The Eternal War

If there is any job in the Mortal World that is 100% dangerous, has absolutely no safety factor, and is bound to fail, it must be going to Distant Harbor to infiltrate and gather intelligence.

The Traitor Suppression Society, more vigilant than hunting dogs; the neighborhood committee women, more well-informed than local gangsters; the omnipresent "Alchemy Eyes"; and the legendary, cold-blooded, ruthless, and infallible super-mechanical life form Horus... all of these factors contribute to the consistently high success rate of intelligence work in the Distant Harbor.

For months, countless spies and intelligence agents who had overstepped their bounds have been sent to the dark and desolate underground dungeons, and even other spies still in hiding live in constant fear.

They don't even know whether they haven't been arrested and executed yet because they haven't been discovered, or whether the ruthless, cruel, and bloodthirsty adopted son of Kang De has other plans and arrangements for them.

When exchanging information, they would say, "Be careful, Kang De is watching you."

Following the Tower of All-Seeing incident, Distant Harbor and the Northern Council finally went to war. After several months of calm, Distant Harbor was once again engulfed in turmoil, and the intelligence agents who had gradually adapted to life in Distant Harbor became active again.

They received new orders.

Monitor all developments in the Distant Harbor, uncover any valuable intelligence, and wait for an opportunity.

Of course, some people have already waited for this opportunity.

"Remember, conceal our origins and purpose; we are merely ordinary Goth People."

The method of communication is through expensive, short-lived spiritual communication scrolls, silent and undetectable by eavesdropping.

"Our mission is to awaken the Distant Harbor's fear of war. We do not want to Council, we do not want to get involved in a war that has nothing to do with us. We are Distant Harbor, and we are Goth People even more."

Silent gazes swept around.

"We are subjects of the Taidariel Family. We serve Grand Duke Reknos, not Kang De. We respect Kang De and are grateful for everything he has done for Distant Harbor, but we do not want to join a war that has nothing to do with us. Everyone should remember the horrors of the Goth-Moon War."

The bearded man, who appeared to be the leader, had a solemn expression.

"We must convey this message to everyone around us Goth People, that we have integrated into their community and, in just a few months, become their good friend. We must adopt a humble posture and a gentle attitude. We must offer reasonable protests and strive for their understanding and support, rather than resorting to radical actions that would give Kang De a reason to wield the sword."

His face showed hatred, dissatisfaction, and anger.

"This is the technique Kang De taught us... The common people can be manipulated and incited. They are foolish, selfish, short-sighted, and forgetful; they only want to lie down and eat their fill, and they don't want to give or shed blood."

... and a loyalty so foolish it's incomprehensible...

"It's time to let things return to what they were before... Take back the Distant Harbor from Kang De. Bring back the nobles who have been expelled, slaughtered, oppressed, and tortured. Let order return, and let justice prevail."

At the same time, the Goth People rose and embraced each other.

Let's start today.

As they spoke, they pushed open the door.

The noisy, bustling sound became instantly clear.

On the clean cement road, a man carrying two children ran forward, panting. Catching sight of the Goth People out of the corner of his eye, he shouted, "Leonard, and the Giles brothers, stop dawdling! Hurry up and grab a good spot, or you won't even get a turn to register!"

Before the Goth People could respond, the father and his two sons ran away without looking back.

Neighbors, men and women, even the elderly, hurried along the road, their steps trembling.

Everyone's expression was enthusiastic and expectant, as if it were a festival.

... This isn't right.

Registration? What registration?

These Goth People joined Distant Harbor as refugee farmers two months ago, and some of the things they had heard about before still felt completely unreal.

But everything they saw made them instinctively feel that something was wrong.

... Didn't they say that Distant Harbor definitely don't like war?

"He... they..."

A younger man with only a wispy mustache couldn't help but ask, "Can we really convince these Distant Harbor to oppose the war?"

Leonard leader, Leonard, gritted his teeth. "Kang De is about to give his war speech. If we can find a way to embarrass him during the speech, we'll have achieved our goal!"

He turned to look at his subordinates and friends, and said resolutely, "As planned, after I speak, you will hide in the crowd and respond to me. Stilwell, are you ready?"

Stilwell, a handsome and robust man, took a deep breath. "Captain, we're ready... It's an honor to carry out this sacred and great mission with you."

After months of lying in wait, all for this opportunity, there are two people who are destined to die in this mission: the first is Leonard himself, and the second is Stilwell is standing right in front of him.

In the ensuing war speech, Leonard will loudly question Kang De as an opponent, causing some chaos before being killed on the spot by "Kang De's henchmen," a role played by Stilwell.

After killing his former superior, this former soldier would also publicly end his own life, turning a passionate war speech into a bloody farce.

A simple strategy, simple yet effective.

Because the public doesn't care about the truth, only about sensational conspiracy theories, Leonard's questioning and the ensuing bloodshed will become a sharp carving knife, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all witnesses and bystanders, staining the reputation and honor of the Cathayan with an indelible stain.

This is the most effective way for those alien natives who have just witnessed and come into contact with the unprecedented power of new media such as radio and television to retaliate to think of.

Now, even before the plan has been implemented, it seems to be shrouded in gloom.

Based on the original calculations and intelligence gathering, the Distant Harbor should have been resistant to war.

How could this be...?

The group walked along the streets to the road intersection, where there was some traffic congestion. Traffic police were maintaining order, and drones were flying overhead, emitting a cold, metallic sound that precisely called out each person's name, reminding them to slow down and not to crowd or push.

Those who were called invariably stopped awkwardly, revealing expressions of embarrassment and lingering fear.

"That was close." Leonard even heard the other player mutter under his breath, "We almost lost a point."

Ah, it's a credit score.

Leonard vaguely knew that this was a new trick that the Cathayan had come up with not long ago. Unlike work points and other labor rewards that could be checked at any time, this kind of obscure rating was ethereal and mysterious, like a folk legend, but it really existed and could affect your life in some unintentional ways.

It is described as ethereal and mysterious because the standards are still a mystery and are in the process of being perfected.

It is said that many scholars and even politicians from various countries are also paying attention to this so-called credit score, because it can reflect the ruling principles and ideology of the Dragon of Cathay. Leonard, as the head of the spy agency, vaguely heard some rumors that some free-spirited scholars mocked Kang De, saying that he had finally revealed his tyrannical nature and seemed to be trying to imprison his people as puppets with strict rules.

However, Leonard, who experienced it firsthand, doesn't think so.

People who urinate in the streets and corners of the city are warned, and their credit score is deducted after the fourth offense. As a result, even the darkest corners of the city are free of the smell of urine.

People who complain about this will be ridiculed—there are public toilets everywhere in the Distant Harbor now, cleaner than your home, why would you relieve yourself against the wall like a dog?

In addition, those who forcefully push and shove in large crowds will be penalized, and those who try to cut in line in any public place will also be penalized.

Such clearly marked and stated deductions are generally supported by more people than opposed, and Leonard privately expressed his admiration for this.

He also hopes the world is like this: clear, fair, and orderly.

... wrong.

What am I thinking?

As he moved forward with the crowd, he tried to banish the thought from his mind. These were two different things, he told himself—as a Goth People, he was grateful for everything Kang De had done for the country, but he could not accept or forgive the later actions of this Cathayan.

They killed the innocent, overthrew the sacred order, oppressed the nobles who had contributed so much to the country, seized the sacred territory of the nation, and humiliated all the nobles...

So I came.

I will defy this tyrant with fearlessness, and I will repay his kindness with my death.

His men and comrades had all dispersed, but Stilwell remained nearby, his eyes fixed straight ahead, not even glancing in their direction, as if they were strangers.

All Leonard could hear was the excited conversation of a couple, their voices interrupted by a louder cacophony. He could only make out strange words like "work points," "activities," and "spinning wheel."

The people around Distant Harbor seemed to be discussing things with excitement and anticipation.

This isn't right.

This is war.

What are they happy about?

Have they forgotten how terrible war is?

The devastating outcome of the Goth-Moon War was still fresh in his mind. As a veteran who participated in that war, he could still remember the helplessness and despair. Whether before, during, or after the war, everyone who mentioned the war with the elves revealed fear, lingering apprehension, and unease. Goth was a small country, and its former glory was gone.

Therefore, we should stay away from war and avoid getting involved in it again.

So, don't you think there's a problem?

Kang De has already brought war! And you're still laughing?

Leonard's gaze was filled with disappointment and sorrow as he looked at the smiling faces.

The opponent is the Arcane Council, which is on par with the elves and is also a first-rate power. Kang De has provoked such an enemy for Distant Harbor and even Goth, and you are still laughing and expecting something?

He was furious at their incompetence, feeling that Distant Harbor had gone mad. He worried anxiously, Earth's Wrath resentment, and even cursed in a twisted way—something was wrong, absolutely wrong. When news of the war arrived, Danfeng Lucerne had already gone mad, the nobles were in chaos, and the whole country was in turmoil.

And Distant Harbor is still laughing?

But... but...

I'm a little envious.

Faced with threats from the great powers, Distant Harbor was remarkably calm and composed.

Kang De, without a doubt, it was Kang De who gave this city courage and confidence.

The Dragon of Cathay... a name that Goth could never forget.

He saved the country, yet he also inflicted pain and humiliation upon it.

Leonard arrived in this city two months ago and went into hiding. In this city ruled by Kang De, he has been shaken and shocked countless times.

That was the life I had always dreamed of: stable, prosperous, and dignified. I didn't have to worry about tomorrow, or live a life of subservience. As long as I worked hard, I could live well. I didn't have to scheme or flatter. There was no human touch, only order. There was no corruption, only the iron fist that could shatter it.

He even hoped to live here forever, spending his entire life as an ordinary worker.

But no, he's Goth People.

Kang De firmly believed that even if he were to feign humility and humiliation towards this nation, he must be hiding some ulterior motive... This was his conviction.

Otherwise, why would he come here and do these things?

He could have stayed in Danfeng Lucerne, married Princess Tina, and then helped her inherit the position of Grand Duke, receiving the allegiance of the entire duchy and the blessings of the fervent, courageous, and just nobles, transforming Goth into Distant Harbor —why did things have to turn out like this?

What exactly does he want to do?

Perhaps knowing he was about to die, Leonard overthought things. He drifted along aimlessly, listening to the noisy, excited shouts around him, until he reached the north of the city.

After several months of expansion, the Distant Harbor area has been redeveloped, with a vast plaza that stretches as far as the eye can see.

Looking from afar, because of his robust physique, he stood on tiptoe and saw the neat military formation in the square. The cold, massive armor, the heavy chariots, the armed vehicles he had never seen before, all the weapons, equipment, vehicles and soldiers were neatly arranged, as if they were carved from the same mold, standing silently like a cold wind.

He saw legions of different military bearing, uniforms, and weapons lined up in formation, each waiting on a large platform. Huge purple prisms floated in the sky, and military flags fluttered in the wind.

Finally, he heard a series of unified shouts echoing through the sky.

"Kang De -- Kang De-- "

It's like calling out the king's name.

LCD screens erected throughout the city projected the majestic appearance of the Dragon of Cathay descending from the heavens, while image generators in various locations gathered elemental particles to simulate the half-body phantom of Kang De.

Drone broadcasting, radio transmission, and activation of the amplified sound array.

The Fire Thief's voice echoed throughout the city.

Low, peaceful, yet powerful.

"Greetings, good citizens of Distant Harbor. To all the hardworking workers, fearless soldiers, diligent fathers, hardworking mothers, men and women preparing to shoulder family responsibilities, and children striving to grow and learn for the future, I am Kang De."

"No need for embellishment. I stand before you today to discuss a momentous event looming over Distant Harbor —a shameful, planned atrocity, plunder, conspiracy, and hostility stemming from the traitorous Griffin Williams, the shameless former Supreme Leader of the Council."

"I have no intention of reiterating to you the grave crimes he committed against his own country, for that is none of our concern. What we must condemn and fight back against are the grave crimes he is about to commit against Distant Harbor and Goth. He deceived and rallied the legions still loyal to him, and thus began a war against us."

"Here, I must point out that, seemingly without our knowledge, a voice has emerged in Distant Harbor that implicitly assumes Distant Harbor will always be far removed from war and will never be invaded. If war breaks out, it must be my fault—as if I were the one who started the Goth-Moon War!"

Leonard's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.

He was waiting for the right moment to speak, but at that moment, a sense of unease was spreading.

"What are you thinking, Distant Harbor! I'm not here today to explain or ask for your understanding. I'm here to tell you one thing clearly, and that is--"

"War! There will be many more wars to come! Many more!"

Not only was Leonard stunned, but thousands of listeners were in an uproar.

"You don't want war? Fine! There's only one way to escape war: go back to the past! Go back to when food prices changed daily, and a day's hard work wasn't enough to support your family! Go back to when thugs roamed the streets, and you had to pay protection money even for a job! Go back to those exorbitant tax rates, go back to those high-and-mighty nobles, go back to when you could only eat shit every day!"

"What are you thinking! Distant Harbor! Work points, an eight-hour workday, unlimited food and spices, a life richer and more fulfilling than that of elves—do you think all of this is free!? Do you think bandits won't come and rob us? Do you think the lords of Danfeng Lucerne, and even the Imperial Court will happily watch you lowly commoners feast and drink like royalty, oblivious to the meaning of nobility?"

"Robbers will rob wealthy families in the middle of the night with knives, and thugs will try to get a share of the profits when they see others making money. Nations are the same! There are many wolves in this world who can't stand to see others prosper. Griffin Williams isn't the first, and he certainly won't be the last!"

"Want to escape the war? Sure! Just go back to the way things were! Just leave!"

"After I leave, hospitals, schools, shopping malls, cinemas, and sports fields will still exist, but they won't belong to you anymore! There will be no more endless food, no more patched ice cream that costs one cent for three sticks. Merchants will raise prices to the point where you can't afford them anymore. No one will care if you starve to death, and you and your ragged children will be beaten out of shopping malls and cinemas like dogs—"

Kang De paused for a moment, then shouted sternly, "Is this what you want? Answer me! Distant Harbor, is this the future you desire, the peace you crave?"

The crowd in the square fell silent for a moment, then erupted in a deafening roar that seemed to burn like fire.

"No--"

--wrong!

That's incorrect!

Leonard turned pale. He realized the despicable tricks used in Kang De's speech—these were clearly two different things—but in this situation, who would care?

He looked around blankly, even the child's face showed anger and intense emotions.

"Then war is the only option!"

Kang De swung his arm forcefully, as if grasping a sword and slashing down an enemy.

Having transmigrated to another world, experienced great battles, confronted powerful armies, and chatted with emperors, the once naive student from Earth has been honed into a speaker who can wield language with ease.

He said sternly, "Otherwise what? You are unwilling to die, nor are you willing to give up everything you have and return to being lowly people and slaves. Do you have any other choice but war?"

The overwhelming response meant that the pre-arranged shills were no longer needed.

"--No! No!"

"Then give them war! That's what I'm doing! That's what these soldiers, already fully armed, are doing! Griffin isn't the first, and he certainly won't be the last. All we can do is strike every invader hard! Make them cry! Make them bleed rivers! Make them wail in the fiery inferno, make them remember this excruciating pain and fear for the rest of their lives!"

"Then give them war! Brave the storms of war, fight amidst threats! Use every means at your disposal to protect everything we have with our soldiers!"

"Today, we will set out, reaching the border between Goth and the Council, at the southern city of Nar. We will fight the enemy on Goth's territory, and then we will fight them on enemy territory, until that laughable fool Griffin is punished, until the Northern Council realizes their stupid mistake and surrenders to us! Then, we will return in triumph, laden with spoils and glory!"

"Such a war, such a victory, will continue and endure until all those who envy and are hostile to us are thoroughly deterred—until peace finally arrives!"

"Distant Harbor! My army and I will seize victory! And I command you to be like these admirable warriors, preparing for the coming, the endless war that may come! Go to the factories! Go to the fields! And learn and train at the shooting ranges, medical training institutes, and training camps! The use of weapons! The digging of fortifications! The common sense of war! Medical skills! And even the knowledge of combat!"

"Train yourselves, and raise and teach your children, encouraging them to join the glorious army, to be trained and armed, just like these warriors who are fighting to the death for you against every enemy—"

"I will defend all that is beautiful, sacred, and eternal with blood, sweat, toil, and tears, against all tyranny, evil, plunder, and destruction—I am Kang De, begin the leap!"

Amidst deafening cheers and roars, the enormous floating prism suddenly unfurled a purple domain of light. Witnessing, watching on television, and observing from afar, the legions on the massive platform transformed into streaks of light, disappearing into the glow of Phase Teleportation. At that oppressive moment, breathtaking music began, grand and epic.

All the voices in the Distant Harbor were replaced by a single voice.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Leonard trembled at the sound of that voice, realizing just how ridiculous his clumsy plan had been. The Dragon of Cathay armored language and wielded it like a cavalry charge, thundering in.

A series of sounds kept coming.

Mayor Hong San announced that this week is a week of preparation.

"Find 50% off work points for facilities such as shooting ranges, training camps, and military experience centers--"

"The major event 'To Seek Peace, One Must First Prepare for War' has officially begun--"

Citizens will receive work points as a reward for completing daily training tasks.

Amidst a sea of jubilation and excitement, Leonard looked around and felt utterly out of place. He opened his mouth, his eyes shifting from confusion to frenzy. He suddenly realized Kang De's purpose: the eternal war... He wanted to turn the entire Distant Harbor, even Goth, into a military camp, training an endless stream of soldiers to fight for him.

"You—" he shouted, "Don't be—"

The next moment, a sharp pain shot through his chest and abdomen, and a spike emitting an eerie purple light pierced through his chest.

His voice trembled like a punctured ball, and Leonard stared blankly at the purple spike.

"Capture successful."

A cold voice rang in my ears.

"Mr. Spy, welcome to the start of a different life."