People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

Shelag, Tukarim, Shelag Government Office Building, Ernst's Office.

Smiling, Duke Kast entered the room under Hinterlea's guidance. His gaze swept over Vina before turning to Ernst, and he nodded slightly.

"It's really not easy to see you these days, Prime Minister Ernst."

"Duke Kast is too kind." Ernst nodded with a forced smile. "At the banquet, I promised you that once Tukarim City was rebuilt, I would personally invite you to visit and offer your guidance. How could I possibly refuse to see you?"

Kasper scoffed, "Then I wonder if I, as an elder, still have the authority to offer guidance?"

Ernst frowned slightly.

It must be said that the Duke of Caesar was cunning. The word "elder" is different from a title like "Duke," and the pressure it brings is not political, but moral.

The Duke of Caesar was Ernst's elder, and Ernst's mother was the Duke of Caesar's niece. In terms of generation, he was the Duke of Caesar's grand-nephew. Although the Duke of Caesar had hundreds of such distant relatives, an elder is still an elder.

For the general public, political mistakes are easier to forgive due to their complexity, while mistakes in private morality are much more glaring and difficult to erase once they are committed.

Because political mistakes have many layers—they might be disagreements on direction, errors in practice, well-intentioned mistakes that turn out badly, or bad intentions that turn out well—the general public doesn't have the time or the energy to figure out every single detail.

But private morality is different. If you cheat, then you are definitely a bad person. If you say you cheated because your partner was abusive, then you can get a divorce. If you cheated without getting a divorce, then you are a bad person.

Private matters are relatively simple and direct, making them easy to judge. This is why, often, when the loser in a political struggle exits the scene, the first charge they are charged with is a simple and straightforward breach of private morality—such as infidelity, domestic violence, or keeping a mistress. More complex matters are incomprehensible to the general public; this kind of straightforwardness is the most effective way to damage the opponent's influence and reputation among the people, preventing them from having a chance to rise again.

More importantly, Duke Caster was not only Ernst's elder, but also Vina's. Vina's father was Duke Caster's brother. Although the amazing racial inheritance probability of Terra, based on the 50/50 genetics of the parents' races, made Duke Caster Felin rather than Aslan, Vina still had to call her aunt.

This relationship is much closer than that between Ernst and Kester. If she were to act as an elder and give orders, she would be a difficult person to deal with.

Ernst, naturally, couldn't relinquish the initiative in the conversation to the other party, turning himself from an equal negotiating partner into a reprimanded junior. He had no choice but to forcibly correct his form of address:

"As the Grand Duke of Victoria, a pioneer of mobile cities and modernization, the Duke of Caesar is naturally qualified to offer suggestions on the development of Shelag, which I will seriously consider and adopt."

"Tsk."

Duke Caesar clicked his tongue almost imperceptibly. Seeing that Ernst showed no intention of relinquishing the initiative in the exchange, he quickly abandoned the plan and launched a rapid offensive:

"Ernst, you should know why I'm here."

"I need an explanation for what happened to Alexandrina."

Seeing this, Ernst also stopped smiling and asked in return, "I wonder what kind of explanation His Excellency the Duke requires?"

Duke Kessel raised an eyebrow: "Ernst, are you perhaps unwilling to give me an explanation?"

Ernst shrugged. "I'd certainly be willing to give His Excellency an explanation, but I don't know what kind of explanation would satisfy him. Perhaps His Excellency could provide a general outline?"

Ernst's words were forceful, but they were indeed a last resort.

Vina's identity and the timing of her self-disclosure caught him completely off guard. He had no contingency plans whatsoever, and with only half a day to consider the matter, it was impossible for him to come up with a foolproof solution.

If we're talking about throwing out a brick to attract jade, he certainly had a few ideas he could throw out immediately. But after careful consideration, Ernst decided against proposing a solution himself.

Ernst was unaware of the Duke of Caesar's level of concern for Vina's existence, nor was he certain of how much influence Vina still held over Victoria's current political situation.

If everyone in Victoria were now a royalist, and with the king dead, the country in chaos, and life in decline, people would begin to "miss the king." In that case, Vina's status as heir would naturally rise, and correspondingly, an ambitious duke like the Duke of Custer, with a history of rebellion, would be even more eager to eliminate her.

Conversely, if everyone in Victoria is at peace, and the people feel that having an emperor or not makes no difference, and the Duke is fine with them, then the effect of Vina's claim would be greatly reduced. Even if Ernst forcibly established her as emperor, no one would recognize her. Even if he did conquer Londinium, his rule wouldn't last long. In that case, the Duke of Caesar's attitude towards Vina would become "a threat, but it's okay to ignore her."

After all, there are many threats. The Duke of Windermere, the Duke of Wellington—aren't they all threats? The Duke of Castle didn't actually take any action, did he?

If Ernst speaks rashly, he will not only easily reveal his psychological expectations and bottom line, but he will also most likely fail to find out the Duke of Caesar's thoughts.

It would be better to retreat strategically and launch a counter-attack.

The Duke of Caesar remained silent for a long while, and seeing that Ernst truly had the confidence that "it's alright for us to just sit here and wait it out," he sighed softly and said:

"How about we trade Miss Vina's life for the airship technology showcased at the expo?"

"puff."

Ernst remained silent, but Vina, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but laugh.

She glanced at Ernst, who nodded slightly, which gave Vina a bit of confidence.

She did want to speak up, after all, she was the one who caused this mess, and Ernst was used to cleaning up her mess. Although she was used to it, she was still a little embarrassed.

She's not a child anymore; she should take responsibility for her actions and mitigate the consequences. Besides, it would be a disgrace for Vina, who has now awakened, to stand by and remain silent when others are making decisions about her life's most important matters!

She will strive too!

"The Duke of Caster has a good sense of humor."

Vina started with a highly aggressive remark.

"That was a good joke, but don't tell it again."

Duke Caesar glanced sideways at Vina, his expression a mixture of disdain and a hint of provocation as he asked:

"What, does Miss Vina perhaps think that she is not as good as an airship in Prime Minister Ernst's eyes?"

“In my heart, a hundred airships are not worth as much as Ernst. I don’t know how I am in his heart, but I know that I am definitely worth more than that in your heart.”

Vina made a rather bold confession that left Ernst and Kester speechless. Before Kester could even recover, she continued...

"Moreover, Your Excellency the Duke's words are full of traps, do you think I can't see them?"

Duke Caesar looked directly at Vina, his eyes filled with doubt as if he were wondering if the girl before him was possessed by Yeragand. Otherwise, why would she show no fear whatsoever?

Even her father couldn't beat her, so why is she so confident?

“While I don’t know where your confidence comes from,” said the Duke of Caesar, “why don’t you tell me if there’s a trap in my words?”

"You immediately asked for the airship technology displayed at the expo, without specifying which expo it was. Your target is clearly not this World Expo. If the airship technology were to be upgraded in the future and exhibited at the expo, would you still use that as an excuse to ask for it?"

"Not only that, you didn't even specify that it was Ernst who possessed the airship technology. If another country develops an airship in the future and exhibits it at the expo, you will force Sherag to give you special access to obtain that data, right?"

This is indeed shameless, but it's the kind of thing the Duke of Custer would do.

By then, the blame will fall on Sherag, but the technology will belong to Kester; that would be a real loss.

"Moreover, exchanging Vina's life is not the same as exchanging Alexandrina's life. Your Excellency the Duke clearly called me by my real name when you first started addressing me, so why did you change it back now?"

"You want to end the political life of [Alexandria Vina Victoria] and only separate Vina as an individual."

“But Alexandra Vina Victoria is a whole, and I will not abandon any part of myself.”

"Moreover, the condition of merely leaving me alive is far too much of a trap. A vegetable, a disabled person, or even having some Sarkaz wizards cast a curse on me to drive me insane, is considered leaving me alive. Your Excellency the Duke is not honest at all."

The Duke of Caesar's eyelids twitched.

She did indeed make an outrageous demand, but then negotiated a lower price. She didn't believe Ernst hadn't noticed the trap in her words.

However, while she could understand what was being said, the Duke of Caesar had never before been so directly confronted with the traps in her words—the Duke of Windermere would not give her a chance to negotiate; he would either scold or beat her, it was all very straightforward.

It's somewhat embarrassing.

Although that thing doesn't exist.

The Duke of Caesar retorted calmly, “That’s all your conjecture, Miss Vina. I’m not incapable of correcting the wording, but I don’t think you have the right to interfere with my choice of words. Don’t forget, I arranged your court tutors for you.”

"You were the one who sent people to kill them," Vina replied indifferently.

The Duke of Caesar frowned slightly: "Don't speak nonsense without evidence."

"You have it?" Vina asked with a smile.

The Duke of Caesar was speechless for a moment.

She didn't have any either. After all, the person had been killed. While there might be records in the books, they would only be limited to things like "a new court tutor was recruited," not details of who arranged it. Besides, the books were still in Londinium; she couldn't very well ask Theresis for them, could she?

No, why am I arguing with this little brat? When it comes to verbal skills, Vina is no less skilled than her father.

After all, that person was the one who had the ability to push Victoria to participate in the Gallo-Leytanian War against all odds, and who could later offend almost all the great nobles in the same way. He was a master of ventriloquism.

I almost got caught up in her rhythm.

The Duke of Caesar paused, then spoke again:

"How about exchanging the airship technology showcased at the opening ceremony of the 1094 World's Fair for the life of [Alexandria Vina Victoria]?"

“A life-for-life condition…” Vina was about to retort again when Ernst pressed down on the back of her hand, stopping her abruptly.

The two exchanged information smoothly, and Ernst said:

“I am aware of Your Excellency’s sincerity, but I am sorry, I cannot grant your request.”

"A direct refusal?" The Duke of Caesar stopped tapping his fingers on the sofa armrest, somewhat incredulous.

Ernst said, "I'm sorry, the technology of the airship will not be disclosed to the public for the time being."

The Duke of Caesars was puzzled: "Having this technology but not making it public, does Sherag want to become a target of public criticism?"

Ernst shook his head: "Of course not, it's only temporary. This technology will be shared free of charge with the participating countries as a prize at another grand event in the future."

Duke of Caesar: "Another grand event?"

Ernst nodded: "The International Summit."

The Duke of Caesar remained silent for a moment, not asking about the specific purpose and function of the summit, but simply nodding.

Using airship technology as a prize, Ernst is certainly daring with his offer. The [International Summit]—whatever it may be—seems like an unavoidable event.

The Duke of Caesar then asked, "In that case, what is Prime Minister Ernst's explanation to me?"

"Miss Alexandra Vina, Victoria will renounce her Victorian citizenship and become a Sherag citizen, officially becoming a Sherag citizen."

The Duke of Caesar waited a moment before opening his eyes wide in disbelief:

"That's it?"

Ernst nodded: "That's it."

"Is it Prime Minister Ernst's turn to show off his humor this time?"

"My humor is always reserved for friends."

"Do you think that you can enjoy the shade of Windermere's tree?" Duke Kess sneered. "Ernst, it is indeed difficult for the Duchy of Kess to defeat the Duchy of Windermere in a short time, but crushing Sherag is not troublesome at all."

"Even a grain of sand in Victoria can bring down a mountain in Sherag. Do you really intend to oppose me?"

Ernst smiled and nodded: "You're right. I don't deny that Sherag is indeed weak, but Your Grace, is it really as easy for the Duchy of Kestlüt to destroy Sherag as it is now, as you think?"

"I only need one high-speed warship to destroy Sherag."

The moment she finished speaking, a voice laced with anger exploded in her mind like a thunderclap, almost causing her to lose her hearing:

“If you destroy one city of Shelag, I will destroy ten of yours in retaliation.”

Duke Caesar fought off the dizziness and looked at Ernst, only to find that the voice did not come from Ernst's mouth.

That's true. Even ordinary Originium mage can't directly conjure a voice in someone's mind.

Is it that legendary behemoth from Sherag?

Are there really giant beasts that are so friendly to humans?

Kester's face darkened. If force didn't work, she wasn't without other options:

"Sherragh's trade is so fragile. What if I were to impose a blockade on you?"

"As the Duke said, Sherag's production capacity is outdated, so its market is small. The Colombian market is already sufficient, not to mention the Duke of Windermere and the Duke of Wellington..."

Wellington?

The Duke of Caesar silently repeated the name Ernst had mentioned.

When did that old scoundrel get involved?

Ernst wasn't finished yet: "After the International Summit, Your Excellency the Duke will also find that the economic blockade against Sherag is completely unnecessary and unprofitable, and will only cause you losses."

"...You seem very confident? Do you perhaps think that Sherag has no weaknesses?" Duke Kester asked.

"No, that's not it. Sherag has many problems, some of which I can't solve for the time being. I just believe that His Excellency the Duke is ultimately a peace lover."

Ernst offered the stairs.

The Duke of Caesar, feeling somewhat embarrassed, picked up his tall hat and walked down smoothly.

"really."

“I am interested in establishing the Terra Peace Prize, and I would certainly award it to you first.”

"Thank you so much."

She only said a few words to Ernst to test his mettle; she wouldn't actually do it.

Should we still use the airship? Should we still participate in the International Summit? Ernst was able to make a bold statement that after the International Summit was held, the economic blockade would be ineffective against Sherag. With the airship as a prize, she was quite curious about what exactly this International Summit was.

Besides, what good would it do her to destroy Jeragand? Without Jeragand, it would be difficult to conquer this place.