For those in power, the worst mistake is constantly shifting their stance.
When those at the top change their position too often, it forces those below into a passive and reactive role. It might not seem like a big difference, but subordinates can’t handle risk as well as their superiors. If the leadership flips too quickly, the ones below can’t keep up, and that leads to hidden dangers and real losses.
Just a few days ago, Governor Sedel was hinting that everyone should go all out against Lynch, assuring them not to worry because he had their backs. Now, word has co from the holand asking him to ease up, to let Lynch take over this project, and through it, obtain the secrets of the Federation’s latest generator.
Can he do it?
Technically, yes—it’s just a word. But realistically, no. If he does, people won’t trust him again, and he’ll lose his authority.
A ruler who doesn’t follow through on their word cannot be trusted or relied upon. Without the people who support him, he’s left with nothing. And this situation involves more than just loyalty—it’s a matter of competition.
In environnts where competition is obvious, those in power must act as unwavering symbols—banners that must never falter.
Beyond that, if the Federation succeeds in their first major project here—especially while facing adversity and still beating the Gephra Chamber of Comrce—it will embolden the Federation’s capitalists and deal a heavy blow to Gephra’s dostic businesses.
If the Allia region adopts the Federation model, it will bring serious trouble to Gephra’s rule.
Governor Sedel and the nobles back ho may not want to admit it, but they must acknowledge one thing: the Federation’s system is more attractive than Gephra’s.
Freedom and equality—those beautiful words—are too seductive. The idealistic masses believe in them almost entirely.
Settle’s face was grave. He was thinking through his options. First off, abandoning the fight was out of the question. As long as he’s Governor, he’ll never let the Federation cause trouble here.
Secondly, he didn’t believe the ssage from ho was real. It was a bargaining chip—a smokescreen. When the ti ca, they could always find a reason not to follow through.
As he pondered, the sudden ringing of the phone made his hand tremble.
That never used to happen. But ever since he beca Governor of Allian Province, unexpected calls would jolt his heart and cause his hands to shake.
It was the damned anti-governnt groups—bringing bad news after bad news. There was a ti when just hearing the phone ring made him angry and fearful.
He let it ring twice before picking it up.
It was the Emperor.
The purpose of the call was obvious. “We need this technology,” the Emperor said.
“It could save us billions and solve regional power shortages. We need it!”
Governor Sedel was silent for a mont before replying, “But this shouldn’t co at the cost of the Empire’s interests.”
“The Empire’s interests?”
“Who says they’re being sacrificed, and how exactly?”
“Why am I the last to know that using Federation technology equals betraying the Empire?”
The Emperor’s tone had turned irritable. He felt Sedel was missing the point.
He knew about Settle’s previous actions and opinions, and hadn’t objected at the ti. Politically speaking, it was indeed necessary to suppress the spread of Federation ideals like freedom and equality within a hierarchical monarchy like Gephra. Promoting those ideas here would be asking for rebellion.
But weren’t the circumstances different now?
This was a concrete benefit. The more developed a country is, the more advanced its use of electricity becos.
No one knows if a new energy source will appear in the future, but for at least the next 20 years, electricity will be the dominant trend.
Sedel countered, “I have to consider regional stability. The locals here aren’t Gephrans. The Federation’s ideas are highly inflammatory. If we can’t suppress Lynch and his people now, they’ll replicate everything they did in Nagaryll.”
“You didn’t appoint Governor so I could take a vacation. If we lose control and let them agitate the locals into full opposition, we’ll have no choice but to escalate the conflict.”
If the locals yearn for freedom and begin expressing it openly, then the only options left are suppression—or massacre. And Sedel didn’t want that to happen. He had to prevent it before it even started.
He spoke seriously. Lynch, and the Federation’s Joint Developnt Company—what they did in Nagaryll wasn’t exactly a secret.
Allia is even more complex than Nagaryll. At least in the beginning, Nagaryll’s people weren’t on the Federation’s side. And yet, in the end?
They still beca puppets of the Federation—used to attack their own royal family, storm the palace, and even form a so-called National Party that murdered the king!
Yes, to Sedel and many others, the National Party—who invaded the palace and killed the royal couple—was just a Federation-backed organization. They used these locals to get rid of a troubleso king and bypass nurous obstacles.
Under the Federation’s manipulation, all in the na of freedom and equality, the people of Nagaryll had dared to kill their own monarch!
The locals in Allia already hate Gephra as an invader. The constant uprisings prove that. These people are easily swayed by hatred.
Only by crushing their hopes and making them accept their fate can they be brought under the Empire’s control.
Show them even the slightest hope, and they’ll beco unmanageable.
If Lynch wins this already semi-public competition, it will an that even imperial systems and rules can’t hold him back. That’s dangerous.
If a lion fails to assert its dominance over the savannah from ti to ti, even the wild dogs will start barking at it.
“This region is a cornerstone of the Empire’s strategy,” Sedel said. “Compared to so unproven patented technology, I need Your Majesty to stand with .”
“We can afford to burn more money every year—but we can’t afford to lose Allia!”
“As for what you want, I don’t see that as a problem…”
“We can discuss direct importation. There’s no need to let Lynch succeed. The Federation’s capitalists aren’t like the people we know. They’ll do anything for money.”
“If they can manipulate votes and elections for profit, they’ll sell out their principles for the right price.”
“As long as we offer a big enough order, there’s nothing they won’t sell.”
Sedel had clearly convinced the Emperor. After a mont of hesitation, the Emperor finally responded, “Perhaps I should listen to you. Allia is your territory—I’ll just offer my perspective.”
“You won’t be disappointed, Your Majesty.”
“I hope not.”
After hanging up, Governor Sedel pressed his lips together and looked at his son sitting nearby. “I need you to go to the Federation. We can’t just defend against Lynch’s offensive—we have to strike back.”
“Contact the company that holds the technology patent. Tell them that if they’re willing to cooperate with us, all thermal power units in the Allia region will be sourced from them.”
“Also, I vaguely rember hearing that Lynch isn’t exactly clean. Maybe you can dig up so trouble for him?”
His son nodded. “I know what to do. I’ll have soone book the ship tickets right away…”
“Then… I’ll head out now?” The young man stood up, ready to leave unless the Governor had more to say.
The Governor nodded. After the young man left, he dialed another number. Soon, the local Chamber of Comrce chairman arrived at the study.
“Governor…” The chairman, who once tried to humiliate Lynch, now looked nothing like a powerful figure. His flattering smile stripped away any air of dominance typical of a wealthy man.
He held a small box, placed it on the desk, and gently pushed it forward. “Just a little sothing—I hope you’ll like it.”
It was almost customary for nobles to accept gifts from commoners. In the past, even the commoners themselves were considered property, so gifts and bribes were often indistinguishable.
The Governor opened the box. Inside was a gold artifact—judging by its color, not very pure, and thus not very valuable.
But its value wasn’t in its purity—it was an antique, a relic.
The Governor nodded without expression and closed the box again. He turned to the chairman. “Have you been feeling the pressure these past couple of days?”
Whatever he knew, these businessn also knew. They were backed by various nobles. In Gephra, businessn without noble support had little chance of success.
The chairman gave a dry laugh and nodded. “Yes, Governor. So pressure.”
He had just offended Lynch. A change in stance might an little to the Governor, but for the chairman, it would be a disaster.
He had already made an enemy, and if things turned, he would not only lose his dignity and reputation, but also beco a laughingstock—or even lose everything. A man who has lost face shouldn’t hold a high position.
Pressure? It was imnse—crushing.
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