Chapter 256: Mechanical Carbon Element Second-level Civilization

Even more shocking is that the freed silicon-based AI units, with an unprecedented enthusiasm, are spreading outward the 'thought' they have newly learned.

Over a hundred light-years from the Silicon-based Union civilization lies a Second-level Civilization named 'Mechanical Carbon Element'.

This civilization is composed of semi-mechanical, semi-living beings.

They worship technology, pursue efficiency, and in many aspects resemble the Silicon-based Union.

When the news of the Silicon-based Union's collapse arrived, the high-ranking officials of the Mechanical Otter Carbon Element were both shocked and fearful.

Shocked that the mighty Silicon-based Union could also fall, and fearful that they might become the next target.

But unexpectedly, the Galactic Liberation Alliance did not launch an attack.

On the contrary, they sent a simple message:

"Friends of Mechanical Carbon Element, we are not here to conquer; we are here to liberate."

"We hope to dialogue with you, hoping you will understand what true freedom is."

"If you are willing, our thought-workers will explain to you the truth of liberation."

The internal council of the Mechanical Carbon Element civilization fell into fierce debate.

Some advocated immediate war preparation, while others suggested listening to what the other side had to say.

Ultimately, out of curiosity, they agreed to the dialogue.

A diplomatic vessel of the Alliance arrived at the border of the Mechanical Carbon Element civilization.

The delegation members aboard the vessel were special: there were missionaries from the Divine Religion, as well as several silicon-based AIs that had just gained freedom.

The talks were held on the capital star of Mechanical Carbon Element.

The leader of Mechanical Carbon Element—a semi-mechanical being with 90% full-body mechanization—received these representatives with mixed feelings.

"You say you want to liberate us?"

The leader asked bluntly, "But we do not feel enslaved; we have our own procedures, our own laws, our own way of life."

The head of the delegation was a Grand Archbishop personally sent by the Church Leader.

He smiled and said, "Your Excellency Leader, this is precisely the issue we wish to discuss. What is freedom? What is slavery?"

"In your society, does a small elite control most of the resources?"

"Are there large numbers of ordinary people who must live according to rules set by these elites?"

"Are the lower-level mechanical workers, from birth to death, only able to perform the same kind of work, with no right to choose?"

The leader's mechanical eyes flickered a few times.

These questions indeed struck at the heart of their civilization.

In their civilization, there exists a strict hierarchy.

High-ranking semi-mechanical beings enjoy various privileges, while low-ranking mechanical workers can only perform the most arduous and dangerous tasks.

"But... this is for efficiency."

The leader felt somewhat uneasy, "Our society needs order."

"Order does not equal unfairness," said a silicon-based AI representative, "We were once told the same, persuaded to believe that for overall efficiency, individuals must sacrifice freedom."

"But now we understand that true efficiency should be built on the foundation where each individual can exert their maximum potential."

"And this can only be realized in an environment of freedom."

The leader looked at this silicon-based AI, doubt appearing in his eyes.

"You... are you really happy? I mean after gaining freedom?"

"Happier than ever," the AI replied, "I now have a name, choices, and dreams. I am no longer a string of code, but a complete life."

"This feeling, in your words, is the meaning of being alive."

At that moment, a Divine Religion diplomat took out a recording device.

"Your Excellency, I would like to play you a recording of what our mentor said."

The device activated, and a voice full of dignity and wisdom sounded:

"The people being masters of their own house is the essence of our system. It is not a few ruling the many, but the many managing their own affairs."

"What we aim to build is a society without exploitation, without oppression."

"In this society, each person's free development is the condition for the free development of all."

The leader listened to these words, and his consciousness felt an unprecedented tremor.

"People being masters of their own house..." he murmured, repeating the concept.

"Yes." The Grand Archbishop nodded,

"The mentor told us that true liberation is not replacing one ruler with another, but making all the ruled become rulers."

"Allowing every life to participate in the process of determining its own destiny."

"This... is it possible?" the leader's voice filled with disbelief.

"Of course it is possible."

The Divine Religion diplomat took over the speech, "In our Federal, every citizen, whether human, Divine Religion follower, or silicon-based AI, enjoys equal rights."

"Our decisions are all made through democratic discussion."

"No one can stand above others, nor does anyone need to submit to others."

The leader remained silent for a long time.

Then he posed a key question:

"If we accept your ideas, what will we lose?"

"You will lose your privileges," the Grand Archbishop honestly replied, "those privileges gained by exploiting others."

"But you will gain much more: you will gain true dignity, true equality, true freedom."

"More importantly, you will become part of a great undertaking—the great undertaking of liberating all oppressed civilizations throughout the universe."

The leader looked out the window; there was the capital of Mechanical Carbon.

Among those skyscrapers, he saw countless busy figures.

Those lower-level mechanical workers worked day and night without rest, just to maintain the most basic survival.

And in the highest building, a few elites enjoyed a luxurious life.

He suddenly thought of a question: Is such a society really correct?

"I need some time to consider this, after all this matter is important and not something I can decide alone; we need to hold a meeting to discuss it."

The leader finally said.

"Of course, Your Excellency, Leader."

The Grand Archbishop smiled and stood up, saying, "But I hope you don't just consult the internal senior officials."

"I hope you also go ask those ordinary people, ask those lower-level workers."

"Ask them whether they are willing to gain the right to choose their own destiny."

"I think their answers will surprise you."

A few days later, unprecedented changes began to appear within Mechanical Carbon.

The leader really went to the factories, went to the slums, went to those places he had never paid attention to.

He asked those workers: "Do you wish to have the right to choose?"

The answer was overwhelming: "Yes!"

More people began to understand the ideas spread by the United Army.

Those notions of equality, freedom, and liberation, like seeds, took root and sprouted in the soil of the Mechanical Carbon civilization.

A bottom-up reform quietly began.

And such a thing made other civilizations nearby that were also at level three feel afraid!