Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord-Chapter 62: The Meaning of Knowledge

"Giving a lecture to the Sirens? Me?"

Zoe clutched her black dress, her face full of panic.

She was just an ordinary maid, and the most outrageous fantasy she ever had was being noticed by the young master and becoming his secret lover.

That was something she had read in a novel she secretly brought along.

Now, Hughes was telling her that there was a group of terrifying non-human beings, and she was supposed to teach them?

What could she possibly teach? Wouldn’t she just end up as the lesson itself, sitting at a table while a group of monsters drooled over her, knives and forks in hand, waiting for her to climb onto the plate?

"Relax, they are all easy to get along with. Besides, not everyone has the privilege of meeting them. You passed the background check, which means you’re qualified to know about these things, I mean, there’s a confidentiality subsidy."

The word "subsidy" snapped Zoe out of her panic.

Her wages as a maid weren’t high, yet she had a fondness for knight novels.

In this era, novels were a luxury pastime for noble ladies, and she had to save for ages just to afford one.

In fact, most of her literacy came from reading novels, though she had never told anyone that.

Teaching monsters was terrifying, but if she could save up to buy more books…

"What kind of novels?"

"Ah!" Zoe jumped back two steps. "I… I said that out loud?"

Hughes’ eye twitched. Could this maid really keep a secret?

"You’re saving up to buy novels? Now that you mention it, I didn’t know you had such a hobby, Miss Zoe. You wouldn’t want others to find out about your secret reading habit, would you?"

Zoe took another step back, her eyes filled with fear. This situation… she had read about it in novels before!

Hughes chuckled. "Anyway, there is indeed a subsidy, and it’s quite generous. Of course, you also need to uphold confidentiality."

"Understood, young master."

"Then let’s head to the Sirens now. I’ll take you there."

As Hughes spoke, he walked towards the fireplace in the study.

"Oh, and bring me one of your novels. I’d like to see what you’re reading."

Zoe froze.

"So, she’s the teacher who’s supposed to lecture us?"

Monica swayed her tail as she circled Zoe, examining her from head to toe.

One pair of hands was behind her back, another pair crossed in front of her chest, while the last pair pointed at Zoe in curiosity.

Seeing Zoe’s stiff expression, Monica couldn’t help but grin mischievously.

Then, Ash lifted Monica up and placed her aside.

"Welcome, Miss Zoe. The Sirens greet you."

"Y-Yes, hello!"

Zoe looked up. Ash’s towering figure completely blocked her view.

Her sleek body lines and powerful physique made Zoe feel like an ant that could be crushed at any moment.

Ash bent down slightly, trying to meet Zoe’s gaze, but the frightened maid instinctively took a step back.

"Hey, spread out a bit. Don’t crowd around her like this!"

Hughes stepped forward and pushed back the Sirens’ serpentine tails, making them give Zoe more space.

He could sense their curiosity, but he didn’t want them to scare their new teacher.

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"Zoe will be teaching you literacy. Once you complete your literacy lessons, you can freely choose to study mechanics or other knowledge."

"Why do we need to learn to read? We have the Mind Link, we can communicate directly."

Monica poked her head out from the group.

"Literacy is just the foundation. It’s not difficult, especially for a child like you."

Hughes glanced at Monica, who pouted and turned her head away.

She didn’t like being called a child.

The Sirens exchanged looks.

Monica had voiced their collective doubt, what was the point of learning this knowledge?

They were born with the ability to use various spells. Their bodies were incredibly strong.

And now, with the Symbiotic Contract, they barely even needed to fear injuries anymore.

Reading wouldn’t make them stronger, nor would it speed up their communication.

Wouldn’t that just be a waste of time?

"I understand, Lord."

Ash nodded, then turned to the Sirens and said firmly, "This is the will of the Lord."

The Sirens lowered their heads in submission.

Hughes sighed, then walked over to Monica.

"Monica, go ahead. I know you have something to ask."

"What’s the point of learning all this?"

Monica blurted out her question.

Feeling Ash’s sharp gaze, she shrank behind Hughes.

"Sister Ash, you want to know too, don’t you? Lord, just tell me!"

Hughes looked around at the Sirens.

Their loyalty was unquestionable, but their eyes still held doubt.

"Ash, when the Fishmen enslaved you, what did they make you do?"

"Mining."

Ash answered without hesitation.

"When we use Flesh Magic, we have little spare mana. If we forcefully cast spells, we burn through our life force and die quickly, so we could only do hard labor."

"Monica, do you like mining?"

Monica shook her head immediately.

"No one likes mining! I prefer building coral castles under the sea."

"Have you ever thought about what you’ll do in the future?"

Monica hesitated and shook her head in confusion.

"You’ll grow taller, stronger. You’ll become a warrior. Every Siren is a warrior, aren’t they?"

"Do you like fighting?"

"I… I don’t know…"

"Maybe you’ll like it, maybe you won’t. But you have no choice, because you don’t know anything else."

Hughes met Monica’s gaze.

"Then how are you any different from when the Fishmen enslaved you? Before, you had to mine. Now, you have to fight."

Monica was stunned.

"Sirens, you once tried to worship me as a god."

"But is fighting for a god truly any different from mining for the Fishmen?"

"Maybe it is. You can believe it’s sacred, that it’s glorious."

"But personal will cannot change reality, you are still enslaved, just under a different name."

The Sirens grew restless.

They exchanged uneasy glances, some looking at Hughes with pleading eyes, hoping he would tell them this was just a joke.

But Hughes didn’t.

He simply met every wavering gaze with unwavering seriousness.

"You were born incredibly powerful. You think it’s a gift from the heavens."

"But in reality, it’s a shackle around your neck."

"A shackle you cannot escape."

Ash stood still.

Her expression didn’t waver, but Hughes noticed that her smooth tail had tied itself into a tight knot.

Hughes took a step back and pushed Zoe forward.

"She is just a miller’s daughter. After her parents died, she became a maid. Her fate should have been to spend her life in a manor, doing chores and cleaning rooms."

"But now, she stands before you as your teacher."

"One day, she might even fulfill her dream of becoming a novelist, writing books that sell across the seas."

"This isn’t because fate favored her."

"It’s because she can read. She has knowledge. She worked hard to learn."

"You shattered the chains that bound you."

"Didn’t she do the same?"

"Monica, you asked me about the meaning of learning."

"This is the answer."

"Fate binds you in place."

"Knowledge gives you wings."

"Learn, and change your fate."