At the festival site, Mayor Olisky suddenly felt the world spinning around him during his speech. He staggered slightly and would have fallen if he hadn't tried to control it; he truly struggled to hold himself up.
He knew what fainting publicly would mean: the end of his political career. A mayor in poor health couldn't manage a city.
He couldn't allow himself to collapse; he wanted to stay in his position and realize his ambitions.
He hadn't planned to attend this festival, but it was such an important day that if he didn't show up as the mayor, it would certainly disappoint the citizens, so he forced himself to come.
His illness kept him from staying in crowded places, and amidst such a bustling atmosphere, just standing there made him feel suffocated.
He could only put on a forced smile, pretending everything was fine, chatting gaily with the citizens.
