Chapter 165: 165
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When the lights came on, the Dreaming Council said, "Behold, the culmination of our laborious efforts, the Nursery. At the present moment, it is capable of re-educating eight thousand subjects simultaneously with relatively little strain on the facility because of the adaptive neural architecture we have created. Our program has been highly effective at breaking through the cognitive barriers of a subject, allowing us unrestricted access to the subject's mind on an administrative level comparable to that of the subject itself.
And with our integrated systems, we are able to dispense a part of the workload onto re-educated subjects, further reducing the load on our systems. We have detailed reports on the improved efficiency rates brought on by our changes to the Nursery.
...Would you like us to send them to your tomes?"
Reed felt as his head was spinning like a top, even though he was standing perfectly still. A nauseous wave passed through his stomach upward to his mouth, where it was manifested as a comet of bile.
He lurched forward and emptied his guts as his body reflexively gagged out everything he had for breakfast and lunch. It was if he could smell them, even if they had all been encapsulated in airtight, metallic cocoons.
Lu'um supported Reed and said, "Give me a single reason not to tear you to pieces, creature. This is unforgivable; You have broken the tenets set in place when you agree to become Chosen."
The Dreaming Council squirmed in its enormous life support tank and said, "...Is it really? Had we broken the unquestionable tenets set forth by our benefactor, we would have been annihilated long ago by the Will of the World. Millenia have passed and not once have we heard a word of discontent, nor have we been punished."
Rows upon rows; Stacks upon stacks; Spires upon Spires.
A metallic forest of indefinable evil and unparalleled horror. Reed wanted to look away and never lay eyes on upon the atrocious spectacle, but his entire body had grown numb and frozen. He couldn't tear his eyes away from it.
Each cocoon was a biosynthetic cradle of wriggling, pulsating flesh, and bizarre interwoven circuitry. The bodies within the cocoons had been fused together with the artificially grown flesh-culture to the point that it had almost become impossible to distinguish their original physiques.
Throbbing pipes of flesh could be seen inserted in every orifice that could be seen, as unknown fluid was both pumped in and sucked out, depending on what was required of each subject.
It was a grotesque exhibition of pure efficiency and startling precision that not even the Ancient Mulians would have thought possible. Not in terms of the technology involved, but of the immense ethical violations that were intrinsic to the nature of such a terrible creation.
Reed coughed painfully and said, "T-this is madness! How could any of this be for the greater good?! Just look at them! This isn't anything except a goddamned freakshow!"
The Dreaming Council gurgled and said, "An irrational outburst of emotions will do nothing to further a civil discussion. And as we have previously stated, we have made great efforts to ensure to not break tenet chief tenet set forth by our benefactor: To not injure or kill any Mortal.
We have abided to this tenet, as you can see behind us with the Nursery. Each incubation pod is capable of fully supporting the basic needs of the individual contained within it. Sustenance and medication are provided and waste materials are collected for dispensation and recycling. All subjects are kept in a safe, compartmentalized, climate-controlled setting and their life signs are constantly being checked under our careful supervision. To date we have not lost a single subject to any unforeseen complications since the Nursery's inception."
Reed shook his head and coldly said, "You're monsters. This is how you have been keeping the peace? Abducting anyone who speaks against you into this dungeon of nightmares?"
Velvund listened to his grandson's argument and felt his heart ache. This was he did not want him to learn the truth. The old Alf would have gladly stained his hands for Reed if meant that he would have not had to...
"We are no tyrants. Never have we abused our power for our own interests because... we have no interests. We act only as faithful servants of our benefactor's will, following Her tenets as the basis for the laws of the Four Empires.
We are neither Human, Avunian, Eisalon, Cunian, Yulanti, Isavli, or Faai. We are a collective of them all. We are many-are-in-one. We are kin with all peoples of Mulia and therefore, hold no biases toward any particular race, nationality, religion, or gender."
It was a difficult pill to swallow, but the Dreaming Council had not lied to Reed. They, for as inhuman as they were, had truly pledged themselves toward the preservation of life in Mulia. None of the individuals who were now the completed entity that was the Dreaming Council had been forced to join.
Every single person who had joined, the Four Sovereigns included, had volunteered themselves for the project.
Reed gazed the enormous, twisted blob of fused flesh that was the Dreaming Council and said, "Brainwashing? This is how you correct things? By turning people into walking husks of flesh when they conspire against you? Admit it: Were it not for the contracts you hold with the Will of the World you would have straight up killed them. You are tyrants."
"Tell us then, what are we to do when our subjects, both Mortals and Chosen, come for our head and throne? When these foolish usurpers decide that the peace we have created is worth less than their personal ambitions and desires?"
The Dreaming Council conjured a scene of the hellish fire, undue suffering, and tyrannical oppression with the liquid Anima in tank life support tank.
It was the Age of Chaos. Personal memories of each member of the Dreaming Council made manifest in front of Reed. Each member who was part of the Dreaming Council had survived that forsaken age of violent turmoil.
"This is the reality that awaits Mulia without our guidance. In the end, the people at the bottom will suffer the most again -- the Mortals. Chosen will once again fight for meaningless concepts such as wealth, honor, and glory. They will tear the continent to pieces long before the Infestation will ever have the chance.
Only we, who have devoted our entire beings to Mulia, have the clarity of mind to see past ourselves and the differences between the races. Our eyes are solely focused upon our one true foe -- the Infestation."
Reed couldn't refute its points, despite how much he despised its methods. He hatefully said, "A mental death is no different from an actual one. What is even left the original victim after that? Is that person even themselves anymore?
This is not even mentioning the atrocities involved with you infringing their rights as living beings. You can't tamper with other people's minds and justify it as a necessary evil. The fucking Infestation does the exact same thing! Can't you see what you're doing is wrong, no matter how you try to spin it?!"
"If we killed the usurpers, we would be perceived as tyrants. If we imprisoned them for the rest of their natural lives, we would be perceived as tyrants.
If we can neither kill nor remove harmful individuals that threaten the peace or the continent, then what are we to do?
We have followed your own logical premise to its conclusion. What do you think is the answer?"
Reed suddenly realized what had happened. He had been led around like a dog in the argument. No, rather he had led himself to the Dreaming Council's conclusion without even realizing it.
He had come to the same conclusion.
That if they could not kill or imprison their enemies, they would have to convince them that they were, in fact, wrong. To re-educate them and make them understand why they were wrong.
The Dreaming Council detected abnormal fluctuations in Reed's life signs and determined that they had succeeded in their task.
"Have you finally realized the truth? We are correct. Rehabilitation is the only course of action left for us to implement given the restrictions imposed upon our actions.
It is here where we re-educate the worst offenders, those who have actively plotted to either overthrow the Four Empires or incite the flames of war across the continent. We make the very specific distinction of only taking those who have put their malicious thoughts into action. We do not abduct people who simply have grudges against us in their minds, for we are not Mulia's. thought police.
One's thoughts are not enough to be made a criminal in our eyes. But a physical action, a willing initiative to make their twisted thoughts into reality? That is a crime we can punish. There is tangible evidence -- proof that can be presented in a court of law -- to prove the criminal's guilt.
Every criminal you see behind us is being reconditioned in their sleep, slowly being taught why they were wrong in their actions against us and the Four Empires. We interface with their subconscious as they sleep and discuss with them as we are doing with you.
We do not force, oppression, or violence to make our points, for we are above such primitive and highly ineffective methods.
In the end, ninety-nine percent of our subjects come to see that they were wrong. After their rehabilitation is complete, they are returned to their homes without harm and are allowed to resume their lives in peace.
Only the most heinous, repeated offenders and subjects outside of abilities are mind-wiped. This is something we do with great consideration after much internal discussion.
Of the forty-three thousand eight hundred and sixty-three subjects we have rehabilitated only fifty-seven have required a mind wipe.
We are fair. We are generous. We are just."
.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
When the lights came on, the Dreaming Council said, "Behold, the culmination of our laborious efforts, the Nursery. At the present moment, it is capable of re-educating eight thousand subjects simultaneously with relatively little strain on the facility because of the adaptive neural architecture we have created. Our program has been highly effective at breaking through the cognitive barriers of a subject, allowing us unrestricted access to the subject's mind on an administrative level comparable to that of the subject itself.
And with our integrated systems, we are able to dispense a part of the workload onto re-educated subjects, further reducing the load on our systems. We have detailed reports on the improved efficiency rates brought on by our changes to the Nursery.
...Would you like us to send them to your tomes?"
Reed felt as his head was spinning like a top, even though he was standing perfectly still. A nauseous wave passed through his stomach upward to his mouth, where it was manifested as a comet of bile.
He lurched forward and emptied his guts as his body reflexively gagged out everything he had for breakfast and lunch. It was if he could smell them, even if they had all been encapsulated in airtight, metallic cocoons.
Lu'um supported Reed and said, "Give me a single reason not to tear you to pieces, creature. This is unforgivable; You have broken the tenets set in place when you agree to become Chosen."
The Dreaming Council squirmed in its enormous life support tank and said, "...Is it really? Had we broken the unquestionable tenets set forth by our benefactor, we would have been annihilated long ago by the Will of the World. Millenia have passed and not once have we heard a word of discontent, nor have we been punished."
Rows upon rows; Stacks upon stacks; Spires upon Spires.
A metallic forest of indefinable evil and unparalleled horror. Reed wanted to look away and never lay eyes on upon the atrocious spectacle, but his entire body had grown numb and frozen. He couldn't tear his eyes away from it.
Each cocoon was a biosynthetic cradle of wriggling, pulsating flesh, and bizarre interwoven circuitry. The bodies within the cocoons had been fused together with the artificially grown flesh-culture to the point that it had almost become impossible to distinguish their original physiques.
Throbbing pipes of flesh could be seen inserted in every orifice that could be seen, as unknown fluid was both pumped in and sucked out, depending on what was required of each subject.
It was a grotesque exhibition of pure efficiency and startling precision that not even the Ancient Mulians would have thought possible. Not in terms of the technology involved, but of the immense ethical violations that were intrinsic to the nature of such a terrible creation.
Reed coughed painfully and said, "T-this is madness! How could any of this be for the greater good?! Just look at them! This isn't anything except a goddamned freakshow!"
The Dreaming Council gurgled and said, "An irrational outburst of emotions will do nothing to further a civil discussion. And as we have previously stated, we have made great efforts to ensure to not break tenet chief tenet set forth by our benefactor: To not injure or kill any Mortal.
We have abided to this tenet, as you can see behind us with the Nursery. Each incubation pod is capable of fully supporting the basic needs of the individual contained within it. Sustenance and medication are provided and waste materials are collected for dispensation and recycling. All subjects are kept in a safe, compartmentalized, climate-controlled setting and their life signs are constantly being checked under our careful supervision. To date we have not lost a single subject to any unforeseen complications since the Nursery's inception."
Reed shook his head and coldly said, "You're monsters. This is how you have been keeping the peace? Abducting anyone who speaks against you into this dungeon of nightmares?"
Velvund listened to his grandson's argument and felt his heart ache. This was he did not want him to learn the truth. The old Alf would have gladly stained his hands for Reed if meant that he would have not had to...
"We are no tyrants. Never have we abused our power for our own interests because... we have no interests. We act only as faithful servants of our benefactor's will, following Her tenets as the basis for the laws of the Four Empires.
We are neither Human, Avunian, Eisalon, Cunian, Yulanti, Isavli, or Faai. We are a collective of them all. We are many-are-in-one. We are kin with all peoples of Mulia and therefore, hold no biases toward any particular race, nationality, religion, or gender."
It was a difficult pill to swallow, but the Dreaming Council had not lied to Reed. They, for as inhuman as they were, had truly pledged themselves toward the preservation of life in Mulia. None of the individuals who were now the completed entity that was the Dreaming Council had been forced to join.
Every single person who had joined, the Four Sovereigns included, had volunteered themselves for the project.
Reed gazed the enormous, twisted blob of fused flesh that was the Dreaming Council and said, "Brainwashing? This is how you correct things? By turning people into walking husks of flesh when they conspire against you? Admit it: Were it not for the contracts you hold with the Will of the World you would have straight up killed them. You are tyrants."
"Tell us then, what are we to do when our subjects, both Mortals and Chosen, come for our head and throne? When these foolish usurpers decide that the peace we have created is worth less than their personal ambitions and desires?"
The Dreaming Council conjured a scene of the hellish fire, undue suffering, and tyrannical oppression with the liquid Anima in tank life support tank.
It was the Age of Chaos. Personal memories of each member of the Dreaming Council made manifest in front of Reed. Each member who was part of the Dreaming Council had survived that forsaken age of violent turmoil.
"This is the reality that awaits Mulia without our guidance. In the end, the people at the bottom will suffer the most again -- the Mortals. Chosen will once again fight for meaningless concepts such as wealth, honor, and glory. They will tear the continent to pieces long before the Infestation will ever have the chance.
Only we, who have devoted our entire beings to Mulia, have the clarity of mind to see past ourselves and the differences between the races. Our eyes are solely focused upon our one true foe -- the Infestation."
Reed couldn't refute its points, despite how much he despised its methods. He hatefully said, "A mental death is no different from an actual one. What is even left the original victim after that? Is that person even themselves anymore?
This is not even mentioning the atrocities involved with you infringing their rights as living beings. You can't tamper with other people's minds and justify it as a necessary evil. The fucking Infestation does the exact same thing! Can't you see what you're doing is wrong, no matter how you try to spin it?!"
"If we killed the usurpers, we would be perceived as tyrants. If we imprisoned them for the rest of their natural lives, we would be perceived as tyrants.
If we can neither kill nor remove harmful individuals that threaten the peace or the continent, then what are we to do?
We have followed your own logical premise to its conclusion. What do you think is the answer?"
Reed suddenly realized what had happened. He had been led around like a dog in the argument. No, rather he had led himself to the Dreaming Council's conclusion without even realizing it.
He had come to the same conclusion.
That if they could not kill or imprison their enemies, they would have to convince them that they were, in fact, wrong. To re-educate them and make them understand why they were wrong.
The Dreaming Council detected abnormal fluctuations in Reed's life signs and determined that they had succeeded in their task.
"Have you finally realized the truth? We are correct. Rehabilitation is the only course of action left for us to implement given the restrictions imposed upon our actions.
It is here where we re-educate the worst offenders, those who have actively plotted to either overthrow the Four Empires or incite the flames of war across the continent. We make the very specific distinction of only taking those who have put their malicious thoughts into action. We do not abduct people who simply have grudges against us in their minds, for we are not Mulia's. thought police.
One's thoughts are not enough to be made a criminal in our eyes. But a physical action, a willing initiative to make their twisted thoughts into reality? That is a crime we can punish. There is tangible evidence -- proof that can be presented in a court of law -- to prove the criminal's guilt.
Every criminal you see behind us is being reconditioned in their sleep, slowly being taught why they were wrong in their actions against us and the Four Empires. We interface with their subconscious as they sleep and discuss with them as we are doing with you.
We do not force, oppression, or violence to make our points, for we are above such primitive and highly ineffective methods.
In the end, ninety-nine percent of our subjects come to see that they were wrong. After their rehabilitation is complete, they are returned to their homes without harm and are allowed to resume their lives in peace.
Only the most heinous, repeated offenders and subjects outside of abilities are mind-wiped. This is something we do with great consideration after much internal discussion.
Of the forty-three thousand eight hundred and sixty-three subjects we have rehabilitated only fifty-seven have required a mind wipe.
We are fair. We are generous. We are just."
.
When the lights came on, the Dreaming Council said, "Behold, the culmination of our laborious efforts, the Nursery. At the present moment, it is capable of re-educating eight thousand subjects simultaneously with relatively little strain on the facility because of the adaptive neural architecture we have created. Our program has been highly effective at breaking through the cognitive barriers of a subject, allowing us unrestricted access to the subject's mindon an administrative level comparable to that of the subject itself.And with our integrated systems, we are able to dispense a part of the workload onto re-educated subjects, further reducing the load on our systems. We have detailed reports on the improved efficiency rates brought on by our changes to the Nursery. ...Would you like us to send them to your tomes?"Reed felt as his head was spinning like a top, even though he was standing perfectly still. A nauseous wave passed through his stomach upward to his mouth, where it was manifested as a comet of bile.He lurched forward and emptied his guts as his body reflexively gagged out everything he had for breakfast and lunch. It was if he could smell them, even if they had all been encapsulated in airtight, metallic cocoons.Lu'um supported Reed and said, "Give me a single reason not to tear you to pieces, creature. This isunforgivable; You have broken the tenets set in place when you agree to become Chosen."The Dreaming Council squirmed in its enormous life support tank and said, "...Is it really? Had we broken the unquestionable tenets set forth by our benefactor, we would have been annihilated long ago by the Will of the World. Millenia have passed and not once have we heard a word of discontent, nor have we been punished."Rows upon rows; Stacks upon stacks; Spires upon Spires. A metallic forest of indefinable evil and unparalleled horror. Reed wanted to look away and never lay eyes on upon the atrocious spectacle, but his entire body had grown numb and frozen. He couldn't tear his eyes away from it.Each cocoon was a biosynthetic cradle of wriggling, pulsating flesh, and bizarre interwoven circuitry. The bodies within the cocoons had been fused together with the artificially grown flesh-culture to the point that it had almost become impossible to distinguish their original physiques.Throbbing pipes of flesh could be seen inserted in every orifice that could be seen, as unknown fluid was both pumped in and sucked out, depending on what was required of each subject.It was a grotesque exhibition of pure efficiency and startling precision that not even the Ancient Mulians would have thought possible. Not in terms of the technology involved, but of the immense ethical violations that were intrinsic to the nature of such a terrible creation.Reed coughed painfully and said, "T-this is madness! How could any of this be for the greater good?! Just look at them!This isn't anything except a goddamned freakshow!"The Dreaming Council gurgled and said, "An irrational outburst of emotions will do nothing to further a civil discussion. And as we have previously stated, we have made great efforts to ensure to not break tenet chief tenet set forth by our benefactor: To not injure or kill any Mortal.We have abided to this tenet, as you can see behind us with the Nursery. Each incubation pod is capable of fully supporting the basic needs of the individual contained within it. Sustenance and medication are provided and waste materials are collected for dispensation and recycling. All subjects are kept in a safe, compartmentalized, climate-controlled setting and their life signs are constantly being checked under our careful supervision. To date we have not lost a single subject to any unforeseen complications since the Nursery's inception."Reed shook his head and coldly said, "You're monsters. This is how you have been keeping the peace? Abducting anyone who speaks against you into this dungeon of nightmares?"Velvund listened to his grandson's argument and felt his heart ache. This was he did not want him to learn the truth. The old Alf would have gladly stained his hands for Reed if meant that he would have not had to..."We are no tyrants. Never have we abused our power for our own interests because... we have no interests. We act only as faithful servants of our benefactor's will, following Her tenets as the basis for the laws of the Four Empires.We are neither Human, Avunian, Eisalon, Cunian, Yulanti, Isavli, or Faai. We are a collective of them all. We are many-are-in-one.We are kin with all peoples of Mulia and therefore, hold no biases toward any particular race, nationality, religion, or gender."It was a difficult pill to swallow, but the Dreaming Council had not lied to Reed. They, for as inhuman as they were, had truly pledged themselves toward the preservation of life in Mulia. None of the individuals who were now the completed entity that was the Dreaming Council had been forced to join.Every single person who had joined, the Four Sovereigns included, had volunteered themselves for the project.Reed gazed the enormous, twisted blob of fused flesh that was the Dreaming Council and said, "Brainwashing? This is how you correct things? By turning people into walking husks of flesh when they conspire against you? Admit it: Were it not for the contracts you hold with the Will of the World you would have straight up killed them. You are tyrants.""Tell us then, what are we to do when our subjects, both Mortals and Chosen, come for our head and throne? When these foolish usurpers decide that the peace we have created is worth less than their personal ambitions and desires?"The Dreaming Council conjured a scene of the hellish fire, undue suffering, and tyrannical oppression with the liquid Anima in tank life support tank.It was the Age of Chaos. Personal memories of each member of the Dreaming Council made manifest in front of Reed. Each member who was part of the Dreaming Council had survived that forsaken age of violent turmoil."This is the reality that awaits Mulia without our guidance. In the end, the people at the bottom will suffer the most again -- the Mortals. Chosen will once again fight for meaningless concepts such as wealth, honor, and glory. They will tear the continent to pieces long before the Infestation will ever have the chance.Only we, who have devoted our entire beings to Mulia, have the clarity of mind to see past ourselves and the differences between the races. Our eyes are solely focused upon our one true foe -- the Infestation."Reed couldn't refute its points, despite how much he despised its methods. He hatefully said, "A mental death is no different from an actual one. What is even left the original victim after that? Is that person even themselves anymore? This is not even mentioning the atrocities involved with you infringing their rights as living beings. You can't tamper with other people's minds and justify it as a necessary evil. The fucking Infestation does the exact same thing! Can't you see what you're doing is wrong, no matter how you try to spin it?!""If we killed the usurpers, we would be perceived as tyrants. If we imprisoned them for the rest of their natural lives, we would be perceived as tyrants.If we can neither kill nor remove harmful individuals that threaten the peace or the continent, then what are we to do?We have followed your own logical premise to its conclusion. What do you think is the answer?"Reed suddenly realized what had happened. He had been led around like a dog in the argument. No, rather he had led himself to the Dreaming Council's conclusion without even realizing it.He had come to the same conclusion.That if they could not kill or imprison their enemies, they would have to convince them that they were, in fact, wrong. To re-educate them and make them understand why they were wrong.The Dreaming Council detected abnormal fluctuations in Reed's life signs and determined that they had succeeded in their task."Have you finally realized the truth? We are correct. Rehabilitation is the only course of action left for us to implement given the restrictions imposed upon our actions.It is here where we re-educate the worst offenders, those who have activelyplotted to either overthrow the Four Empires or incite the flames of war across the continent. We make the very specific distinction of only taking those who have put their malicious thoughts into action. We do not abduct people who simply have grudges against us in their minds, for we are not Mulia's. thought police.One's thoughts are not enough to be made a criminal in our eyes. But a physical action, a willing initiative to make their twisted thoughts into reality? That is a crime we can punish. There is tangible evidence -- proof that can be presented in a court of law -- to prove the criminal's guilt.Every criminal you see behind us is being reconditioned in their sleep, slowly being taught why they were wrong in their actions against us and the Four Empires. We interface with their subconscious as they sleep and discuss with them as we are doing with you.We do not force, oppression, or violence to make our points, for we are above such primitive and highly ineffective methods.In the end, ninety-nine percent of our subjects come to see that they were wrong. After their rehabilitation is complete, they are returned to their homes without harm and are allowed to resume their lives in peace.Only the most heinous, repeated offenders and subjects outside of abilities are mind-wiped. This is something we do with great consideration after much internal discussion.Of the forty-three thousand eight hundred and sixty-three subjects we have rehabilitated only fifty-seven have required a mind wipe.We are fair. We are generous. We are just.".
