Chapter 411

411 Here Again

They visited Prime Minister Xide at night.

Although it was a secret trip and he had only brought a capable team along to try not to attract attention, the Maple Leaf Palace had just been attacked. The commotion shook the entire city. There were no secrets tonight.

Soon, everyone would know that after the attack on Maple Leaf Palace, the Grand Duke and the others had gone to the Prime Minister’s house.

This would undoubtedly make people think of many things.

Goethe’s dignity would probably disappear tonight.

Therefore, the Grand Duke’s back looked desolate and heavy.

The two carriages were one after the other. The Grand Duke, Stella, and Sword Saint Snowfall sat in the front, while Kang De, Tina, and the gorilla sat in the back. A few defense ministers led the guards to accompany them. The carriage swayed slightly. The cold night wind was mixed with the sound of hooves and wheels. This was the second time Kang De had gone to the Prime Minister’s house.

Ever since Tina got into the car, she had been holding Kang De’s arm and resting her head on his shoulder. She did not say a word, but she used a lot of strength. She was extremely afraid of losing it. As afraid as she was, she hated it.

She leaned against Kang De in silence and listened to the powerful heartbeat in his chest. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, trying to hide the overly gloomy ruthlessness in her gaze.

After the Glory Sand Incident, she also experienced a life-changing night with Kang De. However, after Kang De experienced despair and pain, he finally returned to his hometown and was saved. Tina continued to carry pain and anger and continue to fight for her almost destroyed motherland. In terms of transformation, paranoia, and decisiveness, Tina had learned more lessons than Kang De. Naturally, she had grown more because she cherished less than Kang De.

Therefore, PTSD was even worse.

She would not tolerate the threat continuing.

No matter who that person was.

The silence lasted for a moment before Tina’s voice broke it in the car.

“We… Kang De, me or you, we need a direct force.”

Kang De came back from his thoughts and looked into the princess’s eyes. Tina was talking seriously.

“Powerful, loyal, and efficient… We need an elite army. Otherwise, just like now, we don’t have a direct subordinate to listen to orders and can mobilize very few combat forces. Once our thoughts conflict with Father’s, things will definitely not develop as we hope.”

“For example, tonight. If Father wants to let Xide live, he’ll successfully escape, but we can’t do anything.”

Tina said calmly, “Therefore, we need a force that answers to you. This force will decide the direction of things at a time of disagreement. Father wants him to live. If we want him to die, he has to die. Father wants him to live, and we want him to live. Only then can he live.”

Kang De looked at the princess’s decisive gaze and his heart skipped a beat.

With his experience, this would basically lead to a power struggle.

Logically speaking, he was not as anxious as Tina. If there was someone he wanted to kill and the Grand Duke wanted the other party to live, he could easily turn to the righteous 300mm long-range rocket. If one shot was not enough, there would be a volley and his ashes would be scattered.

He said, “Your father will be unhappy.”

“When someone wants to hurt you, I have to seek Father’s opinion to take revenge… Compared to Father being angry, I can’t tolerate the former.”

Tina held Kang De’s hand. “You have to have your own strength sooner or later, don’t you?”

Kang De thought for a moment and nodded. “Yes, I’ve talked to Hong San about this.”

“Hong San…”

Tina frowned, then her expression relaxed. She said, “Alright, I’m afraid it’s easy to waver at the critical moment when choosing and recruiting from Red Maple City. In comparison, the Goethe people from Valentine should be even more grateful and loyal to you. Your private army has to cut ties with Tedrell, so it’s not appropriate for me to interfere. It’s best if the members of the army are not Goethe people. The Cathayans, green-skinned orcs, and Belloran are more suitable…”

She had done a lot of homework previously and knew a lot about Kang De’s experience in Valentine.

Kang De’s expression was a little subtle. “It feels strange…”

He was simply like a warlord and powerful minister.

“There’s nothing strange.”

Tina hugged Kang De again and said softly, “If we get married, I have to take your family name, not the other way around. I don’t like the title of the Prince Consort of Goethe.”

The gorilla sitting at the side said coldly, “Hey, don’t go too far.”

She was also unhappy. Tonight was clearly her deciding moment. Who knew that the Dragon Girl would come first, then the assassin, and the love mentor would be beaten up? Who knew how bitter she was?

Tina smiled and said softly, “I’m sorry.”

The gorilla was shocked, her eyes flickering.

However, looking at Tina’s gentle and kind smile, she could not say anything ruthless.

Loyal, interesting, beautiful, cute, and gullible. She was the perfect bodyguard and had a deep relationship with Kang De.

Why should she hate and be hostile to such a pet?

Kang De did not notice this small confrontation. He followed Tina’s train of thought. Men had a desire for power and violence in their nature. This was the nature of beasts. In other words, men had dreamed of ruling the country and protecting justice since they were young.

After the battle of Valentine, he discussed the next step of the strategic countermeasure with Hong San.

If he wanted peace, he had to prepare for battle.

Farming, developing industry, liberating productivity, promoting social progress, and letting the concept of equality, freedom, and happiness be deeply rooted in people’s hearts… These beautiful dreams definitely had to be supported by powerful martial strength.

According to the current battle situation, although the magic of the other world was strange and powerful, it was still not a match for the military skills of Earth which had reached the peak of the industrial system and continuously developed technology.

From the industrial era until now, there had been wars and conflicts of various sizes. There had been dozens of generations and tens of billions of people. Over a long period of time, everyone had been thinking about how to kill their own kind more efficiently and cruelly. As a result, various subjects, categories, professions, engineering, armaments…

This was even after being more or less restrained by international public opinion, domestic public opinion, ethics, and so on. He could still develop many efficient and humane powerful weapons.

Therefore, if he wanted to create a powerful military force in the other world and arm it with advanced weapons from Earth, it was the simplest, most convenient, and most efficient method.

Previously, he did not start doing it. Firstly, time was tight, and secondly, Kang De was also very short of weapons at that time. However, now that he was in Africa and had long gotten off the plane, the situation had already begun. It should not be difficult to do some business.

It was really easier to deal in firearms in Africa than buy lollipops in the country.

It was time to create a foreign gun team.

As for the candidate, the green-skinned naturally took the responsibility. It was one of the important sources of soldiers.

Speaking of which, it had been a long time since he saw Heaven Slash.

Poor these green-skinned. They had missed Valentine’s forbidden spell, the battle of Red Maple City, and not eaten hot feces again. Who knew how they would howl this time?

The others could be chosen from the people chosen by Hong San.

The gorilla’s mercenary group was useful and could be chosen. Also…

At this moment, the carriage shook slightly and slowly stopped.

Kang De was slightly stunned, then took a deep breath.

Tina took his hand.

“It’s fine,” she said softly. “You repaid the knight long ago.”

Kang De did not comment.

The coachman outside said in a low voice, “Your Highness Kang De, Your Highness Tina, we’re here.”

On the black night and cold street, there were faint gazes prying around. The street was cleared, and the cavalry patrolled everywhere. Under the protection of the guards, the Grand Duke got out of the carriage.

The person in black armor and a war helmet was waiting there. He pounded his chest and bowed to the Grand Duke, then nodded at Kang De. He was the Grand Duke’s second son, Landiston, who led the Sword Orchid Army.

It was Tina’s second brother.

Tina’s two brothers more or less inherited the Grand Duke’s personality and completely inherited his appearance. Tina’s eldest brother seemed to be a replica of the Grand Duke. He was also kind, sincere, soft-hearted, and easy to bully. He was not good with words. Her second brother was more lively and decisive, so he became a soldier.

Kang De’s two brothers-in-law were both good-looking. One was as warm as jade, and the other was enthusiastic and cheerful. He was gentle and loyal. It was a very f*cking classic combination.

Due to the fact that they were busy after defending the city, the two brothers-in-law only hurriedly met Kang De a few times before throwing themselves into the heavy work and missions. However, they had a good impression of each other and chatted happily.

Especially Landiston. There was still another layer of relationship. Before the battle of Valentine erupted, this Grand Duke’s second son secretly met Nick and begged him to defend the city for three days before surrendering on his own. However, Nick was determined to die with the city, so there was the story of Kang De defending the city. The two of them treated Nick as a life-and-death friend and had lost a close friend. They were also sentimental about his injury. With this empathy, their relationship was naturally very good.

However, now was not the time to reminisce.

They were here today to smash the Prime Minister’s door.

When the Grand Duke’s carriage arrived, the guards of the Kalam Manor fell into unease. They did not know what had happened, but it was definitely not a good thing that the palace’s armed forces had barged in earlier and the Grand Duke had personally arrived.

Grand Duke Leckos walked towards the closed iron door.

Only Sword Saint Snowfall followed beside him.

The other guards wanted to follow, but the Grand Duke waved his hand to stop them. He said, “Xide won’t harm me. I still firmly believe this to this day. If I’m wrong about him, I’ll die here.”

The Grand Duke still had the authority to speak for himself, and Sword Saint Snowfall’s martial strength was trustworthy enough. Therefore, the guards stopped and watched the Grand Duke knock on the iron door.

In the silence, Landiston slowly moved to Kang De’s side and whispered, “Are you alright?”

Kang De said, “I’m fine.”

Landiston hesitated. “I still don’t believe Uncle Xide will do such a stupid thing.”

The two families could be considered family friends, especially the relationship between the previous generation. It was strong and long-term.

Before Kang De could speak, Tina said, “Xide has almost gone crazy. A lunatic’s thoughts can’t be predicted, just like how I still don’t understand why he criticized Kang De.”

Landiston glanced at his sister and only sighed.

Human nature was extremely complicated to begin with and could not be explained.

At this moment, the flames of the phoenix soared in Kang De’s eyes as he looked around, “If it’s not Xide, it’s an even more hidden, terrifying, and powerful enemy. Since he did what he did tonight, he must have a backup plan. Since he’s framing Xide, he most likely has the next step of a trick. Instead of discussing if it’s him, why don’t we take precautions early… There are many spies around.”

In the Phoenix Vision, the abnormal energy fluctuation was clearly visible. The hidden people had nowhere to hide.

After entering Red Maple City, Kang De knew how precious Delilah’s gift was. Even a rare and powerful shadow ability could be easily seen through by these eyes. From now on, almost all the secret techniques of breath control, invisibility, and disguise in the world were meaningless in front of him.

As he observed the surrounding situation, he sighed softly.

Delilah, do you know that you’re helping the enemy…

It was a pity to become an enemy of such an elf with a very good personality and body.

As he sighed, he asked, “Shall I point it out for you?”

Landiston sighed, “It’s meaningless. Father said there’s no need. No matter what, at this point, Goethe’s dignity is gone. Everyone who should know knows. I wonder how much trouble it’ll cause tomorrow… Sigh, this country…”

Before the danger of destruction could leave, internal strife followed, and it was even the Prime Minister…

For decades, he had been conscientious and governed Goethe. He was deeply trusted by the Grand Duke and loved by his subjects. His students, followers, and subordinates were all over Goethe politics. He had never made a mistake and was always rational. However, such a person who was the most unlikely to have a problem had a problem…

Tina and Stella also looked sad.

In the distance, the Grand Duke’s calm voice sounded from afar. He was reprimanding and ordering the guards. With no choice, they hurriedly returned to report. After a long time, the figure in a white sleeping robe slowly walked over.

The iron door still did not open.

The Prime Minister and the Grand Duke looked at each other through the iron grille.

He treated the people outside as nothing and only looked at his decades-old friend.

“You’re disturbing my wife.”

The Prime Minister said coldly, “Her situation is getting worse.”

“I’m very sorry, but I have to see you and ask you a question.”

“Tell me.”

The Grand Duke said in a low voice, “Where’s Cole? I want to see him.”

The Prime Minister’s eyebrows rose. “He’s missing.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere suddenly turned cold. Tina’s eyes were cold, and her other hand slowly clenched.

The Grand Duke was silent for a moment before gritting his teeth and saying, “When? Why did he disappear?”

“Three days ago, the day the great hero saved Red Maple City.”

Xide did not even look at Kang De and said indifferently, “I don’t know where he ran to. He hasn’t returned yet. Why are you asking him?”

Leckos’ tone was difficult as he slowly said, “The person who just attacked the Maple Leaf Palace can transform into a shadow.”

He kept looking into Xide’s eyes.

There was silence.

Then, the Prime Minister’s cold smile broke the silence, “Oh, you suspect that it’s me. No wonder you insisted that I go. No wonder even Lord Kang De gave me the honor and came in person. No wonder you’re so hesitant…”

Tina’s wrist was grabbed by Kang De, so the princess could not rush over. Sword Saint Snowfall continued, “Xide, you don’t have to say strange things. Leckos and I don’t believe it’s you, but it’s very important and we have to verify it. You said that Cole ran away three days ago. I believe you. We have to find him and even pursue his background to find clues about him. Please tell us.”

“I see. The noble Guardian was attacked. Are you busy catching the murderer and flattering him?” The cold smile on Xide’s face still did not dissipate, “But if I don’t want to say, what can you do?”

Leckos shouted in a low voice, “Xide!”

“Do whatever you want. Be it removal, arresting me, or threatening me with my wife, do whatever you want.” Xide turned to leave. “Excuse me.”

With a bang, the Grand Duke punched the iron gate. His battle aura surged, and the iron filings shattered. He roared, “Xide! You…”

“Enough.”

His roar was interrupted by Kang De. At some point, he had already appeared beside him. He pressed his shoulder and said softly, “Go back. There are other ways.”

It was meaningless to argue here.

Xide still did not turn around or look at him.

The Grand Duke turned to look at Kang De, his eyes filled with blood vessels. He was about to say something when he suddenly heard a magic light bloom in the direction of the Maple Leaf Palace again. A string of dazzling light flew into the sky, and the city could be seen clearly.

The commander cried out, “Someone broke in!”

It was happening again.

…