Go and See

What did you see in Britain?

The Parrot tossed aside the report it was holding, rolled over, and lay on the back of the sofa. It then wrapped its arms around Kang De's head, turning it so that Kang De's face was reflected in its gleaming golden eyes.

Kang De paused for a moment, then shrugged. "Nothing."

"Nothing to Sensui about, looks like you've read The Chapter Black." The Parrot sneered. "What's wrong, questioning your existence? Gone dark? Discovered the truth of the world? Want to destroy humanity?"

Kang De paused for a moment, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he only sighed softly.

"Understood."

The Parrot thought for a moment, then sneered, "Perhaps you've witnessed the dark side of your planet's modern Civilization firsthand, and your sense of superiority and self-worth as a Civilization race has begun to crumble. You can't muster any more prestige in front of us backward, inferior Civilization, can you? You feel ashamed to show your face?"

She reached out and poked Kang De's face. "Ah, this self-assured and self-reflective look is so cute. No wonder you China are so good at self-reflection. You always think about whether you did something wrong before you encounter any problems. No wonder Westerners like you guys so much. If they hit you with a stick, you would think about why you were hit and whether you did something wrong. So cute, I would like it too."

Kang De snapped, "Are you fucking done yet?! What does this have to do with anything?"

He reached out to grab the Parrot's face, Malegith laughed and darted aside. Kang De angrily chased after her, and the two circled the sofa. Unfortunately, the difference in their fighting abilities was too great. No matter how hard Kang De tried, he couldn't even reach the corner of the Parrot's clothes.

Faced with the other party's ridicule, Kang De took a deep breath and unleashed his ultimate move.

"Don't move!"

"Dream on! Why should I!"

Kang De's body stiffened, and he said sternly, "Otherwise, I'll force those Poland idiots to renege on their promise!"

The Parrot's face showed horror, and it gasped. "Despicable!"

In the end, the Phoenix King of the Dusk Moon Dynasty fell into the clutches of the Earthlings. Kang De pinched and rubbed her soft, tofu-like face for a while, then turned her over and slapped her buttocks a few times.

"That's enough!" Malegith exclaimed.

Kang De snorted, then slowly exhaled and fell silent again.

"So..." the Parrot said in a muffled voice, still perched on Kang De's lap, "What did you see that caused you such a shock?"

"It's not that it's exciting, it's just that I feel... a kind of indescribable sadness."

Kang De sighed softly.

"I feel the world shouldn't be like this."

He had always felt that this other world was far behind Earth in every way, not only in terms of social structure and technological culture, but also in some of the concepts that modern people are proud of, such as equality, dignity, and fraternity. This sense of superiority began to grow the moment he set foot on the land of Glittering Sand Town.

But as he gained more experience, this instinctive sense of superiority began to change.

It wasn't just an experience in another world, but also an experience on Earth.

From Comora to London.

One of the world's most underdeveloped regions, and one of the world's most developed regions.

He stepped out of the country for various reasons, leaving behind the world he had grown up in and took everything for granted, and saw another side of so-called modern Civilization.

His experiences in London greatly affected him.

It's not just about witnessing it firsthand, nor is it just about Shalana's death.

Rather, it was the interrogations taken from Barber, Gerard, and other remnants of the Round Table over these two weeks, and the chilling truths revealed in the testimonies of the upper-class individuals who attended the lavish feasts, that revealed the millennia-old deception, lies, and bloodshed that have shrouded this planet.

There are also some things that are almost public knowledge, but which are not noticed by the general public.

In today's world, as of 2020, there were at least 40 million people enslaved globally.

They are not the mortgage slaves people jokingly refer to, nor are they the corporate slaves and wage earners that the exploited mock themselves for.

They were slaves in the truest sense.

They are only allowed to keep a small amount of property, have no legal support, their personal freedom and right to life are not recognized, they are subjected to forced labor, have no medical care, work extremely long hours, and receive little or no pay.

Consumables.

There are at least 40 million people living in today's technologically advanced modern society who engage in sex work, work as slaves in dark and dreary mines, farm slaves, and fishermen's slaves.

Forty million.

Kang De shook his head and chuckled, "They might be more than the entire slave population of that other world."

"Hey, you just haven't seen enough."

As a former monarch of the Dusk Moon Dynasty, the Parrot had lived a long life, experienced countless battles, and even fought against the world's most cruel will to exterminate. Her heart was already as hard as stone. She didn't quite understand Kang De's feelings. After thinking for a moment, she said, "But what does this have to do with you? It wasn't you who did it, and it has nothing to do with your country. The Anssa pirates were inherently inhuman and selfish; this isn't surprising."

"Yes, it really has nothing to do with me, but..."

Kang De paused for a moment, then said, "When I was just an ordinary person, I would feel angry and sympathetic towards the suffering of strangers when I saw injustices in the news, history books, and other publications. But that was all. Now..."

The Parrot laughed and said, "You want to be Spider-Man too?"

Kang De glanced at her and sighed, "When you're successful, you should help others... I originally thought the Anssa gang had nothing to do with me, and it would be better if they were all dead. I was originally a thorough nationalist, thinking that all the troublemakers in the world wanted to harm us, and that I could be indifferent to everything except my own country."

"Ultimately, the global movements that were so vibrant in the last century are too far removed from us. In this day and age, surrounded by enemies, our narrative has shifted from the international to the national, and the generosity and grand undertakings of the past seem rather distant... until I met that Britain woman."

He tilted his head back, leaned against the sofa, and said softly, "She was so weak, so pitiful, so helpless. All her resistance in her life was futile. Her efforts were like ants compared to those who held power and influence. She could do nothing, she couldn't even protect herself. She had none of the things that great people need: decisiveness, strength, wisdom, and opportunity."

"In my trip to London, in my battles to intimidate Britain and destroy the Round Table, she was like a barely mentioned background, an insignificant footnote... dispensable, not worth mentioning."

"She was a caged bird, manipulated in the palm of his hand, and died in agony. Yet, this same person still acts out of kindness and faith despite her suffering, tirelessly working for a girl from another country whom she had never met... Such a person, such a person..."

Kang De paused here, unable to continue.

Words cannot describe the shock of that night and what followed.

It's not because of Shalana's story and its outcome.

It's not about her as a person.

Compared to Kang De, it is so weak, so insignificant, so trivial.

But they still bravely live up to their beliefs.

"I..." Kang De said slowly, "I always felt that it would be wrong not to do something."

The Parrot had already quietly gotten up; she moved to Kang De's side and put her arm around his shoulder.

"Then do it," she said. "Go punish the wicked and uphold justice, do what you want to do."

Kang De smiled and said softly, "But who exactly is my enemy?"

The Parrot turned its head in surprise.

Is it a small group of inhuman, anti-human superhuman beings, or a larger group of wealthy, ruthless, and cold-blooded elites? Or is it a Civilization that controls and influences the entire Earth?

How can I eradicate the darkness and corruption within humanity? What should be the baseline for my wars and actions? Could such actions ultimately escalate into global conflict and warfare? Who exactly is my enemy?

At this point, Kang De's expression wavered slightly.

Those eyes held a certain unease that was hard to define...

"I... I feel very strange."

The Parrot used its right hand to pull Kang De close, pressing its head against his and half-embracing him.

Kang De leaned against the Parrot, clutching his chest, and whispered, "A very, very strange feeling began the moment I set foot on London soil."

"The flesh and blood where the Viking Skull hid, the twisted revelry beneath the equestrian center—I stormed the Round Table's castle, and wandering through it, I always felt something was missing. Looking at their testimonies and lists, everyone involved, I felt that everything—the conspiracies, the bloodlust, the schemes and the revelry, all the sacrifices and offerings, the origins of the Round Table —was connected by an invisible network, a vast network. What exactly is it...? I can't say. But... but..."

His words became increasingly rambling, even indistinct and difficult to understand.

The Parrot gently patted his shoulder and silently hugged him.

She could probably understand that feeling... Stepping out of the greenhouse and realizing the truth of the world was no longer the description in books, nor the protection of the courtiers and maids around her, but the true nature of the world.

Bloody, realistic, cruel, and cold.

The great Phoenix King had long forgotten how she felt when she first encountered the truth of the world; it had been a very long time. But that did not prevent her from understanding the feelings of the newly Fire Thief. She could only offer him a warm embrace and patient companionship, waiting for him to vent his emotions and calm down.

Despite being Phoenix King of extraordinary talent who ushered in the Golden Age and led the Twilight Moon forward, Malegith was ultimately not Fire Thief.

There are some things she won't understand.

Just like Li Manyue, before she disappeared, she did not reveal to Malegith what she had seen and understood.

Separated by two worlds, there are some things she cannot connect with.

Just like now, when Kang De confided his recent reflections, anxieties, and inexplicable bewilderment to her, she thought it was merely a necessary step in the growth of a hero and the forging of his beliefs.

Let's go.

Once Kang De's emotions had calmed down a bit, she took Kang De hand and smiled brightly.

Kang De asked in surprise, "What?"

Let's go out for a walk.

She pulled Kang De to his feet, thought for a moment, and then gestured towards the full-length mirror in the corner.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she touched her chin. "Wait a minute, this won't do. My stunning beauty is too captivating; walking down the street, it could easily cause traffic jams, stampedes, and disrupt order."

So she fiddled with her hair and rubbed her face, and her magical powers took effect. In the blink of an eye, the appearance and hair of the previous Phoenix King changed. Her gentle temperament became heroic, and her lazy posture became domineering. She once again donned the persona of the current Phoenix King.

"Hey!" Kang De exclaimed, both amused and exasperated, "It's easier to get into trouble if you become her!"

"How could that be!" the Parrot grumbled, grabbing Kang De's collar. "Who's prettier, me or Dairila?"

Kang De replied, "I am face-blind; I cannot tell who you are."

"Damn it," the Parrot laughed, "This virgin actually has a quick wit."

She released Kang De, then pulled two cloaks from the wardrobe in the corner, put one on herself, and then put one on Kang De. After putting on the hood, she stretched out her slender fingers and drew two runes in the air.

A halo of stardust exploded on himself and Kang De.

"Alright, put on the cloak, and add two more mind control runes, is everything alright?"

The Parrot tugged at Kang De and said, "Let's go, let's play with my twenty-seventh favorite web novel trope—disguising our identities and going on an incognito visit. Should we try to snag a clueless rich kid and slap him in the face?"

Kang De's mood eased somewhat, and he replied, "I've wiped out all the notorious nobles during the two great purges; you probably won't see them on the streets of the Distant Harbor anymore..."

"Damn, what a shameful waste!" the Parrot muttered, somewhat resentfully. "Where are the thugs and hooligans? Where are the thugs and henchmen?"

Kang De said helplessly, "Those who commit crimes and petty theft are all sent to the Broken Isles to mine, while serious criminals who bully men and women and act as accomplices to evil are used as target practice in the military camps to help the new recruits get used to it..."

The Parrot retorted angrily, "How can you play like this? It's like draining the pond to catch all the fish! And it's so inhumane!"

"Then what can we do?" Kang De shrugged. "We can't just grab any civilians to practice on, can we? That would make them beasts, worse than dogs, ugh, disgusting."

He laughed as he spoke.

Therefore, he prefers the other world... On Earth, he has to consider the safety of his family, the feelings of his own government, whether it will cause a global conflict, and many other things.

The other world is much better. There is no international order, no international public opinion, rules are worthless, and everyone is shameless... Just like Earth before World War II, the great powers are in power, and might makes right.

For Kang De, the latter was certainly more convenient.

He asked, "What exactly do you want to do?"

"Look."

What are you looking at?

The Parrot led Kang De out of the research institute. The elven guards, who were acting as protectors, instinctively stood at attention and saluted when they saw them come out, while scanning them to confirm their identities.

Then he saw His Majesty the Phoenix King cling to Prince Kang De's arm like a little woman, nestled close to him like a little bird.

With a clang, the loyal warrior's spear fell to the ground.

Before he could recover from the shocking scene, he saw His Majesty the Phoenix King staring at him, extending his jade-like hand and drawing a line across his beautiful, fair neck.

"If you dare tell anyone," Her Majesty the Queen smiled, "I'll send you to the polar ice fields to count ice bears that have been there for five hundred years."

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty... Your Majesty, the... The Royal Navy... The Navy's..."

The gatekeeper stammered, trying to report the unit number, but could barely speak coherently. The poor soldier watched as Kang De approached him, picked up his spear, returned it to him, smiled gently and helplessly, and patted him on the shoulder. "Alright, don't get agitated, she's just playing around... Keep it a secret."

The elf stared blankly at Kang De, even forgetting to speak. He stared intently as Prince Kang De turned and walked back to Her Majesty the Phoenix King. He grabbed the hood of Her Majesty's cloak and forcefully pulled it over Her Majesty's noble, beautiful, and inviolable head, then pulled it down until it completely covered Her Majesty's head. The fabric of the cloak even outlined Her Majesty's noble features.

The majestic and beautiful Phoenix King is struggling and protesting, baring its fangs and brandishing its claws.

Normally, this brave and loyal elven warrior would not hesitate to draw his weapon and shout to stop this extremely blasphemous and rebellious act, but now...

Am I having a nightmare...?

He watched the two figures chase each other away, muttering, "Has it really come to this?"

Then, he burst out laughing.

"This is so nice, so nice..."

Just then, the elf's keen hearing noticed the sound of swallowing coming from not far away. The maternal smile on his face vanished instantly, and his gaze sharpened as he stared to his right. Another elite sword and shield guard from the Azure Fleet, who was serving as a guard, stared blankly, his expression one of astonishment.

He stammered, "That... that elf is..."

"Don't tell anyone." The arrogant elf revealed a fierce look. "Otherwise, when I go to the Ice Plains to count the ice bears, your head will be stuck in the tip of my spear."

So, what are we going to see?

The target is Distant Harbor, while the research institute is located in Xincheng.

Kang De and the Parrot disagreed on the use of means of transportation.

Kang De was a modern man, used to traveling by car and plane all day long. If you asked him to choose a mode of transportation, he would naturally think that a horse was better. However, if Parrot wanted to race, a heavy motorcycle would be so much more exciting.

With both sides at an impasse, the Parrot said, "Alright, let's make it fair. We'll each decide one thing: you decide whether to ride a horse or a bicycle, and I decide whether I sit in front or behind. How about that? I'll sit in front when riding a horse, and in the back when riding a bicycle."

Kang De said seriously, "I didn't mean anything by it. I just feel that the air in this other world is too fresh. The pristine air lacks the flavor of modern Civilization and needs a little exhaust fumes to add to Civilization splendor..."

Kang De received the middle finger.

But he also experienced the powerful acceleration that comes with top-of-the-line modern motorcycles.

Who invented this word? That's a fucking genius.

The two sped to the Distant Harbor. Occasionally, cavalry patrolled the route, and there were checkpoints for observation, but no checks were needed. The roaring heavy motorcycles served as unimpeded passes. Everyone knew that this miraculous alchemical creation must be the work of His Highness Kang De.

As for concerns about people stealing various vehicles and driving them recklessly, such worries are unnecessary.

Because...

"Father, what a fast car!" Horus's voice rang in his ears. It wasn't Iron Son in his true form, but Transformers contacting him through Kang De's personal communication device. "The surveillance footage shows you and Phoenix King racing. Although the elf face identifies it as Dairila —but that's Malegith it?"

Kang De countered, "How do you know it's Parrot?"

"Heh," Horus said calmly, "If it were Dairila, why would she be sitting behind you?"

"..."

"Does Princess Tina know how promiscuous you are? How about you two have some motorcycle sex?"

"Shut up."

"Oh."

The motorcycle sped all the way to the Distant Harbor and stopped outside the city. Kang De returned the motorcycle to the White Mist World, where lights shone brightly in the distance and the faint sounds of bustling crowds could be heard.

He asked, "What exactly do we want to see?"

The Parrot held his hand; the lights were dim, and her smile was gentle and warm.

Go see what you've done.

She chuckled softly, "Go see what you can do."

￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥

PS1: Ugh... it's so painful. Adjusting my sleep schedule is always such a struggle. When I have a "hellish" sleep schedule, I eat and sleep well and nothing happens. But when I try to adjust back to this schedule, I wake up early, feel terrible, and yawn constantly...