Madman

Every time Nick came, it meant something was about to happen.

First time, second time, third time.

Every time is a game of strategy, and every time, things will change in some substantial way, in order to seek cooperation, to reveal the truth, to expose the plans of the Gladiolus Legion, and to determine the strategy of defending the city to the end.

Leona had a completely negative impression of this iron-fisted and ruthless mayor. Hong San, who had previously harbored resentment towards him, now had some understanding and appreciation for him. Kang De's attitude towards Nick remained clear: he understood Nick's behavior but could not accept his temperament, so he kept his distance.

And they remained vigilant throughout.

But vigilance and alertness are gradually decreasing.

Human relationships are like this: at first, people are unfamiliar and wary, but after spending time together, they gradually understand each other's temperament, thereby improving the relationship and changing their impressions. In Kang De's eyes, Nick was a patriot and a capable person. Such a person is ruthless to others and ruthless to himself.

Trapped in Valentan, his goals and desires aligned with Nick's to some extent, thus providing a basis for cooperation, which has continued to this day as a pleasant partnership.

Putting aside personal opinions, Nick and Kang De maintained a very good working relationship.

There is even a certain degree of trust.

Although they had only recently met, they both had enough confidence in their partner's professional skills, and neither of them had ever let the other down. Nick had been leading this not-so-strong or powerful city, stubbornly holding its ground against the overwhelming tide of the elves, while Kang De had repeatedly turned the impossible into possible, forcefully thwarting several attacks by the Dusk Warband, and working with Nick to complete the feat of defending the city.

Even today.

Nick came, but that was all.

Kang De listened to the increasingly urgent and noisy cries and pleas for help outside and sighed softly.

He also heard Nick's comforting words, but they were drowned out by the sounds of people and the wind, so he couldn't hear them clearly.

Kang De lowered his eyes.

Nick... was out of ideas too.

The optimal solution is not appeasement, but suppression. The Gladiolus Legion is about to arrive, while Valentan is on the verge of collapse. People are restless, and riots are breaking out. Tonight, this group of people openly took to the streets to pressure Kang De, which means that Nick is already somewhat powerless to control the city.

But it is precisely at times like these that we must suppress them with an iron fist, even if it means using severe punishments. If we can hold out for two days, and the Sword Gladiolus Legion arrives, we can drive back the elves, or even encircle and annihilate them. That would be a great achievement, and no one would hold us accountable for anything we did before.

But Nick chose to appease him.

If we show weakness now, those with ulterior motives will only take advantage of us. Tonight, it's just the old, weak, women, children, and a mob; tomorrow, it may be someone with more power and strength. The successive brutal battles and the elves' propaganda offensive have already shaken the hearts of the people of Valentan.

When people's hearts are no longer reliable, what use are appeasement and solace?

What use are courage and encouragement when the will to resist has vanished?

At this point, only fear, madness, oppression, and brutality can squeeze out the last bit of humanity and bestiality from people, making them risk their lives to continue defending the city.

That's war. In the end, it's a battle of who's more ruthless and who can't hold on any longer.

Whether the elves breach the city first, or Valentan collapses on its own, or the Gladiolus Legion arrives before either happens, that's the good ending everyone's desperately seeking.

This is what should have been done.

But Nick chose to appease him.

Kang De slowly exhaled.

That makes sense.

While this is the logic, Kang De was, after all, a semi-outsider. He understood Nick's reasons for acting this way. In the end, the mayor of Valentan was just a mortal and could not be expected to always act coldly and rationally, because all his assets and family members were in the city and could not escape.

He had sacrificed so much to protect this city, betting almost everything on the gambling table. It's only natural that he wavered when it came to the final, winner-takes-all situation.

Kang De leaned against the wall, closed his eyes, and waited quietly.

Until Nick walked in alone and stood before him.

Kang De opened his eyes and said, "We can't hold on anymore. With what has happened, I can no longer climb the city walls and entrust my back to the soldiers of Valentan. Besides, morale is broken. If even these lowest and most cowardly people can do this, what hope is there for those who are stronger and more capable?"

He paused for a moment, not giving Nick a chance to speak.

"I can take you away. You can take two people. I promise you, I will wipe out the Dusk Warband, defeat the Elves, and make them pay a heavy price."

Kang De looked at the mayor before him calmly. "But now, it's time to leave."

"... No."

Nick Valentan said this.

Kang De gazed at the other person silently.

"No, we can't leave." Nick's expression was calm, his eyes were calm, and his tone was calm. His words were completely unwavering, and his gaze was fixed straight on Kang De.

But beneath this calm, there may be an unprecedented uproar and intensity.

He repeated, "We can't leave."

Nick Valentan has probably gone mad by now.

"We can still hold out, we can't leave," he said. "The Gladiolus Legion will be here soon. When they arrive, the elves will be defeated and will retreat. All the sacrifices will have been worthwhile, and many will survive."

"I'm sorry, but as you can see, we couldn't hold on."

Kang De's tone was cold and calm, yet unwavering. He stated directly, "I fought voluntarily for Valentan and have given my all. I stayed because of my own judgment, and I will leave because of my own judgment."

Nick said blankly, "No, you can't leave."

Kang De narrowed his eyes. "This differs from our agreement."

The mayor simply repeated, "No, you can't leave."

Kang De sighed, "Don't do anything foolish, Nick. I have no ill will towards you. The fall of Valentan wasn't your fault. I did everything I could, and so did you. I admire your talent, respect your decisiveness, and understand your choice, which is why I'm willing to take you with me. I'm not trying to recruit you; I just feel it would be a great pity for you to die here. If there's even a glimmer of hope, why not witness the end of Twilight Moon?"

Nick paused for a moment, then laughed silently.

It was a wide grin, revealing gleaming white teeth and red gums, a wild and silent smile that was eerie, insane, and oppressive.

The nobleman, who had previously seemed perpetually meticulous and etiquette-bound, broke into a wild laugh.

He's probably already forgotten all those things he used to insist on.

"Walk?"

Nick lowered his voice, laughing loudly, but his eyes were cold and sharp as he questioned him.

"You mean, you want me to escape? In what capacity?"

He stared intently into Kang De's eyes. "If Valentan falls, the Elves will gain this formidable city and defend it. The Gladiolus Legion's encirclement plan will completely fail, a breach will appear in the southeastern front, leading to extreme strategic passivity, and even the Gladiolus Legion itself will be in danger—am I to flee in panic as the sinner who messed all this up, and then shamelessly follow you, Prince Kang De, to live a life of ignominy?"

Kang De said calmly, "Do you need me to tell you a few inspirational stories about how shame can inspire courage?"

Flame suddenly ignited in Nick's eyes.

Suppressed madness and intense emotions erupted at this moment.

"Don't put on that nonchalant act! It really disgusts me! You know, Kang De, what I hate most about you is that you always face us and our fate with this attitude!"

"It's like the most detestable and picky audience member, sitting in the most prestigious stands, indifferently watching the performance on stage. The actors' sweat, effort, and dedication are nothing to you; their all-out performances and emotions are laughable to you. In your eyes, are we just like Joker? That's not the story you're watching; this is our lives, our destiny, and our destiny!"

"Saying you can't hold on anymore, saying you'll leave—it's not that easy! It's not that easy!"

Nick lowered his voice and roared, "Do you know how much I've given for this city! Do you know how much I've done! The entire family, all the wealth, all the glory, everything!"

"You think you can make me leave with just a few words? No way!"

"I must defend this city! I absolutely must! No one can leave! No one can leave! I cannot afford to lose everything; I must hold on, and then I will gain even more!"

"If we hold on, we can preserve everything and then gain even more!"

Nick's eyes were bloodshot; he was almost completely insane, spitting as he spoke.

Kang De sighed. "So this is what you really think? Nick, in your heart, which is more important: fulfilling your duty and protecting your people, or seeking wealth and power through risky means?"

The mayor glared and hissed, "I want them all, is that not allowed?"

Kang De said calmly, "What if we could only choose one?"

Before Nick could speak, Kang De sighed softly, "You don't need to tell me, I already knew. The moment you coldly and rationally used all human lives and put the Heaven and Earth Society on the city walls, I should have known. I was too young and listened to your nonsense and boasts, actually believing that Goth still had heroes."

He looked up at the other person and sighed, "Maybe, but not you."

Upon hearing this, Nick's eyes flashed with a brief moment of surprise, which was quickly replaced by shame and anger. He snapped, "Saying such nonsensical things, do you even know what you've done?!"

"It's all because of you! If you hadn't rushed in so eagerly, I could have bought myself enough time! Did you think the city couldn't be defended without you? I had a perfectly good plan: to let the elves taste the sweetness of victory little by little, to let them cautiously and slowly attack the city, advancing step by step, until reinforcements arrived!"

Finally, all the malice and dissatisfaction were vented.

"But you insisted on being brave and stubborn! Every time you drove the elves back in disarray, making them attack even more fiercely! You even exposed your identity, making them determined to take this city and you no matter what! That's why we're in this mess now! It's all your fault! Do you understand? It's all your fault!"

"It's all because of you! It's all because of you!"

"So you must stay! Defend this city! You are Princess Tina's husband, a member of the Taidariel Family! If anyone has to sacrifice themselves, you will be the first to fall! Since soldiers can die, civilians can die, then you can die too! Kang De!"

Nick, his eyes red, exuding a menacing aura, and with a crazed expression, approached Kang De.

He muttered, "Two days, two days at most. Defend the city. Take everyone with you, by any means you can think of, even if it means negotiating with the elves, even if it costs you your life! This is what you are supposed to do! This is your duty! Go and do it!"

Kang De slowly exhaled.

Well, how should I put it?

I want to laugh.

"Hey you... did the elf knock your brains out?"

He stretched his neck, his eyes turning cold and indifferent.

"Who do you think you are? Who do you think I am? A commoner under your rule? Do I have to do whatever the noble lord says? How strange, this city of yours is really strange. From nobles to commoners, everyone's got something wrong with their heads. What do you take me for? Why do you think I have an obligation to risk my life for your wealth and status? This is fucking outrageous! Does moral blackmail exist in other worlds too?"

Kang De blinked, a cold glint in his eyes. "It's all over... Believe me, I'll make sure your whole family dies tonight."

Nick met his gaze without flinching, and grinned.

"It doesn't matter. Dying tonight or dying tomorrow makes no difference. If you kill me, the whole city will collapse immediately. I know you have teleportation abilities and can leave, but what about Miss Vidar over there, your Cathay companions, and these greens? Can you take them with you? Will they all survive?"

He laughed coldly, "You fought your way out, causing Valentan to fall and collapse tonight. Do you think the elves will let this opportunity pass them by once they find out? They don't even need to fabricate anything, because you're the one who caused this result. You killed the people of this city, even causing changes and even collapse in the entire southeastern war, and you'll also put Princess Tina's second brother in danger... Go ahead and kill, go ahead and kill."

Nick raised his head, exposing his neck, like a madman. "Come on, come on."

At the same time.

While the two were talking, all bystanders kept their distance. Even Hong San and Leona didn't want to stay. Eldest Miss Vidar hid to the side, her mind in turmoil, unable to sort out her thoughts. Hong San, on the other hand, quietly left with his camera to continue filming the group of people on the street and capturing their appearance.

He frowned, recalling Kang De's state tonight with great concern. It was a mixture of disappointment and anger, which was not good. Hong San thought of Kang De's former self and, for some reason, did not want Kang De to become disillusioned with the world. He still felt that the old Kant was better.

But he didn't know how to comfort or persuade him; he wasn't a wise man like his master.

He was one of the people Kang De disliked.

While lost in thought, Hong San was filming with his DV camera. People noticed the commotion and glanced at him with slight wariness and unease, before continuing to look towards the Chamber of Commerce with worry and anticipation.

But in this situation, someone hurriedly turned around, wanting to go somewhere else.

But in the blink of an eye, a fleeting profile was captured in Hong San's vision.

Hong San's expression changed drastically, and he shouted sharply, "Wait a minute!"

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PS1:... Never mind, I won't say anything.