Chapter 306: Change in Attitude

The issue of the Saintesses was one of Nagaryll’s most embarrassing problems, one the entire society avoided.

Among Nagaryll’s lower class was a twisted value system—cherishing chastity, yet in certain contexts, they act with surprising sexual permissiveness—an obvious contradiction.

Saintesses, having served the gods for years, had lost their virginity. Ordinary families refused to marry their children to such women.

Those willing to marry them lacked the means to support them.

Accustomed to doing nothing all day, the Saintesses took various medicines and studied scriptures in the temple, losing even basic work skills.

Nagaryll was not a wealthy country; one working family member usually supported all.

Every family member had to contribute to maintain a normal life. Those willing to marry Saintesses were poor men who could not afford the burden.

Ultimately, these women became wives to a few men or worked in brothels. Some showed interest in former Saintesses, which was most of their choice.

They could continue their accustomed lifestyle without worrying about survival until they were completely abandoned.

The wagon slowly moved away; the cars by the roadside started again. The onlookers’ mix of awe and curiosity gave everything an oddly distorted feeling.

After resting at the hotel, Lynch received the bill at dinner from Asel.

It was clear Lynch’s mental state had improved; his words in the car had helped. He was returning to work.

“Mr. Hassana demands 100,000 Valier for each leopard-lion pelt, and one million Valier for each living leopard-lion!”

At official rates, 100,000 Valier was about 2,500 federal Sols, but the actual exchange rate made 1,200 federal Sols enough.

One million Valier equaled 12,000 federal Sols—a tenfold difference. No wonder Hassana was furious; the hunters had cost him dearly.

Lynch glanced at the bills and tossed them back. “Tell him it’s impossible. Reduce every figure by one zero; that’s our bottom line. If he accepts bond payment, we can raise it slightly—twenty percent of his price as a floor.”

Raw pelts without processing, labeling, or display had little value. Their worth lay in added value from the market.

Hassana couldn’t provide that, so that was their price.

Asel quickly took notes—his job—and then discussed upcoming schedules.

Various people from Magulana province invited Lynch to inspect sites. Mayor Mishehaye asked when Lynch was free to meet properly.

Some merchants sent samples hoping Lynch would review them, preferably in person.

After reviewing the materials, Lynch decided to meet with Mayor Mishehaye first.

The next morning, thanks to the police chief’s attentive service, Lynch enjoyed the privileges.

On the empty roads, only his convoy moved. People stood along the sides, heads bowed—whether from fear, curiosity, or hatred.

Among them, a child looked up at Lynch in the luxury car. Lynch met his gaze—innocent and curious, calm and unshaken. They locked eyes for less than three seconds before a terrified woman pressed the child’s head down, silently begging Lynch not to punish them for a child’s innocence.

Seeing her near tears, Lynch withdrew his gaze as if nothing happened.

The convoy sped away; the crowd gathered again, their complex emotions fading. This was their life.

Mishehaye’s house sat in the city center. In the Federation, people preferred suburbs while developers bought up central land for profit. Here, the city center meant status.

Those who lived there were respected; only lowly refugees lived outside the city ring.

This made the pleasant journey short. In under half an hour, Lynch sat in Mishehaye’s backyard.

Expert gardeners had filled the space with blooming flowers, a stark contrast to the rest of the city.

Surrounded by blossoms and natural fragrance, a maid served tea and snacks.

Local tea was sweet, unlike the Federation’s floral teas, heavy with honey. Lynch took a sip but lost interest.

Mishehaye drank deeply, refilled his cup, then bit into a pastry. “Many have asked me these days about your investment plans—where factories will be built, when construction starts…”

Lynch watched the pastry crumbs fall on his coat; he seemed unconcerned with his image. “People eagerly await good news, but days have passed without any. It unsettles them.”

He swallowed the pastry, clapped his hands, and fixed his gaze on Lynch. “Shouldn’t we do something? You need to show people you’re here to work, not just to hunt.”

Mishehaye’s attitude had noticeably shifted. A few days earlier, he had been softer, but now, influenced by the governor’s sons, his tone changed.

The governor’s sons competed for their father’s position. Though the mayor seemed close in rank, the gap was large.

They could order Mishehaye to do things he disliked. He dared not resist; his family wouldn’t risk war with the local ruler. If necessary, they’d replace him with someone more compliant.

For the governor’s sons, turning Lynch’s assets into their own was a test. They worked together, assuming Lynch would fall like past merchants.

Lynch watched Mishehaye silently.

His calm gaze unnerved Mishehaye, who averted his eyes while brushing crumbs off his coat. His voice softened, “Only when fire burns hottest does water boil. People’s passion is the same. Acting now has more advantage than later. You understand?”

Lynch nodded slightly. “I understand. How is the city’s power grid capacity?”

Mishehaye blinked, then replied, “We… can handle your electricity needs.”

“But your words sound reluctant.”

Mishehaye hesitated briefly. Nagaryll’s power came mainly from thermal and small hydro plants. Current output met the city’s needs, but a large increase would strain the grid and generation.

Not wanting Lynch’s disdain, Mishehaye shook his head slightly. “No, we can shut down some areas to prioritize your power. So, do you have factory plans?”

Lynch broke off a piece of pastry and ate it. The sweetness was intense; people here seemed blindly fond of sweet flavors.

“A raw material processing plant and a smelting factory. But before that, I need someone to survey where the iron ore deposits are.”

“I’ll place the factories near the mines to save costs. Besides that, there will be a factory producing tools, which we’ll use heavily moving forward.”

“These things take time. If you expect me to snap my fingers and suddenly create factories that employ countless people, you’d be better off praying in the temple than talking to me here.”

Lynch’s tone was neither harsh nor weak, which was exactly what Mishehaye expected.

Young people always resisted submission. Even in Nagaryll, some youths foolishly challenged authority.

“Since you have a plan, we should spread the word to calm the people. Also, there’s something you must know…”

Mishehaye locked eyes with Lynch again. “Are you planning to leave soon?”

Lynch nodded. “I plan to return to the Federation next week. I bought some items from Mr. Hassana. I need to deliver them and handle backlog there. Traveling between the two places will become routine.”

Mishehaye nodded without comment. “Mr. Lynch, though I hesitate to say this, some have betrayed Nagaryll’s goodwill. To avoid bad consequences, I suggest you make a clear statement before leaving.”