Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

"…"

"…"

Light surged and flashed for an instant. Then, it disappeared. The ancient ring shed its light and quietly wrapped around Kang De's ring finger as if the previous scene was only an illusion.

The atmosphere suddenly became very awkward.

What should he say?

—I, Kang De, love to say no to my self-righteous father-in-law!

Forget it, it was too mocking.

Kang De thought for a moment and made a small joke, "Let me ask, for the time being, is the esteemed Sun God, Sulla, a male god or a goddess?"

Only then did the Grand Duke return to his senses and subconsciously answer, "The sunlight illuminates the world and nurtures plants. It blows in the torrent of elements and produces everything. The sun is the source of strength, life, and even energy, nurturing the world like a mother. Her Excellency Sulla is naturally a benevolent, loving, and broad-minded goddess…"

—I understand the logic, but why can't the other fingers do it? Just change it to the ring finger?

Did Delilah really not do anything to this?

Kang De looked at the ring on his hand in confusion, then reached out and planned to take it off.

He took it off…

Remove…

He could not move it.

His smile gradually changed from awkward to awkward and even exerted strength, but this ring seemed to have been rooted in his hand. He could not pull it off no matter how hard he tried and it did not move.

Kang De exclaimed, "I've been scammed!"

"…Don't talk nonsense!"

Everyone in the room woke up from a dream and surrounded him. Kang De's hand was grabbed by hands. Everyone wanted to quickly take off this ring. Their motives and strength were different.

After trying around, no one could do it.

Sword Saint Snowfall's eyes were serious. She pushed away everyone and pinched the ring on Kang De's finger. Traces of battle aura seeped out, trying to use frost to slightly shrink Kang De's finger and melt the spring snow as a lubricant to pull this thing down in one go. However, in the next moment, the light of the ring soared. The violent sunlight melted the frost, shattering the traces of frost battle aura and even shaking the Sword Saint's hand to the side.

The Grand Duke was shocked and furious, "This is indeed the Phoenix King's conspiracy! Detestable…"

However, he was only halfway through saying this when he looked at Kang De with a subtle gaze. If the Phoenix King had really tampered with it, what was her motive? Why was it limited to wearing it on her ring finger before it was activated, and she could not take it off? If she wanted to restrain or secretly harm him, which finger he wore should take effect immediately…

He was letting his imagination run wild when Tina held Kang De's hand and asked, "It doesn't hurt, right?"

His blue eyes were only filled with worry and uneasiness. He looked at Kang De steadily. There were no other impurities in his eyes, pure and filled with concern.

Kang De's heart skipped a beat. He shook his head and looked at the ring in his hand. The Phoenix Vision cooperated with the power of the Fire Thief. He did not feel any malice from the ring. The light that shone like a star quietly entrenched between his fingers. Warm power continuously circulated, enveloping and protecting him.

Sword Saint Snowfall twisted her fingers and said, "This might not be a conspiracy of the elves… Even the elves don't have the ability to usurp the divine artifact of the Sun God. Even the Phoenix King can't do it. Moreover, the light just now is a sign that the Proof of Star Authority acknowledges the wearer. Kang De, can you use its power?"

Kang De thought for a moment, then nodded.

He gently broke free from Tina, then raised his hand. The surging divine light of the sunfire in the ring echoed in his mind. He could feel the warmth and enthusiasm in that light. It was both loving and strict. It could warm the world, nurture everything, disperse darkness, and burn evil.

With a thought, the ring instantly emitted a dazzling light, causing the room to become transparent and bright.

Then he disappeared.

Everyone held their breaths and waited for a moment. The Sword Saint blinked. "It's over?"

Kang De retracted his hand. "I can control the duration and brightness of the light. If I want, this ring can erupt with extremely intense and dazzling light that can blind all the eyes in the world."

"…That's it?"

"…Isn't this powerful?"

"Powerful my ass. This is the Sun God's ring, a divine artifact! The Sun Knight who wears it can obtain Sulla's protection and blessing, summon the authority of the Sun Glory, master the endless flames of the Sun, and cleanse all darkness and sin. When it comes to you, he can only cast a flash spell?"

"This is not my fault. There's no manual or ring spirit girl inside. Moreover, Flash is powerful enough! I know a super-powerful mage who learned Flash in his spells. It's as easy as playing with humans, orcs, wizards, and balrogs."

"Is that a mage?!"

"Alright, stop arguing."

The Grand Duke pondered for a moment and shook his head. "In the history of the Church of the Sun, there has never been a precedent of a non-believer obtaining the approval of the Proof of Star Authority. He has never received the training and education of the church, so he naturally can't unleash the power of this ring. We're not experts in this field. This situation has never been heard of, so he needs the help of the church."

His gaze fell on the ring on Kang De's hand. "Perhaps only the church can give us the answer. We need to evaluate the danger and risk of it and find a way to eliminate it."

Kang De suggested, "Or ask the… Phoenix King?"

"It's better not to. After all, I also think that the elves don't have the ability to tamper with Her Excellency Sulla's divine artifact," Tina said gently. "Moreover, Her Majesty Delilah returned the certificate of Star Power to Kang De, but he wore it on his ring finger and can't take it off. If the Phoenix King sees it, she'll misunderstand, right?"

"…"

Kang De looked at the beautiful face close at hand. The girl spoke tirelessly, her tone gentle and her eyebrows picturesque. He felt that the other party made sense and could not help but nod in agreement.

At this moment, it was already late, but the two changes in the Maple Leaf Palace were enough to wake up any extraordinary person. The Grand Duke issued a secret order and the invitation of the ruler of Goethe was sent to the Sunshine Sanctuary in Red Maple City.

Before long, Sulla's shepherd arrived at the Maple Leaf Palace.

Wearing a yellow sacrificial robe and holding a thick scripture, he was a kind-looking, burly middle-aged man. What left the most impression on Kang De was the heavy nail hammer hanging at this bishop's waist.

This hammer circulated with blazing fire elements. The hammer head was an iron ball with many spikes, like a glowing sun.

He asked Tina softly, "Is this a martial artist?"

Tina replied in a low voice, "The priests of the Sun Church are all like this…"

He understood.

The priests of this world were at least priests of the Sun God Sect. Their style was also as hardcore as the elves.

The fake priest was wearing light clothes and holding a meaningless staff. He shook his large and useless chest. Heal, heal, heal, still heal. The burden of the team, the victim of a long-range attack, the experience bag of close combat, the wrong outfit, and a weak will. The greatest use was to provide benefits and anger.

A true priest wore heavy armor and held a nail hammer. He learned to slash and was good at charging bravely. He smashed the heretics, cursed and exorcised evil spirits, exorcised all living beings with martial strength, and exorcised souls with spells.

"Not all Sun Priests are like this." Tina looked behind the bishop and said in disappointment, "I thought Big Sister would come."

Tina's eldest sister had entered the Sun Church long ago.

"This is really… magical."

The Grand Duke explained the situation to the bishop, and Kang De exchanged a few pleasantries with him. Pera had long noticed the ball of flames in Kang De's hand. After confirming the authenticity of the Proof of the Star Power, after careful inspection and perception, the bishop could not help but sigh.

Leckos asked, "Your Eminence, what's going on?"

"I've never seen such a precedent, Grand Duke. The Proof of Star Authority has been lost for a long time. The records of it are only in an ancient book collection. I need to read and check the relevant records to answer your questions and deal with this situation, but I can promise you now…"

Bishop Bela smiled and said, "This is undoubtedly the grace of my god. Her light illuminates His Highness Kang De as a reward for his heroism, pity, contributions, and contribution. Apart from that, I can't imagine any other reason for the Certificate of Star Power to choose a foreigner who doesn't serve the sun. Only the preference and favor of the gods can explain this. Your Highness Kang De, congratulations."

His smile was warm and calm, making people feel like they were bathing in a spring breeze. The divine ring was worn by a foreign non-believer, but the bishop's face was not dissatisfied or jealous at all.

Kang De nodded at him in greeting. "Thank you… In other words, you don't plan to take back this ring?"

The bishop smiled and said, "How can we be qualified to take back what God gave you?"

"…You won't make me join you, right?"

—To be honest, I'm already under Brother Akatum.

"If you're willing to understand Sulla's glory, we'll be very honored and welcome you. It's fine not to join. Faith is only a bright path, and you're already on the way."

The bishop replied, "The light of the sun feeds the world, giving strength to the weak and healing to the injured. Sulla taught us to guard hope and pick up weapons when necessary to expel atrocities, punish evil, protect those who do good, and protect the innocent. This is what you did. You're happy for Sulla because of this. You're the executor of her benevolent will. What does it matter if you join the church?"

Kang De was stunned for a moment before smiling, "You're very open-minded."

"Look at the flowers and plants outside. They're solid rocks and ignorant living beings. They exist, but they don't have thoughts or know how to think. They don't know Sulla's name and have never felt her love. However, even so, the light of the sun still shines on them every day, nourishing and warming them. Sulla even loves them equally. Have you ever seen a blade of grass lose its sunlight because it doesn't join the church?"

The bishop also smiled, "If they're already like this, let alone you. Sulla favors you, Your Highness Kang De, only because you've walked her path. Please continue to do the right thing. She'll always watch you."

Kang De shook the bishop's hand. It was warm, rough, and strong.

"Your Highness, you can sleep without worry tonight. As for the ring that you can't take off… I'll check the books and find a precedent and solution, if you insist."

Bishop Bela stood up. "As for how to use this ring… I'll discuss it with my colleagues and give you the right to accept the various training courses of the Sun Church. I'll try my best to fight for it for you. There shouldn't be a problem."

Basically, this Great Divine Priest of the Church of the Sun felt that there was no problem with the Proof of Star Authority. Choosing Kang De was the grace of the goddess. As for why he could only wear it on his ring finger and could not take it off, he did not know very well. He had to go back and flip through the books and discuss it with his colleagues.

After all, in the past, the Sun Knight had obtained the approval of the Proof of the Star Power. How could there be so much trouble? Not only was he concerned about which finger he was conflicted about, but he also felt that he could not take it off—this was the love of the gods. Who would take it off?!

"Your Highness, when you're free, you can go to the Sunshine Templar."

The bishop bade farewell and left.

Kang De watched him ride the white horse and leave under the escort of the palace guards and church guards. He sighed, "Everything in Goethe is very different."

The Grand Duke stood beside him. "How is it different?"

Kang De said, "The shepherd of the church is magnanimous, open-minded, and understanding. The ruler's ears are soft, and his heart is soft. The princess is also innocent, cute, beautiful, and kind… In short, the style is very different."

Leckos was silent for a moment before sighing softly.

"The shepherd of the church was open-minded and magnanimous. He followed the oracle and protected the weak and cleaned up the darkness for Sulla. Therefore, when the elves invaded, the priests of the Church of the Sun stepped forward and risked their lives. They suffered heavy casualties and were severely injured."

"As the ruler, I'm soft-hearted, emotional, and indecisive. Therefore, I can't suppress the nobles internally or unite the various countries externally. Therefore, my country has been invaded and bullied by Twilight and is almost about to fall."

"My daughter is innocent and cute, so she was easily seduced by the Cathayan boar…"

"—Hey!"

"Look, we abide by the instructions of our ancestors. The church adheres to the teachings of the Sun God. We're upright, kind, and don't do evil or lie. Therefore, others will lie to us and come to our land to do evil, bleed the people, and sacrifice the warriors. If not for you, Goethe would have fallen and been destroyed. Those cruel and cunning hyenas would have swarmed forward and bitten Goethe's corpse, allowing suffering to spread…"

The Grand Duke turned to look at Kang De, "Even about tonight, the enemy is still trampling on our dignity without restraint… I once swore that I'll be upright and righteous all my life. I won't distort or change. In order to prove to history, the world, and myself, even if it's upright, it can still make the people happy and the country powerful…"

"But I almost lost my country. I almost messed everything up."

"My lifelong close friend once watched me make an oath. The person who has fought alongside me for decades parted ways with me tonight and no longer believed in my previous dreams and ideals. In fact, I was also shaken."

"My daughter was even nudged by the wild boar from Cathay."

"—Do you have to keep stressing about this?"

The Grand Duke was silent for a long time before saying softly, "Kang De, tell me, is justice, axiom, kindness, honesty… useful? Then why is the ruler of the human world an emperor who rules with conspiracy, balance, and power? Why is the overlord of the world an elf who plunders with finance, strong armies, and magic? Why are warriors bleeding and civilians suffering? It's been like this since ancient times?"

Kang De said nothing.

He could not answer.

Just like how he had never understood why the descendants of a group of bandits, murderers, and liars dominated the world order, starting with enslavement, plunder, and slaughter, accumulating wealth, obtaining hegemony, putting on a dainty outfit and holding the right to speak in the world, reenacting plunder, fraud, and exploitation, hypocritical, double standard, and cruel. They used finance to harvest the world, build technical barriers, and seize and protect benefits with iron and fire…

However… it was different, right?

"But didn't your country not fall?"

The Grand Duke's body shook.

Kang De said softly, "Isn't there me here? Am I not here? The bishop said that this was God's arrangement, right? I don't know, but I'm here, so a country that upholds justice and kindness won't be destroyed by people who seize it by force. The world will also see that diligence, order, and integrity can also strengthen a country."

"The Empire can no longer maintain its rule with power and deception. The expansion of the elves will be obstructed, and the world will become what the bearer of hope wants. I want to do such a thing."

Leckos was silent for a moment before saying in a low voice, "Hmph, that sounds nice. It's simply exactly the same as when I was young. I'm the same stupid and arrogant person. I said an unrealistic distant dream, but I turned a blind eye to the difficulty in front of me. I only said an ambitious dream, but I didn't say a wish that could be completed immediately…"

"—Oh, I'll kiss your daughter."

"Hey!"

An immediate attack.

The son-in-law's conversation which was filled with emotions and ideals finally evolved into his father-in-law glaring at him.

The Grand Duke, who was looking at the moonlight at a 45-degree angle and sighing, immediately changed his expression. He jumped and glared at Kang De, looking like he would not succeed.

However, in the next moment, a beautiful figure walked over from behind. Her delicate and gentle arm hugged Kang De's arm. The girl exhaled and said softly, "What are you talking to Father about, Kang De? It's already very late."

Tina said softly, "Go back. It's time to sleep."

…