People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

"About Rhine Lab?"

"The suppression and leniency towards Rhine Labs were merely means to attract your attention, not the end itself. Since you've taken notice, I've already achieved my goal. I have nothing more to say about it."

“If you want, I can smooth things over with the military and the political establishment to get them to let it go. Whether Rhine Life becomes a Sherrag enterprise or not is not important to me.”

Ernst let out a soft hiss.

That's quite a boast.

Rhine Life is no small company. As a star enterprise in Trimont, they hold a pivotal position in the Colombian business world, and their business involves a large number of bigwigs in the military and political circles.

The Flame Demon Project was done for the military. After the Flame Demon Project failed, Rhine Labs also made connections with the political world. This connection was personally made by Ernst, the Vice President Wilson, who was second only to the president of Columbia.

Ernst had no doubt about the President’s influence and control in Colombia. There was a long-standing saying that the President created Colombia, rather than Colombia creating the President. Since he dared to make this statement on this occasion, he must have the confidence to accomplish it.

The only problem is, since the price is so high, what he wants must be quite substantial as well.

Ernst could neither understand nor imagine this—what did he want from Sherag?

"To be precise, it's what I want from you, Mr. Ernst."

Mark Max jumped back onto the bird perch standing in the president's seat in the room. Although it was just a strangely shaped horned feathered beast, its proud and upright posture gave people a sense of majesty.

His voice sounded somewhat muffled, and a casual remark gave Ernst an unusual feeling:

"How are you?"

Old Victorian with a very standard Colombian accent.

Ernst paused for a moment, then tentatively replied:

"fine? thanks, andyou?"

To the naked eye, Ernst could actually see a hint of a smile on the head of this horned beast.

"The Chronicles of Erzley, your work."

He changed his wording and continued.

"It's a real shame that its updates have become so slow because of your work."

"Uh..." Ernst's face showed a hint of surprise, and he was about to speak when he was interrupted by Mark Max's narration.

He described it slowly and deliberately, but in a way that left no room for interruption:

“Every time I read it, I feel a special sense of nostalgia. Although I have never lived through that era, my understanding of it is limited to my father’s brief mentions.”

"For all of humanity, that was an ancient era, so ancient that when we have filled the universe with observatories and traveled back and forth on the Milky Way's spiral arms in spaceships, no one misses the days of small-scale adventures on a single planet. And when civilization comes to an end, no one remembers or tries to seek answers in that past, which has become blurred for various reasons: Where are our roots? What is the history of our roots? The loss of civilization is that simple, isn't it? In the end, who still remembers concepts like nation and ethnicity?"

"Those are all discarded content; what we preserve is only the concept of civilization, only the continuation of civilization."

Ernst's expression turned serious, and he tried to interrupt again, but Mark Max seemed to sense what Ernst wanted to say, and after a brief pause, he spoke again:

"But when my father created me, he mentioned your existence to me."

"(Unknown language) Treasure. It hides civilization, treasures, origins, a treasure that is too late for us, but is eternally unchanging."

"Please wait a moment."

Ernst finally found an opportunity to interrupt Mark Max's self-absorbed speech.

A hint of helplessness appeared on his face as he looked at the president with a furrowed brow:

"I haven't understood what you're saying since the beginning."

When Mark Max uttered the words "how are you?", Ernst instinctively felt that something was very, very, very wrong.

This sentence may seem innocuous, but those who frequently travel abroad should know that it has become a meme overseas. Many foreigners who know a little about China will make this joke to their Chinese friends and then expect them to "trigger a combo".

Ernst had noticed the unusual nature of the statement, but he still responded, because it was, in a way, a signal, a reason.

Mark Max extended invitations to him multiple times and showed particular favoritism toward Sherag on certain issues, for his own reasons.

He's like Levy, or rather, like himself. Except, well, his form is rather unique?

Everyone else either got to wear the clothes in one go (Levy) or their souls were transported back to grow up again (Ernst), but it was unlucky enough to become an awakened machine spirit.

But after Ernst gave his answer, just as he was about to confirm it, Mark Max's next words made him feel uneasy.

In the ancient era, a civilization heading towards its demise had spread across the universe with numerous observation stations and spaceships roaming the stars. The concept of abandoning nations and ethnicities and retaining only the idea of ​​civilization was considered exceptionally "avant-garde" even in the era before his own time travel. If it were in Levi's era, it would probably be even more "outrageous".

I even have a country when I play Stellaris.

When Mark Max said, "Your father mentioned you," Ernst realized that he might have made a mistake.

Ernst was certain that he had never met his father.

He was born in Cherague in this life, but he only truly began to come into contact with the outside world when he was promoted to the position of prime minister at the end of his 21st year. The recruitment trip was his first time going to Colombia.

Unless Mark Max tells him ghost stories about Actos being his father, a reclusive genius scientist, Ernst is certain that he never met his father.

As for people he knew in a past life, that's even more impossible—as mentioned before, Mark Max's descriptions of the era don't match up.

And that unknown language, which he couldn't understand, only strengthened Ernst's resolve.

If he had known Mark Max's father, he wouldn't have needed a translator to understand what he was saying.

Mark Max's face clearly showed a hint of surprise.

Ernst denied it; he hadn't expected it.

He clearly gave that standard "joke" answer.

When his father created it, he recorded very little about the "treasure." All Mark Max knew was that the "treasure" was a miracle discovered too late by the prophet and the priestess, the most special of a few people who gathered together in the end times to try to save a dying civilization, possessing countless histories that even the all-knowing had forgotten.

What my father loved most back then was listening to him tell jokes from the past.

The most classic example is this one. The father would even say it deliberately to tease him and relieve some stress from his work.

Although there is no explanation as to what plan he was in charge of back then, everyone believes that he is the key, guarding the secret treasure of "salvation." This treasure cannot be destroyed even by the apocalypse.

This is also why his code name is "Treasure".

Mark Max sent the Tin Man to contact Levy, but he couldn't answer the joke. Mark Max then considered eliminating it, but ultimately didn't because of Ernst.

Ernst answered the joke, but then denied the identity.

Mark Max fell into a long silence, his gaze fixed on Ernst as if trying to see through him. But everything he saw and heard was real, and he could not discern the slightest clue.

After a long while, he shook his head:

“I am a machine, I trust data more. My father would not lie to me.”

He regained his authority, as if stating a statement, or rather, declaring:

"Perhaps you don't trust me enough, so you're unwilling to reveal your identity and the treasure you're guarding to me. But that's alright, I will prove my credibility and my reliability as your father's only child."

"Colombia will seize all truth, and I will make this country the sword and shield of Terra."

"At that time, I urge you to think carefully. Your talents should not be wasted on a corner of Sherag and those insignificant pets. Columbia will provide you with everything you need, including me."

"So, when the time comes, will you abandon that out-of-control servant ama-10 and choose to come with me?"

Chapter 618 You really want to live, Horhaiya

Ernst didn't understand what Mark Max was saying.

But he didn’t say anything like “What nonsense are you talking about,” even though Mark Max dismissed his family, friends, subordinates, and everything in Sherag, including Sherag itself, as “meaningless.”

Perhaps that was his original thought.

Mark Max is connected to the prehistoric civilization on this planet, and all the legacies left by that civilization on Terra prove one thing—they were far ahead of Terra's current civilization!

They've arrived far ahead. To them, the current intrigue and power struggles on Terran 4 are perhaps like humans watching ants moving house. For the ants, this might be a necessary measure to prevent rain from flooding their nest and ensure the survival of their species; without it, they would die. But to humans, it's just a trivial biological observation sample. Like playing house?

Even if you stomp on them or pour water on them, letting the migrating ants experience the feeling of their home being destroyed prematurely, it doesn't matter. No one will criticize you; after all, you'd get scolded for stomping on an entire colony of ants.

This is what it means to be indifferent.

Ernst had stepped on ants too. So he never condemned such behavior. Although it sounds extremely cruel, it is one of the greatest truths in the world.

Just like the choice between eating meat and vegetables, I don't eat them not because I have any family or friends who eat chicken, duck, fish, or meat, but simply because I'm tired of them and don't want to eat them anymore. Eating them doesn't mean I've become some kind of executioner; it's just because I'm really craving them today.

I have the freedom to choose, because I am human, the noble primate, the current ruler of this planet. It's not for others to tell me what to do. If you're so capable, why don't you become the ruler yourself?

If people can't even share each other's joys and sorrows, who has the time to empathize with animals?

Ernst had read The Three-Body Problem. Although he couldn't understand the scientific theories it presented, he could at least realize one thing from his own life and work: it was both pathetic and ridiculous to pin one's hopes for survival on the kindness of an advanced civilization.

Most people probably don't take you seriously.

He didn't refute Mark Max on the spot, not because his tone was sincere, but because Ernst wasn't confident.

The Colombian president has a big mouth and an unpredictable temper, but he is certainly very ruthless.

Ernst is past the age of putting himself, his family, and his friends in danger with a moment of impulsive speech.

Adults have to take responsibility for their actions. Since the other party has made it clear that their identity is related to that unknown pre-civilization, and you are not confident that you can defeat them, then go ahead and curse.

Anyway, you didn't name names, so who is ama-10? I don't know them. The pronunciation of "Shelag" isn't very standard either, so I'll assume you're referring to another country. 4)

I used to play with dog heads too. Fortune changes every thirty years, so don't underestimate a young man's potential!

You might call him Ah Q, but that's not it. Ernst's patience paid off.

Mark Max has already spoken up; Colombia will support him and the World Summit. If RheinLife really wants to become a Sherrag Corporation, he will also make things much easier for him.

The Brazilian president can say he likes watching Chinese football in exchange for aid. Ernst, you should swallow your pride and set the price here: ten million Colombian dollars for every insult you receive. Go ahead and insult me.

Unfortunately, Mark Max has stopped criticizing.

He only uttered that one curse, and then the entire conversation transcended the pre-civilization era and returned to normal.

His thinking was simple: Ernst was playing a game of feigned indifference. He answered the questions first, revealing his identity, and then denied everything—in short, he didn't trust him.

That's normal. It was his father's last work, and by then, everything was over.

Mark Max had never even met the prophet in charge of the plan, nor did he know the priestess Precyth, or even just their names. As for the treasure, he didn't even know its name. Since the other party didn't know him at all, it was impossible for them to simply hand over such a precious treasure to him.

If Baozang were such an irresponsible person, he wouldn't have earned his father's friendship and respect.

Since that's the case, he'll follow the normal procedure: to develop and expand Columbia, to seize all truth, to forge the sword and shield of Terra, and to give this utterly terrible, dung-filled civilization a little pre-civilizational shock.

Then he will find Ernst, at which point Ernst will surely accept him.

Disagree?

Heh, well, he had no other choice.

Perhaps, just like the assessment made by Kal'tsit in [ama-10] when she chose to leave Colombia and refused his appointment as "Vice President for Life"—he was a tyrant.

A tyrant whom his father, Trevor II Friston, had never imagined, one of his nine creators.

The negotiations lasted from noon until dinner. Ernst gained a lot, mainly in terms of investment and aid in various aspects.

Shelag has just solved its basic needs, but the only city that can truly be considered a modern city is Tukarim. Ulani Fort is still under construction and can only be considered half a city. Building a city is a bottomless pit. Tukarim was rebuilt, and its population, infrastructure, location, and so on all had the foundation laid by the Shivaesh family over two generations. But Ulani Fort is a new city, and an industrial city at that. Everything has to be built from scratch, even the railway tracks have to be new, so naturally, it costs more money.

Whenever money comes up, Ernst sincerely admires Nastie. Her salary is a drop in the ocean when it comes to building a city, but so far, she has never asked him for a single penny of assistance.

Fortunately, the Lateran Bank is now a success. After the news of the nation's founding spreads, it's estimated that many Sarkaz veterans will come to investigate, which will likely generate a lot of gold coins for them, thus relieving some of the pressure on her.

As for Ernst himself, he'll have to work hard and do his best.

At dinner time, Ernst finally got a chance to catch his breath.

The Colombian government booked an entire hotel specifically for Ernst's banquet. It was a remarkably formal diplomatic event, with uniformly dressed waiters moving with steady steps, placing food neatly on shelves for guests to help themselves. Attendants moved among the guests, their trays laden with various bottles of liquor—champagne, whiskey, and even a rare find: the national spirit of Gaul.

"This was found in Duke Tibbers' treasury back then, hahahaha!"

Vice President Wilson laughed as he poured Ernst a glass, while winking at the Sargon dancers who were gracefully dancing on stage.

"Does Prime Minister Ernst have anyone he likes? Don't be shy, young and spirited girls, one, two? Or all of them?"

Ernst gave an awkward laugh, but before he could even wave his hand, a huge, dark green tail reached out and snatched the wine glass from his hand with a litheness that belied its size.

Holhaya had somehow appeared beside Ernst, smiled slightly at Vice President Wilson, took a sip from Ernst's cup in front of him, returned the cup to Ernst, and then smiled meaningfully again.

Vice President Wilson opened his mouth in understanding, a look of realization dawning on him, and rubbed his hands together:

“Indeed, indeed, I have said too much. Mr. Ernst probably looks down on these vulgar people from the desert.”

"I'm just an ordinary person."

Feeling the cool touch of the tail that had silently wrapped around him, Ernst gave a wry smile.

"However, it is indeed not necessary. Thank you for your kind offer, President Wilson."

When the president is not present, the word "vice" in "vice president" is unnecessary; this is a little trick for navigating officialdom.