Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

A real talk.

It was already late at night outside the window. Kang De and Hong San sat opposite each other at the table. The silence lasted for three seconds.

Then, Hong San said, "Something must have changed."

In the previous negotiation, Kang De had suggested a fake competition. Kang De would lose to the dragon battle group once to prove that under some environments, prerequisites, and equipment, the military products of the Dragon Defense Company could still defeat Kang De's alchemical weapons. The dragons were still the overlords of the sky and were extremely cost-effective strategic weapons.

Then, the dragon spokesman expressed his opinion from various channels and expressed his admiration and approval of His Highness Kang De's attainments and strength in the alchemy military department. He also conveyed his intention to communicate. Goethe also placed an order to the Dragon Defense Company and hired the latest dragon cavalry combat group products. The two sides praised each other in business. It was very good.

This suggestion gave the dragons face and avoided the possible military conflict and potential threat. It was undoubtedly in line with business interests. Not only could it save Dragon Island from the financial crisis, but it could also give the salesmen of the Dragon Defense Company a chance to continue talking. It was good news and boosted market confidence.

To Goethe, there was no loss. After obtaining the friendship of the dragons and even the possibility of further cooperation, the dragon cavalry battle group hired could clearly increase the strength and deterrence of the country.

As for Kang De, there was no actual loss if he lost a fake match. His greatest deterrence power was in quality projection. He was famous for fighting seven people alone and losing a small battle without losing anything. Moreover, he could resolve the hidden danger of the third dragon corpse evaporating into thin air. If he connected to the dragons, he could obtain the materials, equipment, and magic medicine provided by them. Of course, this was not important. Most importantly, if Tina was happy, she would help him resolve the problem of starvation.

He was quite vexed to be hungry all the time.

…Then it smashed.

The Dragon Emperor had gone back on his word.

The fake competition was canceled and he would take it seriously now.

Hong San pondered for a moment and said, "From yesterday to today… what made the Dragon Emperor change his mind?"

Although he had yet to sign any clauses and contracts, the details were being discussed and the large framework had already been finalized. What kind of person was the Dragon Emperor? At this level, a word was a contract. Since he had agreed, it was equivalent to signing a contract. If he changed his mind today, it was no different from breaking his promise.

Therefore, when Santos said it tonight, he looked embarrassed and ashamed.

However, when he asked why, he did not say. He probably did not know.

Kang De knocked on the table and said indifferently, "Horus was injured last night."

The alchemical weapon that could threaten the dragons in the sky was severely injured. Due to the country's system and situation, the dragons were not afraid of Kang De's forbidden curse. It was not surprising that they would fall out now.

However, it was very distasteful.

As expected, Hong San shook his head and said, "I feel that that's most likely not the reason. I've also heard of His Majesty the Dragon Emperor's reputation. After hearing Your Highness's story, I can also pry into this dragon lord's personality and ambition. As a king, he has the breadth of mind of a monarch and the pragmatism of a businessman. The long lives of the dragons also make them extremely long-term vision. They won't care about short-term gains and losses, so how can they rashly change their mind and kick him when he's down?"

Kang De pondered for a moment and said, "Perhaps it's a test of an open plan. He wants to see if I can maintain my powerful control of the sky after Horus was injured. In other words, he wants to see my performance in that battle before deciding if he wants to continue cooperating… Hmph, he's essentially taking advantage of the situation."

Hong San frowned and pondered, "If that's the case, the Dragon Emperor can completely use a more secretive method and not break his promise like this…"

Kang De waved his hand and said, "Alright, no matter what the inside story is, this battle can't be avoided. It's useless to think about this. Why don't we see what the Dragon Emperor says after winning?"

Hong San was stunned for a moment, then laughed at himself.

That was indeed the case.

He discovered the difference between his thoughts and His Highness's.

Hearing the news that the Dragon Emperor had broken his promise, he and His Highness were puzzled at the same time. He racked his brains to figure out the inside story and reason, but His Highness did not take it to heart, because no matter what, this battle was inevitable. As for the reason, he would know after winning.

—Is the thought process of the lord different from that of a strategist?

This was a good thing.

It was best to complement each other.

He smiled and explained his thoughts. Then, he cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness' temperament has matured, so it's a good thing. Therefore, let's do our own things. Your Highness, prepare for victory in the war and I'll check to make up for the gap."

Kang De frowned and said, "You still want to explore the Dragon Emperor's thoughts and plan? I'm afraid it's very difficult to succeed. He made up his mind not to say anything. Even Santos doesn't know, let alone us… These guys are really troublesome. They clearly had a plan in their hearts, but they didn't say it and only let others slowly guess."

For some reason, the figure of Prime Minister Xide flashed through his mind.

Hong San smiled and said, "The higher-ups have consideration, vision, and pride of the higher-ups. They also understand the principle of not being secretive and suffering from it. Since they're in a high position, they must have seen many sinister people. How can they tell them their plan? The higher their position is, the more lonely they are, because they don't believe anyone other than themselves. After all, which chess player will believe the pawn in their hands?"

As he spoke, he looked at Kang De.

Kang De glanced at him and was a little unhappy, "What are you looking at? Although I'm suspicious, cruel, and cold-blooded, it's not like I don't believe everyone."

"I understand." Hong San smiled and bowed, "I have no regrets that we've met. I know my lord's intentions."

"Bullsh*t again."

Kang De rolled his eyes. "Get down to business—what do you have in mind?"

"I'm about to discuss it with Your Highness," Hong San said. "The most common method to guess the intentions of others is to use others in their shoes to scheme. In Your Highness's words, it's from another perspective. Then please try to think in your shoes. You're the Dragon Emperor. What's the reason for making such a decision?"

"…If I'm in your shoes, I have to at least have the most basic understanding. I'm not the Dragon Emperor and don't understand him. How can I think in your shoes?" Kang De said in confusion, "What a bad idea."

Hong San said in surprise, "Your Highness doesn't understand the Dragon Emperor?"

"…Nonsense, how can I know him?" Kang De rolled his eyes and said, "I only know the Dragon King."

"Dragon King?" Hong San revealed a surprised expression and said in surprise, "That's…"

"The most talkative person in every group."

"…"

"A very powerful smelting worker."

"…Alright, I understand. Please don't continue."

Hong San interrupted Kang De's topic and said seriously, "What Your Highness said earlier is very true. From another perspective, it has to be built on a certain level of information advantage. In other words, you have to understand the target to a certain extent. I don't know the Dragon Emperor, and you don't know him, but someone does."

Kang De was enlightened. "Santos?"

Hong San added, "There's also Miss Lily."

After understanding, Kang De said, "In other words, you want…"

Hong San nodded seriously, "Please do it, Your Highness. With your beauty, charm, consensus, and methods, ask Lady Lily indirectly to obtain detailed information about the Dragon Emperor."

"…"

Kang De thought of the Dragon Girl's appearance. She had a straight face and wrote relatively subtle things. From time to time, shocking words appeared. What impressed him the most was her figure that night.

And…

Tina had "accidentally" left the stockings on his bed and then mysteriously disappeared.

Only the Dragon Girl rolled under his blanket.

The culprit could be found immediately.

At the thought of this, Kang De felt a huge resistance. Social death or something. When he thought of that thing being in the hands of the Dragon Girl, he felt uncomfortable.

That little female dragon might cause some trouble.

When he thought of this, he blurted out, "We might as well find Santos."

Unexpectedly, Hong San let out a long breath and revealed a relieved smile. He smiled very kindly and even patted his chest, "If Your Highness thinks so, I'm relieved. Sigh, I was still thinking of how to euphemistically express my thoughts and make Your Highness realize that you're better at dealing with men than women…"

"…"

"Your Highness?"

"Hong San."

"I'm here."

"Did you realize that you've become a little annoying this time?"

"Your Highness, please."

"…Go away!"

After discussing with Hong San, Kang De directly returned to the white fog world.

Horus was still repairing and organizing the lines.

"Father." He looked at Kang De, who had torn through space and come out. "What's the matter?"

"If the Dragon Emperor really wants to fight…"

Kang De said, "This battle is irreversible. Basically, we have to fight."

Horus said in a low voice, "We have to fight. In other words, we have to win."

"Right."

"Then what's Father's plan?"

Kang De replied bluntly, "I have to see you first. Even if this doesn't happen, I have to repair you as soon as possible and let you recover your combat strength."

Horus was silent for a moment before picking up a slate from the ground. It was drawn with patterns and engraved with words. Beside it was a USB drive. "I did a systematic check today. With the help of the knowledge of Tacitus, it went quite smoothly. Just as the humans on Earth still can't understand the secrets of life, they can understand the mechanism and pattern of the human body's operation. My situation is similar."

He handed this heavy stone slab to Kang De, "Although I still can't understand my origin and don't know the form of existence of a mechanical lifeform like me, let alone replicate one… the operation and activation of the body system mechanism have barely reached the point of knowing the situation but not knowing the reason, this is temporarily enough."

Kang De nodded and said, "In other words, although I don't understand code, I know what a program does and what functions a hardware has."

"An appropriate analogy."

Horus let out a hoarse laugh. "That's true. I know which hardware is broken, which program is invalid, and how to repair and install them, because I know where to download new software and which online shop to order to buy new hardware…"

"This is indeed enough."

Kang De looked happy. It was good news.

He asked, "What can I do to help?"

"To be precise, it's a lot of work."

Horus, who was sitting like Jing Ke, stood up with the help of the wall. His huge and tattered body rumbled, and fragments and parts continuously fell. The Transformer came to Kang De and half knelt down. His chest opened, and his body was partially deformed, revealing the shining sparks and broken structure inside.

"Look, my body has been severely injured. There are many structures and parts that need to be changed. As the intensity of the battle increases, the strength of my original body is already slightly insufficient. In the battle of Red Maple City, the parts that were strengthened by bathing in dragon blood were only superficial armor, and they were relatively crude enchantment strengthening. Father, my plan is not only to complete the repair, but also take this opportunity to fully strengthen."

Horus said, "This requires a large number of super-powerful materials and the enhancement of enchantment techniques. I'll carry out the plan to repair and strengthen it, but these can only be completed by Father."

It was very reasonable.

Since it was strengthening, it would definitely consume top-notch materials. Kang De could only appear and suggest that Goethe cooperate and support with the strength of the country. As for enchantment, the same principle applied.

Kang De glanced at the list, then took the USB drive.

He said, "Such a workload can't be completed in ten days to half a month."

Even with Goethe's manpower and resources, it would take a certain amount of time to dispatch and collect these materials. Moreover, some materials needed deep enchantment and strengthening. They either had to gather the alchemists or Kang De would do it himself. As for the latter, he had to specially learn them… The agreed time with the dragons was half a month, so it was probably not enough.

Kang De muttered, "So…"

Horus continued, "Therefore, I might have to extend this half a month by seven times."

Some processing materials were not available in the other world.

"I'm going to be busy again."

"Yes, Father. This is the price of peace."

If he wanted peace, he had to prepare for war first. If he did not want to fight, he had to walk the path of war.

"I'll tell Tina. Let's take care of the other world first and set the rules. Then, we'll bargain with the dragons and see if we can extend our time." Kang De waved his hand and said, "Let's go."

"Take care, Father." Horus's voice became deeper, "I'm the one who's dragging you down. In front of a great enemy, I'm useless and have to let you busy yourself and run for me."

"Go away." Kang De waved his hand and said, "Don't think too much. This is to repair your body, not to rush you to fight. I'm not asking you today to force you to go into battle quickly. Even if you want to recuperate, I have a way. Two weeks is 14 weeks when I bring it to Earth. More than three months is enough for me to get all the mainstream short-range air defense missiles of the various countries and blow them up, so don't feel psychological pressure."

Not to mention air defense missiles, even the air defense cannons of the Shileka River in the white fog world were enough to make the dragon suffer. However, if possible, he should not take out that thing first.

A genius alchemist that was rare in a thousand years drove the only one on the continent, consumed countless precious materials, and contained endless wisdom and strength to defeat a few ordinary dragons with a speed advantage in the sky of Red Maple City's home ground. The dragons could tolerate such a thing.

However, more than ten Shilka self-propelled high-tech cannons were lined up and poured a rain of flames into the sky. They weaved into the river of death and drew out the no-fly zone for dragons. A farmer who farmed could control these alchemical weapons that looked like a lot and seemed to be energy-produced to defeat the Dragoons…

No matter how much the Dragon Emperor did not want to fall out, he had to.

Kang De had always known very well what could be taken out and what had to be hidden.

…