Chapter 894 - 383: Breaking the Rules
Upon hearing Nestor’s request, Brook showed a troubled expression.
"We are merely at an advantage now, not truly victorious. It’s not yet time to push for the Charter Movement."
"We should follow the agreement, first completing what you need to do. When those new aristocrats realize your energy, the power you demand will naturally come to you."
Nestor’s face remained tense, not relaxed by Brook’s response, and he continued:
"Sir Brook, since the agreement is mentioned, I need to repeat the terms for you."
"I represent the Bright Lamp Report and the Charter Movement, coordinating to create momentum for you, helping you secure industrial regulation rights. You acknowledge the Charter Movement and delegate some regulation power to the unions."
"But in fact, we’ve done enough, launching multiple large-scale worker movements. Even to fulfill the agreement, Henry died in the Great Stench incident. As for you, I haven’t seen any contributions yet."
In Stilan, the worker group is particularly large, though they have no power now. Some workers and illegal laborers even lack the most basic human rights.
But their large numbers represent equally vast potential.
The Bright Lamp Report and the trio who created the newspaper are the soul of the Charter Movement, and all sides naturally cannot ignore this force.
Because of their own lack of foundation, the trio of the Bright Lamp Report also must rely on outsiders to fulfill their demands amidst the multi-party struggle.
Henry was the most extreme, only caring about abilities to achieve his goals, regardless of the other’s purposes, thus getting involved with the Steam Council.
Nestor is also a fighter, but less radical than Henry, adhering to the principle that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. To counter Prime Minister Ron and the Liberal Party, he chose to collaborate with the land aristocracy.
After reaching an agreement with the land aristocrats, he had intended to bring Henry in, but through the transcendent beings on the land aristocrats’ side, discovered that Henry also seemed to have transcendent beings helping him.
Nestor worried Henry might cooperate with dangerous elements, like the Peace Church, extreme followers of the Saint Bishop, or even foreign forces like Flann, so he paid special attention to Henry’s actions.
Seeing Henry’s actions only as minor disturbances, far from crossing the line, he did not reveal his hand to stop it.
Who knew Henry’s partners turned out to be more dangerous than imagined, and suddenly escalated things significantly.
Foreseeing Henry’s anomaly in advance but failing to stop it in time, Nestor believes himself largely responsible for Henry’s death and must do something about it.
What he intends to do is not revenge, but to inherit Henry’s aspirations and accomplish their common goals.
Brook saw that Nestor had come prepared. He shook his head slightly, took out a pipe from his pocket, and said slowly:
"It’s not that we haven’t contributed, it’s that we don’t have the ability to contribute."
"As frustrating as it is, we have to admit that as Her Majesty Olivia elevates the industry to another level, our legislative power is losing its effectiveness."
Nestor, emotionless, said:
"But as far as I know, to ease the mass strike, Prime Minister Glad had proposed further optimizing the Factory Technique, which the Conservative Party and Upper House have consistently refused to agree to."
Brook showed no embarrassment, stating as a matter of fact:
"Workers are short-sighted, which you understand better than we do. If the situation eases, they will abandon resistance and may even be grateful to Glad."
Nestor nodded, "So this time, I’m prepared to be short-sighted as well."
Brook looked somewhat disappointed, saying:
"I thought we shared a mutually trusting cooperative relationship. I didn’t expect you to make such a choice at such a critical time."
Facing Brook’s pressure, Nestor did not back down, saying:
"Sir Brook, so what is your answer?"
Brook was silent for a moment, then said:
"As you wish, I will push for the passage of the Charter Movement as soon as possible."
Nestor stood up and bowed slightly to Brook, "Thank you."
After Nestor left, Brook took out a cigar and slowly lit it. Once the top of the cigar was fully burning, he took two puffs, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
Brook’s expression was obscured by the smoke, and he spoke slowly:
"Disobedient tools should be replaced promptly."
If Nestor had made such a request before the Great Stench, he might have found it difficult.
But now, the situation has settled, and that group has become irrelevant.
Clearly a crowd unfit for the stage, daring to threaten him. Perhaps he had been too polite before, causing them to blur the lines of their identity.
As the smoke gradually dispersed, a smile suddenly appeared on Brook’s sullen face.
Never mind, since from the beginning, they never intended to fulfill any promise.
Leaving the manor, Nestor said to the coachman waiting for him, "Sorry to keep you waiting."
A plain-looking, slight-built coachman, with the standard face of a lower-class worker, said:
"No worries, protecting and documenting your journey is my duty."
Nestor caught the meaning in the man’s words and said, "Don’t worry, after I return, I’ll confess today’s events to Sir Sean."
Sitting in the carriage, a relieved smile appeared on Nestor’s face.
On the surface, threatening the Conservative Faction at this juncture seemed unwise, but in reality, it was his only opportunity.