Showing Him

"--But there's a fee."

The Grand Duke held Kang De's hand, his expression calm.

Tina's expression changed. "Father!"

Grand Duke Reknos ignored his daughter.

Kang De nodded and said, "Let's accept it; it's the right thing to do."

The princess opened her mouth, but no words came out; her mood suddenly plummeted.

"The labor costs for the personnel, the depreciation costs for the magical artifacts, and the expenses for the consumed materials will be settled according to market prices. I will sign the order, and the bill will be given to you later."

"Agree."

The two let go of each other's hands, then gave each other a high five.

That's settled.

"I will issue the order immediately. The Civil Engineering Corps will be assembled in about forty minutes. The mobilization of engineering magic devices and related supplies will be a little later, as it requires the approval of relevant officials. I don't think this will be a difficult task, especially after you won the price war at the Distant Harbor."

This presents an opportunity to ease tensions, and no one should want to make the wrong bet again.

Kang De thought for a moment and said, "In addition, I need a batch of medical supplies, as well as experienced pharmacists and healing priests."

The Grand Duke replied, "It's impossible to give you that. Battle of Danfeng Lucerne, there are many wounded in the city, and they are still recovering. Medicines and medical personnel must be given priority to the Goth People."

"In fact, the Civil Engineering Corps is also clearing the ruins and repairing facilities in the city, but that's something that can be postponed, so it can be allocated to you."

Kang De nodded and said, "That makes sense. I'll think of another way."

"Um."

The Grand Duke immediately issued an order to leave, "The relevant orders will be issued immediately. In about an hour and twenty minutes, all the supplies and personnel available to you will be in place. You can wait with Tina or attend to other matters. I also have official business to attend to. If there is nothing else, you may leave."

Kang De said nothing, he nodded slightly to the Grand Duke, then pulled Tina aside and turned to leave.

The princess looked at her father, her lips slightly pursed, while the Grand Duke had already sat back down in his chair, picked up his pen, and continued to review the mountain of official documents.

Tina ultimately said nothing.

Even after leaving the house, the princess still looked sullen.

"It's nothing," Kang De comforted him. "It's just a little temper tantrum from a man experiencing a midlife crisis—his career has suffered setbacks, his values are wavering, his authority is declining, and his daughter has been kidnapped."

Tina glared at Kang De when she heard him say that, "Don't say that."

As she said this, her eyes finally welled up with tears.

Kang De was startled. "What's wrong?"

Tina took a few deep breaths, forcing back her tears, but her voice was still filled with sorrow and despair. "Father... Father actually asked you for money..."

"Ah?"

Because of this? Your elbow is way too...

Kang De, both amused and exasperated, explained, "It's only right, you see. Goth provided manpower and resources, cooperating with my actions and plans, but I reaped all the benefits. I gained recognition, I did a good deed, I acquired the resources of the Broken Isles, while Goth did absolutely nothing—no, he even lost money. His magical artifacts depreciated, resources were consumed, and the city's cleanup and repairs were delayed. He didn't gain anything at all..."

Tina's voice was almost breaking with tears. "Last time during the Grewind Swarm incident, Goth also contributed his labor, resources, and magical artifacts to help you. Father didn't say anything, and everyone thought it was only natural. Those were such good times, how did things turn out like this now..."

She looked at Kang De, tears welling up again. "Father wanted to collect money, and you thought paying was a normal thing... Why did it turn out like this?"

Kang De then realized what was happening.

Girls are naturally more sensitive.

Seeing the girl's rolling tears, Kang De reached out his hand.

Extraction those two tears.

This is probably the romance of a straight-laced Fire Thief never carries a handkerchief, feels that kissing it off is a bit cheesy, unhygienic, and might even lick his eyeshadow off.

He scratched his head. "I really didn't expect this. Sigh, Tina, don't be so pessimistic. Like I just said, it's just a small act of revenge by a middle-aged man who's too proud to admit his mistakes, has outdated ideas, struggles to change his views, and is constantly being humiliated by the successors of communism..."

"--You still dare to say that!"

"Okay, okay, I won't say anymore."

He put his arm around Tina's shoulder and led her, somewhat saddened, from the nearest balcony door to the rooftop gardens of the Maple Leaf Palace, where they gazed out over the entire city from the terrace.

"Look at all these people. Goth was so great. I'm reminded of a little over a month ago, right after the war ended. Your father invited me to dinner. He got drunk that night, probably right here. He pointed to the brightly lit, celebratory night scene of Danfeng Lucerne and asked me what I saw and heard."

"I said I saw celebration, feasting, and joy."

He said he saw faces either expressionless or forced smiles, belonging to those who had lost important people in the war and were unable to feel the joy of victory. He said the celebrations were so loud that they drowned out the cries of grief. The jubilant crowds couldn't see those people, couldn't feel their sorrow, but the Grand Duke had to see them, had to hear them; it was his duty.

Kang De turned to Tina: "That was the first time I truly understood your father, what kind of person he was, or rather, what kind of monarch he was."

"I respect and admire him. I like such a benevolent ruler. Regardless of whether he is competent or not now, I am grateful to him because only a father like him could have taught and raised such a daughter. He protected you very well, so I saw the best in you... Even for this reason alone, I will not have any real ill will towards him, because I know he is a good person."

Tina said quietly, "But I heard that you called him an old, stupid fool in front of all the nobles in the audience hall that day, and the news has spread all over Danfeng Lucerne."

Kang De awkwardly replied, "This is a conflict between father-in-law and son-in-law, an internal family dispute, and it doesn't count."

He quickly changed the subject, a little abruptly. "Don't interrupt, we're getting into a conversation—you feel that your father taking money from me is a way of cutting ties, that our relationship is strained, and you're worried that we'll drift further apart, putting you in a difficult position... Is that right?"

Tina kept her head down and didn't say anything.

"No, it won't."

Kang De gently squeezed her shoulder. "Trust me, it won't happen."

Gazing at the Danfeng Lucerne, he seemed to recall that night and smiled, "Although your father is a little annoyed with me now, thinking I'm radical, promiscuous, and restless, he will eventually approve of me."

"Because your father, Grand Duke Reknos, is not like those cold-blooded and cruel nobles. He will listen to the voices of sorrow and respond to the cries for help from the weak. As long as he remains that kind of person, he will one day acknowledge my path and choices, because I will let him see it."

Tina looked up.

Kang De's smile was as warm as ever.

"Distant Harbor and Valentan will not break away from Goth. The officials I appoint will still consider themselves Goth People. Distant Harbor will still pay taxes to Danfeng Lucerne. This country will not be divided. More importantly, your father will gradually see what I will bring to the people of this country."

"Famine disappears, goods are plentiful, luxuries once reserved for the nobility become commonplace, children are no longer forced into child labor but instead receive education and strive to change their lives, the elderly are cared for, morality truly returns and becomes the standard for all behavior rather than a rare quality to be praised, people transcend the material needs of making a living and possess better beliefs and ideals..."

I will show him this kind of world.

"Let him see that people can live like this, even the most ordinary civilians."

"This isn't just a small testing ground in Distant Harbor and Valentan; such changes will gradually spread throughout the country, and even the world, like the sun melting snow, like the rising sun in the east."

He smiled and said, "Tell me, what will your father do at that time? Will he be angry and resentful that his authority and prestige are gradually eroding, or will he gladly accept it all? Will he angrily rebuke me for changing Goth's long-standing tradition, or will he give me a grateful and approving hug?"

Tina's gaze gradually shifted from confusion to understanding.

Even anticipation.

Kang De grasped Tina's hand. "Let's do it together, let's do it together and show him, let him see."

Tina felt the warmth of Kang De's hand. She lowered her head slightly, and after a while, she said softly, "Kang De, why do you know so much about my father?"

Kang De asked blankly, "... Huh?"

The princess stared into his eyes. "Why are you so perceptive in discerning Father's feelings and the essence of his inner conflict, and why do you grasp his thoughts so completely, with such confidence that you can accomplish anything?"

Kang De was increasingly bewildered. "Ah, this is easy to understand. Even if you ask me why, I..."

Tina muttered, "Would it be better if I were a man?"

"What dangerous things are you saying?!"

Tina hummed twice; her mood had indeed improved.

Then the conversation turned to the important matter at hand. "You just said you need a healing priest and an apothecary?"

Kang De nodded. "It's better to be prepared. The situation in the Broken Isles is urgent. If any rescued people or soldiers are wounded, we need to prepare first aid for them when they are transported back to the Distant Harbor."

Earth also has medicines and bandages, but medical personnel cannot be trained immediately. In comparison, certain methods or even supernatural powers from other worlds may be more useful.

After all, magic does exist.

Tina thought for a moment, her eyes becoming meaningful. "Danfeng Lucerne doesn't have it, so how do you plan to solve this problem?"

Kang De was quite astute this time, casually replying, "We can only hope for humanitarian aid, perhaps borrowing from those few philanthropists internationally..."

Tina squinted. "Elves too?"

Kang De chuckled twice, "You see, there are several hundred elven naval personnel trapped on the Broken Isles. As fellow members of the Royal Army, it's only natural that they would help each other."

Her Highness blinked, then said, "Hmm, that makes sense. Why don't you go borrow some from the Twilight Moon Invasion Force headquarters? They should have plenty. I'll also help you think of a way."

Kang De was somewhat unsure. "Tina, you..."

The girl glanced at him. "I'm not being sarcastic. It concerns many people's lives, why would I get angry about something like this? But..."

"... But what?"

"Of course you can borrow from the elves..." Tina said decisively, "But Goth also needs one—I'll go write a letter!"

... Do we really need to confront each other over something like this?

The princess pulled Kang De back to their room in a flurry, and then they began writing a letter.

Kang De peered in and asked tentatively, "Who is it written to?"

Tina covered up the initial form of address, like a puppy guarding its food, and said fiercely, "Kang De, don't worry about it—time is of the essence, are you going to the elven camp now?"

"... oh."

They're being so secretive, and they're even wary of me.

Kang De opened the Phase Gate, leaping from the White Mist World.

He left a fixed spatial beacon in the Phoenix King's tent at the Elf Expeditionary Force camp, which allowed him to sneak into the Elven Queen's boudoir at any time, making him deeply hated by the Elf Expeditionary Force soldiers.

He stepped on a pile of snack wrappers again. The Queen's bedroom was a mess, still the same slum as before. Kang De frowned and said, "Not back yet?"

During the Paradox Element event, the Parrot that was hiding in the expeditionary camp impersonating Dairila disappeared.

He thought for a moment, then tiptoed out and pushed open the door of the royal tent.

Two hundred paces from the tent entrance, a group of muscular elves stood there, swords and spears at their sides, staring at them menacingly.

With a whoosh, Kang De dodged back into the tent and shouted through the tent, "What do you think you're doing? I'm warning you, I can teleport. You can't hurt me. Don't mess around, or I'll throw stones at you!"

After a moment of silence, an elf spoke, "Kang De... Your Highness, the Queen has given an order."

Kang De called out from inside, "Which woman... oh wait, where is she now?"

"This is not something a subject should know."

Now, there are two Monkey Kings in the Twilight Moon, one real and one fake... Oh, Phoenix King, it's impossible to tell who gave the order. And where have those Parrot gone?

Kang De then asked, "What was the command?"

A muffled voice came from outside. "We've been ordered to stay here. They say you'll emerge from the royal tent. The Queen has decreed that we provide all support to His Highness Kang De in order to coordinate with the evacuation of the Broken Isles."

So... it was Dairian's order?

He had previously ordered the commanders of the three countries to send this message back home. Although the communication technology in this world is backward, the high-level people, especially the high-level people of the top forces, should have some secret methods. It is normal that Kavisalong sent the message back home, and it was learned by Dairian who had secretly returned home. Then he ordered the expeditionary force to cooperate.

So where did the Parrot go?

Regardless, this is good news.

He reopened the door, waved to the elf hunks outside, and gave them a friendly, approachable smile, "Thanks—don't just stand there, come in and have a seat?"

"..."

"..."

The sharp gaze directed at him had transformed from one piercing arrow into one of utter devastation.

These elven officers ultimately did not go into the Queen's tent for a seat.

Instead, they invited Kang De to the headquarters of the expeditionary force, where they issued him written orders and mobilized sufficient resources, as requested by Kang De.

Magical devices, medicines, crystals, and so on.

After Kang De left, the air in the command post remained heavy. After a moment, an elf said hatefully, "Has he already put himself in His Majesty's shoes as her husband? Shameless human!"

The other elf glanced at the paper in his hand and snorted, "At least they paid."

"No."

The elf who understood the Cathay script recognized the strangely simplified, broken characters with a look of disdain.

His face contorted in pain as he said, "The notice states that all expenses will be deducted from the prisoner ransom first..."

"Hold!"

A chorus of curses erupted from the headquarters.

Kang De returned to the Maple Leaf Palace.

Tina, holding a reply letter, smiled and said, "You're back? Did you see any fairies?"

Kang De shrugged and said, "Just a bunch of elf hunks, they practically want to eat me alive."

Her Highness nodded with pleasure. "Yes, no wonder you look so disappointed."

"..."

Ah, how should I respond to that?

Tina chuckled and handed the letter to Kang De. Kang De glanced at it; the handwriting was delicate and beautiful, and it bore several seals, emanating a familiar power fluctuation.

It bears some resemblance to the Divine Ring of Stellar Authority.

"This is..."

"A command from the Church of the Sun," Tina said. "Although the priests of the Church of Danfeng Lucerne are busy treating and caring for the wounded, the medical burden in the Azure Waves Province is relatively light. You can take this letter to mobilize the church resources in Azure Waves Province; they have a lot of experience in handling the wounded and treating injuries."

"I see."

Kang De nodded with delight, then asked in surprise, "Were you just writing a letter to the church?"

"Yes."

"Why write a letter? We live in the same city, it's too formal," Kang De said. "I have some connections with the church; I should have just gone there in person..."

Tina rolled her eyes at him. "Dream on."

"Ah?" Kang De seemed thoughtful, glancing at the letter again. Although he couldn't quite read what was written, he could make out the handwriting. "Who did you write to?"

"Take your time and guess."

Tina laughed and changed the subject, "Alright, it's nothing, Kang De. There are many lives waiting for you to save, and many enemies to defeat. Don't waste your time here."

Kang De muttered, "So mysterious."

Tina gently shook her head, then reached out and cupped her beloved's face in her hands. She blinked, her azure eyes sparkling with starlight, and a beautiful smile appeared on her face, "Also, thank you for your guidance and promise today. I'm very happy, and I'm also looking forward to... looking forward to the beautiful scene you described to me, like a paradise on earth, and also looking forward to the day when Father will truly accept you from the bottom of his heart..."

Kang De smiled and looked at her.

"Only..."

Tina tiptoed, her cherry lips almost touching Kang De's ear, and said softly, "But, doing this for Father to see... let's skip it. I simply can't accept this kind of thing."

After she finished speaking, she giggled, jumped to the side, and turned to run away.

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PS1: Anyone else want to gamble...? (listlessly)