In Terra, I Have No Books

At the banquet, Theresica brought in a large group of Shapeshifters to entertain the Ursus delegation, who, having not had such a good time in a long while, cheered loudly.

"Ura!!!"

With their faces flushed red from drinking, the Ursus members answered almost any question on less sensitive topics. They complained that their country could produce excellent blades but not a decent ceramic bowl.

During this time, Theresica also took the opportunity to reach a commercial agreement with Vitt. Sarkaz's regular goods could enter Ursus with low taxes, and Vitt even offered, "Don't Sarkaz lack labor? Ursus's mines have plenty. Sarkaz can buy them directly with Originium."

Theresica curiously asked what these people did, and Vitt replied they did everything – teachers, doctors, farmers...

He immediately signed another agreement on the spot.

By the end of the banquet, both sides were extremely pleased. Both parties signed quickly, afraid the other would go back on their word.

One didn't know how much Originium the other had, and the other didn't know how much equipment and displaced Infected they had. Everyone felt they had profited.

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PS2: The mention of Nearl is my personal interpretation.

Chapter 33: Leaning on a Strong Back

During the post-banquet small talk, Theresica and Vitt discussed commercial matters. When this topic came up, Theresica, who had been mostly silent and trying to keep his mouth shut, became much more talkative, inadvertently revealing more information.

The old Ursus Emperor had established the current Ursus Empire through war, but he was so engrossed in warfare that he completely neglected the development of his territory. The current Crown Prince advocated for slowing down military expansion and dedicating more energy to territorial development and economic construction.

Kazimierz, currently at war with Ursus, had seen its national finances increase year after year due to its vigorous development of commerce and economy in recent years. Its military expenditure also rose accordingly, allowing it to form well-equipped knight orders and establish defensive lines along the advance routes of the Ursus army groups, despite Ursus's repeated attacks.

In the Crown Prince's vision, if Ursus could achieve widespread economic development within its vast territory, it would become unrivaled on Terra. However, this proposal was met with opposition from his father's ministers, who were all powerful nobles who had followed the old Emperor through his conquests.

War was their area of expertise, and Ursus soldiers were invincible under their command. They knew nothing about economics and would have to rely on others, which would lead to the outcome they least desired – a transfer and dilution of power.

Vitt shared the same ideas as the Crown Prince he served. Every time he thought of the obstruction from the old nobles domestically and the Emperor's strange attitude of allowing them to deliberately hinder the Crown Prince, he felt uncomfortable.

"By the way, don't you Sarkaz have many mercenaries? I'll hire you to clear out those rebellious mines, and I'll make sure the price is satisfactory."

Vitt's flushed face instantly became even more excited. Why hadn't he thought of this earlier?

"Uh... Mr. Vitt, I'm afraid that's really not possible."

Theresica looked troubled. "Sarkaz fought an external war, and then fought a civil war for several years. The Sarkaz really don't want to fight anymore. They get annoyed just hearing about fighting. They even downsized their army by a tenth recently."

He was casually fabricating. Kazdel was already starting to re-enter Terra's view, but its current foundation was still too weak to withstand the scrutiny. They absolutely couldn't be too conspicuous!

The Sankta could see their every move right now!

"Those Sarkaz mercenaries who are abroad don't want to live a hard life in Kazdel. I can't really control them. If Mr. Vitt wants to hire them, it's best to find those Sarkaz directly."

"Oh, is that so..."

Vitt nodded regretfully. Mercenaries were not state-sanctioned troops that could be dispatched by a politically aligned nation. Just as they could be hired by Vitt, they could also be bought off by Infected.

The talks concluded, and both sides signed the treaty under the witness of the Sankta. The next day, Ursus transport ships arrived at Kazdel, unloaded the designated number of equipment, and then loaded them with military-grade Originium, heading directly to the Ursus war front.

The Ursus equipment they received was not immediately issued to the soldiers but was sent to the factories in Kazdel.

Upon seeing the neatly boxed current Ursus military equipment, Zeppelin and other old Sarkaz craftsmen immediately pounced on them with excitement, their eyes like hungry wolves spotting sheep.

Shields, helmets, chest plates... they stripped off various items and took them aside to conduct various tests.

Eyjafjalla also came over to observe curiously. Although Ursus pursued a continental army policy, preferring to form super-large corps and overwhelm enemy resistance with massive numbers of troops, their technical weaponry was also not bad. Their designs were filled with practical combat experience.

She picked up an Ursus artillery guidance drone. After a simple disassembly and test, she found its internal structure to be compact and ingenious. Its exterior was small and easy to conceal, yet it was fully functional, capable of reconnaissance and acting as a communication relay point.

If these items were exciting, then another item, sealed in a separate small box, could make one's blood boil.

Ursus's mortars!

The small metal tubes and tripods lay quietly in the box, accompanied by separately placed Originium shells, two of which had already been removed.

Theresica established a dedicated working group, composed of old Sarkaz craftsmen, Absolvers, and Banshees, to specifically study these Originium shells. Eyjafjalla would also join this working group after completing her drone design work.

Military equipment involved matters that required a great deal of specialized skill to understand. Theresica himself didn't understand them and had no intention of giving misguided orders. His focus was on the production of civilian goods.

To earn Rubles as foreign exchange, Theresica had to send most of the civilian goods produced by Kazdel to the Ursus market for sale.

With the support of assembly line production and the low-tax permits provided by Vitt, the sales of various civilian goods from Kazdel became extremely popular in Ursus. Production capacity continued to expand, but there were few competitors because they still couldn't meet Ursus's demand gap! What was initially a commercial trade agreement had now become a one-sided export for Kazdel.

A large amount of Rubles flowed into Kazdel. Theresica established the Kazdel Ministry of Finance, a bank, and a National Planning Committee to uniformly manage and allocate these funds and the urgent needs of various domestic sectors. The daily necessities that the Sarkaz had always been short of soon saw significant improvement. Industrial construction also received a considerable boost.

Having benefited greatly, Theresica did not forget to reciprocate. He ordered sales personnel to promote to customers that it was the Crown Prince's initiative to open trade that allowed the people of Ursus to purchase such affordable daily necessities.

The Crown Prince's popularity among the populace soared. He also conveyed his goodwill to Theresica through Vitt, stating that Kazdel could purchase Infected miners from Ursus's mines at an even lower price.

The Sarkaz year-end festival was approaching. The Kazdel Royal Court announced that for the New Year festival, heating and food subsidies would be distributed to all Sarkaz families. All general positions nationwide would have a day off, and special and essential positions would have a staggered day off after the festival.

Just as all the Sarkaz were preparing to celebrate their first peaceful and tranquil New Year after years of war, Theresica was not in Kazdel. He braved the wind and snow of Ursus's northern ice fields and entered a mine.

Beside him were not only the Sarkaz soldiers he brought but also a plump Ursus. This bear was a purchasing assistant sent by the Crown Prince, and he was looking at Theresica with a fawning expression.

"Sir, which one do you fancy? I'll have the guards catch it for you."

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Chapter 34: I Will Follow You Forever

In the biting winter cold, miners in the Ursus Originium mines worked outdoors, clad in thin clothing.

Theresica walked around the mining area in thick, warm clothes. Gazes frequently fell upon him, or more accurately, upon his clothes.

However, that was all these people could do, as he was accompanied by a large group of mine guards and fully armed Sarkaz soldiers.

"Sir, this is freshly roasted meat. Would you like to try some?"

"Oh, thank you."

Theresica picked up a piece and tasted it. It was indeed delicious. The aroma of fat and spices, carried by the cold wind, made the surrounding miners stare intently, their eyes full of longing.

A woman from the Catus race seemed unable to resist. She stealthily approached, an anomaly among the working miners.

The mine supervisor noticed this but also observed Theresica's reaction. Seeing no objection from him, he remained silent.

Perhaps this was a "hunting entertainment" for the important figure.

The white-haired Catus woman stared blankly at the meat as she walked closer. Theresica looked at her without much thought and picked up another piece.

"Want some?"

She nodded, and Theresica offered the meat forward.

She suddenly snatched it, not only that but she also emptied all the meat from the plate into her clothes, threw a clump of snow at Theresica, and then quickly ran into the crowd.

"Sir, you..."

The supervisor handed him a towel. He didn't act on his own, waiting for instructions. This was experience gained from serving many important figures who came to the mine for amusement. If these people didn't speak, it was best not to do anything rash, lest it spoil their mood.

"Heh, she took so much meat at once. She'll probably throw it up."

Theresica casually wiped the snowflakes from his face. The supervisor nodded.

"That's right, sir. But she's probably not eating it herself. She's the leader of the children in this mine. She's likely grabbing it for those little ones."

"Find her."

"Yes."

A guard, leading a hunting dog, ran out and soon brought back the Catus woman, her clothes covered in grease. She was compliant, showing no signs of resistance, and her mouth was clean, without any trace of oil.

"Have you accepted your fate?"

"What I wanted to do is done. Being able to let Anton and the others have a taste of meat before they draw the Black Ticket is my last wish."

The white-haired Catus stood in the snow, her eyes remarkably calm.

Theresica knew what drawing the Black Ticket in the Ursus mines meant. It signified that the miners were about to be buried in the excavated pits. The Black Ticket also contained some White Tickets; miners who were lucky enough to draw one would be spared death and sent to other mines, but the outcome would be either death on the road or death in the new mine.

"Do you want to live?"

"It doesn't matter. What business is it of yours?"

"I have some money, and I'm here looking for some tools."

Theresica looked at the Catus and said, "Do you know how to do anything? If I can use you, I'll buy you."

"No need. It's better to die today."

"Alright then."

Theresica nodded and looked at the supervisor. "I heard the transport ship. Let's not waste time, start picking people."

"Everyone, gather at the center of the mine!"

The guards shouted, driving the miners with whips. The miners weren't just men; there were many old, weak, women, and children, who cried out and clung to each other.

"Today is the day of the Black Ticket draw, but this Lord Theresica has decided to purchase you. Be fortunate! Those chosen can all leave here!"

Beside the excavated pit, Sarkaz set up a screening checkpoint. They held the files of the miners as they were brought in, matching them one by one.

Children aged 5 to 14, with moderate infection or less and sound limbs, were all taken. Teachers, artisans, doctors, and other professionals, along with their direct relatives, were all taken. As for the rest...

Ursus guards standing nearby, upon seeing the Sarkaz screening personnel shake their heads, would drag that person out of the line and throw them into another queue. The end of this queue was an excavated pit filled with Originium clusters; falling in meant only one outcome.

The screening team slowly moved forward. Those who passed the screening embraced their families, weeping with joy. Those who didn't pass desperately shouted, wanting to come back and try again. The will to survive contorted the miners' faces into grimaces. Some who had brought their children with them lifted them high, hoping they would be chosen. But only one outcome awaited them.

Theresica could see and hear all of this. He could keep his expression tight, but he couldn't quell the turmoil within him.

Back in Kazdel, his cousin and sister fought a civil war for the throne, leaving Kazdel devastated. He could stay holed up, indifferent to the world, because the sharp blade of the throne hung over his head. He didn't want to get caught between his cousin and sister and end up as a puddle of flesh on the ground.

He had always played games to show his cousin and sister that he was harmless and posed no threat.

But after his cousin and sister were gone, the blade above his head vanished, and he could no longer ignore everything happening in Kazdel. He ascended the throne.

And now, it felt like he was back in that state of 18 years ago. His most direct feeling was telling him that people shouldn't be treated like this, and he had the ability to buy them all. But could he buy them?

Faced with this choice, Kazdel became a new blade, hanging over his head.

Kazdel itself had a high infant mortality rate. Should he buy them and compete for medical resources with his own people? Severely infected individuals couldn't work and were extremely dangerous. What good were they? And the Originium to buy them wasn't free!

Theresica turned away, no longer looking at the scene. But just then.

Bang—

On the white snow, a patch of red suddenly spread across the ground. It was the head of a Lupo, and the one who smashed it was the Catus he had seen before. Behind her stood a group of children with sound limbs but large patches of Originium crystals on their bodies.

A group of people menacingly surrounded her, their faces filled with brutality. They were the ones who hadn't been chosen. They were preparing to vent the destructive urges caused by the oppression of the guards before their deaths.

Catus couldn't handle them all alone. She wasn't among the chosen, and dying here was inevitable. But she couldn't bear to see the children behind her, who always called her "big sister," end up lying here forever.

"Hey! I can read! I... I can cook! I can mend clothes! I don't eat much!"

Catus shouted, spotting a figure. "Buy me! These children are also very good at working!"

"What can you do? Not those things. The price is different from when I first asked you."

He narrowed his eyes, saying that those who could bring their relatives were professionals. What she was listing weren't what he considered professional skills.

"I... I... I can fight!"

Catus suddenly dropped the stick in her hand and raised her arm, facing one of the people in front of her.

The wind direction abruptly changed, and the temperature seemed to drop even colder than before.

Theresica opened his eyes and saw the cold energy gathering in Catus's palm, and an ice crystal began to form.

The next second, someone who tried to seize the opportunity had a bloody hole in their chest. The ice crystal, shot out with undiminished force, smashed into a low house, kicking up a shower of brick and stone fragments.

Catus knelt in the snow, her whole body curled in pain. The children behind her were also crying out for her to stop, but she didn't.

The second ice crystal shot out, and the second person fell. This struck fear into the hearts of those who wanted to unleash violence. But she also collapsed, her body trembling slightly from the pain.

Yet, she didn't forget. She tried her best to squeeze her throat, letting out a faint sound.

"Buy them... they don't eat much... and they're very good at working..."

"You are indeed worth buying. Your Originium Arts are good, and these children can come along too."

He walked over and looked at Catus before him, saying, "I'll make sure you have enough clothes to wear and enough food to eat. I can even give you some Oripathy medication."

"Really?

Catus's eyes were unfocused, yet she seemed to be trying to see clearly, opening them wide. "I'll do anything you want me to do. I'll follow you for the rest of my life."