Darkstone Code

Chapter 686 - 0683 Telephone

The Ministry of Defense’s tough stance has already told everyone what "determination to win" means. Faced with this situation, the attitude within the United Development Company quickly became divided.

Some people feel there is no need to oppose the current Federation Government. After over ten years of escapism, finally welcoming an aggressive President’s Cabinet is quite a rare occurrence.

The capitalists in the Federation have always looked down on Gafura’s capitalists. In the eyes of the Federation’s capitalists, those "peers" in Gafura are merely the lapdogs of power, nothing like the freedom and nobility of Federation capitalists.

They not only control immense wealth but also manipulate elections and push Congress to legislate. Who can become President, which law can be passed, all are up to them.

But this doesn’t stop them from envying those merchants. Having a perpetually enraged Emperor behind them and an aggressive country is actually a good thing for capitalists. Even over minor issues, their Emperor would clamor for war.

Look at the merchants from Gafura over those years. In their own country, they have no power and are like watchdogs, but once they leave the Imperial Capital of Gafura, they disregard local officials in other countries.

Compared to those capitalists who roam internationally, most Federation merchants are cowering within the Federation and dare not run around recklessly.

Showing their sharpness is becoming a trend. More and more radical young people hope the Federation can play an important role internationally.

If the Federation can completely control Nagariel’s military forces, safety will indeed become greater, while also serving as a proper deterrent to some countries.

Where there is agreement, there will certainly be opposition.

Especially when it involves one’s own safety!

During a brief break, someone asked Lynch for his opinion.

Whether it’s Lynch’s current status or the scale of the Darkstone Group, it has already earned him a place within the United Development Company, not to mention his shares aren’t insignificant.

For these people’s questions, Lynch did not give any definite answer but instead spoke of one thing—joint military exercises.

"The global military landscape will undergo a noticeable change..." Standing among the crowd, Lynch already possessed the capital to become a focal point for people. Facing these wealthy individuals, he was calm and steady, not at all like a young person.

Without clearly expressing his intentions, he spoke words that provoked thought, guiding people to ponder, not offending anyone, yet expressing his views, certainly a young person who could genuinely impress others.

"The Victorious Nations Alliance’s joint military exercises will inevitably touch the sensitive nerves of the Defeated Countries from this world war. If I guessed correctly, some of these countries should follow up with public military reform."

"To some extent, the world war also highlighted the issues of various countries. In the coming years, there won’t be any actual large-scale wars, but another form of warfare and even regional friction will certainly exist..."

Lynch spoke with vigor. He had the Talent to make others focus their attention on him, patiently listening to him. This was a Talent, as well as a kind of charisma.

"A very fine young man!", Mr. Pato looked at Lynch from the periphery of the crowd and said to Mr. Wardrick, "Clear goals, and though his views are unique, they are insightful."

"International trade is bound to become the trend in the future; we will rely on national power more than ever before!"

Mr. Wardrick nodded, agreeing with this perspective.

This is foreseeable; in the future, whether capitalists can flourish in a market that uses the international community as its stage depends more on the strength of the country supporting them.

If national power is strong, most so-called "foreign laws" can be trampled upon.

If national power is not strong enough, then one can only be trapped by various exclusionary policies difficult to break free from.

After a brief recess, the meeting resumed. It was unknown how the Ministry of Defense and the Military Industrial Group convinced the Opposition Sect during the intermission, but eventually, nearly everyone’s opinions became unified.

Next, this should be incorporated into the plan for Nagariel’s reconstruction. As members of the United Development Company, naturally, they also need to contribute a bit of effort.

In the evening, Lynch dialed the phone number of the Provincial Governor of Drag. About two minutes later, the call was answered.

This phone number is the Provincial Governor of Drag’s private line, with few people knowing it. Thus, when he answered the call, he didn’t display the air a Provincial Governor should have, even appearing somewhat mediocre.

"This is Drag..."

"It’s me, Lynch."

About two seconds later, the voice of the Provincial Governor of Drag came through the receiver, "Mr. Lynch..."

He didn’t continue speaking, not because he didn’t want to talk, but because he didn’t know what to say.

Emotionally, he should not feel any gratitude toward Lynch. After all, Lynch came here, cast the bait, and the most hateful part was that he bit into it, resulting in Nagariel’s downfall.

This statement isn’t said lightly; Nagariel really is going to be destroyed. Once the new Nagariel is established, it essentially means the demise of the nation!

This sometimes makes the Provincial Governor of Drag feel remorseful. He shouldn’t have greedily wanted too many benefits from Lynch, causing the entire country to be dragged down.

This can only be blamed on Lynch’s appearance being too deceptive - who would’ve thought that such a young body hid an old, cunning soul.

Lynch’s tone and emotion showed no fluctuations, "I have some matters to inform you about. Just now, I attended a meeting held by the Ministry of Defense."

"Given the current chaotic situation in Nagariel society, the Federation Government has decided to help Nagariel improve this situation. The Federation will dispatch some troops to station locally in Nagariel, assisting your police in maintaining social order while protecting the safety of those in power and us, the investors."

"Personal safety, and financial safety."

In an instant, the blood pressure of the Provincial Governor of Drag surged dramatically, his face turned quickly red, and the veins on the back of the hand tightly gripping the handrail twisted.

This is no "assistance"; it’s outright invasion!

Without a doubt, from Lynch’s words, he heard a different flavor - Nagariel is indeed finished!

Yet, this was within his expectations, only he hadn’t thought this moment would come so quickly, so... irresistibly.

The tense body suddenly relaxed, slumped in the chair, then began to sweat profusely.

The heavy breathing in the receiver reflected the intense inner turmoil of the Provincial Governor of Drag at that moment. But for Lynch, he didn’t feel any guilt or burden.

Weak, yet greedy, fate was predetermined.

"If... I mean if, Mr. Lynch, if someone disagrees?", the Provincial Governor of Drag still held on to the last sliver of hope.

For Nagariel, Provincial Governors are akin to local emperors, the highest ruling class. He couldn’t believe all ruling classes would agree to the demands of the Federation people, lay down all arms, and allow those holding guns in control to stand behind them.

Having psychological preparation and facing reality are two different things.

It’s like some people, when facing a yet-to-arrive difficulty, say things like "how much worse can it get?" or "at worst, death".

But when reality truly arrives, people will still feel timid, want to escape, and eventually have to panic when confronting the worst conclusion.

Lynch’s voice remained unperturbed, just as it was before, "Then we will replace the ruler, you know, that’s very easy for us."

The last hope shattered, the Provincial Governor of Drag felt some abdominal pain. When facing crucial life decisions, people often become tense, leading to some muscle spasms.

He leaned forward, akin to bending over, rubbing his face with his free hand. Power is so wonderful; when it truly comes time to give it up, he found it hard to let go, nothing like the carefree attitude he initially imagined when contemplating this possibility.

About twenty to thirty seconds later, his abdominal pain eased a bit, and he straightened up, "I think I understand..."

"Mr. Lynch, once this period ends, I plan to pass the position to my son. I want to go to the Federation, I’m already old, and my current job often prevents me from sleeping well, I frequently have stomach pains..."

His voice carried some desire; he was afraid there might be more disturbances in this matter, such as the Federation not allowing him to abdicate immediately or similar things.

He listed some things he was undergoing, like stomach pain. This was real; the Doctor told him he had serious gastritis due to prolonged emotional anxiety, though he didn’t understand how emotions correlated with gastritis.

It’s time to truly leave, cut off everything here, and being a wealthy Federation person without worries also seems good.

Anyway, he and his descendants can enjoy a prosperous life, perhaps this is the best conclusion.

Lynch didn’t oppose his request, "Certainly, I respect your decision, but everything must wait until its conclusion."

"I understand. Making some arrangements now should not affect the progress of these proceedings?"

"Certainly!"

Ending the call, the Provincial Governor of Drag slumped in his chair, his stomach pain not easing because of the call’s conclusion but instead intensifying.

He opened the drawer, retrieved a small bottle of tablets, all things from the Federation.

The Doctor advised him to take medication regularly, but he didn’t take it regularly. Instinctively, he mistrusted these things, only remembering them when the pain was unbearable.

Taking out two tablets, he swallowed them dry, and a minute later, the pain eased, his face’s pained expression softened somewhat.

Sitting idly at the desk for quite some time, he despondently smiled a bit, picked up the phone, "Call the Young Master to my study..."