People in Terra, governing a weird little country

I really want to see the humiliated expression on your face as you reluctantly but helplessly gave up that office to me after being defeated by me.

"Boss, let's start."

The horn peak beside him spoke up to remind him, and Enthiodis came back to his senses. As the co-organizer of the Kjerag World Expo, he could now sit in the first row, and even the Duke of Kast would be behind him.

He looked towards the stage, at Ernst who had walked onto the stage at some point, stood in front of the podium, and faced the microphone surrounded by flowers. He smiled faintly at his sharp face and high-spirited demeanor.

Well, just avoid the sharp edge and be tolerant for the time being!

Let’s see your performance first!

............

"Today, we gather here to mourn."

Standing in front of the podium, Ernst's eyes swept across the faces from all over Terra below. They had different expressions, different reasons for participating in this event, and different goals they wanted to achieve at this expo.

But here they are anyway.

Among the seats of the great powers, the seat of Yan was still vacant, but the messenger of Yan had already arrived. The delegation of Yan had also approached Kjerag. Besides Yan, only one country was absent.

Among the medium-sized countries, apart from Bolivar, which is mired in civil war and unable to elect a leader and delegation due to the games between various parties and internal conflicts, only Sami and Iberia are absent for the time being.

These two countries haven't even sent a messenger yet, so Ernst has basically given up hope.

The small countries, independent city-states and forces of Terra also participated in the exposition at the instigation of Ernst and Hermann.

The delegations from Rhodes Island, Longmen of Yan Country, and Xiosta all belong to this category. They are either prestigious international organizations or city-states with a certain degree of political autonomy. Although they are weak and insignificant in comparison to the size of the country, they are also an important part of the political ecology of Terra.

Even someone as arrogant as the Duke of Caster cannot ignore their existence - after all, stirring up trouble, fighting proxy wars, creating conflicts, and so on, all of these operations are inseparable from these people.

Ernst was already very satisfied with this. With the recognition and participation of these people, the system of the World Summit had already possessed sufficient influence, and finally obtained the qualification to participate in the "Terra Future Order Chicken Contest".

Although they are not yet participants in the political organization of the World Summit, this is Ernst's job.

Transform advantages into winning positions and upgrade partners into strategic partners!

A lively summit opened with the word "condolence", and the moment Ernst's voice swept the venue, the noise disappeared.

Ernst then said: "We are here to mourn the end of an era."

“The theme of the World Expo is the future, but before we look to the distant future, we must also recall where we came from, our past.”

“From slash-and-burn agriculture to Originium technology, technological progress has brought unprecedented vitality to the development of civilization, but it has also finally given us the weapon to destroy civilization.”

"Knives can be aimed at our compatriots, or at the meat on the chopping block. Crossbows can be aimed at each other's hearts, or at feathered beasts in the sky. When cannons were created, people naturally thought of them as cruel killing weapons, but the Kjerag people used them as props to launch fireworks and illuminate the night sky."

In Ernst's narration, several cannons painted with colorful ribbons and looking somewhat funny and cute were pushed onto the stage, attracting the attention of countless people.

But Ernst did not explain anything. He just followed the script he had rehearsed countless times and continued aloud:

"So I held the World Expo and allowed the display of military weapons, because military weapons are not only used for massacres, but also for defending the country. I encouraged the exhibition of culture, because the charm of culture is that no matter where we go, it is our root. I am happy to see all inventions and creations presented here, because appearing before the public for review is a test that every scholar must go through if he wants to be recognized for his lifelong research. No one will laugh at an invention that is useless, just like we cannot assert the future of a newborn baby."

"Everyone, I know that any empty talk will only make people laugh. I know that only real things can move your hearts. I know that only by showing the future before your eyes will you, like me, mourn that the past era has passed and the future is already at hand!"

"So, everyone, listen! Look! The future is here!"

Ernst raised his hand, and almost at the same time, several modified cannons behind him aimed at the sky and fired fireworks.

No, not fireworks!

Only Enthiotis knew that it was a flare. Just like on the day of the Holy Hunting Ceremony, what Ernst fired into the sky was a flare that was enough to turn the situation around and determine the outcome!

"Boom! Boom boom!"

Fireworks bloomed in the sky, followed by the sound of "dragon roar".

"Buzzing—"

The roar of the engine and the sound of the air currents that cut through the sky as the Fire Demon's energy supply system started up were mixed with the exclamations of the envoys, lords, dukes, and ordinary Kjerag people inside and outside the venue!

A black dot crossed the sky from the end of the sky and flew towards the venue at a leisurely speed and with an oppressive attitude!

It was a scene that would amaze anyone with a strategic vision. It was a word that had disappeared for many years but reappeared in people's eyes. It was the display of a technology that was enough to change Terra!

An airship!

An airship pulling a banner that read "Congratulations on the official opening of the Kjerag World Expo - Rhine Life"!

Kristen Wright, you did a great job!

Chapter 271 Vina: Hello, my name is......

what is that?

Flying machine? But Terra has never had such a huge flying machine!

How did it fly into the sky with such a huge size? Just relying on so-called science?

And that banner... is that a new invention of RhineLife? Is it the new masterpiece of that woman Christen Leiter?

After the Wrights died in a flying accident, their children continued to research those technologies? And actually achieved results?

Thousands of questions lingered in everyone's mind, but none of them could cover up the shock that came from their hearts.

That was the shock that only comes when one truly comes into contact with the "unknown territory", it was the shock that came from the heart when one was amazed that Ernst actually showed them the possibility of the "future"!

Although he had known about the aircraft in advance, Enthiotis was still genuinely surprised when he actually saw the giant air monster soaring freely in the sky.

He couldn't help but raise his head, stand up, and tiptoe, trying to bring himself and his sight closer to the future that symbolizes "infinite possibilities."

He was not the only one who did this. Rather, at this moment, he was the same as most of the people present, whether in terms of reaction, expression, or the calculations that immediately began in his mind.

If someone had asked him what the future was before today, he would probably have said that everyone has a different definition of the future and no one can give a completely standard answer.

But after today, he will firmly tell that person that the future lies in airships!

The future belongs to whoever masters the sky first!

Enchiodis swallowed his saliva. He felt Ernst's burning gaze, and the pride, confidence, and expectation in it.

He was waiting for himself, waiting for himself to speak, waiting for himself to admit defeat, waiting for himself to open the first page for the future.

"Just this once, do as you wish."

Enthyotis murmured in a low voice, convinced. He glanced reluctantly at the flying monster that had already passed overhead, casting a shadow that covered the sky. Then he looked at Ernst and asked the question that countless people had on their minds and urgently needed an answer:

"what is that?"

Ernst's face showed a happy and comfortable expression. He straightened his back, faced all the guests, and announced loudly:

"Kristen and I named it together: the airship."

“It’s a perfect exhibit for the purpose of the fair!”

"It is the most advanced weapon, capable of crossing any self-proclaimed indestructible wall, and deterring any self-proclaimed indestructible cannon and crossbow. But it is also a messenger of peace. As long as you love peace, you can use it for propaganda, transportation, or simply sightseeing, just like me. It is also a kind of culture, inherited from mankind's yearning for the sky, and is the embodiment of the never-ending spirit of challenge and desire for exploration. It is also undoubtedly the crystallization of a science and technology. In the future, it and the technologies it will use will develop again, and its transformation will never end!"

"I present it to you to show you the future."

Ernst took a deep breath and spoke the lines he had prepared:

[When Terran humans boasted that the civilization and country we have built have conquered every corner of this land. ]

[When we take it for granted that we divide our country's sphere of influence, and use our rapidly developing technology and thriving national strength to fill our insatiable greed, and let every inch of soil be stained with our blood.]

【I ask all of us to listen together. 】

[Listen to this voice from the future. She is passing over your head, she is whistling sharply, and she is speaking to everyone who still has ambitions in their hearts. ]

[“Our future does not lie in each other, but in the sky and the sea. Our future lies in each other, in unity and cooperation.”]

【This is the beginning of the World Expo, and I hope it will also be the beginning of the future. 】

[Our journey is to the sea of ​​stars! ]

Ernst's speech had ended, but his voice seemed to still echo in the conference hall, silencing the entire earth.

Ernst knew that some of them might have already begun to think about the military uses of airships at this moment, hoping to apply this technology on the battlefield.

Ernst also knew that some of them had begun to pay attention to Christen Wright, the inventor of the airship, and were planning to bring her back to their country at all costs.

Ernst could even guess that some shameless people might have already begun preparations. If they couldn't get it, they would completely destroy it. Even if it meant making this technology disappear completely from the world, they would not let it fall into the hands of their enemies.

But it doesn't matter.

These are all manifestations of the future.

It is because everyone is thinking, because everyone has plans, and because everyone has abandoned their original ideas and started thinking about the huge impact that a brand new thing may bring, and included gains and destruction in their own plans, that the "future" will come into being.

Concrete things cannot represent the future. The abstract concept of the future is made up of countless equally abstract thoughts.

All Ernst did was simply to throw out some ideas.

Moreover, he did not completely leave no backup plan.

The technology of airships is actually not as mature as you all imagine. Even for a genius like Christensen, there are still two major problems that have not been solved.

First, there is the issue of energy for the airship.

Such a huge vehicle can be called a high-speed warship in the sky. If it is to be driven only by Originium, the amount of high-purity Originium fuel required is extremely terrifying! If there is no better way, the airship will have to load a large amount of fuel every time it takes off, which will greatly reduce the usable range of the airship.

The reason why Ernst's airship can now accelerate, decelerate, and hover freely in the sky is because Mr. Flame Demon, who was trained very well by Yelagund and was recently taken extra care of by a certain [Time Sequence], has indeed worked very hard.

Although the Sakaz, who are considered as the athletes of Terra, have basically dropped out of liberal arts and have basically lost their knowledge of science, their physique, witchcraft and Originium skills are indeed extraordinary. Especially the ancient fire demon Saffar, who knows a lot of ancient witchcraft that even the current Lord of the Royal Court may not master.

As we all know, on Terra, the older an individual is, the stronger their combat power becomes.

Individual efforts combined with talent have solved the energy problem of the entire airship.

And it is unlikely that Terra will find the second Balrog.

The second problem, which is even more fatal, is the flying environment of the airship.

No matter how thick the airship's health bar is, it cannot withstand natural disasters. In fact, just like most of the aircraft in Ernst's impression, it is not very adaptable to bad weather. Its reliability is very worrying in weather conditions such as heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning.

This is an objective factor and generally speaking, it cannot be changed by subjective will.

Unless you have Yelagund.

Under Ernst's advice, Yelagund, who had learned "Mechanics" early on, was the hero behind the perfect success of this flight show. And it was unlikely that there was another place on Terra that could do the luxury of building an adaptation belt specifically for the flight of the airship, like Kjerag.

These two problems are actually very fatal, and can be said to be directly related to the availability of airship technology.

But it doesn’t matter, we are just selling a concept, showing our best side to everyone and arousing everyone’s interest!

Scam? How can this be considered a scam?

Ernst always said "the future is just around the corner", "this is the possibility of the future", "I will show you a future technology", but he never said that this technology is very mature and can be put into use immediately, right?

If you insist on asking when this technology will mature, Ernst can only tell you that "the hope of a fully mature airship is already on the horizon!"

Fortunately, no one asked this question yet. Everyone was still deeply shocked by the appearance of the airship, and no one thought about this level yet.

Therefore, Ernst can proudly announce that the plan went very smoothly. If nothing unexpected happens, the opening ceremony of this World Expo will be a complete success.

"Ernst, here I come!"

A call woke Ernst from his joy as he had just opened the champagne. He turned around subconsciously and saw a familiar figure that seemed strange but familiar.

She was a girl with brilliant golden hair, wearing a black outer and red inner fur cloak, and a T-shirt with a "beast claw" pattern printed on the chest, which perfectly outlined her figure that some people envied.

She often appeared as a career beauty in a suit and tie, but she hadn't worn this outfit for a long time - this was the outfit she wore when she escaped from Victoria. To be more precise, it was the camouflage outfit she wore when she was taken out of the palace in Londinium by the few remaining loyal guards.

After that, she lived on the streets, using the alias Vina Victoria, and became a person with no identity, no status, and no friends. She could only wander around the downtown area of ​​Londinium, barely making a living by fighting, and she performed a trick of hiding the truth in front of the Londinium City Council, which thought it had "accomplished its mission."

Until she met the person in front of her.

"Vina?"

Ernst's heart skipped a beat. Not only because of Vina's sudden change of clothes, but also because of the old lion that appeared on the stage with her and was ridden by her.

If Ernst had no problems with his eyesight, this lion would be called "Lion".

Are there animals in Arknights?

Of course there are. Aren’t the prototypes of animal-eared girls all animals? Don’t the spirits behind everyone have their own prototypes?

But games are games, reality is reality, are there animals on Terra?

According to Ernst, yes.

A penguin who calls himself "The Great" is the earliest and most frequent "animal" to appear in the plot that Ernst knows little about.

Later, through Yelagund's channel, Ernst learned that this special creature that appeared in "animal form" was called "Beast Master".