Chapter 724: Chapter 505, Archbishop-Milton_2
At the very bottom, in the densest location, there were hundreds of seats—
—placed orderly like those in a movie theatre, all facing forward.
The second area, slightly higher, was arranged on both sides, with scores of chairs almost reaching a hundred in number.
The third area was the highest platform.
There were only five seats, all overlooking the councillors below.
Rebecca, arm in arm with Fang Hao, led him to a spot in the second area and sat down.
She began to explain, “This is where the representatives of the Hundred Cities sit.”
“What about the seats down there?” Fang Hao asked, looking at the bottom where the seats resembled those in a cinema.
“Ah! That’s where the general council members sit, like union representatives, business group representatives, and various civil organization representatives,” Rebecca replied in a low voice.
ℕ○𝕧G○.c○
Well, considering this, quite a lot of people are in attendance.
If there were any terror organizations involved, they could probably abduct the whole high-ranking group of humans in one fell swoop.
Without leaving a single one behind.
“So, those on top – are they the big five you spoke of?” Fang Hao directed his gaze upward to those five lofty seats.
Both the chairs and tables were especially ornate.
Rebecca lowered her voice and said, “Yes, these five people make up the upper council of the Hundred Cities. In theory, the Hundred Cities is a democracy where all council members vote, but the big five have the power to veto. In truth, whether or not something can happen often depends on their say.”
“Oh, I see!”
This operation sounded quite familiar to Fang Hao.
A mini UN?
The decision to proceed primarily depends on the attitude of the big five.
If the big five approve, it’s easy to get passed. If it’s of no great interest to the big five, it will be very difficult to implement, no matter how much commotion is made below.
So, each city resorts to clandestine activities, doing things that violate the Hundred Cities regulations while keeping a mutual silence.
Rebecca took out a piece of paper and placed it in front of Fang Hao.
She said quietly, “When you officially assume the position of the City Lord of Lyss City, you will have to stand and pledge your loyalty to humanity. Get familiar with it now so you won’t be nervous then.”
Ah, so this is happening.
Fang Hao looked at the text on the paper. The content wasn’t a lot; it was mainly about loyalty to humanity.
It didn’t seem to be a problem.
He read it carefully twice, making sure he was familiar with it.
At that moment, Fang Hao felt a gaze on him, and he looked up—
Only to see Groot and Hubert walk in together, their eyes full of hatred as they glared in his direction.
While looking at the content on the paper, Fang Hao gave a friendly wave to the two of them.
The pair were taken aback.
Then, they turned away with rage on their faces.
As time passed, the seats below gradually filled up with people.
The place was chaotic, with many people discussing individual matters.
Boom!
The clock chimed upright, and three gigantic flags fell from the roof to the floor.
The music being played by the musicians instantly surged, transforming from soothing to stirring and exciting.
Leaning into Fang Hao’s ear, Rebecca continued in her role as a guide, “The middle one is the flag of the Human Federation, the one on the left signifies the Hall of Justice, and the one on the right is Silver Wing City’s flag.”
Fang Hao nodded, but was full of surprise inside.
He had a strange feeling of familiarity towards the flag on the left.
Against the blue background was a copper emblem in the shape of a horn.
The more he looked at it, the more familiar it seemed.
Under the table, Fang Hao opened the Book of Lords.
In the space inside, he examined the [Valor Horn] that was stored.
[Valor Horn (Orange Emblem)]
[Category: Emblem]
[Ability: Emblem wearers (human), War Horn attribute +100%.]
(Description: During humanity’s ‘Dark Age’, they united, wearing ‘Valor Horn’, ‘Lofty Belief’, ‘Sacred Rampart’, ‘Sharp Thorn’, and ‘Just Truth’ embarking the unification of humanity to resist the foreign race, defending the last dignity of humanity.)
The pattern on the flag was the Valor Horn.
The emblem was a reward he received from a previous challenge mission.
At that time, he faintly remembered it being mentioned that the emblem had been lost and its significance was extremely important to the human faction.
Rebecca said this was the Hall of Justice flag, so did it have some connection with this emblem?
Should he ask Rebecca to introduce him to Dordy, the leader of the Hall of Justice?
This idea had just surfaced when Fang Hao gave it up.
It’s better not to take any risks.
Everything should be founded on steady development. It is best if nothing that might cause changes occurs.
This is what he thought.
Clap! Clap! Clap!!
A burst of intense applause startled Fang Hao.
Lifting his head, he saw five people emerging from atop.
Without a doubt, it had to be the five top personalities of the Upper House.
Rebecca, acting as the narrator, opens her mouth to introduce them again.
“The middle-aged man at the forefront is Dordy, the current Alliance of Justice’s leader – Olivia’s husband. He has a decent reputation, but he is somewhat old-fashioned. The one behind him dressed in the Archbishop’s long robe is Milton. The three people behind are City Lords under the Federation of the Hundred Cities, wielding formidable power.”
Fang Hao, upon hearing this, also started observing the five top figures in the Federation of Hundred Cities.
Dordy looks to be in his 40s, physically strong, with dark skin that exudes an intimidating aura wherever he goes.
He’s dressed in a deep-purple nobleman’s robe. On the left side of his chest is an embroidered emblem of the War Horn.
The one stepping forward next to him is an old man.
Tall and slender, wearing an abbey’s long robe, he’s handling a scepter.
He has a kind countenance and is always smiling as he moves around, occasionally waving down.
The last three men, all middle-aged, dressed in brocade robes, maintain calm facial expressions.
However, it is apparent that their power is inferior to the two who are leading , considering they are following the two.
When the five reach the top, they each sit down in their designated spot.
After a simple opening, the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed City Lords and Senators begins.
Those whose names are called stand up and begin reading from a piece of paper.
There are many new appointees this year.
But the process went smoothly; all they had to do was read from the paper.
Yet, when it was Fang Hao’s turn, an unexpected error occurred.
Just as Fang Hao finished loudly reading the contents on the paper, standing tall.
A voice came from the top above.
“Fang Hao, you are a transmigrator, aren’t you?”
When Fang Hao lifts his head, he sees that the voice is Archbishop-Milton’s and he is looking straight at him.
Although Milton looks eighty or ninety years old, his voice doesn’t suit his age. It sounds more like a middle-aged man’s and carries a strong base.
With the Archbishop interrupting at this moment.
All the Senators present feel that something is off.
All eyes turn to Fang Hao.
Fang Hao is startled, not understanding why there might be extra scenes when it’s his turn.
He looks down at Rebecca, asking whether this is part of the procedure?
Yet, he sees unease and worry in Rebecca’s eyes under his gaze.
He realizes that this is not part of the procedure.
He directs his gaze back at Milton and replies, smiling, “Yes, I am a transmigrator.”
“The appearance of transmigrants is the most unstable factor in Silver Wing City. It seems that Lyss City has managed this aspect fairly well, you guys get along rather harmoniously, don’t you?” Milton continues.
The Upper House has unbeatable authority.
With Milton saying this, Fang Hao’s situation becomes treacherous.
Whether he can smoothly become the City Lord or not, Milton’s words hold significant weight.
Fang Hao contemplates for a moment before saying, “What’s unstable are social factors. They cannot be attributed to a particular group. It’s like there being good and bad people in every city. We can’t say everyone in a city is bad or good.”
Of course, transmigrants do include bad folks, but overall, transmigrants have higher quality compared to the locals.
Milton looks at things from a local’s perspective, which is inherently flawed.
Milton would pose this question not because he couldn’t accept transmigrants, but merely to trouble Fang Hao.
The Holy Saint Mao Zi himself is also a transmigrant.
He’s given a great responsibility in the church, vying for the Archbishop’s position amongst the twelve holy saints.
“Oh? So you’re saying you have the confidence to manage Lyss City?” Milton asks, his expression unchanged, still bearing that same smile.
He looks very much like a cunning old fox with a dagger hidden behind his smile.
“I can.”
“Haha! Good, the young ones should have aspirations. But, I just received a piece of information that documents Lyss City’s violations of the Federation’s regulations over the past several years. You have just declared, so in your opinion, how should this matter be dealt with?” Archbishop Milton’s eyes are full of interest as he looks at the two people below.
Upon hearing this.
Everyone below breaks into an uproar.
And beside him, Rebecca’s face turns as white as a sheet, drained of all color.
The person bringing up the indictment isn’t Groot, but the Archbishop himself.
It’s over….