People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

Lamarle turned her head slightly in surprise, and [Seven Eyes] nodded slightly to her. (Four★)

Lamaren smiled knowingly.

Whether it's a simple blessing or a conclusion drawn from a glimpse into the future with foresight, she is grateful for the heart behind it all.

However, the possibility of blessing is probably greater, after all, isn't the Cyclops only able to see "bad endings"?

"What about Fremont?"

Feeling a little better, Lamaren took the initiative to ask.

Aside from the shapeshifter who claimed to be neutral, several other people were missing from the scene.

Safar is one thing, but even Ramalyn couldn't fathom what that old ancestor was thinking. Hedley was simply slow, and he's probably on his way now. Nasti and Mudrock are both overseeing construction at the Kazdelnia site; all that's missing is Fremont.

"Could it be that he went to Letania to deliver a message and hasn't returned yet?"

"He is back."

[Eyes] shook his head.

Lamarle blinked: "You saw it again?"

[Eye] nodded and pointed ahead:

“I really saw it.”

Lamarle followed his gaze and, sure enough, Fremont had appeared beside Emengard at some point. The little lich seemed completely unaware of this, and seeing the two lords of the royal court pointing at him, he looked at his attire with some concern.

Hmm, this outfit does seem a bit "avant-garde." I hope it won't make Lady Ramalen and Lady [Eye] feel it's not dignified enough.

That's a real problem! She can't change her clothes right now!

Oh no, indeed, for such an important occasion as the handover of the Soul Forge, I should have worn something more appropriate. My graduation gown would have been fine, but I didn't have one.

Damn it, I haven't graduated yet! That old geezer teacher, I absolutely have to make him give me my diploma this time!

“It’s not very polite to bare your teeth at the ruler of the royal court.”

A solemn voice sounded from behind, seemingly aloof, as it addressed Emengard.

Emengard raised an eyebrow and immediately retorted:

"Don't make any noise, I'm thinking!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she had made a mistake.

Following behind her were a group of taciturn scavengers. They hadn't uttered a single sound in all these days, so why would they take the initiative to speak?

His mind raced, his brain cells rapidly depleted, and Emengard added almost seamlessly:

"I'm thinking about how, as Professor Fremont's student, I can appear more dignified and not tarnish my teacher's reputation!"

"hehe."

Fremont stepped forward, stood in front of Emengard, and with his back to her, gave a cold laugh.

"Your reaction time was good. I'll let you off this time since you handled things well."

Emengard let out a long sigh of relief, quickly followed, and whispered:

“Um, teacher, look, I’m going to Kazdel.”

"I've brought this Soul Forge back with me too."

"On the way, I was almost grabbed by the Carrion Clan Chief and almost refined in an instant. I risked my life to complete the task you assigned me."

"I, Emengard, don't want anything else, I only hope that you can help me with what you said about graduation."

"Let's talk about it when we get back."

Fremont didn't even turn his head, and said coldly.

Just when Emengard was about to lose heart, he added another sentence:

"When have I ever lied to you, you little brat?"

Emengard clenched his fist in excitement, turned around, and beckoned to the laborers sent by the Carrion King:

"Come on, everyone, let's give it our all!"

"Kazdelnia is right in front of us!"

Chapter 700 One wave subsides, another rises

"I'm stupid, really."

"I only know that Master Freymont is a copyist of the highest order, and he would never lie to a mere lich apprentice like me."

"But I didn't expect that he didn't actually have to lie to me."

This is a heartfelt exclamation from Emengard, a representative of outstanding graduates of the Lich race, at his graduation ceremony.

Fremont, sitting in the audience, remained expressionless, seemingly unfazed even when Emengard appeared to be insulting him.

After all, today is truly a wonderful day; today is the happiest day of my life!

From this day forward, he has one less student, but the lich race has gained a new graduate student. Another seeker of knowledge has joined the great temple of learning!

Congratulations, congratulations!

What? You're saying there's no difference from before? Emengard still has to listen to him, doesn't he?

No, no, no, that's wrong. That kind of thinking is obviously superficial.

It's important to understand that for liches, knowledge is life, and the idea of ​​learning until old age is not just a motto, but a requirement.

To be able to advance further within the temple that stores knowledge—what an opportunity countless liches dream of? And what price, in return, must they pay?

If you still don't understand, you can roughly equate "knowledge" with "lifespan".

Fremont's decision to allow Emengard to graduate, escaping her status as a "lich apprentice" and entering the realm of "graduate students," was not merely a leap in power and status, but also a direct grant of "the right to immortality."

If this were a fantasy novel that Ernst read in his previous life, it would be nothing short of another form of "an immortal touches my head and grants me eternal life!"

From this perspective, Fremont was really good to Emengard. After all, Emengard didn't actually pass the "test" properly. It was Fremont, through some unconventional methods, who helped Emengard accumulate "merits" and get promoted through another channel.

It can be said that this blazing Soul Forge illuminates not only the future of Kazdelnia, but also the bright future of Emengard!

When will Mr. Ernst return?

The banshee's voice rang out from not far away. Ignoring Emengard, who hadn't even managed to get a degree conferment ceremony before hastily ending his graduation and was now left alone on the stage, wallowing in self-pity, Fremont looked at Nasti and replied:

"Soon. He should have already set off by now, right?"

"Are you no longer worried about what's going on in Letania?" Nasti asked, somewhat puzzled.

Fremont shrugged indifferently.

"What big commotion can Gloomy Sheep and Exaggerated Sheep possibly cause? Besides, Gloomy Sheep is now on Ernst's side. Even if Exaggerated Sheep wanted to cause trouble, she'd have to make a big show of it."

It took Nasti a few seconds to realize who the gloomy sheep and the flamboyant sheep referred to. A bead of cold sweat rolled down her forehead.

On this land, I doubt there are many people besides Fremont who would refer to the two queens of Letania in this way.

However, Fremont's meaning was quite clear, the core idea being just four words: "Ignore her."

At that moment, he was unaware of just how powerful those four words would become when transformed into a boomerang, which is why he dared to utter such a statement.

Nasti thought for a moment and then suggested:

"Then how about we wait until Mr. Ernst returns before setting up the Soul Forge?"

Fremont nodded without saying anything more, which was an indication that he agreed with Nastya's idea.

It's not that they're so dependent on Ernst. Theoretically speaking, as the long-time maintainers of the Soul Forge, with the lich around, they could have simply placed the Soul Forge on the newly built first floating city site and conducted test flights.

But in that case, they would also have to apply for other "World Summit observers" to monitor the proceedings.

Unfortunately, this was one of the restrictions set forth at the World Summit. Having recognized the strategic value of the floating city, the five permanent members of the Security Council and the Security Council would not allow Sarkaz to possess the technology alone. Even though Nasti had already delivered the core technology, the Gravity Defiance Mechanism, the Security Council still required the dispatch of "observers" to monitor and supervise the construction of the floating city.

The nominal purpose is to "prevent the floating city from being stolen by the lurking Sarkaz extremists and used as a tool of war," but in reality, as everyone knows, what they really care about is the floating city's construction technology.

However, they probably didn't expect that the Sarkaz floating city built by the Sarkaz could only be built by the Sarkaz.

The Soul Furnace is such a rare item that most races don't have it—whose ancestors were so durable for burning!

After some negotiation, the matter ultimately fell to Ernst, who was acceptable to all parties. He was tasked with taking time to symbolically document the construction process of the floating city and submitting a progress report to the Security Council.

He certainly didn't understand the intricacies of construction work, just as an economist certainly wouldn't understand economics. His appointment to this position was actually the most reassuring thing for the six people.

Because at least he wouldn't deliberately conceal anything simply because he's "from a certain country." As for what those reports and drawings might reveal, that's not something the rulers should worry about; that's a matter for scientists to concern themselves with.

As for whether the floating city would really be used as a tool of war, Ernst was not worried. He also had his own means of countering the floating city, namely the remote-controlled floating city key.

Fremont didn't want the hassle of taking the matter to the World Summit, where it would likely drag on for ages before a resolution was reached. He preferred Ernst to the prospect of exhausting himself with endless arguments and uncertain results.

However, what he didn't expect was that before Ernst returned, some unexpected things happened on Sherag's side.

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

Looking at the messenger before her, Vina frowned, a rare sight, her face showing disbelief.

"Whose messenger do you say you are?"

“Ms. Vina, I am a messenger from Iberia.”

The man dressed as a monk spoke in a gentle and friendly tone.

"I come on behalf of Iberia to invite Prime Minister Ernst to visit Iberia."

What's there to visit in Iberia? To see the scaly beasts baring their teeth?

Vina resisted the urge to complain and didn't say anything that might be considered impolite.

But she was indeed surprised and suspicious.

After carefully examining the monk in front of her, Vina frowned and decided to take a direct approach:

What are Iberia's demands?

"Demands?"

The monk seemed slightly surprised by the word, then shook his head.

"No, no, Iberia has no demands. I think if Prime Minister Ernst were here, he would correct your wording."

"How can Sherag, who is not yet an arbitrator, listen to the so-called 'demands' of the people?"

Vina raised an eyebrow but didn't reply. The monk continued:

“I am a member of the Tribunal. My superior, Saint Carmen y Iberia, has heard countless stories about Prime Minister Ernst from Dario. To be honest, Iberia’s current situation is worrying. Saint Carmen’s invitation to Prime Minister Ernst to visit does indeed have some political motives that are not convenient to mention.”

The phrase "political motives that are inconvenient to mention" is quite ambiguous. In the current context, the monk is almost directly implying that Carmen actually wants to use Ernst's reputation to get more money for Iberia.

This is also in line with their consistent style.

While others might not know, Vina was well aware that Grand Inquisitor Dario almost always returned with a full load of spoils from his overseas trips. This even made Ursus and Yan, two permanent members of the Security Council, feel a pang of envy.

After all, Iberia wasn't the only one fighting the crisis, nor was it the only one fighting the sea monster. But only Iberia could always sell its misery for gold coins, and the key was that everyone had to give it to them.

Especially Yan and Ursus, not only are they not getting any money themselves, but as permanent members of the Security Council, they also have to consciously demonstrate their stature by leaking information to the outside world. This is just too much.

Miss Ning Ciqiu has complained to her several times already!

Of course, Vina wouldn't bring up these kinds of subtle complaints between newly made best friends.

Vina checked the letter, official invitation, court seal, and other identification documents provided by the other party again. After confirming that there were no problems, she pursed her lips and nodded, saying:

"I will pass it on to Prime Minister Ernst."

A bright smile immediately appeared on the monk's face:

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Lady Vina."

He stood up and solemnly performed an unfamiliar greeting towards Vina, reciting:

May the gods bless you.

Chapter 701 Letania, Musical Interlude

Ernst officially departed from Letania to return home today.

The reason he had been delayed for so long, besides promising to teach Viviana, was more importantly because he was waiting for someone.

"Then I'll leave things here to you, Lola."

Looking at the travel-worn Lola, Ernst gently patted her head with a touch of tenderness.