Three Months

"I've delivered the message for you."

At the Sound of the Tide Manor, Kang De received a special guest... or rather, an old friend.

The Snowfall Sword Saint, Sylmelia, was sitting opposite Kant at that moment.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, making her snow-white skin shimmer. A silver headband encased her brilliant golden hair, and a sapphire adorned her forehead, radiating a chilling aura. This powerful warrior exuded an imposing presence with every glance, as pure and magnificent as a snow-capped mountain. She was the Grand Duke's adopted sister, Tina's aunt, one of the most renowned powerhouses in the Duchy of Goethe, and a top figure in the Battle God City.

A pair of beautiful eyes gazed at Kang De, their gazes revealing a complex emotion, as if she wanted to speak but hesitated, and then sighed.

"Thank you, you've been a great help."

Kang De seemed oblivious to the complex expression on Hilmeria's face. He nodded in thanks and said, "There was no need for you to come all this way alone... Would you like to stay here for a few days?"

"No, I need to talk to Tina first, then I'll head back tonight." The Sword Saint Cascading Snow hesitated for a moment before saying, "I came all the way to Distant Harbor specifically to tell you something."

Kang De, knowing what was going on, nodded slightly. "Please go on."

He was on good terms with Tina's aunt.

Glittering Sand Incident, Tina used the Eternal Tranquility's Protection to teleport away and reunite with Hilmeria. Later, Princess Goth went north alone and raised a large army, all thanks to the protection of the Sword Saint Cascading Snow.

Kang De's friendship with this peerless expert began after the Battle of Valentan, when the expeditionary force was once again engulfed in war. Hilmeria came to deliver a message, and what followed was a battle to break through enemy lines and capture flags.

The camaraderie forged in battle, especially amidst the carnage and carnage, is unforgettable. Strangers can become brothers after a bloody battle; while his relationship with Hilmeria wasn't quite that extreme, it was close... During their time in Danfeng Lucerne, the two had an excellent relationship.

But fate played a cruel trick on him; his honeymoon with Goth didn't last long before he fell out with Goth and his aristocracy.

Most importantly, it created a rift with the Grand Duke.

The root of the conflict was almost irreconcilable—after a major war, the country was devastated, and the people were killed and wounded, all the grand ambitions of the Grand Duke quickly faded, and he became an out-and-out conservative and pacifist.

He advocated for recuperation and staying away from the flames of war so that the country and its people could heal their wounds and recover from their injuries. The ambition to reopen the Grand Line, which he had once begun to promote, had long been lost in the Endless Sea.

Kang De, who brought peace, was constantly caught in the vortex, moving among the great powers and repeatedly provoking conflict. Goth had to bear the cost and risk of this, which was something the Grand Duke could not tolerate.

These differences in stance and ideology were irreconcilable. As Kang De continued to cause trouble, the relationship between the two became increasingly tense. The conflict between Archduke Goth and Goth's patron saint put Hilmeria, Tina, and Stella in an awkward position, and the Taidariel Family even showed signs of splitting up.

In particular, Kang De did not only cause trouble, but even put the blade over the heads of the nobles. He mercilessly slaughtered all the nobles in the entire Distant Harbor, and it was a brutal killing and a massacre, leaving no dignity for the nobles, let alone any respect for the noble system.

This provoked a complete backlash from Goth's public opinion—given that commoners were not qualified to discuss democracy, the opinions of the nobles were, through and through, "Public opinion."

As the highest-ranking nobleman, the Grand Duke's stance and interests are not a concern at all.

Therefore, the relationship between Distant Harbor and Danfeng Lucerne has become increasingly strange lately.

Kang De appointed himself an official in this city, established his own Shogunate, and even began plotting wars of annexation and engaging in diplomatic negotiations with the great powers. He did everything that an independent nation would do, which was no different from defecating on the head of a great duke. No ruler would tolerate such an insult.

Especially recently, when Kang De openly seized the main fleet of the Arcane Council, tensions between them were high and seemed poised for war, leaving Danfeng Lucerne trembling with fear.

The people's gratitude towards Kang De has gradually cooled over time. Privately, countless people complain that the Dragon of Cathay has stirred up trouble for no reason. Having just escaped the war of annihilation by the Twilight Moon, it is now being dragged into the wrath of the Arcane Council. What did Goth do to deserve this?

All of this, and the changes in people's hearts, were clearly visible to Hilmeria, who was in Danfeng Lucerne. In recent days, Kang De's reputation had taken a sharp turn for the worse.

The nobles also fueled the flames, spreading rumors in private that Kang De's rescue of Goth was not motivated by ulterior motives, but rather by a desire to control the country and fulfill his personal ambitions.

Some even say that Kang De had long been colluding with the elves, and that the Forbidden Spell of the Battle of Valentan might even be fake. They claim that he and Twilight Moon staged this charade to better control Goth, using him as a bridgehead for the elves' invasion of the continent, gradually eroding and weakening the power of the Empire and the Council, in preparation for the elves' takeover of the continent.

In other words, Kang De was a traitor.

Such rumors are utterly ridiculous and cannot be refuted, but in this world, the majority of people are foolish and will always be swayed by rumors. As long as they believe that Kang De is bad, then even the most absurd and outrageous rumors will be believed by some people... The relationship between the Dragon of Cathay and Goth is truly sliding into the abyss.

Hilmeria stared at Kang De, then suddenly sighed, "How did it come to this?"

Kang De was still smiling, "What does it look like?"

Seeing that smile, the Sword Saint Cascading Snow was furious. She glared at Kang De fiercely, wondering what this guy was up to!

"There have been rumors in Danfeng Lucerne for a long time," she took a deep breath, "Saying that you'll eventually swallow up the entire Goth."

Kang De nodded and said, "Yes."

Hilmeria was stunned for a moment, thinking she had misheard. She almost choked on her saliva, then suddenly stood up, her eyes sharp, glaring at Kang De, veins bulging on her hands—the hands of the Sword Saint.

"It's not just a rumor; it was bound to happen sooner or later."

Facing the angry glare, Kang De calmly replied, "Goth's land of over 600,000 square kilometers, a population of over 10 million, vast plains, a long coastline, and immense potential for agriculture, industry, and commerce... all of this will sooner or later be in my hands."

Hilmeria almost drew her sword.

Yet she remained restrained. She judged that Kang De was not an ambitious man—she had been by Kang De's side the entire time during the Battle of Danfeng Lucerne, witnessing the madness and determination of this Cathayan, and was almost entirely certain that Kang De was holding up two fronts, one with Goth, and the other somewhere unknown.

But it truly exists.

His actions, his daily conversations and demeanor, made those rumors seem utterly ridiculous. She believed that Kang De did not harbor any ambition to conquer the country or oppress its people.

She asked slowly, "What are you going to do?"

"There are so many things I want to do."

What do you want to do to Goth?

"Just like I did for Distant Harbor."

Kang De pointed out the window. "You know I've only been in Distant Harbor for a short time."

Hilmeria remained silent.

The Distant Harbor is another reason why she remains calm. She had been to Distant Harbor, and the difference between then and now is like night and day. Although the city has not started large-scale construction or expansion, the lives of its citizens have been completely changed. In terms of temperament and vitality, the city is completely different from what it used to be.

"I want the people of this country to be like the people of the Distant Harbor, to be freed from arduous labor, to go to more valuable jobs, to earn wages, to improve their lives, and to change their destiny."

"I want them to gain dignity and confidence, to become powerful, no longer the pigs and dogs kept by nobles, nor the helpless cattle and sheep when disaster strikes. I want them to be self-respecting, wealthy, and brave, to learn knowledge, to broaden their horizons, and to become upright citizens. Goth believed that only with such people could they become prosperous and strong, not be bullied by foreign enemies, and unleash a power that would make the world take notice."

Kang De calmly replied, "What you see is what my heart sees; the eyes do not lie."

Hilmeria gazed at Kang De and slowly said, "If it's just about enriching the people and bringing them a better life, there's no need for constant conflicts with the great powers. You want to bring Goth prosperity and strength, but there's no such thing as love without a reason... You want Goth People to fight for you?"

Kang De made no attempt to hide his opinion, nor did he hesitate. "Yes."

Without turning his head, he pointed to the map on the wall. "From the Distant Harbor to the Azure Waves Province, from Azure Waves Province to the west coast, from the west coast to the whole of Goth, I will change this country, give the people the opportunity to change their destiny and a better life, and in return, they must answer my call and become my strength."

The Sword Saint Cascading Snow frowned and said, "If the price of changing one's fate and gaining a better life is to serve as your soldier, charging into battle and sacrificing one's life, many people are unwilling."

"If that's not enough, then add the favor of saving the nation from the Twilight Moon war," Kang De said slowly. "Otherwise, how will Goth repay what he owes me?"

He answered Hilmeria's questions, bit by bit, because he knew that this was not just an answer, but also an ultimatum to the Grand Duke; some things were better said in advance.

After all, Goth was bound to get involved in the repeated conflicts with the Council.

Upon receiving the answer, Hilmeria was filled with a mixture of disappointment and anger, her voice even trembling slightly. "They're spreading rumors that you want to gather the continent's forces to aid Cathay."

"I will do so if necessary."

... etc.

Hilmeria frowned. "Is it necessary?"

Kang De nodded and said, "Yes, it's necessary. Cathay is still one of the world's strongest nations, with immense power and resources. It is one of my strongest allies, and we cannot ignore it."

"... Assistance?" The female swordswoman's pupils contracted. "What exactly do you want?"

Kang De abruptly rose to his feet, his figure as imposing as a mountain, even causing Hilmeria to involuntarily take a step back. The Fire Thief's eyes gleamed with a chilling light. "Of course, it's about ruling Goth, driving industrialization, fully unleashing Goth's war potential, forging alliances, sweeping away enemies, propelling the entire continent's technological explosion and leap in national power, and gathering the strength of the entire Mortal World to fight against the enemy from beyond the heavens!"

Hilmeria was startled—he wanted to unify the continent?

This is a dream that even the Dusk Moon Dynasty dared not aspire to.

But that's not the point.

"An enemy from outer space...?"

She trembled almost instinctively, a mixture of excitement and fear. When she came to Valentan to deliver the message, she encountered the most formidable enemy she had ever faced. The enemy seemed exhausted, yet remained extremely terrifying. She had traded her life for injury to finally defeat him. Thinking back on it now, she still felt a lingering fear and exhilaration.

"I told you, didn't I? You once faced enemies in the sky."

The voice of the Fire Thief seemed to rise from the depths of the underworld; as the ages turned, it was the nightmare of every Civilization.

"What you don't know is that not long ago, Battle of the Broken Isles, and now in the War of Yilan-Tai'er, I have already clashed with them twice. The aurora that streaked across the sky during the War of the Broken Isles, visible to the entire world, was the aftershock of my bombardment of the Star Palace. If I hadn't destroyed the Starry Firmament Bridge that day, the entire continent would already be in chaos and engulfed in flames... and I only briefly stopped them."

Kang De sneered, "Although the Grand Duke is benevolent and his idea of resting the people is commendable, it's nothing but a pipe dream. He doesn't want Goth to be caught up in the war again, but with the arrival of the Star Palace, why should Goth remain uninvolved?"

The Sword Saint Cascading Snow was greatly shocked. She murmured, "How could this be?"

"Otherwise what?" Kang De questioned. "Otherwise why would I be in such a hurry? Otherwise why wouldn't I be fawned over by the whole world as Forbidden Spell magician, instead of constantly escalating conflicts with the great powers? Otherwise why wouldn't I be your guardian angel, instead of constantly opposing the Grand Duke?"

Hilmeria was speechless. She looked at Kang De, her mind in utter turmoil.

All her anger and accusations dissipated, leaving only a sense of realization and guilt. She didn't doubt Kang De's words; after all, she had personally confronted a powerful enemy from the Star Palace.

"No wonder you wanted me to deliver a message to the Battle God City..."

Now everything is clear.

Why did Kang De, despite possessing the legacy of ancient Civilization, still decide to share it with the world? Because he knew who the real enemy was, and therefore wanted to strengthen the world's power.

Who knew that the great powers each had their own agendas and watched him with indifference? He was all alone, running around trying to contact the Brotherhood and then going to the Battle God City... He must have been turned away countless times.

Having discerned the threat and attempted to unite the world's forces, he repeatedly encountered setbacks in his vigilance and scheming. No wonder he wanted to take over Goth and unleash the country's war potential.

This is really...

For a moment, Hilmeria felt both ashamed and moved.

She whispered, "I'm sorry, I..."

"It's alright," Kang De said calmly. "I didn't do these things for you, and I don't need anyone's gratitude or understanding."

These words even brought tears to the eyes of the seasoned and experienced Sword Saint Cascading Snow.

She finally understood Kang De's plan and intention.

Please relay these words to the Grand Duke.

Kang De said, "I'm determined to have Goth... and Goth has an obligation to respond to me. That being said, I hope the process will be peaceful and calm; this country has already shed enough blood."

He looked at the Sword Saint Cascading Snow: "Tina has always stood by my side. Between the country and me, she chose me. No matter what, I will not betray that trust, nor will I make her feel embarrassed or sad."

"Let me be frank. If the Grand Duke cannot give me his full support, then I hope he will temporarily abdicate and pass the throne to Tina. This country will be better off. This is my promise to him, and he can witness it for himself, because I also have a responsibility to this country—believe it or not, in my heart, the most important country in this Mortal World is Goth ... even more so than Cathay."

"After all..."

He calmly said, "I promised to protect his country, and as long as I live, that promise will never be broken, even if the power of the Star Palace is unstoppable and Goth's country is the last to perish."

Hilmeria left in a hurry without seeing Tina.

The powerful Sword Saint Cascading Snow originally intended to confront Kang De, but left like a child who had made a mistake.

As they watched the other person leave, their towering figure, as majestic as a snow-capped mountain, seemed to glance back in remembrance.

Iron Son suddenly said, "You must be mistaking her for a man."

Kang De retorted angrily, "Bullshit!"

"If you say a few more words, she'll abandon the Grand Duke to become your tool."

Horus said sarcastically, "Perhaps you occasionally show a little weakness and vulnerability, making it seem like 'even the heroes who save the world sometimes sigh and feel helpless in the face of the indifference and misunderstanding of the world, so much so that they want to be weak for a while and rest.' The aloof Sword Saint might just offer you her broad embrace for a while—she has no blood relation to Princess Tina, you know."

Kang De gave the middle finger in the air, then turned and left.

As for Goth's matter, that's all that's been done so far.

After breaking with the Grand Duke, Tina chose to stand with Kang De, while Hilmeria stood with the Grand Duke. This was only natural, after all, the Grand Duke was her sworn brother, and they had been brothers since childhood.

But now, with the Sword Saint Cascading Snow's mindset shifting and his inclination to change, he should be able to persuade the Grand Duke.

The prior communication has been completed to this point, but it will take a long time to fully seize power in Goth's court. Even if the Grand Duke were to announce the succession to Tina now, it wouldn't make a difference.

Because the power of this country is not entirely in the hands of the duke, there are still many obstacles to overcome in order to make the country obey Kang De's will and follow his orders completely.

"Before that, we need to strengthen ourselves."

Shogunate meeting.

"The envoys from the Battle God City will arrive in the next couple of days, and I will personally receive them." Kang De's gaze shifted. "Mr. Dong, there's something I need to discuss."

The Imperial Tutor solemnly replied, "This old minister is here."

"The foundation of the Distant Harbor is secured, and the elves have also softened their stance." Kang De looked at this renowned minister of Cathay, who had sailed east in his early years and dedicated his life to the nation. "Although the Grand Line cannot be opened immediately, we can do some things in advance—I will establish contact with the Cathay court; you will arrange it, the sooner the better."

Dong Tianming's expression changed, and his eyes momentarily glazed over.

Finally.

"Only!"

"Leona," Kang De looked at the white-haired young lady, "The West Goth Company has completed its initial integration, and the warships are in place. Besides trade matters, there's another matter... The fleet will sail north along the coast to the Northern Badlands. I need you to transport greenskins to my Distant Harbor port continuously from the sea."

"Knew."

"Truth Office."

The Parrot with the metallic face shouted, "Hai!"

"..."

Your mother.

Kang De glared at her. "All the research and development work, overseeing the progress, including the application of Paradox Element, the analysis of Yilan-Tai'er, and the joint research with various factions, all depend on you."

"So awful!"

Kang De considered for a moment and said, "I will personally take charge of salvaging the legacy and settling Yilan-Tai'er. We previously made contact with the dwarves through Lily. The Hill King is extremely interested in the underground world. The Ministry of Unity will handle the negotiations with the dwarves. The Planning and Management of the New City will be handled by the Ministry of Plenty. Each department should perform its duties. Gentlemen, a new challenge has emerged. We must begin to gather our strength."

He surveyed his ministers, his expression somber.

"We must demonstrate our strength to the world, gain the status and respect commensurate with ourselves, and break the tacit encirclement of nations. To this end, we must let the world know that the Shogunate is about to grow into a force of great importance... Even without Forbidden Spell, with only conventional combat power and strength, we deserve a place on the world stage!"

"Distant alliances and close attacks, strategic alliances and counter-alliances, Command & Conquer, progress and development... all for what we cherish and want to protect."

Everyone stood up and met Kang De's gaze.

The Fire Thief said in a deep voice, "Let's begin."

Thus, the Shogunate began to operate.

From the moment Kang De set foot in this city, he fought off the dragons, intimidated the nations, suppressed the nobles, established the Shogunate, annexed the Broken Isles, and rescued Yilan-Tai'er... Through a series of events, Distant Harbor has now attracted worldwide attention, and Kang De, finally as a national leader rather than an unparalleled powerhouse, sits at the same table of power with the nations, attempting to make his voice heard throughout the world.

Three months have passed in a flash.