People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

The Duke of Caesar gave Ernst a deep look, his expression somewhat meaningful:

"Prime Minister Ernst's suggestion is quite constructive."

"But I have a question. Who can guarantee that if Victoria or other countries help the Sarkaz establish a nation and grow strong, they won't turn around and bite us?"

"The Sarkaz are not easy to deal with. Prime Minister Ernst may not know that history, but according to Victoria's records, about two hundred years ago, Terra organized a campaign against the Sarkaz and their Kazdel."

"Those who participated in the war included Victoria, Gaul, and Letania. For some reason, the name of the commander of the allied forces was not recorded. However, one of her famous speeches has been passed down through the ages."

The Duke of Caesar coughed softly and recited the history in a chanting manner:

I know everything the Sarkaz are planning. Hatred is an incurable disease, and your revenge will leave indelible scars on the land.

For the sake of stability among the surrounding nations, and for the sake of peace for the next two hundred years, ambitions must be nipped in the bud.

Ernst frowned, and his lips twitched.

His first reaction was: "Huh? There's such ruthless stuff? You can use 'I know what you're doing' as an excuse to declare war?"

But then he realized that the commander of the allied forces must have some solid evidence that the Sarkaz began plotting revenge after establishing Kazdel, which was why they launched the expedition. And the leaders of the three kingdoms at the time must have seen some benefit in it.

This situation is not uncommon. For example, the United States entered World War I out of consideration for national interests and ultimately reaped the benefits. However, the opportunity for them to declare war was that Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare violated American interests, as well as the famous "Zimmermann Telegram" that united Mexico against the United States.

Well, that should be the case.

However, this was indeed the first time he had heard of this historical detail. The records of Sherag did not mention it, seemingly because it was not a nationwide affair, but rather a matter of some nobles mobilizing their forces. The foreign historical books Ernst had read also only briefly touched upon it.

Since this issue involves the Sarkaz, it might be worth asking Kal'tsit if the opportunity arises; she might know something.

Ernst silently made a mental note of this, and he also knew why the Duke of Kester had brought it up.

Sarkaz is dishonest.

The nations of the land helped them establish their own kingdoms, but they would most likely rebel. In that case, Victoria and other nations would be facing a Kazdel that had a national system, was more united, more stable, and also more troublesome.

At that point, not to mention the cost of the attack, the initial investment in helping Kazdel alone would be a complete loss.

Why should the nations of the land do this?

Ernst sighed inwardly.

This is the chain of suspicion. If I don't help you, you'll harbor ill intentions and might rebel, requiring me to punish you. If I help you, you might harbor ill intentions and rebel, but you might not. If you don't rebel, that's great. But if you do rebel, I not only have to punish you, but I'll also have to punish you in an upgraded way, and watch my investment go down the drain. And relatively speaking, the possibility of you rebelling is high, so anyone would draw that conclusion.

Since we're going to fight anyway, it's better not to help you in the first place. If you try to develop your business, we can just attack you directly and save some money.

Ernst had to admit that this situation was indeed difficult to resolve, because it wasn't just a problem for the land-states; the Sarkaz also had to put in a lot of effort.

Not only does Ernst need to persuade the land-states, but the Sarkaz also need a leader who is capable, prestigious, sincere, and willing to facilitate reconciliation. Otherwise, the plan will be nothing but empty talk.

But where can Ernst find such a Sarkaz?

The current leader of the Sarkaz is Theresis. Regardless of his private life, his public image is that of a true ruthless hawk. If you talk to him about tomorrow and the future, he'll talk about how many kills you'll get tomorrow and how many kills you'll achieve in the future. What's there to talk about?

Ernst breathed a sigh of relief:

"The Sarkaz issue is just my personal opinion. This plan is not yet mature, and its root cause is not only with us, but also with the Sarkaz. Such a significant issue will likely become a major obstacle on the agenda of the World Summit in the future. Terra needs to work together."

"But Your Excellency Duke of Caster, I must still advise you on how to handle the city of Londinium: please pay more attention to the people from the lower classes, and try to minimize casualties when the city is breached."

The Duke of Caesar smiled slightly, a smile tinged with coldness:

"The sound of the guillotine snapping the Sarkaz and the traitor was the only sound I could hear coming from the bottom."

"However, Prime Minister Ernst, I will certainly listen to your advice. I will also keep your proposal regarding Sarkaz in mind."

“As your elder, I can promise you in the name of the Duke of Caesar that if you want to implement your Sarkaz normalization plan in your country, I will not stop you, and may even support it.”

Her eyes flickered, her voice paused slightly, and she continued:

"This commitment, of course, also applies to any other position I hold."

Ernst immediately understood what the Duke of Kester meant.

What else could this be? You're already a Grand Duke, what position in Victoria could possibly allow you to rise further?

You old idiot, you want to be emperor?

Victoria's seat at the World Summit has always been confirmed, but who will sit in that seat has remained undecided.

The Duke of Caster, the Duke of Windermere, the Duke of Goldington, and the Duke of Wellington—theoretically, each of them has the ability to compete for this position. But precisely because of this, none of them are absolutely certain of winning it.

The attack on Lentinho is also a "first come, first served" competition; it just depends on whether anyone breaks the rules.

The Duke of Caesar had clearly planned ahead; she wanted to skip this step and reserve the chair in advance at Ernst's place, at the World Summit.

Ernst gave a genuine smile and nodded, but did not reply.

Noncommittal.

My mother gave birth to me! I'm stupid, I don't understand!

The Duke of Caesar didn't offer any further hints, shrugged, and stood up.

The matter is settled.

"Rita, see Prime Minister Ernst off for me."

After playing the role of a wooden doll for over an hour, Miss Rita Scamander's droopy ears perked up again, and she accepted the order:

"clear."

She turned to Ernst and said, "Prime Minister Ernst, please."

Ernst strode off and followed her out of the drawing room and toward the entrance.

Unbeknownst to everyone, at this very moment, in the window of the Duke of Kester's private residence—a place where, theoretically, no Kazimierz would dare to install eavesdropping devices, and which was under strict guard by Fiona and where no suspicious individuals were allowed to approach—a thin wisp of smoke dissipated outside the window along with Ernst as he left.

Today is Ascaron's first day of carrying out tracking and surveillance missions.

It was also the day that caused her the most emotional ups and downs since the Tower of Babel collapsed and Princess Theresa left.

"Ernst Shivaesh".

Ascalon clutched his left chest, having murmured the name countless times. Even through the thick barrier that made Sakta envious, he could still feel the noticeably faster pulse within.

She suddenly understood why Kal'tsit valued Ernst.

It's a pity, if only His Highness were here, they would definitely have gotten along well...

A sense of regret arose, and Ascalon made a decision—

I must keep an eye on His Highness.

Chapter 425 Kal'tsit: Ascalon, meal replacements can't replace meals!

Rhode Island, Medical Department.

Looking out the porthole at the deep night, Kal'tsit's mood was far from calm, unlike the distant horizon fading into the cold light of the twin moons.

She was a little uneasy; if her unease could be reflected in her bra size, she would probably be an F cup now.

Ascalon has been gone for a day, and there's still no news of her. Kal'tsit is very concerned about this.

She knew Ascalon's style of operation. This master assassin was the type who would never give up until she achieved her goal. She would never abandon any mission until the objective was achieved, and even if she herself went to ask her to stop, it wouldn't necessarily have any effect.

Because, in both the Tower of Babel and her short life, only two people could truly command her. One died, becoming the unattainable ideal in everyone's hearts. The other was still alive, but his condition was not much different from that of the dead.

Sealed and "recovered" in a stone coffin, if it is not awakened by someone, it is just a hard, difficult-to-destroy lump of frozen meat.

Therefore, it is quite normal that Ascalon did not return to Rhodes Island to report to me. She was responsible for the safety of Rhodes Island and the Demon Lord Amiya, and there was no reason for her to report to me. In fact, their authority on Rhodes Island should be equal.

But for some reason, Kal'tsit still felt somewhat uneasy. This unease even made her unable to eat or sleep.

Oh, it could also be because I've been feeling dizzy too much during the day these past two days and have had plenty of sleep.

"I hope Ascalon isn't in any trouble."

A thought suddenly popped into her mind, and she immediately shook her head.

That doesn't make sense. Ascalon is a well-trained Sarkaz warrior, while Ernst is a delicate and tender Kalan prince. In other words, he's a highly sought-after figure, like a monk from Journey to the West. How could he possibly pose any threat to Ascalon?

Kal'tsit could confidently say that, without Jeragand's intervention, let alone Ernst, in the entire Grand Knight Commandery of Kavaleria, there wouldn't be more than three... four... uh, at least no more than two hands' worth of people who could rival Ascalon!

Thinking about it this way seems quite risky.

Kal'tsit tensed up. She took out her communication terminal, hesitating whether to call Ascalon, but worried that her call might become the opportunity for Ascalon to be "exposed" and ruin everything, so she stopped dialing.

There's no way around it; when others make this call, they're just imagining a movie plot where a terrible ally calls while the protagonist is lying in ambush or hiding, ruining everything. But Kal'tsit is different.

While others found it amusing, she was looking in the mirror; in her long life spanning over ten thousand years, she had indeed done such things.

All I can say is that the past is too painful to recall, but when you've experienced enough, anything is possible.

Fortunately, before Kal'tsit's unease could reach its peak, a soft "click" sounded.

The sound of the door opening came.

Kal'tsit's ears twitched slightly, and she immediately raised her head and strode out of the office.

She came out at just the right time, blocking Ascalon who was walking down the corridor.

"Ascalon?"

Kal'tsit looked Ascalon up and down with some concern.

The hood was intact, the clothes were normal, and the hair was slightly messy, as if it had been ruffled, but overall there was no damage, except for the expression, which looked somewhat surprised and uneasy, and... a little guilty?

Kal'tsit found it strange, but as soon as she blinked, Ascalon's slight abnormality disappeared, as if the master assassin had never shown such an expression before.

Ascalon frowned slightly, gazing at Kal'tsit:

"Kal'tsit, what's wrong?"

"I'm... fine."

Kal'tsit stared at Ascalon's expression with some suspicion for a while, but couldn't find any flaws in it, so she could only continue to ask.

"I've been waiting for you. What did you find today... from your mission to monitor Ernst?"

"reward?"

Ascalon slightly shifted her gaze, and the fleeting unease on her face reappeared, this time clearly captured by Kal'tsit!

"As for the gains... there were many. Ernst... truly surprised me."

"I might need to change my opinion of him... He is indeed thinking about helping the Sarkaz..."

Ascalon's voice became unusually stammering, as if analyzing intelligence and organizing her thoughts had become a completely new subject for her. Only at the very end did she speak with a touch of emotion and reflection,

“Kal'tsit... I understand your opinion of Ernst now. He does have many similarities with His Highness... No, no, I shouldn't bring that up.”

Ascalon shook his head, suppressing the painful memories that resurfaced in his mind. He took a deep breath and regained his composure.

"In short, Kal'tsit, since you've entrusted this task to me, you don't need to worry about it. I know what I'm doing."

Kal'tsit's mouth dropped open.

Ascaron's mouth grew wider and wider as she spoke, eventually almost reaching the size of a Tom and Jerry meme.

No, Ascalon, are you Ascalon?

Where did you hide the Ascalon I know? The Ascalon I know is a disciple of Theresis, a ruthless Sarkaz who could easily beat Manfred with one hand (not an adjective), and who completes any mission efficiently and mercilessly. She's not the kind of woman who stutters and makes that...that...incomprehensible expression!

And why did you mention His Highness? Why did you mention Theresa? What is the relationship between Ernst and Theresa, and why did you say they have similarities?

What similarities do that cunning snow leopard and Theresa, who always treats people with sincerity, have? Why do you say you understand me? When did I ever give him that assessment?

Ernst! It's only been a day! While I was busy dealing with the infected at Plot Zero, what exactly did you secretly do to Ascalon?!

Kal'tsit felt the frequency of her core's operation suddenly increase significantly, and a familiar dizziness struck again, seemingly becoming an instinctive reaction that made her forcefully shut down and pause her excessive thinking.

But this time, Kal'tsit held back!

She didn't make a sound!

The only one I can "ho" to is Ernst; Ascalon is absolutely out of the question! Kelsey has principles and will never accept secondhand "ho"!

Kal'tsit's lips trembled slightly as she clutched her chest, suppressing the emotions that threatened to spill over. She looked at Ascalon and suggested:

"Ascalon, I'm saying, how about we just settle this?"

“Sherlock is a partner of Rhodes Island, and Ernst is my friend. After thinking about it carefully, it’s a bit inappropriate to send an assassin to follow a friend. So, let’s just leave it at that?”

"Should we stop here at this moment?"

Ascaron paused, his eyebrows almost immediately rising, and his tone turned cold.