Darkstone Code-Chapter 997 - 995: Seeking Support

The press conference was slightly chaotic, some reporters had an inkling of the situation, but were not yet clear about the specifics.

When Darkstone Security Company announced this news, many were shocked.

This is an era of peace, why would there be deaths in a peaceful era?

Hasn’t the war already ended?

Watching the reporters who were restless, eager to rush up and shove microphones in their mouths, the director of the first action department continued with a mournful voice, "I am deeply saddened by their fate, it is our loss, the Federation’s loss, and a loss to the world peace effort."

"Perhaps you are curious as to why such a thing occurred. Next, please allow me to briefly explain..."

At this moment he recalled the words Lynch had said to him in the meeting room—

"Sometimes it’s actually not difficult to get others to stand on our side; we don’t need to show them how righteous we are."

"Just tell them how evil our enemies are."

"Most people don’t have bright hearts, but they are eager to prove it."

"To prove themselves as allies of righteousness, the best way is to find a sufficiently evil person to become their enemy."

"We offer them a target to satisfy their psychological needs, allowing us to obtain what we need."

"Public opinion support, societal support..."

He then narrated the events that had happened and were happening in Mariluo, mainly selecting evil content, such as genocide campaigns and massacres.

This shocked all the Federation media present; they had not expected such appalling things to occur in such a civilized society and era, it was simply unforgivable!

Along with photos and written materials provided by Darkstone Security, an image of an evil, hellish neighbor was established.

"...All this until the appearance of Mr. Sanchez, who is also the employer of this military action. He hired us to end the racial confrontation between the Mariluo people and the Malori people."

"He hopes to create a Mariluo filled only with love and peace. We took such considerations into account to send young men to help him realize his great dream."

"However, the stubborn resistance of the local warlords caused us to lose some family members, but their sacrifices were not in vain!"

"Blood and heroic souls will ultimately forge great peace; no one will sacrifice in vain!"

That evening, Lynch appeared on the prime-time TV program, the currently most popular ’Don’t Talk About Current Affairs’.

The host, Momo, asked Lynch, "There are many worries about a war breaking out, people think your actions are inciting war, what do you think of these views?"

Lynch shrugged slightly, opened his hands a bit, "Baseless accusations are a manifestation of anxiety; in fact, we are saving not only Mariluo, but also the Federation."

"I have a document here; over the past decade, Mariluo has been smuggling large amounts of contraband and smuggled goods into the Federation through armed smuggling, all because the struggles between warlords require substantial capital."

"The Federation is a rapidly developing market; we do not discuss the significance of those contrabands themselves, we only refer to the domestic consumption capacity."

"Many items we prohibit are being smuggled into the country by these warlords. Perhaps our children, friends, and relatives are being poisoned by these contrabands."

"Moreover, based on our investigations and studies, most gang organizations in Federation North are related to Mariluo warlords."

"They are influencing our lives in ways we usually don’t notice, not positively and constructively, they are undermining our peaceful lives!"

"Some immigrants from Mariluo, people who claim to be part of the ’Mariluo Gang,’ are also interfering with the normal order of society."

"We don’t feel much about these things because it’s not us who are being harassed."

"This doesn’t mean we should continue to pretend to be blind and deaf to it."

Momo nodded, "I didn’t realize the problem was this serious, but Mr. Lynch, don’t you think this should be left to more professional entities?"

She changed to phrasing everyone could understand, "I mean leave it to the official entities, the Federation Government and our military, it seems to be their job, not Darkstone Security’s."

"You don’t represent all of the Federation citizens."

This question was slightly sharp, but any problem before Lynch ceased to be a problem, he was composed, not showing any ungentlemanly side because of the host’s potentially embarrassing inquiries.

"If the knife hasn’t fallen on us, can we say all this has nothing to do with us, how narrow-minded must that be?"

"Those homeless, those abandoned children, those needing help, should I not extend a helping hand because they have nothing to do with me?" 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"I have always believed one of humanity’s most valuable assets is compassion."

"Compassion makes us more like gentle people, not wild animals; we are moved and make decisions because of our kind’s tragic fate, this is humanity’s most valuable asset, why should we ignore it or even see it as wrong?"

Momo was somewhat at a loss for words, she looked at the audience again and then at the camera lens, "I swear these aren’t pre-set lines..." she raised a card in her hand, showing it to everyone.

"The script says he should remain silent and not answer this question, but now he makes me feel like an inferior person, and it’s not a good experience."

Lynch kept his smile, "You feel bad, which means you are actually like us; asking tricky questions is just your job."

"Thank you for understanding my work," Momo threw away the card in front of the audience, which made many laugh out loud.

"So, let’s move on to the next question. What are your plans next?"

"Already more than two hundred people have died; will you take further action, or will the Federation Government intervene next?"

"Is there going to be a war?"

Lynch sat back, crossed his legs, and lit a cigarette, "You have quite a few questions; you said ’next question,’ but actually it’s several."

"Where should I start to answer you?" He took a puff, "Firstly, the Federation Government will not intervene for the time being."

"Some civil issues are civil issues, they have not escalated to a national level; if one day the situation develops to the need for the Federation Government to intervene, I believe they will not refuse."

"As for what we’re going to do next, that is definitely to strive to complete our orders. We once again call on all Mariluo people domestically and abroad, for peace, to lay down arms and rebuild a harmonious and beautiful home, which is the most correct choice."

...

After the show ended, Lynch declined Momo’s proposal to have supper together, he still had much to do.

Upon returning home, the maid told Lynch that Mr. Truman was awaiting his callback.

He entered the study, took up a newly made Kleve cigarette from Every Moment and lit it, while dialing Mr. Truman’s private phone.

It has to be said, Nagariel’s harsh natural environment endowed its wild tobacco with elements not found elsewhere, more nicotine bringing more enjoyment.

Whether people smoke cigarettes or consume Kleve, the true aim, in the end, is to absorb nicotine through various means.

This pleasurable feeling is mesmerizing, it is so wonderful!

By the time it is on the market, one has to buy at least several hundreds per piece.

"My maid told me you want me to call you immediately after coming back, has something happened?"

Mr. Truman’s tone was unhurried, "Why did you hold a press conference, these matters could be left unsaid, and we wouldn’t say anything, letting it quietly become history, wouldn’t it be better?"

This is something he couldn’t understand, actually self-exposure isn’t a good choice, could become a mistake.

Conversely, concealing facts is the best choice; as long as post-event measures are in place, no one will bring up these issues.

Lynch exhaled the smoke from his mouth, "We were somewhat in the wrong position, so we mustn’t lose initiative."

"Currently, many people in the international community are watching us; if I don’t step up, they might directly cause trouble for the Federation Government taking advantage of this."

"I have taken this part of the responsibility, not giving them an opportunity to deepen the issue."

"Secondly, too many died this time, over two hundred people; if exposed by others, it could likely trigger a negative social impact."

"I must spin it into favorable public opinion support before others explode it; even if external pressure won’t make people side with me, at least they won’t become my enemies."

"Moreover, we will continue to conduct military operations within Mariluo, and this cannot be hidden; we need domestic support."

If this was a hit-and-run, then it’s no matter, could at most be considered a failed mission.

But Darkstone Security won’t leave; they will continue to collaborate with Sanchez in cleansing enemies within a certain range, to some extent, this equals a kind of metamorphic invasion.

No matter what, this requires domestic support; otherwise, if the public sides against Darkstone Security, it’s highly likely this plan will be aborted.

Abortion isn’t frightening, but the money from the Ministry of Defense must be returned, Lynch won’t spit out what’s consumed.

Given this, self-exposure first prevents public opinion from overwhelming; the rest isn’t so important.