People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

"Thanks to the abundant resources brought by the believers, Lateran has essentially achieved its goal of ensuring that there are no impoverished people in the Holy City who are not willing to be impoverished."

"Although Sarkaz hates and even despises the Sarkaz, the existence of the notary office, the guard, and the Papal Palace guard ensures that very few Sarkaz can successfully infiltrate Lateran. Since the object of their hatred does not exist in this small city, there is naturally no reason to hate them."

"As for discrimination, the Sakotas never discriminate against any legal resident of Lateran, nor do they discriminate against one another. The law requires us to love one another, be united, and help one another."

"Continued existence".

As if some keyword had been triggered, the same words appeared on the screen for "Law" at the very moment Ivangelista XI uttered those two words.

Without the elaborations of "friendship and unity" from Ivangelist XI, there are only two dry but meaningful words: "[To be continued]".

But Ivangelista XI, inspired by a sudden inspiration, bowed deeply to the Law before him, then straightened up and performed a Lateran prayer.

The law only requires them to continue existing. The rest are actually various interpretations that successive popes have continuously enriched upon this bottom line.

Just as humanity's initial moral bottom line is only one—not to kill each other—if someone demands this bottom line of themselves and constantly proclaims it, then that person is undoubtedly a scoundrel. If a thousand such people are caught and executed, it might be a miscarriage of justice, but if every other person is executed, there will definitely be some who slip through the net.

That's why humanity keeps adding layers of morality, building grand structures and ceremonial gates, and constantly revising and modifying them as time goes by and circumstances change.

For Ivangelista XI, it was his responsibility to maintain the existence of Lateran and ensure that the “fake laws” that were “fabricated” received no less respect than the real laws.

Regardless of whether it's hypocritical or not.

Even if Lateran is just a single city, a paradise that cannot spread across the land, a false temple, the people who live here are real. No one can destroy this place on the grounds that "you are doing better than me, you deserve to die"! If someone wants to do so, then "stopping him," or even "killing him," is the Pope's duty.

However, the law is not immutable and sometimes needs to be adapted.

The situation on the land is becoming increasingly tense. Columbia and Letania have started a proxy war in Bolívar. Ursus is in turmoil and reforms are difficult to implement. The twin queens of Letania are still struggling to escape the shadow of the remnants of the Witch King. Although they may not be able to shake the foundation, they are still very troubled.

What truly prompted Ivangelista XI to make a change was the upheaval in Victoria.

The most powerful empire on earth had become increasingly distorted over the decades. Its excessively large and bloated "hands and feet" joined forces to rebel and cut off its own "brain," and the peace among the dukes did not last long after the emperor's death.

How rushed was the timeframe?

From the moment he succeeded to the name of Saint Ivangelista XI, he began to promote messengers from all nations to the land, hoping to use Lateran, a "permanently neutral country," as a bridge to provide a place for communication, exchange, and resolution of conflicts among the land's nations.

But before his messengers from all over the world could take root in various places, bad news had already arrived.

The Sarkaz have captured Lentinium.

This is actually an open secret that everyone knows. Not just the upper class, but even ordinary people in Victoria with a modicum of intelligence can figure it out. It's just that the upper class doesn't want to talk about it, and the lower class can't.

When Ivangelist XI learned of this news, he was practically struck by lightning!

Does the fact that the Sarkaz have been able to occupy Victoria's capital prove that the Sarkaz have become powerful again, or does it indicate that Victoria has completely declined?

Neither of these options seems like a good thing for Laterano.

Rather than contemplating whether to start embroidering the Sarkaz banner now and prepare a feast to welcome the royal court back to Lateran, Ivangelista XI wanted to wait and see, struggle a bit more, and try his best to see if he could turn the situation around.

Because of the division in Victoria, he sent a messenger from all nations to each of the Grand Dukes of Victoria. He wanted to see if he could get the Grand Dukes to give Lateran some face, get them together to talk, resolve the conflicts, and unite their forces to expel the Sarkaz from Londinium first.

But words alone are insufficient. If a few words could persuade the dukes to move their lodgings and attend the banquet, then Laterano, this supposedly ideal city, would bear the hallmarks of a decadent empire. The reality was that the international messengers dispatched to the various duchies were in a situation no different from Mostima's bet—drinking tea, playing cards, watching plays, running dessert shops, doing all sorts of things, but no one was actually doing any work.

It's not that I don't work, it's just that I can't even see the Grand Duke. Because the Grand Duke doesn't care about Lateran's little messengers. Everyone's busy. If you want to see me, and I'm in a good mood, I might give you some money—consider it a donation, a prayer for good luck. If I'm in a bad mood, who do you think you are? Go play somewhere else.

Therefore, Ivangelista XI's plan was doomed before it even began.

However, perhaps it was a case of heaven helping those who persevere. Just when Ivangelista XI was in a state of "being driven crazy by the dog duke," a messenger from the Duchy of Windermere suddenly reported an important message to him!

[Prime Minister Ernst Shivaish of Shelag was highly favored by the Duke and Duchess of Windermere. His messengers were allowed free access to the Duke's residence and command headquarters without prior notice, and even directly into the Duke and Duchess's bedroom!]

King Ivangelist XI was greatly shocked and immediately wrote a letter to the messenger from all nations, requesting him to explain in detail.

Then the messenger from all nations delivered Ernst's identity information, which, you know, was quite detailed, including his identity, gender, and even some personal details—from his birth year to his current age.

King Ivangelista XI even learned that the messenger's name was Defiance Windermere.

You're kidding me, isn't that the Duke of Windermere's daughter?

Feeling cheated, King Ivangelista XI was just about to recall the messenger from all nations, and then... well, a week-long dessert ban. But then he received another report from the messenger from the Duchy of Caesar.

The contents were surprisingly similar to the intelligence sent by the messenger from Duke Windermere!

[Prime Minister Ernst Siwaish of Kjerag – can speak to the Duke of Kester!]

Immediately following was a report from the Duke of Wellington.

[The messenger of Prime Minister Ernst Shivaish has been granted permission to board the high-speed warship HMS Gastrill and tour the territory with the Duke of Wellington.]

One person might be fooling around, but two people require more attention. If three Grand Dukes of Victoria make the same statement, it can almost be regarded as the national policy of Victoria for a long period of time to come.

The three grand dukes who specifically named Ernst Sivaish are the three most prestigious grand dukes in Victoria!

King Ivangelista XI is no fool. If he still can't react appropriately at this point, then his political sensitivity is a bit too much like that of Sakta!

Upon returning to his office on the ground floor of the Papal Palace, he summoned the cavalry on duty and asked:

Are there any messengers from all over the world available recently?

The musketeer nodded, then shook his head.

"What do you mean?" King Ivangelista XI asked, puzzled.

The cavalryman explained, "We've run out of professional international messengers, but we happen to have some free time on the side."

King Ivangelist XI suddenly realized: "You mean Mostima?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

King Ivangelista XI couldn't resist picking up a small snack from the table and popping it into his mouth; the sweetness made his mind clearer.

After a moment, he nodded:

"Mostima is fine too. Tell her to try to be as approachable as possible."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The cavalryman nodded and left the office.

P.S.: I asked Bilibili up "Four Days Travel Suitcase" to draw a portrait of Ernst. Ah, so handsome, even more handsome than I imagined.

I commissioned a portrait of Ernst Sivaysh from Bilibili UP (content creator) Four Days Travel Suitcase. Her art style is truly amazing; the final result is even better than I imagined. It's so handsome it kept me awake all night! Amazing!

Take a look, everyone. If the response is good, I'll arrange another half-body session in the future. He's really handsome!

There are pictures here, which can be viewed after the updated version

Chapter 212 Flame Demon: No matter what, he's still stubborn.

Shelag, Tukarim, construction site.

Safar was in a good mood.

After suffering a humiliating defeat in Colombia, he thought he would be like his Sarkaz predecessors, beaten to his knees by the terrifying Vayvan the Great, and taken back to become a pitiful slave whose story would bring tears to the eyes of all who heard it.

During his imprisonment across from Saria's office, he had even mentally prepared himself to commit suicide on the spot if the terrifying Columbia Superman were to do something unspeakable to him, in order to preserve his reputation as the "Last Balrog" and absolutely not give Saria any chance to manipulate him!

But Saria remained silent for several days. Not only was she silent, but most of the others, including Rhine, were also silent. During this short period of detention, the only person who came to see her was not Levi and Palvis, her two acquaintances, nor the little girl named Ifrit who had been rescued, nor even the feathered serpent Horhyah, whom she had been so wary of, but an elf named Muelseth.

The reason Muirseth found him was not to use her water clone, Ji Tou Si, to inflict the ultimate humiliation on this weak and helpless fire demon, but to ask him a few inexplicable questions.

"Do you know who I am?"

"You know about elves, but have you ever seen any other water elves besides me?"

"In your memory, where else might a group of water spirits appear?"

Safar couldn't understand why she would ask such a question. Don't you know these things yourself? Why ask me?

Elves are the darlings of the behemoths, their "offspring," nobler than the gods, inheriting the behemoths' power. The Balrog still remembers the great figure who fought the Lord of the Balrog's court until the heavens and earth dimmed, amidst the great army that conquered Kazdel—that was a water elf.

That battle was truly devastating, beyond the scope of his limited language skills. The two supreme beings were irreconcilable, fighting to the very edge of the universe, turning even the earth into lava and oceans.

However, that's a story now relegated to the margins of history. Where can one find even a trace of those great achievements on this land today?

Things have changed, people are gone, and everything is over.

This sentimental remark, brimming with artistic flair, rose in the Sarkaz's heart and uttered from his lips, feeling somewhat out of place in this day and age. But Safar was, after all, an older generation of Sarkaz, and still possessed a certain refinement.

Thousands of years have passed, and even the deepest hatred will gradually fade after experiencing life and death. Especially since Safar had just been beaten by Saria, he now somewhat understood Muleseth's predicament.

"Elf, have you also lost your heritage?"

Gazing at Muirses' face, a mixture of sorrow and expectation, Safar didn't answer. Instead, he suddenly burst into laughter. Two streaks of lava-like tears welled up in the flickering light within his mask, visible on his armor ablaze with flames.

"Hahahaha, what a pathetic look on your faces, elves! What you did to the Sarkaz back then has finally come back to haunt your offspring. The offspring of behemoths, the darlings of nature, are nothing more than this!"

Muirsey paused for a moment, then pouted, somewhat annoyed, and couldn't help but retort:

"I didn't do what you're talking about. I've never done anything to the Sarkaz. Nasti and I are still good friends!"

The Balrog's laughter gradually subsided, and his molten tears left no trace on the armor that Yeragand had personally enchanted. His cold voice was also completely unlike the Sarkaz who had just erupted in anger.

"Yes, that's why you can still stand before me now. Otherwise, my flames would have dried you up the moment you stepped through that door!"

He ruthlessly ordered them to leave:

"You ignorant child, never appear before me again! How would I know anything about your people!"

Muirsey pouted, glared at him, and then her body exploded, turning into a puddle of water.

Watching Muels dissipate his water clone, the Balrog's steel body stood still, saying nothing.

Shortly thereafter, he was taken away by Ernst and sent to Sherag.

Does he really not know anything about water spirits?

Actually, I know.

As the saying goes, the one who understands you best isn't necessarily your friend, but more likely your enemy. In order to deal with the water spirits, who are inherently incompatible with the Flame Demon clan, the Flame Demon Royal Court naturally conducted a detailed investigation into the water spirit race.

Safar could even confidently say that even Muirses, the water sprite herself, might not understand her species' ecology better than he did. He was certain that he possessed the information she needed.

But he wouldn't say it, even though he realized from the moment Muirsey stepped through that door that this young elf might be of great help to him—a person who could secretly meet with a Sarkaz prisoner who had almost caused serious damage to Rhine Lab under Saria's nose must have a very special identity and status.

But for the Sarkaz, for the loyal Balrog, there are things more important than profit.

Rather than a happy ending for everyone, he preferred one where no one was satisfied. Just as the Sarkaz's escape route was cut off by a swift stroke, and the Firelord's Court and Sarkaz culture have been lost, he wanted Mulleseth, and the elves, to taste that same bitterness.

The feeling of not being able to find one's roots.

Now transformed into a mech man, he is a rootless man. The Sarkaz living on this land have all been eradicated by the ancestors of the Terrans! This hatred cannot be resolved with just a few words from Muirseth.

Even a feud spanning a hundred generations can be avenged!

Not taking immediate action against Muirsay was already the limit of what his reason could control.

After all, Saria's fists are indeed big, and they really hurt when she hits someone.

However, Safar did not feel that he had gained nothing from throwing himself back into Terra's cesspool.

At least he discovered that there was actually a clean spot in this cesspool.

The Tin Man's prediction was correct; the land of Sherag was indeed the best resting place for the resurrected Balrog. Isolated from the world, the vast majority of its people were simple-minded and had simple desires. Their sole faith was in a colossus that loved the "God's Game"—Yelagand. None of them were gods; the majority were descendants of the First Men, possessing little power and posing no threat whatsoever.

Most importantly, this is one of the few places on earth where there is no prejudice against the Sarkaz.

“Shelag was established when I awoke, and people flocked to it, living under my protection. They have never participated in any war against anyone.”

A majestic and awe-inspiring voice rang in the Balrog's ears. Safar knew that it was the behemoth that called itself "Yeragand" speaking to him.

He then responded:

"On the timescale of the behemoths, you are the youngest I have ever seen. And the history of the Tikkaz is long enough to stretch across this land. So, it is not entirely impossible that the people you say have never participated in any wars have participated in the invasion of the Sarkaz."

"So what? According to you, that entire land is the enemy of the Sarkaz, and you plan to kill them all?"

Yeragand's voice turned much colder, and Safar even felt that the raging fire burning within his armored body was in danger of being frozen.

Realizing that his stubbornness had angered the behemoth, Safar tried to smooth things over:

"However, it's not entirely possible to prove that they were involved."

In the era when Kazdel was still the earth, Tikkaz enslaved all things. No matter how powerful or influential the rebellious gods were, they could never achieve a point where a single roar could ignite a rebellion across the land.

There were those who, fearing the brutality of the Blood Demon, the ruthlessness of the Banshee, and the cunning of the Lich... and thus daring not to raise the banner of rebellion, were not without reason. Even the Balrog Safar could not consider them enemies.

Just like the villagers who fled to Wuling Peach Blossom Spring with their families because of the brutality of the Qin Dynasty, if they did not rebel, could the Qin Emperor call them traitors? If they did not rise up in rebellion, could the Han Emperor call them lackeys?