The Second Princess

"What a beautiful jasmine flower, what a beautiful jasmine flower..."

Back to the Maple Leaf Palace, also known as Goth Palace.

The meeting with Chancellor Goth ended unhappily, an outcome that was both unexpected and predictable. Although Kang De was depressed, he quickly adjusted his mindset and decided to put the matter behind him.

The so-called "adjustment status" refers to bringing the generator and computer from the White Mist World and starting to play games.

Open Civilization VI, and the Prime Minister is to hell.

Humming Lao Qin's theme song, he began the next round.

During his year-long stay adrift on a deserted island, Kang De's best way to pass the time was with the Civilization series and Civilization Interactive's mobile games. He would play Civilization games four, five, and six times in rotation, and when he got tired of them, he would switch to the Paradox Interactive universe.

Welcome a driver, alien glass burning, marry a granddaughter, acquire a dog from South America... Every time I play this kind of game, time collapse occurs unconsciously, which is quite strange.

Time flew by, Kang De was immersed in the game world. In the Civilization series, the sixth installment was the most embarrassing. The art style was embarrassing, the content was embarrassing, but the visual details were the best. This was very infuriating. Games with good gameplay had bad graphics, and games with good graphics were not fun.

But Kang De now needs a game that's a bit of a time killer but not really fun, something that can help him pass the time while he thinks and keeps him from getting too depressed.

The game features constantly changing light and shadow, and little characters running around. At first, A Xing stayed by Kang De's side watching, but as she watched, she became bored and ran off somewhere.

This is normal. After all, these kinds of games are not very entertaining and are far less exciting than action games and shooting games. Back on the island, when Kang De played these kinds of grand strategy games, apart from the Parrot, none of the magical creatures could last for more than an hour. Usually, they would start yawning and leave dejectedly after watching for a few tens of minutes. Only the Parrot watched with great interest.

Sometimes it will even squeal loudly.

"Reverse! Reverse!"

Rome! Rome!

He sighed again at the thought of the Parrot.

Back in Valentan, combining various pieces of evidence, signs, and clues, Kang De had already deduced that the Parrot was none other than the former Phoenix King, Malegith. At that time, Dairila impersonated Tagelise to negotiate with him; at that time, Twilight Moon proposed peace talks, and the war seemed to be ending. He even reached a certain degree of consensus with this elusive current Phoenix King...

Who knew that life is unpredictable? Standing face to face in the city of Danfeng Lucerne, they were the furthest apart in the world.

And Parrot...

"I've killed so many elves in one go; it'll be quite awkward when I see her again."

If the Parrot was indeed the previous Phoenix King, sealed away as a bird and imprisoned on the Holy Seal Archipelago, then the Pigeon, Kangaroo, Wolverine, Marmot —every single one of them—were likely powerful figures from many years ago. If the A Xing can transform back into human form, they certainly can too. But what is the connection between all this...?

Now that Iron Son has unlocked his fighter jet form, he is extremely fast and theoretically can travel indefinitely. Kang De originally planned to secure a stable supply of aviation fuel on Earth so that Horus could take him and A Xing back to the Holy Seal Archipelago... But when this idea was mentioned, A Xing firmly refused.

Don't go!

Her expression was more serious than ever before, a stark contrast to her usual carefree and easygoing demeanor. The bewilderment mixed with lingering fear and solemnity in her expression spoke volumes about her seriousness.

"Kang De goes back now, something bad is bound to happen."

Due to her memory loss, A Xing could only say this much. She had been in the Holy Seal Archipelago since she could remember, in her ape form, but she couldn't remember anything from before.

"But she said everyone would come out on their own..."

He sighed again at the thought of the Parrot.

National enmity and family hatred, etc.

This is not without precedent.

It's less of a precedent and more of a ready-made example.

He was also moved by what happened today.

The little friendship he forged with Dairila the Phoenix King in Valentan has likely vanished. The two nations' positions, the blood feud, are irreconcilable. However, such a relationship was short-lived and merely a casual acquaintance. His bond with the Parrot, however, is something Dairila could never match...

"You were quite decisive in killing the elves on the island, you won't blame me... right?"

He sighed and shook his head.

Now that things have come to this, he's not sure anymore.

After all, the example of Prime Minister Xide is right before our eyes.

Cleveland's father did not welcome him.

Not everyone has to thank you—that's what he said.

As Goth's prime minister, he held Kang De in high regard with gratitude and respect, but as a father, he could not let go of his son's death. Whether it was anger or unreasonableness, humans are emotional creatures, and one cannot demand too much of a middle-aged man who has experienced the pain of losing a child.

Only...

Kang De slowly exhaled.

"I'm sorry."

He had a premonition that Prime Minister Xide's political life was coming to an end.

After Tina returned, she talked with him for a while, had a simple lunch, and then left in a hurry.

She said she had some things to take care of, but Kang De knew what she was going to do.

Kang De neither stopped nor interfered.

Tina went to see Grand Duke Reknos.

Cleveland's father, Chancellor Xide, had previously displayed near-uncomfortable hostility towards Kang De. While this was understandable, it was clear that Tina had become wary.

The events in Glittering Sand Town taught both Kang De and Tina a profound lesson.

After their deaths, although the two were separated by vast distances and could hardly see each other, they both possessed one of the finest virtues that humanity has been able to preserve to this day—suspicion.

In fact, Tina understood the cost of gullibility and carelessness even better than Kant did.

Although Chancellor Xide clearly distinguished between public and private matters, and stated frankly that he was grateful to Kang De in public, but did not forgive Kang De in private, this logic seemed sound. However, from a political perspective, it was intolerable. Politics has no distinction between public and private, and no competent politician would believe in such nonsense as clearly separating public and private matters. There is no such thing as clearly separating public and private matters; there is only one stakeholder.

In particular, Goth, having seized a glimmer of hope from the crisis of national annihilation, still had to face the hidden arrows and conspiracies from the elves, the empire, and even the entire international community. When military warfare was no longer an option, vicious tricks and cunning strategies would follow one after another.

In this situation, Tina would not tolerate someone who was clearly hostile to Kang De continuing to serve as the country's highest administrator; she would certainly take action and put pressure on the Grand Duke.

Kang De did not stop it.

Because he didn't know what to say or do.

The reason he left silently and dejectedly today, instead of lashing out at the person who had spoken so arrogantly to him, was simply because that person was Cleveland's father.

If it were someone else, he would have smashed their brains out.

"I'm sorry..."

Although he is your father, he is not you.

I believe you, but I don't know whether I should believe him.

Should I believe him?

I believe his statement about separating public and private matters, I believe he will not harm me in any way, and I believe that although he doesn't forgive me, he harbors no hatred or hostility towards me, will not plot anything, will not be manipulated or used by others, and will not seek revenge against me at all costs. But he said he has nothing left to lose...

The last time I trusted you, I lost you. What will I lose this time...?

Kang De shook his head slightly and sighed, "What a hassle..."

The core of all the entanglement is simply because the other party is Cleveland's father.

If it were someone else, they would have struck first.

A faint, melodious tune from the game began to play.

Kang De's haphazard pronouncements, his condemnations and insults, his indiscriminate nuclear bombings and his widespread attacks, all set against the backdrop of a global thermonuclear war, make the melodious jasmine flower tune seem all the more darkly humorous.

"I want to... pick... a flower... and wear it..."

Kang De tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling, and sang in a high-pitched, affected voice. "And I'm afraid that mother hunter... will... scold... me... ah ah ah ah..."

--A soft chuckle sounded from outside.

Kang De's expression shifted slightly.

The door opened, A Xing leaned out, holding a tablet in his hand and wearing headphones around his neck. He said, "Hey, Kang De, this woman is looking for you."

Kang De asked, "Who is it?"

A Xing said absentmindedly, "They say she's the Big Goldie's sister, but she's much Big Goldie. However, she doesn't have a dangerous smell or seem hostile. The maids also say it's true... You two chat."

She opened the tablet, waved casually, and ran away.

She looks just like Xiaoman, Xiaoman's completely engrossed in watching TV dramas.

But I remember the things I gave her...

--Is PAW Patrol really that good-looking?

With a flash of black light, Kang De returned to the White Mist World carrying the computer desk and generator, only to reappear in the blink of an eye.

Computers and generators are important achievements and cornerstones of modern technology. Although they would be impossible to research and develop anything from them in the hands of otherworldly beings, it's still best to be cautious.

He returned to the other world with incredible speed, just in time for the beautiful figure in a sea-blue dress to emerge from the doorway.

He had seen this woman before.

In the Aerial Battle of Danfeng Lucerne, Horus, carrying the last dragon, landed on the campus of St. Stella Saint Covelo University, which was under the jurisdiction of Tina's second sister. During the previous aerial battle, the timely long-range magical support was also launched by Stella, who coordinated the law students and faculty.

We met back then.

I've seen them a couple of days ago, but with so much busyness after the war, Tina's siblings were also incredibly busy, so we only met a few times symbolically, exchanged a few pleasantries, and that was it.

Furthermore, due to Kang De's delicate status, the Taidariel Family members were unsure how to treat him as their "son-in-law." Their cautious attitude only added to the sense of distance and awkwardness, resulting in Tina's two older brothers, who seemed like decent people, never having a proper conversation with him.

Compared to the Grand Duke, the eldest brother, and the second brother, Teldrassil's women are clearly much stronger.

Although Tina had been avoiding Kang De for two days, she suddenly launched an offensive this morning, which was incredibly daring and exciting.

The Sword Saint Cascading Snow's attitude remained the same as always, only occasionally revealing a strange and subtle expression, but nothing much.

Perhaps because of their brief encounter during the previous day's battle, Stella was the most poised and confident in front of Kang De. Tina said she loved to play pranks, but Kang De didn't seem to think so.

She's clearly a very interesting young lady from a well-to-do family.

Compared to her mage battle robes and armor the day before, Stella today wore a long dress in alternating sea blue and feather white, with her golden hair braided and cascading down her chest. Her appearance was similar to Tina's, but her temperament leaned towards confidence and intellect; after all, she was already a teacher at Goth's highest institution of learning at such a young age.

Kang De thought that if she wore glasses and changed her outfit, she would probably look much better.

"Stella, what brings you here today?"

"Did I disturb you?" Princess Goth II asked, standing by the door. "May I come in?"

Kang De shrugged and said, "Please come in."

Stella cautiously stepped in, quickly glanced to her left and right, and then breathed a sigh of relief.

Kang De asked curiously, "... What's wrong?"

The second princess said shyly, "I thought I'd see two naked maids in bed."

"..." Kang De exclaimed in shock, "Does His Excellency the Grand Duke usually play like this?!"

"No, Tina's almost nineteen, the youngest in our family. It's obvious, isn't it? He's no longer useful," Stella said nonchalantly. "I thought a young man of your noble birth, wielding great power and full of vigor, would be unable to resist reaching out his burning hands under the maids' ardent and sincere admiration."

--In fact, I did extend my hand, but not as a maid.

Kang De remained calm, concealing his achievements and fame.

"That's not infatuation, is it?"

Stella blinked. "Of course! Women always yearn for a love that's all-consuming and reckless. After all, every woman wants to marry a man who would dare to stand against Twilight Moon for her—I'm no exception."

Kang De shrugged and said, "The point isn't about being an enemy of Twilight Moon, but about being an enemy of Twilight Moon and actually winning, right?"

The second princess laughed and said, "Mr. Kang De, the essential qualities of a nobleman are feigning ignorance and embellishment."

"I'm not a nobleman."

"A man who never panders to women? A man who doesn't care about his background or feel inferior because of it, who wins everything through strength, and who lives in the flattery and adulation of sycophants all fall for that too. Even I'm attracted to him—Mr. Kang De is truly skilled at seducing people without making a sound."

"It sounds like being talked back to and argued with by men of humble origins and lowly bloodlines excites you?"

After a few exchanges, Princess Stella, whom Tina had described as a master of trickery, couldn't hold on any longer and retreated.

This pleased Kang De somewhat.

What happened this morning was frustrating. Tina was frustrated with him, and A Xing wasn't good at comforting people. Iron Son had become a steel Yin-Yang Master, and there was no one around to talk to. Luckily, Princess Stella's style was different from others. She wasn't good at teasing people; she was practically a stress reliever.

The thought that their exchange had just been captured by the camera on his chest made Kang De's smile even more sincere—keep calm, keep calm, and see if he could capture any juicy tidbits.

"... Let's not talk about this anymore."

Stella shook her head, unsure whether she should feel frustrated or pleased. Meeting a talented person was a good thing, but being beaten up was a bit unpleasant.

But she didn't come here today to flirt with Kang De.

The second princess asked, "What did you and Tina do today?"

Upon hearing this, Kang De felt a chill run down his spine. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. She argued with her father for over an hour, then ran out crying and locked herself in her room. I was a little worried, so I came to ask you about it."

Kang De frowned.

It seems there's no resolution to the prime minister's situation.

He asked casually, "On the way?"

"Yes, I came to see you because I have something important to discuss."

Stella said seriously, "The dragon... about the third dragon you killed."

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PS1: I'm so sleepy I could use cold medicine as a sleeping pill... Before, I was tired during the day and would write at night, but after catching this cold, I'm tired both day and night. It's so annoying.