In the Imperial Parliament Hall, twelve MPs are placed on both sides, symbolizing the core of the Imperial power.
These twelve people are not a monolithic, but are clearly divided into two major factions - radicals and conservatives.
One side is a radical, advocating the empire's flag to every corner of the world.
Their eyes had already crossed the boundary of the land and turned to the vast ocean.
In their opinion, the threat of ghosts is nothing more than a disease of scabies. Only exploring the unknown and expanding territory is the real mission of the empire.
The other faction is the conservatives. The conservatives advocate steady progress, first deepen their occupied land, completely solve the hidden dangers of ghosts, and then plan to expand outward.
They worry that the continent outside the ocean may be hidden in more dangerous intelligent creatures, and rash action will only drag the empire into endless abyss.
But recently, both conservative and radical MPs have no time to consider the issue for the time being. The reason is very simple. The two members who were assassinated by the Ghost Ring Group were the radical leader, Leoport, and Conservative MP Jones.
With no leader, the radicals and conservatives suddenly fell into a whirlpool of fighting for power and profit. Every member of the parliament was eyeing him, trying to ascend to the throne of faction leader.
Member Bell is a neutral party, and there are three more people like Bell, which is also to avoid party struggles affecting national politics.
As long as this third party is present, the battle between the radicals and the conservatives will not get out of control, and the empire's ships will continue to move along the established route.
In fact, the beliefs of radicals and conservatives are completely used to be funny.
The reason why the adversary and conservatives are opposed is to express an attitude that they will never unite to convey a clear message to the monarch Harold, who is sitting on the throne: you are the undisputed ruler of the empire, and we are just your loyal subjects, and will never be united to avoid threatening your authority.
No member of parliament is as unbearable as it is rumored by the outside world. Being able to climb to this position has already shown many problems.
"I believe everyone is clear about the reason why you are here today. Let me tell you what you think about Bell's death in the execution agency."
As the leaders of radicals and conservatives fell one after another, the remaining members of the parliament were in a heads-up and no one was convinced. The whole hall suddenly felt like a noisy vegetable market, with quarrels one after another.
"Mr. Bell died in the execution organ, which is itself a blasphemy of the imperial law! We must thoroughly investigate this matter and give an explanation to the people!" A radical MP slapped the table, his voice very loudly.
"A thorough investigation? Humph, aren't you radicals just trying to take advantage of the situation and take the opportunity to increase military spending?" Another conservative MP sneered, his tone full of disdain, "Who doesn't know that the matter of MP Bell is the enemy's conspiracy? You jump out now, are you trying to divert your attention?"
"Difference? You conservatives are the real cowards! In the face of external threats, what else can you do besides retreating?" The radical MPs were not willing to be outdone and retorted.
"Retreat? We conservatives are for the stability of the empire! Unlike you, you shout about expansion all day long, but ignore the hidden dangers within the empire!" The conservative MPs faced tit-for-tat with a sarcastic tone.
The atmosphere in the Arbitration Hall became more and more tense, and the voices of the MPs on both sides became louder and louder, and their words became more and more intense, as if they would evolve from verbal criticism to physical conflict at any time.
The smell of gunpowder was filled with the air, and a spark could detonate the entire hall.
Harold sat behind the judge's desk, watching all this coldly, without a trace of expression on his face.
About a few minutes later, Harold tapped the tabletop with his fingers.
The sound was not loud, but it seemed to carry some magic. Almost in an instant, all the quarrels were quiet at the same time.
"Tsk, everyone is a savant." In the audience, Bonnie raised her legs and held her cheek with one hand, watching the performance of the congressmen below with interest.
It was obvious that the two sides were clamoring just now, and they wanted to take out the soles of their shoes to suck each other's faces. Now, they were all quiet like a good baby, and they couldn't tell at all that they were blushing just now.
Winnie chuckled: "Who are these people who can climb to the position of the MP? Which one is not an old fox? No matter how fierce they are, they are just acting. As soon as the real boss speaks, they immediately restrain themselves."
However, there was one detail in this quarrel that was particularly interesting.
Both the conservatives and radicals, although they were very quarreling, they tacitly did not blame the execution authorities.
The reason is simple. Member Bell is neither a conservative nor a radical, he belongs to a neutral.
For these two factions, it is obviously not worth it to spend energy on a neutral faction to suppress the execution organs.
What's more, the recent successive assassination of MPs has put the entire parliament in shadow.
In the past, in the Zur Empire, not many members of the parliament died in a hundred years.
In just a few months this year, three congressmen fell one after another.
There are only twelve members in the parliament, which means that one-quarter of them have died recently.
Such an exaggerated proportion naturally makes everyone in danger of the remaining members of the parliament.
They knew very well that the reason why Bell died in the execution agency was just because the enemy wanted them to suppress this violent agency.
Once the execution mechanism is weakened, the enemy will have more opportunities to take advantage of.
Everyone is not a fool, so naturally they won’t joke about their lives.
"Mr. Bell died in the execution organ, and the commander of the execution organ bears an unshirkable responsibility." Just as the battle between the radicals and the conservatives had just subsided and the atmosphere in the arbitration hall was still in a state of complete easing, the neutral Johnson suddenly stood up and said a few words for Mr. Bell.
In the Arbitration Hall, as soon as Councillor Johnson finished speaking, the atmosphere in the entire hall suddenly became subtle.
The MPs looked at the neutral representative who was almost unrevealed on weekdays, with doubts and vigilance in their eyes.
You should know that Johnson is almost a transparent person on weekdays and has always been known for being low-key.
Unless it involves his own interests, he never expresses his opinion easily, and he will not be the first to jump out and be the first to be the first to come forward.
Today, he was abnormal and took the initiative to speak out for Councillor Bell, which made everyone present feel a hint of unusual atmosphere.
"Mr. Johnson, you are indeed right. Member Bell died in the execution agency, and Commander Reinhardt is indeed unshirkable. In this case, how about the execution agency being removed and the sanatorium was incorporated into the nursing home?"
Harold's voice was calm and calm, but like a bombshell, instantly detonated in the Arbitration Hall.
The faces of the MPs showed shock, and even the always calm MP Johnson was slightly stunned. Obviously, he did not expect Harold to make such a bold suggestion.
In the audience, Bonnie and Winnie looked at each other.
"Removal of the execution agency? Incorporate it into the sanatorium?" Bonnie murmured in a low voice, with a little disbelief in her tone, "His Majesty Harold is going to completely break the power structure of the empire..."
In the center of the Arbitration Hall, Councillor Johnson quickly adjusted his expression and showed a humble smile on his face: "Your Majesty, the execution agency is a very important institution of the empire. Although he has neglected his duties in the safety of Councillor Bell, he cannot be sacked because of this matter. After all, the ghost is still eyeing him in the dark during this period, and we still need the power of the execution agency to safeguard the security of the empire."
Johnson's words neither directly objected to Harold's proposal nor fully supported it, but pointed out the importance of the execution agency, hoping that Harold could reconsider it.
Harold's voice was filled with a hint of oppression: "Oh? Congressman Johnson, didn't you just say that Commander Reinhardt's Legion has an unshirkable responsibility? Why has he changed his words now?"
Johnson's face changed slightly, but soon returned to normal.
He lowered his head, with a hint of respect in his tone: "Your Majesty, I just hope that the execution agency can strengthen internal management and prevent similar things from happening again."
Harold's move to retreat to advance did indeed catch Councillor Johnson off guard.
He originally wanted to use the death of Congressman Bell to put pressure on the execution organs and even take this opportunity to weaken the power of the execution organs, but he did not expect that Harold directly took advantage of the plan and proposed to abolish the execution organs and incorporate them into the nursing home.
This proposal seems to be weakening the execution mechanism, but in fact it pushes the status of the nursing home to the peak of the imperial power structure.
Everyone knows that the execution agency and the nursing home have a close relationship recently. Once the two merge, the nursing home will become the most powerful violent agency in the empire, and the alliance between Reinhardt and Lin Yi will be even more unbreakable.
Johnson lowered his head, and although he still had a humble smile on his face, a trace of undetectable haze flashed in his eyes.
He realized that not only did his move fail to achieve his goal, but instead he was rebelled against Harold and fell into a passive position.
The atmosphere in the arbitration hall returned to solemnity. Although there was no turbulence on everyone's faces, their hearts had already been overturned and they had their own thoughts.
The radical and conservative MPs looked at each other, still with hostility in their eyes, but the minds of both sides had long been removed from each other's struggle and fell into deep thoughts about the dialogue between Harold and Johnson just now.
The radical MPs exchanged their eyes, and a trace of undetectable vigilance flashed in their eyes.
Their original plan was to weaken the foundation of the conservatives by suppressing the execution organs, so as to gain the upper hand in this power game. But Harold's proposal was like a heavy hammer, hitting them hard.
They realized that if the nursing homes were really allowed to annex the execution agencies, their situation would be more precarious than they are now.
Once the power of nursing homes expands, the living space of radicals will be further compressed and may even become victims of this power competition.
Although the conservative MPs are as powerful as the radicals on the surface, they also have ripples of uneasiness deep in their hearts.
They do not want to see the power of nursing homes being too concentrated and even above parliament.
The leader of the nursing home and Reinhard, the execution agency, are both Harold's right-hand men.
Once these two forces join forces, the authority of the parliament will be further weakened and may even become a puppet.
Neither radicals nor conservatives want to see this situation.
Johnson stood between the seats, feeling the faint hostility coming from all over the place, and couldn't help but feel a hint of bitterness and helplessness in his heart.
He originally thought that his proposal could take the opportunity to remove the arm of the execution agency and take the initiative in this power game.
Things went against my wishes. Not only did his proposal fail to achieve his goal, but it attracted siege from both sides and even put himself in an embarrassing situation.
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"Since there is no result in the discussion, let the parties involved come out and explain it in person."
Dingling, Dingling...
The chains collided, the back door of the arbitration hall was pushed open, and Reinhardt was taken into the arbitration hall by several guards wearing black armor and unable to see their appearance.
Looking at the surrounding congressmen, the last time Reinhardt stepped into this place, he saw Su Xiao sitting in that position. Unexpectedly, in just a few months, he was "fortunate" to become the focus of this power game.
"Captain Reinhardt, I didn't expect we would meet again on such occasions." Congressman Johnson's voice sounded, with a hint of hypocritical concern in his tone, "Do you have anything to explain about the death of Congressman Bell?"
Reinhardt was taken to the special seat, and the iron railing quickly locked around him, making a crisp "click".
He raised his head, his eyes swept over every member of the congressman present, and finally stopped at Johnson.
"Explanation? Congressman Bell's death was an enemy's conspiracy, and the execution agency has done his best to protect his safety."
Johnson sneered, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone: "Try to protect it? Congressman Bell died on the territory of the execution agency. Is this your efforts?"
"Mr. Johnson, if you have evidence to prove that the execution agency is in dereliction of duty, you can take it out. If not, don't waste everyone's time here."
Reinhart's tough response surprised everyone present, especially Johnson.
His face changed slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He obviously did not expect Reinhardt to fight back so directly and strongly.
He thought that the legion commander, bound by iron chains, would lose his edge in this trial, but he did not expect that the other party would still be like an angry lion, and could tear the enemy in front of him at any time.
"Evidence?" Johnson's voice suddenly increased, with a hint of anger, "Mr. Bell died on the territory of your execution agency. This is the best evidence! Do I need to come up with more proof?"
Johnson's face became even more gloomy, and his eyes swept over the other congressmen present, trying to find a hint of support in their eyes.
However, those MPs who were always in harmony with him were now lowered their heads and did not dare to look at him.
Although they were dissatisfied with the execution organs, under Harold's deep and cold eyes, no one dared to express his opinion easily, for fear that they would become the next victim in this power game.
Harold sat behind the judge's desk, tapping his fingers gently on the table, making a regular "click, click" sound, reminding everyone present that his patience was gradually fading.
Johnson lowered his head, with a hint of helplessness in his tone: "Your Majesty, the death of Councillor Bell has shown the dereliction of duty by the execution agency. I think this is enough as evidence."
"Your Majesty, there is someone who has a certificate from the execution authority. Can you bring it with you?"
Reinhard ignored Johnson and turned to look at Harold.
Harold's brow moved slightly, obviously surprised by Reinhard's proposal.
His eyes stayed on Reinhardt's face for a moment, as if trying to read something from the other person's expression.
It seems that Reinhard did something that was enough to change the situation without Harold's knowledge.
After a brief silence, Harold nodded and signaled Reinhardt to continue.
A minute later, the door of the court was pushed open again, and Lin Yi escorted Nightmare and walked in.
At the first moment when the nightmare appeared, all the members of the entire parliamentary palace recognized its identity.
In an instant, the originally solemn arbitration hall fell into chaos.
The MPs stood up from their seats, and some even hid directly behind the seats, trying to distance themselves from Nightmare.
Nightmare raised his head, looked at Harold, who was sitting behind the judge's table, and then looked at the nervous MPs around him, with a flattering smile on his face like a black fog.
"Dear sirs, don't be nervous. I'm here to testify now." Nightmare's voice was a little flattering, and it was obvious that it knew its current situation very well.
Harold looked at Nightmare: "Are you a demon?"
Nightmare nodded quickly: "Yes, Your Majesty. I... I used to be a member of the Shadow Council, but now I have abandoned the darkness and turned to light and are willing to serve the empire."
"A demon actually appeared in the Arbitration Hall? Commander Reinhardt, what do you mean?" Johnson's voice suddenly increased, with obvious questions and dissatisfaction.
Reinhardt ignored Johnson's questioning and turned to Harold: "Your Majesty, Nightmare is an important member of the Shadow Council, which holds a lot of intelligence about the Shadow Council. Its testimony will directly concern the cause of the death of the Council Bell and the next steps of the Shadow Council."
Harold's eyes stayed on Nightmare for a moment, then nodded: "Continue."
"Please wait a moment."
About a minute later, Bonnie appeared in the House of Parliament with a special prop.
"This is a true contract, and the effect is that everyone is not allowed to leak the secrets after signing. What was said this time is of great importance. In order to prevent the leak, please sign this document for everyone present."
Reinhart's voice echoed in the House of Parliament. For a moment, all the members of the parliament looked at Reinhart.
Just as some members of the council members were hesitating whether to refuse to sign the True Si contract, Harold, who was sitting in the highest position, stretched out his hand and took the True Si contract from Bonnie and signed his name.
With Harold's leadership, other congressmen dare not show any resistance on the surface even if they are dissatisfied.
They walked forward one by one and signed their names on the contract.
In this situation, whoever doesn’t sign will seem suspicious.
The congressmen present were not fools, so they naturally understood this truth.
"Let's talk now."
Harold looked at Reinhart and signaled that he could tell the information he knew.
Reinha nodded, then said, "Nightmare has revealed to us that the Shadow Council plans to launch an attack at the Central Station in Zur City, using the station's location to open a large teleportation array to introduce demons from other worlds into this world."
As soon as he finished speaking, the arbitration hall suddenly became in an uproar.
The MPs showed shocked expressions, and some even stood up directly from their seats, their faces full of disbelief.
Councillor Johnson's face also became solemn. If the Shadow Council's plan succeeds, it will not only be Zul City, but the entire empire will be in a huge crisis.
"Nightmare, are you sure this information is real?" Harold's voice was a little higher, and it was obvious that the news was obviously beyond his expectations.
Nightmare was frightened by Harold's gaze and nodded quickly, with anxious and fear in his voice: "It's true, Your Majesty! The Shadow Council plans to use the life of the entire Zor City as a sacrifice to open the door to another world. At that time, demons from other worlds will be led to this world." (End of this chapter)