Gamers Are Fierce-Chapter 598 - 596 Perspective

Is this it?

Mule let out an inward sigh of relief. He had expected the other party to present a convoluted, bizarre, and complex case, but it turned out to be much simpler than he had imagined.

Of course, guilty—

Just as Mule’s mouth began to open, the Witch floating behind him shouted sternly, "Wait!"

Mule’s movement froze instantly, his relaxed mind tensing up again.

Only then did the Information Broker notice that the Bee man sitting in front of him had imperceptibly adjusted his posture. Even his fuzzy, orange-yellow bee head and the angles of his facial features seemed to have shifted. Was he trying to put on a... serious expression? Although, discerning "seriousness" from a bee’s face sounds somewhat unrealistic...

"In this scripted mission, you are playing the role of a professional lawyer," the Witch said gravely. "If the arguments, evidence, and reasoning you provide are too simplistic and coarse, it’s very likely that you won’t pass Bonaparte’s test and might even make him doubt the authenticity of your identity."

"That’s right." The Black Trojan nodded. "Bonaparte has studied various books, including mathematics, philosophy, geography, and history. He issued the Napoleon Code, which established the social order of Western capitalist countries. His ability to discern and argue is certainly not weak. Answering rashly will only reveal your own flaws."

Mule’s thoughts spun rapidly. He understood that the strategy team was right, but how should he speak to pass the other’s test?

Seeming to interpret Mule’s hesitation as thoughtful deliberation, the Bee man nodded approvingly and continued to add details to the case.

For instance, during the rescue process, several landslides occurred in the mountains, one of which claimed the lives of ten rescuers. During the operation, the cave exploration association’s funds were quickly depleted; subsequent efforts were supported by public donations and statutory appropriations.

The explorer Whitmore was the first to suggest that they might need to eat one of the members, as there was no other way for the others to survive. It was also he who proposed drawing lots, claiming to have brought dice with him. The other four were initially unwilling to accept this suggestion. However, after Whitmore communicated with the outside world using wireless equipment, they agreed to the proposal. They then discussed the mathematical problems involved in ensuring the fairness of the draw and ultimately agreed to use dice to decide their fate.

However, just before the dice were cast, Whitmore—the one who had proposed drawing lots—announced he was withdrawing from the agreement. He believed they should wait one more week before committing this horrific act. The others accused him of breaking his word and insisted on rolling the dice. When it was his turn, another member rolled the dice for him and asked Whitmore to state whether he agreed with the fairness of the dice. He voiced no objection. Subsequently, when the dice roll was unfavorable to him, he was murdered and eaten by the other members.

PHEW... Mule took a deep breath. Only when he reviewed the entire case again and pondered deeply did he realize how astonishingly complex it was. He absolutely could not make a simplistic judgment from a single perspective, such as personal moral aesthetics.

"I..."

Just as Mule was about to speak, he was interrupted by the Bee man. "Mr. Kevin, you served as a local prosecutor and then switched to become a lawyer, so you have a wealth of professional experience. But in this case, I’m not merely seeking the advice of a prosecutor or a lawyer. I need you to make a judgment in the capacity of an agent of power."

"An agent of power?"

"Yes." The Bee man intertwined his fingers, casually resting his hands on his propped-up left thigh. "The Underworld is a crucial cornerstone for the normal functioning of the Mortal Realm. The Council of Thirteen, presided over by five Dinosaur Majesties, is responsible for guiding souls from the Mortal Realm, cleansing their memories, judging their sins, and then reclassifying the souls to be reincarnated back into the Mortal Realm. If the Underworld were to shut down, the Mortal Realm would lack the souls of living beings, leading to barren desolation. At the same time, the negative emotions accumulating in the Mortal Realm would also be reflected in the Underworld. If the creatures of the Mortal Realm were to become despairing, negative, corrupt, and numb, the Underworld would also become neglected and desolate. The two worlds interfere with and influence each other, and the Council of Thirteen undertakes the important task of maintaining the healthy operation of this essential machinery that is the Underworld. We need to judge the souls of the Mortal Realm, cleanse their sins, and make the tainted souls healthy again, thus pushing the Mortal Realm to become more positive and progressive, maintaining the balance between both worlds. Note, the judgments we speak of are not solely for an individual or a species. Rather, they are made from an extremely high perspective, encompassing both worlds, to macro-manage the myriad souls."

The Bee man waved his hand and said in a solemn tone, "We are judges, but also lawmakers, enforcers, implementers, and even the representatives of the highest authority between the two realms. We are responsible to the five Dinosaur Majesties and to the myriad living beings. I hope you can understand our perspective and, while considering morals, law, fairness, and justice, look at this case from both macro and micro viewpoints."

Mule pursed his lips tightly, finally realizing where the difficulty of this mission lay. The perspective and altitude from which one observes things can lead to different conclusions. It is difficult for an ordinary person, with their limited mind, will, perseverance, and ability, to transcend their own limitations and evaluate matters both macroscopically and microscopically. Moreover, he wasn’t a lawyer; he couldn’t even be considered a legal worker...

So complicated...

The Black Trojan licked his lips, the tips of his fingers tingling slightly. Before the software developer’s eyes floated all the legal provisions he had looked up, but they seemed to be of little help.

The Forest Cat frowned deeply, saying in a troubled voice, "Macro and micro... No wonder Bonaparte turned into a Bee. Mulling over such questions all day, anyone would go mad."

"Stop with the useless chatter," the youngest-looking Witch, a junior high schooler, shook her head and pondered. "Since we need to take a higher perspective, we naturally have to discard the viewpoints of the five major legal systems, such as the continental European system, the Anglo-American system, the Indian system, and the East Asian systems. So, there’s no need to haggle over specific legal articles. TSK, such a hassle..."

Seeing the puzzled expression on Forest Cat’s face, the Witch casually explained, "The world’s five major legal systems are classifications made by legal scholars based on the fundamental characteristics of laws in various countries. The Anglo-American legal system applies to Great Britain and the United States; its characteristic feature is that past cases are one of the main bases for judges’ decisions, juries determine factual issues based on evidence, and judges make the rulings. The continental European system, applicable in France, Germany, and other nations, relies on legal statutes as the primary basis for decisions. It has no jury system; both guilt and the severity of punishment are decided by judges. If this case were adjudicated under the continental European system, we could easily make a judgment based on a specific legal provision. Then it wouldn’t be so troublesome."

"How about," Li Ang stopped struggling with the bookshelf, turned around, and said calmly to his companions, "we first ask the Bee if there’s a universal code of law in the Underworld?"

"That could work," the Witch nodded in agreement. "When facing a mythical being who could destroy you with a glance, it’s best to first test his original stance. There’s no harm in asking."

Having received the strategy team’s advice, Mule pretended to have finished his deliberations and seriously asked Li Ang’s question.

"Are you referring to a code of law?" The Bee nodded. "The Underworld does have a code, compiled two thousand years ago under the direction of the five Dinosaur Majesties. But that code is aimed at all living beings, and its content is very vague. It basically states, ’Those who, not for the purpose of satisfying survival needs, maliciously harm other living beings for pleasure and thereby produce negative emotions, must face judgment.’ As the human population expanded and society changed daily, humans began to have an ever-greater impact on nature. The negative emotions generated by seven billion people grew heavier, and the code became somewhat inapplicable."

The Bee picked up his wine glass and, using his chewing-sucking mouthparts, took a sip of the liquid. He said faintly, "We can discuss the problems with the code later. Right now, I’d rather hear your answer."

Mule fell silent for a moment, the tapping of his fingertips on the table clearly signaling to his companions: ’Help me, quickly!’

Li Ang stared at his companions for a while. Finding that they were all still pondering, he said, "How about you say this..."

He began to articulate calmly. After a brief silence, Mule took a deep breath and began to repeat Li Ang’s words verbatim.

"I apologize, Mr. Bee. As an ordinary person, I am still constrained by my own knowledge structure, intelligence level, and past experiences. I cannot give a precise and objective conclusion; I can only respond within the scope of my abilities."

Mule paused, then, imitating Li Ang, said in a calm tone, "This incident itself can be analyzed from countless perspectives. If we look at it from the most fundamental moral and legal principle of ’a life for a life,’ the four explorers who murdered and ate their companion should be sentenced to death. For the Underworld, respecting legal statutes is also crucial. Strictly adhering to legal standards, thereby reducing human factors, can significantly improve the efficiency of law enforcement and lower time and labor costs."

The Bee man made no comment, merely adjusting his seated posture slightly. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Mule glanced at him and continued, "Of course, this judgment process is too simplistic and crude. What is the cornerstone of law? Laws created by civilized humanity are based on the premise of human coexistence. The fundamental goal of all laws in the world is to promote and improve the state of human coexistence, regulating the fairness and equality of relationships within that state. If the basis for human coexistence ceases to exist—for example, as in the case where survival is only possible by killing another—then the cornerstone supporting the law crumbles, and the law itself loses its meaning. In the case, the five trapped individuals were isolated from the world, with rescue teams long overdue. In that scenario, they were effectively in a ’lawless, primitive environment,’ unregulated, and unable to enjoy the benefits of law as a social contract. Their actions were driven by the human instinct for survival. Consequently, they should not be subjected to a retrospective trial by civilized society."

The Bee shook his head. "Lawyer Kevin, these two viewpoints of yours seem to contradict each other."

"That’s true." Mule nodded, mimicking Li Ang. "The same incident, viewed from different angles, can yield two completely different conclusions. Is it wrong to respect legal statutes? No. Is it wrong to respect the legislative spirit founded on human coexistence? Also no. But in the complex real world, simple right and wrong do not exist. Or rather, the act of crudely judging right and wrong is itself an irresponsible act, a voluntary abandonment of rational thought, humanity’s most important tool."

Mule feigned a deep sigh. "The foundation of law is public acceptance. In the real world, devoid of supernatural abilities, the force that maintains human social relationships and order is not firearms, bank deposits, access to information, knowledge level, or social status, but the mutual acceptance among people. This is an extremely abstract concept. With public acceptance, we have currency, nations, civilization; even a person’s identity stems from public acceptance. If the multitude acknowledges, a beggar can become a king; if they deny, a king can instantly become a beggar. In this case, the majority of the public understood and sympathized with the four explorers’ plight. Opinion polls showed that over ninety percent supported their acquittal or a symbolic punishment. From the perspective that law must reflect public morality and guide it, these four should be acquitted."

The Bee couldn’t help but shake his head upon hearing this. "Laws established by civilization should indeed serve the vast majority of the people. However, the manifestation of the people’s will, public opinion, is not very beneficial for the execution of law. Public opinion is based on existing evidence, is emotional, can be manipulated, and is liable to change at any moment. One day, public opinion might be a tsunami demanding a suspect’s release; the next, due to new evidence, it might be a tsunami demanding their immediate execution. Assuming that during an investigation all evidence could be clearly found and the original facts of the case perfectly reconstructed, and assuming the public could think rationally and consider deeply, then judging according to the people’s will would not be problematic. But in actual investigations, too many factors interfere, making it impossible to perfectly reconstruct the original facts. Therefore, direct interference by public opinion in judgments is inadvisable. The correct approach is to let public opinion promote the improvement of the law."

Oh? Li Ang’s mind stirred; he instantly spotted the issue in the Bee’s words. He guided Mule to ask, "Even the Underworld cannot reconstruct the original facts of a case? I thought the Underworld would possess some artifact capable of perfectly replaying a soul’s entire life."

"Your thinking is quick." The Bee opened its chewing-sucking mouthparts, forming a "smile." "The Underworld does possess such an artifact, that’s true. However, this touches upon another issue: whether the scope of public will should be confined to humans. We can discuss that point later. You may continue."

"Alright." Mule likewise smiled. "If we approach this from the often disdained but practically existing utilitarian perspective, the law desires for everyone to survive. If conditions do not permit, then it should ensure that the lives of the majority are protected—thus, the four explorers’ actions are not culpable. If we take a pragmatic view, the four explorers in this case could have waited for someone to starve to death before resorting to cannibalism, or they could have consumed non-essential parts of their own bodies, like toes. They still had the strength to kill, meaning they weren’t truly in a desperate life-or-death situation and did not meet the legal requirements for emergency justification—thus, their actions are culpable. From a moral standpoint, law is overt morality, and morality is covert law. Lawmakers and enforcers are themselves human and, in such a predicament, might very well make the same choice as the explorers. If one cannot meet a standard oneself, one cannot demand it of others—thus, the four are not culpable. If we consider it from the angle of upholding the dignity of the law, severely punishing criminal acts can deter potential offenders and thereby maintain social order. If someone with malicious intent deliberately created a similar cave predicament, condoning the behavior could lead to larger-scale crimes—thus, their actions are culpable..."

"Wait!" The Bee interrupted Mule’s speech. He leaned forward, asking with unprecedented seriousness, "Mr. Kevin, you can enumerate countless viewpoints surrounding this case, but I am more interested in hearing your own opinion."

Me?

Li Ang bowed his head in thought, considering how to phrase his response to fit the persona of Lawyer Kevin. After a long pause, he lifted his head and said carefully, "Humans are forever limited, perpetually unable to transcend themselves, their environment, their era, and other factors when viewing issues. Because this limitation is eternal, an excellent legal practitioner can never achieve a perfect balance of morality, fairness, and justice. They can only settle for the next best thing: delegating a portion of the responsibility to others. The external manifestation of this is that some legal professionals become mechanical and rigid, numb and indifferent—this is what’s meant by the saying, ’the more one studies law, the more one loses their humanity.’ Worse still, some unscrupulous and ignorant legal professionals may become arrogant and conceited, considering themselves superior, detached from public morality, and even taking pride in this detachment. As for me, personally, I do not have the capacity to render a perfect judgment."

Li Ang himself certainly had opinions, but he first had to adhere to professional ethics. You get what you pay for; since he had accepted Mule’s employment, he naturally had to consider Mule’s interests. Compassion, gentleness, rationality, kindness, affability, while not lacking depth, and at times even a touch of shrewdness—these were the traits that fit the persona of Lawyer Kevin.

"Is this the answer you’ve arrived at after your in-depth analysis?" The Bee nodded noncommittally. "Then, what if we could grant you a perspective and abilities beyond those of humans?"