Save Us

It was already late at night.

After a fierce battle, Valentan licked his wounds in the darkness. Kang De returned to the Vidal Chamber of Commerce's residence, but this time he was not relaxed, and there was no smile on his face.

After a quick wash and a change of clothes, and a bite to eat, he sat in the courtyard, quietly repeating his previous work: enchanting arrows and javelins.

Although he remained calm and expressionless, the oppressive aura he exuded made the carefree green-skinned creatures huddle to the side and hide far away. They, who were usually extremely noisy, didn't even dare to make a sound.

Leona asked Hong San for the details, but she was also at a loss.

She watched Kang De's retreating figure, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes. Anyone with empathy could understand Kang De's dissatisfaction and confusion at that moment. Patience is a good virtue, especially for those who are capable.

The girl suddenly felt a pang of jealousy and bitterness.

She knew Kang De's temperament. On their first meeting, this wary fellow even chopped an axe right next to her head, showing no gentlemanly manners whatsoever. His capricious and unrestrained nature was the most accurate description of him. Such a person, when encountering an ungrateful and heartless commoner, would naturally kick him or even chop him with an axe... But he didn't.

Having gone through such a thing—being attacked by the elves with poisonous schemes and targeted by the foolish masses with their stupidity—he still didn't throw a tantrum and overturn the table in a fit of rage, which was simply not in his nature.

The reason I didn't do that was probably for one person.

Tina.

Her best friend, an innocent flower, kind to the point of being foolish.

In Leona's eyes, this good-natured guy was practically a pretty face—no bad intentions, trusting others, unwilling to believe the world was evil, and always greeting everyone with an innocent, foolish smile...

She felt that Tina's personality was best suited for marrying princes or nobles, becoming a mascot-like noblewoman. When her husband used cruel or despicable means to govern the country and exploit the people, she could use her silly smile and beautiful appearance to numb the public and gain their support—this was her most suitable purpose.

That's not the case.

As if she had lost her mind, she actually chose a husband from the East. Her taste was as incomprehensible as ever. Her husband was rude, fierce, unromantic, and lacked manners. He could make people angry with his words and looked at everyone with a wary eye as if they were "criminal inmates." He was absolutely terrible. Leona had never seen a man like that in her life.

Yet, despite being such a man, he could always inadvertently utter some pleasing words, be calm and polite to his servants, and show no sign of retreat when facing a powerful enemy, giving people an extremely reliable feeling. Moreover... he could suppress his anger and impulses for the sake of the one he loved.

The reason I'm remaining calm and restrained tonight is simply because this is Tina's country.

Do you love her that much?

Leona gazed at Kang De's lonely figure, a pang of sorrow gripping her heart.

She didn't know how to comfort or console Kang De, yet she still felt inexplicably sad and indignant. She wanted to go up and hug his back, but she knew she had no right to do so. Everyone in the empire, both the underworld and the legitimate world, knew that Miss Leona was the most loyal and that stealing her best friend's man was something she couldn't do.

She even felt some resentment and complaint.

"You foolish woman, do you even know what Kang De went to for you? With his temperament, he actually swallowed his pride. Do you know how difficult that is?"

--If you treat him badly in the future, I... I will...

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a pang of melancholy.

What can I do?

Kang De continued his work meticulously and without pause.

Suddenly, shouts came from the night wind.

A burst of intense light suddenly erupted from the sky.

A commotion broke out on the city wall, while the gleaming light became even more clearly visible under the dark sky.

"You don't have much time left."

Even after the retreat, the elves' insidious and evil propaganda campaign continued unabated.

Alternatively, given the Pyrrhic victory at Valentan and the wavering morale, striking while the iron is hot and intensifying efforts would obviously yield even better results.

The howling wind carried the elves' unified shouts, amplified by wind magic. "Many will die tonight! Perhaps your son! Your father! Your brother!"

"But Kang De instructed the lord of Valentan to conceal the truth. He wants you to continue fighting until your last drop of blood is shed, until the city can no longer be defended, then he will flee!"

"Valentan People, are you resigned to this? Are you angry? How long will you endure this?!"

A deep, resonant voice echoed through the dark skies of Valentan.

In war, the art of war is based on deception, and the means should be used ruthlessly.

Leona, Hong San, and the others stared blankly at the sky, their minds a complete blank, unsure of what to say.

This is something that is both unexpected and yet perfectly logical.

Preston, who had been speaking with Kang De earlier, was patrolling the city walls when he heard this. He froze, looked at the distant elven camp, and said softly, "This is driving people to their deaths."

Kang De simply raised his head, gazing at the vast night sky, his heart unmoved.

Now that things have come to this, a thousand curses and ten thousand harsh words are meaningless.

... I'll kill you all.

I will definitely kill you all.

He whispered, "Leona."

The girl suddenly woke up with a start. "... Huh?"

Kang De continued his work and slowly asked, "Have you arranged everything for your people?"

Leona paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes."

"I'm sorry," Kang De's voice remained flat. "I lied."

Leona's body trembled violently, and she choked out, "No, it's not your fault..."

Then she covered her mouth, turned around, and quickly left.

She didn't want to cry in front of Kang De.

Kang De remained calm and quiet, meticulously carrying out his task, arrow after arrow imbued with fiery, cloud-like patterns, gleaming with the brilliance of the elements.

Hong San gritted his teeth, strode forward, and whispered, "Sir, I'm going to find Mayor Nick."

Kang De shook his head, his gaze calm and serene. "Wait a little longer."

The Cathayan instinctively asked, "Waiting for what?"

Kang De looked up at him, his eyes wide with surprise, before giving a self-deprecating, bitter smile.

"There's nothing I can do," he sighed softly. "I'm the kind of person who won't admit defeat until I see the coffin."

In the darkness, malice born of fear is rapidly growing.

According to Preston, these unenlightened people lived aimlessly, lacking integrity and ideals, and their minds were fickle. But even those at the bottom of society had their own philosophy of survival.

The masses are both ignorant and shrewd.

Their folly lies in their blind obedience, lack of independent thought, inability to distinguish right from wrong, ingratitude, criticism of heroes, and easy manipulation and instigation. Perhaps it's just because of clever lies, or perhaps it's simply for immediate gain, but they always do some surprisingly foolish things.

Their shrewdness lies in the fact that they will not act without a leader, they will distance themselves from the leader if the leader is attacked, and they will run away if the situation turns against them.

Now, some less shrewd but still ignorant people are planning to step forward and incite and lead them.

To do the wrong thing.

Suddenly, a group of people emerged from the quiet street.

Once the war began, Valentan enforced a strict curfew. Any non-military personnel who gathered in the streets were met with brutal and decisive suppression. However, after several major battles, the city's defenses were crumbling, and Valentan remained unstable under the double attack of the elves. The heavy casualties created a gap in the patrol force.

Perhaps that's the reason.

For a moment, no one noticed this group of people.

They were unarmed and appeared unperturbed. Most of them were women, children, and the elderly, making them seem even more harmless. Elven magic flashed across the sky, and the Dusk Legion's calls continued. Valentan, amidst the flames of war, was filled with a terrifying, deathly silence.

Then, the crowd began to weep.

They were like a group of wanderers begging for mercy, walking through the streets, passing through houses, and even knocking on the doors of people along the way to explain their intentions. Some refused, some hesitated, and some agreed. The size of the group was increasing, and the number of people was constantly growing. They were all people with sad faces and despair.

They moved forward, forward, their steps sometimes firm, sometimes hesitant. In the crowd, some people were whispering, seemingly encouraging each other or instilling some idea. This strange group didn't even have a leader, but there were many people with strong motives leading a group of blind followers.

Keep walking until you are near your destination.

The surrounding houses had been bought up; the wide streets were deserted, and all around was darkness, except for the light of torches and the bright lights of the Vidal Chamber of Commerce.

Then someone knelt down.

Then one after another.

The crowd prostrated themselves in droves, like the most devout believers, praying for divine blessings. But their object of prayer was not the gods, nor were they asking for blessings; rather, they were offerings, sacrifices.

Immediately afterward, someone burst into tears. The intense emotions were contagious; the fear was real—the fear of death, the pain of losing loved ones—all these emotions were released here.

And all of this can be summarized in one sentence.

"Save us."

The wailing of women, children, and the elderly.

"Your Highness Kang De."

People are calling out.

Even the weakest of the weak have knives and can kill.

As long as their goals are motivated by goodwill and compassion, and as long as their goals are not hard-hearted.

They cried out, they cried out, and in their feeble pleas awoke hatred.

If someone doesn't respond or help, they are bad and evil. If they ignore their requests or refuse to save them, they are utterly wicked.

Dangerous seeds are constantly sprouting.

Some women, their eyes red from crying, lost their fear and reason upon receiving news of their loved ones' deaths in battle.

Those who were still thinking about the contents of that flyer sensed a weakness and concession in the silence of the courtyard, a signal that they could take another step forward.

Someone started to shout boldly, "Come out! Come out!"

In the courtyard, Kang De slowly lowered the last arrow.

Finally, we saw the coffin.

Leona trembled with rage, even forgetting to swear. "How... how could they say such a thing? What do they mean by asking Kang De to save them?"

"It means I should bind myself and leave the city to be dealt with by the elves, in order to save the lives of everyone in the city."

Kang De slowly rose and smiled. "After all, these people are innocent, aren't they? After all, they served Teldrassil faithfully, worked diligently, and paid their taxes on time, yet Goth failed to protect them. This is Teldrassil's dereliction of duty, isn't it? After all, it's the lives of the entire city. It's worth exchanging my life for theirs, isn't it?"

Leona was startled and immediately grabbed Kang De's arm. "You can't do that!"

"... nonsense."

Kang De's smile was calm and gentle. He glanced at Hong San, as if teasing, or perhaps seriously, and said, "Thanks to Hong San's master for teaching me what it means to treat everyone equally."

Hong San seemed to have discovered something and looked somewhat uneasy. "Master..."

Kang De simply smiled.

"Treat everyone equally, oh, so that's what it means."

He scratched his head in frustration. "Preston said I was too arrogant, too haughty, and it seems he really is. I'm condescending, and I look down on them a bit. I'm so sorry, I got too carried away."

"I consider myself an intermediary, and I came here with the intention of supporting the Goth People in their war of national salvation, to help them fight, protect them, and save them. I saw myself as a savior and a protector, so I became complacent. This shows my low level of understanding. I should have risked my life to protect them while treating them like my own father, and if necessary, I should have sacrificed my own life to protect them, because they have families. I don't have any. They need care and tolerance, but I don't."

"I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have acted like a big shot. I only did a little bit of work, won a few battles, and saved a few people. What's so great about that? I owe them anyway. I should respectfully and humbly protect these big shots and tolerate everything about them."

"... Oh no, that's not quite right either."

"This shouldn't be happening."

"Treat everyone equally. I should treat everyone equally."

Treat them all the same as me.

"To be honest, I'm just a mere human being, nothing special. I'm just like them, their lives are just as precious as mine. Since they're equally precious, then there's no difference. Treat them all the same."

His smile grew even gentler, "So, cry if you want, die if you want."

"I don't intend to take on any more trouble myself. My life is just as precious as theirs, so there's no reason for me to use it to save them. I was too complacent and arrogant before."

"I'm so damn bored."

He laughed as he pulled an axe from behind his back, slung it over his shoulder, and kicked over a chair.

"Get ready, we're leaving. We need to settle you lowly, incompetent people down here."

Kang De strode out of the courtyard gate and onto the outside.

"What are you crying for?! What are you wailing about?! Did your whole family die here?"

Leona turned her head abruptly. "What did you say to him?"

Hong San just stared blankly at Kang De's figure, his eyes flickering, lost in thought.

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PS1: Time for bed... Ugh, so annoying. I can't really let loose when writing this kind of plot. Sigh, I'm such a kind person, I just can't bear to overemphasize this dark side, I can't stand it myself...