Darkstone Code-Chapter 824 - 822: Effort Doesn’t Always Yield Results
In the warm room, people from Nagariel sat together, wearing the clothes most commonly worn by Federation people, speaking the universal language with a touch of Federation accent, and enthusiastically sharing their experiences.
Before coming to the Federation, they thought the Royal Capital was the most prosperous place in the world, and there couldn’t possibly be a place surpassing it.
But after arriving here, they realized that the place they unanimously thought was good, was actually a pile of crap!
Everything about the Federation attracted them, filled with a deadly allure.
Here, there wouldn’t be police using batons to drive them away, telling them to stay away from the roads and the cars.
Here, there wouldn’t be sewage-filled grounds; although some streets had trash, overall they were very clean.
The rulers here couldn’t arbitrarily take people’s property, nor could they beat them. Apart from having some power the Nagariel people deemed worthless, they were not much more noble than ordinary people!
What shocked these Nagariel people even more was that the highest leader of the Federation was actually elected by the people, and they had just experienced such an election!
This was definitely an election that could change their worldview. People voted for the parties and candidates they trusted, and the one with the most state votes would become the highest leader of the country!
Such things could never happen in Nagariel. The rulers were hereditary, freely exploiting and beating civilians, taking their wealth and even their wives and daughters. People lived without dignity, like living corpses.
Only here could they feel the joy of living as a human being.
They could enjoy everything everyone else did, without anyone refusing to serve them because they were Nagariel people or ordinary people.
Akumal sat in the corner, watching people excitedly talk about everything here, about how long it would take to immigrate to the Federation, about everything in the future!
But he was thinking about how to turn Nagariel into a Federation-like place, filled with sweet freedom, making the law meaningful, making equality a reality—
At least making people feel like human beings, not animals.
The conversation gradually shifted to work.
Everything about the Federation was good, except the high cost of living. The company funded this trip to the Federation, giving them a subsidy of fifteen dollars a day, almost equivalent to a week’s salary when they worked in Amelia.
But even so, the money was still not enough; the company provided additional conveniences, like free tickets and some free accommodations.
But all this was not without a price, as there were photographers following them.
They each spent over a thousand dollars during this time, which was why they felt truly happy.
If they understood the life at the bottom of the Federation, they might not think so.
With money in their pockets, the Federation was a Celestial Kingdom.
Without money, sorry, even breathing in the Federation cost money!
The door suddenly opened, and two intimidating bodyguards walked in first, followed by Lynch’s "assistant" Austin, and finally Lynch.
The Nagariel people all stood up, bowed to show their respect and awe for Lynch.
Lynch appeared very amiable, though using this word for a twenty-three-year-old young man felt... oddly peculiar, yet it was the most appropriate at this moment.
He smiled, strode in, gestured for everyone to be at ease, and naturally sat on a separate sofa that had been vacant.
"I heard you’re leaving tonight, so I came to see you off."
"I’ve been very busy lately, didn’t have much time to interact with you. Before you leave, I made some time."
Lynch’s words were generally well-received as they indeed often saw him on TV during this time.
He was always present with the President, even interacting with the President twice.
It was rare for such a big figure to make time to chat with them.
Everyone was grateful for everything Lynch did.
"Our time is limited, so I’ll get to the point..." Lynch didn’t exchange pleasantries much, it wasn’t necessary, "During this time, you’ve heard good things about the Federation, is there anything I can help you with?"
They looked at each other, then a Nagariel in his thirties spoke first, "Mr. Lynch, if we reach the company’s immigration eligibility, can we bring our families too?"
He explained, "Recently I saw some Federation laws, technical immigration supports only the immigrant and their spouse and children, nothing about parents or siblings..."
Lynch shook his head, "Only one family slot."
The questioner couldn’t help but ask, "How can we increase these slots?"
"Of course, have your family work for the company..." Seeing the guy had more questions, Lynch continued before he could ask, "Don’t think only men can work for the company, women can too."
When Lynch said this, except for Akumal, the expressions of the other Nagariel people were somewhat... peculiar.
In Nagariel’s social and religious culture, women always played a strange role, with an odd status.
Although they weren’t regarded highly, many deities in local religions were represented as women in various myths.
With their ability to give life, women’s status would be slightly higher, especially in religious matters and events.
However, socially women were disrespected, treated as men’s appendages, even not regarded as humans in traditional places.
Ironically, in many places in Nagariel, women were the breadwinners.
Men held inexplicably high status, contributing little to society.
Conversely, women were regarded low yet contributed the most.
Nowadays, people admired working for Federation people, but deep down most Nagariel believed only men should have the "privilege" of earning wages from Federation people.
They’d rather see their wives, daughters, sisters selling dignity and bodies for money than work for Federation people for wages.
They didn’t know what they feared, but fear they did.
Sitting aside, Akumal wore a mocking smile. As a Nagariel himself, he knew what they feared.
Nagariel men feared losing status; if women could work and earn salaries, it meant they could catch up or even surpass men socially.
Mind you, most men do nothing, just occasionally spread genes and then idle around.
The reason they could do this was because men had generally higher societal status.
This was due to history, social, religious, and cultural factors.
To maintain this, women mustn’t work.
If women could work and earn, men’s status would plummet, becoming inferior to women.
Clearly, hardworking women not only were more diligent than lazy men; crucially, they carried two "gems" and a "secret," and didn’t mind sharing these with Federation people.
The questioner’s expression showed panic, "Mr. Lynch, I don’t know how to say this, but this is clearly not a smart decision..."
Lynch raised his hand to interrupt, "You’re not qualified to oppose my decision; you can resign after returning or continue working."
He looked at the others, "Who else wants to talk?"
Recognizing imminent changes, someone posed a new question, "Mr. Lynch, do women in the company... receive the same treatment as us?"
Some anxious men perked up at this question; if women’s treatment was less, they needn’t worry about their family and societal status.
Unfortunately, Lynch wasn’t a traditionalist; he was more of a breaker.
"Whoever brings more benefits to the company will get better treatment."
"If any of you can earn me a hundred million, I’ll make you my representative in Nagariel!"
No more questions arose; they only thought how to face this huge shock after returning.
They thought Lynch was somewhat... unreasonable, yet powerless against it.
Seeing no more questions, Lynch let them leave the room, turning to Akumal.
"And you, do you have any little questions I can answer for you?"
He said this with a smile, seeing Akumal differently because he had thoughts and agency, unlike the others.
Akumal stood, bowed, and sat on the sofa beside Lynch, "Mr. Lynch, I indeed have a question that’s been bothering me..."
Lynch nodded for him to continue.
"If one day, we undergo a transformation, will Federation people voluntarily withdraw from Nagariel?"
"If you won’t withdraw, then what’s the value of our change?"
