Am I really hallucinating?

Chapter 317 "Before the Match"

The second half of the Kabbalah parliamentary session was about to begin the following day.

Early in the morning, the attendees who arrived a little later made a scouting trip and rushed into the city. During the parliamentary session, the opening and closing times of the city gates became more strictly controlled, so they had to hurry.

The Kabala World Tree Square was already packed with people.

Many people in the city put down their day's work to participate in what might be a once-in-a-lifetime honor. Even though many did not understand the significance behind it, it did not stop them from coming to watch the spectacle.

The groups that participated in the previous march could still be seen at the scene, holding up their signs and chanting slogans, creating a striking sight before the event.

The security mascots maintaining order at the scene did not stop their behavior, but simply tried to separate different groups to avoid any unpleasant conflicts.

The reason they can still be so arrogant here is that each of these groups has its own representatives who have been invited to sit in the special seats reserved for civilian observers.

This is a great honor for them.

"You can see many of the previous marching groups here. They are waving flags and chanting for their demands. The name 'Rabbi Haydwin' appears most often." A reporter is taking notes.

"Severely punish the sinner! Make her apologize to Dadu! Apologize to Scalova!"

"Get out of Scallova, you white-clothed man!"

"Rabbi Hydwin, well done!"

Various voices rose and fell. Clearly, this was the pre-match trash talk segment of the "fan club".

Just then, a commotion interrupted the attention of those around them to these groups.

The camera also turned its lens to look at the venue.

The contestants—no, the attendees—entered the venue.

Many people attend the meetings, but most are just there to go through the motions, raising and lowering their hands. The second half of the parliament is often the most intense political battleground in Kabbalah, and those who can speak on this stage represent half of Scalová's political power.

Various civic groups performed their duties well, appropriately cheering or booing when prominent members of parliament they supported or opposed appeared, thus enhancing the atmosphere of the event.

At times like these, the representatives of those non-governmental organizations are no longer noticed. Their positions are already among the most peripheral, and their advantage over the spectators is probably that at least they have seats.

However, even if they were given the opportunity to appear on stage in this setting, these representatives from various non-governmental organizations might not have the courage.

Two of the group representatives sat rather stiffly and awkwardly, perhaps due to nervousness. However, a keen-eyed reporter noticed their injuries, recalling that these two individuals had been involved in a brawl among the protest groups a few days prior.

Take a look at these two's butts. Yes, their butts are heavily bandaged.

Suddenly, a chorus of shouts and sighs erupted, unprecedented in scale. This time, it wasn't just groups that spoke out; many ordinary citizens, previously silent, also couldn't help but voice their emotions.

The reason for this was that the person who appeared was none other than Congressman Minks, one of the focal points of the meeting.

His attire was no different from his usual public appearances: a black suit with a loose overcoat, a top hat, and a resolute gaze.

He remained unmoved by the heated discussions among the crowds on both sides and the outstretched arms of those reaching out to him.

He showed no interest in answering reporters' questions, simply sitting down in his seat and gazing at the central seats, waiting quietly for the proceedings to begin.

Some noticed that Representative Minks didn't even bring a bodyguard doll. Given the special nature of today's meeting, almost every attendee was allowed to bring a bodyguard doll that underwent rigorous inspection, so Representative Minks's decision to not bring one raised some questions.

Representative Minks is hailed as a rising star in Scallovan politics, and to be precise, he is already shining brightly, but expectations for him go beyond that. At this meeting, which many have perceived as a "Rabbi Hedwin execution show," many, based on Minks' past statements, expect him to be the executioner.

Of course, there were also many dissenting voices, who believed that his advocacy for cooperation between the puppet oversight body and the Tide Army was like inviting wolves into the house, giving the white-clad people an opportunity to interfere in Kabbalah's internal affairs, and that he was a traitor!

These noisy sounds were quickly suppressed.

A white wave suddenly swept in.

A large number of people dressed in white appeared at the outermost edge of the plaza, completely surrounding the World Tree Plaza. Suddenly, several white aircraft flew in from the sky, hovering and circling, most of them heavily armed, and made a grand entrance to the World Tree Plaza. An armored vehicle emerged from the military and stopped at the entrance.

Sloven got out of the car and stood at the entrance. His sharp, hawk-like eyes swept over the crowd outside. Seeing the scene, the previous lively atmosphere had vanished.

Sloven gave a muffled groan: "A rabble."

He made no attempt to muffle his voice, but those around him who heard it could only feel angry but dared not speak out.

They've already brought their artillery and fighter jets right over here!

He gently straightened his pristine white military uniform, and as if trampling on Scalova's dignity, he walked step by step toward the venue.

"Mr. Slovendo, what's wrong?" When he arrived at the meeting, the Speaker of Parliament asked with a furrowed brow, his already wrinkled face looking even more unpleasant.

"Given the recent events in the city and the declaration of the sinner Rabbi Hydwin, I believe I need to strictly ensure my own safety."

"We have relevant regulations..."

Before he could finish speaking, Slovendo impatiently interrupted, "I don't trust you."

He didn't even glance at the old man throughout the entire process, and went straight to sit in a corner of the central seating area. It wasn't his seat, but he didn't care.

Suddenly, a group of civilians dressed in white started cheering.

They were the supporters of the capital, who had been completely conquered by the capital's strength and power. At this moment, Slovendo's actions, in addition to the initial shock they received, aroused their fanaticism.

Everyone in the room looked grim.

The venue was completely surrounded, with the aircraft overhead clearly armed, and the tanks and cannons outside the venue pointing their cannons directly at this location.

Mr. Slovendo is not very friendly.

Because of this incident, those who entered later hurried past, like rats scurrying away in the scorching sun, afraid of being scorched to death.

A white terror hung over the parliament, and in this atmosphere, the parliament began in a somber mood.

Most people couldn't understand what was going on at the meeting, and when the proposals were announced, they were completely baffled.

"Is parliament really this boring?" someone asked.

"No, normally it's about the same as the morning market."

"That feels so familiar. Why is everything so peaceful today?"

"Nonsense, the market would be just as quiet when there are guns and cannons at the ready..."

Fortunately, this tedious and lengthy process didn't last too long.

During Representative Minks' segment, he stood up, ready to speak.

He strode away from his seat and walked to the center of the venue.

Actually, the parliamentary venue in this square is much more spacious than the main parliament building, especially the open space in the middle. I don't know what the purpose was, but it always felt like it was built to the specifications of a stadium.

It's obvious that certain possibilities were probably considered from the very beginning of the construction.

Minks pursed his lips and opened his mouth...

puff-

A long, thin, black stick pierced his chest.

(End of this chapter)