Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

386 Those Who Were Not Saved

“Why are you two still alive?”

The Prime Minister’s words were as sharp as a blade and assaulted his face like a cold wind.

It was as if the air had frozen.

After winning the war, he was grateful, admired, recognized, and revered. The atmosphere that was like the moon surrounded by stars saved a country. This air that was filled with the sweetness and joy of victory was pierced by cold words, and what followed was a bone-chilling cold.

The person in front of him was Cleveland’s father, the man who had lost his son.

His eyes and expression condensed into an indescribable coldness.

A second later, Tina reacted and hurriedly stood in front of Kang De. “Uncle Xide!”

Kang De pulled her back.

The Prime Minister bowed slightly. He was polite and his posture was elegant. There was no mistake. His expression was calm as if the previous sentence was an illusion, “Your Highness, what can I do for you?”

What was happening now was greatly unexpected. Tina was a little flustered and her tone was almost pleading, “Uncle Xide, this is not Kang De’s fault. We’re all very sad about Cleveland, so…”

“—I understand, Your Highness.”

The Prime Minister’s tone and expression did not fluctuate at all. He was cold and calm, like a bottomless cold pool, terrifying, because one could not know what he was thinking or even if he was angry.

He said calmly, “But what does this have to do with me?”

The Prime Minister turned to look at Kang De and repeated, “My son is dead. To me, this is the only outcome of this matter… My only son is dead. My most beloved and high hopes are gone. I’ve taught and watched him grow up since he was young. Knight Cleveland, the pride of the Keram family, has died.”

“What does death mean?”

“It means that I’ll never see him again.”

“This is my only thought and all my feelings as a middle-aged father who lost his son.”

He looked at Kang De and said calmly, “Now that you know, do you have anything else to say?”

“…Uncle Xide!”

Tina’s face flushed red and she grabbed Kang De’s arm tightly, her eyes filling with tears. “I can understand your feelings, but please don’t say such a thing. You’ll only taint Cleveland’s honor and sacrifice. He adhered to his mission and beliefs until the end. His sacrifice…”

“—His sacrifice triggered a series of things that finally led to this hero miraculously saving this crumbling country. His sacrifice saved this country. You plan to say that, right?”

The Prime Minister’s words ruthlessly interrupted this divine greatness.

His carefully manicured eyebrows trembled slightly. Perhaps it was a manifestation of this extremely shrewd politician’s unsuppressed anger, but his cold eyes were filled with mockery and anger.

“Therefore, as the Prime Minister of Goethe, I thank His Highness Kang De for everything he has done for this country and remember all the great sacrifices. As the ruler of this country, I’m indeed grateful to him.”

He pointed at his heart. “But I’m also a father. He saved this country and your Tedrell family. He saved most of the Goethe people who might die and the relatives, wealth, and status of many nobles. Therefore, the entire city is grateful to him. Everyone is cheering. At the mention of this name, Kang De, it’s as if he’s calling the name of a god, but ah…”

“But…”

The Prime Minister’s tone was extremely cold, “However, not everyone was saved by you. Not everyone thanked you. Please remember this, hero, because, to me and a father, the outcome of this battle is still a cold home, cold darkness, and confusion. It doesn’t make any difference if I’m alive or dead, if the city is broken or not, if the country is destroyed or not, and even the future…”

“Because my son is dead.”

He stared into Kang De’s eyes. “You’re also responsible, right?”

“—Enough!”

Tina said sternly, “Mr. Prime Minister! Such accusations and slander are not allowed! The murderer of Cleveland is the Goode family and the Empire. You can’t blame Kang De, who’s also a victim, for this!”

The Prime Minister said coldly, “Is that so? If he doesn’t feel guilty, why did he come today?”

“…You’re venting your anger!”

“If that’s what you think, so be it.”

He looked at Tina and said coldly, “Are you asking a father who has lost his son to remain calm and rational? Moreover, Your Highness, if this is anger, what’s the killing intent and violent actions you displayed a few months ago when you mistakenly thought that Mr. Kang De had also died in Glory Sand?”

Tina’s expression suddenly changed. She clenched her fists and took a deep breath. She pulled Kang De and turned to leave.

Kang De pressed her hand and shook his head.

Tina wanted to speak, but the Prime Minister’s fire turned back to Kang De.

“Mr. Kang De, since you’re here today, can you answer my question?”

Kang De said calmly, “Tell me.”

“I heard that you annihilated five Dragon Flag Legions outside Valentine City and shocked the world. Three days ago, you even broke out all the way and rushed to Red Maple City to help. You shattered six armies and defeated the main force of the expeditionary army. Even if such power is not like a god, it’s not far from the holiness of the heroes of the ancient era.”

“—But why? In Glory Sand Town, just two to three months ago, you were played by that incompetent person, Samuel. The Penguin was completely destroyed, and my son died in battle. Please answer me. What were you doing at that time? The power you used to save Valentine, Red Maple City, and Goethe. Why couldn’t you save my son? What were you doing when the Glory Sand Incident happened?”

At this point, the Prime Minister’s tone continuously rose, almost to the verge of roaring.

When Kang De arrived in the sky of Red Maple City with unprecedented and unparalleled strength and defeated the Elven Expeditionary Force with irresistible force, the entire Red Maple City was cheering and jumping for joy.

However, it did not include the Prime Minister.

The father who had lost his son was only thinking, “You’re so powerful. What were you doing in Glory Sand Town?”

This was because this was the outcome.

Kang De used this power to save the entire Goethe, but he could not save his son.

“Is this power awakened and used because of my son’s death, or…” He asked, “Or did you decide to use it after watching him die?”

Kang De did not answer.

What was the point of answering?

The Prime Minister did not look at him to answer.

That was the truth.

There was nothing he could do now.

“Why did you come…”

Prime Minister Xide sighed.

“What are you doing here? Mr. Kang De, great hero.”

As the leader of a country, his horizons and experience were terrifying. His sharp eyes could see through people’s hearts.

The Prime Minister’s gaze was filled with coldness and mockery from the beginning to the end.

“I know what you’re here for.”

“The moment I saw you, I knew what you were here for.”

“It’s obvious that you descended like a hero at the moment of Goethe’s destruction, reversed the situation, and obtained an epic victory. You were thanked by the entire country and shocked the world. To the current you, Cleveland is the last shadow of this glorious path to Goethe. You didn’t come here to visit us, only to seek the peace of mind and hear the words you want to hear.”

“You want to see me and my wife’s attitude. Our tolerance, relief, and comfort toward you. You want to hear the understanding and even gratitude we personally expressed. Cleveland’s sacrifice is valuable. Please live well with my son. This is not your fault. He and you have both done the right thing… You want to hear this and be at ease, cry, and let go.”

“This can get you gratitude and relief your guilt. You can even use this method to naturally obtain more kindness, protection, and promise for Goethe. It can also win the friendship and kindness of a super guardian for me and the Keram family. As for you, Your Highness Kang De, you can also untie the entanglement and shackles of uneasiness. It’s really a win-win method.”

“But there’s a problem.”

“As a politician, I can say thousands of such words without blinking. I can definitely coax the Guardian into submission, but…”

He slowly said, “But as a father, I can’t say such disgusting things.”

“Therefore, my answer is very simple.”

“Kang De, the Cathayan, even if the entire Goethe is praising your name, even if the entire country is grateful to you, even as the Prime Minister, I have to be respectful and smile at you. However, as your father, I don’t forgive, I don’t understand, I’m not grateful, and I can’t let go.”

“Because even if your favor and light illuminate the entire country, it doesn’t envelope us.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

“Even if the entire country is flattering you and saying countless respectful and grateful words, my answer is certain forever and ever. Don’t even think about hearing what you want to hear.”

His etiquette was appropriate, and his actions still maintained his elegant demeanor.

“If there’s nothing else, please leave. The Keram family doesn’t welcome you.”

“If you’re angry with my words and actions today, please use your dignity and methods to take revenge to your heart’s content. I’m not afraid. Even someone as powerful as you cannot take anything else from me.”

With that, he bowed one by one. The gorilla and even the coachman standing in the distance were greeted.

Then, he turned around and walked back along the flat and clean road toward his colleagues, subordinates, and students. As a father, his true feelings were once again covered by the mask of a politician. The Prime Minister of Goethe was a silent but firm rock. He was approachable and had a smile on his face. He did not have any dignity or sternness to speak of at all, but the Grand Duke respected him, his subordinates supported him, and his subjects revered him.

He had a warm smile and his footsteps were neither fast nor slow.

The bureaucrats and court officials of the Prime Minister’s faction held their breaths.

They waited for the leader.

“Attention! Everyone, quiet down! His Excellency Xide Keram is setting off for the Privy Council. The Prime Minister of Goethe will defend the rule of Tedrell, the interests of the country, and the well-being of the people as usual! May the light always shine on the land of Goethe, and may the heroes of Goethe still abide by their duty today!”

This might be something like a ritual. As the person who looked like the butler shouted these words, the officials surrounding the Prime Minister slowly set off along the street under Xide’s lead. The servants of the Prime Minister’s house, the nearby residents, and the busy soldiers, officials, and workers lowered their heads in greeting.

Kang De and the others watched all of this.

Tina suddenly shivered.

Yes, the knight was dead.

The Prime Minister was left alone.

He was a father who had dived deeply into Goethe politics for decades and whose family forces had intertwined with Goethe for hundreds of years. He was a father who had lost his son, hope, and future and was respected by the Grand Duke and trusted by his subjects.

Just now, the Prime Minister of Goethe, who had never made a mistake, or been angry in public for decades, revealed an extremely obvious hostility towards Kang De.

Only now did Tina carefully recall the Prime Minister’s last sentence.

It made her shiver.

—Even someone as powerful as you cannot take anything else from me.

What did this mean…

For a moment, even Tina did not dare to think further.

At this moment, Kang De said calmly, “Let’s go.”

Tina turned to look. Kang De looked very calm, but he was like a volcano about to erupt.

She said softly, “Kang De…”

“I’m fine.”

He smiled at Tina, then turned and walked to the carriage. “This is over.”

He got into the carriage and left.

In the silent carriage, not only Tina, but even the gorilla did not dare to breathe loudly.

If it was anyone else who dared to speak to Kang De like this just now, Gorilla Platinum would have long slapped them. However, she did not dare to attack just now and did not even say a word. It was not because she was afraid of that Prime Minister, but because she was afraid of Kang De beside her.

“…Hey, Kang De.”

Tina also looked troubled and silent. Clearly, he could not count on her.

Miss Gorilla Platinum thought for a long time and finally endured the pain to speak.

Kang De looked over curiously.

The gorilla said with a pained expression, “If rubbing your face against her can improve your mood, I can pretend not to see it this time…”

“…”

“…”

Kang De and Tina were woken up at the same time, then looked at each other. The princess subconsciously stroked the corner of her skirt.

Then, the two of them laughed together.

“…Why do I keep feeling that you’re secretly doing something together?”

Although the gorilla issued such a soul interrogation, the atmosphere finally became much livelier.

“Thank you, I’m fine.”

“Are you really fine?”

“Yes…”

Kang De smiled. “What else can I do? He’s him and his father is his father. It’s good to distinguish between them. If he doesn’t forgive me, so be it. What’s the big deal? What can it get in my way? I can continue doing what I have to do. If I change my mind because of his father’s words, I’ll be letting him down.”

He met Tina’s worried gaze and shrugged.

“If cursing a few times can make him feel comfortable, let him curse. Treat it as filial piety for Cleveland. Just this once. If you dare to speak to me like this next time, hmph…”

Tina only forced a smile.

She still remembered the Prime Minister’s expression, words, and eyes. She remembered his last words. Xide had already lost everything, so he could be hostile, reject, and reprimand Kang De without hesitation and not worry about revenge at all, because he indeed had nothing to be afraid of.

However, such a person was still the Administrator of Goethe, the creator, and implementer of the national policy.

But now…

In the current era when Goethe had just decided its fate, currents would definitely surge under the water.

Kang De had defeated the elf invasion army and deterred Twilight. This matter would definitely shock the continent and welcome peace to Goethe. However, the deterrence of his strength would definitely arouse the fear and hostility of the various countries. The conflict on the main battlefield would not happen, but hidden arrows, schemes, calculations, and malice would definitely come one after another.

Goethe would not be calm for a period of time.

At this moment, the Prime Minister…

Tina vaguely felt that this matter was probably not as simple as it seemed.

Perhaps…

The wheels rolled and returned to the palace.

Although Kang De complained for a while, after saying that, he continued to be silent.

Tina stole a glance at the gorilla. It was holding one of Kang De’s arms and lying quietly on his shoulder, so the princess gently pulled his other hand and placed it on her leg.

Although it was through the long dress, he could still vaguely sense the touch that was different from his skin.

Her other hand wrapped around Kang De’s arm. Tina slowly hugged it and pressed her entire body against it.

The warm touch, the moving charm, and the endless beauty.

Kang De only looked at the roof of the carriage in a daze.

“…I’m not as bad as he says, right?”

…

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