join p atreon/KeyofStars for more chapters
After bidding farewell to Lorotta, Hobert took a carriage to the poorhouse, informing Bob that the court session had been moved up, and that he should be prepared.
Next, he headed to the Steam Church to seek support from Ikanser.
Hobert requested the clergy in the church to pass on a ssage, and after waiting for about ten minutes, Captain Ikanser of the "Machinery Hivemind" erged from a door inside the church.
His hair seed even fluffier than before, perhaps because he had recently used Arrodes again.
Hobert sighed inwardly, "What a tragedy!"
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two sat down in adjacent seats.
Hobert said, "The court session for Bob's case has been suddenly moved up."
Captain Ikanser was stunned at first, then beca slightly irritated and said, "How can the legal system of the Loen Kingdom allow such manipulation?"
"That legal system wasn't designed to protect workers' rights," Hobert smiled. "I am currently quite weak and in need of your help."
Captain Ikanser, however, seed a bit deflated. "If it's about ensuring your personal safety or helping you gather information, that's not an issue. But if it ans opposing all the powerful people in the Loen Kingdom, we might get expelled from Loen."
Hobert had found the Church of Steam and Machinery's bottom line. "Don't exaggerate the conflict so much. We're not opposing anyone; we're just asking for reasonable rights."
He continued, "I'm not asking you to do anything that would provoke the Loen Kingdom. I just hope your church can report this matter truthfully.
"Regardless of the outco of the trial, I estimate that Arnold and his people will use the newspapers and other propaganda tools to sar us. If that happens, all my efforts will be in vain.
"But if the facts are reported, this case could serve as a precedent. Workers, when faced with similar situations, will know how to defend their rights."
Captain Ikanser nodded. "That's not a problem. I'll speak to the archbishop about this matter soon. I don't think he will oppose it."
Looking at the church's emblem made of gears and compasses, Hobert asked, "Captain Ikanser, what kind of era are we living in? Is it civilized or uncivilized?"
Captain Ikanser was montarily taken aback but didn't get the chance to answer before Hobert rose to leave.
After watching Hobert depart, Captain Ikanser remained seated in the church for a long ti. On the surface, it seed that the Loen Kingdom had reached an unprecedented level of civilization. But why did this "unprecedented civilization" seem so fragile? So savage?
...
Around 5:30 p.m., Hobert arrived at the banquet as scheduled.
The banquet was not held at Arnold's residence but at the "Loen Kingdom Grand Hotel," which was publicly touted as the most luxurious hotel in the world.
The carriages arriving here were mostly noble ones bearing family crests, with the lowest-tier being finely crafted private carriages. Hobert's hired cab stood out conspicuously, and even the doorman doubted his eyes for a mont.
Upon dismounting, Hobert saw the hotel's vast front courtyard, complete with fountains, statues, landscaping, and a large area of lawn.
Opening the door to the hotel was like stepping into a museum. The furnishings in the lobby were all works of art, and the murals on the walls and ceiling were exquisitely detailed.
Hobert looked coldly at everything in front of him; it was all a display of power aid directly at him.
The butler who had previously invited Hobert was already waiting in the lobby. "Mr. Hobert, this way, please."
Led by the butler, Hobert arrived at a massive dining room. In the center of the room was a long table that could seat dozens.
More than twenty people were already seated by the windows. So were plump, so had calculating eyes, so coldly scrutinized Hobert, while others wore smiles.
However, near the door, only one chair had been prepared for Hobert, as if to subconsciously remind him: You are alone.
Hobert smiled and said, "Loen Kingdom has a tradition— the more distinguished the guest, the later they arrive. You all have arrived early, which is overly polite."
With that, he calmly hung his coat on the rack, pulled out his chair, and confidently sat down opposite the twenty or so people.
Hobert's display of confidence caused Arnold and the others, who had ticulously planned the setting, to feel slightly disoriented.
The middle-aged man sitting across from Hobert smiled and said, "Allow to introduce myself. I am Gustav, the president of the Backlund Chamber of Comrce."
"Hello."
"I've heard of an interesting theory from Emperor Roselle," Gustav said. "Nature follows the law of survival of the fittest. All weak and unfit animals are eliminated, while the strong ones thrive, becoming more and more suited to nature. Their species also beco stronger."
He smiled and continued, "Mr. Hobert, the human world follows the sa law. So people are weak and should be eliminated, while others are strong and deserve better developnt. Eventually, only the strong will remain in the human world.
"At that ti, human civilization will be more prosperous and powerful because everyone who contributes to it will be strong."
"There's no denying that Emperor Roselle's theory explains much of the evolutionary process for most species," Hobert smiled. "But are the people present here beasts? Are we living in a jungle?"
Hobert spread his hands. "The reason humanity built civilization, while curly haired baboons did not, is entirely due to our 'humanitarian care.'
"We understand how to care for and help our fellow humans, and only by growing together can we truly call it civilization. A world where the strong prey on the weak, devoid of any moral baseline, would push humanity to the brink of collapse.
"A society made up of only a few so-called elites is bound to be one of false prosperity and strength. Under this theory, without the contrast of the so-called weak, the struggles of these 'elites' would continue.
"They would all believe themselves to be the true strong ones. And Mr. Gustav, your theory gives them the justification to rcilessly attack one another.
"An internally conflicted society with no moral compass— is that what you call 'civilized'?"
The smile on Gustav's face vanished, and he stared intently at Hobert, like a viper eyeing its prey.
Hobert stared back, his eyes full of mockery, which only made Gustav even more uncomfortable. But to maintain Dicorum, he restrained himself from lashing out imdiately.
At this mont, a gaunt middle-aged man sitting next to Gustav spoke up. "Mr. Hobert, are you familiar with the latest discoveries in dicine?"
"Not much."
"Have you heard of a major new discovery in anatomy?"
"Which discovery are you referring to?"
The gaunt man smiled. "Of course, the new discovery in the anatomy of the human head."
He continued, "A university professor dissected the heads of people from the Southern Continent, the Rorsted Archipelago, and Loen, and found that the brain capacity of Southern Continent people is noticeably smaller than that of Loen people. He also discovered that the skull structure of people from the Rorsted Archipelago includes an additional feature. The professor believes that this extra brain structure is what makes them more inclined to obey.
"Humans are not all the sa, even physiologically. Otherwise, why do thieves and criminals always appear in Backlund's East Borough, while residents of Empress Borough and West Borough never steal?"
Hobert smiled. "Sir, your theory is cloaked in scientific terminology, but it's entirely a subjective, idealistic argunt.
"Or rather, it's a theory invented by Loen people to justify the enslavent of the Southern Continent and Rorsted Archipelago people."
Reviews
All reviews (0)