Darkstone Code-Chapter 977 - 975: Progress

The ruling class of Nagariel has never truly considered the people at the bottom as humans; they merely see them as slaves, expendables, or even just "things"!

Killing some of the lower-class people "accidentally" doesn’t weigh on their minds or become a "burden" for them.

Religion explained these issues to the populace, saying that indeed, they all carried many sins, but it doesn’t matter; after death, they would descend to Hell.

In contrast, those victims, having been harmed by these "bad people" and even dying because of them, instead ascend to the Celestial Kingdom. This is not seen as sad, pitiful, or lamentable, but rather as a... grace.

At least they can go to the Celestial Kingdom, while those full of sins can only descend to Hell.

They aren’t unable to distinguish right from wrong or sin; they have just grown accustomed to enduring it.

Until—

The arrival of the Federation people.

The lines of the law became clear, the divine authority laws continuously shrank, and people realized, for the first time, that making mistakes required punishment.

The ones who punish them are not gods, but men, and judicial institutions.

This is also why people began to report crimes and incidents grew bigger; they no longer numbly faced life as before. Under the ideology instilled by Akumal, they began to rationally seek answers to problems and try to express their demands through legitimate means.

This is social progress, and it is not barbaric, not built through violence, war, and destruction. It is a miracle in the history of civilization!

A gentle process of societal evolution, a societal transformation called the "Nagariel Miracle" or the "Akumal Miracle."

Now, these dignitaries also understand that if they made mistakes, they must take responsibility for them.

"If I turn myself in, they might kill me..." said Drag’s son, his body no longer trembling, but with a touch of anger in his eyes.

He didn’t understand why his father would give him such a foolish suggestion; anger dispelled his fear. "Those Federation people think of nothing else but pushing us off the stage. If I turn myself in, I will lose everything."

"Power, status, wealth, privilege, and I’m very likely to be killed by them!"

Faced with his son’s growing volume, Drag didn’t get angry like him. He remained consistently gentle, "I guarantee the Federation won’t kill you. At most, you’ll be detained for a while, then you’ll be free."

"As for those things you mentioned..." Drag paused for a moment. He too had them once, until he wanted the assembly line in Lynch’s hands and wanted Lynch to help him achieve basic industrial capabilities.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but sigh; it was all greed’s fault.

"You were blinded by power and desire, my child."

"You never truly owned these things. So how could you lose them?"

"You are just stepping out of an illusory satisfaction and seeing the real world. This is actually a good thing for you!"

Being a puppet in the Federation’s hands is not true power. There’s no need to cling to this false power.

The young man on the other end of the line did not speak, and Drag’s patience had run out.

He is very satisfied with his current life; the wealth he plundered in Nagariel is enough to support his family living prosperously in the Federation.

Now his eldest son runs a small trading company dealing with Nagariel-related trade. After all, the family still has some connections there, and Drag himself is a shareholder in the United Development Company, making the trading business thrive.

Not tremendously rich, but at least it brings substantial profits every month.

His third and youngest sons have begun receiving family education, and he plans to send both to higher education in the Federation.

In their lifetime, they realistically have no hope because their labels mean the Federation people will never fully trust them.

But their descendants can; his grandson, his grandson’s son, and his grandson’s grandson can.

What they do now is accumulate for those future generations.

Their clan will re-sprout, take root, and thrive in the Federation in another form.

So at this point, he is increasingly following Lynch’s arrangements, and for this disobedient son, he has given up on him in his heart—

He truly believes it is not worth ruining the current sound situation for the sake of one son.

The Federation tycoons definitely hold much more power than the local emperors of small nations!

After waiting a while longer, his son still hadn’t decided. There was inevitably a tinge of disappointment in Drag’s tone.

"I’ve already given you my advice, I won’t force you to make any choices. The decision for the future is yours."

He said this as he hung up the phone, then looked at Lynch, who was sitting beside him sipping wine.

There was a gentler smile on his face. Drag was a competent ruler, once upon a time, but he was competent.

Even his own son, when unable to bring benefits and posing a hidden threat, would be abandoned without hesitation.

This is the world of rulers. They place everything, including people, on both sides of a scale, then place their own weight on the pan with a clear advantage.

"When children grow up, they don’t like to listen to their parents’ advice. I was the same when I was young." He stood up and sat on the sofa facing Lynch.

These sofas were much more comfortable than rattan chairs, though there were still some rattan chairs in this house. Some habits are hard to change.

Lynch nodded, "Give him a little more time. If he hasn’t made a decision by evening..."

In fact, the ones truly anxious about this matter were not him, but the United Development Company and the Federation authorities, as well as Akumal.

The theory Akumal promoted in Nagariel and the rule of law the Federation implemented in Nagariel both coincidentally clashed with this incident.

To prove Akumal’s ideology, to express determination and demands peacefully, and to demonstrate the value of the rule of law, it was necessary to sacrifice some people.

Only a bloody reform will be deeply remembered, those bloodless are mere tricks!

"If he’s arrested, Mangu will need a new legislator. Do you have any good candidates?" Lynch put down his wine glass.

Drag’s heart skipped a beat, but his face showed a look of deep thought. He didn’t answer immediately but seemed to think seriously for a while before showing a regretful expression.

Shaking his head, he said, "I don’t know who to recommend. The people I know can’t undertake this responsibility, and as for those outside my circle, I’m not very familiar with them."

He leaned closer and added, "I heard your father is doing well over there, why not let him try?"

"I believe people will support him. This is also an attempt, a change, a reform!"

Some thoughts he didn’t voice, like why can’t a foreigner be a legislator in the United Parliament? If the first foreigner can be elected, wouldn’t foreigners in other provinces also be eligible?

If someday the United Parliament is filled with Federation people, then what would this country be—Nagariel or just another ’state’ of the Federation?

Lynch glanced at him, a nuanced smile playing on his lips. He shook his head, "Too soon."

The Federation has only accepted Nagariel for less than two years, and people are still in a transition period, adapting to this change.

If suddenly a Federation person were added to the traditional ruling class, it would definitely provoke strong opposition from some people, possibly triggering a series of unpredictable problems.

It’s better as it is now, treating their rulers like puppets and nurturing the new generation with Federation culture, eventually blooming and bearing fruit called ’Federation.’

"Gadon, among the Nagariel people I know, he meets my requirements." Seeing Drag’s somewhat bewildered expression, Lynch corrected the pronunciation of the name, "Gordon."

Drag showed a look of realization, "I know him."

Gadon murdered his father, inherited his wealth, and was also suspected of killing two foreigners. These matters can’t be hidden, and Lynch already holds concrete evidence.

These things will become essential means of control over Gadon. As long as he doesn’t behave, even if he’s Mangu’s legislator and the highest ruler of the province, he could end up imprisoned or even lose his head at any time.

This will also exemplify Nagariel’s ’rule of law.’

Compared to those Lynch isn’t familiar with or can’t control, Gadon is quite a good choice.

Drag considered for a moment, "I’m not familiar with him, but I trust your judgment. I will fully support you."

Talking with smart people is convenient, especially when that intelligent person has already been broken.

Drag probably still wields significant influence in Nagariel, enough to propel Gadon successfully to election. As for what he said about how Nell becoming a legislator, that’s just a joke—

At least within a few years, it’s a joke!

A little later, Drag the Provincial Governor’s son ultimately made a choice in his best interest.

He walked out of his home and headed to the local armed police department, declaring he wanted to surrender.

In an instant, this news spread like a whirlwind throughout Nagariel. The inviolable ruling class in their eyes actually admitted guilt—something unprecedented.

This intensified the fervency of those who participated in the demonstrations towards Akumal’s theory and ideology—that’s change. There’s no need for violence or sacrifice; just peacefully expressing one’s demands will surely be heard!