Father

What were the reasons for intervening in the Goth-Moon War and fighting for Goth?

Kang De has already made this very clear.

Whether it was for revenge or out of admiration for Goth People's courage and resistance, the journey, the motivation for entering Goth's territory, including this series of world-shaking forbidden Forbidden Spell, breakthroughs, miraculous turns, strategic deterrence, and victories, all ultimately have a source.

That was that person's sacrifice.

That night in Glittering Sand Town was filled with the clash of swords and the deaths, betrayals, escapes, and even sacrifices of familiar people. The impact, upheaval, and shock of that night almost reshaped Kang De's personality.

First murder.

Betrayed.

A life-or-death crisis.

Realizing that weakness is not kindness, but merely the inability to do evil.

Because of naivety and gullibility, he killed his friend.

For the first time, someone died protecting him.

The knight's death directly led to the complete collapse of his psychological defenses. All the psychological pressure he had accumulated during his year-long solitary drift in another world exploded. Kang De then launched a frenzied revenge campaign, executing all members of the Good Family one by one with the cruelest methods, gradually plunging into a bloody abyss.

But in the final act of punishment, because the image of the knight flashed through his mind, he did not allow himself to fall completely. Although this resulted in him not being able to disable Lost's mobility immediately, and instead being cursed and killed by the opponent with a divine weapon, the divine power carried by that dagger opened the gate sealing the two worlds, allowing Kang De to finally return to Earth... Above destiny, there is destiny.

Ultimately, all of this stemmed from Cleveland's final words: even in death, he fought alongside Kang De in another way, guiding him on his way home.

He kept his promise, protecting Tina for the knight and safeguarding Goth for him.

On that day, under the crimson sky of Danfeng Lucerne, the steel wings roared through the heavens. He looked down upon the city from the air and finally arrived at the hometown that Cleveland had always longed for. He fought against the elven air cavalry, as if he were fighting alongside knights. It was a very mysterious feeling, yet it was real. It transcended time and space, fulfilling his promise: I have come here to fight alongside you for your homeland.

Cleveland was the place that made Kang De.

In Kang De's most confused, broken, and desperate moment, the knight gave Kang De the meaning to live with his own life. Even after Kang De Homecoming, even though everything on Earth was not far away, even though Kang De never lost anything, the knight's soul and will had long been integrated into Kang De's blood, becoming his guide in life, conduct, and battle, continuing his life in another way.

So.

As long as Kang De's soul has not been corrupted, as long as he is still moved by the brave, draws his sword for the indomitable, stands up for the fighters, and lends a helping hand to the self-reliant, as long as he still protects the bullied weak, and as long as he is still angry at injustice, then whenever he fights to uphold his beliefs, he will surely remember that unforgettable night and the words the knight spoke to him.

As long as that person's image remains in his memory, Kang De will remember Cleveland's dedication and passion, and he will remember the country and people he wanted to protect; his goodwill will never cease.

Tina probably wouldn't understand something like this.

With the knight gone, apart from Kang De himself, no one in the world knew anything about what had happened in Glittering Sand during that time, or what Kang De had gone through.

What choices were made, and what results were achieved?

I don't know what Cleveland meant to Kang De.

He kept his promise and rescued the princess and Goth.

He was omnipotent, intimidating the Twilight Moon, single-handedly forcing the expeditionary force to cease fire, fearless, unafraid to confront the most powerful and terrifying nation in the world... yet he still had things he feared.

He was afraid to meet his family in Cleveland.

But I absolutely must see him.

The knight's death was closely related to him. As the knight lay dying, he was the only one left by the knight's side. By right and wrong, he should have gone to see the knight's family.

Even if it's more difficult than anything else.

Tina took Kang De's hand.

Even A Xing didn't object; he just held the other side tightly.

The princess looked at Kang De's sorrowful expression. Clearly, it wasn't just the loss of a close friend. The knight's death obviously held a deeper meaning and significance for Kang De, but she was completely unaware of it. Even after their reunion, the topic of Glittering Sand remained a taboo subject between the two.

Whether it was the knight's death or something else.

Kang De didn't want Tina to know about his brutal revenge in Glittering Sand Town, Tina didn't want Kang De to know either. After returning, she strangled the last survivor and desecrated the Good Family cemetery.

Neither of them wanted the other to know about their past pain.

But the emotions are still the same; in the end, we all miss and reminisce about the same people.

Let's go together.

Her tone was soft yet firm.

Kang De looked at her, his voice helpless and his expression confused. "Is it okay now?"

Two days ago, the Battle of Danfeng Lucerne had just ended. Kang De, surrounded by the crowd, kept thinking about visiting the knight's family. After a long time, the people's enthusiasm and cheers finally subsided. He finally found Grand Duke Teldrassil and asked him to show him the way.

But they did not get what they wanted.

The knight's father was Prime Minister Goth, the chief administrator of the duchy. During the war of annihilation, the prime minister commanded officials, coordinated the operation of various departments in Danfeng Lucerne, transferred supplies, dispatched municipal officials, and was responsible for a series of tasks such as replenishing reserves, providing medical assistance, supplying food, transporting materials, and fighting fires and rescuing people. In addition, as the war progressed, the prime minister also had new tasks.

That is to uphold Goth's final glory and dignity when the city falls.

No one could withstand such continuous high-intensity mental work for twenty or thirty hours. The message the Grand Duke received was that after the war was won, the Prime Minister could not hold on and fainted. However, it was just due to overwork and there was nothing serious. The doctor and the priest said that he just needed to rest.

Therefore, Kang De had to postpone his planned visit.

The next morning, I wanted to find someone to ask if the Prime Minister had woken up yet.

If you wake up, go and pay a visit.

Unexpectedly, the Prime Minister woke up earlier than him, and immediately went to work after waking up.

In the aftermath of the great war, Danfeng Lucerne was busy in every aspect. There was a need to take stock of the casualties, distribute food, provide compensation and rewards, repair damaged buildings, prevent epidemics, not to mention coordinating the entire country's political operations, recovering and handing over territory, conducting follow-up negotiations with the elves, transporting supplies, maintaining order, and handling foreign and domestic affairs... Just thinking about it made one's head spin, and the specific political affairs were a hundred times more troublesome.

Kang De couldn't very well go to the Prime Minister's office in the Privy Council and forcibly interrupt the urgent political approval process, forcing all the officials to leave first, because he needed to cry with the Prime Minister for a while.

As for going directly to the knight's house...

It's clearly a worse option.

If the Prime Minister worked in the Privy Council, and Kang De went directly to his home in Cleveland...

Then he would have to face a mother who had lost her son alone.

The mere thought of that scene sent shivers down his spine, and he instantly lost all courage.

Because the knight called out "Mommy" before he died.

"I..."

He wavered.

What should we do? What should we say? What can we do?

Tina said softly, "Then let's not go."

"... No."

After a long silence, Kang De shook his head.

"No, I want to go."

He said softly, "At least I want his parents to know..."

They knew their son's sacrifice was meaningful.

Moreover, the knight's blood will never be shed in vain.

Today is a good day to visit the Prime Minister; this is information Tina received from the Grand Duke this morning.

The Privy Council was busy until late last night, and Archduke Goth personally issued an edict ordering officials, including the Prime Minister, who had worked more than fifteen hours a day to go home and rest immediately, and not to leave their homes before 10 a. m.

The Grand Duke did indeed send people to keep an eye on it.

Moreover, such orders are obeyed by the guards and servants at the Prime Minister's residence.

If you go now, you can see it.

They found three cloaks to conceal their tracks, rode in a palace carriage, removed the Teldrassil insignia, and left through a secret door at the back of the palace to head to the Prime Minister's residence. There were only three of them: Kang De and Tina, with A Xing acting as their bodyguard. At this time, the security of Kang De and the Taidariel Family was of paramount importance.

The coachman was a reliable and taciturn guard who had served the Goth court for generations. His job was to drive the carriage and, in times of crisis, to sacrifice himself. He did not utter a single word along the way.

The carriage was silent. To his left was A Xing, and to his right was Tina, both stunning beauties whose delicate fragrances were intoxicating. But Kang De had no desire to admire them from afar or to provoke them.

Tina, understanding and considerate, said softly, "Don't worry too much. Uncle Xide and Aunt Annie are very kind people. I went to see them after I got back, and they comforted me. Don't overthink things..."

Kang De forced a smile.

"That's not your fault, Kang De. You've done very well, including his share..."

Tina's tone was somewhat downcast, but in front of Kang De, she could only force herself to be cheerful.

Cleveland was her guardian knight and her childhood friend. Even digging deeper, on the night of the Glittering Sand, the princess entrusted the knight with protecting Kang De, and Cleveland fulfilled this final command with his life. To this day, Tina still cannot let go of that.

As the carriage moved along, through the cracks in the window, one could see the mottled city walls outside. The elves' relentless bombardment had left scars on the city, and it would likely take a long time to heal the wounds of war.

Modern ideas, modern technology, modern resources... what can I do?

Kang De was lost in thought, and sometimes he felt uneasy as he thought about how close they were to their destination. Tina held his hand, and he felt that the princess's hand was trembling slightly. The girl's heart was not at peace either.

Like Kang De, she was restless, confused, and sad.

The taste of victory is not entirely joyful and sweet.

Because there were also those who passed away and did not live to see the victory.

The carriage gradually slowed down and came to a stop.

The car stopped slightly.

Kang De's mind was also shaken.

"Three people."

The coachman spoke for the first time and opened the door. Kang De was the first to get out. Looking ahead, he saw a high wall stretching all the way to the gate, where a group of people dressed in Goth's official uniforms stood, listening intently to the speech of a middle-aged man with gray hair who was surrounded by others.

Every now and then, someone would nod in agreement, cheer, applaud, or echo the sentiment.

"That's Uncle Xide, Goth's prime minister," Tina said softly. "And his followers, students, and confidants... Judging by the time, they're here to wait for Uncle Xide to go to the Privy Council together."

Political factions.

These words popped into Kang De's mind.

Prime Minister of a country...

This is the Prime Minister's official residence, and security is very tight. Soon, the guards noticed the suspicious carriage parked nearby. A mage quickly approached from the sky, and several cavalrymen also galloped over.

The coachman presented the warrant from Goth's court, and the cavalryman recognized Princess Tina and saw Kang De's face, which belonged to the Cathayan —his face quickly flushed red, and he excitedly gave a military salute.

Kang De said softly, "I've come to pay a visit to the Prime Minister."

The news of the guards caused a stir among the officials of the prime minister's faction. Soon, the prime minister said a few words, which calmed them all down. Under the watchful eyes of Kang De and others, Prime Minister Xide stepped forward and walked alone toward the carriage, waving and smiling.

Tina and Kang De both breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he hurried over to meet him.

Your Highness.

Upon approaching, Kang De was able to clearly and carefully see the Prime Minister's face.

No wonder he's Cleveland's father; he certainly has the charm of an older man—silent, resolute, and mature. He appears gentle and refined, having tempered the sharpness of his youth, replaced by a quiet, firm, and tactful strength honed by time and experience.

He possessed no arrogance or imposing manner; his expression was calm and benevolent, more like a learned sage than a powerful minister wielding immense authority. He appeared harmless, yet no one would underestimate him or ignore his voice or opinions...

Your Highness.

He smiled and nodded to Tina, then looked at Kang De.

That calm, elegant, and gentle smile left Kang De somewhat dazed.

The person before me looked like a knight in his middle age.

"I guess you must be His Highness Kang De."

The Prime Minister extended his hand, bowing respectfully. "I haven't had a chance to thank you yet. It was a great battle; you protected the country, and we are all grateful."

Kang De immediately clasped both hands and whispered, "Please don't say that, Prime Minister. I am unworthy of such gratitude. There are others who deserve more thanks than I do—those who sacrificed themselves for this country."

Prime Minister Xide paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "Indeed, we lost far too many brave warriors for this victory, Goth will remember their contributions..."

A strange feeling arose in Kang De's heart.

He gritted his teeth and said, "I came here this time..."

Before he could finish speaking, the Prime Minister glanced at his pocket watch and said apologetically, "Please forgive my rudeness, Mr. Kang De, but you've come at an inopportune time. The Grand Duke's restrictions have been lifted, and I must go to work. As you know, there's a mountain of work to be done in Danfeng Lucerne, and many things urgently need to be addressed. I don't have the same power as you to protect Goth; I can only do what I can..."

As he spoke, he burst into laughter.

Tina's expression changed slightly.

The Prime Minister's gaze then fell on Kang De's face.

"On another note—did you come to see me? The arrival of Goth's guardian is truly a delightful surprise. Is there anything I can do for you, Your Highness Kang De?"

His smile was warm, polite, and full of gratitude.

Indeed, he saved Danfeng Lucerne, saved Goth, saved the lives of countless Goth People, and repelled the Elf Expeditionary Force. Now, in this city, Kang De is practically a god.

Only...

Kang De's expression became unnatural.

He said softly, "You don't need to be so polite. I'm a friend of Cleveland's, and I've come as a junior to visit my friend's father. You don't need to be so formal."

The prime minister narrowed his eyes.

He looked at Kang De, and slowly, his gaze turned cold and mocking.

The warm and grateful smile slowly faded from her face.

"Your identity as a father... is that right?"

His tone was somewhat playful.

Prime Minister Xide looked at Kang De, then turned his gaze to Tina.

True feelings gradually emerge.

Half of the weariness on his face came from the toil of daily paperwork, and the other half from the deep sorrow of losing a child in middle age.

At this moment, the politician's smooth talk and dignity have been stripped away; he is simply a father who has lost his son.

"I see."

He said, "Then, my son is dead."

His tone was calm, yet cold.

Why are you still alive?

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PS1: Confirmed cold, stuffy nose and headache... My writing efficiency is absolutely terrible... Time for bed...