People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

"Huh? I gave infected people jobs, and now I have to pay them wages? And give them medicine to treat their illnesses?"

"They get all the good stuff, so what's the point of me making any money?"

This is indeed the case. By skipping the complex intermediate transaction process and directly addressing the problem at its source, these manufacturers pioneered a completely new slave-based business model and significantly reduced labor costs. As a result, they possessed a significant cost advantage when facing Rhodes Island. Rhodes Island, on the other hand, had to use expensive drugs to exchange for infected labor that others might not have paid a penny for. Moreover, this labor was not a one-time thing, but a continuous one, which had to be provided every month. If an infected person had a problem, additional money had to be spent on emergency treatment. The costs behind this are unimaginable.

How can she compete?

In fact, logically speaking, given Rhodes Island's situation, Hakimi would have been taught a lesson by Hayek long ago. The best way for Rhodes Island to break out of this predicament would have been to restructure into a state-owned enterprise, becoming a company whose influence and political significance outweighed its commercial benefits, much like the high-speed rail company. Then, by having a powerful backer, it could have conducted technological research without worrying about funding.

However, Rhodes Island has far greater ambitions and is unlikely to submit to anyone, thus creating this rather awkward situation. Therefore, Ernst's money is truly important to them!

Wherever Ernst's influence reached, money proliferated.

Some of the ordinary operators on Rhodes Island even started to spread some unfounded rumors. Such as Ernst is actually a hidden major shareholder of Rhodes Island, Kal'tsit didn't hide her history of serving Ernst as an advisor for free, and Amiya is actually Ernst's child, etc. Fortunately, these were just private jokes and didn't spread, so Kal'tsit didn't pay much attention to them.

However, this also proves that in the eyes of many Rhodes Island operators, Ernst has indeed done too much for Rhodes Island, and Rhodes Island has stayed in Kjerag for too long these past two years.

“There’s nothing wrong with this, Amiya. It’s all for the development of Rhodes Island.”

"Sherlock is a focal point of international politics today. Rhode Island's presence here has its advantages and disadvantages, but overall, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Aren't all the deals we secured at the World Summit proof of that?"

Kal'tsit spoke slowly, and Amiya, standing beside her, gave a wry smile, reached out, and poked Kal'tsit's shoulder:

“I know you’re right, Dr. Kal’tsit, but you should also take a look at this.”

"what?"

Kal'tsit turned around and took the document from Amiya's hand with a suspicious look.

"A ticket."

Amiya said,

"A document issued by the Duke of Caesar concerning your dangerous driving."

Kal'tsit: "

The lynx's lips twitched. She was a smart woman; how could she not see that the Duke of Custer was deliberately picking a fight?

She admitted that she had indeed sped a little on her way from Lentinium back to Kjerag for the International Summit, and that the speeding occurred within the Duchy of Caesar's territory. However, the Duchy of Caesar hadn't sent her a ticket at the time, and the Duke of Caesar hadn't raised any objections after she arrived at the International Summit. Why, then, did she send the ticket now?

Hmph, what else could it be? It's just that she offended Duke Caesar by explaining the Sarkaz airships and undead at the World Summit.

Given the Duke of Custer's personality, if she gets hold of something against him, wouldn't he be eager to retaliate?

To Kal'tsit, this method of revenge was childish, but unfortunately, the child's blows were indeed painful, and she simply had no way to retaliate.

Looking at that astronomical number, Kal'tsit knew that several of the orders she had signed were essentially wasted.

It's impossible to not submit a search query.

If she didn't pay, she'd become a dishonest company. Her huge order from Lentinium was still there; a company without credibility couldn't possibly handle the bulk of that business. Losing a little money here wasn't a big deal, but the Lentinium order was entrusted to her by Ernst. If she messed it up, how would she explain herself when he returned?

Not to mention, beyond the economic interests, there are also complex political issues.

Either way, she can only accept her bad luck.

"Pay it over. Rhodes Island should have enough funds on hand."

Kal'tsit sighed and waved her hand.

Amiya nodded and was about to go make the arrangements when Kal'tsit suddenly called her back:

"Amiya."

"What's wrong, Dr. Kelsey?"

Have you noticed anything unusual lately?

Kal'tsit asked,

"For example, if you feel unwell, or experience any sensations in your bloodline, or if there's a problem with the ring on your hand, or if the black crown reacts in any way?"

Amiya tilted her head in slight confusion:

"No, Dr. Kal'tsit, I'm perfectly healthy. Thank you for your concern."

"Really do not have?"

“No.” Amiya shook her head.

Kal'tsit then nodded, indicating that Amiya could leave.

There was a reason she asked that. Lately, she'd been feeling uneasy, as if she were constantly being watched.

When did this restlessness begin?

Upon closer examination, it might have started from when she received that "letter from an ordinary Sarkaz"?

No0,☆思叁呜琉蒐索�uN: It's that time period, but not that specific time. It should be a little earlier.

But she herself didn't know why this strange situation occurred.

Kal'tsit is considered one of the more experienced people on Terra, but the only one who has ever given her a similar feeling is the Doctor.

To help Theresa, she commanded the Tower of Babel to excavate Rhodes Island in Rembiton, and then opened the Doctor's Sleeping Ground located deep within Rhodes Island, releasing one of her creators, a "god" from a previous civilization. Since then, she has often felt this kind of unease.

It is said that even when a person is asleep, they will sense if someone is watching them closely and will wake up involuntarily. Cats are even more sensitive, and Kal'tsit is no exception.

This feeling, like a needle constantly pricking you, is truly unbearable. That's why Kal'tsit would ask Amiya, because Amiya is the Demon Lord of this generation. The Demon Lord governs the "sustainability of civilization," can use some of its powers, and possesses stronger perception. If something were to happen, she might be able to sense it or make some changes.

But Amiya's answer was "no".

Perhaps I'm overthinking it?

Kal'tsit closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled, trying to calm herself down.

She was probably too tired, even though she seemed to have only done a little bit of work during this time.

She closed her eyes and didn't open them again; exhaustion urged her to fall asleep quickly.

She rarely dreams, but this time, perhaps because she had been thinking about it all day, she had a dream, which is quite unusual.

In her dream, she stood atop an unnamed cliff near Londinium. The distant battlefield had transformed into a purgatory overgrown with Originium crystals. The sky was stained a strange, bloody red by the cataclysmic events. Large, visible Originium crystal dust particles swirled and danced in the air. The high-speed warships that had supported Victoria's glorious past were now broken skeletons, scattered across the battlefield, covered in dense Originium, their original forms unrecognizable.

And those people, if they can still be called human, have become Originium crystals, like sculptures, standing densely on the scorched earth that was once a battlefield.

Everything was so quiet, except for the natural disaster brewing in the sky, which was venting its anger with thunder, and the howling wind blowing through the gaps between the Originium crystal clusters, bringing with it a bloody smell, like a mournful wail.

There is no human voice.

Kal'tsit had seen battlefields far more brutal than this. When Gaul fell, the flesh and blood of Lingons being torn apart by Wellington's sword was far more visually striking than the battlefield before her.

But she had never seen such a bizarre battlefield.

Everything was so strange. Even if a natural disaster really broke out on the battlefield, there should be one or two survivors, right?

Even if everyone is affected by the natural disaster, the infected should at least explode, instead of turning into crystal sculptures like they are now.

Even if a rare situation occurred where both the Victorians and the Sarkaz abandoned the area and sealed it off, there should at least be some kind of signage or something, right?

Moreover, did the World Summit not respond?

Kal'tsit instinctively reached for her terminal. They were very close to Londinium, already on the edge of the intercity network coverage area. From here, she could contact Heidi in the city, or the messenger, or Ernst.

But looking at the terminal that showed no signal, she immediately understood the situation.

The extremely high concentration of Originium brought about by the natural disaster interfered with all communication signals in the surrounding area.

"Tsk!"

She clicked her tongue and was about to leave when a voice came from behind her.

It was an elegant, rational voice, yet one that concealed a hint of distortion and madness:

"The imperial city, stretching for thousands of miles, has been reduced to ashes."

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

Kal'tsit found the voice somewhat familiar.

She turned around, and the figure behind her was wearing a tattered black robe, with silver horns and a Baphomet mask on his face that were particularly eye-catching.

Wu Lu Lu Shan Tai "Ti" Shu qun: "Master of Pardons?"

She spoke coldly, slightly turning her body to assume a defensive posture, ensuring she could unleash mon3tr at any moment, before asking:

"You're all here, but where is Theresis?"

However, the next second, the pardoner's answer made Kal'tsit feel a little strange.

He uttered a single word lightly:

"Who?"

After speaking, he seemed to notice the fleeting surprise on Kal'tsit's face, and proactively and gently explained:

"I'm sorry, my memory has been erased."

“He said it was a small act of revenge.”

Him?

A few doubts flashed through Kal'tsit's mind. The Exorcist wasn't anyone's follower; these lawless Sarkaz were the most faithless people. Who could he possibly call "He"?

And, there is another problem.

"Then how do you know me?"

Since your memories have been erased, how do you know me, Kal'tsit?

Lying? No, it's no secret that the Pardoner knows Theresis, so why lie about it?

Moreover, the idea of ​​erasing memories is strange in itself, so isn't it even stranger to use a strange answer to cover up a question that wouldn't normally arouse suspicion?

The pardoner remained gentle and calm.

This time, however, he did not answer, but instead bowed slightly to Kal'tsit.

Towards Kal'tsit.

Without a moment's hesitation, Kal'tsit turned around abruptly.

Almost pressed against her face, eyes facing the glasses, nose to nose, she saw the ever-present rhombus in the pale purple eyes.

"Ho!"

She suddenly woke up with a start, her forehead already covered in cold sweat!

Chapter 623 I Save the Feathered Serpent, You Save the Lynx: Terra Animal Protection in Action

It's a ghost! It's a ghost! It's a ghost!

Kal'tsit will probably never forget that figure in her lifetime.

But how did she suddenly appear?

Kal'tsit's feelings were complicated. If she had to describe it, it was like a cat that was causing a ruckus at home, pushing everything off the table, and its eyes met those of its owner who had just returned home early from get off work.

Embarrassment, fear, regret, dread—the palette of emotions might be a little limited. If Amiya were here, she would surely be able to deeply feel Kal'tsit's emotions, greatly enhancing her understanding of this ability to perceive emotions, which she could definitely apply next time!

But none of these emotions are the most important.

The important thing is "her".

The Doctor wasn't here, so theoretically, there shouldn't be anything that could attract her attention. Kal'tsit didn't think her recent actions had anything that could wake her up. Admittedly, she and Ernst had subtly revealed some information about the previous civilization and herself through roundabout riddles, but that hadn't violated the rules she had set in her own program.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have had the chance to say it at all.

What could have made her suddenly give me such a "surprise"?

Kelsey now understands Ernst's near-PTSD feelings about "surprise." Anyone would be startled by this scene and this jumpscare.

Something must have happened in the internalized universe. Could it be that something went wrong with Dr. Seal's Chernobog sarcophagus?

That shouldn't be the case! Our previous civilization's technology was the best in the universe! Whether it's the sarcophagus on Rhodes Island or the one in Chernobog, it wouldn't necessarily break down even after hundreds or thousands of years of use. Besides, she specifically checked it before putting the Doctor in the coffin.

Kal'tsit's expression was somewhat gloomy.

There are two possibilities now.

First, and less likely, she really did just have a dream. But no matter how she thought about it, the dream just now was too "real," and the coincidences were too strange. Even Kal'tsit herself found it hard to believe.

She didn't appear directly in front of him, and there were no reports of any large-scale Originium eruptions on Terra. This suggests that she hasn't fully awakened and separated from the internalized universe yet, or at least doesn't intend to start the Originium Project immediately.

Although I don't know why, at least it's an opportunity.

The scene revealed in her dream was the battlefield of Londinium, a war that seemed to have no chance of turning around. However, it appeared that there were still some hidden dangers that she had not yet noticed.