Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

The so-called meeting was actually just a notification.

The captain was the highest-ranking officer of the Penguin, and Tina was the representative of the Tedrell family. If these two people unanimously decided on something, it would be a mission that the entire ship had to complete.

Moreover, the others did not have any objections.

Then, the matter was settled.

Before heading to the capital, he had to replenish and rest in the Glory Sand Viscounty.

After the meeting was adjourned, the officers bade farewell. Only Kang De and Tina were left in the meeting room.

Tina looked at him. "Kang De, do you have any thoughts?"

Kang De shrugged. "What can I think?"

He could be said to know nothing about the situation on the continent. This voyage was only a free ride. How to sail, the details of the route, and even the destination were all decided by the Goethe people.

Even if he wanted to express his opinion, he could not. After all, he basically did not know anything.

However, if he really had any thoughts…

Kang De looked at Tina and said seriously, "Can we trust that so-called Goode family?"

It was said that Tina's family had a good personal relationship with the other party's family. This Viscount territory also had trade relations with Goethe, but that was only their relationship. Kang De's understanding of this family was equivalent to zero.

He did not know what kind of people the other party was.

Just like how he would hesitate, be wary, and be nervous when he first discovered traces of the Goethe people on the island.

Now that the Goode family had appeared… he instinctively became wary again.

When Tina heard this, surprise and confusion appeared on her face. "…Ah? What do you mean?"

Kang De frowned. "I mean, will they…"

The princess tilted her head. "What will happen?"

"…"

That's right, what would happen?

Kang De did not know what the other party would do.

He snorted for a moment and said, "It's to stop you or something… If you go to the capital to lobby for help this time, will anyone want to stop you…"

Tina shook her head and laughed, "Kang De, you don't understand. The Tedrell family has a long-standing friendly relationship with the Goode family… Let's not talk about this for now, but I bet that the Goode family wants the Empire to help the war with Goethe the most. There's almost no other…"

"Because the Elven Fleet has sealed off the Goethe Sea and almost all the sea routes have been declared closed. The trade between the Goode family and Goethe has also been interrupted. This will affect the planting business of the entire Glory Sand Viscounty and cause huge economic losses. Therefore, Kang De, do you understand?"

The girl stretched out her hand and circled her thumb and index finger in a circle. She gestured cutely in front of her, "Gold coins. For the sake of the gold coins, they're also our most reliable allies."

Kang De nodded.

So that was the case.

"Moreover, it's normal for Kang De to be worried that we'll be obstructed by the capital. After all, politics is an act of interest, and Goethe's defeat or even destruction is in line with the interests of some factions in the capital. Therefore, they'll do everything to obstruct this lobbying operation."

Tina smiled and said, "For this, I'm also prepared. I decided to rest and replenish my supplies in the Glory Sand Viscounty this time because of this consideration. As for what I want to do… Kang De, why don't you guess?"

Kang De said, "About the Holy Seal Islands and the curtain?"

Tina was surprised. "How did you know?"

Kang De only smiled.

He sat down.

The trick of public opinion was leftovers by Earthlings.

Speaking of her plan, Tina was a little proud and could not even wait to share it with Kang De. After all, out of consideration for confidentiality, she did not explain it in the meeting just now.

"I've already thought about it. The crimson scroll we obtained from the Holy Seal Islands is very important. Not only is it related to a life and death matter like the Curtain Rift, but it also involves the most recent glory of the gods. When this news spreads to the continent, all races should deal with it seriously. In the face of this threat, any war actions will be criticized by mainstream public opinion…"

She said seriously, "This is Goethe's opportunity. This is because putting down our differences and fighting the crisis together is the morality of the entire world. It's unethical to still insist on war after the news of the curtain crack reappears. With this absolutely correct morality as an excuse, the anti-war faction of the Twilight Dynasty will obtain a powerful reason for peace. On the Empire's side, our allies will speed up the assistance proposal…"

"Even the other factions on the continent who are afraid of the Twilight Dynasty will join forces and use this as an excuse to pressure the elves to curb their expansion intentions…"

"That's my plan."

Kang De understood Tina's thoughts.

Moreover, he understood it very smoothly.

This was the benefit of being in the information era… At the very least, his comprehension ability was not bad.

He nodded and said, "Therefore, you chose to rest and stop in the Glory Sand Viscounty because you wanted to spread the news of the Curtain Invasion through Viscount Goode before arriving at the capital?"

"Yes, this is called raising awareness."

Tina replied, "First, spread this news and let it ferment and generate discussion. Then, when we arrive in the capital, the identity of the entire Goethe diplomatic mission will change."

"We will go from 'Lobbyists seeking help for their country' to 'Goethe people who discovered signs of the Curtain Invasion'. We will become… heroes who bring back news that concerns the survival of the world to the continent."

She said, "With this halo around us, those who are against and hostile to us won't dare to act rashly. We'll obtain more attention… That means protection and safety."

They could fight for a righteous cause.

At the very least, Kang De could not find anything wrong.

After all, he did not know the political situation and ideology of the entire continent at all. He only heard Tina's words and could not find any logical mistakes.

Moreover, he was concerned about another problem.

"In other words…" Kang De's expression was a little subtle, "We have to go to that Viscount's territory to stay for a few days?"

Tina nodded. "That's right. After all, it takes a certain amount of time and plans to release the news and guide public opinion. I want to discuss the process and main points with Uncle Samuel."

Kang De looked troubled.

He thought that the so-called supplies and rest were to stop at the dock to buy resources. The sailors could go to the tavern to drink some alcohol and find cheap women to have fun with. The officers would go to the high-class restaurant to chat and laugh, then find some relatively expensive women to have fun with, and then they would be done resting.

When he heard about this rest plan earlier, he also made a decision. When the time came, he would stay in his cabin and not come out. At most, he would open the window to look at the scenery or walk around with the knight. The rest of the time, he would practice enchantment, draw CAD, and play games.

As for experiencing the local customs of the other world, he would think about it when he arrived at the capital. After all, it was the capital of a country. After all, it was the most prosperous and rich city on the continent. It was better to start from there to experience life in the other world.

However… should he go to the Viscount's territory?

The first thought in his mind was not to go.

'I want to stay on the ship.'

Everyone here is talented and speaks nicely. I really like to be on the ship.

Therefore, he said, "Then go. I'll be on the ship."

Tina looked surprised, then asked, "Why?"

Kang De shook his head and said, "It's nothing."

He simply did not want to see outsiders.

At this moment, Tina suddenly reached out and covered his hand.

Kang De was shocked. He looked up at the girl's beautiful blue eyes.

Tina said seriously, "Kang De, you asked if the Goode family is trustworthy, and now you don't want to see them… Can I ask why?"

Kang De avoided her gaze.

—Perhaps it's because I'm paranoid.

He was on a deserted island and did not have a psychiatrist, but Kang De himself discovered that there might be a certain degree of mental problem… He knew in his heart.

However, he could not tell what was going on.

Including his current thoughts and his unease and resistance to interacting with strangers.

He sighed. "I don't know."

"I know." The girl said, "I can roughly understand Kang De's feelings."

She said softly, "When I was young, my personality was very introverted. I liked to read and did not like to interact with others. Because I saw some things with my own eyes and heard some things with my own ears when I was young, I felt that the world was very dangerous, including many people who appeared in front of me. I felt that they were two-faced and had dark thoughts that were different from the surface. I was worried that they had ulterior motives… Therefore, I didn't like to interact with outsiders."

"My parents, brothers, and sisters want to bring me out to play, but I'm unwilling. They want me to attend some banquets, but I don't dare. I'm afraid that there are bad people outside. I'm afraid that the person I see will suddenly turn into a monster and bite me. I'm afraid that the person who appears in front of me is a serial murderer… What a ridiculous thought, right?"

At the mention of her childhood, a gentle expression flashed through her eyes and she smiled warmly, "However, I've gotten over it after all. Sometimes, letting my imagination run wild will only add to my worries. After really taking that step, you'll realize that the world is different from what you think… Actually, it's not always bad."

She held Kang De's hand and looked into his eyes.

"Kang De, don't worry. Although the continent is an unfamiliar world to you, you don't have to look at everything with a guarded gaze. Even if nobles are not necessarily synonymous with nobility, and there are also sinister scum and evil degenerates, there are still many nobles who work hard to be honest and righteous with honor and uprightness… You can slowly distinguish who's good and who's bad with your eyes."

She blinked. "For example, do you think I'm very bad?"

Kang De shook his head and said, "…Of course not. You're a kind and beautiful girl."

"Therefore, I can't be the only good person in the world, right? You happened to bump into me."

Tina shook his hand and smiled. "Come, come with me. I can guarantee that the Goode family has another kind and beautiful girl. I can introduce her to you."

"…"

Kang De looked a little unwilling.

Tina pouted. "Could it be that you're only tempted if the Goode family also has an outstanding knight who's not inferior to Cleveland?"

"Huh?" Kang De was puzzled, "What do you mean? What does this have to do with me?"

For some reason, Tina was even more subtly unhappy when she heard this.

"In short, let's go together."

She composed herself and said softly, "Kang De, you have to start a brand new life on the continent in the end. You can't keep resisting like this. Why don't you try to take the first step?"

"Like I said, letting your imagination run wild is useless in solving the problem. Only when you really walk out will you discover the beauty of this world, right?"

Kang De was silent for a long time, then slowly nodded.

A brand new life…?

Traces of painful sadness flashed through his eyes, then he sighed silently.

Perhaps that was really the case.

Tina said softly, "Everything will get better… I promise."

Two days later, the cheers of the sailors came from the deck. The watchtower had already seen land.

Kang De stood at the bow and looked out.

The seagulls flew past. The sky was blue and the sea breeze blew. Ahead was a small port. He could see the buildings in the forest and the ships moored in the port. Their sails were raised and lowered. People came and went, bustling and busy.

This was the aura of civilization.

Wooden docks, wooden houses, wooden ships, foreign charm, foreign clothes, and foreign people—if they wanted to see such a scene on Earth, they had to go back in time for at least 200 to 300 years.

Only at this moment did Kang De truly sense something.

He was about to enter the other world.

The bosun's shout sounded on the deck. The sailors climbed up the mast and began to lower the sail. They nimbly fiddled with the ship and controlled the direction and speed, causing it to slowly sail into the dock.

Kang De stood at the bow and looked at the slowly approaching dock.

Many otherworlders… looked more like Westerners, but they were a little different.

He saw a person in relatively decent clothes shouting and gesturing at the same time. He should be a guide. At the same time, there were some people dressed as sailors sitting in twos and threes on the junk box at the dock. They were sizing up the ship with interest. There were also seven or eight people gathered in the corridor. They held wooden tablets in their hands and were stretching their necks to look at the ship. They were probably here to attract customers.

Kang De saw them, and they saw him.

The two sides looked at each other. When the other party saw Kang De's Eastern appearance, shock appeared on his face. Then, their gazes focused on his hair and face, and they began to look at his clothes. In a short moment, they observed the necessary information from these details.

His hair was soft, his beard was perfectly shaved, his face and neck were very clean, his clothes were brand new, the style was rare, and the material was even rarer—on a warship that had experienced a long voyage.

They immediately revealed respectful expressions and lowered their heads deeply, not daring to look at Kang De.

He did not know the survival techniques of these dockers.

However, he could not help but feel a little satisfied.

On Earth, it was very, very difficult to see others show such an expression to him.

The ship stopped.

The guide raised his head and waited to be approached. The first mate walked across the deck and first bowed to Kang De. Then, he said a few words to the guide. The other party's expression changed slightly and he bowed deeply. Then, he turned around and ran towards the port office.

"This port belongs to the Goode family. I'll get him to contact the person in charge of the port. I have to inform the Goode family first… These people are not qualified to receive the princess. I'll do it."

Taking advantage of this moment, the first mate smiled at Kang De.

Kang De nodded.

Soon, there was chaos on the dock. A few guards began to clean up the sailors here. A middle-aged man in neat and tidy clothes rushed over. The sailors laid the gangplank, and the first mate went to contact them. The middle-aged man had a serious expression and nodded repeatedly. As for what he was saying, Kang De was far away and did not hear it.

However, he knew that the first mate had mentioned him.

The middle-aged man nodded again and looked up at Kang De. Then, he bent down and raised his hand, performing a pleasing and impeccable etiquette and revealing a friendly and respectful smile.

Kang De nodded back.

However, he discovered that the other party looked at him with surprise, but not shock.

It was fundamentally different from the gazes of the people on the dock just now.

Kang De's heart skipped a beat.

An idea suddenly appeared in his mind.

—There were Cathayans in the Glory Sand Viscounty!

…