Rest

That's why I follow you.

Hong San bowed deeply.

His previous life was a blur, filled with ups and downs. He came to understand the meaning of life on the edge of life and death, like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Now, he has great love in his heart.

Because Hong San has been completely transformed, he feels even more pity for those who were as muddle-headed and pathetic as he once was, because he has come to understand that there is another way for people to live.

He slowly said, "Your subject used to live a muddled and shameless life, willingly degenerating. But now, thanks to Your Highness's enlightenment, I have suddenly realized the truth. My master taught me to follow my heart. Now, Hong San has no other desires but to follow Your Highness and make this world less pitiful."

Kang De hesitated, undecided.

Human growth is a gradual process. It is unrealistic to expect someone to make grand vows now, such as wishing for the red flag to fly all over the world, fighting for the well-being of all mankind, and dedicating their life to this magnificent cause.

If you truly have such compassion, why do this in another world?

... Okay, doing this on Earth is dangerous, extremely dangerous, and could even cause the destruction of the world.

Kang De hesitated for a moment, then said, "I..."

Hong San raised his head slightly, his face showing a questioning expression.

Kang De scratched his head somewhat awkwardly. "I just think it's a bit of an exaggeration for the two of us to make such a grand vow to save all of humanity right here and now?"

Hong San was taken aback, then chuckled and said, "Your Highness, what are you thinking? Do I seem like such a person with lofty ambitions? I come from humble origins, have little talent, and dare not have any grand plans. I can't even change the people around me, so how can I talk about changing the people of the world? Let's start with the smallest things. Even if we only save one person in the end, that is still a merit, that is still good."

Kang De snapped out of his reverie and smiled knowingly.

Damn it, you were so serious about it just now, I almost agreed to co-write Das Kapital with you.

He asked, "So where should we begin?"

"People's hearts."

Hong San said solemnly, "To annihilate five major battle groups in one battle is a feat worthy of being recorded in history, a miracle, and the best time to win over people's hearts."

He dipped his finger in the tea and traced the outline of Valentan on the table.

"In the Battle of Valentan, the elves broke their promises and slaughtered countless soldiers and civilians. At the most desperate moment, His Highness intervened and turned the tide, achieving an epic victory. All of this happened not far from Valentan; even civilians walking out of the city could witness the horrific marks of the battlefield."

"Therefore, they have unwavering faith in everything and will surely revere Your Highness as a god. With a little guidance and influence, and by bestowing favors upon them, they will become your most fervent followers, and even Archduke Goth cannot replace your position."

Kang De frowned but remained silent.

Hong San then drew a circle around Valentan: "This area includes cities like Red Creek and Tain, all within the province and surrounding Valentan. The furthest city can be reached in two days by fast horse. They too are threatened by the elven army, know the enemy's strength and the cost of war, and have witnessed your victories firsthand. Therefore, they are in awe and subservient to you. This is evident from the constant stream of reinforcements and young ladies arriving from various places."

Kang De glared at him.

Hong San's smile was mocking.

So the topic shifted slightly. "Your Highness, are you really not considering accepting? Throughout history, whether in the East or the West, marriage alliances have always been one of the most reliable bonds of interest."

"I see everyone as a lump of peanut butter now; I have no interest in them."

Kang De, having said this, arrogantly added, "Besides, do I look like I'm lacking in women? You've met Tina, Leona is here too, and there's A Xing. A Xing's mercenary group also has some nice women. Why would I take in those noble ladies who aren't particularly good-looking and might even have a lot of bad habits?"

Hong San nodded repeatedly in agreement, his face showing no change in expression, and simply said, "But if Your Highness intends to utilize their strength, you must first reassure them..."

Kang De nodded and said, "That's true... Now that you're awake, I'll entrust you with all the arrangements. When you have time, ask these opportunistic fellows if they'd be willing to send their nephews and nieces here."

Hong San hissed and gasped.

Kang De paused for a moment, then realized what he meant and snapped, "What are you thinking? We need men because they're more useful, we need to brainwash them!"

It works; it brainwashes.

Hong San's expression grew even more terrified.

Kang De was still explaining when he noticed a slight smile on Hong San's lips, so he kicked him. "You've gone too far!"

Hong San, after being kicked, laughed and said, "Seeing that Your Highness has been looking downcast these past few days, I was just joking. Please don't take offense."

Kang De sat back down, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Actually, I had this thought before. I thought of Preston. He was a young nobleman, the city lord's brother, with a bright future and a life of luxury. If it weren't for the war, he might have just been a spoiled brat who preyed on the people and looked down on commoners. But the war taught him a lot and showed him things he could never have seen before, which is why he said those things..."

In his final moments, Preston realized that the reason why the numb and cowardly commoners dared not rise up in rebellion was not because they were inherently lowly, but because generation after generation of nobles had placed heavy shackles on them, causing them to lose their courage and fighting spirit.

"If he hadn't died, but had survived, he would surely be determined to do something for this country and awaken the apathetic people."

Kang De slowly said, "Although I have no fondness for these privileged classes who look down on commoners and live high above others because of their bloodline and power, I must admit that the power they wield by monopolizing knowledge and resources is far greater than that of the common people. People like Nick and Preston, these traditional nobles, gained a broader perspective through pain and despair during the crisis of national collapse and family ruin..."

He looked at Hong San: "They can also be changed and won over, right?"

Hong San laughed and said, "Of course, even someone like me can do it, let alone them."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

No one understood Hong San's journey from ignorance to change to awakening better Kang De.

"Leave this matter to me," Hong San said. "But please don't forget, besides the nobles, the far greater number of commoners have even more value to be changed and won over..."

Kang De chuckled and said, "I know way more than you do."

Hong San simply smiled.

He continued his previous topic, the circle on the table still wet, and pointed to the area outside the circle.

"Information spreads very slowly among the common people, and the farther the distance, the more distorted the information becomes. For example, the impact of His Highness's great victory is strongest in Valentan City because the people there can witness it firsthand. Its influence is also significant within the province because people there can also see it."

"But further afield, in other provinces of Goth, to the west coast, and even within the Elven realm and the provinces of the Empire, the upper-class nobles and rulers have special channels of information and can naturally know everything clearly. But the common people and minor nobles are not necessarily so. When they hear such news, their first reaction is absurdity, and their second reaction is that it is fake, because no one is stupid and only wants to believe what they see with their own eyes."

"Moreover, rulers selectively suppress information. Goth is one thing, but how could the Elf Queen and the Emperor of the Empire allow their subjects to know that Goth has become a peerless powerhouse who can wipe out an army with a wave of his hand?"

Upon hearing this, Kang De seemed to ponder, "So?"

"We'll put the matters of the elves and the Empire aside for now, but at least we need to let the Goth People know how good you are, at least..."

Hong San gestured with his fingers, encompassing the circular area surrounding Valentan in his palm. "At least in the province surrounding Valentan, the entire military and civilian population directly benefited from Your Highness's favor and are more easily influenced by the outcome of this battle. They also have greater respect and obedience to Your Highness. This area should become Your Highness's base of operations."

"As for Goth's other provinces, efforts should also be made to spread His Highness's influence."

At this moment, Kang De looked up at Hong San and said calmly, "I came to Goth not to divide their land or seize the Teldrassil's territory."

"Your subject knows, of course he knows."

Hong San remained calm. "This isn't about seizing Goth. Rather, if you show interest in this place, it will put Grand Duke Goth at ease. Otherwise, how will Teldrassil reward you for your achievements and contributions in this battle? And how will they ask you to continue maintaining strategic deterrence against the elves and even the empire? One princess is far from enough; otherwise, the empire, the elves, and even other countries would send more princesses."

This statement was so convincing that Kang De was speechless.

"Furthermore, Your Highness, if you wish to establish a military government, you need land and population, a solid foundation for your enterprise, before you can fully realize your ambitions. Moreover, if Your Highness wishes to fulfill your aspirations and educate the world, you can begin with Valentan. Here, destruction will lead to reconstruction, the nobles will be wiped out, and the common people will revere you as a god. Your decrees will surely be unimpeded."

Upon hearing this, Kang De scoffed, "They treat me like a god... I don't even want to appear before them now. If I show myself, some idiot will probably jump out and say things like, 'If you have such power, why didn't you use it sooner and cause so many deaths?'"

"How could that be?" Hong San said calmly, "Most people bully the weak and fear the strong, but they are not stupid. There are fifty or sixty thousand corpses of elves lying outside, not even cold yet. How could they have the guts to do that?"

"..."

That seems to be the case.

"Alright, alright," Kang De sighed. "I have to go out and make my mark, right? Give a speech, meet with people from all walks of life, deliver a powerful address... is that it?"

"Yes, you have been in seclusion for several days. It's time for you to appear before all the various forces. Judging from the timing, it won't be long before Goth, the Elves, and even the Empire and other continental nations will all take action."

Hong San hesitated noticeably for a moment, then said seriously, "Your Highness, I have a matter I humbly request you to clarify... What is your personal martial prowess like now?"

Kang De understood what the other person was talking about and frankly replied, "There has been some progress, but no substantial leap forward. Even that technique of dropping objects from the sky needs further refinement..."

Hong San immediately raised his hand. "Alright, Your Highness, that's enough. I understand. In that case, the Crimson Queen must stay by your side every step of the way these days."

Kang De nodded and said, "Hmm."

"Besides giving speeches and demonstrating our stance, we also need to tell these things to more Goth People and even Empires. Although people far away cannot see the devastating battlefield marks, humans are both wise and foolish. If one person hears of Your Highness's achievements, he will hesitate and question them because he did not see them with his own eyes. But if a thousand people around him say it is true, then that person will abandon all doubt and disbelief and become your loyal believer and fanatic."

Hong San took out the DV camera that Kang De had given him and shook it. "Does Your Highness have a solution?"

"... some."

Newspapers, radio, movies, online trolls—modern people have been using these for hundreds of years, and they have both the technology and the ideas.

Kang De suddenly sighed, looking somewhat weary.

"I feel that after winning this battle, there are even more things to do. We need to frighten the elves, end the war, wait for news from Goth, deal with the mess in Valentan, and handle all sorts of people swarming in from all around."

"A Xing's mercenary group, Leona's trading company, the greenskins in the north, and so many other things—I have to make all the decisions... really."

Upon hearing this, Hong San pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "It's not difficult."

Kang De looked at him.

"There are priorities, and I am willing to be Your Highness's assistant. Unimportant matters can be entrusted to me or others; you don't need to do everything yourself. As for the things you need to do, you can do them little by little."

"So, how about this?"

Facing Kang De, Hong San held up two fingers and smiled.

"Please tell me the two things you most want to do right now, Your Highness, and then I will do them."

The Cathayan smiled and said, "Then I will tell you the one thing I most want Your Highness to do. There are three in total. You should do the two things you want to do first, and then do the three things I want you to do."

Kang De for a moment.

The thing I most want to do.

He paused for a moment, then said softly, "The first thing is the aftermath of Nick and the other victims. I'm thinking about how to bury him, and how to ensure that the Valentan People and future generations remember him. The people of this city have also lost many loved ones... Valentan needs a funeral."

Hong San nodded and said, "Of course. Now that the cleanup work in Valentan is over, people need your guidance and words of salutation to connect the souls of the living and the dead."

Kang De stated, "The second thing I want to do is to thoroughly summarize the newly acquired capabilities and methods of Mass Projection attacks, and explore the possibilities for improvement and optimization..."

Hong San interrupted, saying, "This is absolutely necessary. It concerns the course of the war and the very foundation of everything. However, there's no need to discuss the specific details with me. The fewer people who know, the better."

Kang De looked at Hong San: "Of these two things, which are the most important to do, what do you want me to do?"

"It's very simple."

Hong San said softly, "After you've finished these two things, take a good, thorough rest."

"I have already..."

Kang De was about to say that he had already rested, but Hong San bowed and stepped back before he could say so.

Watching the other person's departing figure, Kang De was shaken and stared blankly.

Hong San said it was a complete rest.

This is not the place that could bring Kang De complete peace of mind.

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PS1: Damn, why does something always happen every time I set a goal? This time it's the Shuke server blocking me... Oh well, maintenance starts at 1 PM, so this is the only update.

PS2: The extra chapter will be postponed, anyway I have nothing to do on Qixi Festival. (Smirks)