People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

Is it just for publicity?

If that's the case, why has the remnant of the Witch King never gained the support of ordinary people in Letania?

This is true of many things; history books may not give you the most accurate or perfect answer, but history will always provide an answer.

Because history is created by the people, and the people, as a vast whole, always possess a sense of justice and fairness.

Ernst nodded. He agreed with Kal'tsit's explanation of the Witch King. After all, she had lived through that era and naturally had more information than Ernst could only obtain through word of mouth.

He didn't really have much sympathy for the witch king, just as he never had any sympathy for Vina's father. He showed equal indifference to any emperor.

"After the Witch King's death, the Twin Queens implemented many reforms and abolished many of the laws left behind by the Witch King."

"Most of these laws are harsh punishments or centralized measures. The Twin Queens' reforms have been very effective, restoring order to Letania in a very short time and preserving Letania's strength to the greatest extent possible."

"Although the price is their own rights."

The Twin Queens do not have the same power as the Witch King; this is common knowledge throughout Terra.

This stems not only from their background and the interest groups behind them, but also from their own choices.

At that time, Letania had been compressed into a spring by the Witch King, and was at risk of rebounding at any moment. With the help of Grand Duke Leopold, they chose to storm the Witch King's tower at night and stage a coup, for one very simple purpose—to avoid making a big fuss.

An emperor can be replaced when he dies, but Letania cannot afford the losses of widespread war and rebellions!

The key is to eliminate the ringleaders directly, and then, while the Witch King's faction is leaderless, immediately use the authority of the various electoral lords to suppress the Witch King's factions in the various mobile cities. Finally, with the overwhelming power and, most importantly, the popular will that has long suffered under the Witch King, ascend the throne. Only in this way can we wipe them all out and obtain the greatest spoils at the lowest cost.

However, the cost of doing so is also obvious—the Twin Queens' initial funding was basically provided by the Electors, and the Electors are different from the great god Yeragand. Their needs are first and foremost to satisfy themselves, and only then to satisfy Letania.

The Gemini Queens could only sacrifice their own flesh to feed the eagles, thus dividing power. Then they resorted to the oldest and most effective means of political struggle—outliving—and outlived Archduke Leopold, giving him a grand funeral before finally ushering in their own era.

This is Letania today, a country where the pie has been almost completely divided up.

The Gemini Queen is trying to slowly reclaim a portion of this pie.

Shi Tongling was their first target.

While Ernst and Kelsey were chatting, the convoy suddenly stopped.

Ernst thought they had encountered highway robbers. The wilderness was inherently unsafe, and such situations were common. Most ordinary caravans would just pay a fee and move on. The bandits were also very professional; they knew the principle of sustainable exploitation and wouldn't go too far at once, lest the road be abandoned and they would have no food to eat in the future.

As for larger racing teams, or teams with established reputations, that's simple.

Because bandits generally don't approach such convoys.

These convoys are usually protected by professional mercenaries or guard teams.

Scherrag's team was no exception.

Ernst wasn't short of money to protect himself; the mercenary guard he hired was a genuine elite force from Blacksteel International!

He had met Cliff, the boss of Blacksteel International, once before. Cliff had suggested that he invest in the group of people doing scientific research to make money, which led Ernst to Rheinmetall and discover his fellow countryman, Levy.

Later, Cliff also bought a villa at the Sherag resort. Every July and August, during the summer, he would come and stay for a week or two. The last time Ernst saw him was at the World Summit, where he spoke on stage as a business representative, discussing Terra's international security issues.

Ernst hired mercenary guards from him, and naturally, he got a discount—8.8% off!

Ernst did not get out of the car and waited for the mercenaries to handle the situation themselves, but unexpectedly, after a while, the mercenary in the front of the car came back and knocked on his car window.

Ernst rolled down the car window, and the burly mercenary immediately explained in a somewhat unfamiliar Sherag language:

"Prime Minister Ernst, the one blocking our way is a Sakota."

"Sarkata is getting into this business now?"

Ernst was somewhat surprised and asked in Colombian. But the mercenary immediately shook his head:

"She doesn't seem like a robber; we didn't see any weapons."

If they weren't robbers, why did they stop our car?

Ernst was a bit confused. Besides, where did this Sakta come from in the middle of nowhere? If this were on the set of Journey to the West, he'd have to prepare to find the Monkey King to fight the White Bone Demon three times.

The mercenary leader clearly noticed Ernst's confusion, and his expression became somewhat awkward. Normally, given their personalities, they wouldn't have bothered with such a situation; their reluctance to simply rush in was a testament to their good temper. However, firstly, Prime Minister Ernst had a good relationship with Pope Lateran, so they dared not act rashly. Secondly, that Sakorta did look somewhat familiar.

He could only ask Ernst to wait a moment:

"Please wait a moment, we are verifying her identity."

A moment later, another mercenary rushed over and whispered something in the leader's ear, causing the leader's expression to change.

Ernst immediately asked curiously:

"All confirmed?"

"All confirmed." The team leader nodded.

"Are they robbers?" Ernst asked.

"They are not robbers."

The mercenary leader shook his head.

"He is a wanted criminal."

"It's Arturo Giallo, a Level One wanted criminal by the Lateran Notary Office."

Chapter 676 Please Don't Be So Rough To Me

Ernst really couldn't say whether a robber or a wanted criminal was more threatening.

After all, the former is indeed there to rob you, while the latter may just be passing by and has no direct conflict of interest with you. However, if you have very high moral standards and a strong sense of social responsibility, you could proactively lend a helping hand and trip him up when his uncles are chasing him.

But Ernst hadn't had such a good opportunity in his previous life. After arriving in Terra, he was also forced to learn the basic skill of "minding his own business."

Even so, Ernst was still very curious.

That's a wanted criminal from Laterano!

Ernst found it hard to imagine what could be considered a "crime" in Lateran, given how lenient the laws were.

This was no joke. Not to mention Ernst's almost commonplace complaints about the Explosive Angel with his quirky speech patterns, even someone like Andorn, who used to have serious business dealings in Laterano and was on the notary office's list, can now openly establish an organization in Laterano. Isn't that a very strange thing?

And what does it mean that Arturo Giallo is listed on the "Top 1 Most Wanted List"?

What did she do?

As Ernst followed the mercenary leader toward Arturo, he asked Kal'tsit beside him,

"Was it murder or arson?"

But Kal'tsit unexpectedly shook her head:

"She did not fall from heaven."

"what?"

Ernst was genuinely shocked.

Although he hadn't told anyone, he still carried the title of a Lateran saint. He also had a basic understanding of Lateran law.

The law seems to impose many restrictions, including but not limited to reporting explosions, reporting when leaving home, and not allowing people to be brought back to Lateran, but ultimately, these are all just "illegal acts" and do not constitute "crimes".

The Lateran law has only one definition of crime—harming one’s fellow human beings.

Whether it's Liberi attacking the Sakorta, the Sakorta harming Liberi, systemic racism, or Sakortas attacking each other with guns, these are all considered "crimes."

However, from a fundamentalist perspective, the only thing Lateran law forbids is that "Sakortas cannot harm Sakortas with guns." The other races, such as the Liberians, are actually new additions built upon this fundamental principle by successive popes in an effort to maintain Lateran's stability and make the country more like an "earthly paradise."

This is why Ernst was surprised.

If Arturo did not harm his fellow citizens or fall from grace, why is he listed as a wanted criminal? And why is he a top-ranking, first-class wanted criminal?

Another Andorn?

Seemingly noticing Ernst's confusion, Kelsey offered an explanation:

"It's because of her Originium Arts."

"Throughout history, there have been few Originium Arts that can be described as having the power to 'bewitch people,' but Arturo's magic definitely qualifies as one."

“He is different from Andorn, who was also once a wanted criminal. Andorn’s Originium Arts are not particularly special. What makes him dangerous is that his ideology has shaken the stability of Laterano to some extent and has also negated the policy that Laterano’s popes have adhered to for the past thousand years.”

“Once his ideas spread, Lateran himself will be the first to suffer.”

Kal'tsit said seriously.

It wasn't that she disagreed with Andorn's idea at the time; it was just that this land wasn't so merciful. Cannibalism was its nature, and to it, there was no difference between eating a fat monkey and eating a bunch of skinny monkeys.

Kal'tsit, having "been there, done that," often makes the right choices.

She would always choose one greater hope from countless smaller ones. If Lateran was stable, safe, and powerful, she would choose Lateran, rather than allowing it to become chaotic and impoverished by helping other countries.

This is one of the reasons why she led the three-nation alliance to attack Kazdel – hoping that the Sarkaz would rise and bring chaos to the land, she preferred to help the land's nations that had already risen.

Of course, her views later underwent a tremendous, almost 180-degree change due to her contact with Theresa, her long-awaited reunion with the Doctor, and the birth, development, and destruction of the Tower of Babel.

Even the smallest hope, if it grows and strengthens, can potentially bring about a future. Conversely, even the greatest despair, no matter how it is adjusted, will only lead to the end of the year.

This is why she has now chosen Rhodes Island, Sherag, and a group of idealists to play an ordinary doctor, instead of the "Lord" who was once a guest of honor in many countries.

She wasn't denying Andorn's existence; she was simply stating the facts to Ernst and explaining the differences between Arturo and Andorn.

"Compared to Andorn, Arturo's seductive power is more direct."

"Her Originium Arts are able to [express the human heart]."

Ernst frowned, instinctively wanting to tell Kal'tsit to stop using riddles at this crucial moment and to speak more plainly. Kal'tsit, however, gave him a serious reminder:

"The sound of a piano began."

Not far away, beside a broken-down SUV surrounded by mercenaries, a girl with long, straight black hair and a face that was both holy and alluring, who could make anyone subconsciously think of "vanilla" just by looking at her from afar, was leaning against the front of the car, holding a uniquely shaped cello that was almost as tall as herself.

Arturo Giallo raised his bow and placed it on the ground, and an indescribable melody resounded across the wilderness.

It's hard to put into words; this isn't an assessment that Ernst alone could make.

To those who feel guilty, this voice will evoke their deepest remorse, and shame will overwhelm them, making atonement their only thought.

To those who find joy in their hearts, this song is truly delightful! They can't help but burst into laughter, dance and sing, and revel in the moment.

To those suffering heartache, this song is like finding a letter from your first love in a dusty mailbox ten years later, a confession of love; or returning to your hometown after becoming wealthy, intending to provide for your parents, only to find the house covered in dust and your loved one gone. There is a loquat tree in the courtyard, planted by my wife in the year of her death; now it stands tall and spreading.

This is an "extreme" piece of music. Its melody, its playing style, and the emotions it expresses can only be described as "extreme"!

But this is also a song of "release". It strikes the human soul directly at all desires that are suppressed by reason, bound by responsibility, and restricted by the outside world!

Even Ernst was slightly dazed when he heard the piece.

He didn't suddenly recall any of the sad things in his life; however, even setting aside his masterful technique, Ernst could still feel the emotions the performer conveyed in the music.

"What you want to be misunderstood is understood by the masses."

"What is not allowed is allowed by the world."

"Those who want to be unrecognized are recognized by society."

If living a lifetime is about self-discipline, self-guidance, and self-restraint, gradually finding one's own "right path," then Arturo is instigating everyone: "Listen to your mother, life is a wilderness!"

There are no tracks! Let yourself go!

Do not kill, for hatred will never end; do not steal, for the strong and the weak are no different from me; do not commit adultery, for all sentient beings are sins.

Ahem, it’s a conspiracy.

Ernst had initially wondered how he could discern so much from music, given his supposedly limited musical appreciation skills. But looking at the mercenaries in the distance, already exclaiming "Holy crap, wild life!", he realized his earlier thought might have been correct.

Kal'tsit was right. Once he experienced it once, he would immediately understand why Arturo was a wanted criminal and what the differences were between her and Andorn.

There is absolutely no need for explanation; the existence of Originium Arts in Arturo poses a huge challenge to social stability.

There is no right or wrong, the mere existence of them is a threat, and this is the first time Ernst has ever seen such Terrans.

No wonder the Lateran Notary Office would issue a Level 1 arrest warrant for a Sakota who hasn't fallen to heaven. Given the social environment of Lateran, how could they possibly tolerate Arturo?

Wherever her little tunes are played, chaos ensues!

Desire itself is not a bad thing; it is a neutral term. However, indulgence is never a good thing!

"Catch her."

Ernst looked at Kelsey beside him. Kelsey's expression was normal, and she even looked better than Ernst.

Upon hearing Ernst's words, Kelsey, who had been on high alert and ready to restrict Ernst's movements, paused, glancing at Ernst with some surprise:

"Ernst?" (This appears to be a fragment of a sentence or phrase, possibly a machine translation error. A more accurate translation would require the full context.)

"Ok?"