In Terra, I Have No Books Left

"A very good proposal. It's time for some changes between our two races."

The Pontiff handed over a scroll. Upon opening it, there was only a brief demand: for the Sarkaz to abandon the construction of mobile cities. In return, the Sankta and Sarkaz would cease their hostility and restore peace.

"These are the conditions collectively decided by the Laterano clerics. What do you think?"

"This... please forgive my bluntness, but building mobile cities isn't the only way to acquire them."

Theresica couldn't believe it. This condition was practically no condition at all. Did the Sarkaz even have the capability to build mobile cities now? And if they weren't allowed to build them, they couldn't use other means?

"How the Sarkaz acquire mobile cities is their own affair. What we are discussing here is that the Sarkaz cannot build mobile cities themselves."

"Then... the accord is reached."

Melodious bell tolls echoed throughout Laterano City at that moment.

Record: July 23rd, 1070, Terra. King Theresica of Kazdel and Laterano Pontiff Evangelista XI signed the Eden Accord, ending the state of hostility between the two races and restoring peace.

PS: Yesterday's chapter wasn't written well. It was my fault; my writing skills are still lacking, but the plot is as intended.

Let me explain some of yesterday's issues. These are some of my thoughts.

The characters are independent of each other. The Pontiff represents Laterano. The Sarkaz and Sankta have always been at odds, and with one being strong and the other weak, he naturally had to show off for everyone. As for Mostima, acting as an envoy, she could only behave that way in public. However, once she entered the private council chamber with the protagonist, the situation changed. She wasn't dealing with the public; she was dealing with a leader she had just publicly embarrassed. If she didn't vent her frustration quickly, even with Laterano backing her, her own life would be extremely difficult to guarantee.

Mostima: "How much does the Pontiff pay me a month to play this dangerously?"

1

As for the protagonist, that's indeed how things are for now. But the next chapter will be a new beginning, and the plot progression ends here.

Chapter 27: Change

A small country that does not know how to be humble, a weak force that does not fear the strong, can perish.

But what good does achieving these things do? In the face of a power disparity, do you have the ability to choose whether to perish or not?

On the way back to Kazdel, Theresica pondered this question. To change this situation, there was only one answer: he had to become great and strong himself.

But how could he do that?

There was no answer. He only knew that what he had done was not enough. With just that small change, the Sarkaz still had no way out.

As soon as he returned to Kazdel, Theresica went straight to the Royal Court Palace and ordered all clan leaders and the military committee to be convened. However, only the Absolver, the Banshee, the Shapeshifter, the King of the Scavengers, and members of the committee showed up.

"Where is the Bloodfiend Grand Duke? Why isn't he here?"

He directly ordered, "Absolver, go find him. I want to see him."

The Absolver accepted the order and left. After a long wait, he returned with the Bloodfiend Grand Duke.

"The peace treaty has been signed. I discovered during my trip to Laterano that we truly cannot defeat the Sankta."

Theresica looked at the clan leaders before him. "The gap between us and the Sankta isn't just about losing battles; it's that we have no way to protect the Sarkaz race from a Laterano offensive. If we were to clash with the Sankta, we would suffer countless casualties, rivers of blood would flow, and the Sarkaz would be buried in the dust of Terra."

"I don't want this to happen, not at all. At least, while I'm sitting here, I will do my best to prevent such a scene. The Sarkaz are too backward. Everyone must strive in one direction together if we are to catch up with other countries. We don't have much time."

Theresica stood up. From the steps, he towered over everyone. He spoke loudly, "You all said before that I was interfering in the affairs of other clans. Now I tell you, I will interfere even more! I need to consolidate the power of the entire Sarkaz race to achieve what I've said. If you think I can do it, then give me this power. If you don't trust me, then I'll go back to playing games. Dealing with this mess is too tiring! As for the throne, go find Mudrock."

Heh, other isekai protagonists seek centralized power through political struggles and various schemes. He, however, directly reached out and asked for it, leveraging the unique characteristics of the Sarkaz race.

Seeing the speechless clan leaders, Theresica was not in a hurry. If they gave him the power, he would continue to be king. If they didn't, he'd happily go back to playing games and find an opportunity to go to another country. Even if the Sarkaz suffered defeat in the future, it wouldn't be his fault.

"Since Your Majesty has decided, we shall follow Your Majesty's wishes."

The Absolver spoke, followed by the Banshee, "I obey your will."

"Alright."

This was the King of the Scavengers.

"It doesn't matter. I'm not managing these things anyway."

This was the Shapeshifter.

"Whatever."

This was the Bloodfiend Grand Duke.

Seeing that all the clan leaders had spoken, the Military Committee quickly expressed their stance, "We obey the King's will."

"Good, then I will continue to be king."

Theresica looked at the Banshee. "Implement cultural and educational outreach throughout Kazdel, including the military. For those who cannot recognize characters, there's no need to teach them too much; just enough for them to recognize words and read simple texts."

Banshee: "Understood."

Theresica pulled out the general military data and, after a brief review, said, "The army currently has 50,000 combat personnel. Manfred, prepare an assessment to dismiss five thousand of them. However, these individuals will not be disbanded; they will continue to receive cultural education within the military system."

Manfred wanted to object, but seeing Theresica's unyielding expression, he lowered his head. "Understood."

"Zeppelin, prepare to receive these five thousand people for training. I want to expand Kazdel's military and civilian production capacity."

"However, our efficiency in replicating Victoria's machine tools is not high, and we haven't fully understood Siracusa's daily utensils. Increasing the number of machine tools and educating technical workers will take time. Real improvement will still be some time away."

Zeppelin's expression was not good. He was under considerable pressure.

"I know."

Theresica nodded. "You don't need to be personally responsible for these matters anymore. I need you to do something else."

"Your Majesty, please instruct me."

"The single-soldier crossbow. I want you to improve it. Reloading and nocking the bolt after each shot is too slow. I want this process to be automated, like Laterano's firearms. Soldiers should just need to aim, shoot, and reload the magazine."

Increasing firepower was his immediate thought.

"This..." Zeppelin hesitated. "I'll try my best, but equipment like that will definitely require maintenance..."

"That's why I'm having the army conduct cultural popularization education."

Theresica said, "For now, we can find some soldiers for experimental equipment, improving it as we produce it. Once the cultural education is complete, it will be time to distribute this single-soldier crossbow to all soldiers. This entire process must not be delayed!"

"Yes!"

Zeppelin and the Banshee responded in unison.

After discussing matters within Kazdel, Theresica turned to the Shapeshifter.

"I need you to send people to Victoria."

"To do what, Your Majesty?"

"Victoria has many schools, including many military schools. I need you to send people to infiltrate them and secretly record their classes, as well as photograph the students' notes."

Theresica couldn't think of any other way. They couldn't train people themselves, nor did they have powerful allies. They could only secretly borrow from others to achieve their goals.

Copying others, regardless of the outcome, was still better than not knowing how to draw anything at all.

"It's not an extremely difficult task, but it will require long-term maintenance... Never mind, as you command."

The Shapeshifter accepted the order.

"Absolver."

One clan leader after another came forward, and now it was finally his turn. Theresica pondered for a moment and then spoke, "I need an Originium Arts technique, or perhaps equipment that can be given to others to use. Its function is to conceal soldiers. Combined with a unit using the improved single-soldier crossbow, a surprise attack on the enemy should be able to unleash considerable combat power."

"This has a high feasibility. I will complete it as soon as possible, Your Majesty."

Although many things seemed to have been accomplished in one day, it was still far from enough when considering the gap between the Sarkaz and the Sankta.

He remembered a place. He sought out Mudrock, who was still in Kazdel, and then called for Big Bob.

"I heard you want to go to Columbia?"

"Yes, as long as you have money, you can live very well there. There are already Sarkaz living there."

A muffled voice came from beneath the full-coverage helmet. Theresica looked at his sturdy physique and spoke.

"You are Sister Mudrock's companion, so I will give you the money you want, but you have to do something for me."

"What do you want?"

"I also want to go to Columbia, but I need a clean, Sarkaz identity in Columbia, and I need to have some status. Can you handle it?"

"It's not difficult. Columbia already has Sarkaz, and there are immigrants everywhere there now. You can fabricate any identity you want."

Big Bob's voice became much louder, sounding very confident.

"Very good, our agreement is hereby reached."

Theresica extended his hand, and his palm met Big Bob's.

PS: Please vote for me!!!!!

Chapter 28 Kristen

Columbia was originally a colony of Victoria, and later gained independence with the help of Gaul. However, its own foundation was weak. In order to strengthen itself, Columbia's management agencies implemented a western frontier expansion policy to expand its territory without causing political conflict. At the same time, it actively welcomed foreign capital to inject funds and revitalize all aspects of society.

Half a month after deciding to go to Columbia, Theresica had become the owner of a brewery in Columbia.

He had bought it from a Sarkaz who had settled in Columbia. As compensation for helping him secure an identity, Big Bob became the manager of one of the hop-growing farms.

Hops are one of the important components in brewing beer, and Big Bob was particularly fond of this plant. Theresica was happy to help him fulfill his wish.

'Perhaps this can help Kazdel train a few people with cultivation skills.'

After leaving everything at the brewery as it was, Theresica went to Trimount City, a place recommended by Big Bob after they had discussed it.

He said it was the city with the most universities and technology companies in Columbia. So, Theresica spent money to get an admission ticket to the Trimount Institute of Technology, because today, this city's largest higher learning institution would be holding an outstanding graduate speech conference.

This speech conference was not only a place for outstanding graduates to showcase their research results, but also a good venue for companies with capital to find projects to invest in.

"Would you like to change your attire?"

Upon being seated in the lecture hall of the Trimount Institute of Technology, Shining looked at the Columbia people around them dressed in suits and ties, then looked at their own casual clothing, and felt a little worried.

"It's fine. We're not here for a job interview, and dressing casually will make it easier to chat with these graduates."

While waiting for the speeches to begin, Theresica looked down at the several resumes and academic reports in his hands. These were given to him by graduates who didn't have speaking qualifications when he entered. Outside, they introduced themselves and their achievements and capabilities to every passing company representative and investor, their attitudes sincere, even subservient.

But unfortunately, either the technology was incompatible, or it was completely off the mark. None of them were what Kazdel needed.

"I hope to see something good during the speeches."

Theresica looked boredly at the stage at the front. He didn't care about the research results that the graduates of this higher learning institution would present. However, as long as it was related to the problems Kazdel faced, he would provide funding, presenting himself as someone who was foolish with money, and then leave his contact information with the delighted graduates.

He didn't care about a little money. As long as the research fruits could be cultivated, that was enough. As for what happened afterward... Sarkaz troops' Shapeshifter warriors were much more responsive than Columbia's patent protection laws, and Kazdel didn't have patent protection laws either.

However, if there was nothing at all... then it would be up to the Absolver. After all, he was an outstanding graduate; he wouldn't have nothing but trash in his head, would he?

The speeches proceeded one after another. Theresica, following his own plan, was handing out money, a move that surprised the representatives from several companies around him. During the break, they approached him with offers of cooperation, all of which Theresica rejected.

These were established companies, and making small moves might prove troublesome.

The speeches were gradually nearing their end, and many satisfied companies and investors had already left. To be honest, after listening to speeches similar to a calculus lecture all day, Theresica was feeling mentally fatigued.

Just as he was looking around like a student preparing to skip class, a staff member's voice reached his ears.

"Today's final speaker is Kristen Wright, with the topic being exploration of Terra's outer space."

'Hmm?'

Upon hearing this, Theresica sat back down. This was something he was very interested in hearing about.

The tall Perro spoke eloquently on stage, discussing everything from air resistance to kinetic energy, showcasing her solid knowledge. However, the company representatives around her weren't particularly interested, as the keyword they desired – profit – was missing.

Completing a project required massive funding, but could exploring the stars bring them returns like launching a product? They couldn't see it.

The number of people in the lecture hall dwindled, but she seemed unaffected, as if she hadn't intended to attract investment with this speech. She was merely here to organize her dreams.

A Wyvern woman walked up to the seating area and gently tapped the armrest next to her. "There's no one left. Aren't you two leaving?"

"Miss, someone is still giving a speech."

Theresica replied without looking back.

The Wyvern paused, glanced at Shining, and then sat down. The three of them listened together as Kristen delivered her concluding remarks.

"Thank you all for attending... I didn't expect that there were actually two people who stayed for the entire duration?"

'Two?'

Theresica looked around, puzzled, and then realized everyone else had already left. The Wyvern woman stood up and introduced herself: "Saria, her classmate."