This made him feel a long-lost unease, forced to rethink in the realm he was most familiar with.
He raised his hand to wipe his forehead with his sleeve, took a deep breath, and finally posed the last core question as a jurist and a survivor of the Old Empire's bureaucratic system:
"Sir, if, as you say, the state itself is a contract, what role should the law play?"
Each sentence he uttered was carefully considered.
"Is it merely the means you use to ensure the contract is honored? Ultimately, is it a sword hanging over the heads of those who breach it, used for deterrence and punishment?"
That was his most instinctive understanding, equating the law with punishment, with another form of violence.
Louis listened, shook his head: "Weapons? No. Weapons are used for war, oppression, against enemies; law aims to solve another matter."
Then Louis posed a question: "What do you think this city resembles?"
