Darkstone Code
Chapter 265 - 0263 Saint Harmony Association and the Girl’s Parents

Chapter 265: 0263 Saint Harmony Association and the Girl’s Parents

In general gatherings, if the host’s status is relatively high, he often only appears when the event is about to start, with important assistants representing him at the beginning to greet guests.

Only when the host’s status is relatively low does the host appear at the beginning; they need to greet those of higher status to demonstrate the expected courtesy.

But the President, in all aspects, could be considered the highest in the Federation. It is perplexing for him to be standing at the door early receiving not-so-important guests, but neither Lynch nor Severa had the desire to delve deeper.

Their lives were far removed from the President’s; perhaps Severa’s father might be a bit closer to the President, but only a bit.

Standing in the hall, the girl began to fulfill some duties. She knew many more social celebrities than Lynch, and she introduced Lynch to these people, and if necessary, she could initiate some topics for Lynch.

This was a transaction; she should and must fulfill her responsibilities.

As more and more invited guests arrived, the hall gradually became more crowded. Lynch noticed a detail; some pieces of jewelry some people wore were clearly the same as what others were wearing.

According to his understanding of upper-class social interactions, they rarely wore more common jewelry, which would make them appear somewhat... vulgar.

Bail Federal is not a society that prides itself on modesty and humility; everyone pursues uniqueness and transcendence. For example, Lynch’s cufflinks and tie clip were rented from a jewelry store by Severa.

Yes, rented, but not those ordinary mass-produced jewelry that is displayed on counters where once one is sold, the clerk takes out another identical one.

The jewelry they rented were designs from famous jewelry designers in Bail Federal. Each is unique in the world and invaluable. Some jewelry is not even for sale, just for rent, and each rental fee is astonishingly high, providing much more revenue than selling them outright.

People are happy to rent; on one hand, reducing unnecessary expenses—people won’t frequently wear a particular jewelry piece in public, which can lead to unfriendly comments or rumors. Renting instead reduces costs and ensures they wear different jewelry each time they appear.

Even if someone suggests the jewelry has been worn by others, it only proves the jewelry is very popular, not affecting the wearer.

This situation also ensures a rarity or repetition of accessories in high society, yet Lynch noticed some people’s jewelry is almost identical. This puzzled him.

"Are you talking about those tie clips and lapel badges?" Severa, a smart girl, immediately understood what Lynch was referring to and replied with a smile, "Do you really not know about those things?"

Lynch’s face showed some curiosity as well, "Should I know them?"

The girl didn’t continue teasing; she found it difficult to think of this gentleman with humorous and decent manners as someone climbing up or still climbing up the social ladder.

At least, during her interaction with Lynch, she didn’t see the unease or fear typical in individuals from the lower social strata in Lynch.

From her school days, after others knew her identity, boys from middle-class, well-educated families would feel uneasy when alone with her, not daring to even look into her eyes, let alone communicate calmly.

The huge chasm between family background and social class can’t be bridged simply by "confidence."

When one’s lifetime efforts can’t match another’s occasional impulse to act—like consumption—there will inevitably be a class gap leading to various negative emotions from the poorer side.

But this was never the case with Lynch, often allowing people to overlook his actual identity and treat him as one of them.

The girl began introducing Lynch, "These are Saint Harmony Association’s symbols. Do you know Saint Harmony Association?" Lynch nodded, he knew this. The girl continued, "If you pay attention to the President’s tie clip and lapel badge, you’ll realize he is also a member of Saint Harmony Association, and at a high level..."

Saint Harmony Association, or other secret societies, have similar small accessories representing identity. These small accessories have unique anti-counterfeiting technologies, and no one would imitate them since secret societies hold regular events, and everyone knows who belongs and who doesn’t.

Their purpose for such accessories exists as a kind of boast or some other ideas.

The symbols of Saint Harmony Association are tie clips, lapel badges, and collar buttons.

Ordinary Saint Harmony Association members get a tie clip, a triangular shape formed by three ears of wheat, with a sun in it.

If the status is a bit higher, they receive a lapel badge, also a triangular shape formed by three ears of wheat, with a moon in the center.

In Bail Federal’s traditional mythological stories, the sun represents perseverance, courage, strength, while the moon symbolizes wisdom and calm.

The Vice President wears collar buttons, also a triangular shape formed by three ears of wheat, but with an eye inside.

In Bail Federal’s myths and religious systems, the eye has many symbols. Here it signifies omniscience and omnipotence, also called the eye of true vision, able to see through everything.

The collar buttons signify the Vice President is a senior member of the Saint Harmony Association, and only senior members can wear such collar buttons.

It is rumored there is a higher level system, but these are just rumors; even members of Saint Harmony Association don’t know of a fourth level. The Vice President’s level is already the top.

"They wear the same jewelry to signify their identical identity backgrounds. Saint Harmony Association has great influence within the Federation; if you observe, you’ll notice the Vice President spends more time talking to those members."

This is the girl’s value; her understanding of upper-class society far exceeds Lynch’s. If it were up to Lynch, he might have to ask Ferrari or the mayor after returning to find out such things, but with the girl around, he knew everything immediately.

After finishing, the girl curiously asked, "Didn’t you attend Saint Harmony Alliance University?" In her view, attending Saint Harmony Alliance University seemed like something that should logically happen; she never even considered attending ordinary universities.

Lynch glanced at her, "I didn’t attend university, but I plan to."

"Sorry, I didn’t know..." The girl genuinely didn’t know; within a day or two, the butler gathered only what people knew about Lynch’s publicly known information. To know more hidden information required using connections.

This wasn’t something a butler could decide, even one backed by the family’s young lady, as it would disturb Mr. Wardrick, so Lynch’s information searches and investigations mainly occurred after he became famous.

"Graduating" doesn’t necessarily refer to university, it could also mean high school.

Lynch shook his head, "You don’t need to apologize; my not attending university isn’t your fault, nor do I think it’s my fault."

It’s not the girl’s fault, nor Lynch’s, so clearly it’s society’s fault. It just happened he couldn’t attend university during the previous President’s term, which somewhat reflected how disappointing the ousted President was.

A child couldn’t even afford university; how could such a President remain in office?

The girl faintly sensed the meaning behind this sentence but was uncertain, only nodding gently. She grew increasingly curious about Lynch; this big boy seemed unlike those from ordinary families, his style, his demeanor, not one bit!

Around 6:30, some heavyweight guests began to appear.

In Bail Federal, the definition of dinner falls between 7:30 and 8:00; people usually work in factories until 7:00. Adding commute time, when they return home for meals, it’s already after 7:30.

Don’t think this time perception is just for ordinary people; actually, it’s the same for everyone. It’s like watching exploiters squeeze the last bit of strength from the exploited before letting them go; they clock out at 7:00, and so do the exploiters!

Without this small common knowledge, as important figures began arriving, people slightly gathered towards the entrance, a privilege later arrivals could enjoy—more people’s respect and esteem.

First, some well-known capitalists appeared. These figures wielded considerable influence in society, controlling the livelihoods of tens of thousands of workers, affecting many families’ livelihoods, and often appearing in newspapers, making them familiar to the public.

Following them, senior members of the Progressive Party, Members of Parliament, or some star politicians.

As more prominent guests arrived, the atmosphere became more lively. Everyone tried to get closer to these big names, even if they couldn’t converse much, just being familiar was excellent.

Just as the event was about to start, Lynch suddenly felt the girl’s hand slightly grip his arm. He looked towards the entrance, seeing a gentleman, also in the Saint Harmony Association high level, engaging in friendly conversation with the President.

Lynch glanced at the girl, then at the gentleman and the lady beside him, and quietly asked, "Are you related?"

He felt the girl and these two people were particularly alike, especially the lady; they were too similar.

Severa nodded, "My father, and my mother!"