Mr. Geruno’s first question was directed at Mr. Patric, which was unsurprising.
No one can be truly fair and impartial—not even the Federal lifeti judges, who can be swayed by external factors. Geruno was no impartial judge; he was a capitalist.
His ultimate goal was profit, so fairness wasn’t his priority.
Geruno and Patric were on the sa side, sharing similar backgrounds. Both descended from the first wave of immigrants whose ancestors built prominent families by slaughtering natives. They had much in common.
Because of this, Patric sided with Geruno. They didn’t intend to carry out genocide in Nagaryll; their goal was to push for the legalization of slavery within a limited scope.
Note: they were not trying to promote slavery internationally or federally, only seeking permission from the Kingdom of Nagaryll governnt to legalize slavery there.
Their wording was subtle—no slave capturing or killing, just keeping slaves with ambiguous origins, enough to et their needs.
Mining, whether tal or energy, requires vast labor and carries high risks.
The cost of using regular labor differs greatly from using slaves. If a backward, ignorant country like Nagaryll allowed slavery again, they’d avoid moral stains since it was internal policy.
Nagaryll was so backward they even believed in false gods, so why not roll back history?
The Federation never interfered in other nations’ internal affairs. They neither suggested nor resisted; they’d just watch Nagaryll pass this law.
As outsiders, Federation people would obey the law there—they were moral exemplars and defenders of law.
Once Patric spoke, the balance of opinion shifted. Even those undecided might sway because the first speaker’s clear stance often shaped the majority view.
People warned themselves not to be misled by rash or inaccurate information, yet often were—especially by initial impressions.
Geruno’s aim was to make people believe his side was the majority and the strongest, regardless of the truth.
He wore a confident, sowhat proud smile as he awaited Patric’s response.
Patric glanced at Geruno, feeling a bit guilty but, for the allure of the money, he spoke honestly.
“Thank you, Chairman Geruno, for allowing to speak first. I do have so views on this topic…”
Nearby, Mr. Wadrick frowned, eyeing the quiet Lynch. He debated whether to wait to express his differing opinion later or to respond sharply right after Patric.
Waiting would avoid direct conflict and not anger Patric but might be too late—people’s opinions might harden.
Speaking up imdiately would correct attitudes quickly but would offend Patric and Geruno’s camp.
After weighing options, Wadrick decided to wait for his turn. For him, whether Nagaryll’s people lived or died was irrelevant; as long as he profited, nothing else mattered.
What surprised him was that Patric had been swayed.
“Social progress isn’t achieved by one person’s awakening but by everyone’s efforts. I’m grateful to my parents and God for letting be born in the Federation, in a civilized society.”
“But Nagaryll clearly isn’t civilized: it’s barbaric, cruel, violent, ignorant, backward… I could apply every negative word to describe it.”
“However, we can’t abandon it just because it’s less advanced than the Federation.”
“Regarding Nagaryll and its locals, I suggest a relatively strict approach but with so tolerance. We should guide them to beco a thriving civilized society, which is also one of Joint Developnt Company’s goals.”
“We’re cultivating this market, gentlen. In just three months, by incomplete statistics, Nagaryll’s once desert-like grassroots market has begun showing potential for prosperity. Mr. Lynch’s products selling well prove our initial decisions were right!”
“That’s my view, Chairman and fellow directors.”
Patric leaned forward slightly, lowering his chin in a subtle salute.
He never clearly stated his position but used the ambiguous phrase relatively strict but with tolerance.
In reality, he made his stance clear while leaving room to backtrack.
He changed savages to locals. The forr carried clear hostility; the latter, though disdainful, was less hostile.
Combined with the final note of tolerance, Patric’s position leaned completely opposite to Geruno’s.
Geruno looked at Patric oddly—just recently they’d discussed this by phone, and Patric expressed interest in using slaves to cut already low labor costs. Now he’d reversed.
Geruno didn’t explode. He’d seen too much in decades—anger, joy, frustration, sorrow. Experience made him calm. Like those who first can’t find a door but never lose it once entered.
What piqued Geruno’s curiosity was what had changed Patric’s mind.
“A splendid speech,” Geruno comnted, then casually asked, “Are you the speaker for this year’s religious ceremony, Mr. Patric?”
He understood but couldn’t stay indifferent, so he teased.
Patric smiled, “If they invite , I don’t mind. I’m a loyal believer.”
Laughter spread quietly. Regardless of belief, all capitalists were standard theists.
Not out of fear or to court mainstream religion, but because religious groups were custors—and their money was easier to earn.
Like foreigners in Nagaryll marrying locals to sell goods better, capitalists attended church on Sundays with Holy Books to be accepted by religious groups, hoping their prayers appeared in religious newspapers’ headlines—no problem then.
Everyone was devout; their faith was in money, not God.
The eting’s mood lightened; shareholders at the back smiled more, though they were the unluckiest.Many of them didn’t even have the standing to take sides; they simply followed whichever side was stronger.
But when trouble ca, they definitely couldn’t escape.
Now, with the atmosphere so relaxed, they just laughed louder, as if that could maintain the current situation.
After a few more speakers, Mr. Wadrick was called upon.
Unlike Mr. Geruno and Mr. Patric, Wadrick’s family wasn’t as distinguished.
Though his family had risen early, they still lagged behind the first-generation immigrants, lacking any notable glory.
No strange collectibles, no shocking old photos. Their wealth and status were close, but they struggled to fit in with those elites.
They were all the sa kind of people. There’s an unethical rumor that the first head of the Aginel family wasn’t a noble lord but a servant.
He killed the noble lord at sea and took his place, having no noble blood, only servant blood.
But families like Aginel and Duncan were a faction. They found it hard to get along with the newly rich capitalists, who they thought lacked heritage—just as the newcors mocked them as rigid and old-fashioned.
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