Holy Spirit Guild

Logan's words acted like a cushion, buffering the workers' volatile emotions.

The surrounding sounds of protest quieted down significantly.

He continued, "Let me state my position first: City Hall has never, and will never, ignore your demands."

"You, our brothers and sisters of the working class, are the builders of Trino City. Every piece of clothing we wear is soaked in the sweat of everyone here at the Textile Factory."

"Your grievances are not just your own frustrations; they are a failure of our duty."

"Our goals are actually aligned. You want the wages you deserve, and we in the municipal government want you to work with peace of mind so the city can develop healthily."

"I am here today to ensure your demands are implemented."

"I can tell you clearly that I will take full responsibility for today's events, and I will certainly provide you with an answer here and now."

"I have already invited the managers of the various factories in the South District and East District to discuss the improvement of workers' conditions together."

"I believe they will arrive on the scene shortly."

Logan's words were resonant, each sentence striking a chord in the hearts of the surrounding workers.

The scene had become quiet at some point, the workers forgetting their protests as they watched the Mayor standing in their midst.

Someone took the lead in applauding, and the applause spread like a wave, causing Ivan, standing to the side, to click his tongue in wonder.

"That's why he's the Mayor; he certainly knows how to speak."

Logan raised his hand to press down, signaling for everyone to stop, and continued, "Of course, I must also speak from the heart."

"Strikes do indeed affect everyone. You lose your income, and you feel more anxious."

"If the factories stop production, it may affect subsequent goods, which in turn affects your lives."

"My fellow citizens, I implore you to turn this protest into a dialogue."

"Return to your posts for now, consolidate your demands, and send a representative to negotiate with City Hall and the factory owners."

"I guarantee that if the issues are not resolved, you are free to return to your strike and protest at any time."

The surrounding workers began to whisper to one another, seemingly considering the Mayor's proposal.

"...But who should we choose as a representative? What if he only fights for his own interests?"

"...No, we need to choose someone who isn't a worker but can still represent our interests."

"...Hmm, you're right. Wasn't there a young man earlier, the one who spoke so cleverly, cheering us on here?"

Little George, standing at the street corner, suddenly felt a barrage of gazes fixed upon him.

He shivered and looked back at the workers gathered in front of City Hall.

"You be the representative to negotiate with City Hall. Remember, our base salary demand is at least 15 shillings."

Worker after worker passed by him, patting his shoulder and saying the same thing.

His shoulders ached from the heavy hands, and he couldn't help but rub them a few times.

"What's going on? How did I become a worker representative? I have nothing to do with the strike..."

Little George was confused and looked at Gais in dismay.

Gais also shook his head, having not paid attention to the situation here.

Little George hesitated, and a grand voice suddenly appeared in his mind.

"Go."

Ivan looked at Little George, believing this was a good opportunity to gather workers as believers, so he encouraged him.

Having received the Lord's revelation, Little George walked forward decisively and arrived before Logan.

"Huh... this Mayor looks a bit like that knight lady from yesterday..."

He brushed aside his messy thoughts and greeted the imposing man before him.

"Hello, Mr. Mayor. I am the representative chosen by the workers, from the Holy Spirit Union."

Logan was surprised to see the boy who only reached his shoulder.

"The Holy Spirit Union? Is that a newly formed workers' organization?"

"Uh... yes." Little George scratched his head, his eyes meeting Logan's with composure. "The workers' demand is to raise the weekly wage from 8 shillings to 1 pound."

Logan nodded without saying anything. He pulled out an exquisite pocket watch, checked the time, and then glanced at the captain of the guards beside him.

The captain's fat body trembled with anxiety as he looked at the young man behind him and whispered, "Go to the street corner and see if they've arrived!"

Just as the young man was about to move, he saw several guards emerge from the thick fog, each bringing someone with them.

"They're finally here." The fat man let out a long sigh of relief, his eyes glaring fiercely at his subordinates.

"Reporting, sir! The factory managers have been brought here!" the men reported in unison.

Logan frowned as he looked at the few men wrapped in wool coats before him, unable to help but ask, "Who are these people? I asked for the factory owners!"

"Heh, Mr. Mayor, I thought you wanted them to take their workers back, so I only called for their foremen." The fat captain, seeing that the workers had already obediently left and only a child remained, relaxed and chuckled.

Foreman Rick couldn't help but speak up before the group: "My lords of the constabulary, since the workers have already returned to the Textile Factory, can we head back now?"

Before Logan could even speak, the captain of the constabulary replied, "Of course not. The mayor hasn't instructed you on how to discipline those workers once you get back."

He waved his fist, and the few foremen laughed along with him.

Logan's expression darkened: "I summoned the factory owners to raise the workers' wages, not to deal with useless fellows like you!"

Seeing the mayor's anger, the captain of the constabulary hurriedly offered a fawning smile: "Mr. Mayor, look, those workers have already gone back obediently."

"As long as these foremen return and supervise them strictly, giving them a few more lashes, they'll be well-behaved from now on."

Seeing this scene, Little George couldn't help but ask:

"Mr. Mayor, the things you promised us... the union—are they no longer valid?"

The captain of the constabulary looked around and, discovering it was a mere youth speaking, burst into a disdainful laugh.

"A union? What union? I've never heard of any Textile Factory having a union. Since when do workers have such illegal organizations?"

Little George responded coldly to the man before him: "The workers entrusted me to fight for their interests, so naturally, I am the representative of the union."

The man laughed even louder.

"You? A stray brat from who knows where, daring to challenge me?

I am the captain of the constabulary of Trino City; the order here is decided by me."

The foreman Rick beside him chimed in: "That's right! The captain of the constabulary decides, and who do you think you are?"

A group of foremen joined in the jeering, not taking the youth before them seriously at all.

Even Mayor Logan frowned at this moment, contemplating how to communicate with these local thugs.

Surrounded by the crowd, Little George had already quietly clenched his fists, with air currents faintly surging around them.

Ivan watched this scene, also frowning.

If Little George used his extraordinary abilities in front of so many people, it would certainly bring about some trouble.

Yet, if these people truly insisted on bullying others with their power, he would not oppose Little George wiping them all out.

Just as the atmosphere reached a stalemate, a voice accompanied by flickering red light points emerged from the mist behind the mayor:

"Since a promise was made to the workers, it must be kept."

"That is what order truly is."