Chapter 301: No One Has It Easy

The red wood is unique to Nagaryll. Its entire trunk is as red as fresh blood, with veins of gold running through it. This special texture gives the wood a sacred nature.

In many religions, gold is seen as a divine attribute. In myths, gods’ blood is often described as flowing golden light or even pure golden blood.

The red wood has its own legends and myths. Some say that where a god’s blood falls, red wood grows, and the gold veins represent undying divinity.

The more gold veins in the wood, the higher its price. Some rare specimens cost several to dozens of times more than gold of the same weight.

Nagaryll is a deeply religious nation. People believe furniture or tools made from red wood carry a divine aura, granting protection from gods during calamities and passage into the divine realm.

This has caused fierce demand for red wood, but sadly, due to its sacred status, it is classified as a protected tree.

Harvesting it requires approval from local temples before such precious wood can be cut.

At first, people may have simply wanted symbolic items to signify status, but over time, some myths have become accepted truth.

After a brief inquiry, Lynch moved on from the topic, addressing subjects that interested Mishehaye and others.

“Let me share some of my plans…” Silence fell in the hall. Aside from distant musicians playing soothing, ethnic melodies, only Lynch’s voice filled the space.

The hall’s architecture was carefully designed. Lynch’s position was not at the exact center, but clever construction allowed his voice to carry clearly to everyone present.

Every civilization has its merits. Even if some have fallen behind, they once led their era. The Federation doesn’t count, as its history is short.

“I will prioritize solving the factory issue immediately. I don’t know what can be done here. Transporting raw materials from elsewhere for processing here would skyrocket costs, so I prefer goods sourced locally.”

“These matters require further observation and exploration before I can conclude. Overall, I remain optimistic about Nagaryll’s future. It offers fertile ground for capital growth. I foresee more investments settling here.”

“Though we can’t start manufacturing immediately, we can begin doing business.”

“Longan wood, spices, animal pelts and claws, fine gems, gold, silver, even copper—I want them all. Weekly settlements, payable in Valier, Federation Sol, or other accepted currencies.” He paused as if remembering something. “We also accept war bonds that appreciate in value.”

Lynch held countless bonds. Mentioning them didn’t mean they were worthless. On the contrary, as the Baylor Federation gained stature internationally and diplomacy increased, exchange restrictions on these bonds were easing.

Gephra offered to buy them back at half face value. Lynch had already profited but remained greedy, confident in future opportunities. Most bonds remained held, with only a few timid holders having sold out.

If locals were willing to buy these bonds, Lynch saw no problem. It was a voluntary trade. If Gephra later refused redemption, that was their authoritarian fault. Lynch considered himself a victim too.

Thinking this, he found using the bonds a good idea. Perhaps these people preferred bonds with growth potential over cash.

As Lynch finished, someone asked, “Mr. Lynch, do you want pelts from all animals?”

The speaker was a stout man. Lynch glanced around. Nearly half the guests were corpulent, some extremely so.

This contrasted sharply with Baylor’s elite, where top social classes maintained strict diets and exercise. It was rare to see obese leaders there.

Most cared deeply about their health, some living like ascetics, even practicing fragmented rest periods believed to benefit the body more than continuous sleep.

Federation elites and Nagaryll’s upper class had very different attitudes toward self-discipline.

Lynch nodded without hesitation. “Pelts from all animals. But I must clarify: pelts from fierce beasts and rodents won’t have the same price. Size, ferocity, and pelt quality determine value.”

“If you capture a live beast, healthy and uninjured, it can also be traded.”

The crowd listened intently. Most of Nagaryll’s territory was grasslands and jungles, home to abundant wildlife.

Previously, hunting was avoided due to danger—jungle creatures from tiny insects to giant snakes could be lethal.

There was no need to risk life for food when agriculture thrived here between temperate and tropical climates.

Seeds sown in the soil grew abundant crops with minimal care. Thus, venturing into jungles was unnecessary.

But now, things were changing. People were willing—willing or forced—to enter the wilderness.

The fur trader stepped back satisfied with his question answered. Another rose to ask, “Mr. Lynch, what are your requirements for spice procurement?”

Lynch continued answering questions as if he had come to distribute wealth.

In a study room at the back of the hall, the provincial governor sat behind a desk reading materials about the Baylor Federation and Lynch’s actions there.

He had thoroughly investigated Lynch and, incidentally, learned more about the Federation.

Seeing that the Federation had maintained isolationist policies until recently, he felt a vague sympathy—they too practiced isolation, avoiding contact with the world and foreign interference.

But that sympathy was limited.

The room also held his five sons, though he had more.

He had nine sons and seven daughters. In Nagaryll, capable men could support many women, a sign of their status, never condemned.

In another province, a 71-year-old governor’s main pursuit was expanding his lineage, now with over 200 children and 300 grandchildren, requiring many to serve daily family needs.

Compared to that, the governer Drag was simpler.

“What do you think is the purpose of Mr. Lynch from Baylor Federation coming here now?” Governer Drag set down his papers, removed his glasses, and reclined.

He watched his five sons, his most outstanding children. The girls didn’t count; in this male-dominated society, women held no real status, regardless of birth.

Nagaryll faced change. World wars had exposed dangers to this isolated, backward nation. They believed they could not withstand modern weaponry.

Some domestics desired reform, but such thoughts were faint, unable to ignite even a spark, much less a blaze.

The decaying ruling class feared change. Breaking class barriers risked their destruction as new rulers rose, so everyone avoided the issue.At this crucial moment, Lynch didn’t choose more suitable or stable countries for investment but stepped straight into the quagmire of Nagaryll. Drag could never guess Lynch’s true intention.

Was he really here to do business, or to cause trouble?