Chapter 209

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 209: Law and Order Regulations and “Equality for All”

The notice in Chapter 3 outlined plans for completing the second phase, encompassing pipes, roads, and other infrastructure expansion, additional training programs for public facility workers, incentives for high-end talent recruitment, as well as the primary development directions for Hillenbrand Town and the various specialized departments that City Hall would establish in the future, such as the “Department of Construction” and “Department of Agriculture.”

These are long-term initiatives that will gradually unfold after the second phase is completed, and they can be considered Lolth’s assignments for the “City Hall” to be formed following the official election.

“Everyone may return home now. Rest well today and prepare for work tomorrow!”

After posting the three announcements, Lolth looked at the residents of Hillenbrand Town and the Superoperators who remained gathered nearby.

She waved her hand dismissively and said.

“Today is still a holiday. Work when it’s time to work, and rest when it’s time to rest—I’ve already distributed meal tickets, so go enjoy some food and drinks!”

After Lolth addressed everyone, the residents of Hillenbrand Town gradually began to disperse.

However, this scene reminded Lolth… that the cultural and spiritual needs of Hillenbrand Town’s residents required urgent attention.

Currently, the only entertainment available to everyone was eating snacks, drinking beer in the cafeteria, and playing cards together.

Compared to their newly improved material conditions, this was indeed quite inadequate.

Although “End of Days” loomed like an invisible blade over her head, compelling her to rapidly enhance the residents’ skills and defenses in Hillenbrand Town, these were still relatively normal times.

Even though the continent faced chaos and war, the recent conflicts in Vera Plain would not spread back here anytime soon.

It would not be an exaggeration to call this small town a “haven of peace.”

There was no need for residents to maintain extreme focus and make significant sacrifices during ordinary times.

This is not a life-or-death situation…

If they can plan appropriately and allow everyone to develop comfortably and steadily, why rush matters?

Hillenbrand Town faces no immediate problems, even considering the “End of Days.”

The “End of Days,” influenced by “planes” and “magic,” according to the “records” in the crystal ball, suggests that if it arrives, it will not be for at least ten thousand years.

The main plane of this era has developed for less than twenty thousand years, which is quite brief compared to historical timelines.

In this context, even the lord, who tends toward laziness, demands that her people have no enjoyment or leisure.

Lolth found this unjust.

Lolth firmly believes that only when one can rest properly can they function more efficiently when returning to work.

Although Lolth acknowledges that laziness is indeed a character flaw, expecting everyone to maintain a “great,” “noble,” or “sacrificial” spirit is unrealistic and profoundly unfair.

“Once we have sufficient researchers and skilled workers in our educational system, the third phase of the project should include not only independent research centers and magical industrial infrastructure but also recreational facilities,” Lolth murmured as she walked toward the torture tower, modifying her original plan.

“Playing cards and drinking daily is not sustainable… If this continues, it could easily degenerate into gambling and violence…”

Tina and Isabella, who were accompanying her, heard Lolth’s words and responded.

“Indeed, the trend of card-playing and drinking needs addressing. Recently, many of the Superoperators, formerly human adventurers, have begun gambling. Those dwarves often drink while on patrol duty and have missed their shifts. I’ve reprimanded them several times…”

Isabella nodded and added.

“For those Superoperators, we should implement new control measures. Besides the rule prohibiting misuse of extraordinary powers and stipulating that Superoperators who engage in conflicts with civilians should face stricter penalties, we need more detailed regulations,” Tina said, frowning contemplatively.

“But… I also feel that using legislation to address these issues seems somewhat excessive. Should the police station truly handle natives and Superoperators differently…?”

Lolth, realizing her mumblings were overheard by the two, didn’t find it inappropriate.

Instead, after Tina finished speaking, she began helping Tina think through the problem.

“So this issue has already emerged… It is feasible to legally prohibit gambling. The remaining matters could be consolidated into a ‘Public Safety Management Regulation,’ which would function as an independent code of conduct for the police station, administered not by the lord or City Hall but by the police station itself,” Lolth said, offering her suggestion.

“This way, when someone violates the law, the police station follows City Hall and the lord’s directives to enforce it, but the police station’s personnel also have a duty to operate according to the ‘management regulations.’ This approach preserves legal authority, while regulation enforcement can emphasize ‘light penalties,’ ‘prompt action,’ and ‘education as the primary objective’…”

Tina listened to Lolth’s casual solution, initially surprised, then quickly retrieved paper and pen to note it down.

“I understand, categorizing these minor infractions and disputes as ‘violations’ and distinguishing them from serious ‘crimes,’ based not on whether someone is a Superoperator or native, but on the severity,” Tina looked at Lolth with admiration.

“Truly impressive, Lolth! You effortlessly devise solutions!”

“It’s nothing remarkable, I merely referenced successful precedents. When establishing procedures, we must not allow the distinction between Superoperators and civilians to become the basis for differential penalties. The foundation of law and regulations is ‘equality.’ Once we deviate from that path, correction becomes difficult,” Lolth shook her head and said.

Lolth shook her head and said.

In a world where most police institutions rely on officers and executors to make judgments based on principles and morals, systematic legal frameworks have only begun to emerge in a few cities of Seychelles and South Sotua, let alone the distinction between different types of violations.

Even in Isabella’s homeland, the Ryman Empire, neither police stations nor City Halls exist.

The territory falls under the direct governance of nobles and their relatives, and maintaining fairness and justice largely depends on whether the ruling noble possesses good character.

Imperial law? Beyond noble disputes, it essentially serves as mere window dressing; commoners are prohibited from accessing its contents!

Consequently, Isabella admired Lolth’s earlier actions even more profoundly than Tina, who originated from a place resembling a tribal society and had never encountered a formal legal system.