People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

After walking down the last street, Ernst arrived at the Sherrag government office building.

Hinterlea greeted him warmly, and Latatos's hurried figure disappeared into the Ministry of Commerce room with a greeting. Vina seemed to have gone to the World Summit early for a routine meeting. Joyce, Milo, and Safar were discussing some scientific issues that Ernst couldn't understand, using completely different speaking speeds and tones.

Lola's soul-shaped red bucket is still placed as a beacon in the corner by the entrance, but her body is nowhere to be found, perhaps at some construction site?

"Boss, boss, that..."

Hinterlea walked around the front desk and approached Ernst.

"Um, are you free tonight?"

Ernst thought for a moment and then asked in return:

How late?

"Eight o'clock!" Hinterlea exclaimed excitedly, seeing that things seemed promising. "Tonight, a famous director from Bluewood is coming to Sherag and Nian to discuss film art, and they'll also be showing several well-known blockbusters!"

"I just managed to get a few tickets, would you like them?"

Ernst was taken aback.

To be honest, his first reaction was, "Are you speaking Sherag? I can't understand it."

You said a famous director from Blue Cardwood is coming to Sherag to discuss film art with him?

with who?

Let me double-check, with whom?

How much money did she spend last year to fool someone like this? Wait a minute, where did she get the money?

Oh right, Ji is here too. The Sui family is almost all together now. Except for the second son who's on Rhodes Island, the rest are in Kjerag.

She's "quite wealthy," but I don't know how she convinced Ji to take out her money and let her squander it.

Ernst felt there must be something fishy going on behind the scenes!

Poor director, making money is hard, and life is tough.

To be honest, Ernst wasn't too keen on going after hearing who was organizing the event. Fortunately, Hintlaya said the main event was the movie screening, so Ernst thought about it and agreed.

"Sure. Come to my house tonight, Hinterlea."

Upon hearing this, Hintelia trembled, her already slightly flushed face turning completely red.

Is it that fast? Is this progressing so quickly?

Wait, the process seems pretty correct, isn't that how dates always go? The movie's over, it's getting dark, I don't want to go home, let's play one more game!

It's a life-or-death situation, where hundreds of millions die for just one survivor!

"Hinterlea?"

Ernst waved his hand in front of her. Hinterlea snapped out of her reverie about whether or not to study abroad in elementary school and coughed.

"Okay, if the boss has no problem with that, I have no objections."

"What's the problem? Enya should be very happy to have you here."

Ernst Road,

"It's a rare occasion to host a family dinner, so it's better to have more people. Don't tell anyone else, otherwise having too many people won't be good."

"A family feast?"

Hinterlea blinked.

So it's not that I want to.

"What do you want?"

This time, Ernst really didn't understand.

"I'm fine."

Hinterlea bit her lip.

A family dinner is fine, a family dinner is also fine. I've never heard of anyone else having attended a family dinner at Ernst's house before, so this is practically the first time!

"Don't worry, boss, I'll definitely be there on time!"

Ernst gave Hinterlea a strange look, nodded, and, under her excited yet somewhat nervous gaze, walked somewhat fearfully into his office.

Ernst breathed a sigh of relief as he slowly closed the last crack of the office door. He took off his coat and hung it on the coat rack by the door. Before he could turn around, he felt a soft touch against his back and a mischievous tail wrapped around him.

"BOSS~"

"Holhaya? I'm here to work. What do you want?"

"Yes, what are you doing?"

Holhaia's tail wrapped around Ernst's thigh and teased him for a moment. Then, she pressed her pretty face against Ernst's cheek and breathed out her warm breath. Her tongue, which was longer than those of other races, licked Ernst's ear.

"Hmm—what do you think?"

"*Colombian witty remarks*~"

Be blunt.

Chapter 1049 Meetings, Meals, and the Clown's Cat

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

Inside the Prime Minister's office, Ernst and Holheimer held a closed-door seminar lasting several hours to discuss whether the population problem in Kjerag would hinder economic recovery. The two sides engaged in a lively and productive discussion on key issues such as resource allocation, strategic investment, and in-depth cooperation, reaching several consensuses and outlining a plan for future action.

Ernst, as the project's main leader, appeared confident and resolute in his well-tailored navy blue suit. Facing Horhae, who offered differing opinions on economic revitalization, he solemnly pointed out that the challenges facing the Shelag region required a "steady and gradual" solution. Rushing into a solution could jeopardize the already stable economic structure and lead to a loss of control within government departments.

Holhaya, dressed in a white, fitted business suit, exuded poise and confidence. As a government secretary and resource integration expert, she put forward a series of bold and innovative suggestions. Although the two were largely aligned in their professional expertise, they differed significantly on the specific implementation paths, which became the focus of the meeting.

At the start of the meeting, the two sides exchanged preliminary opinions in the communication space. Holhayer took the initiative, pressing Ernst with a series of questions, forcing him to the sofa. However, Ernst was not to be outdone and, in an authoritative manner, proposed a "multi-round, small-step" resource introduction strategy, arguing that excessive capital injection might exceed the market's capacity, be detrimental to future sustainable development, and hinder the centralized control of the Sherrag government.

However, Holhaia used herself as an example to illustrate that different races in Terra have different levels of tolerance when dealing with capital injection and industrial zone development. She lightly tapped the data report on her chest and focused on showing Ernst the special potential of the [Liboli] race in two key issues.

At the same time, she emphasized that the absorption potential of the Shelag region, which is currently home to a diverse mix of ethnic groups including the Liberians, Aslans, Felins, Zalaks, and Tiqaz, is severely underestimated. She pointed out Ernst's lack of decisiveness on this issue and, as government secretary and Ernst's advisor, strongly recommended implementing a "one-time deep integration" strategy. During the debate, she leaned forward several times, using professional terminology and detailed data to support her arguments, gradually warming up the initially tense atmosphere.

As the meeting progressed, both sides decided to move to a closed-door consultation phase. Ernst closed the blinds in the meeting room and ensured the door was locked for security. Holheimer organized the relevant documents and laid out the most crucial data reports in the center of the conference table. In this private setting, Ernst abandoned his previous conservative stance and proposed a new approach of "deep integration and rapid breakthroughs," a change that greatly surprised Holheimer. She quickly adjusted her strategy, showing Ernst several pre-prepared plans and suggesting starting with the most groundbreaking "fully open cooperation model."

The peak of their collaborative research lasted nearly two hours, during which they repeatedly shifted their stances and directions to maintain optimal engagement. Ernst set aside his managerial airs and worked alongside Holheimer to study detailed data models; Holheimer, in turn, generously shared her theoretical experience gained as a Melander agent in the open environment of Columbia. Ernst repeatedly pointed out that Holheimer's thinking and actions were too impulsive, and that her lack of real-world experience could lead to unforeseen consequences. However, Holheimer expressed serious reflection and refused to repent, even questioning Ernst's "rich" practical experience and requesting that he impart his more extensive practical knowledge to her.

As their ideas collided, their professional synergy improved, and their respective strengths were fully utilized. Ernst's strategic vision and Holheimer's execution ability combined perfectly, resulting in several innovative solutions.

After lengthy and in-depth discussions, Ernst and Holheimer reached a final consensus on the resource integration path for Sherag. Both parties agreed to adopt a hybrid strategy of "gradual progress with key breakthroughs," initially implementing small-scale resource introduction in three pilot areas before full-scale rollout once the model matures. This achievement far exceeded expectations and can be considered a major breakthrough of this meeting.

Following the meeting, Ernst, exercising his prime ministerial authority, ultimately rejected Horheyer's suggestion to convene another meeting to discuss the matter. He solemnly pointed out that it was necessary to consider the potential disruptions that excessive capital injection might cause to the economic order of Sherrag, as well as the possible increase in the daily workload of the Sherrag government, requiring serious, cautious, and comprehensive consideration. Horheyer, satisfied, summarized the main points of the meeting and agreed to Ernst's proposal.

The two professionals not only achieved substantial working results during this meeting, but also established a deep professional trust, laying a solid foundation for long-term cooperation in the future.

—Minutes of the meeting to advance the Shelag reform project

"So you had a meeting all morning?"

During lunch break, in the government canteen, Vina, who had finally finished get off work from the World Summit, sat down next to Ernst with her plate of food, glancing at Ernst and Holheim with some curiosity.

The special meeting to advance the reform project seemed to have no problems. Coupled with Ernst's recent actions in Kjerag, such as abolishing the Three Races Council and hiring the Elder Council of Manju, renowned legal scholars from Terra, and experts in behemoth law to draft various laws for Kjerag, it is clear that he is indeed reforming and treating a series of deep-seated problems in Kjerag.

But for some reason, Vina always felt that there was something wrong with Ernst and Horhaya.

I don't know how to put it, but it's a woman's intuition!

Ernst's expression remained unchanged, as did Horhajya's.

Ernst seemed almost too rational and detached, possessing an otherworldly air. Even if Vina tried to think in other directions, she would feel deeply guilty and ashamed after meeting Ernst's pure, unadulterated silver-gray eyes.

As for Holhaia, her gaze towards Vina and Ernst both carried a hint of provocation, but Vina was already used to it.

Horhaia has always been like this; Vina knew what kind of personality she had from the very first day they met.

She wasn't very old, but she possessed a wealth of fancy knowledge and profound inner strength accumulated over four hundred years, yet she had absolutely no practical combat experience. In fact, after learning about Horhaiya's past experiences, Vina even wondered if the entire Feathered Serpent race was like that.

After all, given their method of inheritance—operating on a newborn's brain with Originium Arts to implant the obsessions and knowledge of the previous generation—it's hard to say that there's any real "feeling" between mothers and fathers, or between family and children, in such a cruel way.

Their entire race is nothing more than a tool for passing on the obsession with "returning to the people of the gods".

But it's impossible for a person to be completely devoid of emotions. Even Liz, the homunculus created by Quesatushta on Rhodes Island who initially lacked even a personality, could awaken her own emotions; how much more so would Quetzalcoatl?

In other words, by the time of Horhaiya's generation, she possessed four hundred years of obsession, four hundred years of knowledge, four hundred years of memories, and...

Four hundred years of accumulated sexual repression!

Having figured this out, Vina even felt a little sorry for Horhaya, after all, she had been very restrained.

Although she seems to have a lot of fun, she probably has never even kissed Ernst on the lips.

Suppressing that faint intuition, Vina placed a piece of the pack animal meat steak on her plate and gave it to Ernst, saying:

"Speaking of which, Ernst, at today's World Summit, the Colombian representative was that Tin Man. Let me remind you, don't skip the President."

The tin man was Horhaya's former boss, and Horhaya also cast a curious glance at him upon hearing the news.

Ernst was in a rather awkward position.

What does it mean to stand someone up? If you knew from the beginning that I would stand someone up, and I did, that's also a form of not standing someone up!

Damn it, if I could do it all over again, I would definitely be a Liberi. As long as my race is pigeons, I won't be afraid of you calling me a pigeon!

"I know, I will."

After taking a sip of freshly squeezed lemonade to ease the awkwardness, Ernst finally answered.

"Let's stay in Shelag a few more days this time. These days, I'm often away for months at a time. If this continues, Enya and Ensia will start to complain."

Enster was telling the truth; Enster was always away on business trips, and Enya and Ensia were indeed getting a little dissatisfied.

They weren't actually blaming Ernst; they just felt he was working too hard.

His fame was known to everyone from Tara to Dayan, but the price was that he did indeed travel back and forth between Victoria and Dayan several times!

There are many things that Enya and Ensia both feel are things that Ernst shouldn't have to worry about at all!

What does it have to do with Scherrag when Victoria is at war? What does it have to do with Ernst when the Great Yan Dynasty is suffering from famine?

Why should Ernst deal with the fact that sea creatures have turned into people and come ashore? Why should Ernst be the one to search for and rescue people who have gone missing in the northern ice fields?

Ernst is just like the nanny of the whole Terra. Where are all those big shots who usually boast so much? Why do they disappear at times like this?

When Sherag first opened up, Enya, a pure-blooded Sherag who had never been abroad, still had some idealized views of foreign countries. After all, the scientists and bankers who came to Sherag in the early days were of high quality and cultural level, and they brought all sorts of amazing and wonderful tools (technology), which truly broadened the horizons of the Sherag people.

Many Sherag natives who have left the country are also deeply shocked by foreign political systems, democratic narratives, and large warships and cannons, feeling that Sherag is bad in every way and has problems everywhere.

But as time went on, when Ernst, as Scherrag's representative, actually went abroad and left his mark on various countries, this illusion was shattered.

People gradually realized that the people of Sherag didn't seem to be that bad, and the system in Sherag didn't seem to be that bad either. They asked themselves honestly, what about those people's boasts of "parliamentary democracy" and "discussion of national affairs"? They sound impressive, but have they really achieved it?

Let's not even talk about whether it's done well or not, just ask, did it even get done? Many people would have to question that!

Artillery shells are the best cleaning robots. In a war, tens of thousands of shells are poured down, and much of the "charm" that foreign propaganda has promoted is completely stripped away.

As a result, many people who have left Sherag have become "more patriotic the more they go abroad".

Enya also gave up her original plan to visit Victoria. The people of Victoria had handled things terribly! They even made Ernst go to Lentinium to help clean up the mess, putting him in danger. Enya had no good feelings towards the country after hearing about it.

She even scolded Enciodes, who had come to persuade her to go out and "see the world," and the relationship between the two, which had just eased up a bit, almost broke down again!

Ernst promised Enya that he would stay a couple more days when he returned, as a break from his busy schedule.

The burden of this land cannot be borne entirely by him alone. He has already brought enough influence, and it is time to cool things down temporarily and see how this new system of the "International Summit" operates without his direct intervention.

"Encia told me that your family is hosting a family dinner tonight?"

Vina suddenly interrupted Ernst's thoughts. He turned his head in surprise, his expression as if to say: When did you bribe my sister?

A smug smile flickered across Vina's lips:

Is that true?

Ernst sighed helplessly and could only nod.

"some."

"Can I go?"

"of course can."

"And what about me?" Holhaya nudged Ernst's arm naturally and raised an eyebrow.

Ernst gave a wry smile and nodded:

"Of course you can."