Free Web NovelChapter 258: First City [2]
"Senior Brother Lucas, where have you been?" A curiosity-product question came from Brian as he saw Lucas entering the room in the late hours of the night.
"Nowhere. I was just strolling that I didn’t notice that it was time to sleep."
"Ah... Okay... I will be sleeping now." Brian said. "Ah! By the way, Senior Brother, I will be going back to the capital and might be rejoining my family since, as it looks like, they are searching for me. I don’t want to cause more trouble for you."
Lucas merely scoffed and swayed his hands simultaneously. "You don’t have to worry about it."
Brian returned to the room’s division and went to his bed. Meanwhile, Lucas took a few more moments to reflect on what he had learned that day. He was only watching people’s lives for the purpose of his mission. Because he had to learn how to gain their favor, he should have at least a passing familiarity with their way of life.
What had been clear to him was that there was no freedom at all. Even though they could live without getting dictated to, their lives were still shackled by the limitations of the tyranny of White Lead. Every day, there would be one person who would be pulled to work in a harsh environment. Even though it was just a rumor, the events that were happening explained it.
There would be one person who would disappear, and there would be one more who the White Lead would get into the trouble to bring into one of their factories. As a result, as they became accustomed to it, they forgot what it meant to be free.
Was freedom just being able to live?
The next day, he was again on his stroll when he noticed some people having their backs hurt even after just walking. He observed them and noticed that it was from overworking. Even without getting it directly from the people, he wasn’t stupid to not at least get a hint of it.
While his company was enjoying the leniency, he was using the time to get more information.
"Oh...? Is this the heroic leader...?"
"Hmm...? Are you the heroic leader? Are you perhaps here again to ask about our life? Just kidding!"
Lucas had started to get known slightly in the city. But, he did not push it hard as he was afraid of standing out. He didn’t want to be known and discovered by his company. For some reason, he wanted to be alone and not be suspected of something while he didn’t have enough resources for the mission. freēwebnovel.com
Brian, Beatrix, and Glassera were his companies that didn’t know about his real identity. While he kept to himself that he would socialize with other people in order to make his mission run more smoothly, he was not willing to share it carelessly with others. Ji An was just an exception to this, as he was someone who didn’t have any ambition to have a position in society.
"Good afternoon. Yes, I am here to ask you again about your life. I just noticed that White Lead was giving you a hard time and some were acting highly despite being just dogs of White Lead." Lucas sarcastically said.
"If you make it sound like that, I am afraid that they might get angry. Please refrain from saying those words. For my family’s safety as well..."
Lucas could tell he was worried by his tone. They were obviously avoiding talking about the White Lead, even joking about them. And because he understood it was an obstacle to their freedom, he had to work swiftly.
However, as it wasn’t yet clear to him how to fully take their hearts, he had to join them casually and make it look like he was just one of them. But then, he would inject the mindset of at least one rebelling White Lead into their thoughts.
But, with that broad plan, he needed one week to finish it, and he didn’t have the time to waste. He had to put the Wu Region under his control, and it was a must. While his other subordinates were taking information from other regions, he himself had to do his part as well. And it could be more problematic as he had to put it under him immediately.
Nonetheless, this was what he desired. This time, he was constrained by his karma. If he had been more conscientious about his personality, he would not be in this position, where he must be careful of his behaviors, which may damage his karmic points.
At least, fate was equivalent to karma, hence, for him to finish his legacy immediately, he must take a smoother route without obstacles in his way.
The next day, Glassera and Beatrix were about to leave for their journey to the capital. Brian didn’t let them know that he was rejoining his family, and it seemed that he had some reason behind it. But Lucas didn’t press the issue any further and bid them farewell after Brian.
"Even with the short amount of time we had together, I grew close to the two of you. I hope that the two of you have a safe journey to your dreams." Lucas said with a smile on his face.
Glassera and Beatrix both blushed. They became closer to him, despite the little amount of time they had together. Furthermore, they would be unable to forget him because his presence had left an imprint on their memories. They wouldn’t be able to forget him because of the way he spoke and greeted people, as well as his movements and great prowess.
And as Beatrix had been holding some feelings for Lucas despite being distant from strangers, she opened her arms and gave Lucas an embrace. Lucas was surprised by it. He wasn’t able to move. He thought that she was at least someone who would not hug someone, especially someone she didn’t fully know.
But, he had no other choice but to just accept her embrace. Despite having the ability to judge people’s attitudes based on their behavior, he recalled that there were some different instances that made people step out of their comfort zones.
"Beatrix, you are so unfair. We already talked that no one would try to flirt with Senior Brother Lucas."
Lucas flinched, and Beatrix had a coy smile on her face as she disconnected the embrace.
"Heee... As if I would let that happen! Senior Brother Lucas is someone who is a strong and kind person. He is rare, so I won’t let the chance slip away."
"Geez... The introverted person is talking about flirting with other people." Glassera sneered.
Lucas let out a sigh and didn’t act innocent about it. He grabbed Glassera’s huge body and gave her an embrace.
"With this, it will be fair for the two of you."
Lucas chuckled, seeing how the two of them argued about what had just happened this time.
***
The next day, this time, Brian and Jake would leave the city to go to the capital. And as per Lucas’s command, Jake went with Brian, and he had already convinced him to be a supporter of him. And without any complications, as Jake was good at persuading, he was able to go with him, and there they left for the trip.
Meanwhile, Lucas was left in the city, but it didn’t mean that he had no other job to do. Every second for him was a bead of rice that he should not waste. And because he had already devised some methods for conversing with the citizen, he was able to get close and become acquainted with others.
Lucas began to see the people more frequently and became acquainted with them. With the sincere kindness that the people noticed in him, his plan was sailing smoothly. However, he had only a little problem with the members of White Lead that were in the city. They were still extorting the people even though they had just small amounts accumulated together, which could add up to something huge.
"For heaven’s sake, these White Lead people again. They would always get a "tax" every month, even though we are already contributing to the continent. We are giving money every month as well, and it should be directed to the emperor’s pocket."
"Working my ass is not enough. I am breaking my bones by working in the rice fields as well. And I am also helping with the hunting."
"If only I had the power to fight against them, I would surely fight them."
"Brother Lucas, please help us. We are not holding this more."
The city was not small; it was wide, in which case, Lucas did an amazing job of getting familiar with the people. Furthermore, he was able to make them rebel even within their thoughts, which grew just like what happened this time. The people were able to question them now and talk behind them.
Lucas let out a sigh, but he was not frustrated. Instead, Lucas was feeling relieved that White Lead was doing the things he needed.
After some time, Lucas went to one of the White Leads. But, how did he discover that this person was from the White Lead? The answer was already obvious: it was their arrogance. They walk as if the road was theirs, which Lucas couldn’t handle anymore at some point.
