People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

Therefore, he had to go, and not only had to go, he also had to be prepared.

Ensiodes said seriously, "Ernst, I plan to bring a mace with me to the Duchy of Kestlü this time. What about you?"

Jian was a three-time champion of the Kazimierz Knights Tournament, an idol and role model for countless knights. Her retirement caused a huge stir at the time, with fans both domestically and internationally feeling it was a great pity that such a knight champion, who didn't engage in scandals, fandoms, or marketing, and who let her skills speak for themselves, chose to leave the stage. This even sparked a wave of "Black Knight Memorials."

The result was the successful organization of several memorial events that led outsiders to mistakenly believe that the person in the photo frame was dead, prompting them to leave comments with "RIP," as well as Black Knight commemorative dolls, T-shirts, and various other merchandise that sold out three times.

They may not have realized at all why the Black Knight retired.

Putting all that aside, the Black Knight's strength is undeniable. At least, during Ensiodis's first encounter with the Mace, she single-handedly repelled several waves of Unarmored Alliance assassins and even broke more than one Xuan Tie Grandmaster arrow.

With her around, Enshiodis would feel much more at ease.

Ernst looked bewildered upon hearing this: "What? You need to bring others too?"

“Otherwise?” Ensiodis raised an eyebrow with a subtle expression. “It’s a family dinner, and the guests are from the Shivaish family. According to etiquette, it’s best to bring your lover or wife. If not, then as for bodyguards, it’s best to bring a female companion.”

"Can I bring Jeston? He's pretty strong."

"You're interested in men?" Ensiodis's eyes lit up, as if he had discovered something surprising.

Seeing the invitation to play chess that seemed to be emanating from his slightly open mouth, Ernst quickly shook his head:

"No, let me think about it."

Chapter 159 The Perfect and Elegant Head Maid!

Human resources is an art. From small things like deciding who works overtime tomorrow, to big things like changing or promoting department leaders, human resource arrangements can reflect a leader's wisdom and help you accomplish many seemingly difficult tasks effortlessly.

In Ernst's previous life, the most impressive human resource management master was Liu Bang. This man, who can be considered the most famous and outstanding human resource management master in Chinese history, once boasted to the grave of his nemesis: "In strategizing within the tent and winning battles a thousand miles away, I am inferior to Zhang Liang; in governing the country, pacifying the people, providing supplies, and ensuring uninterrupted supply lines, I am inferior to Xiao He; in commanding a million troops, winning every battle and capturing every city, I am inferior to Han Xin. All three are outstanding individuals, and my ability to employ them is the reason why I conquered the world."

He was inept at strategy, administration, and warfare. Although his military record wasn't terrible, it paled in comparison to the legendary victories of Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, who achieved remarkable feats of defeating superior forces with inferior ones.

But that doesn't stop others from losing and losing repeatedly until the winner takes all, while Xiang Yu kept winning and winning until he lost everything.

Therefore, the role that good human resource management can play is far greater than most people imagine.

Of course, that's what they say, but one's own strength is still the most important thing. Otherwise, no matter how much they boast about their personnel management, they can't possibly let a single village like Sherag unify the entire Terra land.

However, despite the restrictions, Ernst was not prevented from making some good personnel arrangements.

Take, for example, the Duke of Caesar's invitation this time.

Selecting the right people is a skill. Most of the time, it's not about choosing the best or the worst, but the most suitable.

When Ernst learned from Ensioudis that he was to bring a female companion, his first thought was of Foreign Minister Vina.

This is a perfectly reasonable reaction. Vina has lived in Victoria since childhood and speaks fluent Victorian language. Although her family is now in decline, the etiquette of the Londinium aristocracy remains. She perfectly fits the public's aesthetic standards, and with a little dressing up, she is an elegant and charming young woman. Paired with Ernst, they are, if not a match made in heaven, certainly a handsome couple, perfectly capable of handling the level required for attending banquets, and even elevating Sherag's status.

But Vina refused.

Ernst had just mentioned it to her, and Vina immediately shook her head in alarm, declining the offer.

"No, no, no, let's forget about it. How about we give this opportunity to someone else?"

Ernst was puzzled.

In the past, when he and Daphne talked about the Duke of Caesar, Vina rarely reacted, and would even laugh out loud when Daphne told jokes about Caesar. This is why Ernst categorized Vina as someone "indifferent to the Duke of Caesar."

But now it seems that's not the case?

Seemingly sensing Ernst's confusion and realizing her behavior was a bit too suspicious, Vina pursed her lips, decided to be honest, and explained:

"Actually, the Duke of Caesar... had some conflicts with my father... One of the reasons I left Victoria was to avoid the Duke of Caesar."

"And your father?" Ernst paused, then asked incredulously, "Are you related to the Duke of Caesar?"

Vina bit her lip, her eyes flickering, but she finally nodded: "Yes."

She had barely finished speaking when her eyes widened suddenly as she realized the other meaning behind Ernst's words.

"also?"

“Yes!” Ernst nodded, looking somewhat helpless. “I only found out these last two days that the Shivaish family and the Duke of Kast are actually distant relatives. My mother is the Duke of Kast’s niece, so if you count the relationships, I’m her grand-nephew.”

"Grand-nephew/niece?"

Vina's pupils began to dilate like an earthquake exceeding magnitude 10, and her voice trembled and stuttered.

“Yes, it’s incredible, isn’t it? I didn’t expect it either.” Ernst shrugged. “Speaking of which, we’re relatives now. What’s your family’s relationship with the Duke of Caesar?”

"Our family..."

Vina mechanically repeated what Ernst had said; her brain had entered a state of overheating.

The Duke of Caesar was her father's sister, so according to seniority, she should call the Duke of Caesar her aunt.

This is already a very close relationship, but Vina absolutely, positively will never reveal it!

Just kidding, if Ernst is the Duke of Caesar's grand-nephew, then according to seniority, he should call himself his aunt!

Ernst was inexplicably a generation younger than her, her boss was actually a relative, and even younger than her, and she had even imagined being registered in the same household as him...

This kind of thing should just be kept buried inside forever!

“Distant relatives.” Vina’s expression control reached its peak in an instant, and she answered naturally with a fluency comparable to Uzi’s “I am also a Stamcon,” “We are also distant relatives.”

Ernst nodded, finding absolutely no flaws.

The Duke of Caesar had a lot of relatives, which fits Ernst's stereotype of traditional European noble families being able to create a long and extensive family tree.

Duke of Caesar, I never knew you were cosplaying as a Habsburg!

But since Vina had already explained her relationship with the Duke of Kester, Ernst naturally couldn't force her to attend the banquet with him.

Judging from all the criteria, she may indeed be the best candidate, but she is not the most suitable.

She came to Kjerag to start a new life precisely to escape Duke Kester. Forcibly bringing her back to Duke Kester is a recipe for disaster. If she can't persuade him to abandon his prejudice against Vina and her family, then she'll not only disgust Vina but also ruin Duke Kester's plans. It's a classic example of a self-righteous, wishful-thinking attempt to reconcile two people with a blood feud.

Ernst would never do something so stupid.

Since Vina wasn't an option, Ernst turned to Hintlaya.

Although she had no noble status and knew nothing about aristocratic etiquette, Hinterlaya had the advantage of having no connection with the Victorian nobility, so she naturally didn't have the same concerns as Vina.

She initially agreed without much hesitation. But after hearing Ernst say that Ensiodis's guards were halberds, she immediately changed her mind.

"Black Knight, Triple Crown Winner, Boss, you'd better not send me."

She was aware of the rivalry between Ernst and Enciodis. Perhaps Ernst didn't care, but Hintleya was a proud person. She couldn't allow the person she liked to be embarrassed in this invisible competition because of her.

Compared to the Black Knight, she lacked both Victorian etiquette and experience attending ducal banquets, making her, in a sense, a complete burden. If it were just a simple family dinner and she could attend as a date, she might have happily agreed, but upon learning that the banquet was likely a trap, she immediately declined.

“I’m not going to do anything. I can’t protect your safety, nor can I help you make a good impression like the Black Knight. I’m not willing to just stand there as a decorative vase.”

Hinterlea's expression was serious, completely unlike her usual lazy and casual demeanor. Her refusal was also decisive; she didn't try to find excuses from Ernst, but simply and clearly expressed her meaning.

"Perhaps you don't care, but my pride won't allow me to agree. I will continue to improve myself, but for now, boss, you should choose someone who can help you more."

Who can help me?

That sounds easy, but it's actually not that simple.

Perhaps Horhaia would be perfect for this occasion, but she just happens to be away. I wonder how things are going in Colombia. A full seven-day vacation—it was definitely too long for her. When she gets back, I'll have to really squeeze her dry!

After much deliberation, Lola and Anmer were in charge of the construction site, and Miss Ceylon was suitable, but strictly speaking, she wasn't Ernst's government official; she was a volunteer teacher from Siesta. Although she would listen to Ernst, the authority didn't entirely lie with him. Ernst also didn't have time to consult Mayor Hermann. Joyce was a university student and too taciturn for the Finance Minister to easily intervene, and Latatos had her own family affairs and Kalan trade to handle.

It's not a simple choice at all.

"How about you choose me?"

A figure who had been quite active recently pushed open the door and entered Ernst's office.

"The head maid also has the responsibility to protect the Holy Son."

The ability to understand numerous technical terms in the Victorian "Introduction to Mechanics" left Ernst speechless; the Manju Academy's status as a top member of the old nobility of Sherag; and the Originium Arts demonstrated on the spot that could freeze the life flame at the tip of Raphsini's tail!

Immediately arriving at the battlefield was the perfectly elegant and graceful head maid of the Manju Academy—Ya'er!

Chapter 160 I Need the Flame Demon Body

Columbia, Trimont, Rhine Life.

The young researcher, Li Boli, tiptoed into the treatment room of the Structural Medicine Department and peered into the dark office at the far end of the room.

It was after get off work hours, and Rhine Life Sciences didn't have a "wolf-like" overtime culture. The researchers in the Structural Department had already left their posts, making it the perfect time for her to act.

She was going to verify a horrifying fact from the computer of her most respected teacher, Palvis, the head of the structural engineering department.

Although this fact had been confirmed by the information she obtained from the mysterious Tin Man detective, she did not believe it.

She couldn't believe that the Rhine Life School she admired, and her respected teacher Palvis, would be so cruel to a child infected with Oripathy.

Using the excuse of staying on duty during the day, Himer obtained the identity verification card from Director Palvis and opened the smart door to the office. Director Palvis had neither the habit nor the need to work from home; his computer was currently lying peacefully on his desk, its breathing light flickering slowly, like a beast fast asleep.

Hamer knew the computer's password. Ms. Palvis trusted and cared for her greatly, and had never hidden the computer from Hamer when using it. Now, all she had to do was walk up, reach out, and she could unlock the computer and find out anything she wanted to know.

But at the same time, this is also her last chance to back down.

If she chooses to let go now, takes a step back, and watches the smart door close automatically, then everything will be as if it never happened. Professor Palvis will never know that her ID card was used late at night, nor will she know what her dearest student wants to do. She will no longer need to add any psychological burden to herself and can continue to be a researcher with peace of mind, diligently completing her tasks, thriving under Palvis's tutelage until she can stand on her own and become a renowned scientist in Tremont.

On one hand, he was risking his future for a little girl he had only known for a few days, and might even go to jail for overstepping his authority and spying on classified information. On the other hand, he had a bright future ahead of him, striding confidently down the broad road of science, and might even succeed Palvis as the head of the structural engineering department and become a renowned scientist.

This seems like an easy question that even a child could answer.

If considering only self-interest, Himer should undoubtedly choose the second option. Even if we simply take into account the organizational interests of Rhine Lab, the organization she works for, she should still choose the second option.

But it's just like the problem Ernst has emphasized countless times.

Humans are not nations, nor even organizations. The will of a collective can remain rational to the greatest extent possible after the conflict and balance of various wills, but individuals cannot.

So, Himer took a deep breath and took that step forward.

She turned on the computer, skillfully entered Palvis's password, logged into Rhine Lab's internal network, moved the mouse to the search bar, bit her lip, and typed that forbidden word on the keyboard:

"Flame Demon"

This was a betrayal that took place in an empty room, but it was not without witnesses.

Behind Himer, at the top corner of the office room, a modern technology called a camera was flashing a scarlet light, like a pupil, silently watching the lines of text flashing on the lit computer screen, and the researcher standing in front of the computer, his glasses filled with reflections so much that his eyes were not visible.

"You lost your bet, Palvis."

In the office of the head of the Department of Life Sciences at Originium, Levi, reclining in a chaise lounge, looked at the figure displayed on the computer screen in front of him, tilted his head slightly, and glanced at Palvis beside him with a hint of mockery.

"Your students don't seem to listen to you very much."

Palvis's glasses also reflected the light from the computer screen, his obscured windows to the soul revealing no emotion of their owner. Hearing Levi's words, he paused for a moment, sighed, and turned away, a somewhat helpless smile returning to his face.

"Fine, fine, it's just a few packets of black bean tea. I'll just accept my loss."

"Can I exchange it for a bottle of Ursus vodka?" Levi asked with a smile.

Palvis paused for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile: "No, Chief Christen has a rule that drinking alcohol is prohibited in the Rhine Labs."

"Why?" Levi frowned, somewhat puzzled.

Palvis picked up the hot black bean tea from the table and raised it towards the ceiling:

"Because that child yearns for the sky. Alcohol, something that disrupts reason, is not suitable for that place in her eyes."

A look of realization dawned on Levy's face.

"During Gagarin's time, the Soviet Union did not allow cosmonauts to bring alcohol into space."

He murmured to himself, regretting that Ernst wasn't by his side at the moment, otherwise he might have had more in common with him.

At this moment, he simply picked up the slightly bitter Colombian black coffee on the table, and, with a tacit understanding yet a hint of helplessness, he and Palvis in front of him drank water instead of alcohol, and sighed:

"It is indeed a pipe dream to expect humanity to remain rational forever."

"What do you plan to do with that girl?" Levi asked curiously, taking a sip of the invigorating drink that made him frown.

Palvis maintained his amiable smile, though a hint of weariness lingered in his expression.

"According to internal management regulations, the punishment should be a warning, suspension, salary deduction, public criticism, and education. At the very least, I should write a 10,000-word self-criticism."

"That's it?" Levi opened his mouth in astonishment. "Your level of leniency towards that child is truly astounding."

You should know that in the Soviet Union, sneaking into a leader's office and stealing passwords to access classified information was considered espionage. My dear KGB comrade would be happy to gift her a permanent suite and luxury package at the Siberian Gulag Hotel.