A mage's journey begins with a battle mage.

Chapter 364, Bill 666

Click, click, click—the sound of countless reporters' cameras snapping photos echoed all around.

No one wanted to miss this epic moment.

Today will be an unforgettable day for everyone.

"Mr. Kevin, is there anything you can reveal in advance regarding the new bill?"

"Mr. Kevin, what are your thoughts on the various heinous incidents that have been occurring recently?"

"Mr. Kevin, you..."

The media bombarded this poor legal advisor with their cameras and microphones.

Kevin always gives the same response to these media outlets.

"No comment."

Kevin then pushed open the conference room door.

Inside the room, seven experts from various fields, including Jiang Shuzhou, gathered together to prepare for this final debate.

Of course, state media also set up live streaming equipment, ready to broadcast live to everyone.

"Coach Kevin, how have you been?"

Jiang Shuzhou greeted him with a smile.

"It's fine, it's just that I've been busy with your suggestion lately, so I'm a bit tired."

To be honest, Kevin didn't know why he was so persistent in completing Jiang Shuzhou's shelter location construction tasks.

He was clearly just going through the motions at first.

But that's fine, it saves people from saying he has no credibility. Besides, these aren't exactly achievements that can't be used as political accomplishments, so just keep bragging about them.

"Take a deep breath. It's normal to be tired. After all, at your position, you still have to put in a lot of effort for the people."

"That's true. Sigh, there's no way around it; with great power comes great responsibility."

The real saying should be that with great power comes great responsibility, but Kevin clearly simplified the middle part.

Compared to Kevin and Jiang Shuzhou's relaxed and cheerful conversation, the atmosphere on Field's side was much more tense.

"Mr. Tony, I remember your father made his fortune in the arms trade, didn't he?"

"That's one way to put it."

"Then don't you want the military's orders...?"

Field was talking animatedly, but Tony didn't seem inclined to pay him any attention.

It's true that he rose to fame through military service, but what does that have to do with Field?

How much weaponry is sold during peacetime? Besides, the military market is nowhere near as lucrative as the civilian market.

Although military-grade military equipment is several times more expensive than civilian-grade military equipment, don't forget that the difference in the number of consumers is enormous.

With so many people in the Federation, each with a gun, that's a huge fortune, not to mention other businesses.

No matter how much Field pleads, Tony won't change his mind.

Meanwhile, Jack and Will were also trying to persuade Hannibal.

In short, it's all the same old thing.

"Will, we're friends, but you have to understand that sometimes, there are things that are more important than friends."

"This world is corrupt, and we must shoulder the responsibility of saving it."

"And Will, are you feeling any better?"

Will fell silent.

He understood Hannibal's unspoken message: if he continued down this path, Hannibal might choose to expose his mental state to the public, which would cost him his job.

"I see."

After saying that, Will fell silent.

Only Jack continued to earnestly advise Hannibal.

The gentleman remained expressionless in response.

He doesn't care.

"By the way, Will, if you're scared, you can come to my house on that day. I promise you won't be in any danger, and I'll even cook three meals a day for you myself."

"Of course, we can also discuss other things, such as psychology, or various cases."

He smiled and said to Will.

Will neither agreed nor disagreed; he simply remained silent.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Okay, this is your old friend Adno! Today is the live-streamed voting session of the expert panel on the new bill."

"Although I'm not there in person—after all, this is an expert panel vote, not a press conference—we can only provide video footage and can't ask questions. But that's alright; I'll be there for you during this exciting moment!"

Favish continued drinking; lately, he had been drinking more and more.

Still hung up on Atlas?

Milan asked, and then he sat down next to Facci.

"Drinking more alcohol has its benefits; at least it can help you temporarily forget the past."

As he spoke, he opened a bottle as well.

"This drink is on you."

"Dream on! Going Dutch, you old man, I can't outdrink you."

"Ha ha."

Both sides burst into laughter, and the atmosphere eased considerably.

"Okay, the contents of the new bill have been released, let's take a look!"

"What?! They've gone mad! This can't be allowed!"

A sharp, piercing crackling sound came from the television, making Faki's ears ache.

"What happened?"

"Look! This, this..."

Milani was so shocked that he couldn't speak.

"Without laws, we are nothing but a pack of beasts! We struggled to emerge from our caves and create civilization, and now you want to drag us back to savagery?"

The sound of arguing came from the television; this was the last gamble for Field and his two companions.

"Yes, I agree with your idea, but the biggest difference between us and wild beasts is that we have morality, or rather, self-control. We can control our own behavior, so even if the law is abolished, we will still be human. Civilization is already deeply ingrained in our genes."

As we all know, anything before "but" is just nonsense, while what comes after is what we really want to say.

Jiang Shuzhou's words were unusually calm, without the slightest emotional fluctuation, and completely rational.

In fact, what Jiang Shuzhou said is quite right, but it is sophistry. He cleverly amplified the characteristics that a small number of people have to the vast majority of people.

Many people simply don't have that kind of self-control; only a small percentage do.

Jiang Shuzhou was one of them. Nothing could restrain him. The only thing that prevented him from going on a killing spree was his own morality and self-control.

"What do you mean by that? Do you really think everyone has that kind of self-control?"

"Of course, the citizens of the Federation are all very good. So-called civilization is about bestowing morality on the vast majority of people, while the minority will kill each other because of the law."

"Furthermore, the federal government has prepared enough shelters where order will still be maintained, and everyone can go there and have a pleasant day."

"Furthermore, Bill 666 stipulates that any federal citizen can receive a $1000 federal shopping voucher after that day, which can be used unconditionally at any point of purchase."

"Of course, on that day, all non-essential positions will have a three-day holiday, and everyone can enjoy these few days of fun."

Jiang Shuzhou said with a smile, his words full of incitement.