Darkstone Code

Chapter 449: 0447 Torch of Hope


Children are truly magical beings.

How magical?

Actually, those who can ask this question probably haven't seen these magical children. The magic lies in their fearlessness.

The saying "Ignorance is fearless" is most evident in children. They dare to grab all sorts of insects with their hands and show them to you.

They dare to do things that adults would never do or wouldn't want to do, such as rolling in the mud—and it's worth mentioning that the water for the mud comes from their own excretory system.

It's similar for the children of Nagariel; every child in the orphanage is a little mudball.

The orphanage director is a woman who appears to be in her fifties, wearing clothes that have faded white from washing.

She timidly stands with the children, facing the foreigners getting out of the car.

Last evening, the local police station director came to her, informing her that some important foreign figures would visit to see the children and donate some items, advising her to prepare ahead.

She's already made every effort to prepare, wearing clothes she usually can't bear to wear, but still, she was caught off guard.

In just a moment, those clean children turned back into little mudballs, and she was a bit fearful.

With reporters, the public, and cameras as witnesses, Lynch stepped beside the timid director and extended his hand, saying, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Director."

The female director looked at her hand; it was actually quite clean, at least no visible dust, but she still felt uneasy and rubbed her hand behind her back before gently shaking Lynch's hand, "Likewise, sir."

Her voice was gentle, though there are times when she loses her cool, especially when dealing with unruly children draining her energy.

Lynch sensed her unease and quickly released her hand, then turned to the people beside him and began introducing them. "Before coming, I learned about this place and heard a truly touching story."

The people around Lynch—the police station director, some local officials, senior soldier, and some of his company personnel—all showed looks of serious attention.

Reporters were scribbling furiously; fortunately, Lynch's speech was clear and precise, so they didn't have to worry about missing out.

The crowd surrounding the gate and even those perched on the walls were watching Lynch, curious about what the foreigner was going to say.

"Ms. Director devoted herself to caring for these children and has remained unmarried to this day. It's truly admirable and moving, hence my visit today."

"In today's society, whether in the Bail Federal or the Nagariel United Kingdom, there are those who quietly dedicate their all for society in places unseen."

"They don't seek to move anyone with their silent dedication, not even themselves. They simply see it as their responsibility, a duty."

"They are like torches, illuminating the darkest corners for us and bringing warmth into the desperate Abyss."

"Their actions make me aware of my insignificance. They are giants within the spiritual world, while I am merely a 'small person.'

"I cannot do what they do, but I respect them—their attitudes, their actions, their sense of responsibility."

"I can only help them in my own way, as well as others who need my help!"

Lynch's words weren't directed at Ms. Director or those beside him, but were rather an address to the reporters and ordinary citizens, explaining his differences from other foreigners.

"I plan to donate a lot of things to the orphanage—some everyday supplies, food. I hope these will assist them."

Not far away, trucks were unloading; the workers moved deliberately slowly, as if afraid others wouldn't notice.

As boxes upon boxes were carried out, people exclaimed continually, especially when food and meat were brought out. A ring of swallowing sounds could be heard around the orphanage.

Meat, which many people might only eat a few times a year; if you exclude insects, rats, wild dogs, and other such things as 'meat,' they might only taste meat once or twice a year, maybe two or three times.

And those bags of wheat kernels, the gray-white flour, were all incredibly tempting.

After showcasing his 'generosity' for a while, Lynch's voice again drew people's attention back.

"In addition to these, I will be establishing no fewer than twenty Hope Schools in all cities within the Province."

"These schools will offer free schooling to children of appropriate age, without requiring them to pay a penny, giving them access to education."

If Lynch's previous statement about donating to the orphanage caused some barely noticeable and shallow emotional fluctuations, then this sentence immediately altered the emotions of those outside.

Reporters were also stunned by this news, knowing that the ruling class of Nagariel typically holds onto wealth tightly.

They hoard society's Wealth in their pockets, never considering paying back into society—they never offer any valuable or effective medical and educational services.

Even the public facilities they built have become venues for certain class distinctions.

Only those from the ruling and privileged classes can enter these public facilities to enjoy "public" services and amenities.

There has never been any mention of free education. If the number of schools hadn't become a criterion for assessment, the management in some backward areas wouldn't even want to build schools.

If what Lynch said isn't a lie, people have every reason to cheer for this news.

People loudly asked if Lynch meant what he said, and questioned when he would build the school, or if he was just talking...

The phrase "knowledge changes fate" is never a lie, whether in the Federation or in Nagariel, although sometimes people misunderstand the meaning of this phrase.

It was at this moment that Lynch suddenly lowered his head, and the eyes of others followed his movement, looking at his lower half.

A child, around two to three or three to four years old, dirty and indistinguishable as a boy or girl, naked on the top with visibly altered shorts.

He wasn't wearing shoes, as footwear is a luxury item for children. His left foot was stepping on Lynch's polished leather shoe.

A small, dirty black foot, even an average person wouldn't find it clean or cute, had dirtied Mr. Lynch's leather shoe.

What made it more alarming was that one of his dirty little hands was clutching Lynch's trousers.

Would he be in trouble?

Watching the quick change of expressions on the Police Director's face, and the stark differences on the faces of those around Lynch, everyone was worried for the child.

Lynch's hand was already reaching out to the child, and people seemed to be able to imagine him picking the child up and tossing him away viciously!

That was their perception of foreigners, who love cleanliness and hate dirty children, prone to rage over minor things.

People prayed that nothing bad would happen. The Matron wanted to explain, but she was stopped.

However... the terrifying scene did not manifest. Lynch's hand patted the child's head, and then he squatted down, picking the child up in people's astonished eyes!

He didn't push him away, he didn't hit him, he didn't scold him to get lost, he only squatted down and picked him up.

He calmly looked at those who were losing their composure, including the Matron, and softly laughed, "I haven't had the chance to say, the reason why I want to name these schools 'Hope' is because it will become our hope, Nagariel's hope, a nation's hope."

"Children can systematically learn advanced knowledge from an early age, and understand this world more clearly than we do, gaining the opportunity to change their fate."

"It's not just their individual destiny that changes, but also their families, the whole nation and country, everyone's fate will change little by little."

"So I call them Hope Schools; they are torches of hope, carrying the flame of hope for this nation."

Lynch stroked the dusty cheek of the child in his arms, "This is the spark, this is the future..."

These words made people ponder, moved them deeply. The Matron was thanking the divine for sending someone to save her and the children, and the reporters were just as moved—apart from those around Lynch, everyone seemed touched.

Of course, at such a moving moment, someone still found faults.

"Mr. Lynch, I noticed you only donated some worthless items. Aren't you, as a wealthy person, going to donate some money?"

The tone carried a spicy sarcasm and tease. Things like food and daily supplies are indeed very important and expensive for ordinary people, but for the wealthy, such things truly aren't worth much.

The Senior Soldier stepped forward, preparing to have the person identified, but Lynch stopped him.

Still holding the child, he turned to face the door and those ordinary people on the walls at its sides, who were also watching him.

He showed no fear whatsoever, his eyes were candid, "That's a good question, and I'm willing to answer it."

"In my hometown, there's a saying, 'Wealth not only drives one forward but can also lead to one's downfall.'

"Donating money to the Matron and these children at an orphanage without men or security guards is a foolish act, as it would only push some down the path of crime."

"But food and daily supplies won't!"

"Some of you wouldn't kill for stealing a bite of food, but stealing money might make some of you do that!"

"I am not stingy with that trivial amount of money, I just don't want anyone to get hurt because of money, or even lose their life."

Nearby, a reporter could hardly hold back his praise, "You truly are a kind gentleman!"

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