People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

"It's like nobody needs your support."

W's classic rebuttal, but a faint smile appeared on his lips.

She will fight for this position, and then keep a close eye on Ernst.

Keep going, keep going, until you see through his weakness, or until forever.

Chapter 516 Viviana, a victim of a scam in northern Myanmar

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

Ernst's office welcomed a rare guest.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ernst, I've come to say goodbye."

Viviana Droste bowed slightly to Ernst, her face full of regret.

Ernst pursed his lips. Viviana's departure was, in fact, something he had expected.

Ernst had already made this prediction when Viviana suggested leaving with him in Kazimierz – while Kherag was indeed developing rapidly, Tukarim was still far behind the prosperous and bustling city of Kavaleria.

There are no dazzling neon lights here, no spotlights to attract everyone's attention. Neither the objective conditions nor the subjective feelings are quite suitable for Viviana, the super popular knight who is the center of attention in Kazimierz.

After all, not every competitive knight is a trump card.

Sherag doesn't have the poetry and distant places that Viviana pursues; ordinary life is the norm here. This kind of life is very attractive to the displaced Sarkaz, but it seems a bit too simple for the residents of the developed countries like Terra.

Therefore, although it was regrettable, Ernst respected Viviana's choice. Young people have ample time to learn from mistakes; even if she chooses to leave now, the doors of Sherag will not shut her out. She can always return if she wishes.

"Aren't you going to try to persuade me to stay?"

Viviana looked up at Ernst with some anticipation.

For some reason, Viviana felt that the moment she uttered those words, five or six pairs of eyes, both inside and outside the room, instantly focused on her.

Ernst was also taken aback.

It's your own decision to leave, how can I persuade you to stay?

Ernst wasn't a die-hard fan of the Candle Knight, and knowing his idol was leaving, he wished he could cling to Viviana's leg until he was weak and unable to walk.

He glanced at Viviana with some surprise, realizing he might have misunderstood something, frowned slightly, and asked:

What happened in Kazimir?

"No, everything is fine in Kazimir."

Viviana shook her head.

"It's Letania, my...homeland."

Letania.

Ernst's mind was filled with images of that ancient country—music, art, Originium Arts, and a classical atmosphere ingrained in its very being.

Classic streetscapes, classic nobility, classic systems, classic manners, classic national spirit—so classic that you can hardly imagine that skyscrapers exceeding the height of the Lord's Tower would appear on the land of Letania.

Ernst had never visited that country, but to be honest, Letania didn't leave a very good impression on him from the books.

This country is, in some ways, a Victorian version that hasn't quite gotten overboard.

Victoria once had a brilliant and ambitious emperor, Frederick the Great, who led Victoria to victory in the Four Kingdoms War, conquered Gaul, and gained dominance in the inner circle.

Meanwhile, Letania also had a Witch King who was hailed as the strongest warlock in Terra. He also led Letania's army to resist the invasion of Gaul, won the Battle of the Four Emperors, and shared the legacy left by that empire with Victoria.

Victoria also had an ambitious but incompetent Alistair who ultimately brought about his own downfall, incurring the wrath of both heaven and man, and giving the Duke of Castells and his coalition of dukes the opportunity to instigate the Londinium Rebellion. In the end, he was hanged and the royal family was purged.

Leitania was no less formidable. Whether the Witch King was a tyrant in the final years of his reign is a matter of debate, but his tyranny certainly cemented his place as one of the most infamous tyrants in Leitanian history. His fate was similar to Alistair's: he was imprisoned in a tower by rebellious Electors, ultimately killed by the Twin Queens, his horns severed, and his body fell from the tower without any semblance of dignity.

The only difference between the two countries is that the Grand Dukes of Victoria did not quickly put forward a new leader after strangling the Lion King. As a result, after the anti-emperor alliance of the various dukes collapsed, they quickly began to hinder each other, which ultimately allowed the Sarkaz to benefit.

Meanwhile, the twin queens of Letania successfully ascended to the throne, stabilizing the situation and ensuring that Letania did not fall into the same kind of division as Victoria.

But what will be the price?

Ernst could only say: Classical is not a bad word, but for a country, it is definitely not a good word either.

The unchanging nature of things is dangerous. The seeds of division are not removed, but only temporarily buried. As long as the soil remains, they will sprout again sooner or later.

Ernst had always wanted to travel throughout Terra, including Letania, but this idea was often overshadowed by more important matters, and he had to keep postponing it.

But now, hearing about this country from Viviana's mouth, Ernst suddenly felt a sense of realization.

From the Grand Knight Commander, Ernst learned that Viviana was indeed from Letania, but she had lived in Casimir since she was very young and had always been under Ernst's care.

Viviana's family must be of high status to be able to entrust the Grand Knight Commander of Kazimierz with the care of her child, but Ernst really had no recollection of who the other party was.

The other party was an ordinary tourist from Sherag, and Ernst didn't intend to investigate everyone's family history.

However, as a friend, since Viviana brought it up, Ernst didn't mind adding a few words of concern:

"Is something wrong at home?"

“It’s my father. He hasn’t been feeling well lately, so he sent someone to find me and ask me to come back.”

Viviana spoke frankly, though she seemed somewhat uneasy.

She didn't really have much of an impression of her father. She only remembered that when she was a child, she and her mother squeezed into a small house in the tower. Her father would only appear late at night to talk to her, but each meeting lasted no more than ten minutes or even an hour or two.

Did he love her very much? Viviana couldn't deny that, although they didn't spend much time together, his love for her and her mother was genuine, and his eyes, filled with love and sorrow, left a deep impression on her during her childhood.

But did Viviana have deep feelings for him?

To be honest, no. She wasn't even sure if, after so many years, she could recognize her father based on her prediction of the magnificent attire worn by "Shi Tong, the Grand Election Emperor," or on the bond of blood.

She even felt that the former was more likely.

The best-dressed person is your father.

Whenever she thought about going back and being lectured like this, and then having to call out the word "father" to a completely blurred memory, she felt a deep-seated fear.

It was for his father, and also for himself.

What would that scene be like? Even the most heartbreaking poems would struggle to depict it.

Therefore, she came to say goodbye to Ernst and brought up this topic with him.

She didn't expect Ernst to stop her, after all, she didn't really have a reason to refuse the envoy from Shi Tongling, and Ernst had no reason to stop them from seeing each other again.

She just wanted to share her anxiety at that moment, hoping to get a word or two of comfort, or... advice, if possible.

After all, Ernst always had a way with things, a consensus among all the Sherag people!

Ernst was indeed somewhat puzzled.

What puzzled him was not anything else, but why "Viviana's family" would come directly to Sherag and contact her privately?

Shelag is no small country, with a population of several million. With the influx of tourists into the country, finding a single person accurately within it without the assistance of the state apparatus is not an easy task.

If the normal procedure were followed, Viviana's family should first find the Grand Knight Commander of Kazimierz, and then Russell would send a message entrusting him with the task of finding Viviana. Theoretically, this would be much faster.

Even if we assume Viviana's family knows she's no longer in Kazimierz and has come to Shelag, they should contact me directly and ask for my help in making contact. That would be much easier than wandering aimlessly around Shelag like headless flies.

It's not that they have to do it, it's just that it's the most economical and convenient way.

Moreover, Ernst is quite aware of his current influence. It's not that he's narcissistic, but with the World Summit just around the corner, would anyone really ignore such an opportunity to get closer to him and build a relationship?

It's a very simple principle, just like striking up a conversation. Viviana's family only needs to find her and ask, "Is my daughter with you?"

Ernst replied, "Yes, it's with me. I'll help you look for it." Then he called Viviana over, and Viviana took the opportunity to introduce Ernst to the envoy and her own family background. In this back and forth, their relationship became closer, didn't it?

In this way, when Ernst visited Letania, he had a first destination to visit. He wouldn't have to start from scratch with the twin queens he'd never met before. Ernst could simply compliment the local specialties, the scenery, and the music, thus exchanging favors—wouldn't that be better for both sides?

Don't think this looks funny; this is the most down-to-earth form of diplomacy.

When Putin visited us, he praised Peking duck, saying it was delicious and wanted to eat a second slice after just one. This story trended on social media for a week. Can you guess how much fame and profit this brought to Peking duck?

This is the best kind of advertising, and it's suitable for all ages. It's much more effective than those ads from popular celebrities.

The mysterious Letanian envoy who arrived did nothing.

Even when Viviana took the initiative to come and say goodbye, when he should have accompanied her out of courtesy and reason, he still avoided seeing Ernst.

Parents are still willing to show their faces in front of the teacher when picking up their children after elementary school!

"Excuse me, Viviana, do you know that envoy?"

Viviana shook her head:

"do not know."

She hadn't been back to Letania for so long, how could she possibly know anyone from Shitongling?

But the other party accurately stated her family background and told her that her father was seriously ill, asking her to go back with him immediately. Viviana had no time to verify it.

Ernst rubbed his temples upon hearing this.

Tsk, logically speaking, Viviana isn't even a college student anymore. She's been in the workforce for quite a while now; she should understand the dangers of society. How could she fall for someone who looks suspicious, practically screaming "suspicious" on their face?

Isn't this a typical scam in northern Myanmar?

You're really something, kid, you were fooled by just a few words...

I must say, he truly deserves the title of "poet."

Ernst thought for a moment:

"Alright, Viviana, you stay with me for now. Tell me what the envoy's name is and what he looks like, and I'll send someone to the embassy in Letania to verify his identity."

Viviana blinked, realizing what Ernst meant:

"You think he's a fraud?"

Ernst's expression was somewhat serious:

"It would be fine if he were a scammer, but I'm afraid he's more than just a scammer."

When Viviana was in Kazimierz, she was protected by the Grand Knight Commander, who knew her family directly, and the other party made no move whatsoever. Only two weeks after Viviana arrived in Sherag, the other party came knocking on her door.

Was that messenger truly Viviana's father's messenger?

Ernst knew that Letania also had a group of troublesome and dangerous individuals, ranking high on lists of dangerous organizations compiled by various countries.

——The Witch King’s remnants.

Regardless of whether it's a misunderstanding or a correct guess, bringing them together for a confrontation will naturally reveal the truth. Ernst doesn't lack time; Viviana came with him from Sherag, so he has to be responsible for the child's safety.

Although Ernst should at least call her "older sister" because of her age.

She's such a worry for us older sisters.

Chapter 517 The Story of a Letanian Tourist Who Goes Missing During His Trip to Sherag

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

Ernst frowned slightly as he looked at Caprini, who was wrapped in a magnificent black robe.

"Are you an envoy from Viviana's father?"

The messenger nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world, responding to Ernst's words without the slightest hesitation:

"Of course I am, Your Excellency Prime Minister Ernst. Is there anything to question about that?"

Ernst's expression remained unchanged. He gently tapped the table and asked in return:

“I just contacted the Leitanian embassy, ​​and the embassy did not mention anyone named you.”

To Ernst's surprise, upon hearing this, the messenger showed no sign of panic or fear; instead, he let out a short, mocking laugh.

"Ha! That's because their rank is too low, Prime Minister Ernst. I don't mean to disparage you or Shelag, but how much insight can you expect from those who are sent to Shelag as resident envoys?"

He wasn't joking at all.

In Letania, the hierarchy is rigid and the system is inflexible; those who are physically closer to the center of power are more likely to gain political influence.

Of course, there can be more than one center of power, but whether it is the Grand Elephant of each region or the Twin Queens Tower of Triinttelme, the closer you are to him, the more respect you will receive. The more frequently you appear in front of the Queens and the Grand Elephants, the more likely you are to be called a "noble". Conversely, if you stay away from him, even if you only live on the outskirts of Triinttelme, you are an absolute "outsider" compared to the nobles in the towers within the city.

There are even exaggerated claims: in the core city of Trilintelme, those who can serve by the tower of "Eternal Grace" are the Grand Secretaries of the Leitanian Cabinet, and those who can serve by the tower of "Ruthless Authority" are the Grand Marshals of the Leitanian Army. If you are in the outskirts of Trilintelme, you can at best be considered a relatively high-ranking Pero beast relative.

They're a little better than country folk from out of town, but only slightly better. That's the difference between a poodle and a mongrel.

In reality, most of the time, a mongrel is much more useful and durable than a fancy poodle. But people in high positions wear gold and silver and dress themselves up like humans, so they always feel like they are real people and not dogs anymore.

The difference between suburban and urban residents is truly greater than that between a person and a dog.