“Father!”

Hearing that word finally calmed Drag’s heart. He looked back at the convoy disappearing into the night. Lynch was truly gone.

They had talked all afternoon, but didn’t have dinner together. Lynch had given that time to him and his family.

Just a minute ago, Lynch had dropped him off outside a standalone villa in an upscale neighborhood in downtown Eminence City.

The villa was small—compared to his old provincial governor’s mansion.

But it felt more like a home.

It was a strange, indescribable feeling. And when his family greeted him at the door, when his eldest son called out Father, he let out a deep breath.

He was safe now. And secure.

Lynch had spent the entire afternoon talking to him about life in the Federation, and warning him not to misuse any remnants of his former power.

Back when they were trying to win Drag over, the Joint Development Company had given each provincial governor a small share of stock.

It wasn’t much, but it wasn’t little either. The annual dividends came out to over a million. It was a kind of informal guarantee.

As long as they aligned with the Federation, they might lose their potential—but not their livelihood. In the Federation, money worked better than power.

But he couldn’t treat it like a real board position, or return to Nagaryll to do business. The corporation wouldn’t allow that—unless he wanted to disappear for good.

Once he understood the full picture, Drag experienced waves of complicated emotions that eventually settled into a sigh.

At least he still had his life—and his family.

He turned to look at his eldest and youngest sons. These two were his favorites. And now, they showed no trace of Nagaryll.

His eldest wore trendy clothes Drag couldn’t quite understand and had a very fashionable haircut. Even more unbelievable—he was wearing several earrings.

In Nagaryll, only priests tattooed or pierced their faces. Ordinary people never did that.

His second son stood farther back, his face showing little joy. He seemed unhappy that Drag hadn’t let him stay behind in Nagaryll.

Then there was the youngest, and his two daughters, all standing obediently nearby. His wife stood in the back.

She had changed the most. No longer wearing traditional Nagaryll clothing, she now dressed like a typical Federation woman.

That contrast annoyed Drag for a moment. He felt these clothes were wasted on her. But the irritation quickly faded.

Everyone changes. He would change too—into something he once despised.

If even he would change, why should he blame others for doing the same?

“I’m here,” he said, after a short pause before his family.

His eldest son immediately gave him a hug. “You’re finally here, Father. We missed you so much…”

The family entered the house. Dinner had already been prepared. The Security Council had informed them that Drag would be home for dinner, so the maids had made a lavish meal.

After a quick wash and change into casual clothes, Drag sat down at the dining table.

The table was filled with food—about half of which he didn’t even recognize. It all looked exquisite, and the aroma filled the room.

The maid pushed a cart around with various sauces and sides, serving the seated family members.

“Father, how are things over there?” his eldest son asked before the meal began.

Drag shook his head. “The Federation is like a pack of greedy hyenas. They won’t allow any real change or progress there. That’s why I left early.”

“It’s just a shame about your brother. He still doesn’t see the reality. I tried to convince him to come back with me—but he refused.”

He had told his third son everything—the good and the bad—and let him decide. But the boy still chose power, even if it was hollow.

The fact that he didn’t follow Drag to the Federation made Drag feel a bit guilty, but that emotion didn’t last. As a former ruler, he managed his feelings better than most.

“Let’s eat. Enough about me—tell me how life has been for you all here.” Drag skillfully changed the subject. The more they talked about Nagaryll, the more it highlighted his own failure.

If he were truly capable, he wouldn’t be sitting here. Some might say no one could’ve done better—but others were still trying, weren’t they?

So he changed the topic.

“It’s actually been pretty good,” his eldest said, putting down his knife and fork after thinking it over.

“Our assets ensure we live comfortably here. In the Federation, as long as you have money, you can buy anything.”

“Delicious food, attentive service, everything for a life of pleasure—even political help.” He looked at Drag. “You may not know this, but when we first arrived, one of our neighbors complained about our race. They even tried to organize a vote to kick us out of the neighborhood.”

“But… we spent a little money. Found a local city councilman in Eminence, gave him some support, and he fixed it.” 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

“I think we should do something. Otherwise, the money will run out eventually…”

Drag listened carefully and set down his utensils, face serious. “No. We will do nothing.”

“Our money, along with the dividends from the Joint Development Company, is enough to keep two generations living in comfort. There’s no need to waste it chasing things that don’t matter.”

“Bringing that kind of talk to the dinner table is my mistake. Let’s eat,” he said, picking up his utensils again. Only then did his children and wife begin eating again.

The dinner was quiet, but at least it was abundant.

After the meal, his second son went straight to his room. The two daughters and youngest son followed after asking permission. Drag and his eldest son went to the study.

“A brand-new study. After we set it up, we’ve only cleaned it regularly—no one has used it,” his eldest son explained, knowing Drag’s habits.

Drag nodded in approval. He sat down and patted the leather armrest. These Federation chairs were indeed more comfortable than his old wicker ones—at least they didn’t poke him.

Once his son was seated, Drag turned his attention back to him. “I understood what you meant at the dinner table. But let me warn you—it’s best not to go down that road.”

“The Federation will not allow us to do anything we’re not supposed to. If you pay attention to the various levels of government, you’ll notice that in the key positions, there are no immigrants, no women, no minorities.”

He had already commissioned a report on this before arriving, and Lynch had subtly warned him in the afternoon—don’t even think about regaining power here. At least not for him or his son.

It wasn’t a reminder. It was a warning. He understood that very clearly.

His son struggled to accept it. Since arriving here, he had drifted through life. Now that he’d found a new goal, his father was crushing it.

“I don’t get it. Are we—and our descendants—meant to live like caged animals forever?” His voice was bitter. He suddenly envied the brother who stayed in Nagaryll. Maybe he wasn’t truly free, but at least he had some freedom.

Drag rubbed his temples and shook his head with a squint. “No. You should become a playboy. Find ways to connect with the children of the powerful, build relationships with them, and eventually marry into a prestigious family.”

“I can’t. You can’t. Your generation can’t do much. But the next one can.”

“I know you’re unwilling to accept this. I’m unwilling too. But we have no choice.”

“If you want to play this game, then you must enter it as a player.”

“Your child—that’s the player. Not you.”

The next morning, people from the Security Council came to see him. It wasn’t bad news. They informed Drag that the Council would be responsible for his safety in the Federation and recommended he hire additional protection through legal security firms.

The Council could assign agents to serve as bodyguards, or he could hire his own—but double protection was required.

He was important. No mistakes could be allowed in the short term.

They also scheduled him for several TV appearances. Just as Lynch had mentioned yesterday, a so-called “dictator” speaking directly to the public was more persuasive than any official government propaganda.

In the Federation’s lower classes, criticizing and distrusting the government had become a fashionable norm—and the leadership had no intention of changing that.

It was like when parents say something to a child—it goes in one ear and out the other. But when the same words come from a friend, the child remembers and takes it to heart.

In the Federation, the state is the parent, and the people are the children.

The complaints of children mean nothing to their parents.