People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

Reality isn't a tightrope walk; heroism and collectivism are mutually exclusive options. He can write about anything; there's nothing he's written about before that he can't write about again.

There's no need to get hung up on whether it's praise or criticism.

The suffering we endured should be recorded, and the blessings we enjoyed should be sung. The Tumu Fortress Emperor caused trouble and lost the battle, but does that mean the entire Ming Dynasty was rubbish?

There's a lot to write, but the only problem is that there's just too much.

But more isn't necessarily a bad thing. Some countries, even if they recorded everything that happened each year as history, only have a little over two hundred pages.

Regaining his composure, Ernst typed the first line of the main text:

"I am the chronicler, and in the chapter on the four ancient civilizations, we have laid the foundation for Ers."

"In the King Arthur spin-off, we tell the story of Ers's hero."

"Now, let's return to the main storyline. There is a civilization that has experienced the rise and fall of dynasties, the general trend of the world, the cycle of unity and division. It has witnessed the changes in the world order, from being a dominant force to receiving tribute from all nations, and then to being impoverished and weak, starting all over again. It has remained steadfast in the game of the world, with one opponent after another coming and going, but it has never left."

"You may have already heard its name in the section on the four ancient civilizations, learned about its oldest period, and been fascinated by the haze and exploration at the beginning of its civilization. But that is just the first stroke in its vast historical river."

"Welcome to the Chronicles of Erzley – China Chapter! Here's a little China-themed surprise for you!"

"Sister, are you really going to help Ernst compile books?"

Leaving Ernst's office, Ling, pulling her two younger sisters along, wanted to stroll around Sherag a bit more, but Xi remained somewhat restless.

"Isn't Sister Jie?"

Yi Ling waved his hand, indicating that Xi didn't need to say anything more:

"I am sure."

She wasn't drunk. She had thought about all the questions that Xi had considered.

Compiling books is indeed a sensitive matter. Especially since Jie Mei has already offended some people's interests because of this, and ultimately died, it's inevitable that people will see her, as the agent of the Year Beast, taking this path again as a provocation against the Great Yan.

But she didn't care.

Leaving aside the fact that carefree people are inherently unwilling to accept those rules and regulations, even if she acknowledges these things, so what?

At worst, Yan State can just ban the books she edited. What else can they do? Can they really arrest people across borders?

Even if Yan had the guts, Ernst wouldn't agree, let alone Ling believe it.

Sherag is not a puppet state of the Great Yan, and Ernst is not the "emperor" of the True Dragon. "Ers" is a vessel for him to express his nostalgia for Earth. He expresses his thoughts and feelings when he has nothing better to do, and incidentally leaves a trace of Earth's civilization on Terra. He still has to consider Yan's mood.

Wouldn't Ernst end up begging on his knees?

Just like the situation encountered with "The Four Ancient Civilizations", if Yan was dissatisfied with "The Chronicles of Erslie", it didn't matter. If you wanted to cut it, go ahead and cut it. Ernst had no say in your country's internal affairs and laws. But similarly, if Ernst republished it elsewhere, Yan had no say in it either.

"Friendly nations are astonished," so they can't do certain things themselves, which is truly "something that makes people burst out laughing."

Besides, Ernst didn't think Yan Guo would bother him over such a trivial matter.

He's no longer some nobody who has to kowtow to a country for the slightest displeasure. Putting aside his personal reputation, with the World Summit in the air and Colombia watching, given the current chaotic state of Yan, it's best for Yan to prioritize its own interests.

Many things aren't something others fear, but something we ourselves fear! Our fear isn't about what these things will actually cause, but about what others will think our actions will cause. So, we're so afraid from the start that we're unwilling to take any risks. We've already done it, and then we've mastered the art of canceling things in Souls 5, making it feel like a form of self-castration.

So a master is a master; this theory of "astonishment from friendly nations" is indeed insightful.

Moreover, Ling believes that Ernst must have investigated his siblings beforehand, and at the very least, he is well aware of their situation in Yan Country.

Since Erster wasn't afraid and was willing to invite her, what was there for Ling to be afraid of?

Just do it. If something really happens, for the sake of these poems, for this heart, for Ernst's care for him and his sisters, he is willing to step into the secular world and fight alongside Ernst.

At least on this point, she and her second brother were of one mind—this time, she would not let what happened to Jie Mei repeat itself!

Seeing her sister's determination, Xi didn't say anything more, but just pursed her lips and took Ling's hand.

Although she says she doesn't care about this or that, as the youngest sister who is cared for the most by her older brothers, sisters, and even younger brothers, Xi cares about all her brothers and sisters more than she appears on the surface.

Once she made the decision, she didn't say whether she supported or opposed it, but at the very least, she was definitely on her side.

However, she remained silent and didn't say anything, but kept glancing in one direction, which aroused Ling's curiosity.

"Nian, what are you looking at?"

Nian frowned, pouted, seemingly deep in thought, and turned around to ask:

"Sister Ling, can't you smell anything?"

"There's no good wine around here, but my nose is very sensitive," Ling said with a confident smile.

"I wasn't talking about the alcohol!" Nian rolled her eyes and looked in the direction she had been looking at again.

That's the direction of the train station.

"I'm referring to the fishy smell."

"No matter how much chili you add, you can't hide that fishy smell."

Shelag, towards the train station.

Another Snowfield Express train slowly arrived at the station, and the announcement welcoming passengers to Shelag sounded as two figures stepped off the train.

Wearing a thick sweater and heavy-rimmed glasses, he looked tired, perhaps due to jet lag. This was none other than Hermer, the President of the Human Rights Council.

The other woman, dressed in a long black dress with gray-white cotton socks, looked incredibly warm despite her thin clothing. She was also unusually energetic. This was none other than Talulah, the former leader of the Reunion Movement, who was now a lowly soldier.

"Ah!"

Himer sneezed, glanced at Talulah who was curiously looking around, and reminded her:

“The Sherag government is this way. Alina, accompany Mr. Bozokastie to the Sarkaz camp outside the city. Let’s not linger here.”

Sitarula nodded, a shadow of ignorance flashing in her eyes:

"Ok."

Even Shanlian herself didn't realize that she had said "okay" too quickly, as if she was impatient.

P.S.: I updated late today because I was busy going back to school during the day. Things should be back to normal tomorrow.

Chapter 659 Black Snake: I've become obedient, please let me go.

Shelag, Tukarim.

Black Serpent rarely leaves Ursus, let alone comes to such a remote place.

Duke Koschche is a political figure of some importance, though in Ursus, a duke who doesn't command an army is practically worthless. But at least he has plenty of experience and knowledge.

Even so, this was his first time visiting a place like Shelag.

Having taken refuge in Talulah's body and traveled thousands of miles to reach this place, his first impression was that this place was quite similar to Ursus now.

For example, it always snows, and the weather never seems to get warm. For example, there is a group of Sarkaz gathered outside the city, and there are also many Sarkaz coming and going inside the city. For example, there is Prime Minister Ernst, whom Hemer admires.

Just like His Majesty Fyodor on the throne of Ursus now, he is weak and hesitant, wanting to replace real war with a false peace, unaware that on Terra, the cost of war is simple—a few gray beasts are enough. But the cost of peace is far too great.

Not to mention the benefits. The benefits of war are numerous: it can foster national unity, boost the military industry and stimulate the domestic economy, divert internal conflicts, and acquire the resources needed for development. Even a temporary defeat can ignite a fire of revenge within the nation, uniting the entire country and unleashing unprecedented potential. It's practically all benefits and no drawbacks.

But what about peace?

Besides fostering a group of lazybones who live off state welfare, a group of public intellectuals who have nothing better to do than criticize the country for being unfree here and undemocratic there, and politicians who are full of lofty ideals and righteousness but only interested in worldly fame and fortune, what other meaning can it have?

What, you're saying that development can happen even in peace?

Then the black snake had something to say: People say, "Pressure is the driving force." What kind of pressure can peace bring to people?

Only war, the pressure of being on the brink of life and death, the pressure of fighting to the death, the pressure of revenge, can give birth to one incredible technology after another, create batches of unwavering warriors, and shape a great, strong, and glorious nation!

He could even cite countless examples—not just Ursus itself, but also Iberia, Gaul, and Victoria—which of them, after growing strong, did not choose to wage war against other countries?

You don't agree with Black Snake, fine, but are you going to say that the heroes of your country, those whose names are engraved on the Arc de Triomphe and the pillars of honor, were all wrong? That they chose to wage war because they were all fools?

Even from the perspective of cost-benefit comparison, the former and the latter are not even in the same league.

His theory is even closed-loop and flawless; as long as you follow his theory to deduce, you cannot arrive at any other answer.

He originally intended to use this same argument to seduce Talulah.

Unfortunately, just as he couldn't directly bewitch Emperor Fyodor, he also lost the opportunity to directly bewitch Talulah because of the interference of Ernst, whom he considered a "weakling."

So he came here and followed Talulah.

He wanted to get rid of Ernst, this troublesome person.

It's not just the trouble of leading Talulah off his predetermined path, but also the trouble of leading Terra away from the only path to glory—war—and onto a dead end!

However, he had heard that a deity was overseeing Sherag.

He wasn't particularly afraid of ordinary gods. As for behemoths, while he certainly couldn't defeat them—a single touch would probably reduce them to dust—there was absolutely no need for him to provoke them, was there?

He knew all too well how long the Black Serpent had lived and the nature of the behemoths. Which of those behemoths lurking in Ursus wasn't utterly indifferent and utterly uncaring towards humans? They seemed to be protecting the people nearby, but what was the reality? They were simply lying there, or perhaps hibernating. Once they awoke and wanted to leave, they wouldn't care whether there were human settlements nearby, or whether any humans worshipped them as gods.

They can leave without a second thought, causing landslides and earthquakes, resulting in countless deaths and injuries, without feeling the slightest bit of heartache. In fact, they might not even blink an eye.

Even if we take a step back and assume that the behemoth Sherag is slightly special and enjoys playing "civilization development games," that's fine too.

The word "civilization" is never synonymous with any one person.

Its greatness lies in the fact that the loss of one person, the death of one person, will not affect the continuation of civilization. The Black Serpent doesn't intend to destroy Sherag; he only wants to kill Ernst. Presumably, that [Yelagand] won't care about this minor incident.

If it's not a big deal, just apologize to Him and punish yourself with three cups of wine.

Besides, even in the worst-case scenario—if Jeragand is ruthless enough that even "crushing an ant" in His "city of civilized blocks" cannot be tolerated—then he might as well die.

Anyway, it's just Talulah who's being given away, and Talulah isn't even necessary.

6. Black Serpent only wanted to provoke a war, to make Ursus, this rusty war machine that was even trying to be converted into a tractor, roar again. Talulah's identity just happened to be suitable as a lubricant, so he used some means to try to use her.

But her absence wouldn't hinder anything. His snake scales covered Ursus, and there were countless alternatives. Replacing Talulah with any other duke, earl, or son of a king would have the same effect.

It's okay, it's all the same.

Of course, there is also a worst-case scenario.

That Jeragand of Sherag is so vicious and vindictive, and he happens to possess the power to restrain him, so he's in deep trouble.

But he personally thought that such a situation was unlikely to happen.

Why is a concept god a concept god? Isn't it because he's hard to kill? There aren't many behemoths to begin with, and the probability of encountering one that happens to counter him is even lower. And if that behemoth that counters him also wants to kill him, the probability is practically zero.

If this kind of thing were so easy to happen, how come that "God of Wine" from the Scarlet Theatre next door could still be so energetic?

Impossible, illogical, nonexistent.

Kill Ernst as soon as possible so he can go back to Ursus and cause more trouble!

"Here we are."

Hermer's voice came from not far away, and before they knew it, they had arrived at Hinterlea's desk.

The Kuranta girl seemed to be struggling with something, staring at the two amusement park tickets in her hand, clutching them so tightly they were almost worn out, but she couldn't come up with a solution. She didn't even notice Himer's arrival. It was Himer who finally spoke up to remind her:

"Miss Heartlea?"

Hinterlea abruptly looked up and asked reflexively, "Who are you looking for, Miss? Do you have an appointment?" Only after noticing that it was Himer did she give an awkward smile.

"Miss Himer is back? How's Ursus? I heard it's even colder there than in Shelag?"

"indeed."

Himer nodded.

"Sherrag is much warmer than Ursus."

At least here, she doesn't have to sleep with one eye open and the other closed at night.

"Where is Prime Minister Ernst?"

“He’s here.” Xin Wu Treya said, glancing at Talulah, “And who is this?” 42%

"The person Prime Minister Ernst is looking for, Talulah."

Hinterlea searched her memory to make sure she had no recollection of this person before politely nodding, though inwardly she pursed her lips.

Although it was their first meeting, for some reason, Talulah standing there gave her the feeling of being next to Raphsini.

If being next to Raphsini is like being next to a warm fireplace—relaxing and cozy—then being next to Talulah is like being next to a bonfire—warm, perhaps even a little too warm.

This feeling shouldn't normally be unpleasant, since everyone has a natural fascination with fire and light. However, Talulah's fire always gave her the feeling that while it appeared bright on the surface, it was on the verge of spiraling out of control, and that if she got too close, it would set her on fire and turn her into fuel.

Therefore, Hinterlea did not extend her hand to shake hands with Talulah, but instead frowned slightly and said to Himeru:

"The boss is busy, let me ask."

After saying that, she walked out from behind the counter and knocked on Ernst's door: