People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

This Sarkaz is huge!

Isn't it said that the Sarkaz live in dire straits, sometimes starving, sometimes unable to even get water, and their lives are constantly threatened?

How did they manage to develop so rapidly?

What made Hinterlea feel her worldview collapse the most was that even the blond Sarkaz man next to her understood people better than she did!

That was a man!

"Ahem, Hinterlea, you still have a mission to complete. Don't linger here. Go on your way."

Jian coughed, waking up the once-stunned Hinterlea. For some reason, Hinterlea sensed a hint of eagerness in Jian's tone.

"I'll go and have a look at them!"

As expected, you were eager to try it out!

Chapter 290 Manfred: They're all traitors, you've all been playing me!

"Damn it, where did this crazy woman come from!"

Taking several steps back to dodge the double maces dancing in her hands, Ersula unleashed a level of agility and power that left Hinterlea speechless.

However, the mace was not Hintria. Even so, Ersula did not affect the mace's mindset. She took a step forward and used one of her maces to parry Manfred, while the other was swung straight at Ersula, who was trying to escape the battlefield, almost hitting her shoulder.

At the critical moment, Manfred unleashed his "magic weapon," a Sarkaz sorcery crystal called the "Root of Ticaz," a gift from Theresis to mark his graduation. Under Manfred's control, it soared into the air, its eye-like opening spewing forth a dazzling red light that blocked the mace's trajectory.

Forced to act, she had no choice but to temporarily halt her attack. The weapon, which was almost about to strike, was forcibly stopped under her control. With a sidestep, she changed the strike into a sweep, tearing apart the ominous red light of the sorcery. As a result, she herself had to take a step back, putting distance between herself and Manfred and Ersula.

However, Jian was not discouraged. Instead, he wiped the sweat from his temples with renewed fighting spirit, his eyes full of anticipation.

"Your swordsmanship is superb, but unfortunately it's not quite mature enough. You have a good master, but neither you nor he has prioritized learning swordsmanship, which is truly regrettable."

"But that's alright, Sarkaz, you're already a worthy opponent for me! Come on, let's continue!"

Continue my ass!

Manfred grinned. He wasn't there to fight in Serrag, or rather, even if he were to fight, it shouldn't be here, with some random Caprini.

Sherag still had many secrets to uncover, and the tasks of verifying the authenticity of Hadley's intelligence and confirming his loyalty remained. After completing these tasks, he had to return to Lentinium to report to His Highness the Regent. Afterward, he would continue to be responsible for training the Royal Army soldiers, negotiating with the commander of the Lentinium city defense force, and eliminating the numerous "eyes" of several Grand Dukes in Lentinium. He had so many things to do that he simply couldn't finish them all and had no time or people to waste here.

But then, the blond Caprini, seemingly completely unreasonable, walked up and, without saying a word, asked, "Are you guests invited by Ernst?"

Before he could even think of a plausible excuse, she had already drawn her mace, revealing a menacing character: "War!"

I'll fight you, you big dummy!

I haven't even said a word yet, and you've already started attacking me. Isn't that a bit too rude?

Manfred never imagined that he, a Sarkaz, would one day be speaking politely to others. But that was the reality. When the mace lunged forward and delivered a clean and decisive blow, Manfred knew that at this moment, not fighting was no longer an option.

But Manfred wasn't too worried at first. He figured if he had to fight, he could just finish it quickly. Manfred was quite confident in his own fighting abilities.

He was born in Kazdel, a land ravaged by war, and became a disciple of the great Sarkaz swordsman Theresis at a young age. At that time, Theresis's apprentice Ascalon had betrayed the general and did not return to the military council after the civil war ended. As Theresis's only disciple at the time, he naturally received Theresis's true teachings.

He studied and practiced diligently without ever slacking off, and his swordsmanship improved rapidly, earning him high praise even from General Theresis. Although he often heard General Theresis use Ascalon as an analogy to teach him some essentials of swordsmanship, by now he had developed some different thoughts.

He had a slight doubt as to whether Ascalon was truly stronger than him now.

This is the pride of a martial artist. Although his focus has shifted from honing his swordsmanship to commanding tasks, and he has reduced the frequency of his daily sword practice, he has always maintained this pride.

But today, his pride was shattered.

Every move of this Caprini before him was powerful and heavy, a stark contrast to the fighting style of the Caprini casters Manfred had previously encountered, who always wielded rapiers or bladed canes, unleashing Originium Arts from the sword tip for sneak attacks. Just how strong was she? Each time Manfred met a heavy blow with his longsword, he felt his hand go numb, his wrist throb, and he could barely hold onto his sword, let alone launch a counter-attack as planned.

This is not the Caprini with thin arms and legs, whose voice even has a sinister tone.

wrong!

Manfred suddenly realized something—he hadn't yet witnessed the use of Originium Arts by the Mace!

This woman is Caprini, known on Earth as the "born sorcerer." Manfred would never believe that she doesn't know Originium Arts.

But until now, she hasn't used Originium Arts yet. Instead, she's engaged in close combat with him. Is she planning to use magic as a finishing move and launch a sneak attack on me when I'm off guard?

Manfred couldn't help but think of a joke circulating in Kazdel:

A Sarkaz encountered a Sarkaz on the road, and the two were about to fight when the Sarkaz suddenly suggested that they keep their distance and have a fair duel. The Sarkaz agreed.

So the two separated, and after a three-second countdown, Sarkaz turned around and swung his greatsword at Sarkaz's head. But the next second, he saw that Sarkaz had pulled out a gun!

"You don't follow martial ethics!"

"My lord, times have changed!"

The gun went off and the man died.

Manfred didn't want to fall for someone's trick like the foolish Sarkaz in the story. His eyes turned cold, and he gritted his teeth, saying:

"If we keep playing like this, we'll be on the defensive the whole time, it'll feel like we've been disarmed!"

"We can't go on like this, Ersula. Let's get rid of this strange woman!"

Ersula, who had stepped aside, nodded and pulled out a beautifully decorated pocket watch from the groove in her chest, which exuded an incredibly ancient aura.

The Clock of Time.

Erzula's name comes from an ancient Sarkaz hero who, according to legend, stood up against the Time Beasts when they invaded Kazdel, sacrificing himself to protect the Sarkaz homeland. The veracity of this story is impossible to verify, but one thing is clear: the Sarkaz and the Time Beasts were indeed closely connected.

Whether it's the [Lock and Key] that Mostima's team found in an underground catacombs of a Sarkaz camp, or the [Chronicle of Time] in Erzula's hands, both are among the legacies left behind by the [Time] behemoth after its death.

The gold coins dropped by these behemoths each have their own uses. Mostima's lock and key allow the holder to enter a state of subjective time slowing, where physical functions, age, and even the perception of time become different from those of outsiders. And the function of the pocket watch in Ersula's hand is—

"Teleport!"

Time and space are inherently intertwined, and among the powers of the [Time Sequence] behemoths is the ability to traverse the river of time, thereby reaching unimaginable realms. The behemoths' powers are mysterious and unpredictable; even the Sarkaz cannot decipher their principles, but this does not prevent them from utilizing them!

Lentinium was able to transport supplies and Sarkaz soldiers amidst heavy blockades and surveillance precisely because of this ability.

Ersula was assigned to travel with Manfred because of her baby.

With a delicate shout from Sarkaz, the pocket watch in her hand suddenly emitted a mysterious light. Within the pale blue ripples, it seemed as if a tangible "time" was flowing, covering her and Manfred's bodies under Ersula's control.

Jian frowned, wanting to step forward, but since Manfred had already taken out one of his trump cards, [Root of Tikkaz], he would no longer be suppressed by Jian at close range.

Crimson beams of light shot out from the pupil-like abyss of the Root of Tikkaz, forcing Ban to retreat repeatedly. The ground struck by the beams of light had already dissolved into numerous craters.

It's quite powerful; you can't withstand it head-on.

Jian immediately made a judgment, and lightly leaped backward, putting distance between himself and Manfred.

In Manfred's eyes, this was her finally unable to resist using Originium Arts.

“Unfortunately,” Manfred sneered, “it’s too late.”

The Clock of Time has finished charging, and the feeling of floating, as if pulling one's soul out of the body, has surged through Manfred's entire body. At this moment, no matter what this terrifying blond Caprini does, it will be of no use.

Manfred put away the [Root of Tikkaz], stared at the mace, and said loudly:

"Caprini, I'll remember you. Now is not the time to linger on you. Next time we meet, I'll show you what Sarkaz swordsmanship is all about, and let you know that Sarkaz cannot be insulted!"

The overwhelming blue light obscured his vision, and Manfred briefly lost consciousness. In the last second before he disappeared from his spot, he seemed to see the blond Caprini put away his double maces, take out a strangely shaped stone from his pocket, and look at Hadley, who had been watching the battle silently from beginning to end.

Hmph, if Hedley weren't still of great use in Sherag, Manfred would have questioned him for his silent, hands-off behavior just now, asking, "Why did you just stand by and watch? Have you betrayed us too?"

Although he allowed Hadley to watch the play and distance himself from him because of the general's instructions, Manfred couldn't help him with how to clear his name afterwards.

Hopefully, nothing serious will happen.

Also, Caprini was truly awful.

The blue light slowly dissipated, as if a drowning person had found land again. Manfred opened his eyes again and began to gasp for breath.

Taking the teleportation of the [Time-Sequence] behemoth without any protection is not a pleasant experience; it feels like you could be thrown into the spacetime turbulence at any moment.

Fortunately, we finally escaped the terrifying Caprini.

Jian: "Hello."

Manfred: ".........?"

The snowfield was still the same snowfield, the mountain peaks were still the same mountain peaks, and the people in front of me were still the same people: Hadley, Mace, and Ersula.

No, why is it still you guys?!

"Ersula, why are you teleporting?! Why are we still here? Have you betrayed us too?"

Ersula was also stunned, and quickly waved her hand to deny the possibility that she had been paid to fix the match: "I don't know either. We didn't even enter the spine of [Timeline]. The teleportation was interrupted midway! I've never encountered this situation before!"

What does it mean when the transmission is interrupted midway?

Manfred doesn't believe a word of that!

You're talking nonsense. The teleportation of the Time Beasts is something even a general can't stop; it's a top-level power! How could it be blocked? Do you think Caprini is some kind of witch king?

Faced with Ersula's weak and unconvincing explanation, Manfred said, "Keep making things up."

So, are you going to say next that the [Time Sequence] behemoth itself doesn't want to leave?

P.S.: I went to bed at 8 o'clock, but I suddenly woke up and have to hurry up and start typing. Damn, I almost missed it, guys!

Brothers, go to sleep early. We'll check back tomorrow. I'll keep going. Goodnight!

Chapter 291 Kal'tsit, where are you?!

"So, you brought these two back?"

Ernst looked at the two Sarkaz in front of him with some curiosity.

To reiterate, it's not that he has any prejudice against the Sarkaz, but rather that the vast majority of Sarkaz on this land are truly not good people.

Two Sarkaz infiltrated Sherag and clashed with Mace, instantly raising Ernst's favorability rating to a dangerous level.

Furthermore, given that they had used a spell called "teleportation" (an ancient Sarkaz term) that allowed them to temporarily disappear from the spot, Ernst couldn't help but be wary.

After all, this move sounds really weird, who knows what those two are here to do?

There was also Hadley, and Hinterlea was another person who witnessed the three of them together, although she should be in the Kharlan Trade Center doing business with the Kazimierz at the moment, but Ernst did not doubt that Hinterlead would lie about something that could be easily verified.

Hedley also had connections with these two Sarkaz, meaning they were also sent by Theresis.

Ernst was somewhat exasperated. "No, Theresis, why are you always watching me instead of keeping an eye on your Lontinim and the Grand Duke? Is there something to see on my face?"

Sending one spy wasn't enough, so they sent two or three more. What, are they planning to boost their performance by sending a batch of talent to my area?

Then I really thank you.

With a slight headache, Ernst clicked his tongue. He knew these two were definitely different from Hadley. Hadley was clearly a slacker; Ernst had commissioned Horn Peak, Messenger, and Jeston to keep an eye on him for over half a month, and he hadn't shown any signs of anything amiss. But these two, they'd been acting suspiciously ever since they entered Sherag, even meeting with Hadley in secret. If nothing was amiss, they were probably Therese's loyal henchmen, here to investigate Hadley, this slacker spy.

Ernst's strategy was clear: provide cover for Hedley as needed. Where could he find such a cheap village teacher? He didn't want to just give it away to Theresis's men.

Having roughly guessed their identities, Ernst made no attempt to hide it and immediately questioned them in a rather impolite tone:

"Are you two from Londinium?"

Manfred and Ersula exchanged a glance and nodded.

They're not usually this obedient. The Sarkaz are never slaves unless they're provided with food and lodging. Ernst hasn't offered any conditions yet, and given their usual temperament, they wouldn't be satisfied without giving him a sarcastic remark.

But now, things are different.

Ersula's [Clock of Time] had inexplicably malfunctioned, and in terms of martial arts alone, she could only go toe-to-toe with Mace. Ernst had a multitude of powerful generals by his side, making a direct confrontation unwise. Besides, conflict wasn't part of Theresis's mission requirements in the first place.

What? That's not what you're curious about? You mean the room and board are included?

That's actually true. Manfred isn't very old and hasn't experienced the bloody history of Kazdel being destroyed more than three thousand times. Born of commoner blood, he doesn't have the long-standing traditions and memories of the royal court. His hatred for the land's nations and the hundred tribes of Terra isn't actually that deep-seated.

In his view, all the fighting and dying was ultimately about fighting for a future where Kazdel would be a nation and the Sarkaz would have a home. If the land's nations could really give up a piece of land so that the Sarkaz could live, develop, and have food and lodging provided, then Manfred wouldn't have such a strong urge to drive the Terrans out of this land without leaving a single one.

He was not Therese after all.

Although he didn't understand what General Therese's real purpose was.

His current diligence is simply fulfilling the duties of a soldier and obeying the orders of his leader.

This is certainly a form of loyalty, only it involves more subjective agency. Therefore, Manfred could choose his own attitude towards Ernst.

He didn't know Therese's attitude, but he felt that Therese should know his attitude, and since he didn't say anything to correct or stop him, it should be considered a tacit approval.