Here, Kong Tai's heart had already arrived at an answer.
It was freedom, democracy, and fairness.
The great kingdom of old, and the clan of "D" were, for reasons unknown, considered dark by the world.
But even with the change, one could not deny that the great kingdom, and the clan of "D," had brought dawn to this world.
Yet, the passing of dawn would inevitably bring darkness.
History was a cycle, developing in repetitive fashion.
After eight hundred years of temporal change, another cycle had appeared.
The heroes of old, eroded by the passage of time and under the supreme power of "privilege," had gradually evolved into the disgusting beings known as the Celestial Dragons.
Kong Tai did not believe the original Celestial Dragons were like they were now. From the Nefertari family of Alabasta, one could surmise that the initial Celestial Dragons could not have been so wicked.
Through the evolution of history, the subsequent rise of slavery brought forth a darkness even more evil than the great kingdom they had once overthrown.
Therefore, the oppressed people of this world were reminded once again of the clan of "D" from ages past, which was why they held such anticipation.
This was also the true reason why the World Government desperately sought to conceal the meaning of "D."
For in their past, they were the heroes who brought dawn to the world and slew the evil dragons!
As "heroes," no one understood the power of evil dragons better than they did.
Thus, they would go to any lengths to block the information.
Of course, all of this was Kong Tai's own speculation. Knowing too much inevitably led to overthinking.
As for the specific truth, he was not truly interested.
To him, whether heroes or evil dragons, in the grand tapestry of history, under his own long life, they were but a small ripple in the water.
He did not seek to be a world hero. Killing Celestial Dragons and abolishing slavery was simply because these things clashed with his own ideals and made him feel disgusted.
As for what else would happen after the Celestial Dragons were gone, where the world would head, or what it would evolve into, he truly had no further thoughts on the matter.
"Alright, let's head out!"
Looking down at A Hua, who had woken early and was preparing breakfast in the courtyard outside the wooden house, Kong Tai turned to Guina with a smile and then walked out of the room with her.
"Yo! Good morning, Mr. Sauro!"
As they descended the stairs, the first thing they saw was Sauro's massive frame.
He was in the bookshelf area, tidying books, his actions and movements suggesting it had become a habit, almost ingrained in his DNA.
"Oh~ Good morning, Mr. Kong Tai, Guina."
Sauro put down the book in his hand and greeted Kong Tai and Guina as well.
"Captain, you're down a bit late today!"
Beside Sauro, Robin was leaning against a bookshelf, engrossed in a book.
Upon hearing the commotion, she unhurriedly reached out her right hand, adjusted her rimless glasses perched on her nose, and looked up at Kong Tai and Guina, teasing them, especially Guina.
"We chatted a bit late last night."
Kong Tai was unbothered by Robin's teasing.
It wasn't the first time he and Guina had slept together. Just like when they often shared a bed as children, Kong Tai would not do anything to Guina before their marriage.
It wasn't like his past life.
In his past life, with such a perfect figure and appearance, a goddess among goddesses, and the one he loved lying beside him, he might not have been able to resist his desires and done something.
But over the past decade and more here, his willpower was no longer comparable to the otaku he was in his past life.
Moreover, his love for Guina would not allow him to do anything to her before she came of age.
Thus, he and Guina truly only slept in the same room, together.
Robin naturally knew this, but seeing them come down later than usual, she couldn't help but tease them.
Beside Kong Tai, Guina glanced casually at Robin, a gentle smile on her lips, offering no response to Robin's jest.
"Boring."
Seeing the two show no reaction, Robin shook her head in resignation. Then, as if struck by an idea, she took a step forward, raised the book in her hand towards them, and said with a smile, "Captain, look what I found!"
"Oh~ What did you find?"
Kong Tai and Guina lowered their heads to look at the book Robin held up to them, asking curiously.
"See for yourself, it's quite interesting."
Robin handed the book to Kong Tai, pushed her glasses up again with her right hand, and then stood perfectly still. If she weren't not wearing a uniform, she would look like a proper secretary.
Kong Tai took the book, glanced up at Robin, then lowered his head and flipped open the page Robin had marked.
"Mmm!"
With just a glance, Kong Tai was quickly captivated by the story on the page.
Seeing Kong Tai's reaction, Guina stretched her neck and looked at the page from Kong Tai's right.
"Song Demon?"
Raising her head, Guina seemed to recall something and exchanged a look with Kong Tai. "A union of desires..."
"Mmm!" Kong Tai nodded, his expression also becoming serious at that moment.
The story in the book was simple, and ancient.
Legend had it that a long time ago, there was a great musician.
This musician was already world-class at the time, but he was not content. He was not content to merely have his music resonate in the ears of his listeners.
He wanted to create music that would echo in the souls of his audience.
In the years that followed, the musician traveled all over the world. It is unknown where he found a unique language. When spoken, this language could penetrate anyone's reality, truly seeming to be etched into their souls.
He then returned to his hometown and, foregoing sleep and food, spent several years, and indeed succeeded in creating the kind of music he desired.
However, the moment the music took shape, the moment he played it, the musical score seemed to become an altar connecting to hell, and actually summoned a demon.
A demon capable of destroying the world.
That day, the musician disappeared, along with everyone on the island.
But where there is life, there is hope. A young fisherman who happened to be out at sea narrowly escaped this calamity and witnessed the emergence of the demon and the subsequent destruction of the island.
When he returned to the island, amidst the shattered ruins, he found only a musical score that could not be destroyed.
And this story, the name of this island, was the "Island of Music," Elegeia, which was only two days' sail from Elbaf and had been destroyed by Shanks over ten years ago.
"Island of Music..."
Kong Tai stared at the island's name, "Elegeia," enlarged on the page, lost in thought.