Fantasy Writers 1860

Chapter 119 Mr. Hakimi was greatly underestimated.

Although "Stupid Wilson" unexpectedly cooled off after its initial popularity, the cooling off was only relative. In fact, many people were still watching it; it just didn't create a high-profile discussion environment.

After all, everyone knows that Mr. Hakimi's writing touched on many people's sore spots and was a bit overly sensitive. Openly supporting him might just get them into trouble someday.

"The value of this novel has been underestimated. At least so far, it has not resorted to any clichéd moralizing rhetoric, nor has it depicted any formulaic or sensationalized suffering of demi-humans. None of the problems that people have criticized before have actually appeared."

Inside the Lance Law Firm in the Loia district, Henry Lance, dressed in a smart bespoke suit, sat upright in a high-backed leather chair, sunlight streaming in through the large glass windows, illuminating his custom-made desk made of oriental rosewood.

Looking out through the office windows, the clock tower, the Lontien Tower Bridge, and the Parliament building under construction offer a stunning panoramic view.

He gently placed the copy of *Lentinion Weekly* on the table. While the printing wasn't particularly crude, it still seemed rather rough compared to the surroundings. "Grey, have you read this novel?"

"Of course I've seen it, Lord Lance." The assistant lawyer named Gray smoothly pulled himself out of the work report and nodded seriously.

This Mr. Henry Lance is apparently the owner of the Lance law firm.

The fact that this law firm is located in the Loia district tells you that Mr. Henry Lance is someone important.

Not small.

He is a top student of the Inner Temple Law School, one of the four major law schools in Londinion, and now holds the title of Royal Lawyer.

No. 1 is already among the elite of the Britannian legal profession.

Gray, through hard work and opportunities, rose from an ordinary clerk to become a junior barrister and assistant to the Royal Counsel.

If all goes well, when he reaches Lance's age, he will have a great chance to take over the law firm and become the new Royal Barrister.

"What do you think?" Lance asked.

As a trusted confidant of his leader, Gray, who was always eager to improve, knew that having excellent professional skills was not enough; he also needed to have a deep understanding of his leader's preferences and habits.

So when he learned that Lance had started reading the novel "Stupid Wilson," he bought every issue and studied it in depth, showing that he was well-prepared.

Although this novel always reminds him of some past events he doesn't want to remember.

Ironically, it is precisely those past events that he himself does not wish to recall that have, to some extent, propelled him to his current position.

"The two innocent children merely swapped identities and environments. Tom, who was of demi-human blood, became willful, irritable, and domineering; Chambers, who was of human blood, became docile and obedient. Even the mastermind who knew everything..."

Roxie watched helplessly as her son completely lost his son's attributes as a son, becoming nothing more than a master.

"I think what Hakimi was trying to say is that the environment has a greater influence on a person than bloodline," Gray slowly gave his answer.

He didn't actually hold that idea entirely; he just knew that Mr. Lance liked it.

"Yes, just as I've always believed, the environment we grow up in is the main factor that truly determines a person's character. I've seen the most despicable humans and the noblest demi-humans—" Lance sighed. His profession meant he had indeed witnessed such a wide range of human nature.

This lawyer, Lance, is a sympathizer of demi-humans, advocating for granting demi-humans a free identity, and has been working tirelessly for the liberation of demi-humans.

The reason he promoted Gray to be his assistant was largely because he knew Gray was also a demi-human activist.

Was Gray really a demi-human activist?

At least it used to be.

At least, when he gave impassioned speeches at the university, he was truly an activist for demi-humans; when he and his classmates went around the streets handing out leaflets advocating for social change and granting demi-humans a free status, he was truly an activist for demi-humans; when he saw the deeds of Earl Lockhart and told him he wanted to learn from him, he was truly an activist for demi-humans.

These experiences were not fake, nor were the surging ideals and passion in my heart at that time.

However, he later met a real demi-human.

Now, after discovering that "Ajin activist" can be a character designation, and that this character designation seems to be going quite well in the current version, he has begun to consciously shape his own character designation.

Was Edmund Grey really a demi-human activist?

Now, even he himself can't explain this problem.

Lance picked up the now-cold black tea on the table, took a sip, and lightly tapped the rosewood tabletop with his fingertips, producing a few steady, soft sounds. "But you're only half right."

"Mr. Hakimi's ambitions go beyond this, which is why I say this work is greatly underestimated."

"He did not portray Roxie as a flat victim, as is the case with other vulgar demi-human novels; on the contrary, she is also a tragic perpetrator."

"She wasn't a good person either. She had maternal love when she decided to switch the children, but later when her own son actually became the master, she cursed him and even took revenge on her own son."

"She was trying to rebel against slavery, but could only use the tools of her masters—those cunning and despicable means and the same racism—which only further perpetuated the violence."

Gray feigned a moment's thought, then feigned sudden realization: "I understand now. Even Roxie herself, deep down, subconsciously subscribes to the theory of bloodline determinism. Society has etched prejudice into everyone's bones, including those oppressed by it."

The person who forced it.

“That’s right, exactly,” Lance smiled, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at Gray. “In the past, I always thought that we should push for legal changes as soon as possible. Now I realize that even if the laws are changed, if the prejudices in people’s hearts are not removed, demi-humans will still not achieve true freedom.”

"By extension, doesn't this situation also exist among humans? It's all the same—" Lance stopped tapping his fingers and looked out the window at the parliament building, which was still under construction but would be completed by the end of the month.

Beneath those brand-new stones and timbers, the foundations, unchanged for a century, still stand.

"Yes, so it's a blessing that a writer with real thought and insight like Mr. Hakimi can come out and try to erase prejudices from the public as much as possible." Gray responded casually, but his thoughts drifted back to that garden, recalling the demi-human girl with whom he had once talked happily and felt like they had known each other for a long time.

I must have disappointed her a lot back then.

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