People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

With a "snap," the door opened, and Talulah led Skadi, Laurentina, and Grandia in, standing behind Ernst's sofa.

Four big shots dressed in black stared at Amaya, and the sense of oppression they exuded was extraordinary.

Amaya's lips twitched, her angry eyes suddenly cleared, and she sat back down.

"What on earth do you want to do?"

She asked weakly, like a deflated balloon.

"Don't pretend?"

Ernst smiled and asked in return.

Amaya almost bit her lip until it bled!

This guy is so despicable, but there's just nothing she can do about it! Even if she had ten more lives, she still wouldn't be able to slap Ernst while protected by three deep-sea hunters and Ernst's own bodyguard.

Seeing Amaya's expression of utter hatred yet helplessness, Ernst's mood, which had been rather unpleasant since arriving in Iberia, immediately improved considerably!

This feeling of clarity is so comforting!

Those who play politics need to be ruthless. As for me, Snow Leopard, I'm always smiling, so people really look down on me!

If I don't teach you a lesson, you won't know what the Dark Hand is! You Deep Sea Cultists, take flight!

He smiled and waved his hand:

"I don't plan to do anything."

"I'm just returning the same tricks you used on us to you."

“Oulus, Cicero, your brothers must have received your secret letter by now and are preparing to ambush the Stutifaira. Judging by the time, it’s about time we set off as well.”

Amaya's face was tense, as gloomy as the impending storm in Iberia.

From the moment she heard the names Aulus and Cicero, she knew it was all over.

If it were just a few minutes ago, Z might not have known how Ernst knew about them, or why he was so sure that the two would ambush them on the Stutifaira, even though she had told them to hide immediately.

But when her gaze swept over the people behind Ernst and finally landed on Skadi, she understood.

Her face was pale and her heart was ashen; this was her state of mind at that moment.

A. Ernst still wasn't satisfied.

He's petty; being heartless isn't enough. Even if he's burned to ashes, he'll still use fire tongs to turn him over.

Q: So he stood up, smiled, and invited:

“I am a kind-hearted person and I can’t bear to see my family separated. You should come with us, Miss Amaya.”

"Okay?"

Chapter 743 The lighthouse's light cannot guide us

Yang Haiyang.

This is a forbidden zone for civilization, at least for the Terran civilization that has thrived for millions of years.

The last Iberian to attempt to explore this forbidden land was utterly defeated in a catastrophe beyond the comprehension of Terran humanity. Civilization suffered a rupture, culture was largely lost, the technology tree nearly collapsed, and society stagnated for a long period.

The Iberians struggled in this agony for decades, like an old man nearing his end, slowly fading away in the torment of illness.

He thought about it until someone finally gave him a helping hand.

Carmen knew that the arrival of the World Summit was both a blessing and a curse for Iberia.

Fortunately, Iberia, the critically ill patient, finally received a doctor who immediately put her on a ventilator and administered a strong injection, giving her a chance to breathe and recover.

Unfortunately, the doctor's treatment costs are astronomical; if you want to live, you have to bear the consequences of living.

Carmen didn't complain about the World Summit; everything comes at a price. For a civilization, survival is more important than anything else; a dignified survival is merely a luxury after survival has been guaranteed.

But he wanted to find an opportunity to realize this extravagant idea.

The land will not give him this opportunity. Both the core area and the pioneering lands already have their masters. The dying Iberians do not have the strength to snatch food from the tiger's mouth, nor will they be so merciful as to share the meat in their mouths with a miserable patient.

Iberia could only search from the sea, from the oceans that no other civilization could reach, but which only Iberia knew about.

Carmen stood at the bow of the Punishment Army warship, gazing at the seemingly calm sea in the distance.

Raindrops fell, splashing up tiny droplets on the sea. The sea breeze wasn't strong, and the waves weren't rough. Although there was a sudden drizzle, it didn't detract from the fact that today was a good day for setting sail.

The warship beneath his feet is called the "Court of Judgment," the largest warship ever restored in Iberia since the Great Tranquility.

It's about repair, not construction.

The shipbuilding technology of Iberia in the past was far superior to that of today. Even its outdated warships had significant advantages in all aspects of performance compared to the latest warships built by Iberia today. This is a fact acknowledged by all Iberians, including Carmen. The predecessor of the "Judgment Court," the "Saint," was an old-fashioned warship of old Iberia.

In the year the Great Tranquility began, the Golden Fleet was completed, and this old warship had fulfilled its historical mission. It was decommissioned, mothballed, and transported back to the interior. The king ordered it to be transformed into a maritime museum, exhibiting the various treasures acquired by the royal family during their maritime explorations, the countless strange creatures they encountered, and the glorious history of Iberia's maritime conquests!

These plans eventually became a joke; Iberia not only failed to conquer the ocean, but was also slapped hard by it.

But this also gave the warship a new opportunity. Instead of sinking into the ocean along with the port city during the great calm inland, it was pulled from the ruins when the National Church reorganized the Inquisition and restored order to Iberian territory.

Saint Carmen I. Iberia ordered that the warship named after the saint be repaired and remodeled, renamed the "Court of Judgment," and incorporated into the flagship of the Punishing Army's Perdoni garrison.

Time has passed, and this old ship has now returned to the ocean after many twists and turns, embarking on the voyage he was unable to participate in.

Carmen reached out and gently stroked the deck railing.

His thoughts seemed to drift back to the past, back to that golden age.

"Back then, the man who steered this ship was my friend—Alfonso. Alfonso under the pomegranate tree, he is the most well-known hero in Iberia."

"He told me that he was transferred to be the captain of the Stutifaira, while you were kicked out of the Golden Fleet due to performance issues."

"It was his regret, and it was your regret, that your ship could not follow the Stutifaira and the great Fool on that most magnificent voyage of the Golden Age."

“I told him at the time that it was alright, that with his status, he could easily protect him from being dismantled. Besides, he was going to be steering the Fool, and no one else in Iberia could do that. And this was just a normal upgrade.”

Carmen's mutterings stopped for a moment.

He let out a long sigh.

What is the biggest regret in the world?

"At the time, it seemed like nothing special."

Alfonso left this ship behind and set sail aboard the Fool. It carried other missions and was unable to join the Golden Fleet.

And wasn't Carmen herself the same?

The warship of the Saints will be converted into a museum to house the glorious achievements of the Golden Age of Iberia. Saint Carmen, having survived the catastrophe, led the Church of England in rebuilding Iberia and cherished the memory of that golden age for a lifetime.

Carmen knew this was not a wise decision.

But perhaps, it's like the sentence Ernst wanted to say but couldn't bring himself to say.

This voyage was not to find the ship Stutifera, but for a man who had been lost his whole life yet pretended to be incredibly determined, to find his homeland, now in ruins, to find the Iberia that he longed for!

If he returns from this journey, he will bring back the twilight of gold, securing for Iberia a dignified chance to survive.

If I'm not going back, then so be it.

Having been rational his whole life, he never imagined that he would be so "romantic" in the end.

Taking a deep breath, Carmen turned around and looked at the first mate who was taking over the helm. The confusion in her eyes faded, leaving only determination and unwavering courage.

He went for civilization, for his country, for Iberia, and he has no regrets even in death!

"Raise the sails and set sail!"

Granfalo, a counterterrorism base.

Ernst stood before the Eye of Iberia, looked up, and gazed at the building.

It looks like a lighthouse and its functions are said to be similar to those of a lighthouse, but it incorporates a lot of Agorian technology, which the Iberians still find difficult to decipher to this day.

Countless such lighthouses once stood along the Iberian coastline, guiding warships home and keeping the gloom of the seas beyond their reach.

But right now, this is the only one that's lit up.

"Your name is Jody, right?"

Ernst lowered his head and looked at the young, somewhat shy Agor boy beside him.

Startled by being suddenly called by name, the boy stammered as he replied:

“Yes, it’s me. Jody Fontaine, that’s my name.”

"Don't be so nervous."

Ernst was at a loss for words, both amused and exasperated.

He considered himself to be of a relatively kind appearance. Compared to his older brother, he was often teased by some disrespectful and inconsiderate subordinates because he looked too "weak".

That's right, I'm talking about you, Horhaiya!

Vina and the others have been following this trend lately. But Jesston is the best; he's always so humble, so respectful, and so considerate!

After a moment of reflection, Ernst tried to keep his voice down:

“Mr. Jody, you are indeed not of Breogan blood. The International Summit has already investigated this matter.”

A look of surprise flashed across Jody's face, as if she was taken aback by Ernst's sudden mention of the matter.

But he quickly pursed his lips, revealing a wry smile:

“I know. I guess that's why I'm a descendant of that person.”

"You're much better than that person."

Ernst said with certainty.

Jody looked up in surprise:

"Why? Why are you saying that?"

He knew Ernst's identity, and the other party had never concealed it. Even though Iberia was poorly informed and he didn't know Ernst's exploits outside, he knew that this counter-terrorism operation, which wiped out countless Deep Sea cultists and restored peace to Iberia, was proposed by Ernst.

This was a truly important person, someone even more important than Breogan. How could such a self-assessment not surprise the insecure young Agor, who had grown up in a small town?

Ernst smiled slightly and gave an answer that he had never expected:

"Because you are still alive."

"Alive or alive?" Jody looked utterly bewildered.

S. Ernst nodded:

“You are still alive, you are still young, therefore, you are destined to be stronger than Breogan.”

"You are the sun at eight or nine o'clock, I am the midday sun, while Breogan is already sunset."

"The world belongs to us, and it also belongs to you. But ultimately, it belongs to you. Civilization needs to survive, and survival also requires civilization. Don't underestimate the word 'living.' Repairing this Eye of Iberia makes you feel truly alive. So many people spend their entire lives seeking this feeling but never attaining it."

He patted Jody on the shoulder:

"Keep going, if you encounter difficulties in Iberia. Or, if you're looking for a bigger stage to showcase your talents, I'll be waiting for you in Kjerag, at the World Summit."

Jody nodded blankly. After a long while, she came back to her senses and looked at Ernst's back.

Ernst's words truly touched him, like the earnest advice of a much older elder. However, some doubts still lingered in his heart, and he couldn't help but murmur to himself:

"But you don't look that much older than me, do you?"

8 Ernst didn't hear this. He extended an invitation to Jody, simply because he felt that the young man did have a lot of room for improvement, but lacked some confidence, so he casually gave him a pep talk.

He came here on important business.

"How long until the Preservator arrives?"

San asked Nasti, who was waiting at the port. Nasti didn't answer, but simply looked up at the sky.

The silhouette of the space carrier broke through the gloomy rain clouds in the sky and became visible to the naked eye at some point.

The liaison officer in the courtroom, Junior Judge Elena, stepped forward and asked:

"Do you need help opening the lighthouse for guidance?"

Ernst shook his head:

"no need."

He glanced at the slowly descending space carrier. This modern warship was equipped with a complete navigation system and radar, as well as ample fuel. These modern technologies allowed it to find its way on the vast ocean even without relying on Agor's lighthouse that pierced through the fog.

The lighthouse's light cannot guide us; we ourselves are the sun.