People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

As for avenging her father and regaining the throne, she had considered it, but she also understood that it was impossible at the moment.

Victoria continued to function without a king, and Londinium remained orderly even without its father. The nobles seemed to have smoothly taken over power. As such, barring any unforeseen events or chaos, Vina would never have the chance to step into the Iron Palace again in her lifetime.

What's that saying again? Develop steadily, and wait for the situation to change!

Therefore, if she really had the chance, she would like to leave Victoria temporarily and go to a peaceful and tranquil place.

"I didn't expect that anyone would still be paying attention to Sherag's case."

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang in Vina's ears. The girl abruptly raised her head and looked at the familiar figure beside her.

It was a robust male lion with a mane that shone like the sun.

"Gawain?"

Looking at this elusive "guardian" who always appears at crucial moments in her life, Vina exclaimed in delight.

The last time she saw Gawain was when the king was hanged, she was secretly sent out of the palace, and Gawain appeared to guide her.

"How did you get here? Do you know anything?"

Vina asked quickly. Every time Gawain appeared, there was a reason. For example, he appeared and carried her to the Duke of Cumberland's mansion so she could see her father one last time; he appeared and guided her, allowing her to escape the palace and avoid the massacre. And this time, she appeared when she was hesitant about hiring Sherag.

Gawain's gaze wasn't fixed on Vina, but rather on the crumpled job posting, as if he were recalling something.

After a while, he lowered his head, smelled the letter, and then placed his paw on the thin notice.

"You can go," the beast lord said calmly, offering no further explanation, simply stating, "It's safe there."

Vina was stunned for a moment, and just as she was about to ask something, she saw Gawain slowly turn around and walk towards the outside of the bookshelf. Vina hurriedly tried to follow, but by the time she chased after him out of the bookshelf, Gawain had already disappeared.

She opened her mouth, but in the end, she could only shake her head helplessly.

Gawain was always like this. He never explained, never advised, never forced; he simply told you the answer you wanted to know in a calm manner, and then disappeared quietly before you could even react.

Just as her father had told her, Gawain's existence was only because Aslan's ancestors had made an agreement with him, entrusting him with the protection of the Aslan clan, and he would do nothing else.

But that's enough.

Vina walked back to the bookshelf, picked up the thin job advertisement from the floor, folded it neatly, and put it back in her purse.

The job posting stated the location as County Ascara in Victoria, at a company called Carlan Trading, which was some distance from Lentinium. Fortunately, the job posting lasted for quite some time.

Vina is ready.

.............

"Young Master, do you really think we can find anyone by going all this way?"

Lola asked curiously, but Ernst just stared at him silently for a while before turning his head away.

If your flyer weren't so abstract, our chances of successfully recruiting people would probably increase by at least 10%.

Ernst naturally couldn't say such hurtful things.

Moreover, he understood Lola's predicament. Publicly recruiting civil servants was something that even Ernst, who had lived two lives, had never encountered before, let alone Lola, so he naturally had no experience with it.

Assigning Lola to do this kind of thing was already a way of shifting blame, so there was no right to criticize her.

Besides, Lola apologized.

Putting everything else aside, Ernst learned something new. It turns out that even the straightforward Ursus people have soft spots.

Don't get me wrong, it's just a lap pillow, nothing more.

After packing his luggage and checking it one last time, Ernst closed his suitcase and said with confidence:

"Don't worry. As long as we offer a high price, there will always be brave men willing to take the risk with a generous reward."

Finally, he added:

"Oh, it's because the salary is higher after you become a full-time employee. You absolutely mustn't tell anyone about that."

Lola nodded knowingly.

Ernst then picked up his suitcase and walked out of the low, simple government office building.

Outside the gate, an off-road vehicle bearing the logo of Kalan Trade had been waiting for a long time.

"Lola, are you ready?" Ernst took a deep breath and asked expectantly, "First stop on this business trip: Victoria!"

“Ready!” Lola answered loudly.

With the car doors closed and the engine started, Sherag's first-ever government-funded business trip (travel) officially began, starting from Victoria and ending in Casimir!

Chapter Twenty-Five: Declaring War, and the Little Stove

Victoria, County Ascara.

Unlike Londinium, a city of a thousand cities, County Ascala was just an ordinary Victorian town. Its ruler, the Earl of Ascala, was a man of little ambition, rarely involved in Victorian political struggles, and had no desire to expand his territory.

Because of this, he had been ridiculed by other nobles. But Count Ascala's attitude was also very clear.

If you ask me what I'm most sensitive about, it's my political stance.

This attitude later proved to be a profound political philosophy, allowing Count Ascala to remain uninvolved in the upheavals in Lentinium and avoid getting caught up in the political vortex of royalists and the new nobility.

But that's all idle talk. Ernst didn't come to Ascala County to visit this Victorian nobleman.

"Your Excellency, we have arrived."

The driver stopped the car first, walked around to the outside of the car, and opened the door for Ernst.

After a long and bumpy journey, Ernst opened the car door. Outside, a modern building, seven stories high, stood majestically on one side of the street.

"This is the headquarters of Kalan Trading in Victoria," the driver explained.

Even without him saying it, Ernst could tell. After all, on this impressive office building, the silver logo of Kalan Trade was clearly visible under the sunlight, reflecting a golden glow.

Compared to this office building, the three-story building in Tukarim, which seems to forcibly blend modern and traditional styles, looks somewhat like a mishmash. Not to mention compared to Ernst's single-story government office building.

"Too extravagant and wasteful!"

Ernst said through gritted teeth.

Lola, who was standing next to him, immediately chimed in:

"Yes, yes, it's too extravagant and wasteful!"

Lola was used to a frugal life. While studying at Columbia University, she had run away from home without permission and received no financial support from her family, relying entirely on part-time work to support herself. There were times when she ate only three near-expiry loaves of bread from the university cafeteria in a single day. For her, whether studying or working, all she needed was a place, a table, and a lamp. In fact, if things got even tougher, she could replace the table with a stone stool and the lamp with a candle.

In short, the conditions don't need to be too rigid.

Despite this, she still managed to obtain a doctoral degree in defense engineering, becoming an intellectual whom a certain Tongliao ruler considered a thorn in his side. It must be said that she possessed considerable talent and hard work.

That is why she was very dissatisfied with the extravagant and wasteful practices of the Carlan trade!

The people of Shelag are still suffering terribly, while Karan Trade is building such a tall and large office building abroad, indulging in a life of luxury and extravagance. What are they trying to do?

"Damn it, I really want an office building like that!"

Ernst said with a hint of envy.

Lola nodded subconsciously, about to agree, but as soon as she said "yes, yes, yes," she realized something was wrong and looked at Ernst in surprise.

Ernst, feeling a little guilty under her resentful gaze, explained:

"A more impressive office building makes people feel better when they work there, and when people are in a better mood, their efficiency naturally increases! There's scientific evidence to support this!"

“But young master, is it really possible for someone to be in a good mood because of work?” Lola pouted and asked back.

Ernst paused, then said, “That’s true. What you said makes a lot of sense. But I still think that as the Prime Minister of Sherag, it would be appropriate for me to have a small Originium stove in my office.”

“Yes, but you have to report it,” Lola said. “The government has plenty of funds now. As long as you report it for approval and go through the process, the government funds will be allocated quickly. You should be able to get the money to buy the small stove next spring.”

"Next year?!" Ernst was momentarily stunned. "But I'm the one who approves and stamps the documents, can't this process be simplified?"

Lola said seriously, "You yourself said that you would disclose the flow of those 600 million to every citizen of Sherag. Do you want them to know that the first thing you did with the money was to embezzle public funds to buy yourself a small stove?"

Ernst was speechless.

He suddenly understood what those scoundrels who didn't disclose their assets and still maintained a state-owned economy were thinking.

It's certainly convenient to use the national treasury as private funds. Six hundred million—let alone buying small stoves, Ernst could build a hundred buildings like the Karan Trade Office Building in Kjerag!

But while he understood, Ernst still lacked the flexible moral compass to be a benevolent ruler like Tongliao, and could only purse his lips in disappointment as he muttered a complaint:

"It's ironic that I have the right to declare war on Victoria on behalf of Sherag, but I don't have the right to buy myself a small stove."

“That’s the rule.” Lola said businesslike, then pursed her lips, her attitude suddenly softening as she leaned close to Ernst’s ear and whispered, “However, if young master really wants a small stove, I can buy you one. With my own money.”

Ernst looked at the Ursus girl with deep emotion. "I have been a slave to the people of Sherag in this life. It will be your turn in the next life!"

Just as Ernst and Lola were deeply in love and their passion was running high, a figure behind them tentatively asked:

"Excuse me, gentlemen, is this the Karan Trading Company?"

Ernst turned around, glanced at the tall, blonde girl in front of him, frowned slightly, nodded, and replied in Victorian language with its somewhat strange grammar and accent:

"Yes, this is the place."

After saying that, he added a comment that sounded like a flirtation:

"Hey girl, haven't we met somewhere before?"

Vina opened her mouth, unsure how to answer.

It wasn't that she was shy or anything; she was just a little speechless.

What kind of 21st-century straight man flirting is this? For a moment, it reminded me of my deceased father.

Vina, a dutiful daughter and loving father, thought for a long time before finally offering an awkward yet polite smile and replying:

"I'm sorry, sir, I don't think I've seen you before."

The other person's accent was so strange that Vina didn't have the slightest misunderstanding that "this person is sent by nobles to arrest me."

Ernst didn't dwell on it too much. As for Arknights, he was a complete casual player. The reason he was somewhat familiar with Vina's appearance was largely because Vina was one of the original operators from the game's launch. However, the character had undergone a transformation from 2D to 3D and changed her clothes. Unlike Ensiodis and Enya, he hadn't had much contact with her, so it was normal for Ernst not to remember her.

Besides, after Ernst came to this world, he had inexplicably felt a sense of déjà vu with countless kemonomimi (animal-eared girls). It can only be said that reading too many doujinshi (fan-made comics) in his previous life had a certain negative impact on his transmigration.

Although she found the two people in front of her a bit strange, Vina had just witnessed them getting out of the car and roughly guessed their identities. At this moment, for the sake of her future and life, she couldn't care less about anything else and spoke directly:

"Are you two also here to apply after seeing the job posting?"

"To be honest, me too. Why don't we go in together?"

Ernst and Lola exchanged a glance, their eyes seemingly shining brightly.

Oh dear, what did I tell you?

I told you this trick of ours could fool people, right?

Chapter Twenty-Six: So what are you waiting for?

There's a reason Vina invited Ernst and Lola to team up.

Although theoretically these applicants should be in competition with each other, the recruitment process seemed so unreliable that she couldn't help but be cautious.

In addition, this was her first time participating in a job interview, and she had even made her resume on the way to Ascala County by copying a template from the intercity network. Lacking experience, she naturally hoped that two people could get there first and give her some valuable learning time.

But even so, she really didn't expect that the two strangers opposite her would be so enthusiastic as soon as she opened her mouth.

"Miss Vina, are you thirsty? Here is some water."

"Uh, it's okay." Vina looked at the disposable paper cup Ernst handed her, somewhat at a loss, hesitated for a moment, then took the cup and said, "Thank you."

"It's ok!"

No sooner had Ernst finished speaking than Lola spoke up from the side.

"Miss Vina, are you cold? It's winter now. I have some clothes here, would you like to put on another one?"

He was about to take a down jacket out of the large bag on his back when Vina stopped him in time:

"It's okay, it's okay, I'm not cold!"

They reluctantly gave up.

Perhaps realizing that if she didn't do something, these two would continue their frighteningly kind offer, Vina straightened the women's suit she had specially bought for the interview and asked somewhat seriously:

"Although it may be a bit presumptuous, this is our first meeting, and you two don't need to be so kind to me, do you?"

Unprovoked kindness is very expensive, a fact that Vina, who had been homeless for years, knew all too well. Often, seemingly selfless gifts have already had a price tag secretly attached by fate.