Samsara Paradise: Dream Weaver of Connections.

In the imperial parliament hall, twelve senators sit on both sides, symbolizing the core of imperial power.

These twelve people are not a monolithic group, but are clearly divided into two factions - radicals and conservatives.

One side is the radical faction, which advocates flying the flag of the empire in every corner of the world.

Their eyes have long gone beyond the boundaries of the land and turned to the vast ocean.

In their view, the threat of the Phantom is nothing but a minor problem, and the true mission of the empire is to explore the unknown and expand the territory.

The other faction is the conservatives, who advocate steady progress, first cultivating the occupied land, thoroughly resolving the hidden dangers of the Phantom, and then planning outward expansion.

They worried that there might be more dangerous intelligent creatures lurking on the continents beyond the ocean, and that rash action would only drag the empire into an endless abyss.

But recently, both conservative and radical MPs have had no time to deal with the issue. The reason is very simple. The two MPs assassinated by the Ghost Ring Organization were the radical leader, MP Leopold, and the conservative leader, MP Jones.

Without a leader, the radicals and conservatives were immediately caught in a vortex of power struggle, and every member of parliament was eyeing the throne of faction leader.

Congressman Bell is a neutral person. There are three other people like him. This is also to avoid party disputes affecting national politics.

As long as this third force exists, the struggle between radicals and conservatives will not get out of control, and the ship of the empire will continue to move along the established route.

In fact, the beliefs of both radicals and conservatives are meant to be completely funny.

The reason why the progressives and conservatives are in opposition is actually to express an attitude. They will never unite, in order to send a clear message to the monarch Harold sitting on the throne: You are the undisputed ruler of the empire, and we are just your loyal subjects. We will never unite so as not to threaten your authority.

None of the congressmen is as bad as the outside world says. Being able to climb to this position already explains a lot.

"I'm sure you all know why you're here today. Please share your thoughts on Bell's death in the execution facility."

As the leaders of the radicals and conservatives died one after another, the remaining parliamentarians were leaderless and no one was willing to submit to anyone else. The entire hall suddenly became like a noisy vegetable market, with everyone talking and arguing.

"The death of Senator Bell in the execution chamber is in itself a blasphemy against the laws of the empire! We must investigate this matter thoroughly and give the people an explanation!" A radical congressman slammed the table and spoke in a loud voice.

"A thorough investigation? Humph, aren't you radicals just trying to take advantage of this issue to increase military spending?" Another conservative congressman sneered, his tone full of disdain, "Who doesn't know that Congressman Bell's matter is an enemy conspiracy? You are jumping out now, are you trying to divert attention?"

"Divert attention? You conservatives are the real cowards! Facing external threats, what else can you do except retreat?" The radical MPs retorted, not to be outdone.

"Back off? We conservatives are fighting for the stability of the empire! Unlike you, who keep shouting about expansion but ignore the hidden dangers within the empire!" The conservative parliamentarians responded sharply with sarcasm in their tone.

The atmosphere in the arbitration hall became increasingly tense. The voices of the lawmakers on both sides became louder and louder, and their words became more intense, as if the verbal battle would turn into physical conflict at any time.

The air was filled with the smell of gunpowder, and a spark could set the entire hall off.

Harold sat behind the judge's desk, watching all this coldly, with no expression on his face.

After a few minutes, Harold tapped his fingers on the table.

The sound was not loud, but it seemed to carry some kind of magic. Almost in an instant, all the arguing congressmen fell silent at the same time.

"Tsk, they're all so smart." In the audience, Bonnie crossed her legs, rested her chin on one hand, and watched the performance of the congressmen below with interest.

Clearly, both parties were arguing so loudly just now that they wanted to slap each other in the face with the soles of their shoes, but now, they are as quiet as good kids, and there is no sign of the blushing faces just now.

Winnie chuckled. "All these people who have climbed to the position of councillor must be old foxes. No matter how fiercely they quarrel, they are just acting. As soon as the real boss opens his mouth, they immediately restrain themselves."

However, there was one particularly interesting detail in this quarrel.

Although both conservatives and radicals argued fiercely, they all tacitly agreed not to put the blame on the execution authorities.

The reason is simple. Congressman Bell is neither a conservative nor a radical. He belongs to the centrist camp.

For these two factions, it is obviously not worth it to expend energy to suppress the execution authorities for a neutral person.

What’s more, the recent series of assassinations of members of parliament have cast a shadow over the entire parliament.

In the past, in the Zul Empire, there would be several parliamentarians who died in a hundred years.

In just a few months this year, three members of parliament have died.

There are only twelve members of parliament, which means that a quarter of them have recently died.

Such an exaggerated proportion naturally made the remaining parliamentarians feel insecure.

They knew very well that the reason Bell died in the execution agency was because the enemy wanted them to suppress this violent agency.

Once the execution organs are weakened, the enemy will have more opportunities to take advantage.

We are not fools, so we won't joke about our own lives.

"Congressman Bell died in the execution office after all, and the commander of the execution office bears an unshirkable responsibility for this." Just when the fight between the radicals and conservatives had just subsided and the atmosphere in the arbitration hall had not yet completely eased, the neutral Congressman Johnson suddenly stood up and said a few words for Congressman Bell.

In the arbitration hall, as soon as Congressman Johnson finished speaking, the atmosphere in the entire hall suddenly became subtle.

The parliamentarians all looked at this neutral representative who usually kept a low profile, with confusion and vigilance in their eyes.

You have to know that Johnson is almost a transparent person in his daily life and is always known for his low-key style.

Unless his own interests are involved, he never expresses his opinion easily, and will not be the first to jump out and speak out.

Today, however, he went against his usual behavior and took the initiative to speak up for Congressman Bell, which made everyone present feel something unusual.

"Senator Johnson, you are right. Senator Bell died in the execution facility, and Corps Commander Reinhardt does bear the unshirkable responsibility. In this case, how about abolishing the execution facility and merging it into the sanatorium?"

Harold's voice was calm and indifferent, but it was like a blockbuster bomb that instantly exploded in the arbitration hall.

The faces of the congressmen showed shock. Even the usually calm Congressman Johnson was slightly stunned. He obviously did not expect Harold to make such a bold suggestion.

In the audience, Bonnie and Winnie looked at each other.

"Abolish the execution agency? Incorporate it into the sanatorium?" Bonnie murmured in a low voice, with a bit of disbelief in her tone, "His Majesty Harold is going to completely destroy the power structure of the empire..."

In the center of the arbitration hall, Senator Johnson quickly adjusted his expression and showed a humble smile on his face: "Your Majesty, the Execution Bureau is a very important institution in the Empire. Although it failed to ensure the safety of Senator Bell, it cannot be abolished because of this incident. After all, the Phantoms are still lurking in the dark during this period of time, and we still need the power of the Execution Bureau to maintain the safety of the Empire."

Johnson's words neither directly opposed Harold's proposal nor fully supported it. Instead, he pointed out the importance of the execution agency and hoped that Harold would reconsider it.

Harold's voice was filled with a sense of oppression. "Oh? Senator Johnson, didn't you just say that Commander Reinhardt had an unshirkable responsibility? Why are you changing your 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 its internal management to prevent similar things from happening again."

Harold's move of retreating to advance really caught Congressman Johnson off guard.

He originally wanted to use the death of Congressman Bell to put pressure on the execution agency, and even take this opportunity to weaken the power of the execution agency, but he did not expect Harold to take advantage of the situation and proposed to abolish the execution agency and merge it into the sanatorium.

This proposal seemed to weaken the execution organs, but in fact it pushed the status of the sanatorium to the pinnacle of the imperial power structure.

Everyone knows that the execution agency and the sanatorium have been in close relationship recently. Once the two are merged, the sanatorium will become the most powerful violent agency in the empire, and the alliance between Reinhardt and Lin Yi will become more unbreakable.

Johnson lowered his head. Although he still had a humble smile on his face, there was a barely perceptible gloom in his eyes.

He realized that this move of his not only failed to achieve the goal, but was instead outmaneuvered by Harold and put him in a passive position.

The atmosphere in the arbitration hall returned to its solemn state. Although there was no ripple on everyone's face, their hearts were already in turmoil and they all had their own thoughts.

The radical and conservative MPs looked at each other with hostility in their eyes, but their minds had long since shifted away from their fight and they were instead deep in thought about the conversation that had just taken place between Harold and MP Johnson.

The radical MPs exchanged glances, and a barely perceptible hint of vigilance flashed in their eyes.

Their original plan was to weaken the conservative base by suppressing the execution agencies, so as to gain the upper hand in this power game. But Harold's proposal was like a heavy hammer, hitting them hard in the heart.

They realized that if the nursing homes were to swallow up the execution facilities, their situation would be even more precarious than it was now.

Once the power of the sanatorium expands, the living space of radicals will be further compressed, and they may even become victims of this power struggle.

Although the conservative lawmakers appear to be at odds with the radicals on the surface, they are also feeling uneasy deep down in their hearts.

They do not want to see nursing homes' power become too concentrated, or even override Parliament.

The leader of the sanatorium and Reinhard of the execution agency are both Harold's right-hand men.

Once these two forces join forces, the authority of parliament will be further weakened and it 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 around him, and couldn't help feeling a bit bitter and helpless.

He originally thought that his proposal would be an opportunity to weaken the arm of the execution agency and thus take the initiative in this power game.

Contrary to his expectations, his proposal not only failed to achieve the goal, but instead attracted siege from both sides and even put himself in an embarrassing situation.

"Since we can't come to a conclusion after discussing it, let the parties involved come out and explain it themselves."

Jingle bell, jingle bell...

The iron chains collided, and the back door of the Arbitration Hall was pushed open. Reinhardt was escorted into the Arbitration Hall by several guards wearing black armor and whose faces could not be seen.

Looking at the congressmen around him, Reinhardt saw Su Xiao sitting in that position the last time he stepped into here. He didn't expect that after just a few months, he would be "fortunate" to become the focus of this power game.

"Captain Reinhardt, I didn't expect that we would meet again in this kind of setting." Senator Johnson's voice sounded, with a hint of false concern in his tone, "Do you have anything to explain about Senator Bell's death?"

Reinhardt was taken to the special seat, and the iron bars were quickly locked around him with a crisp "click" sound.

He raised his head and glanced at every member of parliament present, finally stopping at Johnson.

"Explain? Senator Bell's death was a conspiracy by the enemy, and the execution agency has done its best to protect his safety."

Johnson sneered, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone: "Do your best to protect? Senator Bell died on the territory of the execution agency, is this your best effort?"

"Congressman Johnson, if you have evidence that the executioners failed to do their job, you can bring it out. If not, don't waste everyone's time here."

Reinhart’s strong response surprised everyone present, especially Johnson.

His expression changed slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He obviously did not expect Reinhardt to counterattack so directly and forcefully.

He had thought that the legion commander bound by chains would lose his edge in this trial, but he did not expect that the other party was still like an enraged lion and could tear the enemy in front of him to pieces at any time.

"Evidence?" Johnson's voice suddenly rose, with a hint of anger. "Congressman Bell died on the territory of your execution agency. This is the best evidence! Do you need me to provide more proof?"

Johnson's face became even gloomier, and he swept his eyes over the other MPs present, trying to find a glimmer of support in their eyes.

However, those congressmen who usually shared the same ideals with him lowered their heads and did not dare to look him in the eye.

Although they were dissatisfied with the execution agency, under Harold's deep and cold gaze, no one dared to express their opinion easily, for fear of becoming the next victim in this power game.

Harold sat behind the judge's desk, tapping his fingers on the table. A regular "tap, tap" sound reminded everyone present that his patience was gradually wearing out.

Johnson lowered his head, with a hint of helplessness in his tone: "Your Majesty, the death of Senator Bell has demonstrated the dereliction of duty of the execution authorities. I think this is enough evidence."

"Your Majesty, there is a witness at the execution office. Can you bring him up?"

Reinhardt ignored Johnson and turned to look at Harold.

Harold frowned slightly, obviously surprised by Reinhardt's suggestion.

His gaze lingered on Reinhardt's face for a moment, as if trying to read something from the other's expression.

It seemed that Reinhardt had done something 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 courtroom was pushed open again, and Lin Yi escorted Nightmare in.

The moment the nightmare appeared, all the members of the parliament palace recognized its identity.

In an instant, the originally solemn arbitration hall fell into chaos.

The congressmen stood up from their seats one after another, and some even hid behind their chairs, trying to distance themselves from the nightmare.

Nightmare raised his head, glanced at Harold sitting behind the judge's desk, then looked at the nervous congressmen around him, and a flattering smile appeared on his misty face.

"My Lords, don't be nervous. I am... uh, here to testify." Nightmare's voice was a little flattering, and it was obvious that it was well aware of its current situation.

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 turned from darkness to light and am willing to serve the Empire."

"A demon actually appeared in the Arbitration Hall? Commander Reinhardt, what do you mean by this?" Johnson's voice suddenly rose, with obvious questioning and dissatisfaction.

Reinhardt ignored Johnson's questioning and turned to look at Harold: "Your Majesty, Nightmare is an important member of the Shadow Council. It has a lot of information about the Shadow Council. Its testimony will be directly related to the cause of death of Senator Bell and the next move of the Shadow Council."

Harold's gaze stayed on Nightmare for a moment, then he nodded: "Go on."

"Just a moment please."

About a minute later, Bonnie appeared in the Parliament Palace with a special prop.

"This is a True Vision Contract. The effect is that after signing, no one can leak the secret. What we are talking about this time is of great importance. In order to prevent leaks, everyone present please sign this document."

Reinhardt's voice echoed in the Parliament Palace, and for a moment, all the parliamentarians looked at Reinhardt.

Just as some congressmen were hesitating whether to refuse to sign the True Sight Contract, Harold, who was sitting in the highest seat, had already reached out his hand, took the True Sight Contract from Bonnie and signed his name.

With Harold taking the lead, other MPs did not dare to show any resistance on the surface even if they were dissatisfied in their hearts.

They stepped forward one by one and signed their names on the contract.

Under the current circumstances, anyone who does not sign will appear suspicious.

The congressmen present were not fools and naturally understood this truth.

"Say it now."

Harold looked at Reinhardt, indicating that he could tell him what information he knew.

Reinhard nodded, then said, "Nightmare has revealed to us that the Shadow Council plans to launch an attack at the central station in Zul City, using the station's location to open a large teleportation array to bring demons from other worlds into this world."

As soon as the words fell, there was an uproar in the arbitration hall.

The congressmen all showed expressions of shock, and some even stood up from their seats with disbelief written all over their faces.

Congressman Johnson's expression also became solemn. If the Shadow Council's plan succeeded, not only Zul City, but the entire empire would be in great crisis.

"Nightmare, are you sure this information is true?" Harold's voice rose a few notches. It was obvious that this news was beyond his expectations.

Nightmare was frightened by Harold's gaze and nodded quickly, his voice filled with anxiety and fear: "It is absolutely true, Your Majesty! The Shadow Council plans to use the lives of the entire Zul City as sacrifices to open the door to the other world. At that time, the demons from other worlds will be led to this world." (End of this chapter)