Electrotherapy for the Emperor

"Let's get straight to the point today. I'll call all my children into this study. You can pick one or a few you like and take them with you. The rest, just kill them all here to save us trouble later."

The emperor's tone was calm, but as a lonely ruler, his cold and cruel killing intent sent chills down one's spine.

He seemed to be talking about a few strangers, not about the life or death of his own flesh and blood.

His cold demeanor even startled Kang De for a moment.

Then, the Earthling shook his head, finished the half-bottle of iced tea, squeezed it in his hand, and the plastic bottle turned to dust. He stood up. "Let's end our conversation here for today."

The emperor frowned and said, "Why do you always soften your heart for no apparent reason?"

"And why do you always suddenly go crazy for no reason?" Kang De sighed. "Those people are, after all, your children... wait, they're your own flesh and blood, right?"

The emperor looked at him with the eyes of someone looking at a brat, his face showing anger.

"Alright, alright, I misspoke, okay?" Kang De looked puzzled. "Putting aside blood ties and family ties, rationally speaking, brother, is this plan really a good one? Your children are all heirs to the throne, and they probably all have corresponding political forces supporting and betting on them. You're going to slaughter them all here..."

So what?

The emperor gave him a cold look and asked again, "So what?"

Kang De looked bewildered. "Won't this cause trouble? You are the emperor, that's true, but you're not a tyrant who can do whatever he wants. If you don't play by the rules, your brothers won't respect you, and there's bound to be chaos..."

"--So what?"

The emperor continued to look at him coldly and asked, "So what?"

"... Speak your mind, don't lecture me like you're telling those good-for-nothings what to do."

"You'd be better off as a useless piece of trash." Otto II placed the Coke bottle on the table and casually picked up a personal intelligence file on Kang De. "Kang De, I've always wondered, where did you learn your strategic thinking? Trying your best to maintain order and stability, cautiously pushing for change, only willing to overturn everything and rebuild order when pushed to the limit... Is this kind of personality innate?"

Kang De, who was about to speak, shut his mouth.

"What good would it do to kill them all there? Why do you always imagine your opponent as an angry yet rational machine? Why do you always wait for them to attack before retaliating tenfold? Why do you always think such pointless things as 'If I do this, they will do that'?"

The emperor quickly flipped through the file, then slammed the stack of papers heavily onto the table.

He shouted sternly, "What a joke! So what if we kill them all? Even if we kill them all, it means we didn't kill a single one. If we kill them all, it means everyone has lost their chance!"

"They will consider cutting their losses, they will be afraid, they will ponder the consequences—yes! You are the one wielding the knife, you are the one who controls violence, you are the one who wields power. You killed people with your own abilities, why should you need to think about the consequences? They are the ones who should be thinking about the consequences! You killed my children, the political groups and supporters behind those princes and princesses are the ones who should be considering the consequences and feeling uneasy about it!"

"They are most easily subdued and persuaded when they are most afraid, panicked, angry, and terrified! Otherwise, why would they rise up against you and me for the sake of a few worthless, dead fools?"

"They'll only worry about when you, this madman, will turn on them again—and then all you have to do is prove you have absolutely no intention of doing so, give them a reason they can convince themselves, and they'll choose to believe you! My banner, your military might, that damned land of utopia, aren't they enough?"

"You don't even need to say anything; they'll blame the deaths of those good-for-nothings on the Star Palace, and then wholeheartedly approve of your marriage to an imperial princess... That's exactly what will happen!"

The emperor glanced at Kang De with disdain as he finished speaking.

"Only commoners of ordinary birth, but who have received higher education, would harbor unrealistic fantasies and preconceived notions about the world of the lords; they are even less sensible than the uncouth commoners."

Kang De rolled his eyes at him. "That's enough."

Otto II scoffed, "Look at the mess you've made in Goth, the way you've messed things up with the nobles of Danfeng Lucerne. It's truly an eyesore. To have such great power in your hands is a despicable waste."

Kang De gave him the middle finger.

"In short, Kang De, you must remember this."

The emperor leaned forward, the sneer and mockery on his face vanished, replaced by a solemn expression.

"Whatever you do, whatever you do, whatever you do, don't let the world know what you're thinking."

"Don't let them know your bottom line and principles."

"Most importantly, you must understand—the kindness of the strong should be noble, rare, and invaluable. It should not be given voluntarily, but rather bestowed with pride..."

The emperor calmly replied, "You should let the Mortal World know that you have bestowed goodwill upon them from your high position, so they should be grateful, should be in awe, and should be overwhelmed with gratitude."

When Kang De questioned him, a fleeting smile crossed Otto II's lips.

"In other words, you cannot let the Mortal World know that your principles prioritize saving the world, such as the foolish idea that 'anything is negotiable as long as we can fight against the Star Palace.' You must never let those lowly beings know this, otherwise you will only be met with endless demands and tests."

"Your public execution of Griffin was such a brilliant move that I was both pleased and surprised to hear the news. I thought you had come to your senses and changed your ways, but it turned out to be a complete accident."

"You did a good job with that step, but it wasn't good enough. Since the Council already shed blood for this, why not let them shed millions of lives at once to directly deter the Mortal World?"

"However, splitting the Council and dividing the northern counties is a higher level of public execution, enough to deter the ruling class in the Mortal World instead of costing a million lives... so be it."

He commented on Kang De's postwar reckoning.

"My impression of you has always been that you are extremely ruthless in your methods, but not in your heart. That won't do."

The emperor casually lifted the lid on Glittering Sand Town once again.

"Only the madness and ruthlessness you displayed in Glittering Sand Town could truly intimidate and evoke genuine fear and awe. Unfortunately, since then, I..."

Kang De said coldly, "There's no need to bring this up again."

The emperor paused, then chuckled, "Alright. But Kang De, remember my words: don't be a hero, at least not in the eyes of others. Don't let anyone see your morals and bottom line. If you let others know that you can compromise and negotiate to fight against the Star Palace, don't blame them for trampling on your bottom line."

"You need to let them know..."

Otto II lowered his voice, it sounded like a devil's whisper.

"You must let them know and believe that if Mortal World beings cannot fight against the Star Palace, if the Star Palace is destined to exterminate Mortal World, then you would rather..." the emperor said in a sinister voice, "First slaughter the Mortal World."

Kang De's eyes flashed with a sharp, chilling light as he looked at the emperor.

The emperor calmly returned his gaze.

"So you're starting already?" Kang De suddenly sneered, "Trying to influence and change me?"

"According to our agreement, this is my deserved reward," the emperor said calmly. "I'm just talking to you. Whether you listen or not, and how much you listen, is your business. I can't change anything, can I?"

Facing Kang De's cold gaze, he smiled indifferently, "My country isn't so easy to take. The title of the sovereign of mankind, the supreme authority of humanity, the formidable power of the Holy Empire — Kang De, you won't even call me 'father,' do you expect me to pack it all up and coax it into your hands?"

Otto II spread his hands out.

"So, either you bring your own troops, conquer this country, defeat my army, storm this capital, cut off my head, and take over a country shattered to pieces, or, to preserve your strength, you might have to negotiate with some powerful nobles to retain as much of your vital forces as possible to fight against the Star Palace."

"Or, you can come to me every few days and listen to me ramble on for an hour or two, and we'll slowly get this done, striving to hand over to you the most complete and powerful Holy Empire... The choice is yours."

Kang De stood there, without saying a word.

"By the way."

The emperor realized that he had probably never laughed as happily as he did today in all these decades.

He raised an eyebrow and said meaningfully, "What I just told you is all my life insights and experiences. You'd better keep it in mind and think about it from time to time, because it really will be useful. After all, you know in your heart that they are indeed a bunch of bastards and fools, and no matter how noble the beliefs and principles are, they can't be moved."

"Moreover, these principles and rules..."

The emperor from another world deliberately lowered his voice, speaking mysteriously, as if he were revealing a huge secret.

"Equally suitable for -- your world..."

His face made no attempt to hide his intense malice and amusement.

"After all, you must have a lot to do in your home world to fight against the Star Palace..." he smiled. "If you encounter any difficulties or troubles, you can tell me, and I'll give you some ideas."

Kang De's face hardened. "That's enough for today's conversation. Remember what you promised me. The land sale, the summit, and keep an eye on your eldest son—he secretly went to the Council's military camp to meet with the God of the Star Palace. He might have been entrusted with something or given some orders. Don't let yourself be caught off guard."

"And the Star Palace's mental mechanisms—how to deal with, defend against, and crack these soul-manipulating devices— the Truth Office of Distant Harbor is already researching them. After absorbing Council and even the elves, their research level has skyrocketed. You'd better send some people over too, lest you miss the boat."

After saying that, he turned to leave.

The emperor, speaking from behind, said, "Won't you see my daughters? Why not consider swiftly eliminating those worthless ingrates? That's the fastest way to take over the empire."

"No." Kang De stopped his gesture of opening the portal. "I refuse."

The emperor said with disappointment, "You always end up in these inexplicable places..."

"No, it's not out of soft-heartedness, or rather, it's not out of pity for them."

"Oh?"

"Otto II," Kang De turned and composed himself, speaking earnestly, "You, Emperor, in the foreseeable future—perhaps five years, perhaps ten, or even less—I will take over your country."

The emperor nodded with pleasure, gesturing to listen.

You will lose your power.

Without making a sound.

"You will also be freed from the curse called Emperor and return to being a mortal."

His expression remained unchanged.

"Just as demobilized soldiers gradually lose their military acumen and instincts, so too do retired military dogs slowly lose their sensitivity to commands and their military instincts."

His gaze was indifferent.

"You will also slowly lose your instincts as an emperor. Cruelty, suspicion, vigilance, ruthlessness, lust for power, desire for control... these useless traits will no longer be of any use in an unprecedented new environment. There, there are no countries for you to rule, no supreme monarch, only people."

A barely perceptible ripple appeared on Otto II's face.

"You will become a part of that place, and you will regain the senses, desires, and thoughts of an ordinary person."

The emperor's gaze shifted, landing on Kang De.

"I'm quite certain this will happen," Kang De said calmly, "Because it's what I'm doing, it's my promise to you. You've handed this country over to me, and you've significantly increased our chances of victory against the Star Palace. So you can see it as a deal, or as my repayment."

The empire's supreme ruler gave a barely perceptible hum.

"I've taken your bet, I'm going to take it. You wanted to see what I'd become? I can tell you now, you will become that way."

Kang De took a few steps back and pressed down on the table in front of the emperor.

"You once said in your letter that if it weren't for the events in Glittering Sand Town, and if Tina's delegation had successfully reached the capital, our meeting would have been different. But that unforeseen path would certainly not be as peaceful and tranquil as this future, where there are no Fire Thief and emperors, only people with each other."

He nodded to the emperor as he finished speaking.

"I'm leaving. Take care."

The emperor scoffed, "In the end, you still haven't explained why you refused to kill them..."

"Don't you understand?"

Kang De glanced at him, his expression indifferent.

"In the future we envision, you will return to being mortal, gradually awakening your senses as a human being. When you see other fathers and sons going out, or children playing, you will surely think of your own flesh and blood, recalling the responsibilities and love of being a father, and wanting to see them."

"At that time, I hope you can immediately see your children, who are also far removed from the Mortal World and gradually becoming normal, and enjoy simple family affection and happiness."

"Instead of sitting alone, facing a sky full of drifting catkins, remaining silent for a long time like a statue, and then thinking—'Ah, right, that day, I had Kang De kill them.'"

After he finished speaking, the Phase Door opened.

Kang De stepped inside.

Only one sentence was left behind.

"Take care of yourself."

The Fire Thief's figure disappeared into the starlight as the portal closed.

In the study, the emperor sat alone, silent for a long time, like a statue.

"Ah..."

His expression was complicated, and he gently shook his head. "This is truly..."

Before he could finish speaking, the emperor's body tensed suddenly, his eyes flashing with a sharp look, but then softened the next moment.

A halo spun ahead, the Phase Door opened again, and a familiar face appeared.

The emperor said irritably, "What is it now? Is there something else you haven't said?"

"I've noticed something wrong with you. You're twisted and eccentric, devoid of joy, obsessed with amusement, and showing signs of developing into a pleasure-crazed person." Kang De walked over to him, pointed to his head, and said, "You need electroconvulsive therapy."

Otto II frowned and asked, "What is electrotherapy?"

"A special therapy from my hometown," Kang De said, "An abbreviation for computer game therapy."

He reached out and opened the Phase Door. The generator set, wires, power strip, computer desk, computer chair, computer case, monitor, mouse, and keyboard fell out one by one, which he caught and put away.

The emperor stood up, glancing sideways at the emperor. "A game?"

"Yes, to be precise, it's a role-playing game."

What role to play?

"Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Otto II was taken aback at first, then burst out laughing, "Playing the emperor?"

"From the ancient Stone Age, it began to rule a Civilization, and thousands of years later, through countless evolutions, declines, wars, catastrophes, and sorrows, the Civilization finally broke free from the shackles of its home planet and ventured into the stars."

"Or, over a span of a mere ten or twenty years, during a bloody and brutal period, commanding one's own country in a brutal war that resulted in hundreds of millions of casualties and spread across the globe."

"Or, start a little higher—begin by leaving our home planet?"

Connect the power supply and cable, turn on the screen, and the computer starts up.

Kang De gestured to the chair beside him. "Aren't you interested in my homeland? Someone has turned our years and history into a game; although it's not very realistic, it still preserves a remnant of time."

The emperor strode over.

He sat in the chair, looking somewhat bewildered as the huge screen in front of him lit up.

You recognize the Cathay script, right?

"Of course, this is a required course for monarchs."

That being said, most of the small characters on the screen are recognizable when viewed individually, but when put together, they become somewhat incomprehensible.

That would be much more convenient.

Kang De pointed to the screen. "This is called a cursor, controlled by a mouse, it's this..."

To switch to offline mode, double-click to open the game.

Moving images, melodious music, and a grand scene unfold slowly.

In the emperor's eyes, the remnants of time from another world were reflected.

He heard the young man next to him laugh and say, "Come on, give it a try."

Holding a sword, a pen, and most importantly, the scepter of a powerful empire, his slightly rough hand carefully touched the smooth, icy controller.

I moved the markers on the screen gently.

"Click the left mouse button, the one on the left, a little harder, yes, good job."

The emperor, seated in his chair, squinted, intently watching the changes on the screen before him, clumsily and carefully moving the mouse, exploring something new he had never seen before.

The young man standing next to him, one hand on the back of the chair and the other pointing at the screen, patiently guided and explained. They talked to each other, one asking questions and the other answering.

The light from the electronic screen illuminated both faces, and faint smiles appeared on their lips.