Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

200 Establishing a New Army

When the elves shouted the second half, Preston realized that something was wrong.

He said sternly, “Fire! Attack!”

However, in an instant, they could not order the war machine to fire, and the order could not be quickly transmitted. With just the bow troops and defense mages on this part of the city wall, they hurriedly attacked, but they were blocked and intercepted by the elf envoys one by one. They calmly turned around and shouted, “Valentine! You still have a chance to choose!”

In the next moment, amidst the shocking and clanging mechanical sounds, the huge body borrowed the force of the city wall and soared into the sky, and jumped out of the city. The Autobot flipped over and fell. He knelt on one knee and raised his right arm to reform into a long gun barrel. Flames surged, and a hot cannonball whistled out, “But you don’t!”

The translucent shield enveloped the cavalry team, and the blazing bullet exploded. Visible shock waves and blazing flames wreaked havoc. The shield shattered with a bang. Several mages controlled the wind to build an atmospheric shield, but the extremely compressed air blocked a portion of the shock waves and fragments. However, the aftershock still exploded more than ten elves into blood gourds, and their mounts lost their footing and died one after another.

“Disperse! Disperse!”

After all, they were experienced people. The officer of this team immediately gave the order. As they drew their arrows and turned around to counterattack, they scattered and retreated. The Autobot raised his large shield and blocked the consecutive arrows and spell attacks as he fired and counterattacked. At the same time, the flag of the elf army swayed and long-range spells shot over one after another.

Sand dissipated again, and the cavalry rushed over.

The wind howled on the city wall. Kang De swooped down with a bundle of javelins and landed on his iron son’s huge palm. He activated Time Acceleration, grabbed the javelins, and threw them repeatedly. A red light flashed and tore through the air. They were even faster than the elves’ rapid arrows. The javelins swept through the air. Some were knocked aside by the intercepting arrows shot by the elves, and some went straight in and nailed the fleeing elves to the ground.

A powerful large spell swept through the sky for miles.

The Autobot immediately turned back into a Hummer and carried Kang De around the city wall to the other side. The large spells that had been brewing for a long time smashed down one after another and landed close to the city wall. The world collapsed, and flames filled the air as new stars spread.

The mages of both sides fought again. The guards on the city wall switched to defense mode, and the war machines still fired ferociously to pursue the escaping elves. Another battle began.

The Hummer lowered the window and Kang De sat in the driver’s seat. The intense explosion, flames, and aftershock had nothing to do with him. He turned and looked through the other window in the direction of the elf army. His eyes were terrifyingly calm.

“We’ll go back immediately, Father,” his iron son asked. “Are you alright?”

Kang De did not speak. After a moment of silence, he said, “Either sooner or later, I want this group of elves to die. Not a single one will be left.”

The Autobot did not answer and only said, “Yes.”

The mechanical giant flipped and changed. It soared into the air, grabbed with its hands and feet, and jumped onto the wall. Then, it directly flipped into the city. Although the city wall guards on this side had already been informed in advance, they still cried out in surprise when they saw the huge mechanical giant soar into the city at close range.

They turned around and looked back. The giant had already disappeared. In its place was a carriage-like thing that could run on its own as it moved along the street.

As for the Cathayan husband who had saved Valentine, he did not see him.

A soldier muttered, “The elves just said…”

These words only started when the captain beside him slapped him fiercely, “Shut up! If His Highness Kang De is not around, can we defend the last siege? Will the elves at that time have so many benevolence and conditions? Will there be any dogsh*t negotiation and exchange? What do you think will happen after the city is broken?”

He pressed the young soldier’s head against the battlements and lowered his voice, shouting in a low voice, “Think about it carefully. Moreover, do you want to die if you say such nonsense now?”

The young soldier was pressed down and did not struggle.

He only tried his best to turn around. His red eyes and numb face glared at his captain and said expressionlessly, “Captain, my two brothers died yesterday. Only Mom is left at home. I didn’t even dare to go home yesterday and could only ask my ignorant neighbor to report my safety… because I can’t lie to her.”

“Captain, I don’t understand what you’re saying. Let me think with my brain. I can’t move anymore. My mind is filled with thoughts about how to tell Mom. I’m only thinking about whether I can go back alive and tell her. You asked me if I want to die. Of course, I want to live, but can I really keep my life if I stay here and defend the city?”

After the soldier finished speaking, his body relaxed and he closed his eyes like a salted fish.

A sense of despair that was greater than death arose in his body.

This move had shaken the morale of the army. In such a situation, any soldier would be executed on the spot for saying such nonsense. The captain knew very well what this meant and what he should do. However, he stared at this soldier with a twisted and ferocious expression. A moment later, he let go and said sternly, “What are you looking at?! Get into position!”

On the city wall, Preston was also shouting, “This is a despicable trick of the elves! They want us to fight among ourselves! The treacherous elves are not the same as His Highness Kang De! They want to use this method to make Valentine collapse on its own! We can’t be tricked by them! Those who shake the morale of the army and criticize His Highness Kang De are all charged with treason. This involves our families. Think about who you’re fighting here for!”

As the Hummer drove, his iron son’s voice sounded again, “Father, I made a voice record of the conversation.”

Kang De returned to his senses and smiled. He took out the phone hidden in front of his chest and threw it into the front passenger seat. His tone was indifferent, “I recorded a video of the entire process.”

The Autobot slowed down and said, “That’s great. As expected of you. Let’s make it public now!”

Kang De revealed a cold smile and shook his head.

“It’s meaningless.”

He slowly said, “What’s the use? If Valentine is willing to die and is determined to fight to the last person, even if there’s no recording, even if the elves slander and lure them in all ways, people will not be swayed.”

“But…”

“If they have other thoughts, even if there’s a video as proof, they’ll turn a blind eye to this… The human mind is very complicated. It’s fragile and changeable and can’t withstand the test,” Kang De said indifferently. “The elves realized this. Even if the people in the city are united, they can continue to attack and further increase the casualties. Valentine’s resistance will not last long sooner or later… Then, some things might happen.”

“What the elves handed over was a knife, a knife called morality but was actually selfishness. If that really happens, it’s useless even if we take out the recording.”

“This is because when it doesn’t concern them, people can always be righteous and distinguish right from wrong. However, when it comes to personal interests or even life and death, they will become stupid, unreasonable, and so on. Therefore, in the history books, b*tches and bastards are everywhere. This is the logic.”

“Guess what I’ll become when they treat me as a hero who turned the tide?”

The Autobot said nothing.

This was something he could not understand now… complicated human nature and even more complicated humans.

A moment later, he asked, “Then, what do you want to do?”

“This is only my guess. I can’t say what to do about what hasn’t happened yet. The world is unpredictable. Who can say for sure what will happen in the future?”

Kang De slowly said, “I only hope that the reinforcements arrive early and resolve Valentine’s siege so that human nature can be maintained in a beautiful state. We don’t have to let people experience cruel choices or let this city welcome an ugly end.”

He stretched out his hand and pressed it to his chest, where the crimson scroll was stored.

When he was on the deserted island, he yearned to go home. He had begged all the gods and Buddhas, but they were useless. Now, facing such a situation, although he had secretly made up his mind, he could not help but speak to the gods of the other world.

“Akatum, the king of the gods of the other world. I don’t believe in you, but I’m a little fated with you. You’re regarded by people as a righteous and compassionate god. If you can hear my voice, please look at this land and let the innocent humans who have been ravaged by war not experience any crueler outcomes…”

“Unless you think that being weak is a crime and that the strong can snatch and do evil without restraint.”

“In that case…”

Kang De opened his eyes and whispered, “Then I can only show the elves something even eviler…”

The Hummer returned to the foot of the west wall and honked. A moment later, Hong San climbed down nimbly.

He opened the car door and placed the phone in the front passenger seat aside. Then, he sat up with an uneasy expression. Hong San looked at Kang De and said seriously, “Master, the situation is bad.”

Kang De rolled his eyes at him.

“If we leave now, the elves won’t slaughter the city, but they’ll definitely slaughter a portion and leave another portion to ruin your reputation… Moreover, you won’t be willing to leave in disgrace.”

Hong San said, “However, if you stay, the days will become harder and harder. The happiest outcome is to endure for a few days until the Sword Orchid Army arrives and the siege of Valentine is resolved… However, it’s a huge taboo to have reservations in a battle. We have to consider all the worst situations…”

Kang De was impatient and said, “Just tell me.”

Hong San looked around and gritted his teeth. He lowered his head and said, “You can’t die with the city, nor can you let the elves take advantage of the situation to ruin your reputation. In that case, this entire city of commoners can only be…”

“Oh my god, you’re quite ruthless.”

Kang De raised his hand and interrupted him, “Alright, let’s forget about this matter. There’s no need to mention it in the future. If Valentine doesn’t let me down, I won’t let them down. Otherwise, I won’t be able to explain myself to someone.”

Hong San hurriedly said, “But…”

“Go all out and leave it to fate.”

Kang De said indifferently, “Wait a few more days. If the Sword Orchid Army doesn’t arrive, I’ll abandon the city and leave. I’ll bring you along. At that time, I’ll send you somewhere else to settle scores with the Dusk Legion.”

Hong San said worriedly, “But your reputation…”

“Actually, it doesn’t matter, and I don’t care very much. When the news of Valentine spread, it was fair and free in the hearts of people. Those who scold me are all stupid. I’ll kill those who scold me in front of me and behind my back. In the end, I don’t care what others think, as long as Tina understands.”

At this point, Kang De smiled faintly. “It’s better if she doesn’t understand.”

—If they really anger me, I won’t care about anything else. D*mn, I don’t know how to detonate a nuclear bomb, but I still know what’s going on with the nuclear power plant leak. I don’t know technology, but can’t I smash it?

At that time, he would show the Twilight Dynasty what radiation was.

Hong San was about to speak when he suddenly turned around and a group of people walked over. The leader knocked lightly on the car window. The window lowered and revealed Mayor Nick’s face.

“Your Highness Kang De.”

He said with a serious expression, “I’ve heard everything. Don’t worry, at this moment, resisting foreign enemies is the only goal. A second voice will definitely not appear in Valentine City. We’ve fought a bloody battle with the soldiers who died in battle to protect this city. We can’t tolerate people without brains and conscience talking nonsense.”

Kang De nodded and asked, “Is there any movement from the elf army? Are they going to attack the city?”

Nick shook his head. “No.”

“Defend it. If we defend the city, there won’t be any problems,” Kang De said indifferently. “Since the elves haven’t moved for the time being, I’ll go back and make some arrows and ammunition. The battle is imminent, so we have to make more preparations.”

Watching the Hummer slowly drive away, Nick stood up straight. A moment later, he turned around and instructed, “The news on the city wall is under martial law. Order the soldiers not to spread the words of the elves. In addition, if the elves have envoys approaching, you don’t have to listen to them. Kill them when you see them.”

“Yes.”

In the car, Hong San said, “Master, Mayor Nick has very strong control over this city. With him around, there’s no need to worry about any chaos in a short period of time. He’s an understanding person. He knows the despicable and untrustworthy elves and your importance to this city. He’ll definitely stand on our side. Moreover, he’s already taken this path. Apart from holding on to the city until the end, there’s no other way out.”

Kang De did not comment or say a word. Then, he suddenly raised his hand and pretended to smash.

Hong San trembled in fear.

However, Kang De did not smash the steering wheel in the end. His hand gently landed and he looked ahead. He said calmly, “We need an army.”

Hong San maintained his head and secretly glanced at him. “Ah?”

Kang De said in a low voice, “I don’t want to suffer this grievance of being passively beaten and letting the enemy play freely a second time. No matter what Valentine’s outcome is this time, after this is over, even if we have to squeeze, we have to squeeze out time to organize the army, plan the configuration, collect equipment… and build a new army.”

Hong San asked, “Recruit the orcs?”

“I’ve said it before. I won’t use my identity as the prophetic son to make the orcs bleed and die for nothing, but it’s fine to hire mercenaries. Before recruiting, we have to set the rules.”

Kang De said indifferently, “Moreover, in my opinion, humans are stronger than orcs.”

…