"Mr. Lynch, we've been expecting you for some time, please come in." Although the president of the chamber of commerce didn't look pleased, he still extended the invitation.

Lynch took his time to look around, pulling out a box of cigarettes from his pocket, picking one out and placing it in his mouth.

With a "sizzle" sound, his assistant beside him lit a match, covering it with one hand, and brought it up to Lynch's face.

Under the soft lights, Lynch's face was bathed in a red glow from the match's flame, which came so swiftly that it overshadowed the bulb's light in an instant.

He casually took a couple of puffs and exhaled a cloud of smoke, "I'm not from Gafura..."

The president turned his head towards the sign, then immediately flew into a rage, "Who placed this thing here? Remove it at once!"

Saying this, he walked straight down the steps, standing in front of Lynch. "I'm very sorry, Mr. Lynch, it seems there was some oversight in our work, I apologize for that."

"But please believe me, this was absolutely not intentional on our part..."

The president descended the steps, and the others felt it inappropriate to remain standing on them, even though they weren't very high.

From looking down, to standing evenly, to now being faintly looked up to, the emotional changes of these businessmen were particularly interesting.

"I also believe this must be a misunderstanding!" Lynch extended his hand and shook with the president of the chamber of commerce. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lynch finally stepped onto the steps under the president's guidance.

Under the unspeakable gazes of the people, he entered the house.

At this moment, the businessmen exchanged glances, expressionlessly following up. The gathering tonight was held to welcome Lynch.

Compared to other businessmen from the Federation, Lynch had a unique natural attribute—he was a baron of Gafura, a noble of the Empire.

However, this was merely the Emperor's verbal grant, not yet official. Various ceremonies had not been conducted.

In Gafura, the enfeoffment of nobles often took place in autumn, symbolizing a season of harvest, which could mean grain, titles, or even more intangible things.

Additionally, in ancient times, territories were allocated after the enfeoffment, and if the ceremony happened in spring, there was a risk of missing the spring sowing.

If held in summer, the original landowner would be dissatisfied since autumn would soon follow summer, and reallocating land then would waste half a year's efforts.

Enfeoffment after the autumn harvest was different, with rich symbolic meanings, and the wheat on the land would have been almost harvested, leaving no room for disputes when appointing a new lord.

The new lord could immediately organize new sowing plans, as during the enfeoffment period, seeds also came from the lords.

For these reasons, enfeoffment usually happens after the autumn harvest, establishing power and boundaries before winter arrives.

With history's progression, the Gafura Empire no longer has "enfeoffments" in the traditional sense, and nobles no longer have their lands, but many customs remain.

Now it's still summer, so Lynch can only be considered a "prospective baron," and without official enfeoffment, he can't truly be regarded as an imperial noble.

This is also why businessmen dared to give him a hard time. Moreover, these businessmen were backed by various nobles, with intricate relations within the Empire, not something a "Federation noble" could easily topple.

Furthermore, everyone is more or less aware that becoming a noble for Lynch was not that straightforward.

Being a foreigner granted nobility is strange enough, raising more speculation, especially since it was initiated by the Emperor himself, not a diplomatic product, leaving much room for imagination.

This house isn't particularly luxurious, as it is a local building, not constructed by Gafura arrivals. They tried to choose suitable houses to use, while others not as fit were given to the garrison.

Although the house itself isn't luxurious, they renovated it later, making it look much better.

Under the guidance of the chamber of commerce president, Lynch walked through a corridor into a hall.

As Lynch's right foot stepped into the hall, the conductor who had been ready raised the baton swiftly, and the slightly merry music began instantly.

As the music started, it was as if the entire hall "came alive."

Attendants continuously placed platters of food on the tables, and some ladies in exquisite evening gowns entered to the music's accompaniment, creating a novel experience.

Clearly just a regular banquet, yet at this moment, its distinction from Federation banquets was evident.

Everything here was so orderly, so systematic, from the orchestral performance to the attendants' entry and then the ladies'. They had a whole set of rules and processes, unlike the casual nature of Federation's banquets.

This is precisely one of the biggest cultural differences between the two countries, one with a rigid hierarchy, the other with freewheeling charm.

"Let me introduce to everyone..." The chamber of commerce president stood amidst the crowd, introducing Lynch to those gentlemen and ladies who didn't go out to greet him, "The gentleman beside me is the Empire's newly ennobled, from the Federation, The Honorable Baron Lynch..."

What the hell is all this?!

Lynch doesn't believe that a grown man can't even speak properly. Clearly, this is intentional. He didn't immediately retaliate, but politely greeted everyone with his eyes and a nod.

"Mr. Lynch, say something for us!" The Chamber of Commerce President smiled at him, clearly another way to put Lynch in a difficult position.

They don't believe Lynch is as familiar with Amelia as he is with Nagariel; he doesn't even have friends here.

In this kind of setting, surrounded by Gafura people, and being the only Federation person, what would one say?

Probably say something to pander to the situation, to please the majority. If Lynch were to say that, then he would've lost.

Seeing the glint in the Chamber of Commerce President's eye, Lynch already understood the intention. This isn't a conspiracy; it's an open scheme.

Even if you know there's something wrong, you can't avoid it; you can't refuse it.

Lynch looked at these people, half-smiling, asking, "What should I say?"

Without waiting for the Chamber of Commerce President to answer, he continued on his own, "I'm not sure what I should say. I'm not a hypocritical person; I won't change my initial intention and stance to please others for some purpose."

"I know you don't like me, and it's not just me. You also don't like the Federation and Federals because we just did something 'unforgivable.'"

"And now, I'm here to do yet another 'unforgivable' thing in your eyes, which you have no means to counter!"

The air shattered with his words, boldly tearing off the mask of hypocrisy while looking at those startled, amazed, displeased, angry, and dumbfounded faces. Lynch felt no regret for what he said; the corners of his mouth even slightly curled.

Even if he says pleasant things to please these people, would they accept him?

No, absolutely not. They would only more unitedly reject him. Since belittling himself to please others doesn't satisfy them enough to change their stance, then why compromise?

No matter if he says pleasant or unpleasant things, these people would target him, so why bother hiding?

In his statement, he used the word "unforgivable," which came from the mouth of Emperor Gafura when he learned his fleet was almost annihilated. This was his roar in the Ruler's Hall, unforgivable!

Lynch unequivocally used this word to tell them why he could appear here, also using it to inform them what he was going to do.

He's here to snatch profits from their pockets, which to these merchants is indeed an "unforgivable" thing!

No sugary platitudes or concessions, only direct confrontation.

Even the music in the hall had an unnoticeable discord because of Lynch's words.

He stood in the middle of the crowd; aside from himself, all he saw were "enemies," yet he was so confident and calm. With a smile, he looked at others, but few could hold his gaze for long. Most only glanced for a moment or half a second before moving away from that aggressive stare.

"Mr. Lynch..." The Chamber of Commerce President was a bit at a loss. He thought Lynch would say something to please everyone, such as hoping everyone could prosper together.

After all, he was unfamiliar with the place, so saying something that blurred boundaries seemed reasonable, and then it would spread, controlled and revised by those with intentions, becoming Lynch's performance of pandering to local merchants, and the Empire.

Federals sucking up to the Empire, isn't that exactly what the domestic lords want to see?

But he never expected Lynch to directly fire at everyone here, even the Gafura Empire.

This...

Has this bastard had too much to drink?

But from his fair and handsome face, you couldn't tell!

The Chamber of Commerce President didn't know what else he could say, but at this moment, it was best to interrupt him, "I..."

His words hadn't come out, instead, Lynch interrupted him. Lynch raised his hand and placed it on his arm, stopping him from continuing, "I know what you want to say, I'm very clear."

"I didn't come here just to meet everyone, have some drinks, say some appropriate pleasantries, and then leave."

"Ladies and gentlemen, I came here for business, to compete with you in the market. Whether nationality or stance, we're not standing on the same ground, so we're both friends and foes."

"I hope we can respect each other, showcase our talents, meet on the battlefield belonging to us, as adversaries, fighting tenaciously with all we can."

"No matter win or lose!"

He glanced at the Chamber of Commerce President, "Rather than using some meaningless tricks that make us disdainful!"

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