Chapter 345: Chapter 293: If You Don’t Take and I Don’t Take, How Can We Improve?
Of course, although Aunt Magnyra was one of the financiers of his rebellion, Byron’s deepest thoughts and a series of plans would certainly not be casually revealed.
Right now, all he needed to do was to persuade Magnyra, firmly bind her to his War Chariot, and have her charge into battle for the common good of all.
Gazing into his aunt’s pale blue eyes, he spoke with the compassion of the Cardinal Archbishop,
"I am gathering these people not for myself, but for... all of humanity!
As everyone knows, the collective subconscious of humanity is not connected between the Silver Continent, the Bantaan Archipelago, and even the New Continent to the south of the Celestial Orbital Belt.
This is like many sailboats each doing their own thing on the same Sea of Origin Matter.
As a member of the Lighthouse Union, I am well aware that the current situation seems peaceful, but the price humanity has paid is immense.
The world that has been explored is getting bigger and bigger, yet the strength of humanity can never come together as one.
I believe that in overseas expansion, we must develop not only the Material World but also the spiritual world, continually expanding humanity’s ’mental boundaries’ and ’spiritual levees’.
Otherwise, if we only know to take resources without maintaining the foundation of the Supernatural World, the burden on humanity, especially Lighthouse Sequence Supernaturals, will only become heavier."
While this was meant to persuade his aunt, it also represented Byron’s genuine thoughts after his continuous quest for the Truth of the world and various hidden secrets since embarking on the transcendent path.
Seeing Magnyra overwhelmed by the gravity of the subject, he continued,
"The People of Castilia, who know only how to plunder, are a typical negative example.
They seek to turn the Tenor People into mere consumables and fuel through slaughter, enslavement, and plunder, satisfying the upper echelons’ desire for material pleasures.
They completely overlook the forbidden zones, Secret Realms, and Bizarre phenomena spread all over the overseas territories, and who will defend against them.
They also forget that the larger the tonnage of the ships, the more stable they are.
The Church has noticed this, and ’Sword and Cross walk together’ aims to complete assimilation through faith on the basis of conquest.
Bit by bit, they gather the Public Willpower of the natives, merging the collective subconscious between the two, strengthening spiritual levees.
Otherwise, solely relying on the ’Silver Law’ brought to the colonies by the Lighthouse is like a spring without a source, a tree without roots, and cannot last for long.
Faith is one path, racial assimilation is another.
Only by employing both can the collective subconscious of humanity, this great ship, become a catamaran or even a Tri-Body Ship in the shortest time, strengthening its ability to withstand storms.
Enabling all of humanity to ride the winds and break the waves on the Sea of Origin Matter, for a stable and far-reaching journey.
This is something that everyone with a conscience should do."
Byron’s face seemed to shine with a Holy Light, like a Saint possessed by the Holy Spirit.
"Great!"
"Noble!"
"Far-sighted!"
Magnyra, Jacqueline, and Violet, seeing Byron in this state, had their beautiful eyes sparkling with admiration.
Those Saints in the legends, who were bestowed with holy names, who came closest to the creator, and were qualified to join the Council of the Divine Presence, were all because they were guided by the Holy Spirit within them, thus accomplishing great deeds.
Especially in the "Book of Creation," it is said that the Holy Spirit has always guided mortals in the pursuit of Truth in the Mortal World, and theoretically, any person could be possessed by the Holy Spirit.
As long as one is not afraid of being killed by the Tribunal, anyone can claim that they are the Holy Spirit incarnate!
It’s just like that famous "God’s Young Child," who can call upon "Daddy" to possess him and show miracles at any time—even the Pope personally issued a "second son" ID to him.
At this moment, they began to suspect that Byron might have truly received a Divine Inspiration.
This thought, this loftiness— even if it wasn’t the Holy Spirit, it should at least be a Saint, right?
But "Saint Byron" immediately gave himself away the next second, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together in front of them.
"Of course, in the process of realizing this grand venture, we can incidentally rake in a little benefit for ourselves."
The three of them saw him reveal his true colors and simultaneously sneered in their hearts:
Sure enough, this is the Byron I know. Being possessed by the Holy Spirit still wouldn’t turn you into a Saint. If it came, it would just end up plucked of its feathers and stripped of its halo by you, the Great Pirate, only to find a creator’s confidant in saintly disguise taking the stage.
Only Violet, who was well-acquainted with most of Byron’s schemes, couldn’t help but chuckle. But then she immediately thought of Sister Teresa, who they planned to invite to spread the faith on their territory, and she got a big fright.
Kingmaker Warwick has overstepped his bounds with the title, usurping the authority of the King; Byron couldn’t possibly be planning to imitate him and overstep... HISS—! No, it can’t be, it can’t be. Byron, even if plotting revenge against the Church, wouldn’t dare to be so audacious. Well, at least not for the time being.
Elsewhere, Magnyra sat back down, inelegantly lifting one long leg, and said irritably,
"Your benefit surely isn’t small. While others are thinking about how to fleece the land, you quietly establish a nation under the guise of righteousness, fusing the manpower and resources of two countries into an ideal supply base far from Continent disputes. But what benefit is there for us Irises?"
Byron immediately retracted his thumb, leaving only his index finger wagging in front of his aunt, correcting her error with a smile,
"Aunt, that’s where you’re wrong. You’re now the Governor, have you forgotten what the primary duty of a Governor in the Bantaan Archipelago really is?"
Upon hearing this, Magnyra, who had been newly appointed and overwhelmed by the struggle for the ’Right to Protect’ without yet adjusting to her new position, suddenly realized,
"You mean..."
Byron nodded vigorously, enunciating the word she was too embarrassed to say,
"Making money!"
Not to mention those present, even children know that colonial Governors possess vast powers, usually being the most trusted and loyal Great Nobles or confidants to the Royal Family.
In the colony, they represent the King himself and hold a very esteemed status.
The main responsibilities include protecting the colony, preventing rebellions by the natives and foreign invasions, as well as maintaining the royal household’s expenses and increasing fiscal revenues.
Specific tasks include: "Appointing administrative and church officials within the jurisdiction; commanding the military; implementing royal policies for the colony; proclaiming laws, orders, and notices; managing cities, finances, and public projects; ’protecting’ and ’educating’ the natives; and participating in judicial matters."
It can be said that the Governors hold the actual ruling power of the colonies in their hands; their will is the law of the colonies!
And with absolute power comes absolute corruption.
The Governors are veritable vice kings, far from the King’s reach and able to do as they please in the colonies.
To their knowledge, the Governors of various countries have considered their tenure in the colonies to be the happiest time in their lives, which they will never have again.
If during these years they do not amass a fortune sufficient for the latter half of their lives, it would be a laughing stock to everyone.
Thinking of this, Magnyra was already tempted, yet she still hesitated and said,
"Isn’t this improper? The Kingdom does have inspectors and a series of prohibitions...
In order to shackle the Governor’s power, the Royal Family has placed many undercover agents and Special Inspection Envoys around the Governors to scrutinize their actions at any time.
Furthermore, they decreed that a Governor’s term cannot exceed five years; they cannot bring married children on their assignment; they are forbidden to employ relatives and private individuals; they must not hold banquets with locals; nor can they purchase personal property in the colonies..."
But as she spoke, she could not continue.
Before succeeding as Governor, she had been a Special Inspection Envoy sent by the King, so did she not understand the saying "Rules are rigid, but people are flexible"?
The royal inspection personnel, for their own interests, often colluded with the Governors or were bribed and controlled by them, creating a situation where officials shield one another.
Besides, the ’Silver Law’ was like water without a source overseas, making it difficult to ensure that regulations were firmly enforced.
The Royal Family’s control over the Governors was out of reach, and so-called supervisory, restraining, and inspection measures often turned out to be mere formalities.
Otherwise, why has the position of colonial Governor always been the most eagerly sought-after prize among the Great Nobles of various countries?
A common saying goes: "I obey, but I do not implement."
Seeing that the time was ripe, Byron sat down next to Magnyra, with Jacqueline, who was hugging her mother’s arm, on her other side.
It must be said, the wonders of blood relations made Byron sitting with the mother and daughter look as if they were indeed one family, with no sense of discord.
The words he spoke dispelled her final scruples,
"Auntie, the most important thing about being a Governor is to be happy (make money).
Having finally ascended to the seat of Governor, how could one not scheme to make enough to cover the initial investment? Those who missed out on the position of Governor are crying!
Everyone does this, auntie, and you wouldn’t want to be the odd one out, would you?
If you don’t make money, if I don’t make money, how can the Kingdom’s officials up and down two countries make money? And if they don’t make money, how can we make progress?
I won’t make it difficult for you, just follow the normal trade process.
You’ve just witnessed part of the military strength of Torrent Fortress. Isn’t it fine for me to trade population for arms and Spices with you? I’ll ensure it’s a fair deal for you.
Besides, you are the little daughter, after all. You could fleece the old man a few more times, and at most, he would turn a blind eye.
Wait until your brother takes over, and you’ll see you won’t be able to fleece him then."
The illegitimate daughter, Magnyra, had already married Earl Torrido, taking her husband’s surname, and now she and her daughter both bear the name Torrido.
While her father was still alive, it was easy to talk things through - a little embezzlement didn’t matter much, but with her brother taking over, it would become a matter of two separate families.
Moreover, if it’s something that serves all of humanity and satiates one’s own needs, why not do it?
Magnyra finally set down her burden, but couldn’t help but give her nephew a sidelong glance,
"All you have to do is report the mortality rate as ten percent higher than it is, then that’s the figure right there. You can make up any excuse to balance the books.
Or you could just blame it on coral disease; no one could find any fault with that.
But you’ve just become a Governor yourself, haven’t you? How come you already seem like an old hand in this? Did you intuitively know how to be a Governor without a teacher?"
Byron just smiled without answering.
That’s perhaps what they call a genius. A genius at being a grafting official; a petty thief and all that is much too tame in comparison.
He picked up a bottle of wine from the Snake Skin Bag, replacing the tea on the table with top-quality Rum known as "Pirate’s Blood", and helped himself and his aunt to a glass each.
CLINK!
Magnyra drank her Rum in one gulp, two pleasing blushes rising on her porcelain cheeks, and said fiercely,
"I’m in for this deal!"
Byron also finished the drink in his glass,
"Then, here’s to a pleasant collaboration."
With a wealth of persuasive sweet talks, he had finally brought his aunt’s family on board, forming a solid alliance of interests; Byron’s base was reinforced by a third.
This was much sturdier than so-called family relationships.
Born into the Royal Family on the Continent, even blood brothers could fight each other tooth and nail over power and influence, so what about mere relatives?
But just like plants grow towards the sunlight, human hearts always gravitate towards their interests.
And they do so with more than two hundred percent subjective initiative!
As long as the interests are sufficient, the alliance will remain steadfast.
Magnyra suddenly seemed to remember something,
"By the way, I believe there’s still a battalion flag of the Silver Wing Knights in Father’s private reserve.
I guarantee to get it to you within three days.
Use it alongside the throwing spears to conduct the Heroic Spirit Summoning ceremony, and you might even endow the same class of heroic soldiers with more than one transcendent ability."
Byron was overjoyed upon hearing this – wasn’t this an active initiative?
He clapped his chest in a tit-for-tat response,
"The more good stuff the better, I’ll certainly not let you suffer a loss.
I am willing to trade a Third Order Shadow Magic Spell capable of turning one into a non-human with you."
As soon as he said this, he felt that the combination of Shadow Magic, the Golden Deer, the Boar Warrior, and the Butterfly Fish, had a strangely familiar feeling to it.