People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

The simple word he uttered caused the cavalryman's expression to suddenly turn serious.

King Ivangelista XI immediately made work arrangements:

“I will go down and listen to the revelation of the [Law]. During this time, you shall seal off the Papal Palace and forbid any information from being leaked to the outside world. Explain to the Sakortas in the city that the alarm is a fire drill being conducted in the Papal Palace.”

"Who would conduct a fire drill on the first day of the new year?" the cavalryman retorted.

King Ivangelista XI paused for a moment, then resolutely sacrificed himself for the greater good, saying:

"Then just say I choked on my dessert by accident, but it's nothing serious, and the alarm will stop soon."

This reason sounds extremely absurd. After all, Pope Ivangelist XI probably ate more desserts than all the Sarkaz's breasts combined, so the idea that it would get stuck is rather abstract.

But since this is Lateran, that makes sense.

It's at least more normal than starting a fire drill on the morning of New Year's Day.

The cavalryman nodded and turned to carry out the order.

Ivangelista XI took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, picked up the scepter symbolizing the saint's power, turned around, and opened the secret passage leading from the papal chamber to the underground.

On the first day of 1095, the Law, which had been silent for many years, issued its first revelation. In such an "impatient" way, what exactly did it want to say?

With a solemn expression, Ivangelista XI stepped into the deep underground.

Ten minutes later, the alarm in the Papal Palace stopped.

Five minutes later, the cavalrymen who had returned to the Pope's office saw the Pope return and noticed the strange expression on his face.

"Your Holiness, what has happened?"

The musketeer couldn't help but ask, his voice full of curiosity.

Why do you look so... forlorn?

"I......"

King Ivangelista XI hesitated, then paused, gathering his thoughts before finally uttering five words:

"I've become a meal replacement."

Having said that, before the bewildered cavalryman could ask any further questions, he directly conveyed the [law's] instructions:

"The law has decreed..."

"Ernst Shivaish was chosen as a saint."

Chapter 501 Ya'er: The Greatest Crisis for a God!

January 1, 1095. Kherag, Mount Karan, Sacred Stone Square.

Echoing King Ivangelista XI's exclamation at the same time, Ernst had indeed received so many gifts that it would probably take him most of the morning to move and unpack them.

Needless to say, the gifts from his colleagues in the Sherag government were numerous, including a gemstone ring from the Duke of Kester, a ceremonial sword from the Duke of Windermere, and a gold medal commemorating the World Games from the Grand Knight Commander of Casimir. The gifts were so plentiful that he felt a little embarrassed.

After all, Kjerag does give gifts to other countries, but they are mostly local specialties, such as rare vintage wines like Snow Country Spring, which are considered treasures in Kjerag, but they are not quite as prestigious as these gifts.

Ernst could only console himself that it was "a small gift with a big meaning," after all, he truly only had "eight sets of clothes for all four seasons," and even his beloved little stove had to be powered by bioenergy, so he shouldn't be too hard on himself. Besides, the recipient probably didn't expect these gifts to serve any practical purpose.

It's worth mentioning that Ernst didn't immediately start Vina's "camel beast" diplomacy. After hearing about the incident where the operator named Exusiai was attacked by a camel beast at Rhodes Island, Ernst decided to train more of them and try to select the more docile snow mountain camels before considering sending them out.

Otherwise, it's one thing if they get stuck due to quarantine regulations in various countries, but if a head of state were to be gored to death by a camel, that would truly be a diplomatic incident.

Ernst certainly wouldn't open the gift now; he had more important things to do.

At the start of the new year, according to Sherag tradition, today is the sacred hunting ceremony.

The leaders of the three major families, under the guidance of the Manju Academy, will go hunting in the hunting grounds of the Holy Mountain, and afterwards hold a ceremony in the Holy Stone Square to express their gratitude to the great god Yeragand for his protection over the past year. After the ceremony, a small banquet will be held in the Holy Stone Square, where the hunted game will be cooked by a special chef so that everyone can enjoy a feast.

This is the procedure for the sacred hunt ceremony in previous years, but last year, the procedure changed slightly.

First, for the first time, the Sherag established a central government institution outside the political structure of the three major families and the Manju Academy, creating a new political landscape that added another participant to the Sacred Hunt. Although Ernst was a civil official, unskilled in combat, and didn't participate in any hunting, he did indeed participate. Second, a certain scheming snow leopard attempted a military coup during the Sacred Hunt, and the coup's forces had even been brought down the mountain, waiting for Ensiodes's plot to succeed so that he could give the order to go up the mountain with swords and teach Actos, Latatos, and his own younger siblings Ernst and Enya a lesson.

Because of these unprecedented circumstances, last year's Holy Hunt ceremony did not go so smoothly. Although Ernst eventually managed to avert disaster, and Yeragand did not directly pursue Ensioudis's treasonous act, and not many people in the entire Sherag knew that a military coup had been averted during the Holy Hunt ceremony, it was still not a smooth event.

This year, with the three major families further transforming in Sherag and their influence further diminishing, Ernst, while not intending to directly cancel the Holy Hunting Ceremony brimming with martial virtue, also has no intention of personally participating in it.

He's not a skilled hunter, and even when he goes hunting in the back mountains, he needs Enya to share two of his spoils with him so he doesn't end up with nothing. To insist on going like this is somewhat humiliating. Besides, he also needs to take care of many foreign guests and tourists attending this year's sacred hunting ceremony.

Someone has to step forward and explain the traditional culture of Shelag to them, right?

Some might think it would be a bit of a loss of face for a prime minister to personally stand up and introduce the country to tourists and guests, but Ernst didn't care.

Looking further back, Serbian leader Aleksandar Vučić famously said, "For my country, I can stand, I can sit, I can even crawl." More recently, the Zibo government in Shandong province, in order to attract tourists, is willing to stand up for barbecue and Zibo culture, offering policies and giving the green light. Even further back, the creator of a game that jokingly became a "cyber ghoul" understands the "service industry" nature of his game and promotes his game's player base on public platforms like Bilibili.

The government has put the five words "Serve the People" on its signboard, and we have always emphasized building a "service-oriented government." If this is beneficial to the development of Shelag, can attract more tourists and investment, and generate more foreign exchange, Ernst doesn't mind using his own reputation.

Of course, selling genitals is out of the question; that stuff hurts.

"The environment far from natural disasters provides a unique advantage for the ecological protection of Shelag. There are hundreds of species of wild animals in the Shelag Valley, and you can hear all kinds of calls in the mountains."

Standing on the platform where the sacrificial ceremony was about to take place, Ernst introduced the event to the many spectators who had purchased tickets to attend the sacred hunting ceremony.

The abolition of the rule that "the Sherag people are prohibited from moving freely during the sacred hunting ceremony, and foreign guests are prohibited from approaching the sacred mountain" and the permission for guests and tourists to witness the sacred hunting ceremony on site was the result of discussions between Ernst and the three families.

However, there is a limit to the number of people that can be allowed in the Holy Mountain Square. Ernst did not want any stampedes or other problems caused by overcrowding to occur there. Therefore, Ernst asked Enya to urge Manju Institute to sell tickets for tourists who wanted to attend the ceremony in person.

Of course, Ernst wouldn't take this money; it would be given entirely to the Manju Academy for its purchases, repairs, and daily expenses. Consider it a way for the Manju Academy to earn some extra income.

Enya was initially hesitant, but after asking Jeragund, who said He had no objection, Enya didn't say anything more.

(A fierce roar)

A roar came from the back mountain. Ernst said:

"This is a unicorn."

(A loud and long cry—)

Ernst then introduced:

"This is the Great Feathered Eagle of Xielag Snow Mountain."

"Ernst, come here for a second."

Kal'tsit's voice called out from afar.

Ernst turned his head and muttered to himself:

"Cheese Lynx".

Leaving the responsibility of managing the event and introducing the participants to Vina for the time being, Ernst went backstage and asked:

"Kal'tsit, how are you feeling?"

Kal'tsit shook her head:

"Thanks to you, I am now alright. Thank you for your concern."

"You're welcome."

Anyway, it's really all thanks to me, so I feel a little unworthy of your thanks.

"Is there something you need from me? The dedication ceremony is about to begin."

"Ernst, didn't you notice?"

Kal'tsit said seriously. Ernst frowned:

"What did you find?"

This was what he disliked most about Kal'tsit; at times, she relied too much on rhetoric and jargon. Ernst had no idea what she was talking about or what she was trying to say.

This time was no different; Kal'tsit began with an incomprehensible description:

"The heavens and earth of Kjerag are shaking, and the ley lines are emitting abnormal noises. This morning, several geologists from Rhodes Island returned to Rhodes Island with some perplexing research results. They discovered rock strata and stones in the mountains of Kjerag that do not belong to this era. But we know absolutely nothing about this situation."

Ernst: "......."

Do you understand what I mean?

Kelsey asked.

After a long silence, Ernst nodded:

"I roughly understand. But if you could explain to me a little what it means to have rock strata and stones that don't belong to this era, what it means for the earth to shake, and what it means for the earth's veins to make strange noises?"

Those who know will understand what you're talking about that seems very serious, but those who don't might think you're just making a cameo appearance for the "Great Being" next door.

The Heavenly Dragon Cries, is it? Singing using the earth's veins?

Oh, or maybe it's the goddess Venus next door, [Mountainous awe, star's brilliance]!

Kal'tsit's lips twitched. You didn't understand anything at all.

She took a deep breath and carefully rephrased her words before speaking:

“A strange thing is happening in Sherag. Did you receive a warning from that… Yeragand?”

Warning?

Ernst frowned and shook his head.

He received no message from Yeragand. Nor did he notice anything unusual.

But Kal'tsit wouldn't make baseless accusations. Is something really wrong with Seraphim? He had just visited the great goddess Yeragand at Manjusaka Temple two days ago, and the head handmaid hadn't said a word about it.

Could it be that He thought He could handle it, so He didn't tell him?

Ernst thought about it more and more and felt that this was possible. After all, Sherag had never encountered any natural disasters. It was not that natural disasters avoided this area, but that all natural disasters were blocked by the great god Yeragand.

But Jeragund never mentioned to the inhabitants of Shelagne when the natural disaster had occurred; He seemed to never boast of His achievements, but simply gave His all in silence.

This time, the "mutation" that Kal'tsit mentioned is clearly different from the natural disaster, otherwise Kal'tsit would not have used such a vague term.

"What kind of anomaly is it?"

Ernst asked. But Kelsey shook his head:

"I am not sure."

"Is it necessary to cancel the sacred hunting ceremony and subsequent activities?"

Ernst asked. He wasn't asking Kelsey, but himself.

After all, they had been planning this sacred hunting ceremony for quite some time, and the losses that would result from abruptly interrupting it were self-evident.

Since the great god Yeragand did not issue a warning, it is reasonable for the ceremony to continue.

But Ernst also had to consider that one in ten thousand possibility—that the great god Jeragund himself was unaware of this anomaly?

"I will take care of your safety."

Ascalon emerged from the shadows and quietly made a promise. The meaning was clear: you don't need to consider your safety when deciding whether to continue.

Although Ernst wasn't originally considering his own safety.

After a moment's thought, Ernst took out the divine stone from his pocket, intending to contact the great god Yeragand to inquire about or warn about the situation.

After all, even if Ernst interrupted the ritual, this problem still needed to be considered—if the mutation affected the entire Sherag, then even if the crowd was evacuated, it wouldn't make much difference. It would be better to gather them together, and if necessary, launch the airship to take them into the sky, or ask Yeragand and [Timeline] to take action.

But before he could speak, Enya's somewhat puzzled voice rang out from not far away.

"Kelsey, Ernst, what are you doing here?"

The Holy Hunters' team has returned.

As the host of the ceremony, Eun-ah arrived backstage first, followed by Ah-er.

Ya'er naturally noticed the divine stone in Ernst's hand. She glanced at Ernst with some curiosity, then looked around, seemingly planning to find a place to quietly take a phone call.

Unexpectedly, Ernst spoke directly:

“Enya, there might be a problem with the Holy Hunting Ritual.”

In front of Enya and Al, Ernst translated what Kal'tsit had just said and repeated it.

Enya's expression also turned serious. She agreed with Ernst's view that human life should be the priority, and that Yeragand should indeed be informed of the matter first and a contingency plan should be prepared.

Ya'er's expression was rather subtle.

Her face flushed slightly, and seeing that the two seemed to have reached an agreement, she quickly spoke up to dissuade them:

"No, no, no, don't stop."

"It's alright, Yeragand knows about this..."