Miss Wang Weina, even your cousin won't do!

Urbino, standing at the bottom of the steps, looked extremely unwell.

He never expected that the Pope would send him as an envoy to Kazdel.

Whoever comes up with the idea is responsible for it. Those colleagues who usually boast to each other are like cunning rabbits with multiple burrows when faced with a problem. They would never agree to be sent as envoys to the demons, a task with almost zero success rate and even life-threatening risks. So, after much back and forth, the responsibility fell on his shoulders.

But Urbino has been feeling unlucky lately. His protégé, Vien, whom he supported, was dethroned right before his eyes at the coronation ceremony. He discovered Sister Broca, a figure who could threaten the Papacy's ideological control and vital financial resources, but failed to eliminate her. Now, he's being sent as an envoy to the demons...

I have a feeling it won't go as smoothly as I imagined.

Urbino took a deep breath and forced a smile onto his face.

To some extent, the pardoner was not wrong.

Lateran was indeed in deep trouble. Broca's words spread at an unimaginable speed to every corner of Terra with internet access. Although other regions did not directly declare the establishment of Protestantism and independence from the Lateran Papacy like Victoria, refusing to pay tithes and the unsold indulgences had begun to erupt in an explosive manner.

If something big isn't done to divert the attention of those idle people who are cheering for Laterano's troubles, Laterano will suffer even greater losses!

He came to Kazdel prepared to suffer a loss.

"As you said, the Sarkaz and we Sarkaz have always been sworn enemies. But you and I are not."

Urbino spoke slowly,

“A close friend of Lateran once said: ‘There are no permanent enemies, nor permanent friends, only permanent interests.’ Your Highness Theresis, there is no doubt that we share common interests.”

Therese, seated at the head of the table, shrugged expressionlessly and said calmly:

"That makes sense, but what will the result be? I share common interests with many people on Earth. What makes you think I would cooperate with you?"

He paused, lowered his hand from his cheek, and moved out of the shadow of the throne, a hint of disdain on his somewhat cold and gaunt face:

“I have many choices, but you only have one. Lateran, do you think you’ve hidden yourself well? Your motives are like child’s play in my eyes. You want to use me to divert your conflicts? Do you think that’s possible?”

"Theresia may indeed be unsuitable to be a king, but someone who cooperates with Laterano is even less likely to gain the approval of the demons. I have no intention of sacrificing Kazdel to gain your support."

“I know, Your Highness Theresis, I know everything.”

Urbino nodded calmly, showing no embarrassment at having his true purpose exposed.

"I've long heard of Prince Theresis's intelligence, and indeed, seeing is believing. But you can rest assured, I'm not here to get something for nothing, but to negotiate terms."

He looked directly into Therese's eyes:

“I’m here to negotiate, Theresis. You have many options on Terra, and countless potential allies, but I can assure you that Laterano is your best choice right now. Since we both know that this is a deal about the throne of the Demon Race, why not hear what we have to offer?”

Therese twisted his head, his neck cracking crisply in the silent hall, as if he were deep in thought.

After a while, he sat back down in his seat, propped his cheek up with his hand once more, and placed half of his body in the shadow.

Seeing this, the absolution master standing to the side revealed a barely perceptible smile behind his mask for some reason.

“Speak, Lateran.”

The pardoner spoke.

"You'd better give me a offer I can't refuse."

.......

What have you been busy with lately?

Wayne lay on his side on the sofa in his suburban villa, typing furiously on his phone.

The internet is undoubtedly one of humanity's greatest inventions. On it, two people, no matter how far apart they are, can easily meet, get to know each other, and become friends.

For example, ever since Wayne transmigrated, he has enjoyed chatting with a netizen whose ID is "Goodnight" whenever he has free time.

This netizen was clearly having some trouble; they seemed very busy these past few days, and when chatting with Wayne, they would disappear for two or three minutes at a time before replying. However, Wayne had plenty of time and could afford to wait.

Out of boredom and curiosity, Wayne unusually asked about the other party's current situation and what they were busy with.

The girl whose profile picture was the recently viral sleeping rabbit doll meme from Chaolong Mountain (probably, Wayne wasn't sure, just guessing based on her usual way of speaking. Of course, Wayne preferred to believe she was a real beautiful girl rather than some online transvestite) disappeared for another five minutes as usual before slowly replying: "Work is very busy. I'm about to take over the company, and there are many things to learn."

"A Colombian?" Wayne asked.

“No,” [Goodnight] replied. “Didn’t we agree not to ask each other about our identities?”

Wayne scratched his head awkwardly: "I just thought maybe I could be of help?"

【Goodnight】: "No need, Mr. Bruce, you probably can't help me. Besides, isn't the charm of the internet precisely this wonderful sense of distance and the equality of being able to easily express one's feelings without caring about each other's identities?"

Goodnight: "Besides, who knows, once my identity is exposed, you might not want to help me anymore?"

Wayne smiled helplessly. The words of this "Goodnight" always had a strange magic; although they were rejections, they didn't evoke any ill will.

Wayne had to admit she was right. If "Goodnight" really knew his true identity, would she still be able to chat with him so easily?

In the rigidly class-based Terra, this would be virtually impossible.

It is precisely the subtle sense of distance and mystery inherent in the internet that has fostered this friendship between them.

"I was being presumptuous. I won't ask anymore. Good luck, maybe I'll see you in the Emerging Entrepreneurs Newspaper one day."

Wayne made a joke, glanced at the clock, saw it was already 10 p.m., and casually added:

"Good night."

This time, the reply to "Goodnight" came quickly: "May you sleep soundly, Mr. Bruce."

Kazdel, the Black Palace in the Sarkaz capital, bedroom.

Theresa pressed the send button, saw a goodnight emoji from the other end of the line (ID: Bruce), smiled slightly, and put down her phone.

May you sleep peacefully.

As she thought this, she looked at the tightly closed door. Her Originium Arts, capable of absorbing the emotions around her, told her that someone was waiting outside.

"Please come in."

She said softly.

Dressed in a women's tuxedo, with her light green hair combed to the sides, a woman who was both very familiar and somewhat unfamiliar to Wayne pushed open the door and entered.

"Kal'tsit, what's the matter so late?"

Theresa looked at her bowing friend and said.

Dr. Kal'tsit, or rather, Lord Kal'tsit now, stood up, her expression more severe than ever before. She spoke slowly and deliberately to the cherry-haired girl sitting on the bed before her:

"Your Highness, Theresis wants to see you. Right now."

"Want to go?" Theresa asked with a smile, but she had already turned to the side and put on her black high heels.

“I think this is a trap,” Kal’tsit emphasized, trying to stop them. “It’s best not to go. I will immediately inform Ascalon and Kroos and prepare to leave Veronia tonight.”

“You think your brother will rebel, right?” Theresa nodded. “Indeed, the signs are quite obvious, but I have to go. I can’t give up any opportunity that might allow this matter to be resolved peacefully.”

"But your safety."

"This is so that all the people on this land can sleep peacefully."

Theresa said earnestly.

"Furthermore, who invited whom to the Feast at Hongmen?"

According to the legends of the Yan Kingdom, it was Xiang Yu who invited Liu Bang.

What happened to Liu Bang afterward?

"He became the true dragon emperor."

Where is Xiang Yu?

Kal'tsit fell silent. After a long while, she raised her head, looked into Theresa's eyes, and said:

"I'll go with you!"

"Ah."

Chapter 51 Two Choices

The Sarkaz Black Palace, main hall.

Therese remained clad in armor, resembling a seasoned general more than the heir to the throne. Even seated on the soft sofa, he unconsciously maintained a straight posture. He was never stingy with respect for those he approved of, but towards those he disapproved of or even loathed, as he had done with Urbino that afternoon, he displayed blatant contempt.

Upon seeing Kal'tsit enter through the door, followed by Theresa, who was wearing a pale white dress that resembled pajamas, Theresa frowned slightly, but ultimately said nothing.

His sister, when it comes to stubbornness, far surpasses him. Once she's made up her mind, it's unchangeable, which is the source of their ideological clashes. But tonight, Therese isn't here to waste words trying to persuade Theresa to change her overly benevolent principles; he's here to discuss one last possibility.

Theresa gently sat down on the sofa opposite Theresis, looking directly at her brother with a hint of helplessness and sigh in her eyes.

Theresa hopes that the survival of the Sarkaz does not have to be based on endless war, while Theresa believes that war is the only way for Kazdel to rise in its current state. If they can each take a step back and complement each other's strengths, Theresa, as the queen who can unite half of the Sarkaz tribes with her personal reputation and affability, and the prince who is not only powerful but also has excellent strategic vision and is favored by most of the Sarkaz military nobles, one is a civil official and the other is a military leader. They can undoubtedly create an unprecedented golden age.

Unfortunately, such a scenario can only exist in dreams. In reality, their relationship is at an unprecedented stalemate, with both factions getting involved, and Kazdel is in a tense standoff, with civil war imminent.

At this critical juncture, Theresa's invitation to Theresa at night could only mean two things: either the rebels wanted to take this opportunity to behead her, using the smashing of a cup as a signal, and five hundred axemen would chop her down; or, just as Theresa thought, both Theresa and Theresa were making a final effort to avoid the worst possible outcome, and tonight might be their last chance!

"Greetings, elder brother."

Theresa nodded slightly to Theresis and said,

"It's so late, is there something you need?"

Therese closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and said in a more serious and earnest tone than ever before:

"Theresia, I've come to you to discuss the last two options."

"A choice?" Theresa was slightly taken aback. "You tell me."

"The first option is for you to formally announce that you are relinquishing your right to the throne of Kazdel and abdicate the throne to me."

Therese said earnestly, without the slightest wavering on her face, as if she had truly given this statement, which Kal'tsit found somewhat laughable, a result of careful consideration.

Therese reached out and took the projection tablet from the pardoner beside her, turned on the product from Columbia Rheintech, pointed it at the cleaned marble tabletop, and started the projection.

A map of Kazdel was displayed on the table.

Located at the intersection of Ursus, Victoria, Kazimir, and Letania, Kazdel is a country that acts as a political buffer zone between the four nations. It has been plagued by war for many years, and the Sarkaz's innate toughness has forged this nation into one where everyone is a soldier.

"This is the current state of Kazdel. We are in the most dangerous geopolitical environment in all of Terra. Villages need soldiers to protect them, cities need soldiers to protect them, and people need soldiers to protect them. Peaceful development can never save Kazdel. Once the Sarkaz give up the fight and choose a weak peace, they will only perish faster."

Therese said seriously,

"The only way to achieve Kazdel's rise right now is to increase the country's militarization, completely build a 100% military nation, incite national fervor, purge defeatism, compromiseism, capitulationism, and escapism, unite the people with fervent national faith, and then..."

"Then strike, strike in all directions, strike Ursus, Kazimir, Victoria, and Letania, either defeat all their nations or kill the last Sarkaz?"