2077: V really knows how awesome he is

It's clear that he doesn't particularly like Joshua Stevenson either, and the reason he's protecting this scumbag is purely because of orders from his superiors.

Similarly, while the fat boss of the fourth wall was distressed about the high-end furniture stained with blood, Rachel Kasich remained all smiles, showing no intention of protecting Mewtwo.

Everyone in this room disliked Joshua Stevenson, yet it was Joshua Stevenson who brought them all together.

"May our Father love us, and may the sins of you, me, and all be forgiven."

Even with his face covered in bruises, Joshua Stevenson remained calm as he recited scriptures.

V couldn't help but say, "Is there a loose chip in this guy's head? I think he should see a psychiatrist."

“I think so too, but it’s too late to see a doctor now,” Rachel Kasich shrugged.

"He's so crazy, why did you choose him as the lead in the Dream movie?"

"Because Joshua has something that many people want, but few can give."

"What is it?"

“Devoted.” Rachel Kasich said sarcastically, “In his waterlogged idiot head, he genuinely believes what he says, and he’s absolutely convinced of it.”

"He's just a lunatic."

"It's okay. All the audience needs is this emotion. Mewtwo's role is to record this emotion, and my role is to maximize this emotion through scientific planning and calculation."

"for example?"

"For example, I'll arrange for him to become pen pals with the victims' families, and have him visit each victim individually to ask for forgiveness. If some accept, Joshua will feel he did the right thing, and his faith will become stronger; if others don't accept, Joshua will see it as a test from God, and his faith will also become stronger. And at the end of all this, I'll have him imitate the Father being crucified on the cross. I believe that at that moment, his faith will reach its peak, the audience will experience an emotional climax, and this dreamlike film will be forever etched in history!"

It's twisted, but powerful; most importantly, it accurately captures human nature.

Just as someone who can't sleep with a beautiful woman might buy a fantasy film about sleeping with a beautiful woman to experience pleasure they can't feel in reality, people who can't be devout themselves yearn to experience the happiness and beauty of devotion through others.

V asked, "Aren't you afraid of shaking Joshua's faith by saying these things in front of him?"

Rachel Kasich laughed and said, "If a mental illness were so easy to cure, I would be the best psychiatrist in the world!"

Sure enough, Joshua Stevenson shouted, "I'm not mentally ill, I just realize my past mistakes and want to make amends!"

Vasquez scoffed: "The best compensation you can offer is to get shot in the head and have your body chopped up and sent to a protein farm to feed the bugs!"

“Yes, that’s how it should be!” Bill Jablonski echoed.

“Simply dying is meaningless. My death should serve as a wake-up call to the world: only by forgetting hatred can we eliminate suffering, and only then can people live happily!”

“You see, he’s terminally ill, beyond cure,” Rachel Kasich said to V. “President V, you’ve brought new life to Night City, but it’s undeniable that the previous war also caused many families to be torn apart. Those who survived are unattached and filled with rage; they are undoubtedly a destabilizing factor in this society. If this Dream movie is successfully filmed, it can make people ‘forget hatred’ and ‘forget pain,’ which will naturally stabilize society to a great extent and consolidate your rule.”

V raised an eyebrow: "That's how you convinced Lucius Lane, wasn't it?"

“Yes, the mayor agrees with my idea.” Rachel Kasich countered, “Are you going to object?”

"I'm not saying I'm against it, but I want to stop the filming of this Dream movie."

"This... I'd like to hear your reasons!"

“You can hear a lot of grand principles. For example, Night City doesn’t need a flock of docile sheep. In this turbulent time, hatred is the best motivation to keep moving forward. For example, love and hate are not contradictory. People in Night City can hate their enemies and villains, but they can also love their family and friends. For example, judicial justice cannot be shaken. Joshua can die in the electric chair and on the guillotine, but he must never die in a mass entertainment frenzy.”

Rachel Kasich shook her head: "That's just your personal opinion. You're imposing your will on the masses, and I'm sorry, I can't agree with that!"

"Whether you agree or not is irrelevant, because what I'm about to say is the real reason." V crossed his legs: "You say I impose my personal will on the masses, that's right, that's exactly it. Do you know why I can do this? Because I destroyed Arasaka, and I preserved Night City. Letting people immerse themselves in the beauty of the Dream World is a method of rule, but I don't like it. My rule doesn't need to numb the masses, because my power is the foundation of my rule. Night City must be done according to my will. Anyone who dares to change it, I will eliminate them. You remember that!"

V doesn't mind being approachable, but what she wants to build is a truly beautiful city that can exist in reality, not a utopia built on lies and numbness.

Anyone who goes against this wish will be crushed by V, without exception!

The aura of authority emanating from her made Rachel Kasich sweat profusely.

"I...I remember."

"Now I'm saying I want to stop filming this Dream movie, do you still object?"

“No, no, no.” Rachel Kasich shook her head and waved her hands. “I 100% support your decision.”

But while she didn't object, some people did.

"I disagree!" Joshua Stevenson suddenly shouted. "This dream movie must be made. It will awaken the public and allow people to truly let go of hatred and embrace love. This is a mission given to me by God!"

V sneered, "What a crazy person! They dare to disobey me. Do they think they have two lives?"

“Mr. Joshua, you’d better think carefully before you speak.”

“Of course I’ve thought it through!” Joshua Stevenson said, his teeth chattering with panic. “President V, this dream movie is really important. I don’t intend to tame the masses; I just want them to experience beauty. My act of repenting as a murderer and willingly emulating the Father by being crucified will surely awaken the beauty in people’s hearts and make them truly understand what love is.”

"Love? Then tell me, what is love?"

Joshua Stevenson answered sincerely: "Love is about mutual understanding and treating others with sincerity. If you do this, even the wicked will repent, let go of their evil thoughts, and start anew!"

V nodded: "That's a great idea. Would you like to hear what love means to me?"

"Appreciate further details."

"Love is simple in my eyes. Hard work is love, treating others kindly is love. When facing external enemies, the complete annihilation of the Ghost Hounds is love, the NCPD protecting the people is love, the selfless sacrifice of gang members and mercenaries is love, the people scrimping and saving to give supplies to combat personnel is love, even the fact that you can live a peaceful life in prison without worrying about food and drink, all thanks to the prison guards' dedication to their duties, that is also love!"

Love is not rare, and those who possess love are not saints. They are ordinary people from beginning to end, with shortcomings and brilliance, but it is these ordinary people who possess love who create this colorful and beautiful world!

"Mr. Joshua Stevenson, do you think imitating the crucifixion of the Father will awaken the world? Don't daydream. Even if you were crucified, you would only be a despicable murderer! The Father didn't become the Father because he was crucified, but because he performed countless good deeds before being crucified, which earned him people's respect and made him the Father! And you, what did you do before you were crucified? You robbed, murdered, and tried to gain attention. You think you can become the Son of the New Era? No, you are nothing. You are at best... a dream actor who died right at the start of his career!"

Joshua Stevenson was clearly overwhelmed: "I truly realize my mistake and want to make amends!"

"Then get your ass to the guillotine and behead me! Blood debts can only be repaid with blood!"

“You are hindering God from displaying His glory; you are blaspheming God!” Joshua Stevenson was completely furious.

“Then let God punish me!” V shouted. “But God didn’t do that. Why? Because God is watching. God is watching when people suffer, God is watching when Night City is invaded, and God is still watching when I blasphemed. Since God loves to watch so much, let Him continue to watch. I will not forbid people from praising God’s deeds, learning God’s wisdom, and practicing God’s goodness, but since God only watches, then the future will be built by us mortals. When invaded or calamity strikes again, Night City will not kneel and pray to God, waiting to be destroyed. Night City will only believe in its own powerful industrial and military strength, believe that with united will, humanity can overcome anything. Even if stars fall, humanity will forge its backbone with steel and rise again from the ruins!”

The words, though brief, are powerful and resonant. While they may lack the vastness and grandeur of God, they possess the indomitable spirit of humanity.

If someone else said this, people might not believe it, but when it comes from V, who has created one miracle after another, its credibility is impeccable at 100%!

Everyone in the office revered him, and Joshua Stevenson even felt as if he were facing a god.

"Waaaaah, I was wrong, I was really wrong."

It is both an admission of guilt for past crimes and an apology for current thoughts.

V commanded, "Vasquez."

"Present!" The tall, burly police officer stood at attention and saluted.

"Take the prisoner back to the cell and tell your chief that if there's a next time, I'll personally nail him to the cross!"

"Yes!"

Joshua Stevenson was taken away, and this time no one stopped him.

Because they have an existence that is closer than gods, and that is V.

“I’m getting more and more excited for the Dream movie based on you.” Rachel Kasich said with a hint of regret, but now she’s more of an admirer of V.

“There will be an opportunity, but before that, I need you to shoot another film.”

What video?

"The inauguration ceremony of the new US president."

Chapter 61 Making a Nest

Solomon Reed was the best intelligence officer in the history of the new United States and the most capable agent of the FIA. It is said that at his peak, he was comparable to legends like Morgan Blackhand. To lure him in, one had to thoroughly destroy his hideout.

V's plan was simple, because complex plans often have more flaws. To deal with Solomon Reed, simplicity was better than complexity. V planned to film a video of the new president's inauguration for Solomon Reed to see. For this, she invited Rachel Kasich, a top planner from Fourth Wall Studios, to be the director, Gillian Jordan, a famous news anchor from News 54, to be the host, and WNS News's powerful camera crew to handle the filming—emphasizing entrusting professional tasks to professionals.

"You've got quite the grand entrance!" Meredith Stock said, looking displeased.

“There’s no way around it, Li De is someone who can rival Morgan Blackhand.” V never underestimates his enemies.

The blonde, slicked-back-haired woman scoffed, "Yeah, another one who's on par with Morgan Blackhand. Anyway, since Morgan Blackhand disappeared, anyone can be his equal. V, even when you're dead, I'll say I'm your equal, and a ton of people will believe me!"

"Haha." V was amused: "How about I write you a certificate or something now, or while WNS's stuff is still here, let's record a 'evenly matched' video?"

“Forget it, I’m not that shameless.” Meredith Stock took out a chip and placed it on the table: “The fake document you wanted.”

"You're quite efficient. I thought those congressmen would make excuses." V inserted the chip into the neural slot and began to examine it.

Meredith Stock shrugged: "With the head of military technology speaking up, they wouldn't dare to disobey. Besides, they've long harbored resentment towards Miles, and they're even happier than I am to hear about taking down that old hag."

This is not surprising. After all, Miles could sell out even someone as powerful as Solomon Reed, who was like Morgan Blackhand, so working for her would not give you any sense of security.

V really couldn't understand what Miles was thinking when she decided to "deal with" Solomon Reed. If such a person were under her command, even if Solomon Reed blew up the White House, she would still protect him wholeheartedly and do everything in her power to safeguard him, let alone just having a little bit of dirt on him.

"A hero needs three helpers"—doesn't Miles understand such a simple principle?

Or does she really think she can take on the whole world by herself?

Oh well, Miles's got a brain fart. I just need to learn from this experience.

V began to carefully examine the presidential inauguration documents.

The new U.S. Congress's electronic authorization code, stamped with digital seals from the White House and the Pentagon, and even includes a congratulatory letter from the Pope, is practically flawless; everything about it is real except for the fact that it's not genuine.

V popped out the chip and asked curiously, "It's 2077 already, and the new US president is still sticking to that divine right of kings thing?"

Meredith Stock rolled his eyes: "Just self-consolation. After all, those presidents who claim to 'follow the will of the people' know best how worthless the will of the people is. They can easily fool the public into risking their lives with a few performances. Why wouldn't they do something with low cost and high return?"

"Makes sense."

"I've handed the things over to you. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now..."

The blonde, slicked-back-hair mature woman tried to slip away, but before she could finish speaking, V grabbed her.

V then said with a smile, "It's not over yet, Stock. Your job now is to finish filming the movie. Everyone's waiting for you!"

Meredith Stock's expression turned colorful. She wanted to refuse from the bottom of her heart, but couldn't find a reason to do so. In the end, she could only grit her teeth and say, "You can't laugh at me!"

"Of course, I absolutely will not laugh, I swear!"

Meredith Stock felt a little relieved and resignedly headed downstairs to the filming location.

After half an hour.

"Hahaha! Hahahaha!"

V laughed uncontrollably, and not only her, but also Joanne Koch, Xu Ling, Kurt Hansen, Saburo Arasaka's Johnny Silverhand, Sasha, David, Lucy, and many others were all laughing hysterically.

"Stock's movements are so stiff!"

She mispronounced the same line eight times!

"Look, look! She's forgotten her lines again!"

"Haha, she's become clumsy with both hands and feet!"

It's undeniable that Meredith Stock lacks acting talent, and she herself is aware of this and prepared for embarrassment. But being prepared is one thing, but no one can withstand being surrounded and ridiculed by a crowd like that!

After enduring for half an hour, the blonde, slicked-back-haired woman finally lost her temper. She ripped open the collar of her presidential uniform, pulled out a military-grade M211 Saratoga kinetic submachine gun from her back waist, raised the muzzle, and began firing at the group of beasts upstairs.

The bullet shattered the window, and the people upstairs quickly ducked their heads.

Xu Ling couldn't resist teasing her: "You get all worked up after just a couple of laughs? You're so easily amused!"

Then a grenade arced through the air and rolled right in front of her.

"Damn!" Xu Ling's eyes widened, and she hurriedly pulled Kurt Hansen next to her to shield her.

The old dog town boss's reflexes had slowed down; just as a question mark slowly appeared above his head, the grenade exploded with a bang, blasting him and Xu Ling away.

Meredith Stock had already taken advantage of the chaos to rush upstairs and was slaughtering everyone. Among the remaining people, apart from David, Joanne Koch, Johnny, Sasha, and Lucy, they were all weaklings, being chased by the blonde, slick-back-haired woman and screaming incessantly.

As for V, she jumped out of the window immediately and escaped the battlefield. This height would have been quite difficult for her since she couldn't use her prosthetic body, but she landed steadily—probably thanks to Sasha and Michiko's…training.

Gunfire erupted above, while below, all was peaceful.

The staff took this time to tidy up the props and rest, since a bad actor can be quite damaging to them.

Rachel Kasich walked over with a serious expression: "President V, this can't go on like this, there's a problem."

“I understand. With a little more patience, Stock’s acting skills will improve.”

"No, I'm not talking about her acting skills, or rather, it's just right that her acting skills are not perfect."

When Rachel Kasich said that, V immediately realized: "Because she's not an actress, but the new president of the United States?"

“That’s right.” Rachel Kasich smiled. She enjoyed dealing with shrewd investors. “To fool the agent you mentioned, President Stock doesn’t need to be a great actor. This slightly awkward performance is more believable.”

“I understand. Stock will be very happy to hear this news.” V nodded and then asked, “So what is the problem you mentioned?”