Darkstone Code
Chapter 266 - 0264 Factional Struggles, Love and Freedom

Chapter 266: 0264 Factional Struggles, Love and Freedom

"Thank you so much for coming, it puts me at ease...," the President’s smile was almost genuine, leading some around him to subconsciously believe he had a good relationship with the Wardricks, which was indeed true.

Mr. Wardrick appeared to be only forty-two or forty-three years old, well-maintained in fact, he was already fifty-one. Yet both his appearance and his actual physical condition seemed much younger than his age.

This is the benefit wealth brings. Wealth allows Mr. Wardrick and his family to enjoy the best living conditions and environments in the Federation.

They have a dedicated nutritionist to arrange their daily meals, a private kinesiologist to maintain their daily fitness, and regularly, the most advanced medical technologies in the Federation are used to diagnose any potential illness risks and find ways to reduce such possibilities.

It’s like someone once said, scientific progress is not for the benefit of ordinary people and human society. Each technological advancement in human history has only served a small group of people better.

The Wardrick family is part of this small group, which is why he looks so youthful, and this is also the main reason Lynch is unsure about Severa’s relationship with them—they all seem too young, especially Severa’s mother.

She was a dignified and elegant lady, wearing a dark floor-length evening gown, graceful, poised, and beautiful, sharing an eighty percent resemblance with Severa. She looked like a woman exuding an enchanting fragrance after the sediment of time, appearing to be at most thirty-something.

"Although we may have some differences on certain issues, our major objectives do not conflict, so I will support you!" Mr. Wardrick stated his stance directly.

For big capitalists, they are more aware of the value and benefits of international trade, or rather international capital plundering. If not for the Conservative Party President consistently blocking their capital from entering the international market, fearing that such activities might trigger unforeseen political events, they would have stirred up a storm internationally long ago.

Things are different now; the conservative dictatorship president of the Conservative Party has been toppled by these brave individuals, and now is the moment for the victors to celebrate over the Demon King’s corpse.

However, there are also some minor issues within, like how everything has its pros and cons. Recently, the moderate and radical factions within the Progressive Party have been fiercely debating who is right or wrong, which also relates to the key outcome of who can be elected in the national elections two years from now.

There’s no doubt the Conservative Party has no chance of making a comeback; at least, the next six years will belong to the Progressive Party. But whether the policy should be more radical or more moderate remains debatable.

The radical faction advocates standing with the Victorious Nations Alliance to demonstrate the Federation’s military prowess internationally, gaining international recognition through forceful means.

Among them, military personnel plays a major role. During the Conservative Party’s governance, the military folks were nearly stifled and now have eagerly awaited the dawn, naturally wanting to stir up some actions.

The moderates, however, have a different perspective. The Bail Federal has just started integrating into the international community and should present a relatively harmless stance. While they will stand with the Victorious Nations Alliance and send troops to help maintain world peace, they should not proactively take any actions.

This has led to some internal division within the Progressive Party, but the radicals currently hold a certain advantage as they’ve garnered significant support from high-level military officials.

Those madmen, with nothing but gunpowder in their heads, are impatient to tell others through military actions that the Federation is strong, some even suggest launching a new war.

Of course, these words are all nonsense without much thought, yet it represents a worrying trend. If the presidential election fails two years later, it means they will have to promote a radical Progressive Party President, which would be disastrous for the entire Federation.

Politics is so interesting; when there is an external enemy, everyone unites and fights the external enemy to the death.

Once the external enemy is eliminated, the internal factions quickly split into camps, engaging in infighting until a new, invincible external enemy appears, prompting reconciliation.

If Mr. Wardrick, representing the consortium, can support the President in winning the national elections, it significantly relieves the President’s pressure, and such support primarily comes from two aspects.

Votes—The consortium Mr. Wardrick belongs to can provide the President with enormous votes, allowing a leading position from the start of the election campaign.

Funding—Every presidential election involves a frenzy of spending. The President has to ensure his posters appear densely in every state, every city, every street, and even on garbage cans, with a smiling photo showing flashing white teeth.

Why show flashing white teeth?

It’s because the Federation’s largest dental healthcare group is also a crucial supporter of the elections. In earlier years, they even persuaded the public to agree to separate dental insurance from social insurance, making it a standalone insurance project.

Of course, this led to the public actually spending more money to get the services and protections they previously received for a small fee, but who cares? The public felt that doing so would provide better healthcare services and protections, the country reduced its burden, and the dental healthcare group gained significant profits. Everyone felt they gained, so it was no problem.

In summary, elections cannot do without capitalist support, and even the most genuine politician would lament the times if capitalists were absent.

But with capitalist support, even a clown, an actor, a merchant, might shine on the Federation’s grandest stage.

After a few more whispered conversations, they shook hands with the President and temporarily separated, as there were other important figures waiting.

People automatically made way for the Wardricks. They were going to the VIP lounge to rest, possibly to change outfits, mainly for Mrs. Wardrick, as the floor-length evening gown wouldn’t suit the upcoming cocktail party. She needed a more convenient dress, at least not dragging on the floor, which is a privilege only the big figures have, but also a burden.

At least ordinary people don’t have to do this to come across as normal, but for the big figures, not doing so might appear... discourteous.

Just as the Wardricks were about to leave, they suddenly paused and coincidentally saw Lynch standing aside with their daughter, Severa, on his arm.

"Should I be surprised?" Mr. Wardrick smiled at his daughter, though most of his gaze was sizing up and scrutinizing Lynch beside her.

Moments later, he extended his hand, "Wardrick, may I know your name?"

Lynch reached out and shook his hand, "You can call me Lynch, Mr. Wardrick."

Simultaneously, Lynch nodded to indicate his greeting to Severa’s mother beside him. It would be inappropriate and socially improper for him to proactively extend his hand.

"I thought my daughter should be at home practicing a piece she never seems to get right, but I didn’t expect to run into her here. Since you’re here, I hope you have a delightful evening!"

Mr. Wardrick spoke without giving off a particularly serious or heavy impression, his slightly smiling and amicable demeanor making people feel quite at ease. Lynch had a positive impression of him, an essential skill for significant figures.

"So Lynch, and Rella, see you later?"

Lynch nodded, and along with Severa, they stepped slightly aside, while the Wardricks smiled, greeted others nearby, and quickly left.

They would reappear after the event officially began, but this short pause had already drawn quite a bit of attention to Lynch.

Having walked out of the crowd, Mr. Wardrick felt a bit emotional, "A very young and handsome lad, I’d hope my son to get along just on looks like that, but I wouldn’t want my daughter to encounter someone like him, as it might make everything go awry."

His wife beside him laughed softly, "They look quite suited standing together."

Mr. Wardrick didn’t speak, but as they entered a private VIP room to rest, he sighed, "You always have to choose one; not everyone can be as lucky as us!"

What he meant was being born in a family like theirs doesn’t allow them to decide on things like marriage themselves. Both Mr. Wardrick and his wife experienced such a "political marriage."

Only the union of power and wealth can create something splendid, like Severa, but for her, the goodness is limited to now. The past few years have already started scouting suitable marriage candidates for her.

Once they find someone suitable, Severa will have to fulfill her duty—from birth, she’s been enjoying what 95% of the world’s population cannot, including subsequent generations, and for these enjoyable rights, she also needs to perform her duties.

That includes love, marriage, and freedom!

This might be cruel for a girl like Severa, but these people will never know that what they’re experiencing as painful is something the vast majority in the world can’t even dare to dream of.

However, the girl isn’t without a choice. If she chooses to give up everything, leave without taking anything, and no longer use the family name, then she can get everything she wants.

This sounds simple, but in reality, over the past century, every young person who did so ended up going back to their family, kneeling to plead for their family’s forgiveness and agreeing to everything arranged for them by the family.

Mr. Wardrick sat down and stood up again in the room, walked to the corner to pick up the phone, wanting to investigate the young Lynch to prepare for unforeseen events.