People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

She glanced at the contents of the letter. Apart from the strange, incomprehensible words about "pre-civilization," there didn't seem to be much else that was strange.

Isn't it just a very simple question?

Do you know Priscilla?

Ascalon asked.

Kal'tsit, who was about to jump off the table, froze.

"Don't you know Priscilla?"

Kal'tsit cast a pleading look at Ascalon.

"If you don't know Precys, you don't know him. Just tell Mr. Ernst the truth. Or is there some secret hidden in the name Precys?"

Ascalon's keen "sense of smell" detected something amiss, and tentatively asked,

"Is it related to the ancient civilization mentioned in the letter?"

"Don't ask, Ascalon, 9" = Umbrella "Lu Sizhong quN: Don't ask."

Kal'tsit said mournfully.

She covered her head, and even her ears drooped down.

"I don't want to hear that name. Let me catch my breath."

Ascalon pursed his lips, intending to offer some words of comfort, but seeing Kal'tsit's trembling legs and her face that had turned pale almost instantly, he could only shut his mouth, nod, and turn to leave, giving Kal'tsit some space to rest.

But before she could even leave the room, Kal'tsit's voice came from behind, a hoarse, breathless command:

"Askalon!"

"Get me a car!"

"I need to get back to Shelag, right now!"

Damn it, my mom is still pursuing me!

I can't let her bewitch the snow leopard I finally found!

Ernst, wait for me to come back!

P.S.: A quick note: In the last few chapters, I've basically clarified the backstory of the pre-civilization and Ernst. This setting has been tucked away in my outline for a long time, filling in many plot holes from the book and filling in some gaps in Yostar's lore. Of course, this is purely fan fiction; there's no need to use this setting to try and piggyback on Yostar's work—it has its own reasons.

I've been collecting reader feedback lately, and to be honest, it's a real dilemma. Some readers enjoy this kind of setting, while others prefer to skip these parts. Finding a balance is difficult, especially since these parts involve the protagonist. Too little explanation affects the protagonist's subsequent actions, character development, and motivations, making them difficult to understand. Too much explanation, on the other hand, takes up too much space. These are all 4,000-word chapters, which I wanted to cover as much as possible within a single chapter to ensure a fast pace and avoid dragging things out. But it seems I've still managed to prolong the story a bit. I'll continue to improve.

My daily update volume is guaranteed to be between 6 and 8 words, and I will continue to maintain this level in the future. Writing is a process of continuous improvement, and I hope to satisfy more readers in the future.

Chapter 653 Agor's Gaze

This is Terra, a place that no land-based civilization could ever reach, a place they had no knowledge of and could never understand.

But this is indeed Terra.

This is the ocean. It is the site of the Agor civilization.

4. Civilization is a much broader and grander term than "nation".

Ernst was frequently exposed to this concept as a child, such as Chinese civilization and Western civilization. Unlike nations, which are often distinguished by national power, ideology, or social system, civilizations place more emphasis on influence, historical heritage, and long-standing traditions. Therefore, the differences between different civilizations are far greater than those between different nations. It's like the West's view of China, and China's view of the West.

5. The same is true for Agor.

The land and the sea are two completely different natural environments, and the land civilization built by the land nations is also completely different from the sea civilization represented by Agor.

“Maritime civilizations are so unified, so advanced, and so much like the ancient civilizations they revere, while land-based civilizations are so backward and so fragmented that even after thousands of years, they still lack an organization that can represent everyone’s opinions, a forum where everyone can speak, and an awareness that defines civilization!”

In the intellectual arena of Milyarum, a deep-sea city in Agor, an Agorian scholar speaks freely.

"Land-based civilizations remain disorganized and have failed to recognize the responsibilities they should bear as civilizations. To this day, the mutual warfare they wage against each other in the capital of a country called Victoria is so brutal that it is truly regrettable."

“Agor has a duty to guide them and help them avoid some detours.”

As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes, and he said with heartfelt emotion:

"Because those things were things we went through bit by bit over the past thousands of years, through blood and tears!"

Having already suffered the pain of fratricide, they do not want their compatriots on land to suffer the same pain.

Having acquired the power to change the world, we hope to extend this power to our compatriots on land as well.

Having already surpassed all other civilizations, it hopes to use its abilities as the elder brother to help its compatriots on land awaken sooner.

The Agors do not see this as arrogance; they see it as compassion, responsibility, and what they believe to be the "eldest son of the ancient civilization" should do—to take over the family's responsibilities after their father's death!

People can refute him to their heart's content, just as he can speak freely here.

Because this is the "Battleground of Wits"—a place built by the Agorian philosopher Malitus, now found in every Agorian city, a place for people to exchange ideas and spark inspiration. Here, even if what you talk about is unconventional, as long as it doesn't violate Agorian law, it's allowed.

Yes, everything is permissible. Even if you were to discuss "how to assassinate the city's administrator, Agor's chief war architect, and the technical governor of the Social Administration Inspectorate—Ms. Clementsa herself" in Milalialium, you would still be forgiven.

Clementine might even appear in person to debate with you and praise your ingenuity, because if your reasoning can truly convince her that she is indeed at risk of being assassinated by thieves while in the city, then your reasoning will have essentially helped her fill in this loophole.

You are not a criminal who deliberately assassinated the leader; you are a hero who contributed to Agor's safety.

Such a thing would be impossible in countries like Victoria and Letania, where one could be punished for their words at any time.

There, if you utter the name Alistair, you'll be taken away by the Grey Hat. If a piece of paper in your home has Herhunzoren's real name on it, you'll be arrested by the Golden Law Guard! Not to mention publicly announcing your intention to assassinate the Duke of Caesar, or showing disrespect to Her Majesty the Queen, right under the noses of countless people.

You can try this if you want to clean up your family tree.

If you don't want to go there, you can go to Agor. They have always been concerned about this land.

Just like at this very moment, Clementine was watching the scholar giving a loud and passionate speech in the arena of wits, listening while lamenting his improper academic attitude.

After listening to a segment, she lost interest and got up to leave.

After all, that scholar's words were utterly baseless; he didn't even possess the latest information about terrestrial civilizations. To draw conclusions about a terrestrial civilization—which, though slow, was indeed constantly evolving—based solely on information from a few months or even a year ago was utterly ridiculous.

However, her getting up still caught the scholar's attention.

It is a great honor for the Consul to personally attend a speech. However, it is a disgrace for the Consul to suddenly leave during the speech, unless an emergency occurs.

Agor championed the liberation of humanity, believing that the value of the individual was paramount, so even "sacrifice" was considered unworthy of consideration. This was especially true of matters concerning one's future academic career and reputation within the academic community.

The scholar almost immediately steered the conversation to Clementine, who had gotten up.

“Our Consul is also here today.”

“Governor Clementsa, as the technical governor of the Social Administration Oversight Bureau, your understanding of terrestrial civilizations is certainly superior to mine. Are you rising to question me, to debate with me, or to agree with my views and to applaud me?”

Clementine chuckled to herself.

Can't I just not want to listen?

She is not the kind of person who enjoys stirring up trouble and controversy to gain attention. A ruler doesn't need to attract attention in that way.

She had intended to leave quietly, but clearly, that wish is no longer possible.

Since that's the case, she could only speak politely, patiently, and kindly:

"I simply disagree with your views. Your speech is full of clichés and stereotypes. Your understanding of terrestrial civilizations comes from a few outdated investigators' notes from who-knows-how-many years ago. You have no real understanding of our brother civilization that is not far from us, and your so-called guidance is more inclined to satisfy the narrow-minded vanity of your civilization. Although such arguments are allowed in the arena of wits, I still hope that you will be better prepared the next time you take that stage."

She paused, disregarding the scholar who had fallen silent and whose expression was somewhat unpleasant, and continued to offer a gentle and calm reminder.

"Furthermore, using the past suffering of the Agorians as a tool to attract attention and seek recognition is an extremely shameful act. In the arena of wits, I will treat such behavior as a linguistic skill in debate and turn a blind eye to it. However, if you intend to compile your remarks into a book and publish them on the public internet, I hope you will think it over and make some changes. Otherwise, I will consider re-evaluating your permission to debate in Milialium."

After speaking, she took a deep breath and bowed slightly to the audience and the scholars standing on the podium.

"above."

The scholar took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Clementa. Surprisingly, he wasn't angry; instead, he expressed his gratitude:

"Thank you for your reminder. I will pay attention to it."

Clementine smiled at him and turned to leave.

Behind her, the lectures in the arena of wits were not over, and the scholars' voices rang out again.

The deputy looked somewhat worried.

"Aren't you being a little too harsh on him by saying that?"

Clementine shook her head:

"Of course not. Those words were spoken in a battle of wits. They were my subjective evaluation of his speech. They do not constitute any defamation, slander, or attack."

"If he cannot even accept such criticism, he will not become a renowned scholar qualified to give independent speeches in the arena of intellectual debate."

Accept criticism and then correct your mistakes. That's what a scholar should do.

That's how the arena of wits works; public and private matters are clearly separated. Even when being interrogated inside, one cannot bring internal emotions out after leaving the arena.

Of course, not every Agorian can do this, but at the very least, the scholar must, and so must she, the technical governor. Otherwise, she would be disqualified.

Moreover, her words were not just venting nonsense, but a reasoned and well-founded reminder.

The changes on land are indeed significant, especially in the last two years.

Agor has always been observing the land. They have this ability, not only limited to Iberia, which is closest to them and with whom they have had brief exchanges, but also, if they wanted, they could see how many hairs Therese of Lontinim had lost, and how many dragon whiskers the Emperor of the Great Yan had stroked.

Of course, Agorwood wouldn't waste its precious computing power observing such trivial matters. Their focus remained on terrestrial civilizations and the nations that might become representatives of them.

From Sargon, to Yan, to Gaul, to Victoria, and now to Colombia.

Occasionally, special cases will appear that are not "main characters" but are worth their attention. For example, there is Otto, the most powerful Originium mage in the world in Letania; there is Mark Max, the president of Columbia who seems to be a legacy of a prehistoric civilization; and there is Ernst Shivaish, the young man of Kjerag.

They are all people who have brought about tremendous changes to the landscape of this land.

The Witch King's destruction of the Gallic vanguard spurred Victoria and Ursus to commit to the game.

Colombia under Mark Max’s rule developed rapidly and had surpassed Victoria, the so-called land hegemon, in some respects.

And Ernst Sivaish.

The World of Warcraft series is a very interesting idea.

Compared to the Agorians' "unity of civilization," which, as the scholar said, was achieved through millions of years of blood and tears, Ernst chose a method of reconciliation and compromise.

If Agor was the result of countless wars that allowed the torn flesh to grow back together, ultimately becoming the "civilization" that now rules over the entire ocean, then Ernst was the one who used adhesive to forcibly glue together a group of torn fragments.

The core is different, and it is not as stable as Agor, but at least the appearance is similar, and it can achieve a certain degree of unity.

Even Clementa had to admit that Ernst's actions were Argoll's most successful and outstanding contribution to the concept of "civilization" in the thousands of years of his observations over the past.

When Ernst convened the World Summit, Clementsa even wondered whether Agor should attend.

However, her application to travel to the mainland went unanswered.

Agor remained silent. For whatever reason, the rulers of this region were not prepared to make contact with the terrestrial civilization at this time.

Since that's the case, let's wait a little longer. (Yu Han)

Although she felt a great deal of regret for not being able to have a brilliant debate with that outstanding person on earth, Clementa still remembered her duty.

She had to prioritize Agor's interests.

Such as this moment.

As soon as she returned to the governor's office, the latest news came through the holographic projection in front of her.

That was a message from this region.

[Choose an opportune time to contact the landlocked nations of Colombia and Sheraco. Pay particular attention to Mark Max and Ernst Siwaësh. Make the rest of the decisions yourself.]

The message seems somewhat incomplete. It doesn't mention why they were contacting each other, or what the purpose of the contact would be.

But Clementa knew perfectly well why.

This is all thanks to the message that swept across the planet a few days ago.

That was a question.

This comes from Trevor Friston, the Preservator, questioning Priscilla.

The land-based nations may not have noticed this information, or perhaps they simply didn't. But Agor, which prides itself on being the "eldest son of prehistoric civilization," has never let its guard down.

It was received.

Clementa received it and passed the message on to Agor's territory.

Agor received it in his own territory as well. Although Clementa was not in his territory, she could imagine that the people at the Institute of Scientific Development Planning had held countless meetings overnight to discuss those old, tired issues.

Who is Precyth? Who is asking these questions? Should we send someone to make contact?

Clementa was still unsure of the conclusions to the first two questions. But regarding the last question, it seemed that a consensus had been reached within the region.

As the governor of Milialium—the underwater city of Agor closest to the land-based civilization of Iberia—and with the sea route between her homeland and Milialium almost completely blocked by the sea, making travel difficult, she naturally had no choice but to take on the responsibility of "sending an envoy"!