Darkstone Code-Chapter 980 - 978: Moving Too Fast Isn’t Always a Good Thing

Chapter 980: Chapter 978: Moving Too Fast Isn’t Always a Good Thing

Speaking of Nagariel, one cannot avoid mentioning a person—Akumal.

"I never expected he used to be our employee!" After wrapping up the slightly heavy topic, Nell spoke about Akumal, who has gained some fame worldwide.

"If I had known he would become such an extraordinary person, I would have talked to him more. Perhaps when people talk about him in the future, they’ll also mention me."

This indeed excited Nell, as Akumal has provided him significant help at work. At least, the idea of "exchanging labor for reward to improve people’s lives" has started to widely spread along with Akumal’s "love of life" philosophy.

People no longer regard "working for foreigners" as a betrayal of their nation and ethnicity. Everyone takes pride in working for foreigners and receiving a reward.

The societal transformation speed in Nagariel has surpassed people’s expectations, and Akumal has contributed greatly to this.

Nell laughed and said, "I heard the Federation Government is going to give Akumal some kind of award."

"World Peace Contribution Award." Lynch nodded slightly. Not many people knew about this because it hadn’t been fully confirmed yet, and there was no domestic publicity or information leaked out.

In Nagariel, however, some public opinions have started to circulate, suggesting the Federation will thank him for his outstanding contributions to advancing and maintaining world peace.

Giving him an award is only natural. It might help more Nagariel people see where "forward" truly lies.

Lynch casually responded a couple of words, avoiding saying something that would upset Nell.

Akumal’s development has exceeded people’s expectations, or rather, Nagariel’s society has undergone a series of changes in its evolution and reform, causing people to feel lost along the way.

They need a form of thought, a spirit, guiding them through the fog without losing direction.

Akumal is just such a person. He can guide everyone, like a lighthouse or a guiding star.

The greater his influence, the closer he might come to self-destruction.

The Federation’s awarding him is already a statement. Akumal is actually very dangerous, though he himself isn’t aware of it.

The Federation Government has employed various shameless tactics to finally break Nagariel’s ruling class, preventing them from forming a unified stance, yet Akumal unexpectedly is heading in this direction.

His influence and appeal are beyond the Federation Government’s anticipation. If he continues this way, it might very likely lead to the formation of a new religious structure similar to a "party" centered around him.

Nagariel people might achieve real unity in another form, particularly in thought, will, and spirit. This is absolutely not allowed.

He can promote his non-violent, non-revolting ideas, but absolutely must not congregate!

If he cannot realize this himself, his path will only grow shorter.

It had been a long time since Nell chatted with Lynch, and he was quite enthusiastic, maybe because he’s doing quite well now and can hold up "father’s" dignity in front of Lynch.

The two talked for more than half an hour before Nell stood up to say goodbye, as he had to return to take care of his three wives.

As he left, Nell sat in the car, seriously contemplating the issues Lynch mentioned.

For the first time, he tried to think about Lynch’s words from a different perspective, no longer outright rejecting them but truly considering the possibilities of doing so.

Provincial Governor?

Legislator?

Sitting in the car, Nell smilingly cast his gaze onto the bustling street outside, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, due to someone surrendering, Nagariel’s armed police quickly found the bodies of several other girls and arrested all those involved in that gathering.

These people were almost all from the ruling class, and surprisingly, there was also one Federation member mixed in.

Due to the special nature of the case, the entire case was transferred to the Royal Capital for investigation and trial.

At this time, the United Development Company also held a phone meeting internally, mandated for all shareholders to participate. If someone was unavailable, they must send a representative.

"I believe you’ve all seen the recent news. Some among us are secretly engaging in some underhanded actions..."

Mr. Jeruno’s voice remains as chillingly cold as ever. Besides the standard tone variations, no emotional content can be found in his voice; he’s like a robot without body temperature, making others feel uneasy.

"Perhaps many people don’t know what happened, actually we don’t know either, until these past few days when that Federation person was caught."

"There’s a thief stealing our wealth, an intolerable matter; I don’t want this issue to involve our shareholders, especially those I know."

"If you are involved, it’s best to tell me now, give me a hint so it doesn’t turn out ugly later."

The silent receiver showed no sign of sound, and Mr. Jeruno’s voice softened slightly, "It seems that person is not among us, that’s good news; I don’t like being harsh on allies, as it’s not my style."

"Perhaps you don’t know what the matter is; let me briefly explain..."

Federation merchants secretly establishing upper-level connections, reaching out to rulers to help transfer properties, acquire some contraband not listed in customs, severely damaged United Development Company’s interests.

Mr. Jeruno is very angry. He can allow the company to lose money, himself to compensate, but cannot allow anyone to challenge the rules jointly set by everyone.

This is very important; the existence of rules not only protects others but also oneself. If someone tramples on the rules without consequence, more people will dare to try trampling them.

Not to mention these people are indeed stealing money, gradually smuggling out the wealth accumulated during the ruling class era, which should belong to the United Development Company!

What, do you say it belongs to those natives?

Once the natives die, it becomes ownerless; whoever discovers it first, it belongs to them!

No one can discover them faster than the executioner chopping off the natives’ heads and bending down to find them.

After Mr. Jeruno finished speaking, the quarterly meeting originally scheduled for next month began.

United Development Company’s senior managers began reporting the company’s operations this month and the dividend situation shareholders could receive.

United Development Company operates uniquely, more like a "buyout system," where the entire development work in Nagariel is handed to the company, and some major shareholders buy out the full development rights for specific areas by paying a fee.

Those shareholders holding development rights in their hands naturally can earn more money. How about other small shareholders?

Besides sharing the buyout money submitted by major shareholders, they can engage in trading activities in various regions according to the shares they hold.

For instance, Drag’s eldest son utilized Drag’s shares within the United Development Company to engage in specialty trading on Lynch’s territory, dealing with items like gold, gems, leather, spices, and more.

Perhaps the trade volume isn’t large, but it definitely makes money. Not to mention transporting goods from the Federation brought surprises to the expanding market of consumption.

To a certain extent, Nagariel people’s consumption ability is several times that of the Federation—

They can put all their earnings, aside from essential living expenses, into consumption, something Federal people cannot achieve!

As long as the market here becomes more prosperous, and local people’s earnings increase, their consumption ability will explode signficantly.

Besides those with shares being able to engage in free trade here, others must apply to the United Development Company for approval before engaging in trading activities.

What kind of trade they can conduct, and how much, is regulated.

Now someone secretly bypasses them to engage in trade. The company has been mentally prepared for this since its inception, yet it emerged beyond expectations.

Because the other side not only stealthily engages in business, but has taken it to the ruling class, which is simply a provocation to United Development Company’s order.

In the report, all shareholders listened intently, since it involved how much they could earn in the second quarter, an important matter.

Since there isn’t any local tax institution in Nagariel, to some extent, all foreigners’ trades are tax-free; what they earn is what they keep, without tax authorities taking a cut.

Alongside some credit policies from the Federation, everyone is very concerned about their own business.

Finally, Mr. Jeruno reiterated his viewpoint.

"If that person is among us and is embarrassed to come forward now, that’s fine, give me a call later, explain your reasons to me, and I will forgive you."

"This is the last chance. I also hope none of us make such a foolish decision..."

While the conference call commenced, the Royal Capital in Nagariel was experiencing the largest protest in Nagariel’s history.

People were furious but hadn’t lost reason. They loudly voiced their demands, yet the case personnel couldn’t hear.

It’s not by definition "unable to hear," but too noisy to distinguish who said what.

Looking at the dense crowd, every armed police officer felt some scalp numbness, as a single mishap would have them torn into pieces by those outside.