People in Terra, governing a weird little country

"Take Miss Susie to the reception center and get a room. Let her wash up and rest. She looks very tired."

Xinteleya nodded and didn't ask any more questions because she noticed the seriousness in Ernst and Vina's eyes.

Yes, solemn! Compared to the surprise of seeing her here, Ernst felt more solemn.

Duke Godottin has always been a fence-sitter, a pragmatist, and a moderate. Among all the grand dukes of Victoria, his attitude towards his subordinates and his territory is the most moderate, and one could even say the most progressive.

This can be seen from the fact that he set up a community of infected people, replaced the rule of the aristocracy with a city council in the territory, took the lead in agriculture and commercial trade, and so on.

Arguably, if his political stance had been firmer, he would have been a better partner than the Duke of Windermere.

But now, even the city of Karaton under his rule is no longer stable, so that infected people like Susie - it is no exaggeration to say that they are the people with the strongest adaptability to environmental changes. After all, as long as they can survive, they will not die completely! - have to leave. This can only mean one thing - Duke Godoting has also begun to mobilize.

The war may not have officially begun, but its prelude has already begun on Victorian soil.

Ernst looked at Vina, their eyes met, and they both sighed at the same time.

This Harvest Festival may be the last peaceful Harvest Festival they can spend.

The collapse of the Victorian hegemonic order has already begun.

Chapter 480: Pardoner: Thanks to Levi for his off-field assistance!

Victoria, Londinium, Iron Palace.

Manfred is reporting to Tracy on the recent developments.

"At present, the Duke of Caster's army as a whole is still in a passive state. The Duke of Wellington has publicly announced the end of the grand parade. The Gastril high-speed battleship has left the planned orbit, but our people have not been able to monitor their further movements."

"Duke Godottin has responded positively to the march to Londinium. His flagship has already sailed away from the Duchy of Godottin, and he and the Duke of Windermere attended the Duke's Assembly held in the capital of the Duchy of Caister."

"And the Duke of Windermere..."

Manfred paused in his report, and Tracy glanced sideways, motioning for him to continue.

"The Duke of Windermere reached an agreement with the Border Elector of Leithania to appoint Kent Windermere as the Duke's agent, and then, all the troops were mobilized."

The Military Committee's reports were always very restrained. After all, the military strength of the Sarkaz was indeed a little behind that of the Grand Dukes of Victoria. Basically, if one Sarkaz could kill ten Victorians, the difference in military strength between the two armies would be eliminated. In order to reduce the panic within the Royal Court Army, which was currently controlled by the Military Committee, the Military Committee's propaganda outlets had always reported the Grand Duke's troops less.

Of course, this is an understatement. It is not that the enemy came with 100,000 and he reported 10,000. This trick that can be seen through at a glance is definitely unreasonable. The Military Committee just made reasonable use of the statistics learned from the Victorians.

For example, the Duke of Caister’s army, according to the intelligence we have received so far, has about 20 high-speed warships, led by the flagship “Glory”. The exact composition of the fleet is not yet known. This number seems large, but they can say: “Duke Caister underestimated the enemy and rushed forward rashly, daring to confront our Sarkaz Legion and our Sarkaz God of War by sending out only to percent of his troops!”

This will give the Sarkaz soldiers below more confidence.

But you can deceive others, but you can't deceive yourself. When facing Tracys, Manfred will still report the truth.

And the Duke of Windermere is the most prominent one among those who reported truthfully.

Manfred rarely used the phrase "coming out in full force" to describe a Victorian Grand Duke, because these pampered nobles were always timid and hesitant. Before the battle even started, they had already begun calculating the gains and losses after victory and trying every means to preserve their strength so that they could get more say and spoils at the negotiation table. Even the Scavenger King once admitted that among the Dukes of Victoria, he was more interested in only one - the "Iron Duke" of Wellington, because only that man could tell that he was a warrior first and then a nobleman.

But now, Manfred was somewhat suspicious. Was it possible that the Scavenger King had too high standards and therefore did not notice the Duke of Windermere?

No matter how you look at it, this woman really wants to fight with the Sarkaz!

Theresis waved his hand, signaling Manfred to leave first. Manfred bowed and saluted, and it was not until he left the room that Theresis let out a long sigh.

He couldn't show any sign of retreat in front of his subordinates, but he also couldn't ignore the current dire situation.

[Timeline] The link is disconnected, the construction of [The Shard] is at a standstill, and the army of the Scavenger King is marching in the wilderness and has been discovered by Victorian spies. Now the atmosphere around Londinium and the entire political environment of Victoria have changed from the tacit indifference of the Grand Dukes to a powder keg ready to explode.

If it were in the past, Tracys would have been more confident and would have held out for a while longer. Because the Duke of Caister had reached a secret agreement with him, the formation and advance of the Duke's coalition forces would not be a particularly quick process.

But now, how long had it been since the Duke of Caister's envoys had come to Londinium?

Almost two months.

Tracy had to think and trace the causes, and the final conclusion was actually obvious.

Because of the World Summit.

The Summit of Nations gave the Grand Dukes of Victoria, including the Duke of Caster, a better choice.

In the past, the Grand Dukes allowed Londinium to be occupied because, although Londinium strictly belonged to Victoria, it did not belong to any of the Grand Dukes of Victoria, and its occupation would not cause any loss to the dukes.

You say it is shameful that the capital of the country is occupied? Yes, it is shameful, but whose shame is it?

Did you lose face for the Duke of Caister? Are you trying to say that the Duke of Caister can represent Victoria? Then she really has to thank you!

Or was it because he had lost face for the Duke of Wellington? How could the Duke of Wellington, a duke who was surrounded by a siege, dare to "represent other dukes" and admit this matter?

We cannot view the Western feudal aristocracy with the Eastern concept of family and country as one. Whether it is the Duke of Castor or the Duke of Wellington, they don't care about Londinium's life or death at all.

The grand dukes wrestled with each other in all aspects, competing for the right to dominate the country's discourse, competing for the right to interpret what "Victoria" is, and competing for the final right to rule Victoria. Who recaptured Londinium was the result, not the process.

Therefore, no Grand Duke would actually do so, even if they believed they were capable of retaking Londinium, because in their view, the competition had not yet been decided, and whoever wanted to touch the "finish line" first would be breaking the rules, starting early, and would be attacked by everyone.

But it's different now.

The establishment of the Summit of Nations, as Delphine analyzed for her mother, the Duke of Windermere, naturally gave Victoria, the "former overlord of the earth", a seat, but only "one" seat.

Whoever sits on this seat represents who has the right to speak under the Victorian framework system.

At this time, the Grand Dukes suddenly discovered that the original "finish line" had changed. Londinium had changed from being the "goal" and the "fruit of victory" to a "bonus level" on the way to the goal!

Anyway, everyone's strength is about the same, and no one can directly destroy anyone else. So whoever can occupy Victoria's seat and speak on behalf of Victoria will be in control of power.

Do not underestimate this kind of power, the high ground of public opinion, the high ground of discourse power. If you do not occupy it, it will be given to others to occupy. Once others occupy it, whether you are a traitor or a loyal minister depends entirely on the intentions of others.

To use an inappropriate analogy, we all know that there are Hamas and Fatah in Palestine, and we all know that Hamas is the main force of resistance today. But speaking at the United Nations, the internationally recognized Palestinian leadership organization is still Fatah. What's the use of your strength? No one recognizes it. Not only do they not recognize it, but you also have to be disgusted by the United States and the squid every day. There is no way, your voice cannot be heard, because the voice channel belongs to others, and the position you have in this voice channel has been taken by others.

Tresis had a headache, dark circles under his eyes, and his hair was falling out. As a strong Sarkaz, this was a bad sign. Even though he was one of the Six Heroes, and could be unrivaled! He could defeat thousands of enemies!, his body was already overloaded.

But he couldn't rest.

The voice of the Blood Demon Lord echoed in the palace, urging him not to rest. The voices of the Sarkaz souls whispered in his mind, forcing him not to rest. Even... Theresa's voice would whisper in his ears from time to time, telling him that he could not rest yet.

He was the winner of the civil war, and he promised Theresa that if either of them won, they would follow each other's path unswervingly! And the other would support the other unconditionally!

He won. This was the path he chose, whether he did it voluntarily or not, whether he was swept away by the tide of the times and public opinion or he wanted to fight Terra from the bottom of his heart, he had to keep going, even if he had to kneel!

But where is the person who promised to support each other?

"Pardoner."

Tresis called out. In the empty hall, the white-horned Sarkaz emerged from the shadows and saluted Tresis:

"Regent."

"How is Theresa...?"

"Soon, Regent, soon."

There was some excitement in the voice behind the mask of Quesatusta.

"Please be more patient."

Theresis's face was cold, with undisguised disgust:

"But I remember that you promised me a few months ago that the resurrection process would be completed quickly because you are already familiar with this...disgusting technology."

"Yes, Regent, you have an excellent memory."

Quesatushta openly admitted Teresis's accusation and gave his own explanation.

"But, Lord Regent, there is certainly a reason for the slowdown in the experiment."

"Because what we are studying and trying is a completely new solution. It is a higher-level interpretation of the soul and all souls."

Kuissatusta Road,

"Thanks to the precedent of the Fire Demon's resurrection from the Originium, we have a new understanding of the soul, the souls, and this technology. Although it is a pity that you failed to bring back the Fire Demon for the Military Committee, the great - forgive me for describing an alien race like this - the great scientist, Mr. Levi, actually repeated the process of the Fire Demon's resurrection to me in the reply to the handwritten letter I wrote to him! And provided some data on the experiment!"

"This letter has only recently returned to Londinium despite numerous obstacles, including the blockade by the fools among our own people. The Pardoner is currently conducting intensive experiments and scrutiny on the reply letter, so, Regent, please be patient."

"Although you didn't bring back the Fire Demon for us, we will bring back the Demon King for you."

Tracy frowned.

Tracy felt that the Pardoner was being sarcastic to him.

Tresis was sure that Quesatusta was really being sarcastic to him because he mentioned the Balrog twice in a row.

But the question is, can you blame him? Who would have thought that going to Columbia, a place where there are no legends of giant beasts, in a company founded by Pero, and hiring a resurrected ancient ancestor, would encounter the HR next door snatching people on the spot?

It would have been fine if he couldn't snatch the guy from the neighboring room, but who would have thought that he would beat the younger one... No, he hasn't even beaten the younger one yet, and the neighboring room summoned an older one?

Tresis was very strong, and he was confident that he could at least escape unscathed from the beast, if not defeat it. But the problem was that this was Colombia, and he didn't have time to waste with it.

How long did it take for the little cat to kill Lying Flat Wormwood? That's it, he still took a bunch of prince blood demons with him to self-destruct. Did Tracys go to Columbia to bring people? Did he speed through Yelagund? Is this true?

You talk so much. Next time I take you there, I'll use you as a sacrifice to the sword, okay?

"whispering sound!"

Tresis snorted coldly. He was too lazy to discuss these historical issues with a guy like the Absolver who looked disgusting.

After all, this is not the problem of the snow leopard! It was all Ernst's fault! He robbed the Balrog, recruited the giant beast, established the Summit of Nations, and the [Time Sequence] was disconnected after he went to Kjerag. The Duke of Kast and the Duke of Windermere have a close relationship with him, and the Cyclops King's Court is entangled with him!

He dared to do these things now, Tracy didn't even dare to imagine what he would do next!

Tracy even felt that sooner or later, his title of regent would be taken away by him, the Military Commission would be sidelined by him, and he would not even build Kazdel anymore, but would die alone on the throne under the western hall of the Holy King's Society!

Fortunately, he does not have the blood of the Cyclops, otherwise this sudden fantasy might have become a prophecy.

In short, this man is no longer an ordinary snow leopard, he is simply the Military Committee and the nemesis of the Sarkaz!

Sooner or later - if he could successfully end the matter of Londinium and still survive, he would have to eliminate this harm to the Sarkaz!

Back to the point, compared to the disgusting sarcasm of the Pardoner, Tracys cares more about the "process and method of resurrecting the Fire Demon" mentioned by the Pardoner.

The Colombians resurrected an ancient fire demon, and this had been confirmed by Tracys himself. Although when he arrived at the Rhine Life Laboratory, the fire demon had been lying on the ground for some reason, the ancient aura and the extremely high-level terrifying flames could not deceive his eyes.

According to the Pardoner, the Fire Demon is in a state of "complete resurrection", although as a price, he lost his body and the "bloodline" that the Sarkaz are proud of and that people like the Blood Demon Lord value very much. With Originium as the core and Iron Armor as the body, he has completely separated from the souls.

Tracy and the Absolution Master did not know whether he could still hear the whispers of the souls, but the Absolution Master could be sure that he would never be manipulated by the souls, because his soul had been separated from them and gained eternal life!

This is also the "eternal life" that the Absolver pursues. As long as the carrier is changed, the soul will have eternal life!

"In other words, you want to abandon the traditional approach and use the Colombian way to revive Theresa?"

Tracy asked, narrowing her eyes.

The Pardoner nodded as a matter of course:

"Of course, Lord Regent. I hesitated for a long time before making this decision that goes against our ancestors, but I have finally made up my mind! So, please be patient and bear witness!"

"Witness the resurrection of the devil!"

The Pardoner smiled, and that smile concealed another word of joy that came from the bottom of his heart.

The resurrection of the Demon King, the resurrected Demon King, does not just refer to Theresa!

Theresa's resurrection will be the last step for Quesatusta to move towards eternity after thousands of years of sedimentation.

As long as Theresa's resurrection is successful, it means that he has finally understood the mystery of the source stone and the secret method of resurrection! By then, he no longer has to worry about the souls binding and pulling him, and no longer has to worry about any accident in his "reincarnation" that will put him in an irretrievable situation! In this way, any perfect body or blood inheritance will be useless to him!

By then, the true "Demon King" will be resurrected! The Black Crown will crown him and will never disappear again. Kazdel will be established under his feet and will never collapse again!

And this demon king has only one name, the eternal [Quesatusta]! The Lord of Dawn and Dusk, the Eternal King!

PS: A reader asked the protagonist why he didn't know Theresa. He also said that he had to know Theresa, even if an alien came...

Let me explain a little bit. Theresa is the leader of Babel. Does this constitute a factor for others to know her? Before the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, did many people know the leaders of Hamas or Fatah? Or according to the concept of Babel, let all Terra sleep peacefully, do many people know the current leaders of the World Health Organization or the International Red Cross?

Not to mention that Theresa's ideals were never realized. The previous emperor died before he could complete his career. The next leader changed the country's name from Babel to Rhodes Island, drawing a clear line between them. Strictly speaking, her influence may not be as great as that of the leader of the World Health Organization.

At the same time, Theresa is also the leader of Kazdel. The last major war between Kazdel and Terra was fought two hundred years ago, when the three-nation coalition led by Kelsey invaded. Kazdel is really not a big country in the current Terra. I also wrote before that Snow Leopard read the history books and only a few words were recorded about that war. After all, the Terran countries lost that time, and the commander was beheaded. Naturally, there are few records of the defeat. It was Duke Kaster who recited Kelsey's laundry detergent Bible.

Moreover, it was not a large-scale battle, and it did not change the international situation at all. It was far inferior to the compulsory course of the Four Emperors' Battle.

Chapter 481: Askalon: You are surrounded by dangers, but I am enough

Ernst's office in the Kjerag Government Building, Tukarim, Kjerag.

Ernst has a special guest.

"Ascalon, Sarkaz, will be the new head of the Rhodes Island office in Kjerag starting today. Mr. Ernst, please give me your guidance in the future."

Askalon? Rhodes Island's office in Kjerag? The new head?

Ernst subconsciously glanced at Kal'tsit who was sitting in the corner of the room and gave her a look that meant:

"Why didn't you tell me in advance that there was such a thing?"