Chapter 412 - 278: The Source of Fear Is Insufficient Firepower (2)

Chapter 412: Chapter 278: The Source of Fear Is Insufficient Firepower (2)

It was a miracle this kind of abstract project management could produce so many good movies.

Starling’s performance in this scene, which consisted only of dialogue and smiling, was also excellent.

And she managed this while acting opposite Zog, who was woodenly reading his lines with zero skill, yet her own emotional delivery was completely unaffected.

"I choose you, Starling!"

Zog slammed his hand on the desk, striking a pose as if he were about to pull out a Pokeball.

"Really? Thank you!"

Starling took a deep bow, thanking him profusely.

"This is an opportunity you’ve earned. Here’s the complete script for you, along with a contract—and not one of those deadly ones Devils are known for. This is a proper employment contract, as well as a Contract of Secrecy."

Zog pulled out several documents for Starling to sign.

But when Starling picked up the pen, she froze.

"Don’t tell me you can read but can’t write. That would be a bit strange," Zog asked.

"No, that’s not it," Starling replied, looking up. "Starling is a name I just came up with. I didn’t have one before."

"Don’t worry. Those contracts are enchanted. As long as you write something on them, they’ll be binding, no matter what you write."

As soon as Zog said that, he realized the true meaning behind Starling’s words. "You don’t have any proof of identity?"

Starling looked toward Asmodis.

Asmodis gave an awkward laugh.

Zog looked at him too. "Hell doesn’t even have a household registration system?"

’Holy crap, doesn’t that mean all those netizens from Hell just filled in random information for their real-name verifications?’

"Well, actually, it seems, uh, Hell has never had a need for such a thing," Asmodis said, scrambling for an excuse. "But now that diplomatic relations are imminent, the problem of our outdated systems must be addressed. The systems must adapt to the times. In this regard, I will attach great importance to the matter, earnestly strengthen leadership, and ensure the work is carried out to completion..."

’I can’t believe it,’ Zog thought. ’Asmodis has only been in Feilin for a few days, and instead of learning anything useful, he’s already mastered bureaucratic doublespeak.’

’The Kings and prime ministers of Feilin all talk like that. It sounds like they’re saying a lot, but when you really think about it, they haven’t said a thing.’

"Hold on, what on earth have you been watching lately?" Zog asked curiously.

"Yes, City Lord," Asmodis replied. "Oh, that Magic Shadow Drama is brilliant! I feel like I can learn so much from it. If there’s ever a chance in the future, you have to let me make a cameo."

’The Lord of Hell is learning from "Yes, City Lord"!’

’Governing Hell with half a TV show!’

"Anyway, I’ll take these actress candidates you don’t need back with me. You don’t need them, right?"

Zog shook his head.

"Good. Farewell, then. It seems my visit to Feilin will have to wait. I must return to Hell and resolve this matter of the household registration system. I will work tirelessly, plan meticulously, and strive for tangible results..."

Zog watched Asmodis’s departing figure.

’Oh no. The more I look at that fatso, the more Human he seems.’

Only Zog and Starling remained in the office.

"Er, if you plan on still being called Starling after that fatso establishes his registration system, you can sign the contract now. Or you can take some more time to think about it," Zog said to the little Miss Devil.

Starling, however, decisively signed her new name.

She liked this name. It represented her new life.

"There’s still some time before we start filming. Your current assignment is to intern at an official law enforcement department. You need to learn what a detective is like in their daily life and learn the standard procedures for handling a firearm."

Starling nodded obediently.

"Ha, the first Devil Detective on the Feilin Continent. That’s pretty interesting," Zog mused. ’Now, where should I send Starling for her internship?’

’Deepwater City’s local law enforcement department is still being formed; right now, Beastmen are temporarily filling the roles.’

’The Twin Towers’ Guard Corps? Not advanced enough. A place with a real police agency? I’m not too familiar with any.’

’I’ve got it.’

"Your internship will be in the Northern Domain. The Lord there has a very formidable security team."

’The Warriors of Figxin in the Northern Domain are basically all burly brutes. As I recall, there are almost no women among them, which is very similar to the setting where Starling works in the plot.’

’Plus, they’ve been issued new firearms. Given their warlike nature, their training in drills and maneuvers is bound to be top-notch.’

So, Starling would be sent to the Northern Domain, to be received by Figxin.

With the two main leads confirmed, finding the other actors would be easy. Their roles were all relatively minor, so any professional actor with decent skills could handle them well.

Even the theoretical "final villain," Buffalo Bill, had a role in the plot that was little more than a background prop. His spotlight was completely stolen by Hannibal.

Therefore, for these roles, Zog decided to just post a public casting call. As long as they were professional actors who matched the character descriptions, they would do.

He also left the casting work to the studio.

As for Zog, the producer Dragon, he now needed to sort out the filming locations.

Silence of the Lambs didn’t have any grand scenes. Even Hannibal’s "artistic creations" were all carried out in small spaces.

’I love these kinds of Magic Shadows. They save money.’

Deepwater City already had most of the locations needed for filming.

’Deepwater City’s big screen debut is going to be in a thriller, of all things.’

’Hope that doesn’t affect the future development of its tourism industry.’

’A city, alleyways, a police station under construction, a neighborhood, the house for the final showdown, a creepy basement to dig out... what else is missing?’

’Oh, right. A place to lock up Hannibal.’

’An asylum that’s like a prison.’

There were plans to build a hospital in Deepwater City, but they were based on the image of modern hospitals from Earth—clean, tidy, and bright, the kind where you could almost smell the disinfectant just by looking at them.