People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

The officer was stunned for a moment, and then his face turned completely red.

In the winter of 1074, the Sixth Army of the Ursus Empire, stationed in Gregory Province near St. Arthur's capital, launched a rebellion. Together with the Third and Eighth Armies, and some of the Fourth Army's troops, they occupied three provinces surrounding St. Arthur's, claiming to "restore military prestige" and demanding that Emperor Fyodor "cede the palace." After mediation by the Imperial Council failed, the Fifth Army, claiming to be "on the Emperor's orders," attacked the Sixth Army. The Sixth and Eighth Armies immediately retaliated, besieging the capital, St. Arthur's, and bombarding the palace. This sparked a highly intense civil war throughout the Ursus Empire, known historically as the "Great Rebellion."

The war lasted until the winter of 1076, and ended with the annihilation of the Sixth and Eighth Armies and the suppression of the rebellion.

The Victorians were clearly not afraid of anyone when it came to arguing. If you accused me of causing the Duke of Wellington to die in a Victorian war to "recapture the capital," then I would retort that my Sixth and Eighth Armies died in the siege of your capital just like your Sixth and Eighth Armies did.

It's true that the Duke of Wellington made great contributions to Victoria, but your Sixth and Eighth Armies were also super contributors to the expansion of the Ursus Empire during the Great Conquest of Ursus. In comparison, I only have one person on my side, while you have two armies! Although my side was a bit chaotic and fought a bit humiliatingly, your "Great Rebellion" directly wiped out your entire organization!

The "Great Rebellion" directly caused the deaths of millions of Ursus soldiers and civilians. No matter how tragic the Battle of Lentinium was, it didn't reach that level.

The Ursus Empire's diplomats' expressions changed upon hearing this.

The guys are all very straightforward. Although not long ago, a diplomat who was too straightforward was transferred back to the country and sent to the border to grow potatoes because he made a joke at the World Summit, this is a matter of right and wrong!

You Victorians are ruthless with your words, fine! Then come and see if my Ursus fists are merciless!

Without a word, and even faster than the officer beside him, the diplomat rushed forward, arriving before he could even speak, and threw a powerful punch at the Victorian's large face!

"Ugh!"

The Papal Palace, the Lateran Exhibition Hall.

Lateran has not experienced much war and has been peaceful for most of the time, so most of their exhibits are about Lateran firearms and history and culture.

King Ivangelista XI was in this exhibition hall, introducing every item in the Lateran exhibition hall to a group of audacious Sarkaz children who had dared to sneak into the venue.

Yes, he didn't expel the children. After all, this is Sarkaz. If this happened in a foreign country, the first thing they would do is accuse them of inadequate security, and then suspect that these children might be trained spies or assassins. But this is Laterano.

No matter how outrageous something is, if it happens in Laterano and the perpetrator is Sarkaz, it becomes less abstract.

They just wanted to come in and have fun; they didn't even bring any explosives with them, which is already quite honest of them.

King Ivangelista XI was all smiles, and even as the musketeers rushed over, he cheerfully gave them instructions:

"Mikesh, you've come at the right time. Go get some dessert, shall we? I need to treat these young men to a good meal!"

The cavalryman glanced at the small group of Sakortas huddled around the Pope with a look of astonishment. No explanation was needed; he already understood what had happened. "What do you mean 'die'?" he hurriedly asked.

“I’ll reprimand the people on duty today. And you lot, I’ll tell your parents and the dessert vendors in Laterano that you won’t be able to buy any desserts for a week! This is your punishment for trespassing and violating the rules!”

The Sakotas immediately let out a series of screams, some even clinging to Ivangelista XI's arms and legs, bursting into tears.

King Ivangelista XI felt a pang of heartache and looked at the musketeers:

"Why are you being so mean to them?"

"Your Holiness, something has happened," the cavalryman said earnestly, moving closer to the Pope, pushing the children aside, and whispering a few words in the Pope's ear.

"A fight started?"

King Ivangelista XI was visibly shocked.

"Let's go, let's stop them! This is the World's Fair, what will happen if a fight breaks out!"

He bent down and called out to the little Sakotas as they left. Just as he was about to head to the Victoria Pavilion, he bumped into Mostima, who was walking in from outside.

Mostima looked puzzled:

"Your Majesty, where are you rushing off to?"

King Ivangelista XI had no time to explain, and simply said:

"In a hurry."

Mostima was slightly taken aback:

"You know about Mr. Ernst's arrival? This valiant cavalryman told you? I thought I was the first to know."

King Ivangelista XI was taken aback again, then said seriously:

"Alright, don't delay any longer, take me there."

Mostima blinked: "Where to?"

Ivangelista XI, of course:

"Go see Mr. Ernst, or what?"

Chapter 1001 Raphsini: No Refusing Allowed

When Ivangelist XI arrived at the entrance to the World's Fair, Ernst was already surrounded by people.

Ernst didn't feel this way when visiting a single country normally, but when it came to events like the World's Fair, where dignitaries from all over Terra gathered, he was really overwhelmed.

What are you busy with? Busy shaking hands.

This is no joke. In Victoria alone, there are five grand dukes—the Duke of Cactus, the Duke of Windermere, and the Duke of Goldwood—whom we shake hands and exchange pleasantries. The Duke of Windermere, in particular, spends the longest time talking to her, from the current situation in Victoria to Defiance's recent studies. The Duke of Windermere even seriously complains about Defiance's recent rebellious behavior, such as telling her father when he is showing her around the duchy's affairs:

"That's not how Ernst did it!"

Her father, Kent Windermere, was furious. How could his little girl, who was so young, be so prone to making mistakes?

And this wasn't even everyone from Victoria; there was also Talulah from Londinium and Rafshini from Tara, both of whom had come to the World's Fair. Talulah was alright; she had an inherently defiant spirit, or to put it bluntly, she was stubborn as a mule, and even if the sky were to fall, it wouldn't stop her from spouting off about how she was doing. Ernst could tell she seemed to have many questions for him, but when it came time for him to shake her hand, she blushed and remained silent.

Ernst could even imagine what she was thinking—would asking Mr. Ernst about Lontinem in public make him think I was incompetent? Mr. Ernst seemed very busy right now; perhaps it wasn't best not to take up too much of his time? With so many people around, if I asked too many questions, wouldn't others misunderstand that I was showing favoritism? Maybe we should wait until another time, in a more private space, just the two of us, to discuss this in detail?

Well, how should I put it?

Typical virgin mentality.

Ernst felt it necessary to remind her that such thinking was unacceptable. International politics isn't child's play; there's no such thing as endless courtesies. Talulah's thinking, while seemingly considerate of the other party, was actually sacrificing her own interests. Holding this mindset, if the other party isn't familiar with you, you're essentially convincing yourself to give up an opportunity; if the other party is close, it will only make them feel that you're being overly distant.

In ordinary interpersonal interactions, this kind of thinking might at most limit her social circle, making it difficult for her to accumulate prestige and connections. However, in the political arena, without the spirit of "if not me, then who?" to seize those fleeting opportunities, if you don't step up, others will stand up and kick you!

Wait a minute, in the Q group: it seems like the person she wants to communicate with is me. Does that sound a bit strange?

Ernst let out a slight hiss, while Talulah had already turned around, lowered her head, and hurriedly walked away, giving her place to Lavshine.

Lavshini didn't have as many taboos.

Ernst looked at her, and before he could even greet her, he felt a fragrant breeze carrying a slightly warm breath enter his arms, and a pair of sharp, shiny dragon horns rose up before his eyes.

Lavshini hugged Ernst tightly, silently counting to ten in her mind before slowly releasing him. Meeting Ernst's somewhat dazed gaze, her eyes held a hint of reluctance, but her tone was dry and gentle, like the reed-covered lake outside Nasrsha:

"Long time no see, Mr. Ernst."

Ernst snapped out of his daze, took a subtle breath to calm himself down after being caught off guard, and nodded:

"It's been a long time, Your Highness Lavshini."

"Don't call me that!"

Her voice suddenly wavered, and a glint appeared in her eyes, but she quickly returned to normal, only her expression taking on a serious tone that left no room for argument.

"You are my teacher for life, so please just call me by my name."

"Please don't refuse. If you respect me, please listen to my wishes."

Ernst nodded.

He himself didn't really want to call her that, after all, Lavshini was practically family. Although they didn't communicate much, the person in the corner of Ernst's office had changed hands several times since Lavshini left, and no one had taken her place yet.

"That"

Just as Ernst was about to ask about Tara's recent condition, Lavshini made a serious suggestion:

"Let's do a second round of analysis" by Shilu San Si Yu Han: How about a round?

Ernst reacted for a moment, then felt a warmth even greater than before enter his arms once more, and the sharp tips of a pair of dragon horns stood precisely in front of his eyes, depriving him of all power to resist.

He offered no resistance whatsoever—he couldn't spray, and he really didn't dare to move—and let Raphsini gently move her head, as if listening to his heartbeat. He felt a faint but real warm current slowly spread from his chest to his entire body, sweeping away the fatigue of the journey. Ernst realized that Raphsini had used her Originium Arts.

The Drak girl raised her head, her emerald green eyes filled with inexplicable emotions. The flame-like light burning in her chest brightened slightly. After a brief moment of calm, she straightened up, ignoring the commotion from the surrounding crowd, and a pure smile, almost too innocent to look directly at, appeared on her lips:

"Long time no see, Mr. Ernst."

Ernst involuntarily turned his gaze slightly to the side.

Goodness, this is getting a bit tough.

Her smile gave Ernst a sudden feeling of being transported back to when he was eighteen, to the white moonlight he had passed by in the corridor of his alma mater, a memory that would stay with him for a lifetime.

Although he had never had that legendary "white moonlight" (ideal love), he now truly understood what it meant to be "heart-fluttering."

Raphsini's magic has now filled him with "life force".

"Ahem, long time no see, Lavshini."

Ernst was even a beat slow to respond, but Lavshini seemed even happier.

Instead of letting the conversation fall silent, she spoke softly, in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"Abrahana, please don't let her leave."

"Please don't be kind to her either. She doesn't deserve it. Her personality will only hurt those who follow her, trust her, and help her."

"Most important"

She paused, her expression unusually serious, even carrying a hint of stubbornness that said, "You must agree, or I won't leave."

"Please, whatever you do, don't keep her in your office. Her flame is different from mine; it's cold, lifeless, and uncontrollable, and that will be harmful to your health."

Ernst opened his mouth.

Having been in politics for many years, his instincts told him that Rafshine's words probably had ulterior motives. Even if Abrahana's flames were as harmful as she said, it couldn't be denied that she herself posed a threat to Rafshine's position. As a competent politician, Ernst could personally trust Rafshine, but just as he trusted Nasti and Hedley, yet still needed to hold the "key" to Kazdelnia as a deterrent and security guarantee, his contact with Abrahana to a certain extent, and even his friendship with her, would also help him to control the Tara region with its unlimited future potential, and Rafshine, the leader of Tara.

But another, more primal instinct told him, "Shut up! Don't overthink things!"

Ernst thought about it deeply for a moment and felt that the latter was more convincing.

So he nodded seriously:

"I understand."

"Can you promise me something?" Raphsini asked in a low voice, her voice filled with anticipation.

A look of surprise appeared on the snow leopard's face.

“It’s nothing.” Lavshini shook her head.

Ernst was somewhat amused and exasperated: "That's alright, of course I can promise you, I'll pay attention to everything you said before."

This wasn't a promise concerning any major national event, and Ernst had no reason not to agree.

Moreover, although Ernst told the Balrog three "Rules of Imprisonment for Abrahana", in reality, Abrahana's food and lodging expenses had long been covered by the Tara government, but they had never told Abrahana directly.

The reason is simple: there's no need for it.

Abrahana is no longer important. Neither Ernst nor Lavshini paid much attention to her, except for sparing her life because she was their "blood sister".

According to Ernst's view, he even advocated eliminating the root of the problem, but Lavshini was too soft-hearted and found it difficult to make such a decision without being forced.

Sherag doesn't support idlers unless you pay for it yourself.

What is his relationship with Lafsini? Now that Lafsini has personally requested a "refinement of the rules for imprisoning Abrahana," Ernst has no choice but to agree.

Lavshini was very satisfied, and her tail wagged more frequently in her satisfaction.

After a proper discussion about Tara's situation, she seemed to suddenly notice something, said goodbye to Ernst, and moved aside.

No sooner had she left than Vina’s familiar voice came from behind Ernst.

"Prime Minister Ernst, now that you're here, why don't you come to the Shelag exhibition hall first?"

Hmm, the tone is a bit off.

Ernst turned around and waved his hand somewhat awkwardly:

"Vina, it's me..."

"Busy exchanging feelings?"

"Yes, busy exchanging ideas, cough cough cough!"

Ernst hesitated for a moment, then quickly waved his hand.

"Nothing much, we just chatted about Tara and Abrahana's situation. We didn't have time to go to the Sherag exhibition hall, mainly because it was too crowded."

Before he could finish speaking, a call came from not far away:

"Mr. Ernst!"

Looking back, Ivangelista XI was walking briskly toward Ernst, waving and cheerfully greeting him as he went.

Ernst breathed a sigh of relief, and stepped forward with a warm smile to embrace Ivangelista XI:

"Your Holiness, it's been a long time! It's been a long time!"