Darkstone Code

Chapter 1097 - 1095: Spiritual Realm

"That’s the situation..."

In the room, Austin handed Lynch some documents, a thick pile, and it was apparent that these were what remained after filtering.

To put it simply, there were more documents, not placed here, possibly because they were either not that important, or too important, hence not here.

From the visible documents, the Federation’s level of attention on Akumal is incredibly high, to the extent that they are monitoring Akumal and everything related to Akumal on multiple layers and aspects daily.

The Security Committee, Military Intelligence Bureau, and reportedly a new world-class intelligence agency are all surveilling Akumal.

Is this normal?

It’s actually quite normal.

His influence is growing, so much that the Federation Government and United Development Company cannot ignore him, yet there hasn’t been a particularly good way to deal with him so far.

He’s not the head of a warlord government, not the leader of anti-government armed forces; he doesn’t even advocate using violence to oppose the Federation’s control!

In some sense, he’s actually one of the accomplices of the Federation people, but his ideas are more dangerous than those armed rebellions!

Gentle changes, as he said, when Nagariel’s national awakening occurs, from individuals to the whole country, they will have the strength to negotiate with the Federation, and that’s when they take back their sovereignty.

Before this, everyone should strengthen themselves, reinforce development...

His theory has driven many to worship him, trust him; he’s become a danger to the Federation Government and United Development Company.

But for some reasons, there’s no way to take action against him.

The only option is to monitor him, waiting for him to slip up.

The Federation Government is in a real dilemma now; from a practical need standpoint, Nagariel is an indispensable "part" of the Federation, not as territory, but in the Federation’s international development strategy, it’s indivisible.

In this process, the Federation Government needs a Nagariel without its own ideas, not what it is now.

Can’t attack, can’t insult, it’s frustrating, unsettling, annoying.

The news of Akumal wanting to meet Lynch was intercepted by intelligence agencies at the first opportunity; they promptly reflected this to the place in Federation Government specialized in managing this matter, and then the Special Envoy in charge of this part had some materials sent to Lynch, and had Austin convey the Federation Government’s stance on their behalf.

Trying to win him over, no matter what demands he makes, attempts should be made, and there’s no need to worry about angering him.

Because Akumal’s "non-violent..." ideas have united Nagariel to some extent, but also limited themselves.

He wouldn’t get angry, as that would cause his ideas and people’s faith to collapse.

Apparently, the Federation people still don’t know they are Akumal’s ideological enlighteners.

Lynch nodded, "I know what to do."

Austin wanted to say something, but ultimately didn’t.

Soon after, around ten o’clock, Akumal arrived.

Lynch stood on the steps, watching Akumal appear on the street outside the door, surrounded by hundreds; they were all dressed in snow-white robes, barefoot, giving an inexplicable sacred feeling.

Akumal refused to bring his new followers into Lynch’s house, leaving his followers very worried, always feeling that someone would harm Akumal.

But Akumal’s attitude was resolute, the key point being he didn’t believe Lynch would harm him, because they shared similar ideas and Lynch had opened this door for him, resolving many of his doubts.

"You certainly won’t harm me, will you?", Akumal stood at the foot of the steps, looking up at Lynch, "I’m not worried, it’s them worrying."

Lynch looked at the crowd, smiled, and nodded, "Yes, I won’t harm anyone, nor have I ever done so."

Akumal turned to look at the followers, maintaining a calm demeanor; his voice was small, his pace slow, able to calm people down, "I said, Mr. Lynch won’t harm me, after we chat, you’ll see me again."

The followers, after a moment of silence, collectively sat cross-legged outside the gate of Lynch’s house.

Then Akumal stepped on the stairs, slowly walking up to Lynch, joking, "Your step edges are too sharp, they’ve made my feet sore."

Lynch extended his hand, "Because you’re not wearing shoes, Akumal, the necessity and correctness of social development always rightfully progresses; wearing shoes, they won’t cut your soles."

Akumal countered, "I’m not used to wearing shoes, I know wearing them is correct, but it’s not suitable for us, we haven’t done so since childhood."

He also extended his hand, clasping Lynch’s hand tightly.

"You’ve changed a lot since the last time we met!", Lynch turned to invite him inside the house, "You’ve become more of a leader."

Akumal laughed, "Charisma is actually deceiving; people are just influenced by various emotions, and you possess many labels, hence they think it’s charisma."

"Labels, am I right?"

Lynch nodded, "Yes, labels."

To the Nagariel people, this is a borrowed word, as they have no local term for "label."

The universal language of the world is continually updating, with each country releasing updates every year with new vocabulary. As technology advances, society will continue to bring forth countless new words.

Upon entering the hall, Akumal was momentarily stunned by the decor, "This looks more magnificent and noble than the Royal Palace!"

Lynch walked over to the chair with him and sat down.

There was a small round table between them. The Nagariel people don’t like sofas; they are accustomed to sitting in rattan chairs from childhood, including royalty. It’s the standard.

They only sit in rattan chairs and only go to rooms with sofas when hosting foreign guests.

Lynch had no special preference for softness or hardness; he preferred harder things, perhaps because his bones were hard.

"Have you been to the Royal Palace?"

Akumal shook his head, "I’ve seen it from the outside, and even now, I can recall the sense of awe I felt when I saw it."

"You might not quite understand that kind of awe..."

"I understand!", Lynch interrupted him directly, "Your people are still mired in poverty, yet the nobility enjoy a lifestyle beyond your wildest imagination. That’s what awes you, isn’t it?"

Akumal was slightly startled, then nodded his head, "I thought you couldn’t feel that way."

Lynch couldn’t help but laugh, "I was poor once too. When I couldn’t even scrape together college tuition, the wealthy squandered money that could change many lives without a second thought."

"Akumal, that’s life!"

"You know, not too long ago, the Federation Government contacted me, and they hoped I could persuade you, bribe you..."

Akumal looked at Lynch in a daze. He had fantasized many times about meeting Lynch again, but never imagined Lynch would say such things.

He didn’t know how to respond; the unexpected situation made him uncertain about the unknown future.

After a while, he sighed, "I didn’t expect they would value me so much!"

"That also means you have succeeded!"

Servants brought in tea and pastries. Lynch picked up the cup, took a sip, then took a small bite of the pastry.

Then he placed the pastry on the edge of the plate, "Because you succeeded, people are wary of you."

"You realized your former ideals and found a direction for the rise of the Nagariel people, but now you also face more complicated situations and choices."

"What will you choose?"

Akumal fell into contemplation. Lynch didn’t rush him. After four or five minutes, he looked up at Lynch, "The flame I ignited, I won’t extinguish it myself."

"The future of the Nagariel people is here. In my heart, this country, this nation needs it. I cannot be so selfish..."

Lynch continued, "Even if it means sacrificing yourself to elevate this ideology?"

Akumal nodded, "Yes, I really don’t have any pursuits left."

"I’ve seen many things, participated in the Youth Party, attacked the Royal Palace, worked as a laborer for you, went to the Federation."

"Of course, I also have to thank you, Mr. Lynch. With your help, I learned the Federation’s advanced ideas and advanced social model."

"More importantly, you all made me understand one thing: we must change!"

"No one can save us. United Development Company cannot, the Federation Government cannot, those legislators you elected cannot, and the international community cannot!"

"The only ones who can save us are ourselves!"

Lynch nodded in agreement after hearing these words, "You have grasped the core of the matter, and that’s also why the Federation Government is wary of you."

"Your ideology seems unrebellious on the surface, but in reality, it is more radical than any radical idea."

"Those armed factions and the like only want power, but what you want to bring people is freedom and sovereignty."

Akumal laughed and said, "This is my mission...," he paused, "Let’s not talk about that, how do you think I did?"

"There are really not many people here with whom I can discuss these matters. They merely believe in every choice I make; sometimes I suddenly feel very lonely. I really want to chat with someone, and you are here just in time."

"What direction do you think we should take next to achieve our long-term goals more rapidly?"

Lynch gave him a suggestion—

"International influence, you need to make more people understand your ideology..."