Darkstone Code-Chapter 689 - 0686 Transformation

Fight, then cease, then fight again.

Smoking on the truck, Akumal stared at the distant rising smoke and then heard the sound of explosions.

When he had just arrived in the Amelie Province, he felt tense; the situation here was far more precarious than in Nagariel. Every day, intermittent gunfire echoed, and an unfortunate guy in the convoy was hit in the leg by a stray bullet while fetching water.

People were terrified, uneasy, and fearful, but soon, they adapted.

As long as they stayed away from the city’s fringes and avoided nearby Gafura people, they would be safe.

Those snipers targeted Gafura individuals specifically, staying away from the Gafura patrols ensured no trouble.

During this period, the convoy was not assigned any tasks, leaving everyone in a state of idleness, but the leader assured that even if there was no work, the two-dollar daily wage would remain unchanged!

Of course, this referred to skilled workers like Akumal, the truck driver. Ordinary workers were only paid one dollar and twenty cents, Federation Sol.

Such a life was quite enjoyable, doing nothing yet still earning money. Some even hoped the situation here would worsen, allowing them to laze around longer.

Explosions in the distance accompanied by intense gunfire, yet Akumal’s mind wasn’t occupied with that. He puffed on a cheap cigarette, a luxury he could now indulge in to comfort his restless soul.

Is armed resistance to authority meaningful?

He exhaled, watching the thick, poor-quality smoke twist under a weak current before dissipating, resembling his chaotic thoughts at that moment.

Initially, some occurrences here altered his perspective. Perhaps when the armed resistance gains enough strength, it might indeed shock these authorities and reclaim their rightful belongings.

National consciousness, dignity, and freedom.

But as the suppression and resistance continued to push forward, he started feeling confused at this point.

These resistance groups had fought for days, yet aside from causing chaos on the city’s outskirts, they couldn’t penetrate the Empire district nor expel the Gafura within. It seemed they held a massive advantage since the city outskirts were dominated by them.

But Akumal always sensed these resistance groups were quite weak; it was a peculiar feeling, yet he felt it.

No political status, no ability to voice concerns; their ideas and actions couldn’t be perceived by others, let alone garner understanding and more support.

He felt lost. Is armed resistance really worthwhile? Does it apply to Nagariel?

In his bewilderment, the leader suddenly ran over, pounding on the truck’s door, startling the driver inside.

According to company rules, even if drivers have no assignments, they must stay near or inside their trucks during working hours, or else face deductions.

It ensured the convoy was ready to mobilize any time, which proved highly effective at the moment.

"Move, everyone move, boys, to the pier!" The leader directed the convoy, the trucks immediately roared to life and headed to the dock.

Someone stuck his head out to ask the leader, "Boss, what are we going to do?"

The convoy leader was a Federation person but not a strict one; he wasn’t arrogant enough to shun communication with Nagariel people, showing friendliness at times.

Despite disliking being called ’boss,’ the Nagariel workers adored addressing him thus, as ’boss’ symbolized status in their eyes.

A broader smile appeared on the leader’s face, "Supplies arrived, someone over there will explain specifics, we’ll commence work soon!"

The workers immediately speculated, hinting that something had shifted since they’d start working soon.

A slightly educated Akumal instantly recognized looming changes in the situation here, perhaps Lynch, their boss, had struck a deal with the Gafura people, or some other reasons.

The Amelia Region had multiple rivers, some directly linked to the estuary, allowing small cargo vessels to enter.

Over half an hour later, the convoy arrived at the dock, except for massive stacks of goods, numerous soldiers in Federation uniforms were gearing up.

While unloading, Akumal offered a cigarette to a mover and engaged in small talk, "What’s the situation?"

As the mover puffed and caught his breath, he replied, "No idea, this is the third batch, seems the end is distant, at least a thousand or two have come."

Akumal’s expression grew somber; indeed, something transformative was underway.

Over the following days, gunfire within and outside Zhulis City never ceased, and numerous anti-government militants were hunted by these incoming Federation mercenaries, subsequently publicly trialed and executed.

Akumal witnessed this more than once; sometimes, the captured were so numerous that their bodies needed trucking to the power plant for incineration, necessitating the convoy’s trucks.

When he first saw that scene, Akumal’s lips blistered from the heat.

Countless locals were tied to a plank, ten planks to a set, fixed on a movable base. These people stood facing the citizens who came to watch, while someone read out their charges.

Most were charged with crimes like destroying public city facilities, colluding with the enemy, aiding the enemy, assassinating patrols, and then publicly executed.

The Gafura people finally felt triumphant at that moment. They raised their rifles and, amid suppressed cries, decisively pulled the trigger, killing all captured individuals.

It’s said that not only were these people captured, but many others were sent to labor camps for forced labor. Their charges varied widely, but the most common were failure to report, and inherited crimes—their relatives joined anti-government armed forces, so they were guilty, but the compassionate Governor Sedel allowed them to live, only they must atone for themselves and their families through labor.

These days continued for about half a month. After half a month, the sporadic sounds of gunfire disappeared, and no more incidents of patrols being attacked occurred.

The Gafura began organizing patrols in the city again, even at night, without fear of retreating to the Empire zone.

All of this is related to a military agency called "Darkstone Security." Whenever Akumal thought of this, he would glance at the emblem on the left side of his chest.

It’s a black triangle, with three cracks within, beneath it, "Darkstone Construction." He knew the company he worked for and Darkstone Security shared the same boss, Mr. Lynch.

This often jolted him awake from nightmares during this period. He deeply realized that force could not change anything!

Look at the resistance organizations in Amelia. They have advanced weapons and large numbers. It’s said many of these resistance forces even received military training, and at one point nearly captured a small town.

But even then, what’s the use?

After the more professional military agency intervened, they could only flee miserably. It’s said many main bases of the anti-government forces were destroyed, and many people fled abroad.

They dare not come back. Those with Darkstone Security badges on their chests are efficient and ruthless. Using force for resistance has no future!

He thought of the situation Nagariel currently faces, the nation divided, rulers now puppets. Even the newly appointed king seems to have lost the will to resist.

In such circumstances, is resisting the Federation’s invasion with armed forces valuable?

Will there be good results?

No!

There can’t be!

Akumal knew clearly, even if the best weapons and military advice were given to his compatriots, they wouldn’t fare much better than the anti-government forces here, perhaps even worse.

Resistance of this intensity would only incite the Federation’s brutality, using force for resistance has no future.

During this time, Akumal endlessly pondered how to find a future for Nagariel. He once felt lost, but now he discovered the future.

Thoughts, from thoughts would come peace, change people’s perspectives on Nagariel, change Nagariel’s self-view. Only by becoming strong from within can Nagariel have a future.

He worked while flipping through some Federation books, sensing that he was undergoing a transformation. He firmly believed he would eventually change Nagariel and change the world.

...

Lynch looked through the blinds at the deserted street outside. Besides the occasional heavily made-up girls standing under the streetlights begging, pedestrians and vehicles were few.

"The situation is much better now, Mr. Lynch," a local who sought the Federation’s shelter explained the street’s desolation, "At least we feel safer now than ever before."

"From those I know, I’ve understood their thoughts somewhat; they don’t think... that recent events have intensified hatred."

"Actually, most of those executed were common criminals—robbery, rape, theft, harm... these reprehensible individuals, punishing them doesn’t frighten people!"

Akumal saw only death, but during this time, many executed were gangsters.

Not just in Zhulis, all of Amelia’s gangs suffered fatal blows. Whether or not they committed crimes, they were arrested, then reported by the people.

Initially, people didn’t dare to act, but after a few actors were arranged, people began exposing the gangsters’ wicked deeds.

Those who committed evil acts, regardless of severity, were executed.

Those innocent but gang-affiliated were directly sent to labor camps.

Instantly, societal security became extraordinarily clear, and combined with Governor Sedel’s restraint on Gafura’s actions, Amelia felt like experiencing a storm.

All decayed and corrupt leaves were knocked to the ground by the rain, everything transformed anew.