What Is War?

It was still early morning, and a damp, cold wind blew from the distant, misty peaks, sending a rustling, withered leaf flying up and brushing against Kang De's cheek. His calm eyes did not blink.

It felt like today was just an ordinary day.

It was as if he were just going to the city to visit a good friend.

Leona looked at Kang De and could feel the intense heat of the Flame churning in his chest. His calm, heaving chest was like a giant bellows, pumping the flames to expand and fiercely scorching the red-hot iron. His pounding heart was like a hammer forging the iron, striking out countless Mars.

She knew that this stubborn iron was being slowly forged into a sword, and the forger had decided to make the hammer blows more rapid and the Flame more intense; this was Kang De's reason for going there.

This man was determined to memorize, in an almost self-destructive way, what was about to happen or had already happened in Valentan, and to forge it all into the sword being forged, until its edge was honed to perfection.

He concealed his frustration and shock in a subtle yet stubborn way. His passionate yet restrained emotions would become a part of his future life, shaping a more spiritual soul. A noble anger gathered within his ordinary body, yet it was profound, sorrowful, and helpless.

One is powerless in the face of the atrocities of an army or the suffering of a city. Witnessing and remembering are all one can do. At the very least, one can cut open one's own chest, feel the pain, and remember the flowing blood.

For a moment, Leona felt both relieved and overwhelmed with a bittersweet sadness.

She knew that Kang De's pessimistic and escapist sentiments from yesterday had vanished with the wind, and Nick's resolute sacrifice had inadvertently achieved a greater meaning; he would no longer easily leave.

But the price is that the Cathayan crossed the empire to come to Goth has voluntarily stepped into this war. He stands here, on the land of Goth, with his car behind him, just like in the empire. Only now, the star of war has descended and fallen, leaving the marks of iron and fire on this body that was confident, high-spirited, and full of enthusiasm just a few days ago. Perhaps this is the price of growing up.

She couldn't refuse, nor could she utter another word of objection.

"You wait here, then chase after the messenger and ask if there's anywhere nearby where he's hiding. There must be. If the elven army finds him, reveal your identity and say you were robbed by Goth's rebel army..."

Kang De calmly gave his instructions, and also called the butler over to listen, so that Leona wouldn't be distracted.

He then instructed Hong San and the green-skinned men to wait there.

Hong San said, "Sir, I also..."

Kang De rejected the idea without hesitation. "You can't go. I'll go with it, and even in the most critical situation, I'll find a way to escape. But with you, it won't work."

He was so determined that even Hong San couldn't object. Kang De looked at the group of greenskins, intending to order these orcs to stay with the harshest measures, but he was overthinking it.

They seemed Kan Fantian, their faces devoid of any eager anticipation for war; instead, they frowned, appearing preoccupied, and offered no objection to Kang De's command.

He glanced at everyone one last time, then turned and got into the car, starting the Hummer.

Suddenly, Leona rushed over, pounding on the car window and shouting to Kang De, "Hey!"

While inspecting the weapons inside the car, Kang De coldly said, "Let's go."

The Autobots didn't move; instead, it rolled down the window.

Before Kang De could speak, Leona leaped to her feet, using the Humvee's footrests as footholds, and grabbed Kang De's collar with both hands, looking him straight in the eyes. "You must come back alive!"

Kang De gazed into those starry eyes so close to his own and slowly nodded. "... Yes, don't worry."

I heard it last night.

"Um?"

Leona shouted, "I said I heard what you said to Nick! You and Tina haven't slept together, haven't kissed, and haven't even established a relationship! This so-called marriage is all just her talking to herself, isn't it!"

The girl's voice was loud, and she spoke with great conviction. Kang De nodded subconsciously, "... Yes."

"It's settled then!"

With a soft "smack, "Leona's lips pressed against hers.

However, lacking experience and with his eyes closed, his aim was terrible, and he only managed to kiss her on the cheek. Leona, completely oblivious to this, seemed to have given Kang De a stamp of approval. Satisfied and blushing, she shouted, trying to hide her emotions, "Then I don't count as stealing her man!"

"Listen up! I've got my eye on you! I'm going to keep you as my gigolo! Even if you're a clueless, axe-wielding bastard, it doesn't matter! Once you come back, I'll win you over!"

"You bastard! You've hit the jackpot! I'm loaded! I'll throw money at you until you're in my bed!"

"What are you looking at me for? Never seen a rich woman looking for a man before? Well, now you have! Get back to your business. When you come back, I'll show you the Vidal Family's ways!"

"..."

"..."

The two looked at each other in silence. Despite the atmosphere, Eldest Miss Vidar's explosive words still shocked everyone.

A moment later, Leona jumped off the running board and kicked the car door hard. "What are you looking at! Get out of here!"

The Humvee rumbled away and disappeared from sight. Only then did Leona slowly crouch down and bury her head in her arms.

She whispered, "... It hurts so much."

Hong San had caught up with the departing messenger and, after getting the information, returned to the old steward to discuss the hiding arrangements and issues, including how to conceal his presence, how to evade the tracking of the elven warhounds, and so on.

Then Leona heard the sound of fabric tearing.

She looked up and saw Hong San tear two pieces of cloth from his body, then take some blood from several people in the Vidal Chamber of Commerce, smearing incomprehensible patterns on the cloth as he walked in the direction Kang De had left, carrying a long spear on his back.

Seeing her looking over, he nodded and bowed.

His expression was calm and composed, unlike his usual evasiveness and deference.

Leona said coldly, "He won't let you go back."

Hong San smiled and said, "I only listen to my master."

His smile and expression were more than just calm and composed; they were utterly distant and indifferent, to the point that Leona couldn't utter another word of advice.

Because this man, who used to act like a servant, always bowing and scraping and greeting people with a smile, now stood as straight as a spear, practically saying on his face, "I'm going to my death, what's it to you?"

She could only watch Hong San leave in silence until he finally finished applying the ointment. From afar, she saw his now tiny figure bend down and tie the two pieces of cloth around his legs.

After a long while, the old butler stepped forward.

He said softly, "Miss, although I don't approve, but... shall we go back?"

"Go back... my ass."

Leona gritted her teeth and said, "Go back and be a burden?"

Although the girl kept a straight face throughout, neither smiling nor crying, strong and stubborn, tears finally streamed down her face at this moment. Human hearts are not made of stone; the reason why humans are spiritual beings is because they have an extremely strong capacity for empathy.

The despair, tragedy, and determination that Nick displayed in his heart deeply moved her, even though she was an Imperial citizen. How could she not be moved by Kang De's resolute departure alone, remembering the fall of Valentan?

But she couldn't go back, couldn't be with Kang De. She remained rational and would always make the right choice. She would never impulsively rush back and hold Kang De back.

But sometimes, what we believe to be the right choice often means pain and helplessness.

Just like Nick's decision, how could he not know that the heroic act of dying with the enemy meant that the entire city's civilians would fall into an abyss of pain and despair? He was torn between two difficult choices, praying and pleading, but ultimately he still made a decision, because this is war. War does not consider who is innocent; war only cruelly takes from all lives.

Only...

"I don't want things to stay like this forever, or rather, I don't want it to be like this next time, where I can only helplessly wait."

Leona slowly turned around, looked around at everyone, and finally her gaze landed on the orcs.

These green-skinned creatures, who spend their days eating, drinking, defecating, and having fun fighting and bragging, always seem to be either happy or angry, but now both smiles and anger have disappeared from their faces.

They are deep in thought.

Orcs and contemplation—these two words seem destined to never be linked.

But it still happened.

Leona stepped forward.

Kan Fantian, Kan Fantian looked down at the tiny shrimp in front of him.

The girl tilted her head back and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"I'm thinking..." Greenie murmured, "I'm thinking about what that little shrimp read..."

Leona asked calmly, "Any thoughts?"

"Thoughts... I... I don't know... I can't say..." The green-skinned man before me showed an unprecedented look of confusion, scratching his head and looking puzzled and bewildered. "I just..."

He couldn't find the right words to describe it, because his own feelings were also in turmoil. In the end, Green Skin simply expressed his most direct feelings.

He said in a low voice, "I'm just a little envious, I'm just a little envious..."

These simple-minded and naive orcs live optimistically in the harsh land, but this does not mean they are unaware of the current situation of their tribe. Many orcs leave the tribe and head south, some wanting to see a bigger world, and others searching for something. The group of Kan Fantian came to find the Big Mek, but after hearing Nick's last words, they were deeply shocked and enlightened. Empathy is a capability of higher beings.

Leona said softly, "I know what you're envious of. Do you want to know?"

The Humvee roared and galloped across the rolling hills and sparse woodlands, splashing dirt onto the glass. The rearview mirror hanger swayed incessantly. Kang De closed the magazine and put the gun aside. He held a terrifying weapon born only for killing, but only today did he understand what war truly was.

The Autobots's deep, bewildered voice rang out from the loudspeaker.

"Father, I don't understand."

As a newly born mechanical life form, it did not understand why living beings could be both brave and cowardly, why living beings could know they would die but not surrender, and why some people were willing to sacrifice everything for a country, a world, and future generations with whom they would have no further connection.

Kang De said softly, "This is war."

"Father, what exactly is war?"

What is it?

Kang De opened the window.

A gentle breeze from Calonia caressed his face. This was the land of Cleveland, the land where Captain Oswald and the Penguin fought to the death, the homeland that Nick of Valentan loved so dearly, a land of bountiful harvests, festivals filled with memories, and the heroes of his ancestors who fought for this land... All of this constituted the concept of a nation, connecting every individual, allowing people of different backgrounds, strengths, and status to fight, suffer, and even sacrifice together.

Kang De touched the letters that had been carefully put away.

"War is a letter we both eagerly await and dread receiving; it is a heartfelt reverence for protection and sacrifice, a bone-deep hatred for invasion and destruction, a profound and unforgettable cherishing of peace and beauty, an unfulfilled promise, and people we cannot save no matter how hard we try."

"These are lives that should have been peaceful, joyful, or full of bright futures."

He couldn't help but think of the night he arrived at Goth's place, seeing the villages that had been massacred and burned, the pursuit under the starlight, and finally punishing all the murderers and bringing solace to the innocent lives lost.

At that time, he lamented the cruelty of war with a compassionate attitude, how it turned invading soldiers into demons without their knowledge and how it caused innocent civilians to suffer endless torment. He pitied the suffering of the war, lamented the cruelty of indiscriminate warfare, and solemnly declared that he would end the war.

How naive, arrogant, and righteous I was back then.

"I want to end this war."

In the crisp morning breeze, Kang De uttered these words once again.

Just like that night, there was only one audience member.

"Yes."

The Autobots's voice was as calm and powerful as ever.

At this moment, Valentan awoke anxiously in the morning light. The elven camp outside the city still loomed menacingly. The restless and turbulent hearts of the people longed for the end of the war and did not care about anyone's sacrifice. A small group of people, however, were prepared. Selendron, after much deliberation, misjudged the courage of the humans. His rationality was also clouded by factors such as defeat, injury, and a sense of responsibility. An elite force marched into the city following the secret passage map provided by Nick Valentan, while the forces outside the city launched a massive siege.

Regardless of whether they are on the enemy's side or not, all the beings fighting for this city are ready.

Both sides' supreme commanders had foreseen Valentan's fate.

Unbeknownst to them, two Cathayan were heading towards this blood-soaked city. They paid no attention to one of them, but the other was on the minds of both Selendron and Nick, whose importance even surpassed that of the city of Valentan.

At this moment, Kang De rushed to the battlefield, the wind blowing against him carrying the scent of blood and fire. The Crimson Scroll, which inherited the supreme divine power of the Dragon of Space and Time, shone with a warm light on his chest, but Akatum still failed to grant him the power to stop evil. Perhaps the gods had long since stopped watching this land.

But the reason that brought Kang De back here, and the reason that inspired Goth People's fearlessness in the face of death, had nothing to do with the gods.

The Battle of Valentan has come to its finale.

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PS1: It's been a long time since I've written a book like this. Goodnight.