People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

"And the price?" Ernst asked.

“No need, no cost whatsoever.” Mark Max shook his head. “You are approved by Father, your will is my will. It’s just a few people, what’s the point of talking about costs?”

"If you are willing, I can also promise you the positions of Vice President and President."

"No need for that. I'm doing fine now."

Ernst took the hand of Holhaya beside him, as if issuing a declaration of rejection, or as if searching for an anchor.

Holhaya was slightly taken aback, then gripped his hand tightly in return.

Mark Max nodded indifferently:

"Then it's up to you. I'll send these people to your Sherag."

"I hope we can establish more collaborations in the future, my esteemed treasure."

"I would prefer that you call me by my name."

Ernst said seriously,

“I am Ernst Shivaesh.”

A "treasure" sounds precious, but it's ultimately an inanimate object; he is a living, breathing person.

From his birth to his rule, and up to the present, everything he has done has been for the sake of living like a human being, and, within his power, to enable more people to live like human beings.

It's somewhat unfair to attribute all his efforts to a "treasure" simply because of a failed past that has been buried under the lumberjack's axe.

Ultimately, what's the point of saving and preserving civilization if there are no people left?

I gave up my shell to save you, but who will save me?

"Ernst".

Holhaya whispered in her ear.

This was one of the few times Ernst heard her call his name.

A slight smile appeared on his lips.

Mark Max gave the smiling Ernst a deep look, then nodded again:

"As you wish, Prime Minister Ernst."

How he is addressed is not important to him.

After all, Ernst was "consistent."

Chapter 643 Kal'tsit: I'm ready to explain

Victoria, near Lentinium.

Kal'tsit has been keeping a close eye on news from Colombia.

News of Ernst's invitation to visit Colombia had spread throughout Terra, and photos of the "friendly meeting" between President Mark Max and Ernst were published on the front pages of countless newspapers, overshadowing even the fighting in Lentinium for a time.

It may sound sad, but that's the truth. Even with explosive news like war, even with countless people losing their lives in this conflict every day, humans are just that kind of creature—unable to empathize with each other's joys and sorrows, loves and hates. As the magic of time gradually takes effect, the excitement will eventually fade away, leaving only a mess behind.

Fortunately, this kind of mess is what Kal'tsit wanted to see.

It would be best if the war in Londinium didn't continue to draw excessive attention from Terra. This might not be a good thing for the Sarkaz.

Ernst's cut was quick, precise, and effective, but there will always be people who equate the Sarkaz extremists in Lentinium with all Sarkaz. Whether they have ulterior motives or genuinely don't understand the difference, they will, in fact, have a negative impact on the normalization of Sarkaz.

This is a normal thing; Kelsey couldn't stop it, and Ernst couldn't do anything about it either.

He had experienced similar situations many times in his previous life. Even though he knew that only a small number of extreme terrorists would "Allahu Akbar," some people still regarded all Middle Easterners as thugs.

Minimize their impact; that's the most useful thing Kal'tsit can do.

Incidentally, keep an eye on whether Ernst and Mark Max have any conflicts.

Mark Max was the "tyrant" of Columbia, and Kal'tsit knew it all too well. That guy was utterly inhuman; nothing he did would be surprising.

Back in the Colombian War of Independence, Kelsey visited the country and had a conversation with Mark Max. Melander Selene, then the "Father of the Colombian Federation," invited her to serve as Vice President of Colombia, joining Mark Max as the "eternal rulers" of the country, thus eliminating the need for a separate vice president.

But Kal'tsit refused.

She saw through Mark Max's true nature right then and there. His words, "In Columbia, you can better showcase your talents," sounded nice, but they were nothing more than "showcasing your talents within the boundaries set by Mark Max." If he didn't want Kal'tsit to do something, even if she really wanted to, he would obstruct it in every way possible.

If he were truly provoked, Kal'tsit had no doubt that Mark Max would kill her. He was a machine, with extreme violence and ruthless madness hidden beneath a surface of rationality.

He is a machine that "views Terran civilization entirely from the perspective of a pre-civilization," arrogant, contemptuous, and indifferent, which is etched into every program of his.

He couldn't understand Terra, and he couldn't save Terra.

Kelsey was even worried that after meeting Ernst, he might force Ernst to do something he didn't want to do.

Given Ernst's personality, if he refuses, will Mark Max hold a grudge?

While it's unlikely even Mark Max would kill Ernst in front of the whole world, he could certainly pull off a whole host of underhanded tactics.

Killing a king in the street is an abstract concept, but there have been countless instances of quietly poisoning someone throughout history.

However, it seems there are no problems now.

Kal'tsit breathed a slight sigh of relief.

But it's not completely loose.

Mark Max didn't fall out with Ernst, but that was just the most basic step; Kelsey still had many things to watch out for.

After all, Mark Max's identity and what he knew were extremely sensitive matters. Kal'tsit was extremely cautious about everything concerning the pre-civilization era.

She rarely mentioned the pre-civilization era to Ernst, precisely because she didn't want him to be exposed to truths that were still too early for him—like a long jumper who had achieved good results in several consecutive long jumps, and then you suddenly tell him, "Next, we're going to jump off a cliff. The gap between the two sides of this cliff is a hundred meters, or even a thousand meters. If you don't jump over it, you'll fall to your death. Okay, let's jump now." Guess how he would feel?

Those with a better mindset might not believe it at all, thinking, "You're just joking around and making fun of me, get lost!"

Those with a weaker mentality might give up on the spot.

Kelsey didn't want to see Ernst step down; she wanted him to keep going.

Therefore, you should eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time. If you take too big a step, you might choke on your egg.

But this time, Kal'tsit felt she should probably be prepared.

Given Mark Max's extreme personality, it was almost inevitable that he would have to say something to Ernst; it was just a matter of how much he said and how profound the content was.

She needed to have a contingency plan in place so that when Ernst returned, she could promptly help translate and explain, and find a way to curb Ernst's curiosity.

It shouldn't be too difficult; Ernst has always been very cooperative.

As for the questions, Mark Max probably won't go into too much depth. Let's prepare for now regarding the three questions: "What was the pre-civilization? How powerful was the pre-civilization? And what races were involved in the pre-civilization?"

That should be about it; Mark Max probably won't reveal that much anyway.

Silently confirming her own thoughts, Kal'tsit took a deep breath.

Despite her words and thoughts, what she really needs to consider now is how to ensure she can go back.

After all, she has now truly "seen the big ones".

“Ms. Kelsey, I know you’re from Ernst’s side. Just tell me what information you have.”

Summoned by the Duke of Windermere, Kal'tsit entered the war room of the Windermere flagship and met the current commander of the Allied forces.

Windermere was still wrapped in many bandages and even needed crutches to stand up with difficulty.

Clearly, Therese's raid left her with severe injuries, far more tragic than the "great victory" she described in her letter.

She gazed at Kal'tsit, clearly hoping she would bring some good news. But Kal'tsit could only sigh inwardly.

There is no good news, only bad news, and worse news.

“Duke Windermere, I was not sent by Ernst, but I have come here for the war.”

"I have to warn you."

She paused, carefully considering her words, but in the end, she could only express her worries in the simplest and most straightforward way.

"The weapons inside Londinium are at risk of being activated."

"Are there still weapons in Londinium that haven't been activated?" Duke Windermere grinned and asked with a wry smile.

But Kal'tsit nodded firmly:

"some."

“That was a superweapon that Victoria acquired. I think you’ve heard of it.”

"The Shard".

Kal'tsit couldn't say for sure how destructive the Shards were, because she wasn't entirely certain either.

Her bizarre dream only showed her the final devastation of the Londinium battlefield, and the towering Originium crystal clusters that were once part of the Shattered Tower in the distant city that was no longer recognizable as Londinium.

But she couldn't be sure how the weapon, which was supposed to be damaged, was repaired, how well it was repaired, or what kind of power it could unleash.

She could only say the worst and hoped that the Duke of Windermere was prepared.

Sure enough, Duke Windermere fell silent upon hearing the name "The Shard".

After a moment, she shook her head:

“The Sarkaz could not possibly control the power of the Shard. That’s Victoria’s weapon. And it was never even finished.”

“I know.” Kal’tsit nodded, unexpectedly confirming Duke Windermere’s words.

She wasn't lying; she initially thought so too. This was why, even though she knew Theresis was extremely powerful, she still believed the Sarkaz were destined to fail in Londinium.

But now, things are different.

If the figure she saw in her dream wasn't just an illusion, then the one who controls the Shards is far more than just a simple "Sarkaz."

The person Kal'tsit couldn't bring herself to say was fully capable of repairing the Shard Tower and, with its power, spreading Originium across the land.

Sarkaz was merely a pawn in her game.

Kal'tsit's answer left Windermere speechless.

She looked at Dr. Felin, who had short, light green hair, with a puzzled expression, as if trying to figure out what she was thinking.

Kal'tsit did not evade the question, but insisted: Group

"Your Grace, please prepare accordingly."

"This battle will not be easy."

The Duke of Windermere staggered, and after a long while, she took a deep breath and straightened her body:

"I see."

"Victoria will give it her all."

The Iron Palace in the city of Londinium.

Theresa returned to Lentinium.

As soon as she returned to the operations room, she saw someone she hadn't seen in a long time.

The white-horned demon dressed as a pardoner stood beside Theresis, his face obscured by a golden Baphomet mask, which made his identity even easier to discern.

"Quesatushta, you're back?"

"Yes, Your Highness the Demon King."

Quesatushta bowed slightly and greeted Theresa.

"Although the journey was arduous, thanks to the guidance of the gods, I was able to return to our camp in time."

"Not only that, I also brought back valuable technology."

"Technology?" Theresa frowned slightly.

The answer to her question came not from Quesatushta, but from Theresis, who stood beside Quesatushta.

The general nodded, then opened his mouth meaningfully:

"The technology to repair The Shard."

Chapter 644 Second Visit to the Preservator

Ernst needs a brief pause to analyze the information he has acquired, and so does the Preservator.

The words “Treasure” uttered before leaving were profound. The Preservator was certain that when “Treasure” first met him, his memories of himself were indeed blank. The bewilderment on Ernst’s face when he first mentioned Precyth was genuine.

After the "debate," he brought up the name again on his own initiative.