The Proposal

"Kang De Highness, what do you think of these terms?"

The elf's melodious and gentle words echoed in the silent conference room.

Silence fell once more; the vast hall was utterly silent, without a single sound.

Kang De's dragon's open mouth was already enough to leave everyone speechless, but the conditions for the return of the elves were even more outrageous, leaving even the Goth People attending the meeting bewildered.

Then they become wary, thoughtful, contemplative, and even exchange glances.

It's because they have doubts in their hearts.

The reason for my doubts is... the conditions are simply too good to be true.

Since its founding, the Dusk Moon Dynasty has conquered countless territories and possessed numerous vassals; they have never offered such generous terms of peace to any other nation.

It makes one suspect they have ulterior motives.

No, or rather, there must be ulterior motives.

All the Goth People present subconsciously looked at Kang De, their eyes filled with a hint of... unease.

In their view, Kang De seemed to have no reason to reject the proposal.

Because it's just too generous.

It wasn't just generous; it was an extreme display of courtesy and importance. All the top-tier conditions and support given to Goth were based on the premise that Kang De and Princess Tina would unite and rule the country. Furthermore, the extremely xenophobic and arrogant elves even opened their doors to him in military, political, and Arcane, bestowing upon him titles such as Army Commander, Vice-President of Parliament, and member of the Arcane Council —real military power...

More importantly, Cathay.

Although Cathay had severed official ties with Goth, sporadic news still traveled across the ocean. People on the mainland knew that the situation of their eastern neighbor across the sea was not good. They were invaded by barbarians from the north, their land was occupied, and they were retreating one after another. This led to a large number of Cathayan crossing the sea to escape the cruel and oppressive rule of the barbarians. Kang De was, of course, one of them.

Now the elves say, "Give me money, people, and a ship, and I will arrange your marriage to the Queen. You will become the true ruler of your homeland, a hero and savior. Return home, uphold the royal family, and head north to rescue your people."

Who would refuse such terms?

Cathay was much, much larger than Goth.

Moreover... Kang De was originally from Cathayan.

Thinking of this, many Goth People's expressions subtly changed.

If Kang De's heroic performance in Valentan and his subsequent speech at the national cemetery that shocked the nation led the xenophobic Goth People to quickly accept and embrace this foreign prince, then the elf's proposal made them realize something anew.

That is, Kang De was a foreigner.

Cathay and Goth, which side will he ultimately stand on?

This was an absolutely brilliant scheme to sow discord, far surpassing the tactics Selendron had used outside Valentan. Once this condition was proposed, many things changed.

Because today's conversation... will almost certainly be spread.

Even if the Goth People kept their mouths shut, the elves would spread the word on their own.

Spread it to all Goth People suffering from war, to all Goth nobles and the Taidariel Family, to the surrenderers, to all Goth People who do not want to lose their families again.

Whether Kang De agrees or disagrees, everyone should know.

Silence.

Kang De and Hong San exchanged glances.

Hong San's expression was more solemn than ever before.

This tactic was extremely ingenious. The elves suffered a great loss, yet they still offered such seemingly generous terms. It was definitely not because they were afraid of Kang De, so they were forced to compromise and suffer heavy losses.

They just wanted to solve the problem... because Kang De's deterrent and destructive power was too great, so the way to solve the problem had to be gentle and soft, and it was an open and irresistible strategy.

Even the softest knife is still a knife.

The elves have probably realized just how troublesome and disgusting Kang De's role was in this war and in the subsequent international landscape.

It's like a rogue with a knife appearing at a gathering of well-dressed, distinguished people. With the power of these people, a single word from them would be enough to summon countless people to serve them and use thousands of methods to make this rogue suffer a terrible death. But the problem is that this rogue is at the banquet, less than five steps away from the distinguished people. Before being killed by the arriving guards, he can kill whoever he wants.

Therefore, the elves must use their most effective methods to solve the problem.

Let's deal with Kang De first.

Use a soft knife.

It may not necessarily be killing, or it may definitely not be killing.

Hong San had no doubt that if the elves were truly willing to offer such terms, they would not resort to trickery. They would fulfill all the terms, grant Kang De supreme honor and a very high status, build a large army for Kang De, provide him with all necessary military equipment, create a navy for him, Kang De fully support Kang De.

Then mobilize all public opinion and all forces to bring in refugees from Cathay, ship after ship, to write petitions in blood, and to make tens of thousands of Cathayan kneel before Kang De's residence, urging them to return to their country and save their people since the Goth War is over. Using the cultural influence of the spirits and the entire media machine, they should persuade Kang De to make a choice to save the country that conforms to universal values.

Then this Eastern visitor, who had intimidated the continent in an unprecedentedly shameless manner, would return to his country with countless warships and troops.

And it became mired in the quagmire of war.

The chaotic situation in Cathay cannot be resolved with just three destructive attacks. If it could be resolved, the Dusk Moon Dynasty and even the other nations of the continent would not mind using some methods to make the war even more difficult.

If Kang De had used it a fourth time, he would have been an enemy of the entire continent.

Monarchs, clan leaders, kings, saints... all leaders will regard him as their greatest enemy. There are some things that, even if you don't use them, just possessing them will lead to your death.

At that time, there was only one outcome.

This troublesome Cathayan will be mired in a war for his homeland, from which he will not be able to extricate himself easily. Even if he does manage to defeat the enemy and recover his homeland, the long reconstruction process will be more terrifying than the war itself. He will face more enemies, expend more energy, or he will simply die.

In any case, we can no longer interfere in Western affairs.

It doesn't matter until he dies, even if it's a natural death.

Because when he died of old age, the elven infants born in the year of the Battle of Valentan were just coming of age—the elves' greatest skill was enduring, outliving wise rulers and capable ministers, outliving unparalleled heroes.

This is the elf's strategy.

They don't even need to harbor any malicious intentions or devise any schemes; they complete all the terms of the treaty with the utmost goodwill, without trying to trip you up in the slightest.

Then you'll have to walk right into the trap yourself.

They also had to face the elves' innocent eyes and truly innocent actions.

This was the elf's plan.

No... that won't do.

Because the Goth People wanted to agree.

Hong San clenched his fists, because he couldn't think of a way to deal with it for a moment.

Because the Goth People wanted to agree.

There is no awakening of national consciousness nowadays. Under the subtle influence of the long-term projection of the spirits' power and the export of their culture, it is not shameful to be a vassal of the spirits.

Moreover, it's such a prestigious vassal.

Return all land, cover all reconstruction costs, provide a 30 million gold coin interest-free loan, open up all-round exchanges in military, cultural, and magical technologies, lift the sea blockade, and share all sea routes.

--Leaving aside other matters, Goth accumulated enormous wealth through maritime trade, which made it a powerful nation on the continent. However, it has suffered heavy losses due to the domineering blockade by the elves. If the Dusk Moon Dynasty were willing to share this biggest piece of the pie with Goth, all the Goth People would go crazy.

Commoners, nobles, merchants—people from all walks of life would be tempted.

If Kang De just gives his approval, and we can nominally become his vassals, this matter can be accomplished.

If Kang De is unwilling, then the fight must continue.

Countless people will die in battle, and even Goth will perish. If the propaganda machine of the genie were to start even slightly, the blame for all these consequences and the loss of loved ones for countless people would fall on Kang De's shoulders.

What should we do?

Hong San clenched his fists, pondering a way to deal with the situation. Just then, another casual remark came from the other side. "If Goth's people cannot psychologically accept becoming a vassal of the Dusk Moon Dynasty, this is not something that cannot be discussed further. The elves only need a respectable explanation to end this war. We have paid so much; we cannot allow the other nations to think that we have been defeated, can we?"

Hong San slowly exhaled and closed his eyes.

If even becoming a vassal state is negotiable, then he can't imagine what reason the Goth People would have to refuse—hatred? On one side, there are enormous benefits; on the other, the crisis of national annihilation. Can hatred be a substitute for power?

A hush fell over the room. Everyone stared at Kang De. Goth People's eyes held worry, expectation, and even a hint of joy, while the elves watched blankly.

Kang De remained silent.

So everyone watched in silence.

A long time passed.

Kang De slammed his hand on the table with lightning speed, making a loud bang.

All the humans and elves who had been holding their breath jumped in fright. Five humans and three elves jumped up, while several others clutched their chests, looking on with utter disbelief.

Only Tagelise gazed quietly at Kang De, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

Kang De, like a child who had just pulled off a prank, laughed triumphantly.

Then, calmly, he said, "Your country has offered extremely favorable terms. I see your sincerity, and I believe that even with such favorable terms, there is still room for further discussion, right?"

Tagelise nodded slightly. "Yes, we respect His Highness Kang De's strength and talent, so we made a certain degree of compromise. This is out of respect for you. The Dusk Moon Dynasty respects the strong, and also respects those who keep their promises."

Kang De nodded slightly and said, "But there are two problems here."

The elf nodded. "Please speak."

Kang De paused for a moment, then slowly said, "Your country says it wants to arrange a marriage between me and the Queen of Cathay. Is the King of Cathay merely a puppet and a bargaining chip to the Elves?"

Tagelise immediately stood up and bowed solemnly, saying, "If my words have caused you any misunderstanding, then I apologize. Twilight Moon had no such intention. Cathay is our loyal ally, and Her Majesty the Queen of Cathay is even a personal friend of mine. I hope that she can marry a loyal, strong, and charming man, to support each other and protect the motherland. Therefore, I used the word 'facilitate,' meaning that both parties must agree..."

A slight smile appeared on Kang De's lips, "To be honest, I'm far more interested in His Majesty the Phoenix King than in the Queen of Cathay. I'd much prefer that kind of marriage. Your Excellency, could you perhaps facilitate it?"

Tagelise glanced at Kang De and calmly said, "That's not impossible. I will convey your affections to the royal court, but whether or not Your Majesty accepts your proposal will depend on Her Majesty's decision."

It practically gives you no excuse to lash out or nitpick.

Or rather... even if the elf gets angry because of this, he can't find fault with it.

Duke of Tiling sat back down, maintaining his composure. "Please proceed to the second matter."

Kang De sighed silently and said slowly, "Regarding your country's proposal, excluding my part, I cannot make a decision on Goth's side. This matter should not be discussed with me, or at least not solely with me."

Tagelise nodded and said, "Understood. The reason this is being brought up here is simply because this treaty exists because His Highness Kang De intervened in this war. Otherwise, given Goth's national strength, they wouldn't be qualified to obtain such terms. Therefore, whether or not the contents of this treaty need to be shown to Grand Duke Teldrassil depends primarily on His Highness's will. Only if you agree will we discuss it with the Goth People."

I won't make a decision now.

Kang De calmly said, "If they agree, then I'll consider whether I agree or not. You should first tell Tina and her father. If they want to talk, then talk together."

After a moment's thought, Tagelise readily agreed, "I understand."

He stood up.

Then all the elves stood up.

Kang De then stood up.

All of humanity then rose to their feet.

His attendants made way for him, and Kang De shook hands with Tagelise.

"A good start."

I hope so.

"That must be true."

The first round of negotiations began and ended in an unexpected way.

There was no debate or refutation of any specific point, because the matter itself was profoundly moving.

The elves filed out of the town hall. Kang De waved, and the Goth People, with their varied expressions, left without saying a word, leaving only A Xing, Leona, and Hong San by Kang De's side.

Kang De slowly sat back in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Hong San said in a low voice, "If you say that, you've fallen into the elf's trap."

Goth People agreed, and Kang De agreed; that already meant he had agreed.

Because Goth People could not possibly disagree.

Kang De paused for a moment, then said softly, "They chose their own path, so they should bear the consequences themselves."

After leaving the town hall and boarding the carriage, Elandil looked at the Duke opposite him with a mixture of admiration and sighs on his face. Even though the conflict last night had created a rift between them, the elven sage still applauded the suggestion.

"... You have become a qualified politician without our realizing it. The entire forest should celebrate this, and the spirit of the late emperor should rejoice."

He exclaimed, "Such a scheme, a double divisive tactic, has trapped Goth in our influence trap, and bound this beast Kang De in various ways. Public opinion and sentiment on Goth's side will inevitably coerce Kang De into agreeing to this treaty, and may even create a rift between the two sides. The various traps and clauses prepared for Kang De will completely restrain this arrogant human, and we can then deal with him with peace of mind..."

"Lord Elandil."

Before he could finish speaking, Tagelise interrupted him, his emerald green eyes fixed on the wise man before him, the elf's words earnest and resolute.

"I'm serious."

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PS1: Update... Ah, just got home, feeling a bit out of sorts. I'll adjust and then update twice more.