Darkstone Code-Chapter 827: People Can Only Rely on Themselves

The hundreds of square meters of the bath pool only served one person, the King who lay in the pool, relaxing his nerves with the hot water.

When he was first found by the Federation people, he was actually very nervous, so frightened that he nearly wet himself.

He thought the Federation people wanted to kill him; he almost confessed that he was just an impostor. It was fortunate that the polite attitude of the Federation people prevented him from saying things he shouldn’t.

Because of this, he got the life he has now.

Unlike other royal members in this Royal Palace who lived in fear, thinking that it was only a matter of time before the Federation people would rush in and kill them, just like they did with the old King!

Yes, until now, many members of the royal family believed it wasn’t some party or faction that killed the old King, but the Federation people.

By eliminating the old King, they achieved their ambition to control this country with a puppet. When they deem it appropriate, they would remove the remaining royal members, and Nagariel would truly be finished.

Everyone lived in fear; the Federation wouldn’t allow royal members to leave, which served as a sort of intimidation.

Only the King himself knew that there’s no need to be afraid. Even if the whole world wished for their end, the Federation would hope they continued to live well and prosper.

Otherwise, how could they prove their actions towards Nagariel weren’t for power and gain?

During these years when he replaced the Eldest Prince in studying, he didn’t just do nothing; he learned a lot of knowledge. Although he seldom interacted with others, he wasn’t without communication and wasn’t a fool.

In this cold country and cold Imperial Palace, there was no one more reliable than the Federation people.

He was thinking about the things he discussed with the Federation people—

When the time was right, he would get out of here, retire early, and go to the Federation to enjoy his later years.

The Federation also agreed with him, giving him a new identity and a large sum of money, enough to spend extravagantly for a lifetime.

Five years at most; that was the promise given to him by the Federation people.

Thinking of this, his originally dim life became so bright and he couldn’t help but smile.

But at this moment, chaotic footsteps disturbed him.

No one should come to see him at this time, and the footsteps were heavy.

The maidens in the Royal Palace were not allowed to wear shoes to prevent their shoes from damaging the gemstones embedded in the floor, so those girls walked without making noise.

Those who made noise were only men, and everyone knew his little "habit"; no one would disturb him at this time.

Startled at heart, the still pool water centered around him, causing ripples to spread outward.

He suddenly sat up and opened his eyes, but it was already too late.

A chill went from his rear to the back of his head as an invisible power brushed him, causing him to shiver.

The Eldest Prince looked at the impostor lying in the bath pool without showing any abnormal expression; his identity was not suitable to be revealed right now.

If those who supported him realized they had actually been supporting the Eldest Prince all along, their faith would collapse.

The Eldest Prince didn’t know what would happen to them in the future, but he himself would surely die, and be killed by them.

"Cooperate with us, and you’ll live,"

"Don’t cooperate, and you’ll die. Understand?"

The "loose" guards in the Royal Palace were intentionally set by the New King for the Federation people to see. With plenty of Federation people stationed outside, he wasn’t worried about anyone intruding.

He just didn’t expect that not only would someone sneak in, but also find him.

A few footsteps approached from afar, and a few people found their way here. The Eldest Prince turned to face those people, "Take him away, I’ll come out in five minutes."

This was planned; with the person kidnapped, someone had to "take responsibility."

They learned from Amelia’s resistance organization’s experiences, realizing they needed to leave some evidence to show that they were behind this, so they could gain fame, receive aid, and recruit more people.

These people silently pointed guns at the King. The New King could only put on a stone-cold face, get dressed, and follow behind them.

After they left the bath pool, the Eldest Prince walked to a wall.

On the wall was a creature with the figure of a human and the head of a beast with eight hands; it was an image of a deity from the native religion, holding eight treasures in its hands. The Eldest Prince pressed down these arms in order, and the idol and the wall behind it slowly opened up a space. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

The operation of this vault had a sequence; any wrong step would fail, plus the other idols in the Royal Palace could also move their arms and legs. Anyone who didn’t know the details inside wouldn’t know there was a vault under the bathroom.

Three minutes later, he emerged, his pockets filled with items, including a fist-sized gemstone and a bank deposit certificate.

Early the next morning, people finally noticed something amiss—the King was gone!

Once the Federation learned of it, they immediately arranged for a thorough search inside the Royal Palace, and the results were very worrying. Within half an hour of discovering the King’s disappearance, news of his abduction spread among United Development Company’s senior management.

Lynch was having breakfast when the phone rang on the landline not far from him.

"The King has been secretly kidnapped. They say they will send a videotape to the TV station by noon today. Please watch it on time and join our phone conference at eleven. The number is..."

Lynch took out a pen and jotted down a number on a note.

After hanging up, he called Mr. Truman and shared what he knew, "Some Civil Party has kidnapped the King. Is there any further news?"

Mr. Truman told the people in the office to leave and closed the door, "We’ve investigated this Civil Party. It’s said that the former King and Queen were killed by the leaders of this party. They orchestrated the previous attack on the Royal Palace."

"When we traced it back, we found that this Civil Party is actually the former Nagariel Youth Party."

"As for the current situation over there, I haven’t received much information either. We’ll have to wait for further updates."

After Mr. Truman finished speaking, he paused and asked, "Is there any news from United Development Company?"

The Nagariel United Development Company’s infiltration into Nagariel is more profound than that of the military and government; they have permeated every industry and region. The company might have information that even the military does not possess.

"No, but the board will hold a phone conference at noon. I think it very likely has something to do with this event."

"After it ends, tell me what transpires during the meeting, if possible..."

Neither of them had any further insight on the matter. They exchanged the limited information they had and hung up.

At eleven o’clock, the phone conference commenced, and Lynch joined it from his study.

There was silence; everyone was waiting for updates.

Around eleven-thirty, the captors delivered the videotape to the TV station, and the phone conference broadcasted its audio every second.

According to professional descriptions, the King was in a very confined room, beaten quite severely, with two armed individuals holding guns against his head.

Following the captors’ demands, he stated their demands.

Briefly, there were two points: Firstly, supporting Nagariel’s people to stand up and resist foreign domination.

Secondly, calling on people to join the Civil Party to fight the Federation to achieve national freedom and glory.

Just as the TV station broadcasted a bit of the news, the signal got cut off.

It was at this moment that Mr. Jeruno’s voice sounded.

"I believe everyone has already learned through their channels what has happened here. Our interests are under unprecedented threat, which goes against our initial plans."

"The facts prove that there still exists a small group of opportunists in Nagariel seeking to overthrow the current ruling class and political structure. Their presence has severely harmed the interests of all parties."

"Given the current situation, I think we cannot fully entrust our property security to the military; we must take responsibility ourselves."

"After all, no one is more concerned about our own wealth than we are."

At this point, a familiar voice came through, "Get specific; what do you mean?"

This was Mr. Pato’s voice, highly recognizable, his accent leaned more towards Gafura.

After all, he claimed to have pure "noble blood," so speaking the common language with a Gafura accent seemed quite natural.

Mr. Jeruno smiled gently, saying, "In fact, I’ve been discussing with several Members of Parliament these days about legally protecting our overseas property safety. Coincidentally, such an incident occurred."

"I plan to push forward a bill named ’Overseas Security Bill,’ which at its core, entails that the armed forces we establish outside Federation territory enjoy Federation military powers and duties..."

Capitalists, especially big capitalists, have never been gentle. The core of this so-called ’Overseas Security Bill’ is essentially predatory.

Lynch’s fierce development overseas made him a representative figure of this new generation of capitalists, though he does not see himself that way.

It is undeniable that his rise was largely due to having armed forces under his control.

Currently, the international situation is becoming treacherous, the military competition between countries has sparked some civilian ’outrage,’ which is favorable for the body politic but detrimental to capitalists investing overseas.

Lynch commands respect wherever he goes due to his manpower and weaponry.

Early and mid-generation capitalists find it unlikely to replicate Lynch’s success; Mr. Jeruno devised an approach.

If the mountain doesn’t move to one’s foot, then it’s oneself who should move to the mountain’s edge.

Once this bill passes, capitalists will be able to legally assemble an overseas military force recognized by the Federation.

Once they gain control over armed forces, the Federation’s capital force’s overseas expansion will become even more unmanageable.