Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

196 Supporting Goethe

The dark clouds of war never dissipated. They enveloped the sky above Valentine City and everyone’s hearts.

The elves had just lost yesterday and there was no movement until now, but no one was optimistic that the sharp ears were afraid. The cultural radiation strategy of the Twilight Dynasty was extremely successful. Even three-year-old children knew that the elves were heroic and good at fighting and regarded glory as everything, so they naturally knew what a temporary failure meant to the elves.

Just like in plays and poems, when facing the enemy, the brave elf warriors might lose a small battle because of the enemy’s cunning and despicable nature, but they would always learn their lesson and become braver, obtaining a huge victory in the end.

The longer they prepared, the more intense the next attack would be.

Everyone waited in fear and unease.

Moreover, they did what they could.

The soldiers seized the opportunity to rest and prepare. The officials did their own jobs, from the dispatch of resources to the maintenance of equipment, so much so that when the city patrolled, the people were busy. Even some civilians were conscripted and sent.

Hong San began to take the opportunity to move again. He had rolled around at the bottom for a long time and could discover the problem in the smallest detail. Moreover, he was extremely good at guessing people’s hearts. The things he brought back were basically bad news.

“I’m afraid the casualties the day before were greater than I imagined.”

When the Cathayan returned to report again, Kang De was still making enchanted arrows. He did not look up and nodded before asking, “What’s wrong?”

Hong San said in a low voice, “This time, there are more guards and private soldiers of the nobles and merchants, as well as mercenaries and gladiators. Nick will use the same trick again because the next elf attack will definitely be fierce and unstoppable. From the perspective of the city defense, we must prioritize expending these troops… However, to ensure that these people fight to the death, at the very least, they won’t mutiny and escape to affect the battle. How to coordinate and control will depend on his ability.”

Kang De nodded and said, “Got it.”

Hong San wanted to say something but hesitated.

In front of him, Kang De was calm and steady, like an ancient mountain. Even if the situation of the battle was dangerous and incomparably dangerous, he was completely calm and did what he should do step by step. Such mental cultivation was simply comparable to his master… However, he could not do it.

In the past, Hong San could submit to any situation. No matter what situation he was in, he was willing to endure it. Even if he was a slave or a maid, he could find fun in his lowly life. This time, he could have done the same. With his martial arts cultivation, even if the city was broken, he could most likely escape. Even if he did not run, the elves would most likely let him go on account that he was from Cathay.

In fact, if he was willing to be a servant, there was a high chance that he would be accepted by the high-level elf officers. After all, with his various abilities, even the proud elves would serve him comfortably… The elves had already thought highly of the Cathayan. It was really too honorable to have an extraordinary Cathayan as a follower or even a servant.

Therefore, Hong San should have been the person with the least worry in this city.

It was originally like this.

However, now… he could not help but worry.

He was worried about the fate of this city.

Also…

Kang De glanced at him and said indifferently, “Worried about your good friends?”

There was a trace of mockery in his tone.

Of course, he was talking about the people from the Heaven and Earth Association.

After the first siege, the huge pressure that Hong San had accumulated for a long time finally erupted. After intense and even hysterical questioning, he vomited blood and fell. The people who had always been protected and sacrificed by Hong San revealed coldness and selfishness.

Before Kang De took Hong San away, he had already unilaterally declared a break with the other party. However, he still fought for Hong San in the subsequent negotiations and made Mayor Nick agree to let that group of people go and not recruit and squeeze them.

Although Hong San did not say it, he understood everything Kang De had done for him. He knew that Kang De was tired of the group of people from the Heaven and Earth Association, so he had never mentioned this matter. He had also worked hard to plan and run for Kang De’s interests and did his best to help him defend the city… However, this did not mean that he had forgotten the group of people from the Heaven and Earth Association from now on.

Apart from running and planning for Kang De, he had also secretly gone to that street to take a look.

As expected, Nick kept his promise and no longer treated the Heaven and Earth Association as cannon fodder that could be consumed at will. However, the mayor was also a smart person. He knew that Kang De did not like these refugees, so he naturally would not treat them well. As for the initial courtesy and preferential treatment, forget it.

These were actually not important.

However, as expected… Hong San still could not let go of those people.

Perhaps it was too special. These people were the first people in his life who had once relied on and trusted him wholeheartedly, allowing the skills and martial arts he had learned to be used for the first time, allowing him to protect so many people for the first time and let him… live like a human for the first time.

Kang De rolled his eyes and said, “Why didn’t I see you so loyal during Glory Sand?”

Hong San lowered his head in silence.

“I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking too much. Those people from the Heaven and Earth Association are not even worthy of going to the battlefield. Moreover, Nick will keep his promise. He doesn’t dare to go back on his word, so you don’t have to worry that your good friends will be recruited again… But what’s the point? If the city is broken, they still have to die.”

Kang De said, “If you’re so worried about them, why don’t you take a sword out of the city now and kill all the elves outside the city to resolve the siege?”

Hong San was shocked, then he smiled bitterly and said, “I don’t have the ability.”

Kang De said casually, “Then go to the kitchen and collect a few cherries. Practice well. After the city is broken, quickly find the elf commander and lick his butt until he’s comfortable. Let loose on the bed. Perhaps you can make the other party be merciful and let go of those people from the Heaven and Earth Association.”

Hong San subconsciously covered his butt and said in surprise, “Master, I can do anything, except this.”

“F*ck.”

Kang De casually picked up a rock and threw it. “You don’t have the ability to kill the elves, nor can you beg the enemy to show mercy. Then what’s the use of worrying about this? The world is human life, but the people in this city are not human lives? If the people here can die, can’t your good brothers?”

Hong San hugged his head and dodged, saying repeatedly, “It’s different, this is different…”

“That’s right, it’s indeed different.” Kang De sneered, “At the very least, the people in this city are not so ingrates. For example, it was extremely noisy last night, but after explaining, they understand very well.”

Hong San held his head and said carefully, “It’s the same. They understand because you gave them money and a knife and were willing to reason with them. They’re already lucky. How can they dare to say no?”

Kang De pretended to hit him. Hong San hurriedly shouted, “I’ll stop! I’ll stop!”

He was smart and understood what Kang De meant. He sighed, “I’m only worried. I know the severity and don’t dare to let my matters delay your important matter. I should naturally assist you in guarding the city…”

Kang De said indifferently, “What if we can’t defend it?”

Hong San replied without hesitation, “Of course, I’ll follow you closely. As long as there’s life, there’s hope. If the city is really broken, I’ll definitely have a way out if I follow you.”

Kang De smiled and pointed at him. “Your nature is hard to change.”

Hong San only smiled apologetically.

Kang De shook his head. “So go do what you have to do. I was thinking about the city being broken.”

“Yes, there’s one more thing now. You made me think that other than attacking forcefully, what other methods do the elves have? I’ve pondered all the way and have some thoughts…”

Hong San said, “The palace battles of the elves are very exciting. They’ve lived for a long time and like to think about things. Over time, there are many schemes and tricks. Just like this, their poems and plays still have the cheek to say that the elves are ignorant of the world, simple and kind. They’re really shameless.”

“I think that other than attacking forcefully, the elves might also play tricks…”

Kang De asked, “What tricks?”

Hong San was about to answer when he heard a faint thunderous shout from the city wall.

Dark clouds rolled in the sky and the wind howled. Thunder magnified the sound, and the wind teleported it. The power of the spell gathered outside the city, but what attacked was not the attack of the spell.

Instead, there were words.

By the time it floated here, the complete sentence had already scattered.

However, Kang De and Hong San still heard the most important word.

The name was an Eastern name, and the language was a Western language. If they shouted the Eastern name in a Western language, and it was in a complete sentence, it would definitely be extremely ear-piercing to an Easterner and they would immediately notice it.

The name “Kang De” sounded in the wind.

Kang De and Hong San’s expressions changed.

A moment later, Leona ran out. “Kang… did I hear something?”

Kang De said nothing.

Leona’s mind raced and she looked uneasy. “Should I send someone to ask around?”

Kang De thought for a moment and shook his head. “There’s no need… Someone will come soon.”

Hong San muttered, “Is this the elves’ conspiracy?”

Leona took a few steps forward and said anxiously, “What conspiracy of the elves? How do they know Kang De’s identity?”

“Now that I think about it, it’s strange not to know.”

Kang De slowly said, “In the intense battle on the city wall, the three wooden puppets were all destroyed by me. Coupled with the appearance of the last reinforcements, what a commotion. The mechanical giant and the green-skinned cavalry are all things the elves have never seen. In such a situation, how can the elves not be curious about who I am? Once they’re curious, how can they not think of who I am?”

“After all, I lit up my gun on the city wall. Tina caused such a commotion in the north, causing the Empire to be covered in dust and the elves to be facing a great enemy. What happened in Glory Sand must have been placed on the desk of the high-level generals of Twilight. At that time, I did not silence all the witnesses. It’s natural for my appearance, characteristics, and combat style to be exposed…”

Leona said worriedly, “Then what do the elves want?”

“I don’t know. It’s definitely not a good thing.”

Kang De said calmly, “Just wait. Someone will tell us soon.”

It was not only Leona and Hong San who were worried, Kang De was also extremely unhappy.

He had coincidentally teleported to Valentine and began to interact with the officials of Valentine for all kinds of reasons. However, he did not reveal his identity. Instead, he operated under the alias of “Dong Zhuo”. After all, there was no knowing the human heart. The knight had instructed him not to believe the Goethe people easily, so he naturally had to follow it.

In such a dangerous war and turmoil, the identity of the Prince Consort of Goethe was basically useless. Moreover, he was a foreigner. Moreover, his identity could not be confirmed. Not only would there be no more benefits, but he might also attract some restrictions and trouble.

He had done very well as Dong Zhuo. In two consecutive battles, he had already proven his value and obtained Valentine’s respect and courtesy. He was much better than the gigolo Prince Consort of Goethe.

However, at this moment, the elves surrounding the city seemed to have exposed his identity.

He did not think that the elves had nothing to do. They had publicly exposed his identity only to remind the Valentines that “Hey, did you hear that? Your beautiful and gentle husband, Princess Tina, is in the city now. You didn’t expect this, right? Hurry up and go watch, touch, feed, take photos, and post on Weibo”.

There was definitely a conspiracy.

When he thought of this, Kang De was especially unhappy.

Anyone would feel unhappy if they were schemed against and remembered. The Chinese’s habit was to make a fortune silently and keep everyone in the dark…

The elves announced all of this.

This meant that his identity would completely change, causing a series of unpredictable changes, including the change in the attitude of the others towards him, the problem of his position, and more and more trouble.

D*mn…

Even his small tacit understanding with Nick was broken.

Kang De kept feeling that Nick seemed to have guessed his identity. However, he pretended to be stupid, and Nick followed suit. The two of them communicated and cooperated in a businesslike manner, taking what they needed.

Now, Nick could no longer pretend to be stupid.

Just as Kang De was feeling vexed, he heard the sound of hooves thundering. A small team of cavalry was quickly approaching.

Amidst the cracking and deforming, the Autobot transformed into a human. Looking down, his vision was vast. He walked to Kang De’s side and said in a low voice, “Father, I heard your name in the wind.”

A moment later, someone rushed in.

It was the City Lord’s younger brother, Preston, who had worked well with Kang De. After Kang De displayed his divine might that day and forcefully turned the situation around, this person was already on the verge of evolving into his little fan.

As soon as he entered, he glared at Kang De, “…You’re Princess Tina’s husband, the Cathayan, Kang De?”

“I’m not. Don’t talk nonsense,” Kang De said with his eyes open. “My name is Dong Zhuo.”

Preston did not believe it. “I’ve also heard about your deeds. My brother also obtained some information. I was wondering why your weapons and abilities are so strange. I’ve simply never seen them before. Also, this mechanical giant… It’s just that Her Highness said that you’re dead, so I didn’t think of it. There’s also the green-skinned…”

Kang De blinked his large eyes innocently, “I’ve already told you. My name is Dong Zhuo. This mechanical giant is my son. As for the green-skinned, they’re from the Western Liang Tribe who volunteered to support Goethe…”

“What are you talking about? The elves called you out and even praised you. I didn’t expect it to be you…” Preston patted Kang De’s shoulder and said, “I heard that Princess Tina has a husband. I wanted to beat him up, but if it’s you, I won’t. However…”

At this point, he sighed softly, “You shouldn’t have come.”

Kang De asked, “What’s wrong?”

If the elves really had a trick, they would definitely not give him any room to quibble.

Preston glanced at him and said, “The Elven Commander, the commander of the Dusk Legion, is holding a banquet under the city according to the customs of Cathay. Please have a chat.”