Chapter 36: The Muna Pavilion, The Meeting

The study of "On Equality" ends here.

Verak believed that a superficial understanding was sufficient; as long as he could hold his own in conversations with the rebel organization and offer enough insight to impress them, that would be enough. Diving deeper would only risk his own impartiality, and he had no intention of becoming so entangled that he could not pull himself out.

After splashing his face with water to refresh himself, Verak went downstairs for lunch. Once he had finished, Fletcher sought him out to ask about his morning.

"How was it? Did you manage to spend any money this morning?" Fletcher asked, sitting down in Verak’s room.

"Not yet, Mr. Fletcher," Verak replied honestly. "However, I have already thought of a very suitable purchase."

"Oh? What is it?" Fletcher asked, clearly intrigued.

Verak played it coy, not wanting to reveal the details immediately. "Let me keep a little suspense for now; you will know soon enough."

Fletcher was not annoyed by the secrecy; if anything, his interest only deepened. He chuckled, "Then I shall await your good news. I hope you won't disappoint me."

"Rest assured, Mr. Fletcher," Verak replied with a smile.

After a brief chat, Fletcher departed. Feeling the unprecedented freedom he had been granted, Verak decided not to waste the opportunity and headed out shortly after his meal.

"Mr. Chris," Daniel greeted him warmly, waiting by the car.

"Let’s go take a look at the Merna Pavilion," Verak said as he climbed in.

The Merna Pavilion was a site Verak had passed when he first arrived in Laizein. It was an exhibition hall specifically constructed for the World’s Fair, which was to be held in a month and a half to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Great Revolution.

With nothing urgent to attend to that afternoon, Verak decided to visit. Although it was not yet completed, it was destined to become a symbol of Bressi and a landmark of Laizein. In his previous life, he had been killed days before the opening ceremony. He estimated that in a month and a half, he would likely have already left Bressi—perhaps never to return—so he decided to make up for that lost experience and see this magnificent architectural feat intended to showcase the nation's power.

"Very well, sir." Daniel started the engine and drove toward the pavilion.

"Do you know anything about the World’s Fair?" Verak asked, though he suspected Daniel would not know much.

"I know a little. Ever since it was announced a year ago that we would host the new World’s Fair, the newspapers have been publishing stories about it from time to time," Daniel replied.

Verak was pleasantly surprised. "Tell me what you know."

"I know that this fair, hosted by Bressi, will not be like those of previous host nations, which focused only on fine arts and traditional crafts. Instead, it will place a heavy emphasis on displaying the latest advancements in science and industrial technology. After all, the government's goal is to demonstrate our national strength," Daniel said, assuming Verak was testing him and relaying everything he knew.

"Exactly," Verak said, absorbing the information. "Delegations from all over the world will be coming. This should be the most important event in Laizein this year."

"Do you have any thoughts on the World’s Fair, sir?"

"No," Verak replied. He wasn't thinking that far ahead; by that time, he would be far from Bressi, and everything happening here would have nothing to do with him.

An hour later, Verak arrived in the vicinity of the Merna Pavilion. The site was still under construction and the surrounding area was cordoned off, so he could only view it from a distance.

The Merna Pavilion covered an area of over twenty hectares. Its design resembled a cluster of bubbles of varying sizes, with gracefully curved, semi-circular exhibition halls topped by glass domes that allowed for excellent natural light, making the structure look exquisite from the outside.

The Industrial Palace formed the main body, with the other halls built around it. To extend its influence, the government had also specifically commissioned national pavilions for the participating countries. In the surrounding park, leisure facilities such as bars, taverns, coffee houses, and venues for evening concerts were being built in the styles of the respective nations.

In every respect, it was clear that the Bressi government had invested heavily in the World’s Fair and attached great importance to it.

Even before going inside, Verak could imagine how grand and spectacular the fair would be once it opened. If he could, he would have loved to stay in this prosperous and powerful country rather than being forced to flee to foreign lands.

"I suppose your family will have products on display as well?" Daniel asked casually.

Verak naturally knew nothing about the current state of the Thomas family business, but he remembered that in his previous life, the Thomas Record Company had received an invitation, and several of their artists were scheduled to perform at the opening and closing ceremonies and other important occasions. "Yes, we will. We won't just be exhibiting our latest products; the company's singers will be performing as well."

"Although we don't agree with this country's regime in our hearts, it is still an honor to see it prospering to such a degree that it is about to astonish the world," Daniel remarked.

Verak dared not respond to such a comment. As the leader of the rebel organization, a single stray word could have a profound impact on the people of the movement.

"Oh, Mr. Chris, I almost forgot," Daniel said, pulling a piece of paper from his pocket. "After I dropped you off this morning, I went to see Comrade Chloe. I shared the news with him, and he asked me to give this to you. He said the investigation isn't fully complete yet, but he wanted you to look at these for now."

"Very well." Verak took the paper and unfolded it. It contained detailed records regarding several individuals who had conducted significant financial transactions through Carmine’s secret accounts.

"Comrade Chloe also said he hopes to hold a small meeting after you meet tomorrow, as there are important matters he needs to discuss with you."

"A meeting? Is he the only one coming?" Verak felt a subtle sense of foreboding.

"The other cadres are also very eager to meet with you, so Comrade Chloe decided to hold a small meeting tomorrow night," Daniel explained.

Verak pondered this. "Do you know the subject of the meeting?"

"I don't, sir."

After the great purge, there were only six core cadres left, including Chloe. If Verak were to meet with them, it would be equivalent to facing the scrutiny of six people who were very close to him. He had no idea what the meeting would be about; if it concerned something he wasn't well-versed in, the risk of his cover being blown would be immense.

"Take me back to the estate, then go find Chloe again and ask him what the meeting's agenda is," Verak said. He dared not commit or refuse outright, deciding to have Daniel probe further before he made a final decision on whether to attend.

If he determined that the subject matter was something he could not handle with confidence, he would have to find an excuse to cancel the meeting to avoid any possibility of exposure.

"Are we leaving now, then?"

"Yes." Verak needed to manage his time; the sooner he knew the agenda, the more time he would have to prepare.

"Understood, sir."

After finishing his tour near the Merna Pavilion, Verak hurried back to the estate to await word from Daniel.