People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

Over-reliance on military force can turn it from a means into an end. This is why the Duke of Wellington had previously maintained a lukewarm attitude towards the World Summit.

But now, he had finally written this letter to Ernst. This distinguished Grand Duke, who deserved to be proud, had not bowed down to Ernst, but had finally stepped down a few steps to look Ernst in the eye as an equal.

Ernst thought it was him who made the move?

It was my turn.

The Duke of Wellington's letter contained little specific information, merely describing the situation in Londinium and subtly trying to elicit some ideas from Ernst. He also expressed some interest in the behemoths of Shelag, saying, "Once the fighting in Londinium has subsided, I may come to Shelag to witness 'the most powerful single-armored fighting force on this land.'"

Ernst's reply was also concise, with three main points: welcome friend, make an appointment in advance, and Jeragund is not a weapon.

As for the Londinium battlefield, Ernst chose to ignore it. He offered no opinion and did not respond to his questions.

The Duke of Caesar is doing business with him, so he can offer some advice; the Duke of Windermere is his angel investor, so he's happy to offer some advice. But who are you, Duke of Wellington? You want to steal my gold coins too? Want your keys made? Three dollars a key, ten dollars for three keys, how many do you want?

Old Deng is truly disrespectful to his elders. Last time, when he tried to persuade Ernst to use Shelag as a terrorist base and was rejected, Ernst resorted to passive-aggressive behavior. Ernst didn't even offer a private apology. Now he wants to let it go, as if an older relative slaps you for no reason and then scolds you for not calling him by his name. He really thinks he's something special.

climb!

Abrahina's letter was rather ambiguous. She seemed to be going to Londinium with the Duke of Wellington as well, but only mentioned it briefly; more importantly, she inquired about what Lafshinie was doing.

Ernst found it difficult to answer this question. He couldn't very well say, "Your sister Lavshini warms me up every day," could he?

But lying wasn't easy, since both Mandela and Ahmed were in Shelag, especially Mandela, who was often seen coming and going, serving tea and water. Although she didn't seem very bright, Ernst wasn't sure if this was just a case of the cat being wise in disguise.

After some deliberation, Ernst could only reply: "Lafsini is doing well, don't worry." He then called Lafsini over, gave her the letter, and asked her to add any words she wanted to say to her sister before sending it back.

A must-have tip for civil servants: The best response is no response.

As long as I don't make any absolute statements, there's always room for maneuver. I should learn from the virtues of the water dragon and always leave myself a way out.

After greeting these people and replying to these letters, Ernst looked at the last two letters remaining.

A letter from Colombia, signed Mark Max.

This is incredible! His Excellency the President actually wrote him a letter personally!

By the way, how did he write it? Wasn't he supposed to be a one-legged winged beast?

Ernst recalled the last time Mark Max appeared before him, imagining him hopping and writing a letter while flapping his wings in mid-air.

Won't you fall?

Does that mean they write letters stroke by stroke, holding a pen in their beak? That seems highly unlikely. Besides, it would look awful if written that way!

Hmm, he probably used a ghostwriter, just like him. Vice President Wilson never imagined he was not only a bird stand but also a pen stand.

Ernst opened the letter and saw that it wasn't long; to summarize, it was basically just one sentence:

"You promised to come to Colombia, but you backed out?"

When did I say I was going to Colombia...?

Oh no, I think I really made a promise!

Ernst suddenly realized that Mark Max had indeed personally invited him during the World's Fair.

Mom!

It's really not Ernst's fault; he was simply too busy with his schedule, work, and time. From Kjerag to Casimir and back to Kjerag, he basically didn't stop. So many big and small things happened during that time that he genuinely forgot about going to Colombia.

Moreover, her secretary, Holhaya, did not remind her of this.

Oh right, he's been away all this time, so even if Holhaya wanted to remind him, she couldn't. And since he's been back, he's been busy and hasn't had the time.

Ernst rubbed his temples, feeling both amused and exasperated, and glanced at the calendar.

Judging by the dates, it should be about time for Levy and his men to set off.

Rhine Lab's plan to establish a branch in Kjerag has been approved. Muirsey chaired the meeting via Manifold, and Ernst was already aware of it. Ernst summoned Levi to discuss the matter of eliminating the troublesome Sarkaz scourge, the White Horned Demon King Quesatushta.

Once this is over, I can go back to Colombia with them and even hitch a ride with Rhine Life's car and guards.

We saved money again, family!

The last letter came from Lateran.

Holding the heavy letter with its gilded edges and red seal, Ernst was somewhat surprised.

Look, look, this is our Lateran brothers, this is how extravagant they are! It's just a letter, but they treat it with such great ceremony!

Ernst deliberately saved it for last, wanting to fully savor this solemn feeling.

Ernst used a thread cutter to open the envelope, ensuring the gold trim remained undamaged. He then took out a letter from King Ivangelist XI and a pure gold medal bearing the coat of arms of Lateran, and couldn't help but grin.

Wow, that's extravagant! I love it!

Based on this attitude alone, I guarantee that when I reply, I'll give you a string of thank-you phrases I learned from watching live streams in my past life!

Ernst unfolded the letter and began to read:

[Dear Ernst Shivaesh, in accordance with the will of the Law, and with the approval of the Lateran Papal Court and the confirmation of all the Lateran Cardinals, you are hereby canonized as a Lateran Saint, and the Order of Saints is enclosed. Praise be to the Law, guiding the Lateran on its path…]

Ernst: "Huh?"

"Ho-!"

P.S.: The date is gradually approaching the solar term, I hope it can last for two more days!

Chapter 505 Pick it up high, put it down gently

What's wrong with Laterano all of a sudden?

This was Ernst's first thought after he recovered from the stress.

If Ernst remembers correctly, Lateran should have had one and only one saint.

Saint Ivangelista XI, the contemporary pope who inherited the name of the first saint who built Lateran, is an old friend of Ernst and one of the co-organizers of the upcoming Terran Summit.

In Ernst's impression of him, he was a moderate reformer. Compared to Andorn's somewhat radical proposals, he had a clearer understanding of the current situation in Laterano and knew better why Laterano's prosperity could only be provided to Laterano, or even only to Sarkaz itself.

He wasn't the kind of person who couldn't distinguish between important and unimportant matters; he would understand what kind of trouble it would cause to bestow such a title of "saint" upon Ernst at this time.

After all, no one other than a Sarkaz had ever received the title of "Saint" before. Ernst had no halo, no wings, couldn't use a gun, and couldn't empathize with the Sarkaz. He hadn't even lived in Laterano for more than a month. It was somewhat unworthy of him to become a "Saint." Moreover, wouldn't anyone in Laterano object to bestowing an honorary title reserved for a national leader upon a foreigner, especially a foreign leader?

If it were Kjerag, and Ernst casually bestowed the title of "Saint" upon Vina and Lavshini, Actos, and many Kjeragans, would probably come knocking on their door with knives the next day to demand an explanation. This is because it involves the most sincere and important issue of faith among the Kjeragans.

But... it was Lateran who did this.

Given the abstract nature of those Sakortas, it doesn't seem impossible...

Ernst shook his head. Putting aside the Sarkaz's inherently amusing nature, they are quite normal even when they are acting abnormally.

The current situation is definitely abnormal, so we must look at Sakta from the perspective of a normal person!

Ernst's intention to promote the establishment of the Sarkaz was first revealed not to the Duke of Castel, but to Ivangelista XI of Lateran, after informing several Sarkaz in Shelag.

Firstly, they were co-organizers of the World Summit, and Ernst would have had to communicate with them beforehand if he wanted to propose such a motion at the first World Summit. Secondly, as is well known, Sakorta and Sarkaz have always been somewhat at odds.

Ernst was worried that Ivangelista XI would vehemently oppose the bill, and he was even prepared to negotiate and compromise. Unexpectedly, however, Ivangelista XI highly praised the bill and expressed his absolute support.

He agreed.

In his reply, Pope Ivangelist XI stated that in his youth, before he became Pope of Sarkaz, he had traveled extensively and met a Sarkaz weaver. She had completely changed his view of the Sarkaz. Although now Pope he had to consider the Lateran's overall attitude, he personally would not oppose it and would try to persuade the cardinals of the Papal Court to vote in favor of Ernst's proposal at the Universal Summoning.

He agreed then, so why would he go back on his word so easily without warning? Why send Ernst such a title, which, once made public, could very well be used by someone with ulterior motives who has seized control of Lontinim to provoke the Sarkaz's sensitive nerves?

So, after Ernst calmed down, he reread the letter.

[Dear Ernst Sivaesh, in accordance with the will of the Law, and with the approval of the Lateran Papal Court and the confirmation of all the Lateran Cardinals, you are hereby canonized as a "Saint" of Lateran, and the "Order of Saints" is enclosed. Praise be to the Law, which guides Lateran's path... (A very long hymn)]

The text remained unchanged, but Ernst still gleaned some information from it that he hadn't noticed in his earlier shock.

"The will of the law?"

Lateran has a supreme "law," which Ernst knows. Rather than calling it a law, it's more accurate to describe it as a super weapon controller that has exceeded Ernst's comprehension.

With the recording obtained from the Star-Picking Project, Ernst can activate the law machine, and by the most conservative estimate, it can probably actually "pluck a star" and drop it down.

That was the sword of Damocles hanging over the entire Terra. To ensure that the recording would not be leaked and cause Terra's destruction, Ernst locked the recording in a safe in his office that no machine could detect!

Judging from this, it seems that the machine has other functions besides executing the "extermination order".

Ernst didn't think that Ivangelista XI would write a useless sentence. Given the supreme status of the Law in Lateran, it was probably only the Law that could force the Pope to do something that defied logic and the consensus of the two without any warning.

It's like if Jeragand asked Ernst to do a driving test for her someday, Ernst would have to hold his nose and do it anyway.

Could she really like that kind of thing? Probably not?

Even though he sensed that the "consecration" incident might be related to the [Law] mainframe, Ernst still couldn't understand why a machine would inexplicably cast such a curse on itself.

It should have landed when Ernst went to Lateran, why wait until now?

Does your computer also have a habit of refreshing its data and making work arrangements once a year?

Unable to figure out what was going on in Laterano, Ernst shook his head and pressed the bell on the table.

Holhaya stepped out of the cubicle, leaned against the doorframe, and spoke in a languid and alluring voice:

"Boss, is there anything I can help you with?"

Ernst asked:

"How long does it take to get from Laterano to Kjerag via the messenger stations?"

"A messenger station?" Holhaya raised an eyebrow in surprise. "If it's a direct route, at normal speed it would take about 3 to 5 days. If it's along the same route, it would take longer, possibly a week to half a month."

"But why does Lateran use the regular messenger stations? Don't they have messengers from all nations to help them deliver messages?"

Ernst's eyes lit up.

Yes, that's what's made him feel so uncomfortable ever since he received the letter.

Because Miss Mostima, the Lateran envoy to Kjerag who should have been standing here, did not come. The letter, which had traveled via the normal courier route and taken more than three days by express delivery, finally arrived in Kjerag this morning, January 4th, and was signed for by him.

Before this, Daphne, the Grey Hat, the Duke of Wellington's envoy, employees and knights of the Casimir Merchant Guild and the Overseers had all visited Ernst in turn. Only Lateran, who could have arrived the fastest via the special route of the messengers of all nations, ended up at the very back.

There are only two possibilities for this situation. Either His Holiness Pope Ivangelist XI has finally eaten too much sugar, suffered a stroke or developed dementia, and is choosing to use the money he would have spent on snacks to send an expensive international shipment instead of the free, efficient, and confidential Universal Messenger system.

Alternatively, there might be a reason why this letter cannot be seen by messengers from all nations.

Ernst turned his head to look at the extremely ostentatious gilded envelope and the sealing wax stamp with the Lateran Papal Palace design. Realizing something, he said again:

"Holhaya, could you get me a copy of this morning's newspaper?"

“Okay, which country do you want?” Holhaya asked.

Newspapers are an important source of information, and sometimes the Prime Minister's office isn't necessarily as well-informed as the media that chases after the latest news. Therefore, on Holheimer's advice, Ernst maintained a habit of subscribing to foreign newspapers.

“From Victoria, the Duchy of Caster.”

Holhaya handed him the newspaper. Ernst glanced at the page, and only after confirming that there was no picture of himself did he finally breathe a sigh of relief and shake his head with a smile.

He underestimated Evangelista XI. His Holiness the Pope indeed could not disobey the direct command of the Law. Since the order to canonize him had been issued, he was bound to carry it out.

There are two types of tasks that can be performed. One is to pick something up high and put it down gently, and the other is to put things that are light on the scale but can be incredibly heavy on the scale.

Ivangelista XI clearly chose the first option.

Canonization is fine, the law has decreed it, and even if Ernst refuses, Laterano will still canonize him. But "canonization" and "public canonization" are two different things.

The matter was only communicated to a small number of cardinals within the Papal Court, bypassing the international messenger system that could potentially expose the information, and all news was kept under wraps. No one expected Ernst, this "saint," to shoulder any responsibility for Laterano, so no power was intended for him. In short, a title was simply handed over.

This is quite different from the situation where the Cyclops asked Ernst to take over as the head of the royal court, because the Cyclops genuinely wanted Ernst to lead them.

This is more like the title of nobility that the Casimir Inspectorate bestowed upon Ernst; they just give him some money, and the rest is all honor.

Of course, this action is risky. If Ernst tries to cause trouble and leaks the canonization information, then the plan will likely be in jeopardy.

But Ernst knew Ivangelist XI, and Ivangelist XI knew Ernst just as well. Would exposing this give Ernst a share of Laterano's power? No. Laterano had never had a saint from another race, just as most Sarkaz would never acknowledge a demon lord from another race. They would only question—question the Papal Court, question the law, question faith—but would not obey. This would only bring social unrest to Laterano, nothing more.

The price to pay is that Ernst will completely offend Evangelista XI. No one wants to share power, not even the Lateran Pope himself, known in Terra for his tolerance and benevolence. Evangelista XI may not be able to break the law, but opposing Ernst would be easy for him.

At the World Summit, simply casting a vote against it would suffice. No one would even see anything wrong with it, since there was already some friction between the Sarkaz and Sakota, and he would be seen as going along with public opinion. Ernst, on the other hand, would lose an opportunity to "bridge the great rift between Sakota and Sarkaz" while simultaneously "rebuilding Kazdel."

Not worth the candle.

Having sorted out his thoughts, only one question remained: Why did that erratic law suddenly issue the order to "canonize" him, catching him and Ivangelista XI completely off guard?

What happened?

Ernst was completely baffled and could only shake his head in the end.

He'll probably need to take the time to personally visit Lateran and examine the legal system before he can reach a conclusion on this matter.

"What happened, Boss?"