There Are Cathayans Here!

The so-called meeting was really just a notification.

The captain is the highest-ranking officer of the Penguin, Tina is the representative of the Taidariel Family. If these two agree on something, then it becomes a task that the entire ship must accomplish.

Besides, no one else had any objection.

So, the matter was settled.

Before sailing to the capital, we need to resupply and rest in the Glittering Sand Viscounty.

After the meeting adjourned, the officers took their leave, leaving only Kang De and Tina in the conference room.

Tina looked at him. "Kang De, what are your thoughts?"

Kang De shrugged. "What could I possibly think?"

He knew absolutely nothing about the situation on the mainland; this voyage was merely a hitchhiking trip. How to sail, the details of the route, and even the destination were all decided by the Goth People.

Even if he wanted to express his opinion, he couldn't, since he basically knows nothing.

But if I really had to say what I thought...

Kang De looked at Tina and asked seriously, "Can we trust that so-called Good Family?"

It is said that Tina's family had a good personal relationship with the other family, and this viscountry also had trade relations with Goth, but that was only Goth's side of the relationship, and Kang De knew nothing about this family.

He didn't know what kind of people the other group were.

Just like when he first discovered traces of the Goth People on the island, he hesitated, was wary, and nervous.

Now that the Good Family has appeared... he instinctively became wary again.

Upon hearing this, Tina looked surprised and puzzled. "... Huh? What do you mean?"

Kang De frowned. "I mean, what if they...?"

The princess tilted her head. "What will happen?"

"..."

Yeah, what will happen?

Kang De didn't know what the other party would do either.

He hummed for a moment, then said, "It's about stopping you and such... You're going to the capital this time to lobby for aid, won't anyone try to stop you...?"

Tina shook her head and chuckled, "Kang De, you don't understand. The Taidariel Family and the Good Family have a long history of friendly exchanges and friendship... Let's not talk about that for now, but I bet the Good Family is the one who most wants the Empire to intervene in Goth's war effort, almost without exception..."

"Because the elven fleet has blockaded the Goth Sea, bringing almost all sea routes to a standstill. Trade Good Family and Goth has also been interrupted, which will affect the agricultural business of the entire Glittering Sand Viscounty, causing significant economic losses. So, Kang De, do you understand?"

The girl stretched out her hand, making a circle with her thumb and forefinger, and gestured cutely in front of her eyes. "Gold coins, for the sake of those glittering gold coins, they are our most reliable allies."

Kang De nodded.

I see.

"And it's understandable that Kang De is worried we'll face obstruction from the capital. After all, politics is driven by self-interest, and Goth's defeat or even demise would be in the interest of certain factions in the capital, so they would stop at nothing to obstruct this lobbying effort."

Tina smiled and said, "I've also made preparations for this. My decision to rest and resupply in the Glittering Sand Viscounty is partly due to this consideration. As for what I want to do... Kang De, why don't you guess?"

Kang De asked, "What about the Holy Seal Archipelago and the Veil?"

Tina was surprised. "How did you know?"

Kang De simply smiled.

Basic procedure: Sit down.

The tricks of public opinion are something that Earthlings have already mastered.

Speaking of her plan, Tina was somewhat proud and even eager to share it with Kang De, since she hadn't mentioned it in the meeting just now for the sake of confidentiality.

"I had already thought it through. The Crimson Scroll we obtained from the Holy Seal Archipelago is extremely important. It not only concerns the life-or-death matter of the Veil Rift, but also involves the gods' most recent earthly glory. When this news spreads across the continent, all races should take it seriously. In the face of such a threat, any act of war will be criticized by mainstream public opinion..."

She said solemnly, "And this is Goth's opportunity. Because setting aside differences and jointly confronting the crisis is the morality of the entire world. To persist in war after the news of the reappearance of the Veil crack is released is immoral. With this absolutely correct moral pretext, the anti-war faction of the Dusk Moon Dynasty will gain a powerful reason for peace, and on the Empire's side, our allies will accelerate the implementation of aid proposals..."

"Even other forces on the continent that fear the Dusk Moon Dynasty will unite under this pretext to pressure the elves and curb their expansionist ambitions..."

This is my plan.

Kang De understood Tina's thoughts.

And I understood it very smoothly.

This is one of the advantages of living in the information age... at least our comprehension skills aren't bad.

He nodded and said, "So, you chose to rest and stop in the Glittering Sand Viscounty because you wanted to spread the news of the Veil Invasion through Viscount Goode before arriving in the capital?"

"Yes, that's called creating momentum."

Tina replied, "Let's spread this news first, let it ferment and generate discussion, then when we arrive in the capital, the entire Goth delegation's status will change."

"We will transform from 'lobbyists seeking aid for the nation' into 'Goth People have discovered signs of the Veil Invasion,' and we will become heroes who bring news of the world's survival back to the continent."

She said, "With this aura surrounding us, those who oppose and are hostile to us will not dare to act rashly, and we will receive more attention... which means protection and security."

It is self-consistent.

At least Kang De couldn't find anything wrong with it.

He was completely ignorant of the political situation and ideology of the entire continent, and based solely on Tina's words, he couldn't find any logical errors.

Moreover, he was concerned with another issue.

"So..." Kang De's expression was somewhat subtle, "We have to stay in that viscount's territory for a few days?"

Tina nodded and said, "Yes, after all, releasing information and guiding public opinion requires time and planning. I need to discuss the process and key points with Uncle Samuel."

Kang De looked troubled.

He thought that the so-called resupply and rest simply meant stopping at the dock to buy supplies, the sailors could go to the tavern to drink some horse urine and then have some cheap chicken to enjoy, and the officers could go to the high-class restaurant to chat and laugh and then have some more expensive chicken to enjoy, and that would be considered rest.

Having heard about the rest plan, he had already made up his mind to stay in his cabin and not come out. At most, he would open the window to look at the scenery or go for a short walk with the knight. The rest of the time he would practice enchanting, draw CAD, and play games.

As for experiencing the customs and culture of this other world, let's talk about that when we get to the capital. After all, it's the capital of a country, and the most prosperous and wealthy city on the continent. It's better to start experiencing life in this other world from there.

But... are we going to that viscount's territory?

My first thought was, "I won't go."

I want to stay on the ship.

Everyone here is so talented and speaks so nicely. I love being on the ship.

So he said, "Then you go ahead, I'll stay on the boat."

Tina looked surprised, then asked, "Why?"

Kang De shook his head and said, "It's nothing."

She simply doesn't want to see outsiders.

Just then, Tina suddenly reached out and placed her hand on his.

Kang De was startled and looked up into the girl's beautiful, deep blue eyes.

Tina said earnestly, "Kang De, you previously questioned whether the Good Family was trustworthy, and now you don't want to see them... Can I ask why?"

Kang De avoided her gaze.

--Maybe it's because I have paranoia.

Stranded on a deserted island with no psychiatrist, Kang De himself realized that he might be experiencing some kind of mental problem... He knew it in his heart.

But they couldn't quite put their finger on what was going on.

This includes his current thoughts, his unease and resistance towards interacting with strangers.

He sighed. "I don't know either."

"I know."

The girl said this.

"I think I can understand Kang De's feelings."

She said softly, "When I was little, I was very introverted. I loved reading and didn't like interacting with others. Because I saw and heard some things firsthand when I was young, I felt the world was dangerous, including many people who appeared in front of me. I felt they were two-faced, with dark thoughts beyond their outward appearance. I was worried they had ulterior motives... So, I don't like interacting with outsiders."

"My parents and older siblings want to take me out to play, but I don't want to. They want me to attend some parties, but I'm too scared. I'm afraid there are bad people outside, I'm afraid the person I meet will suddenly turn into a monster and bite me, I'm afraid the person in front of me is a serial killer... It's a ridiculous thought, isn't it?"

When she spoke of her childhood, a gentle look appeared in her eyes, and she smiled warmly, "But I've made it through. Some things, overthinking only adds to your troubles. Only after you've truly taken that step will you realize that the world is different from what you imagined... Actually, it's not that bad."

She held Kang De's hand and looked into his eyes.

"Kang De, don't worry. Although the continent is a strange world to you, you don't need to view everything with suspicion. Even though nobility is not necessarily synonymous with nobility, there are also insidious scoundrels and wicked degenerates, but there are also many nobles who uphold honor and integrity, striving to be honest and righteous people... As for who is good and who is bad, you can use your own eyes to slowly discern them."

She blinked. "For example, do you think I'm a bad person?"

Kang De shook his head and said, "... Of course not, you are a kind and beautiful girl."

"So, there can't be only one good person in the world, right? And you just happened to run into me."

Tina shook his hand and laughed, "Come on, come with me. I guarantee there's another kind and beautiful girl in the Good Family that I can introduce you to."

"..."

Kang De seemed somewhat reluctant.

Tina pouted. "Do you expect me to tell you that the Good Family also has a knight who is just as excellent as Cleveland's before you'll be interested?"

"Huh?" Kang De asked, puzzled. "What do you mean? What does this have to do with me?"

For some reason, Tina felt a subtle displeasure after hearing those words.

Anyway, let's all come together.

She composed herself and said softly, "Kang De, you will eventually begin a new life on the continent. You can't keep resisting like this. Why not try taking the first step?"

"Like I said, overthinking doesn't help solve problems. Only by truly going out into the world will you discover its beauty, won't you?"

Kang De remained silent for a long time, then slowly nodded.

A brand new life...?

A flicker of painful sadness crossed his eyes, followed by a silent sigh.

Perhaps, that really is the case.

Tina whispered, "Everything will be alright... I promise."

Two days later, cheers erupted from the deck; land was visible from the lookout tower.

Kang De stood at the bow of the ship, gazing into the distance.

Seagulls fly by, the sky is azure, the sea breeze blows, and ahead is a small harbor. He can see the towering buildings and the ships moored in the harbor, their sails rising and falling, people coming and going, bustling and busy.

This is the breath of Civilization.

Wooden docks, wooden houses, wooden boats, exotic customs, exotic clothing, exotic people—to see such a scene on Earth, one would have to go back in time by at least two or three hundred years.

Only at this moment did Kang De truly realize something.

He is about to be transported to another world.

The bosun's shouts rang out from the deck. The sailors climbed the mast and began to lower the sails. They skillfully maneuvered the ship, controlling its direction and speed, and slowly guided it into the dock.

Kang De stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the slowly approaching dock.

Many of the otherworldly beings... have a Western appearance, yet with some differences.

He saw a well-dressed man on the dock shouting and gesturing loudly; he was probably a guide. Meanwhile, a few sailors were sitting on the crates on the dock, looking at the ship with great interest. There were also seven or eight people gathered in the walkway, holding wooden signs and craning their necks to look at the ship, probably there to solicit customers.

Kang De saw them, and they saw Kang De.

Their eyes met, and the other person noticed Kang De's Eastern appearance, a look of surprise appearing on their face. Then, their gaze focused on Kang De's hair and face, and then began to look at Kang De's clothes. In a brief moment, they observed the necessary information from these details.

His hair was smooth, his beard perfectly groomed, his face and neck were clean, and his clothes were brand new, of an unusual style, and of an even rarer material—on a warship that had been on a long voyage.

They immediately adopted a respectful expression, bowing their heads deeply and not daring to meet Kang De's gaze.

Kang De had no idea about the survival skills of these dockworkers.

But I couldn't help feeling a little pleased.

On Earth, it's incredibly difficult to see someone give you that kind of look...

The ship is docked.

The guide looked up, waiting to make contact. The first mate walked across the deck, first saluted Kang De, then said a few words to the guide. The guide's expression changed slightly, he bowed deeply, and then turned and ran towards the port office.

"This port belongs to the Good Family. I told him to find the port manager to make contact. We need to notify the Good Family first... These people are not qualified to be received by Her Highness. I can handle it."

Taking advantage of the lull, the first mate smiled and said to Kang De.

Kang De nodded.

Soon, chaos erupted on the dock. Several guards began clearing the sailors from the area. A middle-aged man dressed neatly and smartly hurried over. The sailors laid out the gangplank, and the first mate went to meet him. The middle-aged man looked serious and nodded repeatedly. As for what he was saying, Kang De was too far away to hear.

But he knew the first mate had mentioned him.

The middle-aged man nodded again, glanced up at Kang De, then bowed and raised his hand in a pleasing and impeccable gesture, giving him a friendly and respectful smile.

Kang De nodded in return.

But he noticed that the other person's gaze held surprise, but not astonishment.

The look in their eyes was fundamentally different from that of the people on the dock just now.

Kang De felt a chill run down his spine.

An idea suddenly popped into his mind.

--In this Glittering Sand Viscounty, there are Cathayan!

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PS1: 4,500 words, two chapters combined. It suddenly got so hot today, and the air conditioner wasn't working well, which greatly reduced my writing efficiency. I'll get a new air conditioner tomorrow... Goodnight, goodnight.