Chapter 40: Colony

Chapter 40: Colony

The flesh of the comb-spined fish certainly could not compare to a murloc’s, but the many spices were complex without becoming chaotic, and their distinct layers of flavor still earned Klein’s appreciation. He felt that the more he ate, the more he wanted, as though he could not stop at all.

“If a local Beyonder truly wants to withdraw from dangerous circles and live an ordinary life, he could absolutely open a Rorsted-style restaurant in Backlund, specializing in grilled fish like this. Given the inclusiveness of a metropolis, business would certainly not be poor. The only problem is that many spices would definitely not be as cheap there as they are here, so costs would be very high, and the target clientele would have to be positioned properly…” Klein set down the rather crude chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a napkin while his thoughts wandered aimlessly.

In his view, many times, commoners could not find methods to become rich because their horizons were insufficient. Yet horizons were shaped by their education and daily experiences, bound by the class they lived in. It was truly difficult to jump free of such limits. The most effective way to break them was to do everything possible to pursue better, higher-level education. The second was to dare to take risks and wander widely. Of course, the risk was great; many people vanished silently along that road.

This meal cost Klein two soli and five pence. It was not cheap, but he had always been willing to spend on good food. Besides, his main expenses recently had already been contracted to Danitz.

Pulling up his collar and putting on his hat, he picked up his black cane and left Old John’s Restaurant, just in time to see a police officer chasing away vagrants on the street.

The indigenous people of the Rorsted Archipelago had skin darker than those of the Southern Continent, close to the bronzed shade of someone constantly exposed to the sun. Their hair was mainly deep black and naturally slightly curled, making them quite distinct from the Loenese colonists.

This place had been fully colonized for less than fifty years. At first, Loen had cooperated with indigenous princes and chiefs under the name of the East Sonia Company, extracting economic benefits. But afterward, the company’s management quickly became corrupt, fighting for power and profit, even provoking enemies and starting wars for personal gain. Most absurdly, they also reported on one another, accusing their competitors of accepting bribes. For this, each found Members of Parliament who supported them, and those men attacked one another in Parliament, nearly causing the matter to go to court.

The local natives could surely not imagine that the great figures who, in their eyes, could make princes and chiefs bend their backs, kiss the tops of their shoes, and send cart after cart of gifts were, in Backlund, minor characters who were not even Members of Parliament. Although most of them came from noble families, they were very far back in the line of inheritance.

After that dispute, the king and prime minister reached an agreement, bought back the shares, ended the East Sonia Company, and dispatched fleets and soldiers to fully occupy the Rorsted Archipelago, implementing true colonial rule.

At present, the archipelago was governed through the Governor-General’s Office, a council, and courts. The upper levels all belonged to Loenese people. Among the middle ranks, councilors, and magistrates of the police courts, some were descendants of the original princes and chiefs. The lowest levels were opened to educated local natives, including police officers below the rank of superintendent.

The officer waving his baton and driving away the vagrant was one such local policeman. His target also possessed obvious Rorsted ethnic traits.

The moment the policeman saw Klein, dressed in a double-breasted long frock coat, wearing a half top hat of silk, and carrying a black gentleman’s cane…