
Lindsey smiled slightly and was about to speak.
He was going to tell the fairy tales from his memory to this new species.
But the words caught in his throat.
A childhood animation he had watched came to mind.
What is justice?
What is bravery?
What is a child's growth?
At this thought, the story on Lindsey's lips naturally changed:
"Long ago, in a place called Chen Tangguan..."
He began to tell the story of "Nezha Fights the Dragon King" to the Mech Clan.
The immortal and mortal elements were directly applied to the Awakened, making it not too difficult for them to understand and adapt.
In addition to these stories about children, justice, and growth.
Lindsey didn't deliberately guide them, and even brought up the short stories from "I, Robot," giving this new species ample room for thought.
"..."
The slightly stuffy underground chamber became especially quiet.
Only Lindsey's voice echoed here.
Thanks to the convenience of the mechanical species, this storytelling didn't require gathering everyone.
As long as he told the servant automaton in front of him and the thinking core within the machine, they could synchronize the information and convey it to all the mechanical individuals in the facility.
In the story, time flew by.
One hour later.
The facility, nestled in the mine, began to brew a subtle transformation.
Under the connected thoughts of the mechanical species, the servant machines that listened to these stories took the initiative to do something.
They searched for supplies in the facility's supply warehouse.
At the fastest speed, they brought Lindsey and Leaf Haiya the necessary food and water.
"Thank you."
"..."
Lindsey smiled and took the supplies.
The Mech Clan that delivered the supplies obviously malfunctioned for a moment before quickly leaving.
Lindsey looked at his companion beside him.
When he was telling the story to the Mech Clan, Leaf Haiya remained silent, calmly observing everything before her.
Lindsey: [Leaf Haiya, we might have to spend a considerable amount of time here.]
Leaf Haiya: [That's fine—as long as we can return to the correct timeline, this experience is essentially just a moment.]
Lindsey: [Actually, I have a rather special idea.]
Leaf Haiya: [Go for it. Since we've decided to influence the past and return to the normal timeline, this experience is essentially just a moment.]
Lindsey: [In fact, I have a rather special idea. If I leave my creation here, will it still function normally when we return to the normal timeline?]
(End of Chapter)
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