Blackstone Code-Chapter 449: This Is a Foreign Country

The father and son chatted idly. For Nail, who was leaving the country for the first time, it was a completely novel experience.

People in the Federation have plenty of access to foreign information—foreign tapes, foreign news programs. Every citizen seems to carry a sense of “I know more about the world than God himself.”

You could interview anyone on the street and ask their opinion about a country, whether they actually knew anything about it or not. They’d always manage to string together whatever bits of information came to mind and offer their judgment. They thought they understood the world, yet most had never set foot beyond the Federation’s borders.

“I hated you before I came here, Lynch!” Nail said bluntly, without holding back. “You kicked me into this godforsaken place, but now I’m grateful. This place is heaven!”

Nail had clearly let go. After Lynch discovered his affair with his secretary, their relationship had taken on a strange new form. No longer strictly father and son, they were more like friends who could talk about anything—except being father and son.

They talked on a deeper level than most, without needing to mind boundaries.

“People here are so warm, you know?” Nail leaned back on the wicker chair, legs crossed, casual and relaxed.

Anyone who knew him would struggle to connect this version of him with the silent, occasionally furious, grimy factory worker he once was.

Money hadn’t just changed his life—it had changed who he was.

“Especially the girls. I’ve never seen so many passionate girls… Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.” Nail stopped himself just as he was about to describe his nightly escapades, suddenly remembering he was speaking to his son.

In Federation families, power dynamics are dictated by economics. Whoever controls the money, controls the family. Lynch had the power now, which was why Nail had grown used to ignoring the usual father-son hierarchy.

That said, in many families, it wasn’t unusual for parents and children to talk openly about sex. In an era of feminism and gender equality, such conversations weren’t taboo.

Lynch waved a hand. “It’s fine. I’m just not interested in your personal life. But I’ve heard dirty people get diseases, so take care of yourself. Otherwise, I’ll dump you on a deserted island in the Eastern Ocean.”

It was a weak joke, but it made Nail shift uncomfortably. He had no intention of being marooned for life over something so trivial. It sounded like a joke, but if that day ever came, Lynch would absolutely go through with it—and make sure he stayed alive the whole time.

That would be worse than death. After tasting such a vibrant life, Nail couldn’t imagine going back.

Lynch glanced at Nail, lowering his voice. “Tell your workers to behave. This isn’t the Federation.”

“If something serious happens—if people die—the Federation won’t protect you.”

“We’re still in the smooth honeymoon period. As long as it doesn’t go too far, the Federation will turn a blind eye. You get what I mean?” Lynch patted Nail’s arm. “Go find a site, not too far and with good transport. Once you’ve got it, let me know.”

Nail nodded and stood. He patted the side of his trousers as if to say something but didn’t. He turned quickly and left.

Once outside the governor’s residence, his expression turned serious.

Life had been too good lately. He hadn’t grasped the severity of things until just now. Lynch’s words, mixed with an unwillingness to admit he feared him, made Nail realize he and his men were in real danger.

The local girls were very forward—so forward they were seducing Nail and his workers.

At first, the men hesitated. They’d never done this sort of thing abroad. There was a sense of national pride, an idea that they were representatives of the Federation’s image. ꞦâΝọ𝖇Ě𝒮 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

But they couldn’t resist for long. The heat didn’t help. Unlike women in the Federation, who could afford but often chose not to wear lingerie, many women here simply couldn’t afford it—and wore light, revealing clothing as they moved through the work camps.

Three days, five days, a week, two weeks—the line was crossed.

When the first moans were overheard, more girls started showing up at camp.

Some wanted money. A bottle of beer was enough. Others wanted nothing—they were simply infatuated with the foreign men.

Looking back, it clearly wasn’t so simple.

The world outside wasn’t safe. The news constantly reminded everyone that there were two types of people who left the Federation:

Those forced out by life, with nothing to lose. They had no families, so they gambled everything on this one shot. If they won, they returned with everything. If they lost, they died abroad. That was the worst-case scenario.

And those who left because if they didn’t work, their families wouldn’t survive. With wives, children—sometimes several—and parents relying on them, they had no choice but to stake their lives for their loved ones.

Most of the workers on Nail’s site were simple, honest men with families. But even the most honest man’s worldview, values, and morals can shift outside his familiar environment.

Hearing local gossip, seeing the changes around them—they’d grown bold and reckless.

Until Lynch brought it up, Nail hadn’t thought much of it. It was all consensual, after all.

But now, he saw the danger.

When he returned to the camp, nothing major had happened yet. The men were lounging in the shade, a few with girls at their sides.

Easy work, generous pay—for these poor men from the Federation, this was paradise.

“Hey, boss is back!” one of them called out, raising his cold beer.

Despite Nagaryll’s poverty, it wasn’t short of modern appliances. The lower classes were poor, but the ruling elite lived far better than average citizens in the Federation.

All the equipment had been shipped in. Hooked up to local power lines, they ran just fine. Nothing beat lying in the shade with an ice-cold beer on a hot day.

Especially with a local girl in your arms.

Federation citizens weren’t overly sensitive about skin color. Nagarylls were dark, but not so dark as to be off-putting.

In fact, a bodybuilding craze had taken hold in the Federation last year. Many people would oil their muscles to a dark shine. Because of that trend, darker skin—along with good teeth—had come to symbolize health, at least among the public. Though, of course, high society never embraced that idea.

A lively beach, shade from the trees, and beautiful women.

But Nail was no longer as carefree as before. He motioned to the deputy manager, who was chatting with a woman, to follow him into the room.

The sudden change in his demeanor created a sense of unease among the workers. A few gathered and whispered to one another, wondering if something had happened. They knew Nail had met with the big boss today—maybe it was about work?

“What’s wrong? You don’t look too happy.”

The deputy manager, also in his forties, was the same age as Nail, and they got along well. When Asel brought Nail in, he had purchased a small construction company to help Nail adapt to his new role. The deputy manager had been the former general manager of that company and knew the industry fairly well.

With his help, Nail got up to speed quickly.

They had worked well together, largely because the company was profitable. When everyone’s making money, relationships across the company naturally go smoothly.

“Lynch talked to me about something—about the girls,” Nail said. “I don’t think we can let them into the camp so casually. Safety aside, what if something causes a conflict…” He bared his teeth slightly. “I’m worried about that.”

The deputy manager frowned. “There probably won’t be any trouble, but don’t worry—I’ll talk to the guys. Leave it to me.”

Nail nodded and patted his shoulder. “Take this seriously. We’re in a foreign country.”

At first, the deputy manager hadn’t thought much of it. But the phrase we’re in a foreign country made his expression turn serious.

They were abroad—no one would come to save them if something went wrong. Federation money only held power within the Federation; it meant nothing out here.

Not long after, the deputy manager gathered the workers and made an announcement.

“Congratulations, your vacation is over…” A chorus of groans erupted from the workers. Seeing their disappointment, the deputy manager realized their morale needed a little discipline.

“You have one day tomorrow to handle your relationships. The morning after, we start work. You understand what I mean?”