Darkstone Code-Chapter 976 - 974: A Small Matter

If the war erupting among the Mariluo warlords has made the Federation citizens’ emotions tense, then the events unfolding in Nagariel have touched the nerves of many.

The importance of Nagariel to the Federation no longer needs to be reiterated; even a fool knows how crucial this place is to the Federation.

The cause of the incident is simple: a girl went missing and when found, she was already dead. The corpse showed signs of abuse and torture before her death.

This case was eventually handed over to the Federation for investigation — previously, the Federation had sent many people to take over Nagariel’s national defense and local security.

The Nagariel police are responsible only for ordinary cases, while criminal cases are to be handed over to higher-level criminal police and armed police, all of whom are appointed by the Federation.

According to the evidence collected so far, there are local "power holders" in Nagariel behind this case, and it also involves religious figures.

Under the subtle infiltration of Federation ideology, the people of Nagariel are no longer as numb as before; they are also angered.

At the same time, they have been influenced by Akumal’s ideology. Although they resist, it has not yet led to further conflict.

"So our idea is to take this opportunity to solve this trouble."

The Security Committee’s security head, sitting across from Lynch, leaned back on the sofa, his posture relaxed, holding a cigarette.

After Black Gold Venerable was fully launched, it immediately ignited the market. The huge gap in raw materials left Shi Haoyun unable to catch up quickly even after obtaining samples and seeds.

They also released some new products, but the response was mediocre. If they can’t surpass Every Moment in raw materials, merely adjusting the spice ratio is of little significance.

Some people think that after Lynch took over Every Moment, he let the company lose its soul. To make money, they dared to have only twelve cigarettes in a pack, which is simply extortion!

There is no precedent in Federation history for such behavior.

When they initially reduced cigarettes from a carton to a pack, it faced a lot of opposition. Now Lynch plans to replicate this scene, reducing a pack to half a pack.

Some support him, believing that high-end items should be distinguished from low-end ones; only this way can the value of people spending more money be reflected.

The independent packaging of each cigarette is the best expression of wealth and is hygienic and clean.

The security head in front was smoking Black Gold Era, a preference among the affluent; it not only signifies their class but is indeed good to smoke.

He took a puff, exhaled slowly, "Religion has always been an uncontrollable big trouble. Its existence time is too long, so we can’t directly uproot it..."

"It has already become a part of people’s lives. We initially hoped to establish some propaganda, telling them that their faith is actually a lie fabricated by fraudsters."

"But unexpectedly, the opportunity came knocking."

Lynch listened intently. He also had his own business in Nagariel, and Nagariel’s stability was crucial for him, "What can I do?"

"You’re on good terms with Drag and that High Priest, right?"

Lynch nodded, "Yes, I like making friends, and I also provided them with some help to better integrate into the Federation’s larger environment."

Hearing this, the security head couldn’t help but laugh, knowing what Lynch did.

Lynch found two girls for that tattooed High Priest. Young and beautiful, crucially, these girls had never had an abortion.

In some places within the Federation, abortion is illegal, while in others it’s legal. People just need to go to places where it’s legal for an abortion, so sometimes the Federation’s laws are really messed up.

Lawyers sometimes find ways to move a case from one state to another for trial, as different states have different outcomes.

Maybe a crime is severe in one state, but a minor offense in another; lawyers are adept at exploiting the loopholes in Federation law.

Lynch arranged for the High Priest two girls with no history of abortion. This was a money-related transaction, and now both girls are at the Federation’s best antenatal center, both pregnant.

The High Priest still has some abilities, and as a result, those who know about these matters secretly inquire Lynch if the High Priest has any special medicine to help them regain their youthful vigor in certain aspects.

Well, that’s an aside.

After laughing for a while, the security head nodded, "To overthrow faith, the simplest way is to have those they trust the most tell them that it is all fake."

The Security Committee’s idea was to use the High Priest’s former identity, having him personally come forward to admit that Nagariel’s faith fundamentally doesn’t exist, and it’s all fabricated to deceive the public.

The words spoken by someone of his level would undoubtedly directly destroy those non-fanatical believers, and that would be enough.

Without the foundation of ordinary believers, the remaining religious fanatical backbones cannot support a highly influential religion, and eventually, these will become a thing of the past.

The Federation even found some preachers, planning to have them take the opportunity to preach in the Federation, aligning religion, culture, and social values closely with the Federation. Maybe one day, the name in front of New Federation in Nagariel won’t be needed anymore.

"I will talk to him, but I don’t guarantee it will work," Lynch said, without guaranteeing he could convince the High Priest. He was just going to try.

The Chief of Security nodded, "As for Drag..." he hesitated, "this case actually has some relation to his son."

Lynch raised an eyebrow, "No one told me these things happened on my turf."

He looked at Austin standing by the door, and she shook her head too. She was also unaware of these happenings.

If it happened in Mengwu, such events that could cause social unrest would absolutely not be hidden from him. Nell was still there; he wouldn’t pretend to know nothing.

When Lynch read the newspaper, it reported protests in Nagariel, which was no small trouble.

"You misunderstood; it’s related to his son, but it’s not happening on your end."

"You know, the situation over there is a bit unique. Those legislators don’t have any real power in their hands, and it’s hard for us to confine them to one place, which would make the international community think we’re putting them under house arrest..."

Lynch had a subtle smile on his face; his smile was nothing on the surface but always gave a "this guy is mocking me" feeling.

At this moment, the Chief of Security had this feeling, coupled with slight embarrassment and anger. "We have to consider the international image!" He accentuated these words as if explaining himself.

"So these freed people are always running around; this incident originated from a gathering..."

At this time in Nagariel, Drag’s second son was feeling uneasy.

Just like when he was a child and broke Drag’s favorite crystal globe, he felt uneasy inside, with hands slightly trembling.

In the end, he lied and said the youngest brother did it, which allowed him to avoid punishment. Drag didn’t show kindness to the youngest son for a long time, leading to his youngest son being very afraid of his father, and even reluctant to express his thoughts.

Now, he wasn’t sure whom to blame. They were just playing a bit too much; who knew it would turn out like this?

Last week, he went to the neighboring province to hang out with friends, and then that bastard somehow got some incense that the High Priest often uses. They also found a few girls from the street.

Now in Nagariel, amid the fierce impact of Federation culture, some things have changed, such as a slightly independent female consciousness.

Especially among young women, who are awakening and beginning to pursue the life they desire.

A few girls accepted the invitation, and then they all enjoyed themselves. His friend suggested lighting the incense during the process, and everyone agreed.

Then... he patted his head, and it felt like he had a bizarre dream in which he did some terrible things.

The next day when they woke up, not just one, but all the girls were dead.

They separately dealt with the girls’ bodies, but didn’t expect the missing girls’ families to report it to the police, alerting the Federation police, who eventually found some clues.

He didn’t know whether the Federation people have traced it back to him, and he felt extremely uneasy inside. He hoped the Federation people weren’t that capable, yet for some reason, fear was spreading within him.

He felt he couldn’t be blamed for this; the Federation controls Nagariel’s power, and they, the so-called rulers, are merely puppets. Any governance doesn’t require their examination and approval; the Federation handles it themselves.

This left these people feeling empty, bored, angry, envious, resentful...

Indulgence and enjoyment seemed to become the only things they could do that were of interest, which was different from what he initially imagined.

He thought he would become a real ruler, and everyone would tremble at his words; the gap between reality and ideals was too vast!

As he wiped his sweaty, nervous palms on his legs, contemplating how to solve this problem, suddenly the phone on the table rang.

The phone’s ringing had never been so sharp and piercing; he was even scared enough to shake.

Only after the phone rang a few times did he decide to answer it!

Picking up the phone, he had a moment of confusion, then his trembling body gradually calmed down.

"Father, save me..."

He clasped the telephone receiver with both hands, bowing his head, hiding behind the table, softly pleading, "I didn’t know it would turn out like this!"

Drag’s breathing was calm; he had given this son a chance in the past, but he couldn’t see through these things.

"I heard about what’s happening there. The Federation already knows everything. Now what you need to do is turn yourself in..."

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① Messed up: ’Messed up’ describes a skilled form of juggling, mainly involving two raw eggs. If the juggler’s technique is not proficient, the eggs will break. It’s also used to describe things disliked but unavoidable.