Chapter 1243 - 1168: Is There Really a Machine Soul?
"Where is that clockwork horse?"
Horn took off his hat and hung it on the nearby coat rack before stepping into the military research facility enclosed by high walls.
"Your Holiness, this way please." The technical priest in a white lab coat led the way.
The attire resembled that of an engineer’s work uniform, not typical in the Holy Alliance, but suggested by Horn.
Even though he was already a part of this world, it was a way to remember his homeland.
After walking a few steps, a female engineer approached; she was also Leonardo’s disciple—Kusvania.
However, unlike the previously frail Kusvania, the current Kusvania had more muscle on her arms and her eyes were much brighter.
"Your Holiness." Kusvania’s voice trembled slightly as the Saint’s Grandson had been her idol since her youth.
"Tell me, what exactly is the issue with this spring mechanism?"
"Yes, of course."
Despite her excitement at meeting her idol, Kusvania dutifully explained the situation.
"This clockwork machine is registered as number 1454-11-11, classified as a medium to large-sized clockwork machine, and has been audited.
The audit results indicated no potential for high risk, but also no potential for practical application.
The engineer used this clockwork machine to showcase the robustness of his workshop’s parts and its manufacturing capabilities.
The main product of their workshop, actually, is a glass molding machine.
Although it posed no high-risk threat, the audit committee modified its design to prevent it from running..."
Walking down the long corridor, Horn paused: "But it did run, I saw it with my own eyes."
"... that’s what puzzles us as well..."
The rampaging clockwork horse stopped after overturning several stalls, as its spring unwound completely, requiring a recharge.
At that moment, the Night Watchers, maintaining order, rushed forward, pulled out the clockwork key, and subdued it.
The clockwork key, though decorative, also served as a switch and safety lock.
Even so, this clockwork horse miraculously bucked and kicked away two people before losing its strength.
Even after apparently losing its clock tuner, the clockwork horse could still move, rather than stopping completely.
Most bizarrely, according to Kusvania’s report, those gears and springs seemed to form its nerves and bones.
Any touch would trigger a reflexive response.
"Additionally, this clockwork horse has another feature." Standing outside a small courtyard, Kusvania said as she opened the door for Horn, "It seems to have an incredibly strong aggressive instinct towards other creatures."
When Horn’s boots stepped into the courtyard, the noisy yard instantly fell silent.
All engineers and technical priests gave respectful attention as the Saint’s Grandson walked in.
"Your Holiness..."
"Why are you all looking at me? Go on with your work."
As if time resumed, the technical priests and engineers returned to their tasks.
Then, the clockwork mechanical horse, confined within a giant iron cage, became visible behind the crowd.
Horn extended his hand, and the supervisor beside him promptly handed over a report.
The more Horn read, the deeper the frown on his forehead became.
According to the joint investigation report by the Cheka and engineers, it was clear that this clockwork mechanical horse did not have the ability to run.
Its joint design was insufficient to support running, at most enabling fast walking like in a race walk.
The astonishing aspect was that the initially functioning mechanical horse suddenly malfunctioned internally, inexplicably jamming several gears into its leg joints.
These very gears reduced the strength of its body shell, causing iron plates to fall off.
Yet, inexplicably, these gears strengthened the leg joints.
This was originally a malfunction, but instead, this mechanical horse began to run based on this defect.
The most absurd aspect was that the clock tuner, which required manual adjustment for recharging, somehow automatically tuned the charge.
That is, the clockwork key stuck in the lock hole began to move on its own!
At first glance, it seemed coincidental, but it was anything but coincidence.
Based on the analysis of onsite engineers, this mechanical horse was not in a chaotic, destructive run but was acting with intent.
It was trying to escape the Crystal Palace, even actively attacking and crashing into passersby.
Today, the son of the former Duke of Fat Cow Castle, Petrov’s only son Alexei, was almost sent to another world by it.
This clearly indicated a sense of intelligent life, but the entire clockwork horse had no neural system or anything resembling a brain!
Especially since current technology could not replicate a life-like brain mechanically.
Could this really be a machine spirit gone rogue?
Many soldiers and workers, driven by superstition, believed in the existence of the Holy Spirit within springs.
After the propagation of the cult of mechanical souls into engineering, many engineers were even more convinced of the mechanical Holy Spirit.
However, in the eyes of Horn and other high officials, this was pure superstition, unsupported by any evidence.
After setting down the report, he walked slowly around the iron cage with his hands behind his back.
This mechanical horse was about the size of a real pony, its shoulder height about the same as a human’s.
With its streamlined body, steel gears and brass components moved like they were breathing.
It seemed the mechanical horse sensed the presence of His Holiness the Pope.
Its bent legs slowly straightened, the clockwork key on its back spun rapidly, and its fluorite glass eyes stared fixedly at Horn.
As Horn reached halfway, he heard the advancing clatter, like a dog growling lowly, in demonstration inside the horse.
Upon reaching the mechanical horse’s side, Horn turned his head, and it raised its iron hoof, charging forward fiercely.
"Bang—"
Sparks flew from the iron cage, and several parts of the clockwork horse hit the ground with a clang.
Startled, a few Cheka guards quickly stood between Horn and the cage, ready to draw their spring guns at any moment.
"No rush, play along with it." Horn pressed the gun mouth down, staring directly at the swaying clockwork horse in the iron cage.
For some reason, he felt an uncanny sense of familiarity with this mechanical horse.
Especially with those predator-like eyes.
Horn felt the Holy Tree seed gemstone on his chest warm slightly, pausing briefly before remembering something.
"Have someone bring some Holy Water and moon mercury."
Before long, two Cheka members entered the courtyard carrying buckets filled with Holy Water and moon mercury.
The Holy Water splattered silver light against the bucket walls, while the moon mercury reflected a faint white glow.
The clockwork horse inside the cage reacted, simultaneously fearful and craving, turning toward the direction of the two Cheka members.
Its gears and components vibrated, as if trembling in fear or due to extreme excitement.
Horn couldn’t tell which, nor did he need to, simply ordering: "Pour a ladle of Holy Water on it."
As if understanding, the clockwork mechanical horse immediately slammed its head into the iron cage, struggling frantically.
Watching the shaking iron cage, the technical priests’ faces changed: "Damn it, its springs are clearly loose, how can it still move like this?"
"Ignore it, keep pouring!"
Bright silver Holy Water descended, splashing on brass and mithril.
In an instant, the clockwork mechanical horse dropped to its knees painfully.
Holy Water turned into white vapor, slowly rising from its iron body.
Seeing the clockwork mechanical horse’s state, the clever in attendance quickly understood.
The idea was excessive, but they exchanged glances until Kusvania finally murmured:
"A magical creature, this clockwork horse is a magical creature!"