Blackstone Code

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The Federation's legal system was a labyrinth of clauses, each state and city layering its own local ordinances onto the already complex framework. No one dared claim they fully understood every law currently in effect across the vast expanse of the Federation. Yet, there was a shortcut—a way to grasp the essence of most laws and navigate life within their bounds without courting disaster.

These laws, though numerous and varied, could be distilled into a few guiding principles, each bearing the distinct flavor of the Federation's ethos. The first and perhaps most sacred rule was simple: do not infringe upon another's free will. People cherished their autonomy above nearly all else, and any act that forced someone to act against their desires was strictly forbidden. Forcing them out of a car or house, taking money from their wallet, or demanding they remove an article of clothing—all such actions were considered violations of this principle, and the consequences for crossing that line were severe.

The second rule followed naturally from the first: do not attack anything—living or non-living. Violence, whether directed at a person, an animal, or even something as seemingly innocuous as a roadside rock, carried weighty repercussions. Attacking a living being constituted harm, and the Federation had crafted robust laws to address these offenses, including those protecting animals from cruelty. As for inanimate objects, damaging them might lead to charges of vandalism, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment. Aggression, in any form, was simply not tolerated.

Finally, there was a third, more intuitive guideline: if you found yourself questioning the legality of an action, it was safest to assume it was illegal. This unspoken rule served as a moral compass for many. If you weren't sure whether spitting on someone was lawful—or engaging in other questionable behaviors like public urination, peeping into a neighbor's bathroom, or running around unclothed—it was best to err on the side of caution. Uncertainty about an action's legality often meant it crossed some unseen boundary, a reflection of societal norms ingrained over years of conditioning. Trusting that inner voice, shaped by experience and observation, became a kind of self-preservation.

Adhering to these principles kept most people out of serious trouble, a piece of wisdom passed down through generations and summarized by countless lawyers who had seen the consequences of ignoring such guidance. It wasn't a perfect system, but it worked well enough for those willing to heed its lessons.

......

After two or three days of instruction, the young man—now named Bororica—had officially entered a new phase of his life. In the native tongue of Nagalier, "Bororica" means "blessing." To better integrate him into Baylor Federation society, Lynch shortened his name to "Rika," which sounded somewhat feminine but wouldn't fool anyone. People weren't blind; they wouldn't mistake a boy for a girl just because his name leaned toward the softer side.

Adam explained the differences between Baylor Federation society and Nagalier in terms anyone could understand: respect for and adherence to the law were paramount.

Nagalier did have laws—plenty of them—but they were riddled with loopholes and inconsistencies. Still, their core structure wasn't flawed. The problem lay in enforcement—or rather, the lack thereof. People didn't respect the laws because two systems operated simultaneously: secular law and the Divine Codex.

These systems overlapped in many areas. For example, secular law dictated that murderers should face trial and punishment, while the Divine Codex argued that repentance (often monetary) absolved sinners. Executing a murderer meant losing two lives, whereas forgiveness preserved one. Since nearly all citizens of Nagalier were devout believers, the Divine Codex often held greater sway than secular law. Its provisions aligned neatly with the needs of the ruling class—and the masses.

In the Baylor Federation, however, things weren't so forgiving. Rika quickly grasped the gravity of his actions. Whether it was "forcing relations against a woman's will" or "causing injury through violence," the charges would land him in deep trouble. Add to that the potential involvement of feminist organizations staging protests, coupled with Rika's foreign status, and he was looking at a decade or more behind bars.

This brought up a sensitive issue plaguing contemporary society. As the Federation interacted increasingly with the international community, a troubling ideology began spreading rapidly. Some believed foreigners would soon enjoy elevated status, perhaps even surpassing that of native citizens. Despite repeated denials from the President in both public and private forums, fears persisted. Should the girl press charges, the case might escalate into a political incident—a statement to reassure the Federation's populace that people's interests remained supreme.

They'd make an example of Rika, handing down an unimaginable sentence to drive home the message: whether in the past or present, the people's welfare came first.

No, this wasn't a joke. Stop that unpleasant laughter.

Rika had learned humility. He now approached everything cautiously, including his demeanor. Gone was the brash arrogance of old. He no longer waved his arms at Lynch or shouted his name as though they were equals—or worse, as though he were superior. Now, he addressed Lynch respectfully, calling him "Mr. Lynch" with a hint of fear in his voice.

Had the High Priest seen Rika's transformation, he would've been pleased. At least one of his many sons finally resembled a human being.

......

Three days passed swiftly, and the exhibition proceeded as planned. Lynch chose a section of Bupayne Central Park as the venue. Ordinarily, such public spaces couldn't be privately occupied, but thanks to a favor from Mr. Truman to the Social Services Bureau, what seemed impossible became possible.

By 2 PM, throngs of media personnel and citizens gathered. Lynch appeared alongside Severella, waving to the cheering crowd like a celebrity. Unlike typical exhibitions, this event wasn't designed to overshadow others, so no celebrities or dignitaries were invited.

Severella watched the frenzied scene, her eyes lingering on Lynch's profile. "You're very popular…" she murmured, reminded of her father. Whenever she accompanied him to events, the atmosphere was similar.

In Waldric's household, the role of the female figure wasn't particularly prominent. Severella's mother wasn't a strong-willed woman—she was gentle. Naturally, Waldric played a pivotal role in his daughter's upbringing, becoming her anchor.

Children raised in such families, especially girls, often exhibited one of two tendencies. Either the father's presence instilled security and fostered a healthy degree of paternal attachment—which was normal—or he became a domineering figure akin to a dictator, driving the child to flee the family and avoid discussing him altogether.

Waldric was a gentleman.

Lynch glanced at her briefly and cracked a joke. "It's not me they're cheering for—it's the paychecks I promised them. They're all actors I hired."

She laughed despite herself. "You don't need to mock yourself. You're handsome, influential, and people love hearing your stories. I never realized before how effortlessly you draw crowds without spending a dime."

"That's not storytelling…" Lynch corrected gently.

"I know, I know—it's your experiences," she interjected, already anticipating his words. Lately, tales of Lynch's legendary adventures had dominated Bupayne's upper-class social circles.

They approached the first display. Staff removed the tarpaulin, revealing a massive pair of tusks amid gasps of awe. Longer than when first acquired, the tusks rested on custom-made pedestals, enhancing their grandeur.

As Lynch launched into an animated narrative, the long-dead elephant came alive again—only to meet an unfortunate demise once more in his retelling. Afterward, Lynch moved to the next exhibit while some attendees posed for photos with the tusks. Though not free, the service cost only a buck per photo—a manageable sum even in Bupayne's struggling economy.

The crowd buzzed enthusiastically about each item until Lynch stood beside a guarded staircase. Staff carefully unveiled a glass case containing a large, partially damaged piece of parchment covered in cryptic symbols.

As confusion rippled through the audience, Lynch placed a hand on the glass and declared, "This is my greatest find in Nagalier. It relates to a legend…"

"A legend tied to King Supayaen…"

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