People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

"Skadi has made her move."

Quintus scoffed dismissively, his skepticism undisguised:

"Gredia, you are the captain of the Deep Sea Hunters, how could you not be able to handle the unawakened Skadi?"

Goredia narrowed her eyes. She had heard Quintus mention the word "awakening" many times. But every time she tried to delve deeper into what Skadi was "awakening" to, Quintus would fall silent.

But from Quintus's attitude, she could tell that the Deep Sea Church treated Skadi very differently from other hunters. Skadi seemed to possess something special.

Skadi's background and identity should be solid enough to warrant becoming a Deepsea Hunter. What made her so highly regarded by the Deepsea Church? And what exactly happened after the three teams stormed the lair in that final battle?

Quintus was probably annoyed by Goredia's silence. The Deep Sea Bishop raised his hand, intending to use his cane to perform a weapon attack on the unarmed Goredia.

But as soon as he raised his hand, Goredia's gaze drifted over, and with just a slight glare, Quintus lowered his cane.

He seemed to be overthinking things. The Deep Sea Hunter's physical abilities meant that even without weapons, a single punch could turn him into mincemeat.

When force failed, he could only threaten:

"It seems you don't want to find any other hunters."

"You're not capable of threatening me."

Goredia rolled her eyes.

"And you're wrong. I am the captain of the Deepsea Hunters, but only the second captain. Skadi belongs to the third team, whose captain, Ulpian, was the original Deepsea Hunter and also the most demanding. When it comes to killing your so-called 'god,' the third team will be chosen as the final battle team. Why do you think that is?"

"If we were both at our peak, I could bypass her and take out the target directly without any problem. But would you dare?"

Goredia cast a disdainful glance at Quintus.

I can do it, but do you dare?

Quintus certainly didn't dare.

Kingia's temporary allegiance to the Deep Sea Church stemmed from her inability to return to the ocean, her extremely poor physical condition, and her lack of timely dehydration. She also sought out other surviving Deep Sea Hunters. Quintus didn't know if she could subdue Skadi if she were freed from her debuffs and returned to her peak condition. However, Quintus was quite self-aware of his own limitations.

Seeing Quintus's frustrated expression, Gladys felt a little better. She shrugged, pushed Quintus aside, and walked down the hillside.

"In my current state, how can I assassinate the target in front of Skadi without harming her? Are you underestimating the Deepsea Hunter?"

"Furthermore, I'm not afraid to tell you that the target is not simple. When he faces my attack, the shield that appears on his body is something I can't break. I advise you to think of another way."

Goredia was saying this to Quintus, but also to herself.

Ernst's shield was quite interesting. Not only could she not break through it now, she had a feeling that even if she were at her peak, she probably wouldn't be able to do anything against that shield.

That group was clearly not affiliated with the Deep Sea Church; Goredia was absolutely certain of this.

Although the Deep Sea Church is inhuman and acts like a traitor, it is surprisingly harmonious internally. Even when bishops disagree on their ideologies, no conflict erupts. If one sets aside their political stances, their internal corporate atmosphere is practically paradise, terrifyingly beautiful. If this were the Terran kingdoms, Terra would probably be flying high by now!

In this way, even if Skadi didn't understand her meaning, as long as she continued to stay with those people, at least she wouldn't have to worry about her safety.

Whether Quintus would seek other methods that would be detrimental to Ernst, what did that have to do with her? The Deep Sea Cultists were all the type to not shed a tear until they saw the coffin; whether she advised them or not, it had little to do with whether they did it or not.

If she could truly use Ernst to probe the true strength of these Deepsea Cultists lurking on land, it would be even more in line with Gretia's interests! After all, although she was currently forced to rely on the Deepsea Church's power to find other survivor hunters, she would definitely turn against them in the future!

Knowing yourself and your enemy will help you be prepared, won't it?

As for whether Ernst would retaliate and demolish the Deep Sea Church, Letia hadn't even considered that.

She spent a considerable amount of time on land, though not a short one. Unlike Skadi, a simple-minded killer whale who only attacks where the captain points, she, as a governor, deeply understood the importance of intelligence! She didn't know much about the Terran nations, led by Iberia, but she did have some basic information.

These countries are too backward.

Compared to Agor, it's like the difference between primitive humans and Zentradi. It's no exaggeration to say that if Agor ever wanted to unify the land, he wouldn't even need to send troops from his homeland; the garrison of an underwater city, combined with Agor's technology, would be more than enough!

Agor did not do so entirely out of respect for civilization, even less advanced civilization, and because the land was simply a useless commodity, neither worth keeping nor worth discarding!

To expect these land-based civilizations to unite and wipe out all the deep-sea cultists who couldn't be killed even in Agor is simply wishful thinking, not even worth considering!

They should just stay put and not cause any trouble.

Meanwhile, Ernst, unaware that he had been targeted by Gladys and subjected to a rather arrogant critique, was walking along while listening to Skadi impart some trivia.

"The Deep Sea Hunters Association has five sea creatures and a dedicated 3rd Sea Patrol Team to monitor you."

Ernst clicked his tongue.

He knew that this force was not so simple.

She's supposed to be part of Skadi's faction, so even if she's just a background character, she shouldn't have no role at all.

It seems there are quite a few pits on the seabed. What exactly has this [Deep Blue Tree] been transformed into? It doesn't sound like Cthulhu at all; it's more like some kind of insect swarm.

However, the swarm's infection shouldn't be limited to just the Deepsea Hunters. After all, Deepsea Hunters sound like just a job title, a group of physically modified Captain Americas or Supermen, with at most a few dozen people. With that kind of infectivity, the swarm would have been wiped out long ago.

I guess I was overthinking it.

He was about to ask Skadi to answer some more detailed questions when Carmen objected:

"It's not just deep-sea hunters; everyone can potentially become sea creatures. Especially you Agorians!"

Okay, it's confirmed, it's the Zerg swarm!

Chapter 728 The Shapeshifter: She asked us, "Where is Ernst?"

Ernst once saw a question online: What kind of enemy is the most terrifying?

The answers below are varied and bizarre. Some say that the most terrifying enemy is one that is completely insurmountable. Others say that the most terrifying enemy is one that one wants to fight, is capable of fighting but can only let go for various reasons. Some say that the most terrifying enemy is the unknown one. And some jokingly say that the most terrifying enemy is one that is like a chosen one with a system.

Ernst thought they all made a lot of sense. But he still felt that [the most terrible thing is when those closest to you betray you and become your enemies].

A visible spear is easy to defend against, but a hidden arrow is hard to guard against. An "enemy you can't possibly defeat" is certainly terrifying, but to provoke such a person when you're completely powerless demonstrates your own lack of caution. An "enemy you must let go of" is terrifying, but the fact that this situation exists indicates something is restraining your actions. If you truly have the courage to risk everything, even if you don't directly confront them, getting your blood splattered is not difficult. Even a chosen one, as if jokingly speaking, has a popular villainous style to punish, but only a "betrayed close friend" not only perfectly fits many of the previous conditions but is also the most difficult to guard against.

And Haisi is such a hateful thing.

When it infects a person, the effects of the infection are not simply manifested on their body. It's not as simple as growing a few tentacles, sprouting scales, or breathing with gills.

It can also gradually change a person's thinking.

Ernst wasn't sure what the underlying principle was. Perhaps it was some kind of brain structure modification? Or maybe there really was some kind of swarm network or mental beacon influencing those infected by the Haizi. But whatever the reason, as long as Carmen and Skadi weren't lying, then the Haizi truly did have the ability to infect people and transform them into monsters, both physically and mentally!

To be honest, this really disgusted Ernst.

Imagine this: yesterday, your comrade fought alongside you, the partner who shielded you from a fatal blow, the man you could entrust your back to. When you wake up the next day, nothing seems to have changed, but your mind has already undergone subtle changes.

He began to betray your vows, began to sympathize with the enemies who should have been killed, began to reflect on his once-firm faith like a saint, repented for the victories he had cheered for, and began to regard all his efforts as evil, all his love as hate, and all his joy as sorrow.

Finally, on the battlefield, during another battle alongside you, he made up his mind. As you entrusted your defenseless back to him, he drew his sword! And you were completely unaware of this.

If the old him could see this, what would he think? Would this version of him still be himself?

This is not something that can be easily covered up with a simple "people change"!

This was the first time Ernst had this thought: Haisi were disgusting, and as enemies, they had to be completely eliminated!

He even considered that if all else failed, he would go to Columbia and ask the Preservator for a way to deal with the Sealings.

Before this, he had never had such intense thoughts about the Grand Elder, the Sarkaz of Londinium, the Black Serpent who tried to assassinate him, or the Church of the Deep Sea!

Regardless of how the scientist from the former civilization who created the Deep Blue Tree designed the behavior logic of the modified behemoth, or what state of chaos the behemoth is currently in, Ernst felt that the plan and its creation were far too insane.

It can only be said that this plan was indeed launched to seek a glimmer of hope in the apocalypse.

However, it's not the end of the world now.

This plan should also be stopped.

The sky over Granfalo was very blue, and the Iberian wind was refreshing, carrying a slight fishy smell from the seaside, brushing against Ernst's hair, a native of the snow country.

This was the first time he had ever seen the sea in Terra.

Unlike the sea I saw during my travels in my previous life, the sea in Terra is black, forming a stark contrast with the azure sky. On the coast, the silent Eye of Iberia no longer shines. People dressed in the uniforms of the World Summit operate large construction machines, carrying out construction work within the "high tide safety distance" designated by the Iberian government.

The power of the World Summit is evident here. Under the unified command of the most powerful political machine in Terra today, a building has already risen from the ground. Although it has not yet been officially opened, Ernst knows that this is the future office building of the World Summit’s office in Iberia and the headquarters of the anti-terrorism forces.

Ernst also met many acquaintances here.

What surprised him most were the shapeshifters.

He didn't recognize the other person, but the other person took the initiative to come closer and transformed into Carmen's appearance in front of him. After Ernst exposed the deception, the other person looked very surprised.

How did you figure out who we were?

I didn't realize that you, a group of shapeshifters, could be so cheeky?

Seeing Ernst's wry smile, the shapeshifter horde shrugged, their feigned surprise fading, and explained:

"Relax a little. Do you feel better?"

"Why are you suddenly being so nice to me?" Ernst asked, somewhat surprised.

The shapeshifter shrugged. "It's Theresa's request. Of course, it's not just her request."

"You were assassinated, and many people are concerned about you."

Ernst pursed his lips, somewhat moved.

In any case, it's always good to be cared for. The bond between people lies in their mutual concern for each other, no matter what they do, it's like a three-legged race, evoking mutual affection.

"How's the situation in Lentinium?"

Although he knew the shapeshifter was unlikely to answer honestly, Ernst couldn't help but ask anyway.

The shapeshifter stared at Ernst for a moment, then shook his head, seemingly with a hint of helplessness:

“There will be times when the Victorians need your care, but not now. For now, you should take care of yourself first.”

He turned his head, and in front of the curious Talulah and Skadi, his figure transformed again into that of a somewhat delicate and frail young man named Agor, and he slowly said:

"Do you know why the Iberians chose this place as your base?"

"Because the Eye of Iberia here is still usable."

Ernst replied.

He only recently learned about this.

Upon arriving in Granfalo, Carmen didn't head straight for the office building, but instead headed straight for the Eye of Iberia, which was still some distance outside the city.

Only after asking did Ernst learn that they would be trying to relight the Eye of Iberia, which had been extinguished for a long time.

Iberia once boasted hundreds of such lighthouses, the eyes of Iberia gazing into the deep sea, guiding vast fleets of warships. But after the Great Tranquility, even the continental shelf shifted, and almost all of the Eyes of Iberia suffered devastating damage.

All of their functions are no longer working, and the Iberians of today have lost the technology to repair and maintain the Eyes of Iberia during the Great Tranquility technological gap, leaving these eyes "blind" for decades.

It was only recently, when the Iberians were choosing a location for their counter-terrorism base, that they stumbled upon this place.

To say it was a coincidence wouldn't be entirely accurate. It should be said that a teenager went to the courtroom and informed them of the matter.

Ernst had never met the boy, but he knew that the shapeshifter's current form was that of the boy.

"He says he's a descendant of Breogan. Is that true?"

Breogan was one of the creators of the Golden Iberia, the chief designer of the Iberian Fleet, and one of the Agor islanders who was criticized, demoted, and ultimately disappeared after the Great Tranquility broke out.

Whether he had any descendants is unclear according to historical records. The court's stance was consistently "no," but as is well known, official statements are sometimes the least reliable.

But the shapeshifter shook his head, decisively denying it:

"No."

Ernst nodded, not too surprised.

However, it doesn't really matter whether he's a teenager or not. Ernst just wanted to hear some gossip.

While there's a saying that amniotic fluid is a watershed moment in life, Ernst doesn't believe that a person's achievements depend entirely on their birth. At least for Ernst, whether you're a prince or a working knight, a thousand-year-old Balrog or a ten-thousand-year-old lynx, it makes no difference.

Anyway, its rarity won't exceed his, and its age won't be older than his.

"Did the court reward him?" Ernst asked.

"You're asking us that?" the shapeshifter retorted.

Ernst suddenly realized.

That's right. He shouldn't have asked the shapeshifter; he should have asked Carmen directly. If he had asked the shapeshifter and the shapeshifter had answered, it would have been somewhat disrespectful to the Inquisition.

As the Inquisition was being infiltrated by the Deep Sea Church, it was being infiltrated again by the Shapeshifters, turning the Inquisition into a honeycomb.

"And one more thing."

Ernst paused for a moment, then spoke again.

The shapeshifter nodded, while reminding him:

"last question."