People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

The male infected man, his face bound with strips of cloth, managed a relieved smile.

"Go and burn this city to ashes!"

.........

On the road leading out of Plot Zero, Charné's car blocked the other vehicle, which was also coming out of Plot Zero.

He turned off the headlights, stubbed out his cigarette, got out of the car, stood in front of the vehicle, then went around to the window and knocked on it.

The car window slowly rolled down, and as expected, what appeared before Charnet was a colleague he couldn't afford to offend.

“Mr. McKee, aren’t you going to explain why you came out of Plot Zero?”

"The Business Federation has already entrusted this matter to me, hasn't it?"

The spokesperson, now replaced by McGee, glanced sideways; his face, much younger than Charné's, was deathly silent.

He didn't say anything, but Charné understood what he meant.

He didn't want to do it, but he had to, because the order came not from the board of directors of the Business Federation, but from that "reporter" from the Rose Newspaper, his father.

The "journalist" was also an outlier in the Business Federation. While the Business Federation was still entangled with the Supervisory Council in its small territory of Kazimir, he was one of the first to turn his attention to distant foreign lands.

The Rose Newspaper first opened a branch in Colombia, and the "journalist" himself often used "vacation and leisure" as an excuse to stay in Colombia. He was indeed part of the business federation, but he considered himself to have "a higher vision and a broader perspective" and held a reserved or even opposed attitude towards some of the business federation's decisions.

Charné generally doesn't bother to comment on people he can't possibly evaluate. He simply wonders if someone who can't even defeat the knights in his own country has any real chance of making his four-step plan—"transfer to Colombia, sideline the federal government, assume the presidency, and launch a counterattack on Casimir"—feature even slightly feasible.

Of course, the "reporter" hadn't completely abandoned Kazimir. Although the Rose Newspaper's branches and headquarters had long felt somewhat disconnected, he still maintained a close watch on Kazimir. The remote signal base station built in the wilderness and maintained at exorbitant costs, as well as that magical "symbol of power telephone," were both his creations.

And McKee, the heir to the Rose Newspapers, was one of the "reporters'" eyes in Kazimierz.

Knowing why this spokesperson, who shouldn't be there, was present, Charné could only grit his teeth and warn:

“Mr. McKee, this is against the rules. I have already convinced Mr. Ernst that we will win the final, and the Supervisory Council’s scheme will not succeed!”

"Please tell the 'reporter' that if he causes any further trouble, it could make things even more complicated!"

"complex?"

McGee finally spoke.

"How do you know that complexity isn't what he wants?"

Even now, McKee doesn't dare say that he fully understands his father.

He was a pure ambitionist, and in his "grand blueprint," Casimir was only a small piece of the puzzle. If anything, he was somewhat of a "spiritual Colombian," regarding Colombia as the true foundation of his "business empire."

As for Casimir, neither the Business Federation nor the Oversight Council were of any interest to him. Just as Charne said, his decision to order McKee to act alone could lead to unforeseen complications and make the already stable situation even more complicated.

But perhaps complexity is also part of his purpose.

Charn took a deep breath.

His first reaction was disbelief.

When he heard the young leader of Rhodes Island, who could no longer be described as young, ask him if the Business Federation had arranged for others to distribute inhibitors and supplies elsewhere, he found it somewhat unbelievable.

Incredibly, someone in the Business Federation was keeping it from him, and Rhodes Island was able to discover "outsiders" that his outreach personnel hadn't even noticed. Were they really a medical company?

But when he sent more people and confirmed the news—that there were indeed people from the Business Federation who, behind his back as the spokesperson, had been secretly contacting and trading this intelligence with the infected in Plot Zero, and intercepting the spokesperson McKee's vehicle there—his attitude changed inexplicably.

He suddenly and inevitably thought that the "reporter" was planning to make both the Control Council and the Business Federation lose.

What good would this do him? Weaken the business federation and force others to follow his "Columbian path"?

What is he trying to do? Disrupt the Finals? Make it so that Marner can't win?

No, that's not up to him. Ernst is not someone he can control. Besides, Marner's inability to win will only benefit the Inspector.

If Marner wins, it will benefit the business association.

How could we allow the Control Council and the Business Federation to both lose?

Before Charné could figure it out, McKee's terminal suddenly rang. He glanced at the caller ID, gave Charné a look, and then answered the call.

After a brief silence, without looking up, he calmly replied:

"Please rest assured, Father, the athletes in the competition will certainly not have any problems. I know that neither the Supervisory Council nor Kazimierz can afford this risk, and of course we cannot either."

"They haven't noticed my movements over in Charne. Of course, I'll be careful."

"Yes, those infected people have already accepted it, so of course they won't leave any trace."

"I understand, this will only be an accident."

When McKee hung up the phone and looked up again, Charlene was already frozen in place.

Yes, it's impossible for the athletes to be injured. Kazimir wouldn't dare, and neither would the "reporter."

It's impossible to tamper with the competition venue, and that's not something a reporter can manipulate. The Pegasus Arena, jointly built by the Supervisory Council and the Business Federation, is heavily guarded. How could a businessman without proper armor possibly sneak in?

But putting all that aside, the game ultimately took place in a mobile city called Kavaleriaqui.

"He's trying to sabotage the city?"

Charné's question went unanswered.

McKee had already rolled up the car window; this somewhat cowardly and helpless spokesperson had done everything he could.

Under the cool moonlight of the two moons, he turned on the headlights, started the vehicle again, and drove away from the road.

Chapter 446 Now, it's time to go!

Kazimir, Great Knight Commander Kavaleriagi, Pegasus Arena.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't nervous.

Jeston's heart is beating very fast right now.

A year ago, how could he have imagined that he would be qualified to stand on the final stage of the highest-level sports competition in this land, showcasing his talent and martial arts to the Terran leaders whom he could only see on television in the past?

At that time, he was just an insignificant nobody. If you were to talk about his name, Jeston, it wouldn't be considered a household name; at the very least, it would be something you barely knew. He was like a speck of dust, drifting among the skyscrapers of Columbia, carrying no weight even if he landed on someone's shoulder.

But what about now?

Even in the lounge, Jesston could faintly hear the cheers from the audience outside. "Jesston, Jesston!" The deafening roar was exhilarating!

For a moment, Jeston even felt a little dazed, as if the name no longer belonged to him, but to someone nobler, more powerful, and closer to "myth."

Ernst generally referred to this situation as "getting carried away".

In this world, there are some people who regard money as dirt, some who are not interested in fame, and some who are true hermits who possess great talents but yearn to retreat to the mountains and forests to enjoy the carefree feeling of "watching the tides rise and fall, and the clouds roll and unroll."

But Jesston is clearly not that kind of person. He is fame- and fortune-driven, narrow-minded, obsequious to his superiors, and somewhat arrogant to his subordinates; his character flaws are quite obvious.

Fortunately, Ernst was tolerant.

If you want fame, Ernst can give it to you; if you want profit, Ernst can share it with you. It doesn't matter if you have a narrow mindset, as long as you are obedient. It doesn't matter if you flatter your superiors and bully your subordinates, because Ernst will never let you come into contact with anyone from the lower classes.

His utilitarian values ​​are incredibly effective at pleasing straightforward people like Brother Xiong.

To some extent, their collaboration illustrates the principles that "everyone has their own unique talents" and "talented individuals are common, but discerning mentors are rare."

Therefore, after advancing to the finals, when faced with the large Colombian companies like Beach Umbrella spending huge sums of money to win him over, and the Bolivarian coalition government offering him high-ranking positions and generous salaries, Jeston remained resolute in his attitude!

"There can only be one sun in the sky, and in my heart there is only one sun: Ernst Shivaesh!"

"Loyalty that isn't absolute is absolutely disloyal! And I, Jesston, am absolutely loyal!"

So, at this moment, facing Ernst who came to offer his pre-match encouragement and support, he wished he could just slide onto his knees in a gesture of pure joy.

"We're going all out today as well, and we guarantee we'll lose spectacularly. Don't worry, Lord Ernst!"

"No no no,"

Ernst waved his hand.

"I came here to remind you that you should just give it your all and not try to throw matches or anything like that."

He straightened his expression and said seriously:

"This is, after all, the final of the first Terra Games. From today onwards, for hundreds or thousands of years to come, if this grand event can continue to be held, then this stage will become the highest hall of honor that countless athletes will pursue in the future!"

"For many athletes, the opportunity to step onto this stage may only come once in their lifetime. I don't want them to suddenly find out one day that the final they've been pursuing their whole lives was tainted from the very beginning."

“I don’t want them to regret it, feel ashamed, or wake up one night and pound their fists on the bed cursing me, the organizer. You’re one of those people, of course. Jesston, I don’t want you to regret it either.”

So, let's give it our all!

"Even though you can't beat Marna."

The last sentence was something Ernst muttered to himself.

While this is true, saying it directly would be too hurtful to Jesston.

The great god Yeragand teaches us to be merciful. In another timeline, you are already the weakest combat unit. Even crickets wouldn't choose your kind. At least in my case, I won't discourage you.

Gangmen!

Ernst may have been grumbling to himself, but Jeston was already in tears.

Not only him, but even Hinterlea, who was accompanying him, and Viviana, who had secretly changed her hood and mask, were both somewhat teary-eyed at this moment.

That's so well said! Absolutely brilliant! Lord Ernst, you truly live up to your reputation!

Jeston was deeply moved by Ernst's teachings. He was very susceptible to this kind of high-value approach. As someone who loved fame immensely, when he heard Ernst say things like, "You will become a role model for thousands of people, the destination for countless people's lifelong struggles," Jeston felt his brain tremble!

The sea reaches its end and the sky becomes the shore; I climb to the summit of the mountain and become the peak. Isn't this the ultimate realm of the word "name"?

Excited, moved, and grateful!

The debt of gratitude to one's parents can be repaid, but the debt of gratitude to Lord Ernst can never be repaid!

Loyal! Sincerity!

For Cintraya, however, there was more relief than anything else.

To be honest, having followed Ernst for so long, she had very rarely heard him say such "cool" things.

Thankfully, Jesston is a man. To be honest, if Hintley were in Jesston's position right now, and Ernst said those words to her, she probably would have... she would have...

Never mind, I'll just jump up first!

Where are Vina, Lola, the human-shaped fireplace, and the cute kitten student? I can't see any of them!

Ernst looks so delicate, how could he possibly be a match for me, the former competitive knight Hinterlea!

Beat him until he kneels on the ground, teeth and all!

As Hinterlea thought about it, a smile involuntarily crept onto her lips. Just by looking at that smile, you could feel what Hinterlea was thinking at that moment. It was as if a cartoon-like bubble was popping up above her head, where all sorts of fun games were playing out.

It's fantasy time!

Naturally, Viviana, who was at the back, noticed the smiles of both Hinterlea and Jeston.

Viviana was also very moved.

Isn't that romantic?

Just like in a poem or fairy tale, when a princess bids farewell to a warrior going to war against the demon king, she says encouraging words to him!

Although the gender seems a bit off, if it were me instead of Jeston, it would be perfect!

What? Shouldn't Viviana be a princess?

Viviana is definitely a knight, a Candle Knight, officially certified by the Kazimierz Knights Association, with a single-word title, a knight of extremely high prestige!

Yes, I've decided. If I have the chance, I must get Ernst to say something like that to me. Then I'll record it in the poem I'm going to write.

Viviana Droste is a knight, a pet... ahem, and a poet. After reading countless poems, she also wants to create a hymn of her own!

"I promise you, Lord Ernst, I will do my utmost!"

Jeston made a firm promise, his words brimming with fighting spirit.

But he still had some concerns:

"But what about your agreement with Mr. Charnet?"

“It’s alright, I believe you,” Ernst said.

Jesston nodded knowingly.

Lord Ernst, believe me, he must be saying he doesn't want me to have any regrets!

But what he wanted to say was, it's okay!