Zhuli is the capital of the Amelia Region and the center of Gafura's rule in this area.

Before the Gafura occupied and leased this area, it was neither particularly prosperous nor lacking the essentials of most cities.

Within the bustling city atmosphere lies a tranquil thread; the mottled walls bear the chapters of time, and the gaps of the uneven brick roads hold traces of history.

But now... the situation here is very poor.

Even in the central city district, there are few people on the streets; most of the shops on both sides of the road are closed. Although it's late spring heading into summer, a time when life force begins to bloom, this place is as desolate and lethal as late autumn.

Occasionally, a few pedestrians appear on the road, all with heads down, faces full of fear, hurried steps.

These people... are like people stepping barefoot on an iron plate, every step is filled with panic for them.

This might have something to do with the blood clots in the cracks between the bricks, darkly red with a hint of stink.

At this moment, a convoy approached from the distance, armored vehicles escorting at both front and rear, with the center vehicle being a dark silver matte House Industries bulletproof sedan,

The windows were a deep tea color, making it hard to see inside—a person leaning back on the seat, legs crossed, while another person faced him, saying something.

The person inside was Lynch, the local introducing the governing structure to Lynch. The vehicles were directly shipped over from the Federation.

To be blunt, Lynch did not trust the Gafurans; putting his life in their vehicles would be the most irresponsible act. Coincidentally, House Industries had launched a new generation of bulletproof sedans, Lynch bought several at once, and along with other armored vehicles, they were all shipped over.

Not only is the top of this vehicle bulletproof, but the chassis is also explosion-proof; ordinary bombs might flip the car but would only cause shock and sound damage to passengers inside, not directly harming them.

To promote its safety to wealthy clients who indeed need such luxury bulletproof cars, the deputy chairman of House Industries stuffed his son's family into the car, then detonated two bombs consecutively to prove its reliability.

By the way, there were rumors his son wasn't his, but surely it's nonsense, further not the main reason for staging this "show." Everyone believes the House Industries deputy chairman is a kind old man whose family is loving.

The enhanced safety secured many orders for House Industries in the luxury bulletproof car sector, an unexpected growth triumph amidst an economic downturn.

"Sedel's wife is a member of the Imperial Family; his own identity also ties him to noble blood..."

Lynch raised an eyebrow: "… (content blocked)?"

Though tales always circulate within royal families in some countries, including certain special clans of Federation high society like the Duncan Clan, these things truly stay deeply hidden.

Unless someone specifically digs up the dirt, ordinary people wouldn't even consider this, let alone present it openly—like a local knowing Governor Sedel of Amelia and his wife might have such a relationship; it's improbable.

The person beside Lynch was also taken aback, quickly waved his hand, "My fault, Mr. Lynch, apologies for my unclear expression."

"Sedel's ancestry was once Imperial, although noble, his bloodline isn't pure, so their relationship doesn't count as such."

Then, the local briefly introduced to Lynch how people here judge bloodline relationships.

For example, one person having half paternal and half maternal bloodline, if their spouse isn't directly related, their child could be considered to have a quarter grandparental bloodline, their child's child would have an eighth great-grandparental bloodline, then a sixteenth...

Some countries believe as long as blood ties exceed an eighth, two with the same blood source together won't count as such, stricter places say a sixteenth.

With this explanation, Lynch understood.

"...The Emperor trusts Governor Sedel very much, granting him discretionary power. If you want some contracts locally, you must get Mr. Sedel's approval; otherwise, it will be very challenging."

Lynch listened intently, without immediately responding; he wasn't very familiar with Sedel but it didn't matter. He likes making friends, and believes Governor Sedel would also enjoy making friends.

"His hobbies, the people around him..." Lynch asked a key question.

"Governor Sedel is a very restrained person, not showing any specific fondness—no love for money, women, or men; nor for jewelry or valuables, like an Ascetic."

"Someone tried to befriend him this way before, but, you know, being noble and royal, he simply threw them and their gifts out, completely severing their business options here."

"Additionally, Mr. Lynch, I must remind you, Governor Sedel doesn't favor Federation and Federation people..."

No Gafura noble would have a favorable opinion of Federation people; it's unquestionable that Federation pulled them from the world's military top position; being amicable under such conditions signals real problems.

Disliking Federation people is normal; their Emperor said so too, but it varies by person.

For those capable of acting, they must hold their attitude, showing neutrality even if they dislike Federation people.

"Last question..." Lynch tilted his head towards the local, "Does Governor Sedel have children?"

...

Lynch had been in Zhuli for two days; he should've visited the local Governor on the first day. Per Gafura's governance structure, the Governor single-handedly holds military and political power, plus discretionary authority; he rules alone here.

Even noblemen and the Emperor within the Gafura Empire find it hard to directly affect decisions here, explaining why Lynch previously found negotiations with Emperor Gafura and ministers so easy.

A Governor with noble lineage and discretionary power can resist domestic orders as long as he never leaves.

Lynch surmised he wouldn't need complete resistance if he simply denied Federation opportunities on profitable project deals, leaving less lucrative ones behind, which could result in losses—those handled by Gafura get subsidies, but Federation wouldn't subsidize Federation people to aid Gafura.

File a complaint with Gafura?

Submit a formal diplomatic note domestically?

Possible, but embarrassing beyond words.

As for Lynch slowing Darkstone Security's crackdown on resistance groups to negotiate further?

That's unlikely; simply put, he had a contract with Gafura's Minister of Defense stipulating penalties for failing commitments within timelines, under diplomatic pressure.

These tricks, Lynch didn't mind, claiming no perfect person exists; "perfection" even becomes one's fatal flaw.

The speeding convoy seemed to add something different to the city, some residents standing behind curtains or doors, watching everything outside through small gaps.

...

"Federation people have arrived?" Governor Sedel asked from his study, after completing a day's work before removing his glasses, rubbing his temples absentmindedly.

The always-present butler nodded, "They've been here two days already..."

Governor Sedel nodded ambiguously, opened his eyes, thought for a moment, "Let them wait a few days then; that... Lynch is here too?"

"Yes, sir."

"Lynch..." Governor Sedel muttered, looking down at a document on his desk, concerning Darkstone Security's intense skirmish with a resistance faction in a remote mountain area.

After killing over a hundred, they seized a vast amount of resources and intelligence, while others scattered in retreat.

This was the third resistance faction Darkstone Security had crushed. From the start, they seemed to know their firepower, hidden spots, and best attack angles.

Gafurans hadn't mastered this locally in over two years; how did Federation manage it?

Others might not dare speculate, but as the local authority, Governor Sedel guessed early on that these resistance factions were supported by Federation people.

Now they held no value, so part was cleansed; later, they could again support others as needed.

Some domestic figures thought Federation formidable, but those fools failed to realize it was Federation's ploy from the start.

Knowing all this, how could Governor Sedel possibly like Federation people?

He had no time for their hatred; for over a year, resistance intensified, with many Empire soldiers dying or injured—secret culprits being these Federation people.

Though he couldn't refuse certain matters, he wouldn't readily yield either.

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