People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

Is this some kind of reverse psychology tactic? Do you think I'd fall for it?

Kal'tsit snorted softly; she was simply happy to help Ernst with this favor.

"If it's a matter of the feathered serpent's lifespan, I can assure you that, as a kind of divine being, the feathered serpent's lifespan is definitely more than 42 years. At least, I have seen feathered serpent populations that are over 42 years old."

A population, it sounds like an animal.

Hinterlea was somewhat annoyed by Kal'tsit's choice of words, but did not interrupt. Kal'tsit then continued:

Have you considered that a limited lifespan might be some kind of "side effect"?

"It's like how Oripathy patients can use Originium Arts without a staff, but at the cost of worsening their Originium infection and shortening their lifespan."

Hinterlea suddenly realized:

"Like Dr. Kal'tsit, who is very knowledgeable, but who faints from time to time?"

Kal'tsit's smile froze for a moment.

The second half of the sentence can be omitted.

But she nodded anyway: "Let's investigate in this direction. We should have results soon."

Hinterlea stood up happily and had just thanked Kal'tsit when she heard Ernst talking and saying goodbye to someone outside the door.

"Well then, I'll leave you here. You can explore Sherag on your own for now. Take the Divine Stone with you, and just call me if you encounter any trouble. I'll arrange the Sarkaz Residents' Committee visit tomorrow."

"Yes, thank you for your care, Mr. Ernst."

"It's okay. Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Hearing the sounds outside, Hintelia clapped her hands:

"It seems the boss is done with his work. I'll go ask him if he has time. Dr. Kal'tsit, will you wait here for Dr. Kal'tsit?"

She looked at Kal'tsit, who had suddenly jumped onto the sofa, arched her back, and looked horrified, with some confusion, and asked blankly,

"What's wrong, Dr. Kal'tsit?"

"what!"

"Doctor Kelsey?"

Kal'tsit snapped out of her daze, looked at Hinterlea, then at the departing figure shrouded in a black robe outside Hinterlea's half-open door, swallowed hard, and moistened her throat, which was a little dry from her breath.

"Who is that?"

she asked.

Hinterlea shook her head: "I don't know."

"Dr. Kal'tsit, are you alright?"

Kal'tsit didn't answer, but stared blankly at the figure that had disappeared at the end of the corridor.

The voice was intermittent and distorted through the door, but it still sounded somewhat familiar.

And that silhouette

A bead of sweat slid down Kal'tsit's forehead. She chuckled self-deprecatingly, climbed off the sofa, and shook her head at Hinterlea.

"It's nothing, I'm fine. Please tell Ernst."

She glanced one last time at the corridor and murmured.

"Am I really too tired lately?"

Chapter 603 Kal'tsit: At Least Let Me Feel Involved

"Kal'tsit, it's been a long time."

The person she was talking about, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, seemed no different from Kal'tsit's memories.

Sometimes she worries because her health has been fluctuating abnormally lately. Perhaps one day she will never wake up again, and when she does, centuries will have passed.

The boy before her had become a statue or was once a statue but now only rubble. The scenes that had once moved and delighted her had become nothing more than a fleeting dream.

Everything has fallen apart again, and everything has to start all over again. This time, however, the person she values ​​is no longer among all of this.

Therefore, she cherishes every parting and reunion, and every moment she sees him brings her a sense of peace.

"Mr. Ernst, it's been a long time."

Kal'tsit coughed lightly, withdrawing her gaze from Ernst and reverting to her usual cool yet indifferent voice.

"You're welcome and safe."

She paused.

"Sorry I'm a little late. Something came up and I was delayed."

“I know. Ursus, Victoria, and a few others.”

Ernst nodded and said considerately:

"I can understand."

Ernst knew better than anyone how difficult those people were. Even if something seemed foolproof and beneficial to both of us, they would still find a way to sabotage it, as if it were some kind of innate trait of the Terrans.

Rather, it was surprising enough that Kal'tsit was able to escape so quickly.

Kal'tsit didn't want to discuss this topic further. She wanted to get straight to the point, but seeing Ernst's nonchalant demeanor, she couldn't help but ask:

"This may be a bit presumptuous, but who was the person you just met?"

"I'm sorry, I can't disclose that."

Ernst shook his head businesslike.

Actually, it wasn't that he was unwilling to say it. Kal'tsit was one of Theresa's people, and one of the closest to her. In private, it wouldn't hurt to reveal a little bit.

But why did Theresa specifically ask him, "Please don't tell Kal'tsit about my affairs?"

Ernst was also curious as to why Theresa was keeping it a secret from Kal'tsit. She had clearly promised to secretly meet with several members of the Sarkaz Residents' Committee tomorrow.

Theresa's answer was rather vague, saying that she still had to leave and return to Londinium because she had things to do. She said that something might upset Kal'tsit or even make her furious, so to ensure the plan went smoothly, she asked Ernst not to reveal it.

Ernst summed it up in one sentence: The time is not yet right.

As for what Theresa is going to do in Londinium, and what plans the Military Council has, is that even a question?

The Shards, Anana, and "storming into the Underworld to confront the Creator"—any one of these things would be enough to give Kal'tsit a headache. Knowing all three together would probably give her a real headache.

Theresa, of course, wouldn't tell. Rather than let Kal'tsit worry and rack her brains trying to stop them, it was better not to tell her and to solve all the problems herself.

If she can return safely, she will naturally find Kal'tsit.

If she can't come back, then let's pretend Theresa was never resurrected.

Seeing that Ernst wouldn't budge, Kelsey had no choice but to give up, silently burying her doubts in her heart, and steer the conversation back on track:

"Mr. Ernst, was the World Summit a success?"

"So far, it can be considered a success."

"The draft bill for the establishment of the Sarkaz state has been successfully passed?"

"It's approved. Didn't you receive any notifications about these things?"

“Received it.” Kal’tsit nodded, a slight smile playing on her lips, her tone seemingly quite relaxed. “But hearing a reply from you always puts my mind at ease.”

“I have this function too?” Ernst smiled.

"What are the next plans? Has the Kazdel floating city been planned? What stage has it reached? How is the research on the technology for floating the city progressing?"

Kal'tsit bombarded her with several questions. She was prepared; if Ernst encountered any technological bottlenecks with the floating city, she could try to guide him slightly, leading him to search for some lost technologies from previous civilizations.

Some might ask, didn't Kal'tsit want the Terrans to progress by acquiring the technology of the previous civilization?

Yes, that makes sense, but standards are always set by people.

This is a threshold she set for herself, not something etched into her soul like the name "[Forbidden to be spoken]". She certainly has the right to "handle it flexibly".

During the Tower of Babel era, didn't she help Theresa dig out Rhodes Island underground in Rembiton, awakening the Doctor, the greatest legacy of the previous civilization, hoping to help Theresa through the Doctor?

The most taboo thing in this world is rigidity, dogmatism, and bookishness; these cannot save this land. Kal'tsit was very clear-headed. Ernst's position in her heart was no less than Theresa's. His contributions to Terra civilization—though it's a little embarrassing to say, they certainly far surpassed Theresa's. In that case, what harm was there in her offering some help?

She made a similar choice during the last "Star-Picking Project".

But Ernst nodded slightly:

"Nasti has developed the [Gravity Defiance Mechanism]. The two most critical problems of the floating city, [how to fly up] and [how to keep flying], have been solved. The former has already achieved a technological breakthrough. As for the latter, there are already quite a few solutions."

"The mechanical behemoth core plan proposed by Nian and Xi, the improved high-energy stone power furnace plan proposed by Levi, and after your [Introduction to the Dead Souls], Hedley also mentioned to me whether it was possible to use the giant Dead Soul furnace existing in Kazdel City for combustion and energy supply. In short, everyone expressed their opinions, there were many plans, and all of them were theoretically feasible."

“Everything is in good order, there’s no need to worry, Advisor Kal’tsit.”

Kal'tsit fell into a brief silence.

In that instant, she thought of many things and had many feelings.

Shocked? She seemed to have gotten used to it by now. These achievements, though astonishing, weren't enough to make her gasp or exhale in surprise.

Are you relieved? Indeed, you are. The Terran civilization has taken its own firm steps, without her help or supervision, and has embarked on its own path with tenacity and strength. Just as Ernst said, "Everything is in good order, and she no longer needs to worry about it."

But she, indeed, was a bit shameless. Hearing Ernst's words, she felt a momentary sense of loss.

It's like she rushed back with great enthusiasm, ready to perform her special talent, only to be suddenly told by Ernst, "No, you're done. Everyone else has already finished performing."

The play was indeed highly praised, and even she was deeply moved. But as someone who was used to playing the bottom runner, she was somewhat at a loss this time for not even having a chance to perform.

Is there a day when Ernst might no longer need her help?

I've had this nanny job for ages, it's practically a secure job, and suddenly I'm going to lose it?

Feeling inexplicably nervous, Kal'tsit couldn't help but ask:

"Is there anything I can help with?"

Unexpectedly, Ernst answered decisively: "Yes!"

"What is it?" Kal'tsit asked expectantly.

Ernst stood up, pulled a folder from the drawer, and handed it to Kal'tsit:

"this."

Kal'tsit opened the folder. Inside was the cover of a contract.

Contract for the Post-War Reconstruction Project and Management of Infected Soldiers and Residents in Londinium

"Vina and I got this for you."

Ernst Road.

When Ernst last visited Vina's home, he mentioned that if Vina was truly concerned about Victoria's situation, he could help her organize a humanitarian aid team, or establish a charitable foundation, or even send Vina as a diplomat to post-war Londinium to offer condolences—although that would involve considerable risk, Ernst was prepared to negotiate with the Duke of Caesar.

Later, Vina didn't actually ask for anything, but Ernst still kept that promise in his heart. This was part of the promise.

Londinium, having survived the great war, will certainly need to be rebuilt. The large number of infected individuals resulting from this special military operation, including Victorian soldiers and Londinium citizens, will require proper treatment, management, and resettlement.

Based on Ernst's understanding of the several Dukes of Victoria, someone like the Duke of Windermere, whose roots were in the army, would probably take care of the infected soldiers, but someone like Caesar would probably not even care about the soldiers.

Not to mention the citizens of Londinium who suffered greatly from the war.

The liberation was the liberation of the city, the liberation of Victoria, but not their liberation.

Their suffering continues and is far from over.

There wasn't much Ernst could do; after all, this was Victoria's affair. At most, he could offer a "humanitarian" donation, but Scherrag himself wasn't exactly wealthy. Moreover, whether the donation would end up in the hands of nobles or ordinary citizens was another matter entirely. After much deliberation, he decided it was better to make a deal.

Therefore, he asked Vina for help and negotiated this contract with the Duke of Caesar.

The Duke of Caster and the Duke of Windermere have agreed, Wellington's attitude is unclear, and Godotington is not a concern.

Rhodes Island can then openly and legitimately enter Londinium under the guise of employing medical companies under the World Health Organization, a subsidiary of the World Summit, to carry out medical and infected person resettlement work.

The Duke only needs to provide the money; the rest is up to Rhodes Island to figure out.

“This is a big order. If we do a good job, money won’t be a problem. I know Rhodes Island has a habit of recruiting operators locally, and I’ve already smoothed that out in the contract. However, Kal’tsit, this is not just an ordinary business employment contract, you understand.”

"This is also a great opportunity to showcase the capabilities of the World Summit, enhance its prestige, and give Victoria face."

Ernst said earnestly, the meaning of which was self-evident.

"I hope Rhodes Island can complete it successfully."