People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

The driver exchanged a few words via walkie-talkie, then replied:

"They're bandits. There are quite a few of them, and their methods are a bit strange. The guards have already gone up there."

"Do you need my help?" Talulah immediately asked, eager to try.

For a soldier like her, unless something happens, sitting like that all the time is indeed quite torturous.

But Ernst immediately refused her, shaking his head:

"You stay here."

He spoke directly.

"Talulah, your mission is to protect me."

This is one of the reasons why Ernst brought Talulah to Iberia.

4. When Himer traveled to Ursus on behalf of the Terra International Human Rights Council, Ernst had warned her. The prestige of the World Summit was immense, and it certainly offered considerable security. But for some, prestige alone wouldn't intimidate them.

There are two types of people like this. One type is those whose own reputation in their own territory even surpasses that of the International Summit, and who are not particularly bright, so they don't care. The second type is those who are far inferior to the International Summit, and a one-for-one exchange wouldn't be a loss for them at all.

Liu bluntly told Himer that, for the sake of maintaining a good image, the Ursus emperor wouldn't directly attack her, but if he wanted to target her, he had countless methods. The nobles in those regions didn't have so many reservations; they might very well risk their lives to rush up and fight her.

Therefore, she had to bring guards and pay the utmost attention to her own safety.

If Ernst could explain these principles to Hammer, wouldn't he himself pay attention to them?

Iberia is even more chaotic than Ursus. While the Inquisition here may not have had the motive to harm Ernst, the Deep Sea Church might not.

As members of the Adventists who surrendered to Haisi, their hatred for themselves and for the World Summit may far exceed what most people imagine.

After all, if Terra is united, then the Deep Sea Church will no longer be able to survive.

Ultimately, they are a group of moldy creatures that thrive in the shadows by exploiting people's despair for life. No matter how noble their banners may be, it doesn't change their inherently shameful nature.

If the Universal Summit provides systematic aid to Iberia, and if the corruption within the Inquisition is even slightly reduced, and more relief funds are distributed, the very foundation for the Deep Sea Church's survival will be directly destroyed!

Because ordinary people don't care about any grand cause of Haisi transformation, nor do they worship any Haisi deities; they're simply starving. If they could eat their fill, who would become a rebel and turn into that inhuman, ghostly monster?

With their lifeline in their hands, the Deep Sea Church might do something completely thoughtless.

At this point, Ernst needed a strong enough bodyguard.

Talulah is an excellent fighter, but she has some ideological issues that need correction, though this doesn't affect her combat prowess. Bringing her to Iberia will both curb her irrationality and provide a valuable bodyguard—a win-win situation!

As for whether she is suitable or not, this trip will naturally provide a conclusion.

Talulah seemed completely taken aback by Ernst's order. She looked at Ernst, somewhat stunned, as if pondering something, before speaking hesitantly after a moment:

"You, Qi...￥1娰《三中转群: Do you still need my protection?"

Talulah had seen "them." She knew perfectly well how the Black Serpent died!

In her opinion, Ernst didn't need her protection at all. With the great god Yeragand, or any one of them, Ernst would be impregnable!

But Ernst nodded:

"of course."

The gods of Jeragund are not suited to frequently appearing in other countries, and Ernst would not seek their help unless in a life-or-death situation.

This is a political issue. Nobody likes to see someone carrying nuclear weapons at all times and using them recklessly running around on their own soil.

Even if everyone knows that Ernst has a behemoth behind him, that's still just knowledge. As long as Ernst doesn't use it and Yeragand doesn't easily show himself, everyone has this tacit understanding and can engage in normal exchanges of interests.

Nuclear weapons are most powerful before they are launched. The same principle applies to behemoths. Until it's a matter of life and death, and everyone still shares common interests, it's wise to leave room for maneuver in all actions, so that future encounters are possible.

Seeing Ernst's decisive answer, Talulah withdrew her hand from the car door.

However, just as she withdrew her car a second ago, a dark shadow rushed straight towards Ernst's vehicle!

Without any hesitation, Talulah reacted extremely quickly. A flash of fire crossed her eyes, and she made a lightning-fast choice between attacking and protecting Ernst. She lunged at Ernst and shielded him with her body!

The sounds of intense gunfire came from afar through the broken glass and damaged roof of the car. The driver had already jumped out of the car, pulled out a replica gun from his waist, and crouched down beside the car, using it as cover, aiming at the dark figure from before.

With a single blow, they shattered the glass, tore the entire roof to shreds from the inside, and burst out. This was no ordinary bandit!

Ernst peeked out from Talulah's embrace, looking at the dark figure. (4:3:6)

To be precise, none of them were anyone.

A dark blue creature, difficult to describe in words and with a very "distinctive" appearance, was lying not far away, chewing on shredded car body and glass fragments.

Its skull was exposed, and its eyeballs were tiny and pitch black, making one wonder if it actually had sight. Its limbs were strong and muscular, and its claws were like barbed scythes, resembling enlarged versions of execution hooks, giving one no reason to worry about its power.

Most importantly, on its body, along its sides, there are many openings that resemble fish gills, slowly opening and closing as if it is breathing.

Although he had never seen such a creature before, Ernst immediately made the judgment that it was a sea creature.

The creation of the Deep Blue Tree, the out-of-control legacy of prehistoric civilization, part of Lo's "Ark of Life," and also the true culprit behind the Great Tranquility and the decline of Iberia, the enemy of Terran civilization!

"Ernst, are you alright?"

Talulah pushed herself up from the ground, patted her clothes, pursed her lips, and rubbed her back in slight pain.

Ernst then noticed the three huge wounds torn open on her back by the grappling hook.

"Tallulah, you"

"I am fine."

She shook her head, stretched out her hand, and a flame ignited in her hand, then burned down her arm and onto her back.

After a short while, the condition of the wound had improved considerably.

The Drak's talents, their flames, are all related to life!

Talulah hasn't lost this talent; her mixed heritage hasn't weakened her, but rather strengthened her. This single move demonstrates that her control over the Life Flame has surpassed that of Raphsini, who could only passively unleash it!

Knowing when to restrain oneself is a sign of strength.

She smiled slightly at Ens2, then looked towards the beast in the distance, flames rising from her four hands. 5∠【

She's a soldier, and she hasn't fought in a long time; her hands are itching to get to work!

Killing an assassin whose species you don't even know shouldn't be considered doing something bad, right?

Chapter 714 There are three thousand Hai Si here, and countless followers, you can kill them all!

As it turns out, Ernst was quite accurate in judging people.

Talulah's strength is undeniable, and under the tutelage of the Black Serpent, her talent in magic has been fully developed.

While others were still playing with small fireballs, she had already unleashed a massive fireball. The life-giving power of her Drak bloodline, in her case, placed even greater emphasis on "fire"!

Don't ask, just give your all. Your flames can burn life force and penetrate defenses with surgical precision. I'm not as good as you, but that doesn't matter. My flames are miniature nuclear bombs. I don't need pinpoint strikes; I just estimate a location, unleash a barrage, and the final effect is exactly the same!

The sea monster sent as an assassin was no pushover. Despite its exposed muscles and bones, it was incredibly tough. The Black Steel International mercenaries' replica guns were designed for human attacks, but they barely scratched the sea monster.

It was Talulah who took action. One fire burned away the enemy's protective layer, and another fire sent Ernst into the Terra Labyrinth ahead of time. He could then decide in advance whether he wanted it well-done or medium-rare, saltier or sweeter.

Witnessing firsthand how the once unruly and aggressive Hai Si had become crispy and tender under the scorching heat of the fire, Ernst felt relieved and put away a few life-saving items.

"Thank you, Talulah."

He expressed his gratitude.

Since arriving in Terra, he has been constantly on guard against people using this most basic political tactic against him. However, although his rise to power has always been a tightrope walk, he has always managed to maintain his balance and has not encountered such situations many times.

Putting aside the assassination attempt by the Black Serpent, which he was completely unaware of and which was nipped in the bud by the "immortals lined up like hemp," this should be considered the first attack that directly threatened his life in his memory!

The incident with Theresa in Colombia doesn't count; that time, Theresa wasn't even targeting him.

It would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous at all. When Hai Si's claws swept over his head, and Talulah tackled him to the ground at the last second, Ernst's heart was in his throat. Even though the pale blue ice crystal shield had already taken shape at that moment, Ernst could almost smell the aura of "danger" that wafted towards him along with the stench of the sea.

He really had to thank Talulah. Her choice in that critical moment proved to Ernst her commitment and competence.

"As long as you're okay."

Talulah flicked her hand, extinguishing the raging flames at her fingertips, nodded to Ernst, then looked at the dead monster, frowning.

"This monster is strange. I feel like it's gradually adapting to my temperature."

Ernst also stepped forward and glanced at Hai Si's corpse, which was surrounded by Blacksteel International's mercenaries and being disposed of.

With just one glance, Ernst was certain that Talulah's words were not untrue.

Even though Haisi was dead, its muscles were still moving instinctively. The bullets from the black steel replica gun that should have harmed it were now embedded in its muscles, and instead of forcibly expelling them, it was gradually swallowing, squeezing, and pushing these bullets into its own flesh, right in front of Ernst and the others.

This is assimilation!

Ernst had imagined many times how Hai Si would adapt to those environments that even the Preservers called extreme, and how it would fulfill the ideas of its creator, "Lo," to become a life ark capable of withstanding the giant axe of the lumberjacks and traversing the Big Bang.

But he never expected it to be like this.

It's very simple, very intuitive, and very straightforward.

It's like when people eat mushrooms. No matter what they come into contact with, or whether they have any means to deal with it, they just swallow it whole and force their bodies to adapt!

In this process, most humans would have to be taken to the hospital by ambulance, but the sea creatures, their creators have endowed them with a unique resilience in the entire universe, which has given them the ability to devour and transform anything.

It's just like the legendary Taotie! If it continues to grow and assimilate, one day it might even devour the heavens and the earth!

Is this the true product of the "Sustainability" project? Can it be compared to the artificial amber "Originium"—a product of pre-civilization technology?

So, it seems that the Preservator's plan is indeed a bit shameful.

Without any hesitation, Ernst decisively gave the order:

"Destroy it!"

Talulah glanced at Ernst, then raised her hand, and a fireball, hotter and more intense, rose from her palm.

This is a flame that can truly melt steel, and its spray is no less powerful than lava.

It hurled a fireball, which engulfed Hai Si's body in an instant. The already dead creature's shell began to struggle in the flames, and the growing buds became more prominent under the intense stimulation. However, without the control of a conscious mind, it ultimately failed to escape the erosion of the flames or complete the assimilation of the high temperature.

A moment later, it turned into dust all over the ground.

Talulah had clearly noticed Haisi's unusual behavior as well. While Blacksteel International was preparing the new vehicle, she asked Ernst the question she had been reluctant to ask earlier:

"Ernst, what was that thing just now?"

"Haijir."

Ernst replied simply,

"The threat that the Iberians have always fought against, the true culprit of the Great Tranquility, is a very terrifying creature."

Ernst paused, then added:

"They are the enemies of civilization."

Out-of-control survival plans are enemies of civilization. Whether intentional or unintentional, pre-arranged or out of control, these legacies left by previous civilizations have mostly become mysterious blind boxes. You can hardly say whether what you open will be a rich burial treasure or a terrifying old zombie.

Haisi is a typical example of this.

As for Originium, Ernst had no intention of telling Talulah the truth about Originium and its dangers. He had no evidence, and even if Talulah were willing to believe him, she couldn't give up on Originium.

That's the underlying logic of the Terran civilization.

"So, our trip to Iberia is to fight against this kind of thing?"

Talulah asked with great interest.

In her memory, most of the visits were nothing more than a pile of political rhetoric, conspiracies involving the exchange of interests, and one celebratory banquet after another for high-ranking officials. In short, the showmanship far outweighed the benefits, and they were often superficial projects that changed nothing.

But Ernst's visits were always different; wherever he went, good things would come in abundance!

Now it seems that this was not a visit at all, but a great adventure!

A traveler from a foreign land, the head of the World Summit who governs Terra, leads his brave and fearless knights on a great adventure to a kingdom that is struggling against the Demon King's army and is on the verge of falling!

Uh, cough cough, the "demon king" she was referring to wasn't that "demon king," she absolutely didn't mean to slander her fellow Sarkaz!

In short, they went on this trip to save, to protect, and to fight for justice, right?

Her expectant gaze fell upon Ernst.

Ernst opened his mouth.

Well, how should I put it? He actually subconsciously wanted to say something in rebuttal.

But this time, it seems that Talulah was actually right.

The situation in Iberia is different from that in the Terran kingdoms. Here, there is a clear enemy that must be confronted and, ideally, eradicated. The binary thinking here seems to leave no room for any other ideologies.

Ernst would never be so foolish as to make a deal with the Deep Sea Church. Those lunatics, if they could communicate, wouldn't have sent Hai Si to assassinate him before he even arrived in Iberia.