Blackstone Code-Chapter 606: Hope Lies Just Ahead

That evening, Lynch received a call from Governor Drag.
The call traveled through undersea cables to the Federation, and from there to Gephra, with almost no delay, prompting Drag to marvel at the wonders of technology.
“I’ve read the letter you had someone pass on to me. I choose the second option.” Governor Drag was not someone who hesitated or wavered. Though often cautious and prudent, once he made a decision, he acted immediately.
Most rulers shared this trait—they didn’t constantly change their stance and miss every opportunity as a result.
After his son said what he did, Drag knew some things could no longer be salvaged. And if they couldn’t be salvaged, there was no use trying—that would not serve his interests.
Besides, he no longer intended to remain in his position. The earlier changes in Nagaryll were still within his grasp to understand and manage, but recent developments had far exceeded the limits of his thinking.
For instance, free literacy programs and job provisions. Before the Federation arrived, none of the previous rulers, nor the Preyton Trading Company, nor the so-called
third ruling class
of foreigners, had ever considered letting the Nagaryll people acquire knowledge.
Ignorant people are the easiest to rule. You could claim
the gods said so
, and they would obediently follow any command.
Their uneducated minds wouldn’t question anything from their rulers. They lacked the intellectual tools for that. All they knew was obedience.
This was why Nagaryll had remained undeveloped for so long—the ruling class was too addicted to manipulating the ignorant to maintain their power.
The Federation’s approach was beyond comprehension. They were actually teaching the people to read and write. That, in fact, was why the newspaper had such massive influence.
Before, literacy was confined mostly to the privileged and ruling classes. Ordinary citizens had no access to education. Newspapers and magazines were not really meant for the masses.
Even if a few commoners could read them, they rarely caused any real stir. As for the privileged and ruling class, they weren’t going to turn on themselves.
But now, too many people were literate. A single newspaper and a few articles had sparked a mass youth movement across the country. The Federation’s tactics had caught the Nagaryll rulers completely off guard.
But weren’t the Federals afraid?
They’d unleashed a wild beast. What they used to overthrow Nagaryll’s rulers today could one day be turned against them. Weren’t they worried?
Drag wanted to ask Lynch if he was afraid. But in the end, he didn’t.
He could have asked, and Lynch wouldn’t have refused to answer. In fact, he would have explained that the Federation wasn’t afraid. Years of internal political struggle had equipped them with deep experience in infighting—experience that could easily be turned outward: turn enemies into allies, then fight them as insiders.
Use that strategy on the Federation?
Federation capitalists would teach those low-wage Nagaryll workers what it meant to
respect their inner feelings
.
“I’m glad you made the right choice. When do you plan to make your announcement?” Lynch was very pleased. Being the first to advocate for independence brought many benefits.
Aside from Drag’s own interests, once the Joint Development Company approved the motion, Lynch’s work would be complete. His efficiency would impress the board of directors.
To show the advantages of taking the right stance at the right time, internal resources would be redirected toward Lynch, and he would benefit as well.
He had expected Drag to take more time to struggle with the decision. The quick commitment was a pleasant surprise.
“Hmm… I’ll make the national announcement by the end of this week. I just need to make some preparations. Also, there’s something else I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Go ahead.”
Drag paused to organize his thoughts. “Once things settle down, I plan to have my son take over my current role.”
“All that’s happened lately has left me exhausted. My condition isn’t good—I could break down at any moment. I need some rest.”
He added cautiously, “Once my son is settled, I plan to go to the Federation to be with my family. I believe I’m eligible for a pension now, right?”
Drag could already sense that the coming “struggles” in Nagaryll would only intensify.
As one of the last rulers to emerge from political, religious, and theocratic power struggles, he could smell the lethal storm brewing.
If the monarchy collapsed and the country fragmented into independent regions under the guise of public opinion, the Federals wouldn’t stop. They would turn their blades on the rest of the ruling class.
Eventually, they’d purge the entire leadership of Nagaryll and install their own puppets—not thinkers, but obedient dogs.
That process would be bloody, brutal, and merciless. Drag was tired of it all. He just wanted out.
Lynch answered without hesitation. “Where you go is your freedom, my friend. But the Federation is undoubtedly your best choice. You’ll love it there.”
He paused. “I’ll be waiting for your good news.”
The next day, newspapers across the world ed what had happened: the Nagaryll royal family had sent palace guards to attack unarmed civilians gathered in the plaza.
Photos showed people beaten bloody, soldiers—supposed to protect the people—mercilessly assaulting them.
The clash left 71 dead and over 1,000 injured, shocking the world.
That such brutality could happen in a supposedly civilized society was appalling. Public opinion overwhelmingly condemned the Nagaryll royal family as mad, power-hungry tyrants willing to murder civilians.
Subsequent s detailed the country’s many injustices: whenever a ruler traveled, police would beat and drive pedestrians off the road with batons to clear the way.
Backwardness, ignorance, and social decay were laid bare. International hatred toward the Nagaryll monarchy peaked.
It was now April, and the international financial market shifted as well. The Valier currency suffered its sharpest drop since last year—over five percent.
In response, the Federation’s press secretary held a briefing. As a diplomatic ally of Nagaryll, the Federation would help stabilize the situation, while also condemning international speculators for fanning the flames.
The spokesperson said they had already arrested several domestic rumor-mongers and would prosecute them fully—those who threatened peace would pay dearly.
“Listen, ladies and gentlemen, Nagaryll’s situation will soon stabilize. I have an inside source…” At a private cocktail party in Eminence, a stockbroker was sharing some information.
As he looked around at the crowd of investors—some powerful, some ordinary—he felt a thrill.
The moment he said
inside source
, the room went quiet. Everyone knew how powerful insider information was in the financial world. They listened, holding their breath.
“Word is, the Federation’s Second Fleet is heading to Nagaryll to help restore order. Once the unrest is quelled, everything will return to normal.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, now is the perfect time to buy the dip. High-quality assets that are usually invisible are now everywhere. It’s far less risky than futures. I’ve already sold the house I just bought to go all in on this.”
“If prices rebound, my assets will double. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, ladies and gentlemen!”
At home and abroad, every cocktail party and investment salon, every stockbroker was doing everything they could to spread one message: Valier wouldn’t fall—it would rise again.
And there was some factual basis for this optimism. For example, the Federation’s Second Fleet had indeed set sail and was heading toward the waters off Nagaryll. All of this indicated that the widespread
insider information
wasn’t false.
Once again, people threw themselves in with overwhelming enthusiasm. Despite the domestic turmoil that should have caused Valier to plummet, it defied the laws of the market and rose instead.
When people go mad, they can unleash terrifying power.
Also in Eminence, Lime let out a deep sigh of relief as he looked at his nearly emptied account—he had sold off all his Valier holdings, and it was far easier than he expected.
The moment any selling appeared, buyers would scramble for it. He didn’t know what fate awaited those people, but he knew he had just taken another step toward his dream.