Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

177 Everyone Has Their Duties

When the elves first attacked the city, Kang De was on the city wall.

Together with Hong San, he brought the motley crew of the Heaven and Earth Association to face the sudden attack.

The rain of arrows and terrifying spells echoed in the air. There was the buzzing of arrows cutting through the air and the whistling of spells in the air. The city wall was trembling, and the sky was burning. The shield in his hand continuously transmitted intense impacts, as if he was holding an umbrella and walking with difficulty on the most violent stormy day… It was even more terrifying than this.

It was war. The militia troops on the city wall were almost crippled, and their morale had fallen to the bottom. They did not even fight the elves close. The other party’s terrifying long-range attack had already destroyed all their courage.

Even Kang De was surprised by the intensity of the war in this world.

He had once thought that the city wall was already the most terrifying and dangerous place.

However, that was not the case.

This morning, not long ago, when he was still eating breakfast, the elves’ spell blew the horn of war. Under the gazes of the members of the Vidal Chamber of Commerce, he and Hong San set off for the city wall where the battle had erupted. As they sped through the city, Kang De witnessed another great horror of the war.

That was the fear of commoners.

The world changed color and flames filled the sky. The strength of the mages in the city was limited and they could not intercept all the spells. They could only weigh their judgment and choose spells that were relatively threatening to disperse. As for those spells that landed and were not dangerous… they could only let them be.

Although these spells that followed it could not destroy the city wall, kill soldiers, or destroy the more important buildings in the city, after all… it still headed into the city.

The ones who endured all this were… commoners who lived in less important places.

The street was chaotic and filled with screams and cries. Although the people were already aware and prepared, when the war descended again, fear still spread like clouds. This was because the elemental light that continuously broke through the interception of spells and shot into the city directly indicated that the city was not safe.

Kang De and Hong San galloped on their horses and ran along the street. Suddenly, the sky lit up, and a blazing flame whistled down and landed on the neighboring street under their gazes. Amidst the violent explosion, a large amount of black smoke and flames rose, mixed with muffled cries and screams.

Elemental light shot into the city one after another.

Some were intercepted, and some rushed to the ground and landed on the street or in an uninhabited area. It was fine, but if they were directly projected into the residential area, it was unknown how many casualties there would be.

As the intensity of the attack increased further, the mages in the city were already in dire straits. It was already their limit to barely resist the highly threatening spell attack… In the eyes of the mages and commanders, this was called helplessness, and in the eyes of the commoners, it was undoubtedly the signal of imminent destruction.

The people who could not return home in time hugged their heads and fled as if this magic had landed at their feet.

Kang De, who had witnessed all this, felt his heart sink.

War was terrifying, too terrifying. The most terrifying and horrifying thing was that this monster would forcefully drag everything nearby into a nightmare of killing and pain, not caring if the victim was willing.

Just like the people here, they had nothing to do with the elves in their lives and had never even seen them. However, the war of the Twilight Dynasty to invade the Duchy of Goethe had begun in their homeland. The soldiers of the two countries were fighting desperately, and the commoners were passively enduring this kind of danger and damage. They were helpless against this and could not resist or change the situation. They could only tremble and pray.

Even if one died, no one would care.

Perhaps in the next moment, a spell that descended from the sky could easily kill them.

The elf mage who used this spell might have foreseen this outcome, or perhaps not, but what was certain was that that mage did not have the intention and motive to kill a specific person. His actions were part of the war and he did not care about the collateral damage that might die under his spell.

He did not care about the wailing of the dead, the anger of the dead, or the pain of the dead.

Those people who were killed by the impact of the spell had nowhere to avenge themselves or hate. Their souls howled endlessly, but the living heard it. All the casualties would ultimately be summarized into a heavy blood debt that would be remembered by the people for generations and await the day of retribution… However, as for the lives, the fear and pain of the dead when they were alive, their encounters, their names, and their helplessness, they would forever disappear and be unknown.

Kang De said softly, “It’s really… hell.”

“That’s right,” Hong San said. “However… all the battle and resistance are fighting against hell in order to take back the pure land of the human world from the spread of the scorched earth of hell.”

A bell sounded in the street. The brave councilmen drove the fire carriage in the direction of the eruption of flames. The huge fire water tank on the carriage shook.

Another official ran wildly along the street and shouted, “Hide nearby! Hide nearby! Civilians, don’t appear on the street! Those who dare to cause trouble will be executed on the spot!”

When the official saw Kang De and Hong San stop, he shouted, “The two of you!”

Hong San pointed at the badge on his chest. It was issued by the city hall to identify combatants. When the official saw this, he bowed seriously, “Thank you for protecting this city!”

Then, without stopping, he rushed past the corner and continued to shout under this doomsday scene, “Civilians, hide nearby. Valentine’s heroic warriors are fighting the elves. We’ll definitely win!”

Kang De clamped the horse’s abdomen and rushed toward the place where the first spell landed.

Hong San was about to say something when he finally shook his head and rode after him.

The fire carriage took the lead. The street had already been cleared, so the two of them could speed without worry. Before long, they arrived at the scene of the incident. Flames surged and spread, and pleas for help and cries sounded from the smoke and fog.

The aldermen had already opened the water valve and sprayed water at the burning house.

Kang De sped over and jumped off his horse. Without greeting him, he barged into the fire. Not long after, the diffusing fire gradually dissipated. The thick smoke and flames turned into various elemental powers that gathered in Kang De’s body.

Since the fire was extinguished, only green smoke was left.

However, the houses and buildings were bombarded by spells and burned by flames. They were a little on the verge of collapse. How to search and save them while ensuring their safety was a time-consuming technical job.

Kang De strode out of the fire and said to the surprised aldermen, “I’ll leave the rescue to you.”

An alderman returned to his senses and saw the combatant badge on Kang De’s chest. His breathing suddenly intensified and he straightened his neck, “This is our duty to begin with. There’s no need for you to interfere! I’m a talentless person and can’t fight the elves. It’s just right to do such a thing. Since you have such an ability, why waste time here? Please go to your battlefield immediately. That’s the place that can save more people!”

Because she was wearing a thick protective suit and a head guard, he could not tell at first.

It was not until he spoke that Kang De discovered that this alderman who did not look too tall even with full equipment was actually a young girl.

The two aldermen beside him were shocked. They dragged their companion to the side and apologized in fear, “Lord, please forgive me! This girl signed up to participate in the city defense yesterday and did not meet the requirements and was rejected, so… in short, please forgive her. She usually doesn’t know how to speak…”

Kang De shook his head and rode away without saying anything.

Hong San was waiting at the side. At this moment, he followed and said, “She’s right. Everyone has their own duties. Master, the collateral damage to the commoners is dealt with by the aldermen. They’re not strong enough and can only protect the city in this way. As for us, we have to go to the place we should go the most… not spend our time here.”

Kang De glanced at him. “You got into character very quickly.”

Hong San sighed, “Therefore, although I resent Mayor Nick for being cold-blooded and heartless, I can’t hate him.”

Kang De was silent. He was about to ride faster when he suddenly sensed something and turned around.

The thin alderman who had just spoken was bowing deeply in his direction.

He turned to look until the other party straightened up.

The alderman also saw Kang De turn around. She was first panicked and uneasy, then she became calm.

Due to the extremely protective head guard, he could not see her face, but Kang De saw the other party’s eyes curve slightly like a crescent moon. It must be a smile.

The alderman carried the rescue equipment from the carriage and rushed into the fire.

His companions hurriedly followed in. Someone shouted, “Steve, slow down!”

Although it was very far away, with Kang De and Hong San’s abilities, they had also heard this name. They looked at each other in surprise. Kang De frowned and said, “This name…”

Hong San was not surprised, “Either her father went crazy thinking about keeping her and raised her as a son, or she was strong herself and forcefully changed a man’s name.”

Kang De thought of this girl’s angry words earlier and many details. He said, “I guess it’s the second one, but…”

Hong San asked, “But what?”

Kang De kicked the horse’s abdomen. It understood and began to speed up. He smiled. “I don’t think there’s a need to change her name to a man with her determination and actions.”

Then, he threw this matter to the back of his mind.

The two warhorses galloped toward the war-torn city wall.

The sky changed and the ground shook. The thick city wall was as still as a mountain under the fierce attack of the enemy, defending everything in the city. The brave warriors protected the city wall.

The two of them were interdependent and fought side by side. In the culture of the other world, the city wall had more concepts and symbols. Not only were they resisting the enemy and danger, but they were also the first and last defense line for mortals against the power of magic.

The city wall protected the people and the warriors protected the city wall.

In this city, innocent commoners trembled and begged under the long-range bombardment of the elves. There were also brave people who shuttled through the streets and alleys, extinguished the fire, cleaned up the ruins, and saved the injured. They took the same risk and adhered to their duty. They fought together, suffered, and even sacrificed themselves.

Kang De and Hong San arrived at the foot of the city wall.

The closer they were to the city wall, the stronger the terrifying shock. The vibration of the magic bombarding the city wall was already extremely clear. The rain of arrows that poured onto the city wall occasionally crossed and fell. There was a dangerous and protective area under the city wall. The two of them revealed their identities and saw the battlefield commander of the city wall.

It was actually Nick’s brother, Preston Valentine.

When he saw Kang De in the combat room of the military camp under the city wall, he was first shocked, then he said, “Mr. Dong Zhuo, why are you here? You should stay in the Vidal Chamber of Commerce or the city hall to make enchanted arrows. Not only is it safe, but it can also play the greatest role… Please leave. It’s dangerous here!”

Kang De looked at everything around him. People kept coming and going in the war room. Reports and requests for help were endless, and the voices of the secretaries and staff officers intertwined.

He snorted, “I’ll decide how to support the battle myself. Compared to sitting at the back and praying that you can defend the city, I’m more inclined to control the situation of the battle… How’s the battle going now?”

He had to go up the city wall.

Apart from the above, there was another reason.

He had sent a few radio messages to his iron son yesterday to inform him of the current situation of the siege. If his iron son arrived today, he had to wait on the city wall. Otherwise, when the battle was dangerous, if he barged around as an Autobot, he would probably be attacked by the garrison.

Although it was the safest to move at night, if he was discovered by the elf scouts, rushing into the city as soon as possible was the best choice. He could not care less about the time…

Kang De thought about the situation of the city wall he had seen yesterday and was slightly relieved. Moreover, Nick had already agreed to cooperate. In any case, he was only an Autobot and could be let in no matter what.

Preston did not know what he was thinking. Seeing his stubbornness, he was also very unhappy.

Although the military was strictly disciplined, it also depended on people. At the very least, this Mr. Dong Zhuo could not be frightened by a sentence of “military law”…

He said angrily, “The first attack of the elves is at its peak. We’re trying our best to resist and rely on the mages and war machines to counterattack. Mr. Dong Zhuo, I have to remind you again that yesterday’s surprise attack can only be considered a small fight. True bloodshed is tragic. Today is only…”

Before he could finish speaking, there was suddenly a muffled and violent explosion not far away. The aftershock of the violent vibration rumbled over. Preston’s expression changed. The war room fell silent. He roared, “Go investigate!”

A moment later, the news was transmitted layer by layer, “Lord, a catapult was shattered by the enemy’s spell! Warlocks died on the spot, and the projectors suffered heavy casualties!”

If they defended for a long time, they would definitely lose. This was the common sense of soldiers. The mages did their best to intercept the elf spells. After all, it was a passive defense. There would always be a time when they were tired and miscalculated. There would always be a time when the enemy seized a loophole.

Preston cursed, then picked up his weapon and rushed out the door.

Kang De followed.

The young commander turned to look at Kang De. “You…”

Before he could speak, Kang De said, “Let me see what I can do.”