Why Won't You Kiss Me?

The messenger from the Arcane Council turned and left.

The negotiations ended unhappily.

Before leaving, despite Kang De's unprecedented contempt and humiliation, the envoy responded with a formal protest and an unyielding stance, claiming that the Arcane Council would certainly respond.

Then they slipped away faster than anyone else.

This is normal.

If these two spellcasters were to see Kang De in normal times, they would be extremely humble. Even if they were humiliated, belittled, or even mocked and cursed by Kang De, they would not utter a word in response, because he was a great Forbidden Spell spellcaster, a peerless powerhouse in ancient times, and an undisputed pioneer on the path of arcane magic. Faced with such a person, they could only offer him all their respect and awe.

The fact that a sorcerer who casts Forbidden Spell scolds you is an act of kindness and care; you should accept it.

But this occasion is different.

Because they are diplomatic envoys, they represent not personal honor or disgrace on such occasions.

Rather, it is the Austro-French Council, with a history of over 1,200 years, more than 7 million registered members, over 500,000 active users, more than 30,000 formal employees, eight departments and three free cities under its jurisdiction, as well as countless Arcane Council routes, assets, shares, research institutions, schools, observatories and patents.

That is why, faced with Kang De's reprimands and provocations, they could only choose to be unyielding and tough, even if angering a peerless expert could result in being killed on the spot. They could only grit their teeth and endure it—because retreating here would mean that the honor and dignity of the Arcane Council would be easily trampled and humiliated by an outsider, and they would suffer a punishment more terrible than death when they returned.

Now, they have arrived in Danfeng Lucerne, heard Kang De's words and ultimatum, and responded appropriately. Their mission as envoys is complete; now it is the Council's turn.

After the two messengers left the audience hall, the Grand Duke, who was sitting on the throne, suddenly stood up. He took two steps forward, his once elegant and handsome face contorted with anger, like an enraged lion.

"You're insane!" he growled, suppressing his anger. "Do you know how powerful the Arcane Council? At least 70% of the Goth spellcasters who helped you the other day are registered members of the Arcane Council. All five law departments at Danfeng Lucerne University Council. Every spellcaster in this country aims to Arcane Council..."

"Wow, that's impressive," Kang De said. "When Goth was being brutally beaten by the elves, why didn't you send your entire nation to the Council? Was it because they disdained to take you in, or were they afraid to?"

Upon hearing this, the Grand Duke's face instantly turned bright red, and the Sword Saint Cascading Snow standing to the side widened his eyes.

Under immense pressure, Kang De began to let loose and express himself freely, thus achieving the level of a master of Yin and Yang.

If they disdain accepting gifts, then no matter how hard you grovel, they won't even give you a second glance. Once they find something to gain, they'll take it all and leave without caring about your thoughts or feelings. What's the point?

They dared not accept it, fearing the might of the elves; they felt it wasn't worth it, so...

--I've terrified even the elves, and you're telling me this?

Of course, the Grand Duke could give the correct answer as to why he didn't accept it, saying that the Arcane Council adheres to neutrality and stays away from politics, but this answer is completely meaningless and there is no need to say it.

Because Kang De wasn't asking questions.

It's a slap in the face to him.

The harmonious atmosphere of a few days ago, the recent tacit understanding and goodwill, have been shattered in an instant by the harsh winds and frost. Differences and conflicts in national ideologies are inherently extremely cruel.

The two men stood silently, their gazes locked in a fierce confrontation.

Both Tina and the Sword Saint Cascading Snow showed signs of unease.

Things happened so suddenly that they were caught off guard, and in the blink of an eye, it was time to choose sides.

"I'm in a hurry, so I'll get straight to the point," Kang De said calmly. "There are priorities. With the news leaked, our hopes of monopolizing the cake are slim. But we must hold the knife to cut the cake. Who gets a slice, and how much, is entirely up to us. Anyone who dares to reach out and grab it first will have their hand chopped off!"

"Therefore, we must use forceful means to deter the restless nations and forces, seize this opportunity to accelerate our pace, and completely bring the underworld under our control. Afterward, we will maneuver strategically to divide the nations, find the right targets, and also the right targets for the wrong ones. Then, we will find the leaker and tear him to pieces."

Kang De's gaze turned icy as he looked at the Grand Duke: "During this period, Goth will face immense pressure. The military pressure on the border should not be a concern; with the Forbidden Spell in place, large-scale military action is always the worst option. However, internal divisions, rumors, instigation, instigation, and bribery cannot be resolved by the Forbidden Spell. This is what Goth must address, and it is also your task. You must do it well."

The Grand Duke remained expressionless.

Then he said coldly, "You make it sound so easy. With multiple countries besieging us, the situation is far worse than the Goth-Moon War. Rumors are flying everywhere, and the civilians who have just experienced war are bound to be extremely terrified. No one wants to fight again, and no one wants to experience the despair of the past again. What terrifies them is not the rumors, but what is actually happening. The resulting chaos and turmoil is the voice of public discontent with war. How do you suggest we resolve this?"

"As Archduke Goth, don't you even have this basic common sense?"

Kang De coldly replied, "With poor communication conditions, slow information dissemination, and low levels of education, how could genuine public opinion possibly be united in a backward place like Goth? If it were possible, Goth's country would have perished long ago due to successive uprisings!"

"Wake up! The so-called public opinion you speak of is nothing but a tool and a butcher's knife for vested interests and those with ulterior motives. They take advantage of the national crisis to betray their own country, stir up trouble, and spread chaos. As the ruler, don't you know what to do with such people: imprisonment, torture, execution, and deterrence?"

The Grand Duke retorted sternly, "I have never done such a thing! Nothing like this has ever happened under my rule!"

"So, you almost lost your country!" Kang De roared in response. "Now, I'm here!"

It was like two lions roaring.

Wild beasts on the grasslands are vying for territory.

Ideals, will, beliefs—such differences are irreconcilable.

The conflict between the old and the new has no end in sight.

The Grand Duke's brow twitched, suppressing both anger and desolation. "You're gambling, betting their future and their lives."

"Aren't you the same?" Kang De's tone was icy. "I'm betting on a prosperous future bought with iron and blood, while you're betting on the benevolence and kindness of politicians and monarchs. Who's more naive?"

--The Grand Duke's stance and ideals were evident from the first argument. He was too kind and soft-hearted, unlike a ruler. He couldn't bring himself to be ruthless. He was old and awed by the catastrophic consequences of war. He didn't want the people of this land to suffer again. Therefore, he advocated sharing this new mysterious substance with the world, rather than monopolizing it. He no longer had any thoughts of dominating.

But he was still too naive.

I don't know if the saying "a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime" exists in other worlds, but if history has taught the China anything, it must be this: backwardness invites aggression, and compromise only leads to further exploitation.

The Duke gazed at Kang De, his eyes filled with a wistful sigh.

He had already seen his persistence and unyielding spirit in the other person's unwavering gaze.

Kang De slowly exhaled, and the final ultimatum was presented to the Grand Duke like a sharp sword.

"You are Goth's ruler and Tina's father. I respect you. I came here not to enslave or control, but I also have no obligation to serve this country wholeheartedly or to fawn over you. I could have forcefully pressured you, but I respect your national sovereignty."

"So, Goth People, for the sake of the dead, I will give you one more chance to choose. I want you to answer me now: do you choose the light of the future or the peace of the present? If you choose the former, you will continue to fight and struggle for your country with all your might. If you choose the latter, I will leave immediately."

"From now on, this matter is none of your concern."

"Of course, you can continue to share intelligence with other nations, divide the spoils, accept their generous terms, and sign numerous contracts as a reward for generously offering this revolutionary new material to them. But don't blame me for not warning you, I will make them less than waste paper."

"I won't seek revenge against you specifically, but I won't tolerate you anymore. There will be no special treatment or targeting. You can wait and see what happens next."

After he finished speaking, he raised his chin and said, "Choose."

The Grand Duke's eyes trembled violently.

The other party's words were a subtle and restrained ultimatum.

Its meaning is obvious.

The Grand Duke wanted to exchange ownership, research rights, and exploration rights of that mysterious substance for Goth's detached status away from conflict and the generous rewards from various countries, in exchange for national stability and the happiness of the people.

But Kang De meant that he wanted to see how the nations would treat him without that thing.

Such an attitude and behavior, supposedly respecting the right to choose, but...

Reknos looked pained and instinctively glanced at his daughter.

Tina lowered her head and whispered, "Father, I'm sorry."

Goth's little princess was already standing beside Kang De.

Then she raised her head and bravely looked at her father. This was the first time she had clearly expressed a position that was completely different from her father's and stood on the opposite side of him.

"I want you to know, Father, this is not out of blind love, nor out of gratitude, but because of the new beliefs I, Tina-Taidariel, have forged based on the world I have experienced and seen. It is an independent and rational choice. I agree with Kang De that peace and happiness are not something to beg for, nor are they the handouts of powerful nations... but something to be forged in blood and fire."

The Grand Duke stared blankly at his most beloved daughter.

She was once as innocent as a flower, pure, radiant, and beautiful, blooming in a warm castle, never tainted by the world. He placed all his hopes on her, wishing her a peaceful and safe life, that she would become a respected scholar or artist, marry someone who deeply loved her, and live out her life in this way.

But that was just a father's loving but wishful thinking.

He was unable to protect his country, nor could he protect his daughter.

Now, the gentle and beautiful flower in his memory has weathered the storms of the outside world and stands proudly under the blazing sun with a brand new look. His little Tina stands beside Kang De, and even the pride and spirit of the Dragon of Cathay used to intimidate the world with Forbidden Spell, cannot overshadow the girl's radiance. The blue eyes, as blue as the sky, no longer reflect a longing for poetry, flowers, love, and the sea.

Rather, it is steel, sharp blade, coldness, and determination.

That elegant figure stood tall and proud, capable of being adorned in magnificent gowns, dazzling the world, or clad in armor, carrying Tomahawk. It turned out that his daughter had grown up long ago.

The Grand Duke stood silently, like a statue, as if frozen in time for a century.

Then he gently reached out and removed the signet ring, which symbolized Goth's authority, from his right hand.

"If that's the case..."

He stroked the ring, then gently placed the administrative token of Grand Duke Teldrassil on the ground, and whispered, "Tina, since that's the case, prove it to me."

"From this moment forward, you will hold my seal of authority, issue orders in my name, and act according to your own will, in coordination with those around you, to fight for what you believe is right for this country, and bear the corresponding consequences and responsibilities. Tina, my daughter, I don't know if this is right or wrong, but..."

He slowly turned around and walked towards the side door of the audience hall. Although his back was straight, it exuded a sense of desolation and loneliness. Before pushing the door open, the Grand Duke turned his head, as if he wanted to say something.

But she choked up almost imperceptibly.

In the end, he said nothing and simply left in silence.

Hilmeria glanced at Tina, then at Kang De, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Kang De... you give me a worse feeling than when we went to aid Danfeng Lucerne. I hope you know what you're doing."

She sighed and followed the Grand Duke out.

Kang De helped Tina, whose body had gone limp.

The princess hugged Kang De tightly, very tightly, her arms wrapped around his waist and back, holding him with an almost suffocating force. Her body was trembling slightly, a tremor stemming from fear rather than sadness.

"Kang De..."

She buried her face in Kang De's chest, her voice trembling.

"I'm so scared..."

Kang De was silent, then gently hugged her. "I'm sorry."

"Don't say sorry..." Tina sobbed, "Say you won't leave me."

"No, it won't."

"You're lying! You just said you'd leave immediately if Father chose to withdraw!"

"It's just a complete decoupling in political and military spheres, but people-to-people exchanges continue..."

"Waaah, you're saying such weird things again! You'll definitely run off to find the Elf Queen with Pointy Ears!"

"... What are you thinking?"

Tina simply held Kang De tightly, remaining silent for a long while before slowly saying, "Actually... I'd rather you went to find the Elf Queen, that way, at least you... would still be here."

Kang De was startled.

"I'm even more afraid of you disappearing without a word, vanishing completely from this world. I keep having nightmares, dreaming that nothing happened, you didn't appear, you're not in this world. Just thinking about it terrifies me. Kang De, don't go, don't leave me. I don't want anything but you..."

Tina murmured, whispered, poured out her heart, and vented her emotions.

It's like a child having a nightmare.

Kang De gently patted her back, whispering comforting words, "It's alright, don't be afraid..."

This clumsy attempt at comfort was completely unconvincing, "Then why did you suddenly become like this today...?"

"But..." Kang De's expression turned complicated and wistful, "I suddenly realized something? I felt that I couldn't continue like this, that living like that was exhausting. To cater to everyone's thoughts, to always be polite, to consider the interests of others, to compromise, to respect, to be courteous... it's so tiring."

"It's definitely more fun being Joker than an honest person. Unrestrained, capricious, and without scruples, you not only get things done without much effort, but also achieve better results. I..."

He hesitated for a moment, but still spoke. He shared different secrets with different people. Tina, who was in front of him, had experienced the bloody night of Glittering Sand with him. The madness, hysteria, evil and tyranny in that journey of revenge were memories buried deep in his heart.

But it kept blaring sharp and wicked laughter at him.

"I find it more enjoyable to do things this way," Kang De shook his head and smiled wryly. "Am I crazy? When I mention the word 'Joker'... I feel a thrill, an urge to try it myself."

"I don't know... but if you want to go crazy, let's go crazy together," Tina murmured. "As long as we're together, I'm not afraid of anything, and nothing can separate us..."

"Joker..." Kang De chuckled softly, "Sounds good."

Although she didn't understand what Kang De was saying, it didn't matter. Tina lifted her head from his embrace, her eyes glazed, and looked at the person in front of her. Her cherry lips parted slightly. "Feeling good?"

"Um."

"Then why don't you kiss me?"

So they kissed.

Just like the first time, the second kiss left Tina crying her eyes out. The physical experience wasn't great, but on a spiritual level, she felt a cathartic release.

Long afterward, only Tina remained in the audience hall. The princess used magic to calm her flushed face, smoothing the wrinkles in her clothes. Her whole body felt languid, comfortable, and powerless. Her lips, body, and breath were filled with his scent. An unprecedented pleasure and ease enveloped her soul. She slowly bent down and picked up the power ring her father had placed on the ground.

"... You lied, Father, I lied to you."

"They say it's not because of blind faith in love, but... it seems that's exactly what it is."

"As long as I can be with him, as long as he doesn't leave..."

"If he kills someone, I'll cover for him; if he sets a fire, I'll keep watch; I'll help him do whatever he wants, fulfill his every wish, make him inseparable from me, make him love me forever, as long as he doesn't leave..."

There was a gentle knock on the side door, and Tina turned around abruptly, a chilling blue light condensing into an ice axe.

Hilmeria walked in, and seeing that Tina looked clearly a little off, she was no longer in the mood for teasing. "Your father sent me to protect you."

Tina's heart skipped a beat, and she gripped the power ring tightly in her hand.

At the same time, Kang De walked through the gates of the Imperial embassy in Goth's residence, his smile beaming.

The two survivors of the Penguin actually went insane.

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PS1: Update... This chapter has 5,000 words, and some content (wearing pants) has been omitted.