"So, do you know?" Kude asked softly, "Besides Affairs Officer No. 44, what else is gone?"
Gerard's brows furrowed slightly.
Kude didn't let him ponder for too long, directly stating, "Mechanical Rules article seven, 'Standardized Management of Civilian Metal Prosthetics' chapter three, section two, 'Crude Oil Salvage Order' article thirty-two..."
He rattled off a long list of clauses.
Gerard said, "I do know about the last one."
"Because that was Night Star's responsibility. But those other ones I mentioned earlier, they're also very important. Like 'Standardized Management of Civilian Metal Prosthetics,' it specifies that civilian metal prosthetics are not allowed to replace an entire arm."
Gerard's eyes gradually widened.
"Heh, you must understand what I'm saying, right? The thing that was once explicitly forbidden is now commonly seen on the streets, but I completely cannot remember when that law was abolished. It can only be found in the collection of books that my father always carried with him, and of course my father knows, because twelve years ago, it was a well-known provision."
Gerard realized Kude's implication and asked solemnly, "How many laws have disappeared all of a sudden?"
"I can only say, many, many, and all of them changed without me being able to recall when it happened. For example, that member of the Skeletons with illegal modifications you discovered today, twelve years ago he would have been ousted and exiled, but just now, he got but a minor penalty... because we can't find that clause anymore." Kude said, "Lyra's rules are being quietly rewritten without anyone noticing, once clear prohibitions are erased without anyone realizing, not just Affairs Officer No. 44, many things are disappearing, vanishing suddenly when we're not paying attention, even the entire city's populace doesn't feel it... except for the foreign affairs department, which isn't in this city."
Hearing this, Gerard felt a sinking feeling in his heart.
If it weren't for Kude's reminder, he wouldn't have noticed these things. He did feel that Lyra's development had accelerated over the years, that various limbs that were only military purposed in his time were being used in civil applications, entire arms being cut off and replaced with mechanical ones, something that was completely impossible ten years ago, was now considered normal.
But he had always thought it was just the times changing, never realizing... something deeper.
Something... disappeared along with Affairs Officer No. 44.
Gerard kept recalling this statement in his mind.
And it was at this moment, Kude, who was talking, suddenly stopped.
Gerard saw Kude's hand start trembling uncontrollably again.
"I originally wanted to make a list, to see exactly how much has disappeared, but suddenly I found the biggest, the heaviest thing had been overlooked, forgotten, but it ought to have been the least likely thing to be forgotten."
Kude's tone made Gerard's breathing unintentionally slow down by half a beat, "What is it?"
He looked at Gerard, seemingly laughing, but that smile looked much more like a cry.
Bai Wei squinted at Gerard.
This Kude truly surprised him, having discovered even the most critical thing.
"Gerard, think carefully, remember well." After a long silence, and when the cigarette had burned down to the fingers without him seeming to notice, Kude just said softly, "Do you still remember..."
"What did it look like?"