episode_0148

Freedom of Religion (1) – National Assembly

A long white line continued continuously.

The white-clothed believers now became legitimate citizens of the Republic and sat in the National Assembly.

A darker white coat of paint on the previously empty parliament.

“… … .”

Ha Chae-kyung had forgotten her usual smile and was staring blankly at the council.

Her eyes, which returned to me again, were shaking violently with countless emotions that could not be expressed.

I also didn’t bother to tease her by saying anything.

It is said that executives who returned to paradise using a lax entry system returned with believers.

They did not explain in detail that they would use their system to suppress the Republic of Korea’s existing population by majority vote.

Everyone realizes their unhappiness intuitively.

“You cowardly bastard—!”

The younger of the brothers cried out as he kept trying to jump out of his body, probably because his body was itchy.

The older brother tried hard to block his younger brother’s body, but was unable to block his mouth.

“ The dog like a dog is like this?! ”

“Did a dirty unbeliever have a rag in his mouth!”

Immediately, the vice-captain responded with excitement.

However, the leader who received my gaze immediately calmed down the vice-leader.

I asked my younger brother with a light smile.

“I don’t know why you’re so excited.”

“What, what? Lee—”

“Wasn’t this the peaceful solution you were talking about?”

“You sound like a bitch! Hey bro! Bringing your whole family along is peaceful, huh?!”

“They didn’t bring everything.”

If all the believers from paradise had been brought in from the beginning, there would not have been enough seats in the council.

Well, since the ‘Parliament’ is also an urban power that the system sets on its own, the system may have increased the number of seats on its own.

“Also, I’m not as excited as you and I’m just sitting there, so isn’t it peaceful like this?”

The believers who had completed their civil registration were still taking their seats.

“Stop playing with bullshit words, you fucking idiot!”

“The swearing is harsh. What is so dissatisfying?”

“What kind of law are you trying to enforce by force?! What kind of shit are you trying to do to us?”

“Our believers, who have become newly citizens of the Republic, will vote for the right choice.”

“Correct is nimi! Everyone is on your side!”

The guy shouted, spitting out blood as if he was spitting out blood.

Thin veins bursting through eyes filled with murder.

“That’s strange.”

Naturally, I had no choice but to tilt my head and ask.

“The bill has not even been proposed, so how can you predict the outcome as if it were natural?”

As if it had always been like this.

He kept his mouth shut in response to my question.

However, the anger seemed to be aggravated, and the murderous look in his eyes became even more intense.

“Was what you have done so far a vote to divide right and wrong, or a trial to reaffirm one will?”

I turned my gaze and stared at Ha Chae-kyung.

Her eyes are reflected in her downward gaze.

“Did the National Assembly decide that Salvation Church is evil? If the Salvation Church is evil, why is the good that discerns it a good country?”

I asked Minguk’s representative one after another.

“Is everything that the majority of citizens unanimously say is good?”

Is that the majority-rule democracy advocated by No. 2?

I swung around the council and opened my mouth again.

“Then why are you angry at us for trying to respect your system?”

A question spreading through the National Assembly of the Republic.

I asked everyone.

“We, too, are just trying to speak with the same opinion as the majority of citizens.”

Amendment to the train ban law.

Voting for the Republic’s official religion.

Proposal to dismiss Representative Minguk.

Ha Chae-kyung’s pupils shake more vigorously every time a stone is thrown.

“Or.”

I smiled softly and whispered to her.

“We could just agree that Minguk was evil.”

Because that is the majority decision.

Ha Chae-kyung forcefully grabbed her trembling left hand.

He suppressed his trembling and opened his mouth to say something to me.

However, she could not speak in the end.

I smiled softly at her and shook my head.

It was okay if I didn’t have to force myself to overcome the contradiction.

“Don’t be anxious. It’s not that your ideology is wrong.”

What I want is worship, not submission.

“It’s just that everyone has different armor to protect themselves from the external environment.”

Republic of Korea and Daehan Island.

“Paradise Island.”

An era where there are thousands of correct answers.

“Ideology and religion are not very different. So we should respect individual choices.”

Wasn’t that the modern era you longed for?

An era in which we had to choose one of countless options and demand full responsibility for it.

That was the freedom of choice that Number 2 cried out for in the sudden broadcast.

“So, there is only one bill that the Salvation Church will propose.”

He raised his finger and shouted at the assembly, which had already filled all seats.

“Propose a religious freedom law in the Republic of Korea!”

[The motion of ‘Han Gu-won’, an awakened person who is not a citizen of the Republic of Korea, is not permitted!]

Tiring—!

[The majority of Republic of Korea citizens agree with Han Gu-won’s motion!]

[A majority vote for or against in the Republic of Korea’s ‘Parliament’ will be held!]

[‘Religious Freedom Act’.]

[All citizens of the Republic are granted the right to choose or not to choose their faith according to their own will. Additionally, religions that have secured a certain number of believers are given the obligation to create a comfortable religious life for their believers.]

[Citizens of all countries, please vote for or against!]

Alright!

Each small panel was created in front of the citizens.

Two colors split exactly in half within the panel.

Green for yes and red for no.

Beep!

As soon as the panel came up, someone voted without even thinking about it.

[Opposition: Gangsan]

A familiar face making eye contact in the red light that signifies opposition.

He and I exchanged glances for a few seconds without saying anything.

Beep!

[Opposition: Gangbada]

The seat next to Kangsan also had a red light on.

“Oppa, are you okay?”

A gentle voice that has changed so much that you can’t even imagine the voice you heard the day before.

The sight of her face as she gently held Kang San’s hand and asked him with concern seemed somehow hateful.

Kang San turned his gaze to Kang Bada and smiled slightly.

While I was looking at that face closely, what he said came to mind.

‘This is a time when everyone has to wear a mask to survive.’

You say that.

Is he currently wearing a mask like the river and sea?

If you’re wearing a mask.

When you take off that mask, what kind of expression will your real face look at me?

Beep! Beep!

Afterwards, like dominoes, all the seats around Kangsan sparkled red.

The list of negative votes is surging.

It looked like a firefly in front of a full moon.

Beep! Beep!

[Agree: Seo Hyewon, Park Yuna]

Beep! Beep!

[Agree: Kim Young-hee, Ahn Se-won]

Ha Chae-kyung waved around the assembly, looking at the approval votes that were slowly starting to rise.

Red districts have already voted against it.

A corner so small compared to the area that hasn’t been lit yet.

Beep! Beep!

And my heart is shaken by the slowly brightening green light.

Ha Chae-kyung looked down blankly at her hands, which were now shaking even though she was holding them forcibly.

Before he knew it, his hands had completely disappeared and turned pure white, and he felt unfamiliar.

Beep! Beep!

She pursed her lips and lowered her head deeper.

I didn’t have the courage to raise my head.

I need to stand up again like the old man said right now.

I have to shout out that Han Gu-won’s words are just sophistry.

Today was just a small defeat.

We will lose today with minimal damage.

I need to tell everyone.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

My head kept shaking due to the endless voting sound.

All the precious people who remained in the Republic of Korea had already finished voting.

So naturally, the voting sound that is ringing right now is…

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!

In the end, I covered my ears with both hands to avoid hearing the sound.

I quickly gathered my thoughts in a quiet environment.

If it ends like this, it will really be over.

It had nothing to do with the first sentence of the Religious Freedom Act.

But the second sentence was too dangerous.

‘Also, religions that have a certain number of believers are given the obligation to create a comfortable religious life for their believers.’

A sentence with a connotation that is too ominous to be seen at a glance.

As someone who knows how effective the bills agreed upon in the National Assembly have been.

It was clear what would happen if that bill was applied.

Rather, the Salvation Church will confidently walk through the nation, relying on the power of the city that is supposed to protect us.

but.

‘Sleep, wait… wait for a sec… please… please… ‘

There was no hope in sight.

There was not even the slightest possibility of singing for hope.

Still, perhaps because I covered my ears, my condition returned to a somewhat stable state.

I sort out the tangled strings of my thoughts and think about myself.

What do you think of yourself looking down from the corner of the National Assembly right now?

A coward with his head down and his ears covered, trembling.

Ha Chae-kyung bit her lip tightly and regained her collapsing spirit.

I couldn’t show everyone like that.

It was an act that dishonored everyone who believed in him.

She opened her eyes and raised her head.

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!

The parliament is completely green and overwhelms you.

Naturally, the hands that were blocking my ears relax.

Thanks to this, the unfinished voting sound continued to ring.

[Agree: Park Si-woo, Seong Jae-hee, Ra Si-hyeon, Kim Byeol… … ]

Citizens of pro-choice whose names are constantly updated are constantly updated.

Majority decision. democracy. Freedom of choice.

In the end, when I look back, it’s all the things she cried out for.

The moment you deny that.

It denies the nation.

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!

‘… … ah.’

With a short sigh in my heart,

Ha Chae-kyung quietly closed her eyes.

***

‘I Want to Know God’ ended with an unexpected vote, and the ‘Religious Freedom Act’ was applied to the Republic of Korea.

The Salvation Church, as Guwon Han said, proposed only one bill and remained silent.

After that, the situation that Yoon Kang was worried about when he vomited blood never occurred.

The floating population traveling between Paradise and Republic of Korea by train only increased explosively.

Even if Paradise believers, who were not subject to the train ban law, roamed the Republic of Korea, no one could forcibly stop them.

The shackles that prevented Han Gu-won’s violence in the ‘Proof Event’ have now begun to tighten them.

The Salvation Church simply mobilized all its capabilities to create a comfortable life for its believers.

A large forest of buildings began to form next to Minguk’s residential area.

Supermarket, gym, prayer room, distribution center, etc.

A new district in Republic of Korea where various religious facilities and convenience facilities are concentrated.

‘One Mind Salvation Church Republic of Korea Branch’.

Everyone called the place that.

After the Republic of Korea branch of the Salvation Church was established, life in Republic of Korea began to change rapidly.

“If you attend the prayer meeting, we will provide you with a delicious dinner~!”

“Tonight is a pork belly party~! You can eat whatever you want~!”

In the evening, the night was lively with the prayer meeting of the Salvation Church.

Every day was a series of festivals and days of fullness.

Citizens who refused to attend the prayer meeting were

I had trouble sleeping due to the loud laughter and fireworks, wondering what was so fun about it.

Still, I couldn’t raise my voice at all.

Because their religion should be respected.

That’s because the decision was made in the ‘Parliament’.

As time passed, the area of the Republic of Korea branch of Salvation Church expanded.

bread-! bread-!

Now, vehicles brought from the Salvation Bridge come and go in the Republic of Korea.

Laymen were operating the means of transportation that had been abandoned because the cost-effectiveness of recharging fuel was so poor.

Everyone in the country widened their eyes at the sight of the company installing and operating its own gas station.

“… … That.”

“Ah! Welcome, prospective believer! Are you interested in joining the school?”

“… … Yes.”

“Ahh! Welcome, brother! Here’s a survey first… ”

The building where those wishing to enter the school were guided was crowded with people.

All of the citizens rescued from the Republic of Korea chose to become believers of the Salvation Church.

The first day after being rescued.

Some citizens refused to join the church due to their aversion to religion.

“… … I’m planning to join the school.”

“Welcome, Sister! Take the survey here—”

The next day, without fail, I knocked on the door of Salvation Church.

The only people who withstood the extremely harsh environment were the citizens of the early Republic of Korea.

They withstood their temptations fueled by memories and trust.

However, fuel is not always an infinite resource.

Ting—! Ting—!

“Pass—! Give me a pass, brother!”

A basketball ball flashes back and forth across the green court.

Believers of Salvation Church wearing white sportswear were having fun playing basketball.

slam-!

“Pupupupupu—!”

“Hahaha—! Brother, let’s start with defense!”

A believer who makes a three-point shot and does a humorous celebration, and the believers who watch it and share a high five.

Jeong Min-soo, an ordinary person who had been with his mother since Island of Ships, just sat on a bench and looked at them.

Since I am not an awakened person, I have a bit of free time.

Every time, he came to the court and watched them play basketball.

This was possible because the Republic of Korea branch of the Salvation Church did not block citizens coming and going through their district.

slam-!

“Wow! Nice one, brother!”

match-!

The believers exchanged high fives again with bright smiles.

Jeong Min-soo, who was looking at their sweaty hands, also looked down at his own hands.

Nails that haven’t yet peeled off dirt, perhaps because they washed their bodies with insufficient water.

Since the establishment of the Republic of Korea branch of the Salvation Church, the number of citizens choosing water for washing instead of alcoholic beverages has increased.

This is because citizens who looked down on their bodies whenever they saw clean Salvationists could not bear the shame.

A feeling of deprivation that is completely different from watching their happy daily lives on video.

Everyone was having a hard time because of their own misfortune that was clearly approaching at close range.

chin-!

A basketball ball rolled at his feet.

“Oh, sorry! Could you please throw the ball?”

To Shindo, who bowed and apologized, he passed with both hands as he was used to.

Alright! Shindo’s eyes widen as he sees the basketball immediately in his hand.

Jeong Min-su sat down helplessly on the bench again.

“Hey!”

When I raised my head at Shindo’s call, he smiled brightly and asked.

“Would you like to run together sometime?”

“… … Yes?”

In response to Jeong Min-su’s dumbfounded question, Shindo pointed to the side.

“The sweaty brother over there said he was tired. There is one seat left.”

“… … .”

Seeing Jeong Min-soo’s expression suddenly become embarrassed, I hurriedly waved both hands.

“Just basketball. basketball. We have absolutely no other intentions!”

Jeong Min-soo suddenly nodded, looking extremely chagrined.

He hesitantly approached the believers who were playing around and bouncing a basketball.

“Seeing that you passed, it looks like you are not a beginner. What is your name?”

“… … .”

The believer who first called him asked warmly.

Shindo doesn’t say anything again for a moment, so he waves his hand with an aggrieved expression.

“When passing, hey, you can’t just say it’s you. That seems a bit arrogant.”

“… … Minsu.”

“Ah, Minsu!”

Shindo smiled brightly and handed over the bouncing basketball.

“Welcome!”

Basketball ball.

I thought there was nothing to touch anymore,

A feel that is distinctly stranger than firearms and ammunition.

Jeong Min-su, who was handed the basketball with trembling hands, twitched the corner of his mouth.

He nodded, imitating a laugh he hadn’t seen in a long time.

“… … Yes.”