In Terra, I Have No Books Left

"That's a good choice."

Kristen nodded, but a hint of curiosity flickered across her face. "Below Rhine Metal, why are there suddenly an Engineering Department and a Distance Education Department? Education and metal? Is there a connection?"

"Ah, that's because I recruited a student from the mechanical school named Mel. She has good practical skills, and I plan to bring her back to Kazdel. As for education..."

Theresica chuckled helplessly. "Kazdel is too backward, and they can't send any exchange students, so I thought I'd use this method to send some advanced knowledge there."

"You care so much about your hometown?"

Ferdinand seemed a bit surprised. "I heard the king there ruled for hundreds of years until only recently was there a change. Is that true? I saw this in the World Herald from Laterano. I didn't expect these two countries, which have always been rumored to be at odds, to start having contact."

"It's true."

Theresica nodded. "Kazdel had been in a civil war for several years, and it only just stopped. Besides the Sarkaz who are willing to stay there, no foreigners are willing to go, so information is naturally blocked."

"No wonder it took months after the leader was replaced for anyone to notice. Doesn't that place have an embassy?"

"It doesn't, actually. They haven't formally established diplomatic relations with anyone yet. But there should be soon. Kazdel and Laterano have signed a peace treaty, and through the World Messenger, they can begin normal exchanges with other countries."

"That's great. It looks like things are slowly getting better there."

Kristen said with a smile, "Congratulations."

"I hope it can get better."

Theresica's expression was a little complex; there were still many things to handle.

PS: Terra OL System Prompt: Congratulations to Kazdel for opening the diplomatic interface!

PS2: Just a brain dump, please vote!!!

Chapter 31: Ursus's Diplomatic Letter

At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and Ferdinand quickly got up.

"He's here. Let me introduce you to someone. Let me introduce you to someone. My teacher recommended him."

"Hello, young people. My name is Arentz Palvis."

An elderly Caprini walked in. Seeing his appearance, Theresica couldn't help but ask.

"Leithanian?"

"Originally, but now a Columbian."

Palvis bowed slightly. "You must be Theresica. I happened to hear your name today. My student, Herme, has been hired by you. Thank you very much."

"It's nothing. It's my good fortune to have an excellent employee."

Theresica's expression returned to normal, as if the discomfort from moments ago had vanished. But Kristen had seen it clearly at that moment. She moved closer and asked in a low voice.

"What? Is there some conflict between the Sarkaz and Leithanians?"

They didn't hire me!

"It's nothing, just some historical friction. It's not important."

Putting aside those trivial matters, Theresica wasn't telling the whole truth. This wasn't just friction.

Long before his cousin and older sister, Kazdel and Leithania had united for the flimsy reason that they both had horns on their heads, and they weathered a crisis together. But after the danger passed, Leithania did not keep its promise. Instead, they betrayed the Sarkaz and struck them down, which also marked the beginning of the Sarkaz tribe's migration to the desolate desert.

With Palvis's addition, the pharmaceutical research finally had a backbone. Subsequently, the company's construction was gradually completed through Ferdinand and Kristen's coordination and efforts.

Theresica rented an office building next to Trimount Polytechnic for them and prepared to return to Kazdel. Because Kazdel's external trade was basically bartering with Originium, the only real funds came from a portion provided by the Dukes of Victoria, and not much could be used in Columbia.

He said goodbye to Saria and the others, picked up Mel and Ptilopsis with Shining, and boarded an international passenger landship, preparing to return to Kazdel via northern Victoria, Leithania, and Siracusa.

During the journey, at every supply station, Theresica would buy a large number of local newspapers and browse the various news on them.

He noticed that news about Kazdel was beginning to spread throughout Terra via Laterano's World Messenger. Before July, it was impossible to find any mention of Kazdel in the newspapers.

Was this good or bad? The Sarkaz were once again in the eyes of the countries of Terra, and he felt a little worried.

Thump

Uh... Ptilopsis had fallen asleep with her head on the table. The sudden noise interrupted Theresica's thoughts. He quickly asked Shining to find something for her to rest her head on.

Can she really work?

He now understood why no company was willing to hire Ptilopsis. However, in Kazdel, a skilled doctor like her could work for an hour, and it wouldn't be a loss.

Mel, sitting next to her, was working diligently, sketching on a drawing board. This was the task he had assigned her: designing a simple drone.

He had seen it on Columbian television. Ursus, engaged in battle with Kazimierz, was using small drones for reconnaissance and combat support, achieving good results.

However, like the semi-automatic individual crossbow, these only served to strengthen the Sarkaz army's combat effectiveness; they did not revolutionize the way of fighting. It was still the same as a hundred years ago. Ursus was already using Originium shells!

How should the future military construction of Kazdel be handled?

After spending a considerable amount of time, Theresica finally returned to Kazdel. He handed Mel over to Zeppelin and gave Ptilopsis and the first batch of medical video courses to Warfarin. He truly felt exhausted. Just as he was about to rest, his sister Mudrock suddenly came looking for him, and Mostima was following behind her.

"What's wrong, Sister Mudrock? Is something the matter?"

Theresica forced himself to perk up and asked with a smile.

"Big Bob sent a reply, saying he's doing well in Columbia and that you fulfilled his wish. Thank you."

Mudrock pointed at Mostima, "She delivered the letter. She said there's something else for you."

"Yo, the Pope ordered me to be the World Messenger for the Kazdel region. I guess I'm the diplomat stationed here."

Mostima introduced her new identity and then took out a letter.

"This is an official diplomatic letter from Ursus. Please confirm it's not damaged. If there are any issues, please return it directly. Warning! If you wish to open it, please do so only after I have left."

The envelope felt thin in her hand, but a faint Ursus National Emblem was imprinted on its surface.

After repeatedly confirming the envelope was fine, Theresica immediately ordered Shining to summon all the clan leaders, as well as the Military Committee!

Ursus could be said to be the most war-mongering nation on Terra right now. Upon hearing of Ursus's diplomatic correspondence, the clan leaders and members of the Military Committee quickly arrived at the council hall.

Theresica opened the envelope in front of everyone.

The content was simple, starting with a brief greeting and then a straightforward request.

Ursus wanted to import high-purity Originium from Kazdel. Whatever Sarkaz wanted, they could decide on a date for negotiation and inform Ursus. At that time, Ursus would send diplomats to visit Kazdel and sign a cooperation treaty under the witness of Laterano.

The letter from a warlike and extremely powerful nation made the entire Royal Court cautious. Ursus was different from Laterano; it was a vast empire, a fact even the Bloodfiend Grand Duke had to admit.

Kazdel could not afford to clash with such a nation at this time. Regardless of how the battle unfolded, their artillery fire would reduce the recently rebuilt urban areas back to a desolate state.

Theresica: "Does Ursus lack Originium?"

"No, they have mines no less than Leithanien's."

Shapeshifter said, "Moreover, they have abundant human resources, allowing them to refine Originium recklessly and barbarically."

"Doesn't that mean there are many Infected?"

"Not many."

Absolver's reply confused Theresica. "Why? Are their medical conditions that good?"

"No, they gather severely and moderately Infected, send them to work in the mines collectively, and then, at an opportune moment, conduct a ritual of drawing black lots. Afterward, they bury all those who drew the lots into the depleted mine shafts, becoming new ore deposits."

Shapeshifter's words shocked Theresica.

Am I the demon, or are they the demons? Treating their own people like this?

"Since they don't lack Originium, why import it? Did the war with Kazimierz consume that much?"

"It shouldn't be consumption. Ursus's war situation is going very smoothly; there hasn't been any severe attrition."

Shapeshifter pondered for a moment, "It should be a supply issue. Ursus's Originium refinement methods are extremely crude, with significant side effects and extremely low efficiency. Or perhaps there's some other reason..."

"Shapeshifter."

"Yes."

"Can you get me some Ursus newspapers, as soon as possible!"

PS: Please vote, give me more!!!!

Chapter 32: A Win-Win

With the King's command, Shapeshifter quickly obtained a large number of recent newspapers from the Ursus border mobile city. They even disguised themselves as Kazimierz knights and apprehended several managers from Ursus military-affiliated mines.

After a thorough study, a peculiar problem presented itself to Theresica.

Ursus, like Victoria, was internally divided among various dukes who managed all affairs within their territories. Ursus was now facing internal issues, but it was different from Victoria.

The various Ursus factions still remained loyal to the Ursus Emperor. Whatever the Emperor said, these dukes did without any hesitation. However, these dukes were also consciously targeting one person: the Ursus Emperor's only son, the Crown Prince of Ursus—Feodor Vladimirovich.

What are these dukes thinking? Offending the future Emperor?

Theresica couldn't understand.

In the war between Ursus and Kazimierz, the old Emperor had ordered that 70% of all Originium consumed in this war be borne by the dukes themselves, and the remaining 30% be raised by the Crown Prince. Coincidentally, at this time, Infected riots broke out in various Ursus mines, leading to the shutdown of many of them.

The garrisons were all on the front lines fighting, leaving the dukes' territories without soldiers. But unlike Victoria, the Ursus Public Security Forces fought valiantly, repelling the Infected from the cities and keeping them outside. However, this was the result of their utmost effort; they lacked the strength to reclaim the mines.

The situation became a stalemate. The front-line troops couldn't be recalled, and the Crown Prince couldn't obtain the ore. Now, their only option was to look abroad.

But looking around Ursus, the only entity that hadn't clashed with Ursus and possessed Originium was Kazdel. Under these circumstances, a diplomatic letter was sent through Sarkaz hands to the Sarkaz Royal Court.

"Is everything true?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Absolver bowed and said, "We extracted the souls of the mine managers. Although the spellcasting wasn't perfect, resulting in significant information loss, the situation in the mines has been verified."

This was an opportunity!

Theresica took a deep breath. Ursus had many good things! Even their discarded items held considerable value!

"How do you think Sarkaz should fight? What should we fight with?"

"Originium Arts. Our affinity with Originium is unmatched on Terra."

The Bloodfiend Grand Duke's expression held a hint of pride, but Banshee retorted, "And how many Infected do you want Kazdel to have? A war, win or lose, and Sarkaz will be finished."

"Your Majesty, I believe that no matter how we fight, we still need to establish a front line."

Manfred spoke up at this moment, "Kazdel hasn't had large-scale troop movements and combat for a long time. Relying solely on small-unit raids can only strike the enemy; it cannot protect Kazdel."

Theresica glanced at him, finding his cousin's apprentice acceptable.

"Industrial products, Ursus, Victoria—don't these things make them incredibly strong?"

The Shapeshifter said, "Their tribes can't fight as well as we can, yet they occupy such vast territories."

"Industrial products are definitely necessary. Victoria and Ursus have both proven this path is correct. But we can't abandon our own strengths either."

Theresica thought for a moment, "When it comes to small unit combat, we have plenty of experience. We can continue to strengthen our small units, then attack the enemy's weak points in their rear, using the sharpest knife to cut the softest, most painful flesh. At the same time, we can form large armies for frontal engagements like Ursus, to hold the line or deliver powerful blows to the enemy."

The reply from the Royal Court was delivered by Mostima. The Crown Prince of Ursus attached great importance to it, immediately dispatching his chief secretary, Islam Vitt, and a diplomatic team to visit Kazdel.

To show due respect, and because Kazdel truly lacked diplomatic personnel, Theresica personally received them.

"Mr. Vitt, welcome to Kazdel."

"Oh, Your Majesty, thank you for your welcome. I hope our talks will conclude successfully."

After some brief pleasantries, Vitt, just as stated in the previous letter, directly expressed his desire to purchase all of Kazdel's military-grade pure Originium. He wanted all the current stock and also all future monthly exports until the war between Ursus and Kazimierz ended.

Upon hearing this, Theresica tactfully indicated that Kazdel had only just ended its civil war, lacked sufficient population and labor, and had limited Originium production, therefore...

"An old set of heavy infantry equipment from a regiment's 3-year-old inventory, 50 tons of military-grade Originium. A new set of equipment for a currently active heavy infantry battalion, 35 tons of military-grade Originium. You also have a powerful nation like Yan next to you, so the pressure must be considerable, right?"

"Uh... yes."

Hearing this, Theresica changed his tune. Although they hadn't established diplomatic relations with Yan, it didn't prevent this pleasant misunderstanding from occurring.

"Mr. Vitt, your offer is very tempting, but the price is too high."

He frowned and waved his hand. Vitt then made a concession, "An old set of equipment from a regiment's inventory, 45 tons of military-grade Originium. A new set of equipment for a currently active heavy infantry battalion, 30 tons of military-grade Originium. It can't be any less."

"Uh... this is a big matter, and I need to discuss it with others. Mr. Vitt, please have something to eat. I've specially prepared some Sarkaz delicacies, as well as the Water of Life that Ursus people favor."