People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

Poetry is free, but poets are not. Knights are noble, but the nobles they protect are not. This caused her immense pain, and also immense longing for her days in Sherag.

However, her father's illness and the current situation have made it difficult for her to extricate herself.

As Ernst said: Every adult has to pay the price for their choices.

This is the price she has to pay.

"Mr. Ernst, will we ever see each other again?"

"Miss."

The door was opened at some point, and a well-dressed maid stood in the doorway, her respectful expression masking indifference.

Viviana turned around. She wasn't nervous, nor was she afraid that the maids would hear her murmur. The maids in this castle palace were all rigorously trained; they neither listened nor spoke, but simply served as "tools to showcase their master's style."

The maid in front of her looked about the same age as Viviana, but she had been working in the palace for fifteen years and knew the rules better than anyone else.

"what happened?"

"Viviana asked."

It shouldn't be her father's medication time yet, and it's not time for her to visit him. Logically speaking, there shouldn't be anything in this castle that she should be concerned about.

The maid bowed slightly and replied:

"Miss, someone is looking for you."

"Who? Malfoy?"

Malfoy is a "relative" of Viviana, whose true identity is that of a collateral nobleman supported by the Queen, vying for the position of Elector of Stonland, and also Viviana's contact person in Stonland.

The maid shook her head and said softly:

"The other person said he was Shivaash."

Visible to the naked eye, Viviana's eyes, previously filled with sorrow, seemed to have been suddenly cleared by a bucket of water. An undisguised expectant smile appeared on her face. She rose, lifted her skirt, and almost impatiently, as if to break the taboo against running, approached the maid, excitedly saying:

"Quick, take me to see him!"

"Take me to see that Shivaesh!"

Chapter 670 BYD, Enshiodes!

A figure stood at the street corner.

His short, fluffy silver hair, his jet-black suit, and his large, fluffy tail all proclaimed his identity.

Viviana walked briskly toward him, her joy evident on her face. But when she was a short distance away, she slowed her pace, lowered her head, and looked herself over.

After straightening her evening gown, which had become slightly disheveled from running, and taking a deep breath, Viviana noticed a hint of confusion on the face of the man not far away.

Did she remember wrong? Mr. Ernst, he doesn't seem to be that tall?

Just then, the snow leopard on the street corner also turned its head. Its face was chiseled and angular, with deep, sharp, and domineering eyes, and a face that looked much more mature than Ernst's.

Viviana's smile froze.

Enciodes greeted him with a polite smile, stepping forward and extending his hand.

“Miss Viviana, it’s a pleasure to see you again in Letania.”

Viviana's delicate face twitched, her lips trembled as she lifted them, clinging to her last glimmer of hope, and asked: 2

"Ugh... Mr. Ensiodis is looking for me, is that you, Shivaesh?"

Ensiodis nodded with some surprise, then answered matter-of-factly:

"It's me, what's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing."

Viviana's smile was somewhat forced, but she still extended her hand and shook hands with Enciodes.

That makes sense. Viviana had already witnessed how busy Mr. Ernst was back in Sherag, so how could he possibly have time to make a special trip to St. Tong's territory?

They met by chance, both strangers in a foreign land. Her connection with Ernst was already limited, and besides, he had already helped her quite a bit.

If it weren't for his advice, Viviana would never have imagined that simply seeing her ailing father would involve so many complications, and could even lead to her death! She really shouldn't have asked for more.

“Miss Viviana, Ernst sends his regards. He must be pleased to see you safe. If you need any help, please contact me at Kalan Trading.”

Ensiodis's words interrupted Viviana's thoughts. The Elafian girl looked up blankly, and after a slight pause, her expression softened somewhat:

"Is this Ernst's intention?"

Ensiodis showed an "I knew it" expression and nodded:

"Yes."

He said that Viviana was indeed Ernst's backup plan in Letania. You see, this sentence "Ernst's meaning" implies a thousand words.

However, on the other hand, helping Viviana ascend to the throne and become the new Elector of Shitong is no easy task!

This was Enshiodis's first meeting with the transit group: Lengqi÷Lu, Yi☆ (Liu Weiweina), but it wasn't his first day in Shitong territory.

Before coming, he had done some special investigations. The complexity within Shi Tong Territory was terrifying, and the cost of the power struggle was astonishing! Let alone Viviana, even if the entire Kalan Trade was involved, it would be hard to say whether they could make a ripple.

Admittedly, for various reasons, Karan Trade is unlikely to be completely destroyed in this battle, but precisely because they are outsiders, getting involved is even more difficult. Ensiodis even suspected that Ernst had done any market research when giving him this task, or was he deliberately making things difficult for his brother?

But after calming down and thinking it over, he realized Ernst wouldn't do such a thing. After all, the expansion of trade routes in Letania by the Kalan Trade was also a good thing for Sherag. The two brothers were also in sync. Ernst never reduced the Kalan Trade tax by a single penny because Enciodis was his older brother, and Enciodis never became arrogant or complacent because of his famous status as "Ernst's older brother." On the contrary, he constantly worked hard, hoping that one day people would no longer call Enciodis "Ernst's older brother," but would instead refer to Ernst as "Enciodis's younger brother."

What? Not a single word about taxes?

No, no, it seems like it wasn't mentioned, but it actually was. Although Ensioudis didn't say whether the Kalan trade evaded taxes, Ernst did enforce the law impartially and collected the money that was due every time.

Hiding them won't help. Victoria, Columbia, Sherag—where aren't there Ernst's men?

My friends are all over the world!

Perhaps he does have a way to break the deadlock, but he didn't tell himself that he wanted to see his brother's abilities.

That's fine.

His reputation as an older brother is well-deserved.

Why bother with this damn Buddha? I'll do it myself!

“Miss Viviana, I have come here to facilitate trade cooperation between Letania and Sherag, so I need to meet with your father, His Excellency the Grand Election Lord of Shitong. I wonder if you could inquire whether such an opportunity exists?”

Viviana frowned slightly, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

It wasn't that he had any problem with this Byd Shivaish, it's just that she really wasn't sure what to do with him.

"I'm not sure if I can help you with this."

She glanced around, seemingly checking for spies, but spotted the golden-and-black figure of Caprini standing on the rooftop nearby. She lowered her head, raised her hand to Viviana in greeting, and gave her an OK sign.

Kianciodes wasn't stupid; secretly meeting with someone who might become the future Elector carried a certain risk. Moreover, although the two brothers tacitly competed and cooperated behind the scenes, at least on the surface, Ernst was now the only voice in Sherag's court, and Kianciodes was undoubtedly under Ernst's control. Any action he took could be interpreted as Ernst's intention.

Ernst sent a spokesperson to appoint Viviana as the next Grand Election Lord of Shitong. Doesn't this give off a "you know what I mean" vibe?

At the very least, it should be a charge of interfering in the internal affairs of another country, right?

To avoid causing Ernst any trouble, he specially brought his mace with him on the business trip, just for this moment.

With the mace in hand, it's like having a majestic golden lion standing at the gate. Who dares to eavesdrop so easily?

Viviana felt relieved and continued:

"To be honest, my father's condition is not optimistic."

"When I saw him, he looked very weak. Many sorcerers tried to alleviate his pain and cure his illness repeatedly, but with little success."

Viviana felt a pang of heartache. Although it had been a long time since they last met, when she saw those cloudy eyes suddenly clear the moment they saw her, heard those calls and apologies, and felt those withered, lifeless hands stroking her cheek, Viviana still felt a pang of heartache.

She didn't actually hate her father that much; by the time she was forced to leave the palace, she had already come to understand many things. She knew that her father was also "forced into it" at the time.

He suddenly took over the heavy responsibility that originally belonged to his brother, to manage hundreds of thousands of people under his command, to solve their food problem, and to face challenges from various forces in the country. He didn't even have the chance to escape or surrender. What he experienced at that time was probably even more difficult than what Viviana is experiencing now.

But it was this very person who stabilized his position, appeased the people of his territory, and finally became as stable as Mount Tai. He rose from a pawn to the chessboard, becoming the powerful and seemingly weak but absolutely capable Marquis of Shi Tong.

He wasn't great, but he was strong. He let Viviana down, but he was still decent to those under his rule.

So even though he was already tormented by illness and death might have been a relief for him, Viviana still wanted to save him.

"The doctor said that if they do their best, they can extend my father's life by a few more years, but only if he stops overworking himself."

"So, I'm not sure if he'll agree to discuss this matter with you."

Viviana sighed.

Enshiodes was not in a hurry, but simply requested:

"Please ask Miss Viviana to help me make the contact."

"Tell Shivaesh to talk to him if you need anything."

Viviana's expression changed, and she glanced at Ensiodis with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. Zero!

Good grief, so you did this on purpose, using this trick to fool me, and now you want to fool my dad too, right?

However, Enciodes' expression remained unchanged, showing no embarrassment whatsoever, and appearing completely innocent, which made Viviana begin to doubt herself.

Am I overthinking it?

However, Enciodes has a point. If it were Mr. Ernst, Father would certainly be willing to meet him.

After all, during their father-daughter meeting, the father spent a third of the time apologizing, Viviana recounted the events of the past, and the remaining third was spent talking about the same person—Ernst!

Viviana nodded slightly in agreement.

"I will relay this message truthfully."

"I will relay this message truthfully."

Trinitylme, the twin towers of ruthless authority and eternal grace.

Kim Yul-fa-wei knelt on one knee and received the order from the Empress.

To be precise, it was a message from Empress Ivignad to Empress Helenad.

Thanks to the "Witch King's Remnants" incident that occurred before the World Summit, Helinmat purged and suppressed many of the Witch King's Remnants and nobles suspected of being related to them. Although she did not take action against the Electors, she still made Letania very tense recently, and the peace was visibly much better.

However, this is merely the calm before the storm.

As long as the remnants of the Witch King's faction remain, and as long as the Electors are still alive, they can resurrect and expand countless times until they cause a whole host of trouble again.

At this moment, what could possibly attract the attention of the remnants of the Witch King's forces and help them recover the energy they suffered from the last attack in a short period of time?

"The answer is simple, Herlinmat."

"It's Shi Tongling."

"Even if it means cutting off their arms and crushing their bones, they would do anything to gain a seat as an elector."

"So, this time, who should go, the two of us?"

Chapter 671 The Emperor's Chosen: Let us forge an eternal bond of marriage!

Leitania, Shi Tongling.

After a body search, magical detection, and numerous examinations, Ensiodis finally met the rumored seriously ill Elector of the Stun Territory—Wolner von Hochberg.

He was thin and tall, and perhaps due to illness, he was practically skin and bones. Compared to the imposing and powerful Grand Election Lord, he looked more like a frail old man with little fighting ability. This was Ensiodes's first impression of him.

Ensiodis has met quite a few important figures over the years, from Viscount Victoria Walton, whom he had met before and who invested his first fortune in, to the Duke of Castle and the Duke of Windermere, whom he met at the World's Fair, as well as kings and nobles from all over Terra at the World's Fair. His experience can hardly be described as limited.

But he rarely had such thoughts about someone of such high status—as if he were an imposter.

Is it a counterfeit?

Of course not. Let alone the fact that an elector wouldn't have any reason to be so wary of a merchant with a slightly special status, let alone send a double in person. Even if the great elector were truly that cautious, he wouldn't needlessly damage his own image by using this sickly man in front of him.

So, this is Viviana's father himself.

Regardless of his inner thoughts, Enciodis bowed solemnly according to Letanian etiquette.

Upon seeing this, Elector Walner's lips curled into a slightly helpless, prickly smile.

Having served as a king or general for so many years and studied the art of imperial power for so long, even if he was unwilling, he had already developed enough discernment.

How could he not see what Ensiodis was thinking?

Seeing his ailing and frail appearance, those who felt a pang of sorrow, grief, or even secret joy were not few among his family members and subordinates. How much more so for an outsider.

Fortunately, Ensiodis is an outsider, and moreover, an outsider from Kjerag. There's no need to worry too much; he's either the Queen's or a remnant of the Witch King's faction.

"No need for formalities. Ahem, relax, just treat this as a chat. Mr. Ensiodes Shivaish, I'll call you Ensiodes."