Blackstone Code-Chapter 435: Why Not Eat Meat Paste?

“Have you packed everything?”

In the hall, Drag looked at his family about to leave, feeling reluctant but powerless under the circumstances.

The Federals had defeated the Gephra, revealing to him that for a small, helpless nation, Mr. Preyton and Mr. Lynch were essentially no different. At this moment, a thought crossed his mind that even he found laughable.

Preyton Trading Company and Mr. Preyton were slightly better than the Baylor Federation, Mr. Lynch, and the many Lynches following him.

Though Preyton controlled all imports and exports in Kingdom of Nagaryll, making customs almost meaningless and everything subject to their rules, at least their greed was limited to trade profits.

Now, pushed by Lynch and tempted by interests, they had fallen into the Federals’ trap. The Federals helped them drive out one dog but sent in a pack of hungry wolves—hungry lions, even.

At least Preyton never threatened the rulers of Nagaryll at year-end meetings, demanding entry or threatening to burn everything down.

But the Federals did. Lynch shouted he would fight his way into Nagaryll and, after defeating the Gephra fleet, Drag deeply regretted it.

Not only him—others also regretted giving in to greed and pushing for this diplomatic establishment on his advice.

But now it was meaningless. Given the environment, Drag’s choice wasn’t exactly wrong. He and other rulers sought to use Lynch and the Federals to counterbalance Preyton, hoping for more trade autonomy. There was nothing wrong with that.

Lynch showed no blatant aggression; he just wanted to invest and build factories. But his investment couldn’t be transported because Nagaryll wasn’t part of the allied countries.

Each decision made at every event node was right—seeking industrial autonomy and greater processing capacity.

What was wrong was connecting all these decisions, which gradually drifted off course, further and further, into boundless distance.

The children looked reluctantly at the house symbolizing their status. Only Drag’s third son smiled broadly; no one expected this succession struggle to end so quickly. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Drag didn’t test their abilities longer but directly chose his third son as heir. The others were sent to the Federation, along with the rest of the family.

This was part of a private agreement with Lynch: the Federation would provide each family member with reliable protection and grant them citizenship.

No one expected that Drag was now a full-fledged Federal citizen. The social security bureau even allowed him to pay the highest tier of social insurance at once—for himself and family—so he could start collecting a pension in a few years.

He did this for self-preservation.

When he discussed these matters privately with Lynch, they talked about the honeymoon period between Federal developers and local rulers.

At first, development sparked prosperity, giving society a hopeful outlook, whether in the Federation or Nagaryll.

But as development deepened, conflicts emerged. Society fractured, and power clashed with capital on this backward land.

Capital was terrifying—it drove Gephra’s global reach and made the Federation a maritime power. It could make chaste women shed their dignity and force promiscuous ones into virtue.

Money, beyond being just money, had an even scarier name: desire.

Unequal power struggles would bring no good to Nagaryll’s rulers, only bad. Ultimately, capitalists, greedy for resources, wouldn’t hesitate to overthrow disobedient rulers. Ř𝘼ΝОΒƐŠ

Lynch told Drag frankly the fire was already lit; it was only a matter of time before those blocking the Federation’s interests were crushed.

So Drag signed a special contract, overlooking some loopholes in exchange for a chance.

Whether for peace of mind or Lynch’s assurance, the family had to be sent to the Federation.

Standing on the steps, Drag sighed softly at the young faces. “Go quickly. Write to me once you arrive. When the cables are laid, we can speak directly.”

His third son grinned wide, unexpectedly joyful in a moment meant for sadness. Watching his two disgruntled, confused older brothers get into a car and disappear, he finally breathed easy.

“In two days, Lynch will arrive. Do you remember what I told you?” Drag looked older in that instant as he watched his family leave. He cleared his throat and didn’t return inside but headed to the front gate. “Come out for a walk with me.”

His departure alarmed the on-duty butler, who planned to summon police for an escort. Drag refused.

He also had his son and their guards change into civilian clothes, wanting to see the place for himself.

He was curious why this seemingly worthless land attracted Lynch and the Federals’ capitalists so much that they risked a deadly naval battle with Gephra to come here.

He wanted answers—he didn’t want to lose blindly.

“I will respect Mr. Lynch as I respect you…” the third son replied humbly, though he didn’t quite believe it.

They changed clothes. Following the butler’s instructions, the guards kept some distance as Drag and his children stepped outside.

Drag felt disoriented—as if for the first time, he was outside his home on foot. Though just a few steps, it felt different.

He paused and looked back at the mansion, feeling a stirring of unfamiliar emotions.

Turning again, he walked on. “You’re smarter than your two brothers. You avoid their weaknesses and learn from their strengths, so I chose you.”

“But this position isn’t easy, especially now. We face a future more terrifying than you can imagine.”

They left the path, stepping onto the main road.

Behind them lay manicured gardens, but as they emerged, a smell of earth and dust hit them.

Drag coughed violently several times before steadying his breath.

“There’s a problem. The Federals are coming soon. They want something here, but do you know what?”

Drag gestured around them. “It’s hidden here. Can you find it?”

It was a question even Drag couldn’t answer—he sought his son’s insight.

The young heir didn’t speak but began observing seriously. Neither father nor son had the heart to talk now; they watched everything.

This observation differed greatly from before—previously, police would chase people away before they arrived, so they saw nothing.

This time, with no police to clear civilians, the raw reality of society revealed itself.

In the roadside gutters lay several emaciated old men, flies buzzing around. Nearby, wild dogs watched them, occasionally licking one of the elders’ faces.

Whenever the old men waved their arms, the wild dogs quickly scattered, only to return shortly after to lick their faces again.

Noticing Governor Drag’s gaze, the butler quietly explained.

The weather was too hot, and the elderly were in poor health. Every summer, many died from the heat.

To avoid dying from heat, especially those without families, they sought out places with water to lie down and used the dirty water to cool themselves.

Drag knew the lower classes lived poorly and occasionally cared about them, but he had never seen this side—one that made his heart race with unease.

“Don’t these people know to use well water or go to the river to cool down?”

The butler was silent for a moment. “Sir, you may not know—these people can’t afford wells. Public wells are rare in the city, and even if there are some, the water isn’t necessarily cleaner than this.”

“All nearby rivers are your private property. Without your permission, no one is allowed within a kilometer of the riverbank.”

Drag was silent for a moment. “Then why don’t they buy water? I recall we discussed water prices last year.”

The butler sighed softly. “Sir, they have no money.”