People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

"Ernst's meaning is very clear: he doesn't need your crowns to prove his worth; on the contrary, your crowns need him to have any value."

"You yourself should understand this simple truth."

Elki's gaze fell on "Lafshini," and he remained silent for a moment.

Just as "she" said, that's true.

Does the Cyclops need this crown?

No need.

The High Priest, as the head of the royal court, was cunning. He knew that whether or not he possessed the crown, the royal court was still the royal court, and the High Priest was still the High Priest—this would not change. Ernst was, after all, an outsider. Although his various special characteristics had become a consensus among the Cyclopes, this could not completely affect the independence of the Cyclopes as a "Sarkaz tribe," nor could it affect the High Priest's status.

On this basis, handing the crown to Ernst only requires a "swearing of allegiance" in exchange for the protection of the entire Cyclops race by the "unpredictable man," which seems like a worthwhile deal no matter how you look at it.

Elki was aware of this, but she did not object to it.

After all, while that's the theory, and that's the logic, the loyalty of the Cyclops remains an incredibly attractive gift for 99% of the people on Terra.

Who wouldn't want to see the trajectory of fate? If the Cyclops were to publicly announce his willingness to make prophecies for others, the number of people heading to Sami the next day would probably exceed the local population of Sami!

Especially those high-ranking officials and nobles, not all of them know that the Cyclops's foresight often only sees tragedy. Even if they do know, there will definitely be many people willing to spend a fortune to see a tragedy!

Therefore, for the vast majority of people, even knowing the Cyclops's scheme, this is still a win-win deal that guarantees a profit.

But Ernst was different. Ernst didn't have that need.

Because he doesn't need the Cyclops' foresight. He won't be glorified by the crown on his head; rather, it is the Cyclops' crown that shines brighter because it is placed on the head of someone whose fate cannot be determined.

Few people could realize this. Elqi frowned, looking at the girl in front of him whose chest faintly emitted a red glow but had no warmth, and blurted out the question:

"who are you?"

The shapeshifters swarmed, shedding their disguises and revealing their true forms:

"The Shapeshifter Cluster. We've come seeking answers to our questions."

A swarm of shapeshifters!

No Sarkaz would be unfamiliar with this title: the group of shapeshifters, a one-man court, the most unique Sarkaz, an existence detached from the rest of the souls.

No wonder, no wonder he made such a comment; he could see right through the high priest's thoughts.

If he had already pledged allegiance to Ernst, then Ernst, who already possessed one royal court, would naturally not have much interest in a second one.

“We know what you’re thinking, Cyclops.”

The shapeshifter swarm continued,

"We can tell you frankly that the Cyclops's vision was still too narrow."

"In Kjerag, the royal court that has now gathered includes liches, banshees, stonewing demons, shapeshifters, and balora. Moreover, all of these have already joined Ernst's 'royal court'."

“The residents’ committee!” Ernst rubbed his head, which was already starting to ache, and stubbornly emphasized.

The shapeshifter nodded: "Yes, the residents' committee."

"You Cyclopes, even if you were ranked, would only be sixth."

Elki stared wide-eyed, hardly believing his ears.

How much?

Did I accidentally travel back in time? Is it the era of the Far Exiles or the era of Quilon?

If someone else told Elchi that our non-Sarkaz nation already has members of five royal courts stationed there, Elchi wouldn't even need to use his foresight to immediately diagnose that the other person has been infected by evil spirits and has cognitive impairment.

But since the speaker was a ruler of a royal court, and the oldest ruler of a royal court at that, the weight of those words was entirely different.

Elki was almost speechless. On the other side, Ernst was also nearly speechless.

The sudden outrageous remarks from the Shapeshifter swarm nearly blew up his CPU; he almost fainted from the shock.

What do you mean by that? What are you implying?

I've said it many times: there is no royal court in Sherag, only Sarkaz citizens! What you're saying is as if you're implying to Elki that Ernst Shivaish, who has already gathered five royal courts, is already the "fake emperor" and "regent" of Sarkaz!

Do we need a Cyclops to increase gold content? Wrong!

The Cyclops Royal Court hasn't joined Sherag? Could it be that they're plotting a rebellion?!

Look at this! What is all this nonsense?!

To prevent the shapeshifter swarm from uttering any more terrifying words, Ernst resolved to quickly move on from the topic:

"Well, regardless, Ms. Elchi, I personally will not accept your gift, but Sherag is willing to open its doors to all peace-loving Sarkaz. The Sarkaz Residents' Committee will also provide suitable positions for talented people like you. So, we welcome you and more Cyclopes to join us at any time."

Elki nodded:

"I understand."

The situation had clearly developed beyond her expectations, and, barring unforeseen circumstances, it likely had also exceeded the High Priest's expectations. Elki actually wanted to agree immediately; after all, sixth place sounded pretty good, at least not tenth. However, this matter clearly required her to write a letter back to the royal court to seek the High Priest's opinion.

However, this process certainly won't take too long.

After all, the Cyclopes were already on their way to migrate.

The allure of those whose fates are unpredictable is absolute for Cyclopes; they will inevitably come to Kjerag. The High Priest's actions are simply fulfilling his duty as a leader of his tribe, attempting to secure a more transcendent position for the Cyclopes through this means.

Now that other royal courts have recognized Ernst, the Cyclopes, as a race that needs Ernst more, obviously have no reason to stubbornly act like arrogant little devils.

While waiting for a reply, she decided to stay in Sherag.

Having received a response from Elchi, Ernst didn't give the shapeshifter group any room to continue the conversation and immediately moved on to the next topic:

"Now let's move on to the next topic."

Ernst pointed to the shapeshifter beside him:

"The Shapeshifter swarm needs to see you."

The shapeshifters nodded, took a step forward, their expressions still indifferent, but a hint of expectation flickered in their eyes:

"We want to see what our fate holds."

Chapter 491 You Were Talked to Death by the Demoness

Shelag, Tukarim, Shelag Government Office Building, Ernst's Office.

"We want to see what our fate holds."

"The Shapeshifter swarm said seriously."

For some reason, after hearing this request, Elki felt a little relieved.

She dreaded hearing the shapeshifters say something like, "Hey buddy, I need your head so I can collect a reward from Ernst," because that would be the worst that could happen. Not only could she not defeat the shapeshifters, but they were the rulers of the royal court; even if she added Typhon ten times over, they wouldn't be a match for them!

For Elki, peeking into things like fate was much simpler and safer.

She was even somewhat relieved: Ernst's fate was unpredictable, Typhon said he "didn't want to look to the future," the Cyclops always managed to unlock different ways to die when he predicted his own fate, and now, finally, there was someone who was interested in their "foresight."

If you didn't know better, you'd think the Cyclops had been deprecated!

Elki took a deep breath and said politely:

"My Lord, the Cyclops have a rule that we cannot easily use [Foresight] to observe outsiders."

"Is that so?" The shapeshifter swarm frowned. "So, you treat us like outsiders, right?"

Right...right?

That's a question you're asking. Aren't the Shapeshifters outsiders?

Elki didn't quite understand what the Shapeshifter Cluster meant. The Cyclops Royal Court had been far from Kazdel for thousands of years. Their relationship with the Sarkaz was far from peaceful; they were practically strangers. Let alone Elki, even the current Cyclops High Priest had never seen the Shapeshifter Cluster. What else could you be but a stranger?

"If that's the case, I can transform into the form you're familiar with."

The group of shapeshifters said calmly, shifting their gaze from Elchi to Typhon.

Elki quickly waved his hand:

"No need!"

No need!

Elki hadn't expected the shapeshifters to pull off such a stunt. While strictly speaking, shapeshifter swarms don't actually need to kill the person they're disguising, such as when disguising themselves as Raphsini, most of the time, to avoid their disguise being exposed and causing unforeseen accidents during infiltration, he would ensure beforehand that the person being disguised "absolutely cannot appear in places they shouldn't be."

It could be kidnapping, it could be imprisonment, or it could simply be killing and then devouring.

Elki wouldn't dare gamble his professional ethics on the shapeshifter horde, or on the humanity of this oldest ruler of the royal court.

After all, he was a true heavyweight. Don't be fooled by the fact that the rulers of the royal court seem much more civilized now. The Carrion King, when not at war, looks like a kind old man; the former Banshee Queen, Lamaren, embodies the elegance and mystery of a banshee; even the Blood Demon Lord imitates the manners of Victoria and Letanian nobles, appearing like a beauty when not insane. But they weren't always like this.

The Shapeshifters are people who came from that "not-so-civilized" era. They were there when the Blood Demon drained an entire legion of blood for his own consumption, and they were there when the Banshee soared through the skies, reaping souls and skulls. What good could you expect from them?

"I will now open up new horizons for you."

After Elki made his promise, the Shapeshifter swarm turned their gaze away from Typhon and nodded.

Ernst also came over and looked at Elchi curiously.

He was also very interested in how the Cyclops's "Foresight" was activated.

Elchi closed her eyes, and at the same time, the "Heavenly Eye" on her head, which was always half-open, began to slowly open. A pale blue light emanated from that eye, outlining runes that Ernst could not understand in the air.

If he had to describe it, it would be like the feeling of a desktop computer turning on and the case lighting up.

However, before he could understand or ask the Shapeshifter group for an explanation of the meaning of the runes in mid-air, the eye on Elchi's forehead closed again, and what opened next were her pale gray eyes, which were always filled with an indelible sadness.

"it's over?"

Ernst was stunned, somewhat incredulous.

But Elki nodded nonetheless: “It’s over, Mr. Ernst.”

Ernst was speechless for a moment. So fast?

He thought that "prophecy" was a high-end, mysterious spell in any game, either used as the beginning of everything or as the conclusion of everything, and that it should be a big deal!

He was all prepared to admire the auspicious five-colored clouds and the colorful sunset in his office, and then listen to a mysterious riddle!

Perhaps noticing Ernst's surprise, the Cyclops smiled slightly and began a mini-lesson on debunking Cyclops myths:

"Indeed, people often misunderstand the Cyclops' abilities, but in fact, foresight is not mysterious, at least not as mysterious as many people imagine."

“The skies over Sami occasionally display the aurora at night, but that’s not because we’re casting some massive prophetic spell to spy on and toy with Terra’s fate.”

“The Sami’s snow ritual divination also follows a completely different path. They rely on the foresight and wisdom of the ancestral father [Sami], which is fundamentally different from ours. It is not that we have taught them the skills of [foresight].

"The time for foresight is not long. After all, we are used to using foresight in life to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. If we are about to slip and fall in the next second, and the time to activate foresight is too long, by the time we see the scene of falling, our feet have already stepped on the ice. What is the point of this foresight?"

Ernst nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

That makes some sense. As a practical racial talent, being too flashy wouldn't be beneficial for Cyclopes.

"Then what did you see?"

The group of shapeshifters pressed for an answer.

A moment of embarrassment crossed Elkiel's face. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.

It wasn't because she didn't want to talk about it, nor because she didn't see anything. In fact, she did see something; to be precise, she saw the "cause of death" of the shapeshifter in front of her.

But...

"Do you really want to hear it?" Elqi's voice was tinged with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

The shapeshifter swarm frowned slightly, then nodded matter-of-factly: "Of course, that's why we're here."

"OK then."

Elki sighed, carefully considered his words, and then tactfully revealed what he had seen in [Foresight]:

"My lady, you died because of the words of the Banshee Queen."

"The language of the banshee?"

For the first time, a look of astonishment flashed across the faces of the shapeshifter swarm.

Having lived for over ten thousand years, he had long since become accustomed to being unmoved by anything. But now, upon hearing the news that his seemingly endless life would "die," he still felt a surge of excitement... and bewilderment.

In the span of ten thousand years, he did meet the ruler of the Banshee King's Court. Although the Sarkaz didn't really like this old man, wasn't that more conducive to the shapeshifters' group courting death?

He angered the carrion eaters, who tried to drain his life force, but even the carrion eaters said that his "Shapeshifter-made mini burger" was both unpalatable and filling. They ate it for three days and three nights and exclaimed, "I'm full!"

He had also provoked the lich, trying to get the lich to find a way to kill him from their vast treasure trove of knowledge, but the shapeshifter was still alive, so how could the lich find an unsolvable problem in the tomes?