People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

Ernst asked three questions, his hands behind his back, his eyes narrowed, giving off a rather aggressive vibe.

Even Defiance and Vina found this action somewhat strange. They were certainly not happy with Federico's blunt refusal to allow them a visit, after all, it was a right granted to them by Ivangelista XI, and it shouldn't be so easily dismissed by a subordinate of lower rank.

To put it mildly, this was just a minor overstepping of authority. But if we take it to a higher level, setting aside Ernst Scherage's position as Prime Minister and considering only his position in Lateran, it's akin to a secondary agency directly refusing an order from the top leader and barring an imperial envoy from entering—an undisguised act of defiance.

It's perfectly reasonable for Ernst to have a few words to say something.

But this is somewhat inconsistent with Ernst's usual style of doing things, because Ernst has never been one to offend anyone.

Although both were puzzled, their reactions after the initial confusion were different.

Daphne was puzzled as to why Ernst had suddenly launched an attack, but adhering to the principle of protecting her own and disregarding reason, she immediately stepped forward to speak up for him.

Vina, however, had a more acute sense of smell. She realized that Ernst's actions might be a test of something. Recalling the unusual behavior of Fiameta and Ivangelista XI yesterday and today (one leaving early as guardian, the other being late for the meeting with Ernst), she frowned slightly and, relying solely on her intuition, reached out and grabbed Definne's arm. Under Definne's questioning gaze, she shook her head slightly, indicating that she should not act rashly for the time being.

Her personality was clearly shaped by Ernst little by little. She was always told not to act rashly. If she couldn't see the situation clearly or make a decision, even if she seemed to be in the right and had the upper hand, she should play it safe first!

Seeing that neither of them did anything rash, Ernst felt somewhat relieved.

This happened rather suddenly, and he had no way to inform Vina and Daphne beforehand, so he could only rely on the tacit understanding the three of them usually had.

If Defion and Vina were to step forward to support him at this moment, Vina aside, Defion's status as the heir to the Duke of Windermere might have some unforeseen consequences. Although Ernst has a way to handle it, it would still be a troublesome matter.

The fact that Vina stopped her meant that her generous sharing of knowledge had finally paid off.

He turned his attention back to Federico, awaiting his reply.

He wasn't deliberately making things difficult for the notary office employee; they were all just working people, and he didn't expect Federico to give a "Section Chief Ma"-style answer. However, even a clay figure has some temper. Ernst simply wanted to visit the notary office. His superior, the Pope, who was in charge of approving the matter, had agreed; the imperial commissioner, Mostima, who was in charge of implementing it, had agreed. If he disagreed, who did he think he was?

Moreover, aside from personal reasons, notary offices are actually a very special type of organization.

Aside from the Papal Palace VII, which oversees intelligence, national defense, and foreign affairs, the Notary Office is arguably the place in Lateran with the most frequent and extensive external contact and the highest density of intelligence.

He couldn't go to the Seventh Chamber; the Pope wouldn't approve it. Even if he could, the information there would likely have already been filtered out and left as useless intelligence. So he chose the notary office as his first destination, partly to probe Lateran's true strength.

However, to Ernst's surprise, Federico gave an answer that almost made Ernst exclaim, "He is another me in the world!" when faced with such a potentially fatal question.

His expression remained calm, as if he were completely unaffected by the surrounding pressure, and after what seemed like a moment's thought, he answered Ernst:

“I refuse you in the name of Section 7, Article 12 of the Lateran Law.”

Section 7, Article 12 of the Lateran Code, Supplementary Article, concerning notary offices.

The entire document begins with a definition of the Lateran Notary Office, its functions, jurisdiction, and powers. Article 12 is a supplementary clause, stating: "[The Notary Office has the right to refuse any external interference when handling important matters.]"

As one of the many clauses added by the Papal Court to the ultimate law that "survival is the first necessity of civilization," the purpose of this clause is quite obvious: to guarantee the impartiality of Lateran's judicial, oversight, and law enforcement agencies.

However, those who drafted this provision probably did not expect that it would be cited by Federico at this time and in this context to reject the order from the Pope himself.

Ernst was obviously unfamiliar with the specifics of Lateran law. He had only been in Lateran for a few days, and even if he had been reading the law, it was unreasonable for him to remember the laws of another country in such detail.

The reason he felt a sense of déjà vu was because there was one thing he remembered very clearly.

The deity worshipped by the Lateran religion is not a living being or an entity like Yeragand, but rather a highly abstract "embodiment of the law".

Therefore, Federico's words were somewhat of a direct use of "God" as a shield.

In some ways, this is similar to Ernst's experience at the Trial of the Holy Stone; it's just that the god of "law" simply doesn't respond to Federico.

Hmm... Really not? No way? Is it possible? Probably not, I've never heard of it...

An awkward silence fell over the room. Mostima finally found an opportunity to speak, attempting to ease the tension:

"Alright, gentlemen, why be so tense? Our purpose is sightseeing. Federico, when did we say we were going to interfere with the notary office's work? The laws you cited simply don't apply!"

“Mr. Ernst, I will report this matter to the Pope, please rest assured. Is there anywhere else you'd like to visit? It's still early today, I can accompany you to explore further. There's a nice dessert shop in the St. Paul district, would you like to try it?”

Ernst snapped out of his reverie, smiled and nodded at Mostima: "Okay."

Mostima was just about to breathe a sigh of relief and wipe the cold sweat from his forehead when, in the next second, his heart, which had just settled, jumped back into his throat.

Suddenly, Vina, who had remained silent the entire time, stepped forward from beside Ernst, looked Federico in the eye, and asked seriously:

I don't require you to answer this question.

"But Mr. Federico, in your opinion, which is more important, His Holiness the Pope who formulated the Lateran Law, or the law he formulated?"

Chapter 225 Mostima: Close-range ultimate attack? Is Sherag this exciting?

Just as Vina said, she did not intend to seek an answer to Federico's question.

After asking the question, which elicited a deep look of confusion from Federico's poker face, Vina nodded with satisfaction and turned back to Ernst's side.

She didn't care what Federico's answer would be. If there was anyone among the people present whose answer she truly wanted to know, it was perhaps only Ernst, her "guide."

Ernst will most likely not offer her any answers. As he has done countless times before, he will analyze the situation, present the reasoning to her, and then wait for her to come up with her own answer.

They were of one mind; Vina's thoughts were Ernst's thoughts as well.

It wasn't that he was stingy; Ernst practically taught Vina everything he knew, never holding anything back from her. It's just that the answer to this question was far too complex, and one could even say there was no standard answer.

Which is more important, Pope Ivangelist XI or the laws he established?

Federico couldn't give this answer because it's a vicious cycle.

If he acknowledged that Ivangelista XI was more important, then Federico had absolutely no reason to refuse Ivangelista XI's personal order allowing Ernst to enter the notary office. Even in the name of the law, the law must yield.

But if he answers that the law is more important than the Pope himself, then he falls into a logical paradox.

Because the law is constantly being changed, added to, subtracted from, and revised. And those who do this work are often the Lateran popes of successive generations, saints who walk the earth in the name of [Evangelista].

If the law is supreme and infallible, and anyone can oppose the Pope in the name of the law, then how can the Pope revise the law? How can a new law be created? How can the Lateran adapt to the times?

Let's take a more realistic example.

What was the original intention of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, in establishing the maritime ban and promulgating the "Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty," which listed countries that were not to be conquered?

It was to prevent the coastal people from being harassed by Japanese pirates, and to prevent future generations from overestimating their own abilities and waging war without cause, for those who love war will perish.

However, as times changed, this law gradually became outdated, causing China to miss the Age of Exploration and fall behind the West starting in the 16th and 17th centuries.

It is clear that absolute law is impossible, and problems will inevitably arise if one acts in accordance with the originally established law.

To give a more accessible example, if we go back a thousand years, a hunter in the countryside killing a metal-eating beast in the mountains wouldn't be worth recording in history books. But would you dare to take a panda to eat hot pot in modern times?

The reason why the so-called philosopher-king system is so wonderful is that the philosopher-king himself is the embodiment of all legal concepts, never makes a mistake, has the innate ability to adapt to changing environments the fastest, and can guarantee that he is completely selfless and follows the optimal solution in everything.

Why is it that no country has been able to implement such an amazing political system?

Because no one can do it.

No one can achieve an absolute balance between rule by man and rule of law. And once the scales tip completely to one side, the result is devastating. The former will create an absolute tyrant who destroys the entire country, while the latter will lead to a completely rigid society where everything follows the rules and eventually falls behind the times.

Ernst didn't know why Vina suddenly thought of asking this question, and he was also somewhat relieved that Vina hadn't asked him the same question.

Otherwise, he might only be able to answer with "the Doctrine of the Mean".

Although it may sound a bit like a charade, this is indeed a last resort, and also the most amazing wisdom of our ancestors. It advocates the rule of law and implements the legal system, but also allows for exceptions based on human feelings, natural justice, and public sentiment.

I don't know if Vina can understand it.

No, what good would it do if she understood? She's still sitting in this chair, and there's a cunning and ambitious snow leopard eyeing her from behind. Vina has no right to worry about governing Sherag.

"Mr. Ernst?"

Ernst was jolted out of his reverie by Mostima's voice. He turned his head slightly and looked at Mostima beside him.

Only then did he notice the dense sweat on Mostima's forehead.

Ernst could easily guess Mostima's thoughts.

She must be incredibly nervous about messing things up. But honestly, it's really not Mostima's fault; she looks even more bewildered than I am.

So Ernst just jokingly asked, "Miss Mostima, are you hot?"

Mostima's lips twitched, and a hint of awe appeared in his eyes as he looked at Ernst.

Don't you know whether my sweat is from heat or from fear?

Mostima was indeed not the kind of person who revered the Pope or strictly adhered to the law; otherwise, she wouldn't have opened Andorn's eye in a fit of anger to protect Remium, thus becoming a fallen angel in the process. Especially after obtaining the lock and key and becoming the representative of the Time Beasts, she lived a much more carefree and unrestrained life.

But as carefree as they may be, Ernst and Vina were really quite bold.

Mostima even suspected that if given more time, these two—no, and Defene—the three of them would dare to directly debate with Federico on such a disrespectful topic as whether the Lateran laws were true or false.

Not to mention, Mostima knew that Ernst, like himself, also carried a fragment of a giant beast.

You're carrying a god around, and you're openly discussing god-related topics in someone else's holy city. What are you trying to do? Are you spreading Jeragund religion in Lateran?

A close-range ultimate attack?

Mostima suddenly felt a pang of regret. She shouldn't have sent Fiameta away. Compared to the insignificant rumors spread by that so-called "Pioneer" in Laterano, the one in front of her was truly plotting something far more ambitious. This breathtaking scene shouldn't be something only I have to endure, should it?

But then again, despite her regret, Mostima also felt a little smug.

This feeling is quite exciting!

It was even more exciting than when she was in Lungmen, having fun with Remi's sister Remi in Penguin Logistics.

The Emperor is just a nobody; he might play some rock music or rap a couple of lines and think he's something special. Penguin Logistics is just involved in things like speeding on city overpasses and losing all his driver's license points, or drinking champagne and other expensive liquors and getting into fights in bars and nightclubs. These are all mundane matters; nothing compares to this kind of excitement.

Mostima (pointing at Ernst): This one's powerful! Look at this!

At that moment, she suddenly began to understand why Ernst, as the spokesperson for the behemoths, still had to play political games on Earth.

The life of a behemoth agent is truly monotonous. Because they have gained power, they have become outcasts, and their original lives are gone forever. They want to adapt to their new identity and integrate into a new life, but they can't find any companions. They can only do nothing day after day. To put it nicely, they can say they are indifferent to the changing world; to put it bluntly, they are bored out of their minds.

It would be better to deal with people like the Grand Duke, the King, the Emperor, and the Big Boss. After all, these people are the top masters of creating chaos in this land. Whether they create good chaos (the Commander-in-Chief's Flying) or bad chaos (the Grand Duke's Siege of Londinium), they always have something to do, and they can even create something really bad from time to time (Khan Shah's expedition to the Burning Wind Hot Land)!

After all, those who had nothing else to do went to bite lighters. (The Gauls killed themselves with their antics, and the Lion King lost his head with his.)

I'm actually a little envious of Sherag's life.

Despite his thoughts, Mostima was still able to distinguish between what was important and what was urgent.

At worst, I can ask the Pope for a transfer order and voluntarily go to Kjerag to serve as the Permanent Messenger to All Nations.

The important thing now is that she has to make sure Ernst doesn't give her any more heart attack-like work.

After composing himself, adjusting his expression and mood, and taking a moment to consider his cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health, Mostima managed a weak smile:

"Is there anywhere you'd like to go next?"

This time, instead of presumptuously asking Ernst to choose the location, she proactively recommended:

"Latran has many beautiful landmarks worth visiting. The Epiphany of the Papal Knights, the Revelation Stone Tower, and the Central Garden of San Marzo are all very nice places."

"Is it very popular?" Ernst became genuinely interested after hearing Mostima's introduction.

Mostima thought for a moment and gave an example: "The San Marso Central Garden was included in the list of 100 must-see tourist attractions in Terra last year."

Finally, she added:

"This list was compiled by Colombians; you might recognize some of them?"

Ernst was taken aback: "Who?"

"Professor Mariam, Head of the Rhine Life Sciences Research Department."

Ernst nodded in sudden realization: "I don't know him."

Logically speaking, having dealt with Rhine Labs quite a bit, and having already gotten the head of the department to stay in Sherag and never return, a director whom Ernst didn't know at Rhine Labs shouldn't exist.

But Mariam was an exception; Ernst didn't actually know him. He hadn't even seen a photo of the director—according to Christen, this was at Mariam's own request; he didn't want to be photographed in public, seemingly to protect... or prevent something?

Ernst only knew roughly what Mariam looked like from Christen's description.

For example, he is a Kuranta, which means horse.

Okay, that's all.

After all, it was Christen who introduced her, so expecting her to say more about anything other than the dome was too difficult, let alone give a detailed introduction to a director, who was truly sparing with words.

Christen only promised that if Mariam returned next time, he would let him come to Sherag and Ernst to meet, and that was the end of it.

However, regardless of whether he knew him personally, Ernst recognized Mariam's reputation and standing. Mariam was a true explorer and traveler, his footsteps traversing countless mountains and rivers; Ernst acknowledged his aesthetic appreciation of landscapes.

"Then let's go with the central garden of San Marso."

Chapter 226 Andorn: Don't Call Me Pioneer

Lateran, San Marso Central Garden, Requiem Flower Fields.