NOVPUBChapter 159: Chapter 158 The Cost of Stability
Chapter 159 -158 The Cost of Stability
“When I was at my wits’ end, I encountered someone who claimed to be a messenger from ‘Paradise.’ He said he could lend me a hand… or rather, he could fulfill my wish.” Chaoyang looked at the mask, seemingly lost in distant memories, “If I had been well-off, I certainly wouldn’t have believed what sounded like a swindler’s tall tale, but for someone about to drown, even a straw was something I couldn’t afford to miss.”
“So I asked for his help, unreservedly. As a result, I was reborn. No longer worried about food and drink, I even had some surplus to help those in poverty. It could be said that without Paradise, I wouldn’t have everything I have now, which is also where the foundation’s name originated from. Upon hearing that the New Continent needed people for its development, I chose Magnificent Castle as my first stop. And then, as you have seen, Gate of Destiny has been running very smoothly, and the effects of the new medicine are indeed exceptional.”
“Most importantly, I didn’t open Gate of Destiny just for profit; the pricing of the medicines is also very considerate towards the poor. In my next plan to be promoted, I intend to make medical care accessible to every person in this city and ensure it’s affordable for everyone! I’m not a good person; I’m just fulfilling the agreement with Paradise… However, at such a time, someone wants to sabotage the hard-earned situation that Gate of Destiny has created, to drag everyone back into the foul gutter, then what I must do becomes very clear… ask them for help once again.”
Chaoyang slowly relayed the “story” he had fabricated long ago.
Indeed, he had anticipated that the city guard would investigate the medical company, so all he had to do was to disconnect Gate of Destiny and the temple from it.
As a defenseless medical company owner, how could it be wrong for him to seek help when threatened?
“…” Shandela picked up the mask, her face pale with anger, “By my method, you wouldn’t be threatened…”
“And what about the temple? Are the nuns’ wishes not worth respecting?” Chaoyang retorted, “Indeed, you may not care about their treatment, just as you won’t care about the miners thrown into the temple to die. These people didn’t die for any other reason but because the big companies designated Paradise Medical to maliciously skimp and supplied the temple with substandard medical supplies, leading to an exceptionally high mortality rate among the patients there. These people are the real murderers!”
Shandela was at a loss for words for a long while.
But Chaoyang could understand; the laws of the time were still very imperfect, and law enforcement only covered clear and direct crimes like robbery and murder. As for indirect deaths caused by medical deficiencies and the like, unless it happened to nobility, reporting to the authorities was useless.
“So I can neither accept your proposal nor wait for the truth of the case to come to light. I only know that if I don’t act quickly, both the company and the temple will be ruined by the strife of public opinion.” Chaoyang took a sip of water, regretfully, “If you still have any questions, you might as well meet the Paradise messenger in person. He might give you a satisfactory answer.”
“He’s willing to see me?” Shandela asked in surprise.
“Why wouldn’t he be? If you encounter a dilemma you cannot resolve, I’m sure he will lend you a hand. Of course… as long as you can pay the price.”
“May I ask what you have paid?”
“The rest of my life,” Chaoyang said with deliberate piety, “I hope to build its ‘Paradise’ in this mundane world, allowing everyone to enjoy a life full of hope. I know this goal is far away, but deciding to start is always better than standing still.”
Shandela gazed at him, unable to discern the truth.
After a long silence, she finally said, “I hope so. How do I meet him? This Paradise messenger you speak of.”
Chaoyang pointed to the mask on the table.
“Today at twilight, when the sun dips below the horizon, atop the southwestern watchtower. If you go wearing this mask, you are highly likely to meet him.”
He paused, then added, “Actually, I was the one supposed to meet him, to express my gratitude to Paradise. But I think he would also not mind meeting a new seeker.” 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝔭𝔲𝔟.𝖈𝔬𝔪
Seeker? What a joke, I am going to confront him!
Shandela opened her mouth but was unable to voice her thoughts.
She finally picked up the mask and left the room without looking back.
“You really did remove the responsibility,” said Ailuodi, peeking into the room from the outside as soon as the Commander left. “Do you think she will believe what the other ‘you’ said?”
“Whether she believes it or not doesn’t matter. Now that a real artifact of the Evil God has appeared in the city, that should keep her busy for a while. If she chooses to trust us, Paradise can have an extra hand; if not, she will just continue playing hide-and-seek with the City Guards, which isn’t much different from now, as long as she doesn’t trouble the Sanctuary and the pharmaceutical company.”
“Then why didn’t you meet her immediately instead of waiting until nightfall? Isn’t it better to strike while the iron is hot?”
“Because I was busy the whole night and now I want to clock out,” Chaoyang said, lifting the teacup and draining it in one gulp. “Even the Paradise Master needs to sleep first.”
…
Shandela spent the entire day in a state of restless anxiety. She first returned to the eastern suburb camp to deal with reporters’ interviews, claiming there had been a serious incident involving the Heretical Cult the previous night; she urged residents not to cross the security line and approach the camp area. Then she hurried to the lord’s mansion to report the attack on Heigang Company to the lord.
Earl Li Qiang was also somewhat surprised, “Are you sure this is related to the cultists? What does the Priest of the Mechanical Sect say?”
After thinking for a moment, Shandela ultimately decided not to reveal anything about Paradise. “She believes… there is a significant suspicion on the part of Heigang Company.”
“I see…” The Earl appeared thoughtful. “They do pay a lot in taxes…”
Shandela wanted to add more, but the lord had already made a decision, “Then let’s confiscate all of Heigang’s assets to compensate for the loss. Of course, this must be supported by evidence, you understand?”
She immediately understood what he meant.
Just like the last time suppressing the rebellious miners… If there was no evidence to be found, then they would fabricate it.
“…” Shandela lowered her head, “What if there really are cultists hiding among them, and it also involves the nobility?”
The reason the four major companies became the four major companies couldn’t be separated from the influx of capital. If any inquiries turned up anything, it would be hard to say that it was solely the action of the company’s CEO.
That was her concern.
Li Qiang looked at her for a moment, then suddenly changed his expression, his eyes no longer as frosty as before, “You seem to have some misconceptions about me.”
“No… my lord…”
“If we do not stop the miners’ rebellious actions, they will inevitably hurt the citizens who live here. Therefore, attributing the cult issue to them can both provide a reasonable explanation for the entire event and soothe the public’s mind.” He put down his pen, stood up from the desk, and walked away, “Tell me… Commander, what is most important for Magnificent Castle?”
“… Stability,” Shandela answered.
“Correct, stability. Without a stable society, there is no prosperity. The people need an answer; they dislike waiting in fear and uncertainty, and merchants are reluctant to invest in an unpredictable environment. Essentially, this matter is the same. If, as the Priestess says, the cultists have surfaced, then we must strike back with the might of thunder, regardless of whether it’s the major companies or the nobility backing them. I will not be lenient because the cult is always the greatest enemy of stability.”
Li Qiang walked up to the Commander, patted her shoulder, “Go ahead and do what must be done; I will support you.”
