People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

Led by Ivangelista XI, the group stopped, and a cluster of candles was lit, illuminating the suffocating darkness around them. Within the candlelight, a towering gate, like a wall of sighs, stood before Ernst and Andorn.

Ivangelista XI's expression was more solemn than ever before, an expression Ernst had seen many times on the faces of his fellow countrymen from Kjerag who went on pilgrimage to Manjushri.

That was true "devotion".

It is often said that people in high positions will inevitably lose their piety, but Ernst doesn't think that's entirely true.

The human heart is not a pie chart; there are no areas with more or less, nor is there a clear-cut distinction between piety and worldly desires. Take the Grand Elder, for example; his decadence almost perfectly embodied Ernst's stereotypical image of a stubborn old conservative. Yet, Ernst never said he was unpious.

Even on the trial bench of the Holy Stone, when Ernst was talking with Jeragand, he never completely denied the Grand Elder's idea—Jeragand must be respected. Humans have protected Kjerag for thousands of years, Kjerag is Him, and Him is Kjerag. Without Him, there would be no Kjerag. How can we kick someone out just because SilverAsh said, "We have to go our own way"?

So you're slapping the pot after eating? Only Jeragund is so magnanimous. If it were a smaller, more temperamental behemoth, SilverAsh would dare to shout like that and leave tomorrow, while also giving Sherag a couple more blows as a way of "returning the natural disasters that have been blocked for thousands of years to you all." What could the Sherag people say?

At that point, let alone walking your own path, will you even have the legs left?

Fortunately, Ensiodis, who had witnessed a portion of Yeragand's divine power firsthand at the Duke of Caesar's mansion, underwent some changes and never brought up the matter again.

They also very astutely took the initiative to cover all the construction costs for the Jeragund statue.

What a kind person! Jeragand will surely be very satisfied!

As for the Grand Elder's eventual suicide, this was one of the few things Ernst didn't investigate in detail. In any case, the contribution he made after his death was greater than the contribution he made in his entire life, and Ernst didn't care whether he really committed suicide out of shame because he was exposed on the spot by the god he believed in for altering the oracle of Jeragund, or because he was "discovered to have altered the oracle of Jeragund to judge the Holy Son, and was assassinated by the other elders of the Manjushri Council for fear of being purged."

There's no difference; they're all the same.

Ivangelista XI's current reaction confirmed Ernst's understanding of what lay behind that door.

Where the law resides.

The Laterans worshipped the law and the god who made the law, just as the Sherag worshipped Jeragand. To be honest, Ivangelista XI shared many similarities with Ernst in terms of identity, stance, and even some of his thoughts; he was practically another version of myself in the world.

But Ernst always felt something was off.

Perhaps it was because Ernst did not see a motherly "Latland Goddess of Law" by the side of this pope?

However, the answer to this question will soon be revealed.

What lies behind that door? A slumbering behemoth? An open scripture? A pager that communicates with the gods like the Jeragund Stones? Or perhaps...?

Ernst's mind flashed with images of Ya'er's slender figure.

Or is it a giant beast human form that's apparently bored and disguises itself as a human to wander around?

Ahem, that's a bit disrespectful. I can't say I was very free; I should say that I took time out of my busy schedule to make an incognito visit. Gangmen, you are great, no need for further explanation!

Considering that I've never seen the Lateran god or heard any legends about him, this god might be quite different from Jeragand... He's a homebody, but very outgoing and an optimist.

It perfectly matches my stereotype of Laterano.jpg

"Andorn, Lord Ernst, are you ready?"

King Ivangelista XI began.

Andorn and Ernst, who had regained their senses, nodded. They watched as Ivangelista XI walked toward the gate, then reached out and used the papal scepter as a key, inserting it into the hole in the gate.

The hole was large, and the staff was small, unable to fill it, yet a sound like a soft sigh, as if a lock was being opened, still emanated from within the hole.

The entire underground space was instantly filled with blue.

These are lines of energy flowing through the space, now like long, shimmering serpents, climbing up every wall of the underground space, converging towards the massive keyhole into which the Pope's scepter is inserted—the core of the towering gate at the center of the entire space.

Then, under Ernst and Andorn's watchful eyes, the tightly sealed door, which allowed no light to leak through, slowly opened, revealing everything inside to Ernst and Andorn.

There were no sleeping behemoths, no eccentric homebody girls who loved sweets, and no unspeakable concepts. There was only some kind of gigantic object that was within Ernst and Andorn's knowledge, yet far beyond their comprehension.

The sounds of the parts turning together formed a roar like cannon fire, and the speed at which the program refreshed was faster than the fleeting lightning. On the huge screen, line after line of text appeared, as if revealing the truth of the world.

King Ivangelista XI and Andorn could not understand the written language, but they could comprehend its meaning. The Sarkaz's empathic aura conveyed the will of the law, converging different languages ​​into commands that were directly presented to their consciousness. Therefore, they did not need to know what these were or why they were; they only needed to perform the simplest operation—understand the commands and obey them.

Ernst could read the text, but he couldn't understand its meaning. Although he didn't recognize every single word, their combination allowed him to grasp what it meant.

Programming code.

This is a huge machine, a giant computer, running an unimaginable program?

As if to verify Ernst's conjecture, Ivangelista XI stepped forward, and in response to the will of this [Saint (Authorized One)], the magnificent law revealed its original form to the two outsiders.

The Lateran Codex, Chapter 1: God created the world.

The world is not a superficial, narrow term like "earth," confined to a small corner of the world, but the real world. This is a word Ernst hadn't heard, or perhaps hadn't spoken, in a long time.

And this is where the word originated in Lateran.

A simple greeting, a conventional rule, a tradition followed by all programmers.

——【Hello World!】

It's as if a bald elder is warmly greeting a visitor from tens of thousands of years later, whose name, identity, and purpose are unknown, with a "hello!"

Chapter 234 The Sakotas will endure forever, even in their defiance of the gods.

Regret, in short, I regret it very much.

If Ernst had known that he would be tested on programming questions after time-traveling, he would have definitely applied to the computer science department without hesitation and diligently studied his barely passing Level 2 computer exam.

It's not like someone who wastes their life studying law and politics, only to end up with a government job, only to wake up one day and realize what it means to "regret not having studied enough when you need it," and can only stare blankly at this big computer like Andorn and Ivangelista XI.

just kidding.

Ernst certainly wouldn't superficially regret his initial choice. Rather, he might have thought that his persistent pursuit of in-depth programming studies might have led him in a completely different direction, but that would have been a future he couldn't predict.

The fact that he can now stand on the land of Terra, alongside Evangelista XI and Andorn, two Sarkaz, before the machinery of law, is a result that only Ernst, with his background in law and political science, could have created.

Clearly, fate played a humorous joke on Ernst, unexpectedly revealing the "Easter egg" planted by some unknown predecessor before him, and then, through the hand of Ivangelista XI, arranging it into a meaningful "truth" revealed at the climax of the story, ultimately giving Ernst a ridiculous result—he could see it, but he couldn't understand it.

Ernst was certain that the so-called "first page of the law" presented by Ivangelist XI did indeed begin with the ritualistic and inherited "Hello, World!" of human programmers, but the programming method used was definitely not any of those Ernst remembered.

Is it a coincidence?

Ernst frowned, subconsciously asking himself the same question.

Arknights is indeed a 2D tower defense game developed by a programmer. If a programmer really wanted to include one or two Easter eggs in the game to commemorate themselves without violating the rules, a short "Hello, World!" that can be explained by other game content would be a good choice. It also fits Ernst's stereotype of programmers—they possess a quirky sense of humor that others can't understand.

Some people might find this Easter egg surprising, creating a single sentence that simultaneously evokes the romance between pioneers and successors, the humor of a senior to a junior, and the magical effect of a programmer breaking the fourth wall for the player.

But he quickly dismissed the idea.

Just like in the sci-fi movie *Ready Player One*, which Ernst had seen in his previous life and which incorporated countless Easter eggs from classic films, TV series, and anime, the purpose of Easter eggs is to be discovered. In other words, the content of an Easter egg is itself part of the game's content. Furthermore, the Easter eggs that a game needs to decipher are directly and intricately connected to the game's core mechanics.

In other words, the ultimate computer, which was stored deep underground in Laterano and called "The Law" by the Sarkaz, and the "Hello, World!" Easter egg stored on this computer, were originally one of the items intended to be shown to players and to spark endless imagination.

This is not a coincidence; it was all preordained. As the game progresses, it will be hidden within the plot, appearing only briefly but being of paramount importance!

If we were to use a game-like visual to represent it, it would be like the CG image in which "I" arrive in Laterano and see this machine. While everyone's attention is focused on the supercomputer, Evangelista XI, and the background of the Sarkaz, there are always one or two Leeuwenhoek-like figures who will notice the "small details" in the CG image.

Then this detail will be made into a video called "[The Little Details You Overlooked in the New Arknights Event.avi]", uploaded to Bilibili, and receive a bunch of Leeuwenhoek-like exclamation comments like "What are you playing? I'm playing Arknights".

Once the Terra world becomes real, the concept of "process" no longer exists in reality. Therefore, Ernst, who is not a "doctor," has come here and become the first outsider to witness this.

However, the only problem is that, in that "doctor's" setting, he might be able to understand and even manipulate this supercomputer, but Ernst clearly cannot.

Ernst doesn't know how to program.

Programming is like math; everything else can lie to you, but math won't. If you don't know it, you just don't know it, no matter how much you try to explain it.

Not to mention that this programming program was unlike anything Ernst had ever seen before. It was clearly not the basic C language, or any other programming technology Ernst had never heard of, but rather some higher-end, more advanced process. All he could understand was a greeting that had been preserved as a traditional symbol.

This is truly... awkward.

Perhaps it was Ernst's expression, so different from Andorn's, that caught Ivangelist XI's attention, and the Pope asked curiously:

"Mr. Ernst, do you have any knowledge of the law?"

Ernst shook his head decisively, without the slightest hesitation or doubt, just like a college student who was asked if he was confident about taking the final exam without any preparation. His posture was quite carefree and resolute!

Theoretically speaking, the creators of such a powerful advanced computer should have left behind some kind of intelligent recognition system. After all, Einstein famously said, "I do not know what weapons will be used in the Third World War, but I know for sure that in the Fourth World War, people will use sticks and stones." If civilization experiences war and turmoil, then technological, historical, and even larger-scale disruptions and losses are foreseeable. The programmers who left behind this computer must have considered the possibility that their descendants could reprogram it, creating a "supercomputer system that even apes could use."

If he didn't get it done, his boss would definitely make him work overtime.

But Ernst has no intention of trying, at least not now.

Firstly, he didn't know the machine's specific purpose, nor how its creators identified humans. He was indeed a human, but now, from his outward appearance to his internal physiological structure, he was a genuine Felin Snow Leopard. Could this machine truly recognize him?

Secondly, even if this machine possesses the advanced ability to verify identity "through the soul" and recognize him as human, it's uncertain whether this transmigrator is entirely identical to the humans who left behind the computer. If he were to be purged because he's an unregistered individual, it would be a huge loss.

Thirdly, and most importantly, the Law Machine is not currently without a master; two of its users stand beside Ernst.

If Ernst successfully completes the first two challenges, what will happen next? Will Ernst gain control of the Law Machine? Or will he merely acquire a belated "cheat system"? Or... as Mostima suggested, if the Law has the ability to influence the thoughts of all the Sarkaz with halos above their heads, does that mean that Ernst, having gained the Law's recognition, will indirectly become a race-level... uh, hypnotist?

There are so many ways to play! It's a pity that the Sakortas are generally too small for some reason, which doesn't fit Ernst's aesthetic sense of human nature.

Ahem, there's absolutely no intention to secretly disparage Cintel here!

Joking aside, to get back to the point, Ernst neither had the ability nor the inclination to take on that kind of responsibility.

What changes would acquiring the Law bring to Laterano and the Sarkaz? Ernst dared not think about it, nor dared he try.

There are just too many things involved! It's a huge undertaking!

Ernst never considered himself to be particularly powerful or intelligent. Since becoming Prime Minister, he has been doing one thing all the time: leveraging existing power!

Leveraging the influence of Windermere, Columbia, Jeragund, and Rhine Life, cooperation has always been his guiding principle; he is far from capable of shouldering the future of an entire race alone.

Not to mention, if that were all, it wouldn't be so bad. But who doesn't understand the principle that "a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime"?

If the secrets of the law were to be leaked even slightly, Ernst would have to seriously consider the safety of Serrago and Lateran.

A machine capable of controlling an entire race, wielded by the leader of a small nation, is far more terrifying than an ordinary citizen possessing the legendary jade disc.

Therefore, Ernst wisely remained silent.

Holding this card, Ernst is also one of the people who understands the deepest secrets of Laterano, which is equivalent to having direct leverage over Laterano, giving him options for both advancing and retreating.

The bomb is most intimidating when it is in hand; at least, Ernst can use this incident to achieve his goal of putting Scherrag in the lead.

King Ivangelista XI nodded slightly, feeling a little relieved.

In his view, it was an indisputable fact that Ernst had some understanding of the law; otherwise, he would not have been able to directly persuade Andorn to skip the stage of questioning the fairness of the law and go straight to the stage of questioning the nature and necessity of the law.

Ernst's unusual expression when he saw the law confirmed Ivangelista XI's conjecture.

He does know something.

Fortunately, not many people probably know about it.

Moreover, Ernst was very measured. After achieving his goal and forcing him to hand over his incriminating evidence, he took a step back and gave Laterano some face.

This was a formidable opponent, and if it came down to scheming, Ivangelista XI had to admit that he was far inferior to him.

However, King Ivangelista XI also felt a sense of satisfaction and pride.

Because, perhaps Ernst never anticipated that Laterand wasn't truly determined to "seize the initiative" or that it was something essential.

King Ivangelista XI believed that if the International Summit could be initiated by Lateran, it would enhance Lateran's international standing and solidify the holy city's transcendent political significance, which would indeed be very good.

However, losing this position is not unacceptable.

Because they are Sakorta, because they obey the law, because they have only one ultimate goal—[survival].

Fame, fortune, status, and even the holy city and the nation itself are all illusions!

Even if it means sacrificing everything and defying the gods, the Sakotas will live on forever!

Chapter 235 We Showcase the "Future"

Ernst didn't know what Ivangelista XI and Andorn said in that underground chamber; that was Lateran's business, and Ernst couldn't interfere.

All I can say is that these outgoing Sakortas really left a deep impression on him. If even one of them were missing, Ernst's otherwise unremarkable visit wouldn't have taken such an unexpected turn.

A normal diplomatic visit involves the two delegations sitting behind closed doors at the negotiating table, engaging in heated debates and refusing to concede an inch. But once the doors open, they are all smiles, exchanging ideas in depth, reaching consensus, setting aside disputes, and cooperating vigorously.

Lateran-style diplomatic visit: The Pope and the Prime Minister sit in the lounge, eating fruit tarts and chatting. They talk about national affairs and the situation in Terra. Eventually, they get so engrossed in the conversation that they take the Pope to the ancestral tombs for an on-site archaeological excavation, and with the help of the Great Machine God, they finalize the deal.

All I can say is that it has a very Laterano flavor, a strangeness that reveals a certain naturalness, so natural that you don't feel the strangeness. No matter what it is, if it sounds outrageous and it is done outrageous, but if it happens in Laterano, then everything becomes normal.

Ernst smiled with relief.

Regardless, although the game started with four twos and a pair of kings thrown at you, the process was a complete mess, and it even led to a bigger mystery, at least the ending was good.

Win-win.