Holy Spirit... Union

Logan's words acted like a cushion, softening the workers' anger.

The protests around them quieted considerably.

He continued speaking:

"Let me make one thing clear: City Hall has never ignored everyone's concerns, and never will.

We workers are the builders of Trino City. Every piece of clothing we wear is soaked with the sweat of everyone at the Textile Factory.

Your grievances aren't just your own; they're also a failure on our part.

Our goals are actually the same. You want to receive the wages you deserve, while we at City Hall want you to work without worry and the city to develop in a healthy way.

I'm here today to make sure your demands are met.

I can tell you plainly: I'll take full responsibility for what happened today, and I'll make sure you get an answer here.

I've invited the people in charge of factories across the East District and South District to discuss improving the workers' conditions together.

I believe they'll arrive shortly."

Logan's words rang out with conviction, each one striking home with the workers around him.

At some point, the scene had fallen completely silent. The workers had forgotten their protests and were quietly watching the mayor standing in their midst.

Someone started clapping, and soon the applause spread through the crowd, leaving Ivan amazed.

"No wonder he can be mayor. He really knows how to talk."

Logan raised a hand and pressed it down, signaling for everyone to stop applauding. Then he continued:

"Of course, I also need to speak frankly with all of you.

A strike really does affect everyone. You lose your income, and that only makes you more anxious.

When the factories stop production, it may affect the supply of goods later on, which in turn affects everyone's lives.

My fellow citizens, I urge you to turn your protests into a dialogue.

For now, return to your workstations. Gather your demands together and send a representative to negotiate with City Hall and the factory owners.

I promise that if the issue isn't resolved, you can come back and resume your strike and protests at any time."

The workers around them began murmuring among themselves again, seemingly considering the mayor's proposal.

"...But who should we choose as our representative? What if he only looks out for his own interests?"

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

"...Yeah, you're right. Wasn't there a boy here just now, the quick-witted one who was cheering us on?"

Little George, standing at the street corner, suddenly felt everyone's gaze fall on him.

He shivered and turned to look at the workers gathered in front of City Hall.

"You'll be our representative and negotiate with City Hall. Remember, we want the minimum wage raised to at least 15 shillings."

One worker after another passed him, patting him on the shoulder and repeating the same words.

Their big hands left his shoulders aching, and he couldn't help rubbing them a few times.

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

Little George was baffled. He glanced awkwardly at Gais.

Gais shook his head too, unaware of what was happening over there.

Little George hesitated, when a majestic voice suddenly rang out in his mind.

"Go."

Ivan looked at Little George and decided this was a good chance to draw the workers in as followers, so he encouraged him.

Having received his Lord's revelation, Little George promptly stepped forward and went to meet Logan.

"Eh... This mayor looks a lot like that lady knight from yesterday..."

He pushed aside his jumbled thoughts and greeted the imposing man before him:

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

Logan looked at the boy who barely reached his shoulder and seemed surprised.

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

"Uh... Yes." Little George scratched his head and met Logan's gaze without flinching. "The workers want their weekly pay raised from 8 shillings to 1 pound."

Logan nodded without comment. He took out an elegant pocket watch and checked the time, then glanced at the Captain of the Constabulary beside him.

The captain's portly frame began to jiggle anxiously. He looked at the young man behind him and whispered, "Go check the street entrance and see if they've arrived!"

The young man was just about to leave when several Peace Officers emerged from the fog, each escorting someone.

"They're finally here." The portly man let out a long breath and glared fiercely at his subordinates.

"Reporting, sir! The factory managers have arrived!" they reported in unison.

Logan frowned at the men in woolen coats before him and couldn't help asking, "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 brought the foremen." The captain saw that the workers had already obediently left, leaving only a child behind, and relaxed with a smile.

Foreman Rick couldn't help asking the men, "Officers, now that the workers have returned to the Textile Factory, can we go back too?"

Before Logan could answer, the Captain of the Constabulary replied, "Of course not. The mayor hasn't told you how to punish those workers when you get back."

He brandished his fist, and several foremen laughed along with him.

Logan's expression darkened. "I called the factory owners here to raise the workers' wages, not to deal with useless people like you!"

Seeing that the mayor was angry, the Captain of the Constabulary hurriedly smiled ingratiatingly. "Mr. Mayor, look—the workers have already gone back obediently.

"If the foremen keep a close eye on them and give them a few more lashes, they'll learn to behave."

Seeing this, Little George couldn't help asking:

"Mr. Mayor, does that mean the promise you made to our... union doesn't count anymore?"

The Captain of the Constabulary glanced around and saw that it was a boy speaking. He immediately laughed scornfully.

"Union? What union? I've never heard of any Textile Factory having a union. Since when have workers been allowed to form illegal organizations like that?"

Little George replied coldly, "The workers entrusted me to fight for their interests, so naturally I'm the union's representative."

The man laughed even louder.

"You? Some stray brat from who-knows-where dares to challenge me?

"I'm the Captain of the Constabulary in Trino City. I decide what happens here."

Foreman Rick chimed in, too. "That's right! The officer is in charge. Who do you think you are?"

The group of foremen joined in, jeering, and didn't take the boy seriously at all.

Even Mayor Logan frowned, considering how to deal with these thugs.

Surrounded by everyone, Little George quietly clenched his fist. A faint current of air swirled around it.

Ivan frowned as he watched.

If Little George used his supernatural abilities in front of so many people, it would certainly cause trouble.

But if these people really tried to abuse their power, he wouldn't object to Little George killing them all.

Just as the tension reached a stalemate, a voice emerged from the fog behind the mayor, accompanied by flickering red lights:

"If you've already made a promise to the workers, then you must keep it.

"That's what order means."