Darkstone Code

Chapter 1042 - 1040: Sense of Responsibility

This scene didn’t just happen once; it occurred many times. Every ambassador, upon receiving this information, immediately contacted their home country.

In fact, the conditions laid out by the Federation people were quite simple.

Either follow them, stand by their side, and then receive these planes.

Not only planes, Mr. Truman’s hints made them realize that as long as they kept in step with the Federation, they could actually receive much more.

Military, medical, industrial, economic!

All-encompassing benefits, as long as they steadfastly stood by the Federation.

If they didn’t follow the Federation, they wouldn’t be able to share in some of the Federation’s inventions, technological achievements, or military results.

Small countries find it hard to catch up with big countries in technological research due to a lack of talent, funding, and even if they developed something good, they couldn’t protect their results. These are all issues.

Coupled with the division of global alliances, this choice could likely represent the engagement side in the next world war; people certainly need to make a careful decision.

Not everyone believes the Federation can defeat Gafura, even if they’ve won a naval battle!

Calls crossing countless distances made the gap between any two people seem so short. This issue would haunt them for days!

But the person who created this issue wasn’t aware at all of the trouble he had brought to these people, these countries.

Of course, Lynch had his troubles as well.

Today was the collective burial day.

The bodies from the front line had been sorted and stitched, and were now all transported back.

After the farewell ceremony, the families of these fallen warriors would bury them collectively today.

Apart from those to be buried in family plots or private graveyards, or those already arranged, Lynch had purchased plots at the Bupen Cemetery for the others—

Here, we must mention some anecdotes. In the Federation, some people adhere to so-called "tradition," and it’s said their ancestors mainly came from Gafura.

Their so-called tradition is to bury the deceased in the backyard of their house!

Yes, right in the backyard of their residence. It doesn’t need to be a large space, just enough to fit a coffin, which many places can accommodate.

In families with such conservative traditions, a visit to their backyard reveals numerous tombstones, sounding a bit eerie.

When night falls, you might have to greet them before sleeping, starting with the ancestors.

"Good night, ancestors," continuing to "Good night... father!"

Well, apart from these people, many are willing to follow the company’s arrangements and bury their children in the Bupen cemetery.

At least, the cemetery in such a big city like Bupen isn’t cheap. Even the relatively cheaper plots cost at least $1,500, and with management fees and some ceremonial costs, if someone wishes to be buried here, they’d spend about $3,000 to $4,000.

The countryside plots are cheaper; in Sabin City a plot costs $120, but the environment, management, and services aren’t good.

The annual service fees present a minor issue for the deceased’s family; there’s an interesting saying in the Federation, "Don’t think you stop incurring bills just because you’re dead," which refers to this matter.

Cemetery maintenance also requires money—not much, but it’s necessary.

Compared to other places, Bupen’s cemetery offers a better environment, better services, and excels in every aspect, and Lynch is willing to pay these bills.

Having their children or husbands rest here may be the best choice.

The farewell and burial ceremonies are separate, and today might be the busiest day for Bupen’s priests, hardly giving them time to rest!

Coffins were continually lowered into plots, then covered with soil, while inside the farewell hall, Lynch watched the people outside.

This year, more than half came, while some expressed they didn’t want further contact with Lynch or Darkstone Security Company, so they didn’t come.

Lynch could understand this point since their family members departed the world here. Their hatred towards him and Darkstone Security was understandable, and he wouldn’t force them.

For those who came, Lynch wanted to talk to them.

Discuss the future, discuss certain things he must personally address.

Regardless of whether these people died because of the Ministry of Defense’s stupidity, they were ultimately Lynch’s responsibility, and Lynch must bear this responsibility!

By around noon, past twelve, all the burials were finally completed. Some grief-stricken couples, with vacant eyes, and young ladies holding onto children’s arms, returned to the farewell hall.

There were over 900 people in total; fortunately, the farewell hall was large enough—it was specifically built for celebrities and political figures, allowing it to accommodate more attendees.

Lynch looked at them, first bowing deeply, and only stood upright again after a moment, moving to the podium to solemnly say, "I’m sorry!"

A single sentence, a single word, made the atmosphere more sorrowful, and some ladies began to sob, as sadness permeated the room.

"I know that no matter how much I say or do at this moment, it won’t be able to bring them back from the ground."

"All of this is my fault, I know this, and I want to make up for the harm caused by our mistakes."

"I am very grateful to everyone for sitting here, giving me a chance to atone for my sins. I sincerely thank all of you, and I am truly sorry!"

He bowed again and only straightened up after more than ten seconds.

"What I am going to talk about next are just the ways I can think of to compensate everyone."

"We’ve referenced the Federation Government’s casualty compensation regulations and added an additional 20% on top of that. I know that no matter how much we add, it can’t fill the pain of losing our loved ones."

"This is my way of expressing sincerity."

"I also know that this money doesn’t mean much, and what I want to say has nothing to do with this money."

"I’ve had people register and document your family information. Starting today, if a sibling of theirs needs a job, whenever we have job openings, we will prioritize looking among yourselves."

"This is not limited to Darkstone Security, Darkstone Capital, Darkstone Airlines, and more industries and companies in the future; as long as we have a job opening, any direct relatives of theirs can get a job here."

"I promise this, and the salary will be higher, and the benefits will be better than others!"

These words even stopped the crying of some people. The deceased are gone, but the living must continue to live.

Federation citizens have always been keen on having children, with almost every family having two or three kids, or even more.

Now, these children are at the stage of looking for a job, or are currently working or searching for work. It goes without saying what a good job means—it’s life and happiness!

Giving them a decent job is more suitable than directly giving them money, and it might resonate even more with them.

Lynch had not finished speaking.

"In addition to these, on important holidays each year, as his parents, wife, children, and family members, you can participate in the various holiday activities organized by Darkstone Security."

"Free activities, you just have to come, without any additional costs, just come."

"If you can’t make it, we will also mail the holiday gifts to you. As long as Darkstone Security exists, this will continue every day!"

"Apart from the aforementioned issues, if his relatives need help with schooling, medical care, or anything else," Lynch raised his hands, making a covering gesture, "anything!"

"Whenever you encounter trouble, you can call us, and we will do our best to help you resolve the issues!"

"Likewise, I promise that this will always be valid."

"Maybe some people wonder what I want to do, actually, I just want to do what I can to make up for my sins, I hope you feel..."

Lynch’s voice choked slightly, "They are always here, yes, they are always here, they are just working out of our sight, just unable to come back."

"But they are always here, they have not left us, whenever we face problems, encounter trouble, we just need to make a call, and they will step out to solve these problems for us."

"They... are always here!"

The atmosphere in the room became somewhat extraordinary, some people’s crying became louder, but the atmosphere of sorrow lightened a lot.

An elderly woman voluntarily walked up to the platform and hugged Lynch, "It’s not your fault, we all know what happened."

Yes, their children were serving well, then suddenly got asked to be discharged and recommended to join Darkstone Security, and a few days later, sent to the "frontline". They knew what happened.

They are not fools, they know clearly who’s playing the disgraceful role in this.

Lynch has done enough, it moved them greatly, even if he’s pretending, but if he can pretend for a lifetime, then it’s true!

Lynch simply used "I’m sorry" to respond to the elderly woman’s words, and she cried in his arms for a while before letting him go.

"Sorry, I’ve soiled your clothes."

Lynch never paid attention to his clothes, he just lowered his head like a child who had made a mistake, "I’m the one who should apologize..."

Someone else stood up, walked over, comforting the emotionally down Lynch.

He hugged everyone, apologized to everyone, the scene became more "sorrowful", yet the atmosphere seemed more and more relaxed.

The heaviness had disappeared.

Lynch had people distribute a briefcase to everyone, inside were various items, some documents, some authorizations, some other things, including some phone numbers.

These items would let them understand when and what kind of help they need, which number they should dial first!

The attentiveness, the meticulousness, moved everyone!