Who Is She?
"I'm going to kill them all."
The cold, sharp words echoed in the secret room.
Entangled in a tragic love affair with Goth, bestowing favors upon Goth, and maintaining a distant relationship with Goth, today, the Cathayan have finally revealed their ferocious fangs and displayed their chilling murderous intent.
Although he was mentally prepared, the Grand Duke still felt a chilling fear.
The aristocratic system is the cornerstone of this world.
Nobles pioneer, nobles protect, nobles shoulder responsibilities.
To serve one's lord, govern the country, protect the borders, safeguard the people, ensure the law is enforced, justice is served, and everything is in order, keeping the powerless away from evil, harm, and helplessness.
They uphold the fairest contracts in the world.
The people obeyed, worshipped, and followed them.
Aristocratic rule, protection, and accommodation.
Such a contract is the foundation for the longevity of the nation and the stability of the continent, because the people are ignorant, foolish, fickle, and weak, and need guidance, leadership, and management.
Now, some people are saying, "I want to kill all the nobles."
They did not act out of hatred, nor did they have a specific target.
Rather, it was directed at an entire group; the hostility and murderous intent were so clear, resolute, and rational.
The nobility must be completely eliminated.
To destroy the ancient foundations and order of this continent.
This is... the Demon King.
Reknos was greatly shocked, and his voice trembled uncontrollably.
"... Do you know what you're saying?"
"Know."
Why did you do that?
Kang De answered the Duke's question calmly.
"From a utilitarian perspective, eliminating the nobility and redistributing resources would help promote and develop productivity, awaken the masses, and liberate a massive workforce bound to the land and workshops by the old production relations. This would allow them to move to new positions, which would completely change their fate and lives in a short period of time, and would also accumulate and create enormous power and wealth, preparing for the final war."
His tone was calm yet resolute. "From the perspective of justice and righteousness, the nobles exploit the people in an unbearably backward manner, ruthlessly squeezing the poor dry, and constantly creating suffering and sorrow. Times have changed, and new advanced productive forces have emerged, so I have come."
The words were obscure and the sentences difficult to understand, yet the Duke still discerned Kang De's determination and will.
"So, the solution is to solve the problem through killing?"
"I have never heard of a bloodless revolution."
"Among the nobility, there were also upright and courageous gentlemen who had recently shed their blood for Goth."
"I have never denied that."
"Are you going to kill them too?"
"What I want to kill is the arrogance of the nobles, their self-righteousness in plundering the people, their habitual and merciless indifference, the outdated customs that determine everything by bloodline and birth, and the rotten order they desperately try to maintain."
Kang De looked directly into the Grand Duke's eyes. "If the upright and courageous gentlemen you speak of can calmly accept the passing of the old order, voluntarily relinquish their tools of exploitation and means of production, abandon their blood-stained titles and identities, accept reform, and from then on embrace the new era with the people, integrating into the new order and pursuing tomorrow through their own efforts, then they, like ordinary people, have the opportunity to start anew."
"Conversely, if they take up arms and resist the impending tide of the times for their own interests and stance, like those aristocrats of Distant Harbor, using the common people as tools, bargaining chips, and expendable pawns for their own class interests, attempting to achieve their political goals through a great famine..."
He said, enunciating each word clearly, "Then I will destroy everything they have: their honor, their lives, their souls, their bloodlines, their families, their history, their heritage, their memories... The world will never remember that they ever lived."
The Grand Duke was so angry he couldn't speak.
The period following the end of the Goth-Moon War was the only honeymoon period. Since the Paradox Incident, every dispute has been accompanied by increasingly intense conflicts, right up to this day.
Choose.
Kang De, his heart as hard as stone, coldly issued his final ultimatum. "As I have always questioned you, choose, merciful monarch, Goth Reknos-Teldrassil. Answer me, in your heart, who constitutes and forms the core of this nation, the nobility or the commoners?"
You can only choose one.
"Agree to my conditions, at the cost of the lives and sacrifices of all the stubborn and selfish nobles, in exchange for the fate and rebirth of more than ten million commoners in this country. They will pave the way with the blood and bones of the privileged class, embark on an unimaginable smooth path, and build Goth's new glory and strength."
"Or, continue to support them, uphold your class interests, and as the monarch and representative of the nobility, do what a great noble should do... Rest assured, for Tina's sake, I will not let her be sad or upset in any way. But besides that, you should be prepared for how many people will die."
So, it's decided.
"It will determine how much blood this country will shed for this unstoppable change."
After he finished speaking, Kang De stood up.
"You decide for yourself; you don't need to tell me the answer. Act according to your decision. I know that the Empire, the Northern Council, and even the elves' envoys have arrived in Danfeng Lucerne and begun their activities. Your stance, answers, and actions can no longer earn my trust. Whatever choice you make, I will act according to my judgment and decision. As for Goth's future, let fate decide."
He paused, his voice softening.
"Uncle, I hope that one day in the future we can sit down and talk together with a purer relationship."
After saying this, Kang De walked towards the door.
"Kang De!"
The Grand Duke spoke from behind, "There have never been any nobles, only lions and tigers that feed on cattle and sheep! The Council has no nobles, but it has Arcane clans and high spellcasters; the Broken Isles have no nobles, but it has wealthy merchants and conglomerates that control the economic lifeline; the Battle God City has no nobles, but the strong can still plunder for food and gain the loyalty and followers of the weak... So what does your Distant Harbor have!?"
Kang De stopped and turned around.
The Grand Duke had stood up, his shadow cast on the wall, Shadow the portraits of all the previous Grand Duke Teldrassil. The candlelight made the shadow flicker like a thick darkness.
"There will be those who continuously learn, gradually become wiser, recognize the true nature of things, understand self-respect, awaken kindness, and are full of passion..." Kang De chuckled softly, "... the people."
"Our ancestors were not nobles, nor have we ever been nobles. We were merely cattle and sheep who no longer wanted to eat grass and had the opportunity to taste meat... Such people will also emerge among your people, and new nobles will still appear, only in disguise and hidden even deeper!"
"That's impossible." Kang De looked him straight in the eye. "Because there's another person there who has no interest in wealth, sees power as a tool to achieve his goals, wants to save the world and then live a life like in an urban fantasy novel, is too lazy to associate with those who have already benefited, and is keen on inciting the masses to hang up streetlights..."
"Aside from that, he doesn't have many worldly desires. He only thinks about interacting with beautiful girls all over the world, but that's just a thought. He probably won't have much of a chance to have children, so there's no need to worry about his descendants growing up to be evil dragons... With him around, no one will dare to change."
A look of astonishment appeared on Reknos's face.
--It sounded like boasting, but for some reason, he could sense a faint sadness.
He dismissed the strange thought and shook his head, saying, "You can only concern yourself with what happens in your lifetime. Looking at all the nations in history, they all have their glorious moments, but ultimately, none can avoid falling from their peak."
"It's okay, because I'm not the first one."
Kang De smiled calmly, "The next life will have its own choices."
He opened the door after he finished speaking.
The Grand Duke's children, Tina, Tina's second sister, her two brothers, and Hilmeria... all the members of the Taidariel Family are here.
Kang De winked at Tina first, then looked at the others.
Everyone looked at him with complicated eyes and subtle expressions. Who could have imagined that in just one year, Goth and his savior would have fallen into such a state?
Kang De said indifferently, "He wants to commit suicide."
Everyone was shocked, their faces turned deathly pale, and they practically scrambled inside.
Kang De said from behind, "I was just kidding."
Tina reached out and pinched him.
He wrapped his arm around the princess's waist, the Phase Gate opened brilliantly, and his figure vanished.
Princess Goth, walking at the back, only saw the dazzling light and shadow, the starlight dissipate. She saw Kang De's wink earlier and knew he was joking, but...
She gazed silently at the spot where Kang De and her younger sister had disappeared.
How long has it been since we last spoke?
White Mist World, on the Lake Huron.
The maps of the nuclear power plant and the forward base have been connected, covering a vast area. Kang De, holding Tina's hand, paused here. The lake water unfolded gently, its surface like a mirror, and in the distance, the lake islands were lush and verdant.
Strange buildings could be seen not far away, or rather, the world itself was extremely strange. Although Tina was curious, she never asked. If Kang De didn't bring it up, she didn't need to know.
After all, the so-called secrets, Kang De's origins, and all the mysteries are actually unimportant.
The important thing is that he's right beside me and won't leave; that's enough.
The princess gently embraced Kang De's arm and pressed her cheek against his shoulder.
"I've told your father everything I could."
"Um."
"He might not be happy about what happens later."
"Nothing is perfect," Tina said softly. "As the king of a country, he enjoys power but also bears responsibility. He is a good father and a good ruler, but the current situation is beyond his control. You will do better than him... He will understand."
"Ah..." Kang De sighed, "Thank you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Tina's cool, soft little hand pressed against his cheek, and his head was turned to the right.
"I've already told you, don't thank me."
Tina pouted, "He's always saying thank you to me... It always makes Kang De seem too distant. Are we supposed to keep politely thanking each other?"
Kang De said helplessly, "No matter how good the relationship is, you should still express your gratitude. If you don't remind yourself with thanks, you're likely to take the effort for granted. You should avoid that."
Tina thought for a moment, then smiled as beautifully as a flower.
"That's settled then."
After she finished speaking, her stunningly beautiful face leaned in, her lipstick-covered, alluring cherry-like lips kissing Kang De's lips, her nimble, fish-like tongue curling in and entwining with Kang De's.
After a passionate kiss, the princess blushed, her eyes sparkling, and she chuckled as she pulled away. She had recently taken a liking to a new trick: each kiss would leave a trail of saliva, which she would then deftly pick up and put into her mouth.
"From now on, if you want to express your gratitude, this is the only way you are allowed to do it."
She cupped Kang De's face in her hands, and though her question was firm, she asked, "Is it alright?"
Who could refuse such a request? Especially Kang De, the successor to socialism who longed to communicate with young women from all over the world but no longer aspired to have children.
Forced by this imposing manner, he nodded blankly.
Tina smiled, her eyes narrowing.
"It's wonderful that Kang De agrees," she said with a soft smile. "Then, let me express my gratitude."
As she said this, she smiled and leaned closer, then let out a soft "ah" and kissed him again.
Well, how should I put it?
I've become increasingly useless lately.
After Tina kissed him, he lay on her chest drawing circles, rubbing his cheek against hers, and whispering in her ear, "Aren't you going to thank me for my hospitality?" and then couldn't help but kiss her again.
Then came the line, "I have to Kang De for his approval," followed by another kiss.
Ultimately, Kang De had to adjust the timeline again to prevent the incompetent private life of the Dragon of Cathay from interfering with the diplomatic maneuvering and military arrangements with the puppet Northern Council.
Finally, after they had both enjoyed themselves to the fullest, they were completely satisfied and washed themselves in the waters of Lake Huron.
The two embraced in the clear lake water, the cool water reaching above Tina's neck. The princess's stunning beauty was hidden beneath the surface, her breathtaking body unseen by the eyes, only felt and experienced by Kang De's own skin. Only her radiant golden hair, piled up behind her head, revealed her delicate, swan-like neck, and a few teeth marks remained on her flushed skin.
Her Highness let out a satisfied sigh, "That felt so good."
Me too.
Kang De reached out and stroked Tina's hair, which was piled up, using the Power of the Fire Thief to precisely Extraction lake water from between her strands of hair, and then gently massaged her eyes, which were a little sore from being in the water.
Her Highness let out a comfortable hum, like a cat.
"Although I'm already very happy being with Kang De," she hugged Kang De tightly, and whispered, "When can I meet your parents?"
Kang De's body stiffened slightly, but he quickly relaxed, though he hesitated for a moment.
Princess Tina, her neck intertwined with his and her chin resting on his shoulder, gazed at the distant lake, the light in her eyes fading... She could give everything for Kang De unconditionally, but she wasn't without desires.
Kang De was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Sometimes I get tired of going back and forth between the two places, and sometimes I think about whether I should live out my life as an ordinary person over there, complete my life as an ordinary person, take care of my parents until their death, and then come back here... For the Mortal World, it's just a few years."
"Unfortunately, time is short in the Mortal World, and things come one after another, making it impossible to get through things calmly. I'm not very good at time management. Sometimes I think about who I will spend this long life with, and how I will spend it... Sometimes I hesitate."
He kissed Tina's cheek, and now he was embracing a beautiful young woman in the lake. The lawn on the shore was covered with soft, fluffy bedding, a mess. In the past few months, with Tina's deliberate indulgence and willingness to grant his every wish, they had done everything they could except for the last step.
Actually, there's no difference.
"I can't keep fooling myself anymore... Griffin's declaration of war was an accident, and there are always all sorts of variables that can disrupt plans, but perhaps it's time."
He held the person in his arms and whispered, "After dealing with Griffin and Goth's matter, you will inherit the Grand Duke's position... After that, Tina, let's get married."
Her Highness's eyes widened.
The soft, warm body, as smooth as jade, began to tremble.
In an instant, tears filled my eyes and streamed down my face.
A warm sensation splashed onto Kang De's shoulder. He seemed to sense it, but just smiled slightly and gently patted Tina's back. But soon, his shoulder was bitten, and the warm feeling made him think of something, causing him to harden slightly.
... The timing was wrong.
He chuckled and coaxed, "No need to be so happy, right?"
"No, it's not just happiness," Tina sobbed. "I suddenly feel like I'm too... too..."
That's despicable.
Before she got what she wanted, she tried every possible method, scheme, and trick. But her efforts suddenly paid off. Kang De acted as she expected, openly and honestly, without hesitation, and made a firm promise to her. The sudden surprise and the acquisition made her feel uneasy, guilty, and remorseful.
Holding her beloved, she asked, "Happiness? I'm truly flattered."
... That idiot.
After crying for a while, tidying up her appearance, and shooing Kang De away, Tina, making sure her face wasn't too ugly from crying, reluctantly went ashore.
A motorhome teleported directly from the shore. Tina dried herself with a clean towel, touched up her makeup, and then absentmindedly began to change her clothes. Meanwhile, Kang De was in the bathroom of another motorhome, meticulously cleaning himself, including his fingernails, mouth, chest, neck, and genitals.
Don't ask, it's just a habit.
Because he had activated time acceleration and was male, he was much faster. He flashed to Tina's car, sat in the seat next to her, and obediently looked at his fiancée.
Tina had already changed into her underwear and was picking up her vest. Seeing Kang De's intense gaze, she didn't flinch. Instead, she confidently picked up a pair of stockings, rolled them up, and stretched out her long, white legs, alternating them as she put them on in front of him. She pulled the black pantyhose up to her hips before turning back with a smile, "Does it look good?"
Kang De bared his teeth, revealing a fierce and greedy look.
After getting dressed, Tina circled in front of the full-length mirror a few times, nodded, and then went to Kang De's side.
She said crisply, "I refuse."
Kang De was taken aback for a moment. "Huh?"
"I don't agree to the wedding date," she said. "Now is not the time. Everything else is fine."
Kang De frowned and asked, "Why?"
"Because of the Star Palace," Tina said, wrapping her arms around Kang De's neck. "I want to be with Kang De forever, not to face the end of the world a few years after our marriage and spend the rest of my life in regret. So, before we win, I still hope that Kang De can make the most of his strengths..."
"Huh?" Kang De exclaimed, "Does this have anything to do with marriage? My advantages? Those have nothing to do with marriage, no matter what..."
"--Okay! Stop talking!"
Tina exclaimed, "Let's put the wedding on hold for now, but I want to meet Kang De's parents if I get the chance!"
Seeing her reaction, Kang De had no choice but to nod in agreement.
The princess snorted, looked at Kang De, snorted again, and shouted, "Hurry up and thank me!"
Just as Kang De was about to speak, he saw the somewhat dangerous look in Tina's eyes, suddenly realized what was happening, and kissed her.
Another world.
"I have officially entered into a state of war with Kang De. According to our agreement, it is your turn to make a move... Although I have the assistance of the Age of Gods Mechanism, I am still not optimistic."
In the Council, the combined forces in the field were in formidable. Former Grand Speaker Griffin Williams said coldly, "This loyal force is enough to cause Kang De a great deal of trouble, provided they are not wiped out instantly by Kang De's Forbidden Spell or some other force. Phaethon, when will the Star Palace's aid arrive?"
"Don't worry, it'll be here soon, but only part of it."
The God of the Star Palace chuckled, "This is a deal, so we need to see results. Griffin, as long as you satisfy us, you'll get everything you want."
Griffin said calmly, "I hope your support is useful; the opponent is Kang De."
"He's just a mortal," Phaethon said, his eyes flashing. "He hasn't grown up yet... The Star Palace will fully support you. We're ready to eliminate him. I've studied his methods and abilities. Even if the worst happens, you and I will survive."
Earth.
No, it's not Earth.
In the cold, dark universe, a spherical object travels at a speed impossible on Earth, silently rushing into the distance, like a drop of water in the ocean or a grain of sand in the desert, while behind it lies a blue celestial body.
In the orbit of that celestial body, a strange stone is turning in an ordinary way.
In the direction the flying object was traveling, there was a huge fireball suspended in the endless void.
Earth.
China.
Early morning.
In Splendid Qianjiang River Residential Community of H City, Xiaoman woke up yawning.
She sat up, her long, black hair slipping down her shoulders. She pulled up her pajamas, which had fallen over her shoulders, to cover her round, cute shoulders. She scratched her back sleepily and said instinctively, "Come on..."
The girl regained consciousness the next moment.
She looked around blankly, and memories from her dream gradually surfaced in her mind. The blurry images became slightly clearer, but quickly dissipated like bubbles. Xiaoman looked distressed, Xiaoman baffled.
"--who is she?"
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PS1: I suddenly didn't feel like writing today... but I still forced myself to finish it despite my frustration. This damn habit of procrastination is really annoying. I'll try to solve it next time.