Cattle and Sheep

Soldiers defend against enemy forces, soldiers protect cities, and soldiers are the only line of defense between civilians and the enemy.

When this line of defense is breached and the innocent and vulnerable civilians face the enemy's claws and teeth, tragic and terrible things will happen.

In this world, there are few people more pitiful than civilians facing enemy soldiers who are about to unleash their fury and slaughter the city. They scream, cry, run away, and hide.

Many who were fleeing fell, for arrows pierced their backs. Those shot in the heart died quickly, while those shot in other, less immediately fatal parts collapsed to the ground in agony, their bodies convulsing, blood flowing, their limbs slowly growing weak and cold.

Many who begged for mercy fell, clutching the leaflets the elves had thrown into the city—proof of immunity from death. Those with good memories even loudly recited the contents, for there was even a reward. But all they received in return was cold-blooded, merciless slashing and stabbing. Blood gushed out, and the kneeling men, eyes wide, clutching the weapons embedded in their bodies, collapsed and were then kicked away.

Someone shouted, "They... they don't keep their word!"

In response to all this was the cold and relentless pursuit of the elves. Soldiers of the Dusk Warband formed small squads and rampaged through the streets and alleys of Valentan, scattering, regrouping, and scattering again.

Their eyes blazed with fury as they indiscriminately attacked every non-elven life before them. The defeats and casualties of the past few days had already fueled their resentment, and the deaths of their comrades trapped underground only added to the legitimacy of their revenge. They wanted to punish Valentan, to punish this corrupt city.

Or perhaps, all of these are just excuses, using the name of justice to justify evil.

Even something as noble as an elf can turn into a beast.

People ran, shouted, and pleaded. The terrified went hysterical, running around in all directions until they were killed. Some people hid in their houses, but feeling unsafe, they rushed out again to try to get further away. But as soon as they went out, they saw the menacing spirits approaching. So they screamed and hid back in their houses, only to be rushed in and killed. The cries of the whole family went from intense to weak and finally disappeared.

This was no longer a battle; even the elderly and children were caught up in it. Howling spells rained down from the sky, intense light exploded, houses were bombarded and burned, and thick smoke filled the air.

Agile war stags gallop through the streets. These creatures, loyal and wise in the elven operas that people watch, now have blood and flesh stained on their antlers. They roar and snarl, carrying murderous elven riders who scatter death, arrows and torches flying to both sides.

The mages who entered the city stirred up a fierce wind, causing the fire to spread further.

Screams and cries of pain filled the air, and some people fainted from fright. More people poured out of the houses, following the crowd in a aimless flight. Some slipped and fell, only to be trampled to death. Arrows hurled by elves in the distance fell like hailstones, piercing flesh and exacerbating the chaos. People were driven around like livestock, eventually surrounded by elven cavalry coming from all sides.

It was like a hunt.

"Don't want!"

Please!

The only thing that terrified people can utter is this brief plea. This is only the voice of a small minority. Most people are so terrified that they are numb and cannot utter a single word. Lambs and rabbits will freeze in fear when they are caught by tigers and leopards. Humans are, after all, animals, and not all of them possess noble courage.

They were just a pitiful group of people.

"Valentine--"

A resolute and urgent roar erupted from behind the street, and a small squad of human soldiers, their armor tattered, charged toward them. The elves turned to meet them in battle, arrows flying and blades flashing.

With Valentan fallen and no walls to defend it, the Dusk Warband will be able to unleash its overwhelming combat advantage, and the outcome is clear to everyone.

Valentan soldiers fell one after another, their tattered banners stained with blood. They charged forward with reckless abandon, just as they had fought on the city walls. And on the street, less than fifty meters away, behind the elven forces they faced, a group of Valentan People watched numbly and expectantly...

They were just a few dozen exhausted human soldiers, far inferior in strength, armor, and skill, and were thus swiftly and decisively killed. Their banner had long since fallen, stained with blood.

The officer, who fought to the last moment, was stabbed through the chest and abdomen. The elf in front of him cruelly swirled his longsword, while the pain on the human's face had faded. His gaze passed over the one who killed him and looked at his comrades behind him, his eyes filled with only confusion and sorrow, a sorrow that penetrated to the bone.

"You look like an aristocrat."

The elixir that was about to kill him judged with arrogance and coldness. "What are you hoping for? What are you disappointed in? Expecting these lowly humans to rebel and fight? Foolish and naive delusion! When have you ever seen cattle or sheep rebel against their masters, or even just sheepdogs?"

He drew his longsword, letting the man kneel helplessly on the ground. The elven officer placed the sword against the man's neck and calmly said, "You have turned the common people under your rule into docile livestock, meant for farming, labor, and paying taxes. Don't expect them to stand up and fight back. They don't even dare to resist your whips and tax collectors, so how could they dare to resist our swords?"

The dying Valentan officer wore a pained expression.

It wasn't because of the wound, nor the impending death, but because of the other person's words.

As his life drew to a close, countless thoughts flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern. He seemed to ponder and understand, but it was all meaningless; he was about to die.

"... We dare!"

Just then, a shout filled with strong will rang out from the other end of the street.

But it's very thin.

The elf looked up in surprise, then blinked, his face filled with disbelief. It wasn't that a powerful enemy had appeared before him, nor was it the cattle and sheep waiting to be slaughtered behind him who had shouted these words, but rather a person in front of him, a woman, a woman who looked very thin.

She was wearing a bulky municipal officer's firefighter uniform, her face and body stained with blood. She was so thin that she looked like an underdeveloped child. She stood alone among the dead, tears still on her face, with no one else around.

She bent down and laboriously picked up a long spear from the ground.

Facing the elves who had just slaughtered a squad of soldiers.

"I'm a country girl from Kana Village! I'm also from Valentan People!"

She awkwardly held up the spear, her posture correct, but her strength insufficient to support it. She staggered and began to run, like the fallen before her, to fight a battle whose outcome was already known.

"Valentine--"

The elven officer's face showed disdain, but he was inwardly annoyed. He stopped the soldiers behind him from firing arrows, raised his sword, kicked away the dying officer who tried to stop him, and faced the thin, laughable figure... such foolish humans.

Swords and spears clashed, and the outcome was obvious: the spear flew out, and the frail figure fell to the ground. The elven sword tip drooped, and the elven figure coldly said, "Beg for mercy, and I will spare you; otherwise, you will die."

"Don't even think about it!" The girl forcefully rolled to the side, got up, and, unarmed, clenched her fists and raised them. "I can stay here with you all day."

A fierce glint flashed in the elf's eyes. This sword strike showed no mercy. The sword light, like a venomous snake, was aimed at the girl's throat. The sharp blade would pierce through her straw-like arm bone and go straight through her throat.

But the next moment, a loud explosion ripped through the sky.

The girl had already closed her eyes subconsciously. When she opened them, she heard the sound of wind above her head. She looked up, and everyone else looked up too. They saw a figure swoop down, Tomahawk axe crackling with lightning, cleaving the elf who was blocking with his sword, knocking him to his knees. The pistol in the left hand was pressed down on the elf's head.

Bang.

A cloud of blood bloomed.

The person who had fallen from the sky looked up.

The elves were first shocked, then stirred, and even the numb Valentan People had a glimmer of light in their eyes; someone exclaimed, "Kang—"

Then shut up.

But the elves all knew his identity.

"Kang De, the Cathayan!"

They roared as they raised their weapons, "Kill him!"

The next moment, a dense storm of metal shot out from the side, smashing and collapsing buildings along the street. Humvee roared in, transforming into a steel giant, its cold and hot weapons reaping the destruction. Kang De turned to the girl. "I remember your voice, firefighter. Your name is Steve, right?"

The young girl gazed at Kang De, her eyes flickering. She had resigned herself to death, but at the last moment, she was saved by this prince, who even remembered her name: "I..."

Kang De said calmly, "Go back to your real name. You no longer need a masculine name to appear brave and strong. You are braver than them."

"Ah..."

Before the panicked girl could say anything, Kang De had already swung his Tomahawk and charged into the chaotic elves, leaving her standing there dumbfounded.

The Autobots were mowing down the soldiers like grass. They weren't many, and it was street fighting, so firearms had an overwhelming advantage. Midway through the battle, there was another commotion on the other side. A man charged in on foot, his gun whirling and spinning like Jiaolong, launching an attack from behind, catching the Elf completely off guard.

"Son of a bitch!"

Upon seeing the newcomer, Kang De cursed, "What the hell are you doing here!"

It was Hong San. This greatly alarmed and enraged Kang De. With the fall of Valentan, the entire city was surrounded by enemies, and he could no longer guarantee Hong San's safety.

Hong San looked terrified, his eyes darting around. He didn't dare to look at Kang De, pretending not to hear him. He just became even more ruthless, and in an instant, he had already knocked down more than a dozen elves. He was using the most ruthless methods with a cowardly look on his face.

The elves who had surrounded the area were eventually killed or wounded. Kang De didn't even glance at those who had escaped death. He walked towards Hong San, raising his foot to kick him, when suddenly the Autobots said, "Father, you know him."

Kang De turned around in surprise and saw a female firefighter treating someone's wound, but judging from her sad and frustrated expression, it was all in vain.

He approached and, upon seeing the face of the dying man, was shocked.

"Preston..."

The mayor's younger brother, a member of the Valentan Family, and one of the battlefield commanders defending the city.

He knelt down; the man was on his deathbed. Seeing Kang De, he asked urgently, "Why did you come back?"

Kang De did not answer, but said softly, "Is there any wish yet to be fulfilled?"

Upon hearing this, Preston instinctively said, "Brother..."

But it turned into a sorrowful sigh. The young nobleman slowly turned his head and looked at the Valentan People had escaped death and scattered like birds and beasts. They seemed to care nothing for their previous bravery and sacrifice.

A tear rolled down his cheek, and with his last strength, he grasped Kang De's arm.

"Don't..."

Preston muttered, "Don't let them be treated like cattle anymore..."

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PS1: Second update, 3000 words. Time for bed.