People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

Looking at it this way, it seems that having a secretary is indeed quite necessary.

Actos never considered the possibility of his secretary usurping power. In his view, he was a minister, a supervisor, and a mere secretary was nothing more than a laborer to do his bidding. He would occasionally inquire about important matters, and minor tasks could be delegated to others, as he had always done so.

The reason he thought about it for so long was simply because he had a bad first impression of Jeston.

But he and Horhaya both seem to be from Colombia, so maybe they're quite capable?

Since it's all hard labor anyway, if he doesn't do it, someone else will, so let him do it.

Aktos thought with the simplest, most rustic perspective. In his view, Sherag and Colombia were no different, just one a little bigger and the other a little smaller. Holhaya and Jeston were practically from the same hometown!

Reluctantly nodding, Actos walked arrogantly to Jeston's side, reached out, and patted Jeston on the shoulder:

"Secretary, do a good job. I'll be doing spot checks regularly. Don't let me find out you're doing anything wrong!"

Seeing his innocent appearance, Ernst, Latatos, Holhaya, and even Jeston all wore simple, genuine smiles.

"Yes, minister!"

..............

After the meeting, Latatos quickly caught up with Ernst, who was about to leave.

"Why was Aktos appointed as Minister of Defense?"

She asked curiously,

"This method is truly ingenious. If I'm not mistaken, it's a promotion in name only. The head of a family has become your subordinate minister without even realizing that his power has been taken away by his secretary, and he's even smug about it."

"But the position of Minister of Defense is still very important, no matter what. Is it okay to just hand it over to Actos like this?"

Ernst glanced at Latatos with a smile.

Miss Squirrel spoke quite bluntly, but she actually implied that she was also implying something about herself.

No matter how stubborn you are, you can't hide one fact—

Aren't you one of my subordinates now?

Ernst didn't hide anything either, and asked in return:

"Why do you think I appointed Actos as Minister of Defense?"

Latatos paused, thought for a moment, and replied, "Because he's managed Shelag Defense for so many years, does he really understand defense?"

"Ha ha ha ha......"

Ernst couldn't help but laugh and waved his hand.

"No, no, no, it's because he doesn't understand national defense at all. If he really understood national defense, that would be a disaster."

"What do you mean?" Latatos asked, puzzled.

Ernst asked, "What is the purpose of the Shelag defense?"

"Beware of Victoria, Casimir, and the Colombians?" Latatos said.

“No, it’s about making the Sherag people think we’re protected. The Victorians know we’re not,” Ernst retorted.

"So, if he really understands national defense, seeing this situation, he should start planning to expand the military, purchase weapons, and even build fortresses and bunkers in the country to strengthen national defense."

Ernst shrugged.

"Fortunately, he didn't understand, so he also thought we were protected, by his protection."

Latatos opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything for a long time.

It wasn't until Ernst poked her forehead with his finger that she snapped back to reality, clasped her hands together, and offered a heartfelt prayer:

"Praise be to Jeragand."

Chapter 144 Ernst: Spring Has Arrived

Rafishini has been in Shelag for three days.

At first, she simply wandered around, taking in the sights. She left her mark on the streets of Tukarim, in the hunting grounds of the Shivaish family, and on the majestic and sacred Mount Kalan.

Someone like her didn't actually have any particularly grand goals, nor did she possess the intense fighting spirit and ambition of her sister, Abrahana. Therefore, even as a nominal envoy, she cared neither about Kjerag's politics nor its defenses. In fact, most of the time, she avoided Ahmoni altogether.

Compared to things she disliked, she cared more about the trivial matters that people like Ahmoni considered insignificant. For example, the air in Shelag was crisp, people lived simply, the most sophisticated backstabbing existed in the vegetable market, and the biggest unspoken political rule was not to speak ill of Jeragand.

As long as she follows these rules, she can live comfortably in Sherag.

That's because you don't have to work.

Mandela seemed to be someone who particularly enjoyed undermining others; she didn't hold back in pointing out Rafshini's wonderful vision.

“You are the special envoy of the Duke of Wellington and Her Highness Abrahina, so Ernst has to support you. You don’t have to get up at seven or eight o’clock every morning and walk more than ten miles of mountain road to work in the factory, nor do you have to roll up your trousers and sleeves and go down to the cold fields to work. All you do is eat and sleep, and you have no pressure in life. Of course, it’s comfortable to live like this.”

"But most Sherag people aren't like you. Give them your life, and they'll be much more comfortable!"

Mandela always seemed to harbor particularly deep malice towards Lavshini, and her words were never pleasant. But Lavshini showed no sign of anger or embarrassment at Mandela's words; she simply fell into deep thought, then asked curiously:

"Mandra, are you thinking of the Tara people and the nobles of Victoria?"

Like a kitten whose tail has been stepped on, Mandra's face turned bright red in an instant, breaking down in anger and embarrassment with a speed that Raphsini had never imagined:

"Who mentioned the Titar people! Who mentioned the Titar people!"

Lavshini covered her mouth, concealing the upturned corners of her lips, but the smile in her eyes could not be hidden by a single hand.

Enraged, Mandra instinctively reached for her Originium Arts to throw stones at Raphsini. But a split second before she could act, reason managed to bring her back to the curb.

She is Rafishini's monitor, ordered by Princess Abrahana to keep a close watch on Rafishini, ensuring she doesn't leave her sight or get hurt.

Felin glared at Raphsini with annoyance, then turned her head away, looking like she didn't want to see her.

Seeing this, Lavshini also breathed a sigh of relief, pouted, and felt a little sad.

She wasn't angry at Mandela's words, but they did remind her.

Her current comfortable life is not something she was born with or should take for granted. While her life, supported by Ernst, may not be soaked in the blood of the Sherag people, it is certainly stained with their sweat.

She could have continued like this, enjoying the beautiful scenery and local customs of Shelag, but that didn't align with her beliefs or her principles.

What difference was there between her and those Victorian nobles who exploited and enslaved the Tara people, fawned on their superiors and bullied their inferiors, and pretended to be cultured?

She has to do something.

But what should we do?

Lavshini rubbed her temples, looking somewhat dejected. To be honest, she didn't seem to possess any particularly useful skills.

Although she serves as the shadow leader of Deeppool, she is almost never authorized to give any commands, and naturally cannot be considered as strategic and in control as Ernst. Although she is a Drak, because she is never required to personally engage in combat, her martial arts skills are not particularly refined. As for Originium Arts...

Draco's Originium Arts are very powerful. Although on the surface they appear to be just simple flames, in reality, Originium Arts are merely a manifestation of flames. The true core is far more complex.

Her and her sister Abrahana's Originium Arts are like this: the purple flames her sister scatters across the earth can awaken fallen warriors, making them rise again and obey her commands. These warriors can even be from the enemy; once spread by the purple flames, they become her sister's fearless and loyal warriors.

Well, although Raphsini found the spell somewhat chilling, the description was accurate. Being dead naturally makes one fearless in the face of death.

And myself.

Abrahina once said that Raphshini's Originium Arts and her own originated from the same source, both related to "the heat of life." But to this day, Raphshini has not yet figured out the true effects of her Originium Arts.

She can't imitate her sister's necromancer cosplay, summoning the dead, nor can she set others ablaze. Perhaps all she can do now is cosplay as a famous ravenous dog, Kroos, heating the tip of her spear and thrusting it out as a "very hot gun."

It didn't sound particularly intimidating.

What can I do?

Muttering to herself, Rafishini unknowingly arrived at the government office building in Tukarim.

With the entire city of Tukarim undergoing a major reconstruction, this low-rise office building has become a unique sight in the city.

The similar bungalows next to it had long been demolished. Only this one remained, supposedly at Ernst's request:

"Let's put up the demolition signs for the government office building first, but start construction last. Otherwise, we won't have a place to work for a while. If we move the office back home, it will be difficult for the residents of Tukarim to find me."

Shivaish's main house is quite a distance from Tukarim. During the reconstruction period, residents flocked to his door every day to inquire about the demolition. Although most questions could be answered on the Q&A posted by Ernst on the door, he still had to consider the illiterate elderly residents.

"If you don't know what to do, why don't you go in and ask Ernst? Doesn't he seem like he has a solution?"

Mandela suddenly spoke up.

Raphsini turned her head in surprise to look at Mandela, but Mandela still looked away, arms crossed, as if she didn't want to talk to her.

Seeing this, Lavshini smiled and chuckled.

He appeared to be throwing a tantrum, but he still obeyed orders, keeping a close eye on her and even listening to her mutterings. Although he kept referring to Ernst as "that Ernst," he didn't belittle his character and abilities like he would with other Victorian nobles. Instead, he said things like, "He seems quite capable." In reality, he didn't have much ill will towards Ernst; one could even say he had some respect for him.

Her level of dishonesty is exactly the same as her animal parent [cat].

However, what she said does make a lot of sense.

Ernst was always a resourceful man. She was present when Ernst was relayed the Duke of Wellington's three tasks. To be honest, even she thought those three requests were a bit excessive when Ahmoni relayed them.

But Ernst achieved his mission objective in a way that no one expected, without injuring anyone! Lavshine was just as shocked and impressed as she was when she saw her sister give a speech in front of nobles.

Unfortunately, the opportunity to meet Ernst was ultimately snatched away by Abrahina, who also developed an interest in him. Otherwise, she would certainly have praised Ernst in the end.

She wasn't as timid as Mandela; she could openly say things like, "Wow, that's amazing!"

Of course, it's not too late now.

With great enthusiasm, Raphsini straightened her clothes, her tail twitching with excitement, and entered the bungalow of the office building. After greeting Hinterlea, who was standing at the reception desk, the Kuranta girl led her to the door of the Prime Minister's office and knocked on Ernst's door.

"Boss, Special Envoy Lavshini is looking for you."

Ernst, who was in the room, looked up in surprise, put down his pen, and said:

"Please come in."

Hinterlea pushed open the door. Lavshine stepped inside.

In that instant, Ernst felt that spring had arrived.

Chapter 145 Mandela: No, I'll do anything!

"So, you're looking for something to do, right?"

Ernst stroked his chin.

What's this? Are you so bored that you want to compete in the competition? I've never heard of anyone making such a request before.

They've truly found their purpose in their work! Ernst thought this was just some toxic motivational rhetoric from bosses.

But Lavshini's expression didn't seem like a joke. So Ernst actually thought about it seriously and asked:

"How about this, tell me what you can do first?"

Lavshini pursed her lips, somewhat nervously listing her skills: "I can clean up the battlefield, remain silent and act like an expert, be very obedient, use flames to clean up crime scenes, and harmlessly dispose of infected corpses..."

"Stop, stop, I said stop."

Ernst became increasingly uneasy as he listened and quickly stopped Lavshini's criminal declaration.

Sis, you've studied quite a variety of things.

Yeah, it seems like I haven't learned anything good.

Cleaning up the battlefield? What the hell? Aren't you a special envoy? How come you've been on the battlefield? What's with pretending to be an expert without saying anything? Were you using this tactic the first time I met you? And being so obedient... Ernst didn't even know how to respond.

Only parents would use a compliment like "This child is very obedient" to praise their child.

If the above points could barely be considered advantages, then cleaning up crime scenes and harmlessly disposing of infected corpses... ugh—

Isn't this a blatant declaration of crime? Thank goodness Hinterlea didn't come in, otherwise her face would probably be as white as her hair.

Ernst coughed and took a moment to catch his breath:

"Well, looking at it this way, you do have quite a few good points."

"Really?" Raphsini was pleased to receive approval.

Ernst nodded: "Well said, don't say it again."

He paused, then suddenly asked, "Speaking of which, have you noticed? The room seems much warmer."

Lavshini shook her head blankly.

As someone who controls temperature, Drak is actually less sensitive to increases in temperature. It was Mandela who, seeing her silence, spoke up first:

"This is her Originium Arts. This girl... the envoy's Originium Arts are not very stable, and her control is far inferior to Princess Abrahana's. That's why there is leakage."