Chapter 663 — The Times Have Changed

The gaunt, pale middle-aged man finished reading the newspaper and suddenly sighed softly. "Such content... printed in a newspaper, left for those commoners who've only just learned to read to discuss as they please... Could it be that this is where we went wrong?"

No one heard his low lament. After speaking, the gaunt, pale middle-aged man rose silently, rubbed his fingers lightly, and a wisp of flame suddenly sprang up out of thin air, consuming the newspaper on the table in an instant.

Watching the ashes on the table, he stood lost in thought for a moment, then turned and walked straight to the tavern door, pushed it open, and left.

"Boulder City... I never thought this place could become so prosperous."

Walking the streets of this gateway city of the South, looking at the tall, brand-new buildings around him and the broad, clean streets, the middle-aged man could not help muttering to himself.

Then he noticed the pedestrians around him suddenly scattering in all directions, and a large group of law-enforcement officers in black uniforms, equipped with weapons and shield devices, had appeared at every intersection nearby without his noticing, rapidly converging on this spot.

The gaunt, pale man's first instinct was to reach for his waist, where a short sword for self-defense hung—but after noting the number of officers and the equipment in their hands, he wisely stopped.

A tall, burly officer stepped forward, a solid magical shield shimmering faintly around him. "Sir, drop your weapon and put your hands above your head! You are under arrest for violating the Extraordinary Persons Control Act!"

Even as he announced this loudly, the officer's professional instinct made him quickly size up the man before him:

He wore a traditional short robe of an outdated cut, fastened with a tied cloth belt, and handmade boots; beneath the robe there seemed to be wide-legged trousers... An obvious outsider, and one who had likely arrived in the Southern Region not long ago.

In the Southern Region, changes in tools and modes of labor had set off transformations in every sphere. Because of the safety requirements for operating all manner of machinery and equipment, and because of factory dress codes, a new style of clothing—tapered, light, easy to move in, handsome yet practical—had gradually become mainstream. Robes long and short, wide-legged trousers, broad-cuffed long sleeves, and coats with tied belts were all being replaced by close-fitting formal wear, light work clothes, and everyday variants thereof. Some scholars argued that this "machines determining men" was a form of bondage, a regression from traditional custom, but it was undeniable that ninety percent of laborers in the Southern Region were accepting such change—and those who still kept to the old styles of dress... were either rather old-fashioned people or outsiders.

In this fortress city that served as the gateway to the Southern Region, the latter was far more likely.

The middle-aged man surrounded by the watchmen was plainly still caught in shock and surprise, but he understood the sheriff's meaning all the same: he unfastened the short sword and short staff at his waist and set them on the ground, then raised his hands above his head.

The sheriff nodded. "Very good, sir. Cooperation is a fine start. Your name?"

The middle-aged man watched the watchmen around him warily. He was silent for two seconds, but in the end he answered cooperatively: "Bade... Bade Windel."

"Mr. Bade Bade?"

The middle-aged man's face twitched slightly. "No, Bade Windel. Only one Bade."

The sheriff kept his stern expression. "Very well, Mr. Windel. You will need to come with us. Whether you are released will depend on your behavior."

"Why are you arresting me?" the middle-aged man finally could not hold back. "I haven't hurt any—"

"We detected unauthorized spellcasting," the sheriff said, staring at Bade. "Times have changed, Mr. Windel. Where is your casting license?"

Bade froze. "...Casting license? What is that?"

The sheriff shrugged. "Well then, it seems you slipped in illegally. This time, I'm afraid you really will be locked up."

The corner of Bade's eye twitched, but after a brief hesitation and thought, he heaved a sigh at last.

"At this point... it doesn't matter anymore," he sighed. "Do as you like. I won't resist."