People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

It has a similar feel to giving British civil servants a "garden vacation".

The Grand Tutor didn't offer any hints in the letter. What exactly did His Majesty the Dragon mean?

Ning Ciqiu felt that he hadn't done a bad job that year; even if he hadn't made any great contributions, he certainly wasn't guilty. His grandfather's letters hadn't mentioned any problems on his end, so why did this "secret edict" suddenly appear?

She really wanted to say, "This is a chaotic order; I will not obey!"

Unfortunately, I can't come.

Since she's been summoned back, what can she do? The Yan Kingdom's New Year is in mid-February, and now that half of January has passed, she has to set off by the end of the month at the latest, or she won't make it in time.

"Miss Ning?"

"Miss Ning? What's wrong?"

Two calls brought her back to her senses. Ning Ciqiu looked up and realized that almost everyone in the hall had left, except for Miss Mostima, the representative of Laterano, and Miss Vina, the representative of Sherag, who stood beside her and asked with concern:

"Miss Ning, are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

Ning Ciqiu shook her head:

"No, it's nothing, I was just spacing out."

Mostima and Vina exchanged a glance, and it was Vina who spoke first:

"Is it about the letter from China, Miss Ning?"

"Ok?"

Ning Ciqiu's expression changed, and she became nervous.

“Swelling” zhuAnQuN: Qiuba 2 fen (Three How did you know?)

Mostima shrugged:

"The letter was delivered through the international messenger network, Miss Ning. Who do you think manages the international messenger network?"

"Don't worry, we don't dare to look at the contents of the letter; it's a state secret. I only know that Yan Kingdom sent a letter."

Ning Ciqiu's lips twitched slightly.

She admired Mostima's honesty, but she had no way to refute him.

It doesn't seem like what they're doing is illegal. After all, what's wrong with a messenger occasionally checking a delivery address? If this is illegal, then why bother delivering mail?

Moreover, it's impossible that the Grand Tutor was unaware of this. He could have easily used Yan's own messengers, but he specifically chose the messengers from Wan Guo, which must have been for a reason.

As for whether her unusual behavior was due to that letter, that was purely Mostima's speculation. She was simply too shrewd and was tricked into revealing herself.

"To be honest, it is because of this matter."

Since she had already been seen through, Ning Ciqiu didn't hide it and nodded.

"But I must tell you both that the contents of the letter are confidential."

"It's okay, I already know even if you don't say it."

Vina smiled somewhat helplessly.

"Because there was more than one letter."

She pulled another letter from her pocket and waved it in front of Ning Ciqiu.

"The letter also mentioned that Yan Kingdom wants to recall you. But whether you can complete your mission is not up to us."

"We have to wait for Ernst to come back."

"My mission?"

A question mark appeared above Ning Ciqiu's head.

What task did I get?

"Why that expression?"

Vina blinked, somewhat surprised.

"Didn't Yan Guo invite Enlingst to visit? And they even asked you to be their guide?" (4sanliu)

"Ok?"

Ning Ciqiu let out a sleepy, deer-like sound.

Wait a minute, she didn't say that in her letter.

In her letter, Zhenlong only said one thing: that she should go back and reunite with her grandfather.

They didn't ask her to invite Ernst to visit, nor did they ask her to be their guide.

Moreover, she couldn't disobey the imperial decree. How could she reunite with her grandfather while also acting as Ernst's guide? Should she guide Ernst to her own home?

Seemingly sensing something amiss, Vina's eyes sharpened instantly. She suddenly leaned closer and whispered, "..."

"That's not what was written in your letter?"

"I can't say that."

"It's alright, Miss Ning. You've been thinking about this letter lately, so you haven't been sleeping well and have become a bit forgetful. You took the letter out and forgot to put it back; it just fell on the table, and some cleaning lady accidentally picked it up. That's really unfortunate, isn't it?"

"Right, right?"

Ning Ciqiu stared wide-eyed in shock.

You Victorians, how dare you?! You actually dare to do something like this?

Vina clicked her tongue slightly, looking at Ning Ciqiu's expression, and coaxed her gently:

"Of course that's right, it makes perfect sense, doesn't it?"

Ning Ciqiu looked at Mostima beside her.

Mostima silently turned his gaze away.

Ning Ciqiu remained silent for a moment, considered it carefully, and then waved his hand:

"It's nothing really. It's just to let me go home and reunite with my grandfather."

"That's it?" Vina raised an eyebrow.

"That's it." Ning Ciqiu nodded.

"hiss--"

Vina squinted her eyes.

has a problem!

The true dragon is not honest!

Chapter 906 Fremont: The Family Tree Begins Separately, Right Now!

The floating city of Kazdelnia, the government hall.

The Kazdelnia City Management Committee is currently the only city management body in the country. After initial preparations, it has now basically copied, cough cough, and established a basic government framework.

As a figurehead leader, Nasti was responsible for the overall macro-management of the country, but she rarely actually managed anything herself. Firstly, she lacked the talent in this area and had little interest in politics. Secondly, she was mostly responsible for researching and adjusting the construction, energy, and technology of the Kazdel floating city, so she largely delegated authority to Hadley.

Hedley, the legendary Sarkaz mercenary, was somewhat well-known in Scarred Market, the old mobile city of Kazdel, and even the old Military Council. But all that is in the past. Now, when Sarkaz people mention him, their first reaction is: Isn't that the Chief Administrator?

Hadley was a humble man, but he accepted this title with complete ease, famously saying:

"Back then, if it weren't for Mr. Ernst's recommendation, I might still be writing my own 'History of the Sarkaz War' in the wilderness!"

"Of course, there's nothing wrong with writing 'The History of the Sarkaz War.' Being an official or carrying manure, it's all serving the Sarkaz, right? It's just that being able to join the Kazdelnia City Management Committee would open up a whole new world for me!"

Thanks to him, a reading craze has now taken hold in the Sarkaz. Although not many Sarkaz people are literate, most households still keep a copy of "The History of the Sarkaz Wars" on hand, which is quite remarkable.

"Actually, I think those Sarkaz are just trying to curry favor with you."

Kazdelnia's Ambassador to the World Summit, Lich Fremont, commented.

Kazdelnia hovers above the wasteland of Kjerag. Using the lich's mode of transportation, Fremont can easily clock in at the World Summit in the morning and return to Kazdelnia to rest and sleep in the evening.

He overheard about this incident by chance and couldn't help but make a comment.

Hedley, however, didn't seem to care:

"Whether it pleases me or not, even if it's just for show, it's better than the old days when they would use the books as firewood."

How could Hedley not see what those Sarkaz were up to?

With Theresis's defeat and Theresia's formal recognition, the number of Sarkaz pouring into Kazdelnia is increasing. Nasti is constantly busy building new floating platforms to expand Kazdelnia's area and accommodate more Sarkaz. The only people truly in charge of Kazdelnia now are himself, the Chief Administrative Officer; Fremont, the Ambassador; and Cyclops [Eye], the Minister of Security.

The remaining Lamaren was either cuddling with her eldest son or having afternoon tea with Theresa, clearly having no intention of getting deeply involved in politics. Theresa would occasionally check on the workings of Kazdelnia, but due to her status, it was impossible for her to be given any important position to share the burden in the short term.

Fremont and [Eye] are both Lords of the Royal Court. Although there are no special privileges or benefits for Lords of the Royal Court in Kazdelnia, prejudice in people's hearts is a mountain. The Royal Court's prestige has lasted for ten thousand years. When a Lord of the Royal Court really stands in front of you, how many Sarkaz would feel no fear at all?

This fear makes them sometimes even afraid to try to please others.

Only Hadley, with his high position and power, made people less afraid. Over time, naturally, more and more people tried to curry favor with him.

Hedley saw all of this, but he did not stop it.

"Changing people's perceptions is very difficult. But there is a simpler way: weaken their sense of sacredness."

Hedley stated bluntly,

"Before Mr. Ernst came to power, the Sherag people worshipped the Manjusaka and the Saintess chosen by Jeragand. This belief was considered an unshakable truth by the Grand Elder! But now, if you ask the Sherag people who they admire most, you will surely get a different answer."

“Mr. Ernst is actually the Holy Son of Jeragand, but now, the people of Sherag are used to calling the current ruler of Sherag ‘Prime Minister,’ and even the people of Sherag generally regard the Manjusin as a purely religious institution with a not low status but which is not involved in politics.”

"This is the gradual change, and it's what I'm doing—if we can't make all the Sarkaz stop fearing the Royal Court and stop remembering the Demon King's era overnight, then at least we can slowly graft their fear of the Royal Court's power and their submission to the Demon King's divinity onto the new system of the Kazdelnia City Management Committee."

"In this way, I believe that over time, the Sarkaz will gradually change."

Fremont remained silent for a moment. He wasn't angry at Hadley's "treasonous" description of the royal court, even though he was also a ruler of a royal court.

He was genuinely considering the feasibility of Hadley's suggestion, and after a long while, he raised a question:

“Hedley, you’ve overlooked one point: the Sarkaz are a long-lived race, so our thought processes evolve much more slowly. By doing this, you might be creating a new Demon Lord.”

Hedley nodded: [Collect]

Even so, it's okay.

"If someone without a black crown becomes the worldly recognized king of Sarkaz, then that would be a kind of progress for Sarkaz."

From an era where the black crown was chosen by some ethereal "god" and whoever became the demon king, to a time when the demon king was a powerful and influential figure, inheriting the traceable feudal era, how can this not be considered progress?

"Moreover, even if we take a step back and the Black Crown does fall on any of our heads, it doesn't matter."

Hedley waved his hand:

"Mr. Ernst has already solved this problem for us, hasn't he?"

"What determines who rules Kazdelnia now is no longer that black crown that appeared at some unknown time and for some unknown reason. We have something more real, something that concerns the lives of all Sarkaz, which can serve as a symbol."

Fremont suddenly realized.

Anana.

Indeed, it seems Ernst has considered things more deeply than they have.

The abolition of the sacredness of the crown and the replacement of the Sarkaz leader with the holder of the Anana was indeed a far-reaching event.

The recognition and joining of the last Demon King Theresa validated their legitimacy and eliminated the potential threat of enemies supporting the Demon King and thus splitting the Sarkaz.

Even though he has expressed his feelings many times before, Fremont still has to say it again—Ernst has truly done everything he could for the Sarkaz!

“Mr. Fremont, actually, I also have something I'd like to discuss with you.”

"Hedley suddenly said."

Fremont nodded, signaling Hedley to speak frankly.

"I think we can change our names."

"We who are homeless are Sarkaz; we who have homes are Tiqaz. Mr. Ernst mentioned this ancient concept during the ceremony for the transmission of Anana; perhaps we can take this opportunity..."

Fremont swallowed hard.

He had to admit that, as an old lich who had lived for countless years, he was genuinely tempted at this moment.

A surge of power, seemingly originating from the depths of his blood, even caused him to feel his heart racing uncontrollably.

Tikkaz!

What an ancient name, what a sacred name, what a desirable name!