Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord

“Galahad, the Dragon’s Breath Cannon is the most beautiful thing in this world. Nothing else can compare to it.”

The Prince was lying in his armchair, feet propped up on the desk, gazing dreamily at the illustrated manual in front of him.

“You said a few days ago that the Gatling was the most beautiful.”

“Oh, the Gatling is good too, but in front of the Dragon’s Breath Cannon, it’s just... lacking.”

The Prince curled his lips.

“Don’t you think the firepower of the Gatling is a bit inadequate? The Dragon’s Breath Cannon is the true siege weapon!”

As he spoke, he pulled the manual closer. Even though it was only a drawing, the gaping muzzle of the cannon on the page exuded a vicious sense of power.

“Look, now this is a weapon worthy of a man. What’s a Gatling? Just a little water pipe! Isn’t the Dragon’s Breath Cannon way more powerful?”

Galahad stared at the manual nearly shoved into his face, unable to suppress a quiet sigh.

The manual had been provided by Castel.

Hughes had no qualms about showing off his cutting-edge weaponry. He even subtly suggested to the Prince that, should war break out with the Empire, a batch of weapons support could be considered.

After all, only real combat could expose a weapon’s flaws. With Cognitive Interference in play, Hughes had zero concern over technology leaks.

What a joke — if someone wanted to steal his tech, they’d have to steal the entire production line along with the relevant researchers. Who could pull that off?

This world, where cognition could affect reality, certainly brought Hughes plenty of trouble, but it also had its advantages — particularly in preventing leaks.

There was currently a disassembled bolt-action rifle lying on the Prince’s desk, along with blueprints and handwritten notes by the Prince himself.

On the opposite side of the room, the bookshelves that once held volumes of literature had been cleared out, replaced with literacy class textbooks, Holy Texts of the Holy Guard, and even a few advanced class books.

Below those shelves, stacks of newspapers from Castel were neatly piled up — official reports detailing many important matters from Castel.

Of course, there was also a locked cabinet nearby, which contained some less-than-official publications.

Those weren’t convenient to display — after all, many of the wild histories Nini wrote had the Prince himself as the main character.

Hughes had not taken extreme precautions against Blood Harbor. On the contrary, he didn’t mind the Prince sending people into the literacy classes to study Castel’s knowledge.

Once the Prince noticed this, he directly asked Hughes for some textbooks.

This was highly valuable knowledge for the era — but regardless of how precious it was, even if bundled and gifted to other powers, no one would dare read it.

After all, there was no fundamental difference between knowledge and pollution — and often, knowledge was even worse. At least pollution could be tossed into a furnace and burned.

As repayment for Hughes’ generous sharing, the Prince gave him nearly anything he wanted in Blood Harbor.

But not everyone agreed with this approach.

In the corner of the room, the old butler Johan had a complicated expression on his face.

Looking at the room full of industrial constructs, he couldn’t shake the feeling that his young master was neglecting proper business.

Previously, Isabella had cooperated with the Prince’s soul and earned Johan’s trust. She released the old butler from the dungeon and had him diligently return to managing Blood Harbor.

But the Prince was no longer the same. Johan still hadn’t adjusted.

“Young Master William, the Mystics are now patrolling the streets armed. They’ve effectively taken over security in the port district. Are we really going to let this continue?”

Johan was deeply worried. Castel’s influence over Blood Harbor was growing rapidly, while the Prince ignored it all, wholly absorbed in the new trinkets Hughes provided.

Has the young master been taken in by Hughes?

Johan’s heart was filled with anxiety.

The Prince glanced at him, then suddenly spoke.

“Johan, if you’ve got concerns, why not just say them plainly?”

Johan hesitated, but finally said,

“Young Master William, I believe that if things continue like this, Blood Harbor will eventually fall into the hands of that Earl Hughes.”

“Indeed.”

“Huh?” Johan froze, then blurted in urgency, “T-Then shouldn’t we do something to stop it? We can’t let this go on!”

“And what do you think we should do?”

“Let the Harbor Guard take over security in Blood Harbor. Drive the Castel people out of the key positions — especially the Mystics! They’ve already started patrolling the Lower District. They really think they own this city!”

“Well said, Mr. Johan. But before the Castel folks came, did the Harbor Guard ever patrol the Lower District?”

Johan was stunned. He vaguely felt he was beginning to understand something, but the thought was still too shallow.

“Johan, what do you think the essence of power is?”

“Family, bloodline, surname — your noble heritage.”

Johan answered without hesitation.

The Prince let out a snort of laughter and shook his head.

“I don’t think it’s that complicated — the essence of power is simply others acknowledging that you have it.”

“If the Mystics hold sway in the Lower District, and the commonfolk accept their presence, then they have power. Who rules this city isn’t up to me — it’s up to what the people believe.”

“B-But this has always been your fiefdom. Even the Empress recognized it—”

“The Empress? What’s an Empress? She died quietly without a word.”

The Prince laughed aloud.

“If the Mystics can extend their influence to the Lower District, then they hold power there. My decrees only reach the Upper District. I hold power in the Upper District. As for your earlier question — why can Castel share in my authority over Blood Harbor?”

“Because they have enough military might. As long as they’re in Blood Harbor, no one believes the Harbor Guard can rival them. You think they’re stealing my power? Quite the opposite — Blood Harbor has long since been theirs. I’m just helping them manage it.”

“That’s why I ceded Blood Harbor outright during the negotiation. That’s the reason. I lost the war. I’ve already, in practice, lost influence over this city.”

Johan murmured uncomfortably,

“But, but this has always been your territory...”

“And yet, I merely claim it — strength is sovereignty, Johan. You think I’m neglecting my duties, but in truth, I’m pursuing power—”

The Prince stood up and stretched out his arms, as if embracing the room filled with industrial marvels.

“With knowledge and power in hand, what land can’t be taken? What city can’t be conquered? Old Johan, don’t worry about jurisdiction. Forget the port district — even if I handed over the entire Blood Harbor, what of it? It’s just a city. Go look at a map. Pick whichever city you like, and I’ll conquer it for you.”

Johan opened his mouth to say something, but didn’t know how to begin. The Prince’s voice brimmed with uncontainable confidence — as though he truly meant to sweep across the continent in conquest.