202 He Believes Me
“There’s no other tricks?”
“There’s nothing else they can do.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m not sure.”
Mayor Nick visited again and had a secret meeting with Kang De. Of course, Hong San and Leona were still present.
The elves scattered flyers throughout the city and even used a psychological tactic to sow discord. Even if City Lord Valentine committed a huge crime and resisted stubbornly, as long as he captured Kang De and offered the city, he could still maintain his wealth and life. What he obtained would even be far higher than now.
Leona’s doubts did not only stem from hatred and prejudice. The entire continent knew the culture and philosophy of survival of the nobles. The family was first, and honor was second. If the king could be ranked third, he was already a loyal and brave person. In front of the family inheritance, loyalty was nothing. A different monarch would still enjoy the same loyalty. The other choice was to die and his family would be wiped out. In Goethe’s overall disadvantage, it was even more meaningless to hold on until death.
Therefore, Nick’s situation should be very awkward.
However, he was not embarrassed at all. Instead, his expression was calm, as if he was not the one who had been separated as if he was not the one who ruled the city with an iron fist and faced the danger of the elves.
He even spoke confidently, as if victory was in sight.
“Although the round of artillery fire in the morning did not cause much damage to the entire Dusk Legion, the array the other party displayed clearly has many officers present. What they suffered from was probably the entire command system.”
He said, “Therefore, although there are not many casualties, it’s fatal enough. This means that the Dusk Legion can’t operate as they please in the next battle. To an army, this is very fatal.”
Hong San glanced at Kang De, then bowed and said, “Mr. Mayor, please forgive me for being presumptuous.”
Nick was not displeased. He was a pragmatic noble. Instead, he raised his eyebrows and said, “Mr. Hong, it seems that you’ve become Prince Kang De’s retainer?”
Hong San lowered his head and said, “A person like me is like a wild dog that His Highness casually picked up and fed a few meals. I’m not very useful, but I know how to be grateful. When His Highness was hunting, the well-trained and noble hunting dog was not by his side. Although I’m a rough wild dog, I’m also willing to bite and chase away the prey for him.”
Kang De kicked him. “Speak human language.”
Hong San lowered his head and said, “Yes, Mr. Mayor, it’s like this. Although your words are very reasonable, I have to raise my doubts. The strength of the elf army not only stems from advanced combat tactics and excellent equipment, but the combat literacy of the soldiers is also extremely high. Not only are they skilled in combat and brave morale, but they also have military literacy.”
“This is what humans lack. The knights and officers of the human countries are from noble families. They have honor in their hearts, are brave and good at fighting, and have an extremely good education. However, the soldiers at the bottom are illiterate and don’t know how to be soldiers. In other words, if they casually capture an elf soldier, he might know how to be a captain or even a middle and lower-level officer. Humans can’t do it.”
Nick said, “You mean that even if the morning bombardment severely injured the enemy’s command system and even killed most of the officers, the elves’ combat system can still immediately fill the gap?”
Hong San nodded and said, “Yes, so I think the danger has not decreased. It has even increased because the elves will only become more resentful and furious. Their combat morale will not decrease but increase.”
The mayor replied, “I don’t deny it, but correspondingly, we don’t have to keep guarding it.”
He said calmly, “Let’s think about this carefully. The elves have an advantage in military strength and their chances of winning are extremely high. There was originally no need to use such a despicable trick. If they use it, if the city is broken and they fulfill their promise, the reputation of the Dusk Legion in the entire expeditionary army will be greatly reduced and they’ll be covered in dust. If we don’t fulfill our promise and word spreads like this, not only will it increase the resistance of the other cities to the death, but it won’t be good in the end.”
“They knew this but still used it because they could no longer endure more failures and casualties. If Valentine can’t attack for a long time and so many soldiers and even officers die, the honor of this famous army will immediately be covered in dust and even affect the commander’s career.”
At this point, Nick sneered, “When the soldier dies, the problem is neither big nor small. Don’t forget that if the morning’s bombardment killed many high-ranking elf officers, they were all pure-blooded high elves on the second or even first level. All of this stemmed from the smart invitation and banquet of the enemy commander. If you were the other party’s commander, what would you think in the face of such a mess?”
Hong San was silent, “I see. I understand, Mr. Mayor. I originally thought that the enemy’s commander would capture Prince Kang De at all costs to make up for his mistake, but on careful thought, the safer option is to ensure that they can take down Valentine quickly and at a small price because this is their mission.”
Nick nodded and said, “That’s right. What the enemy wants to do the most now is to take down this city at the smallest price to avoid further casualties. Therefore, they used this method. Firstly, they want to sow discord and disintegrate our hearts. Secondly, they want to think of a way to force Prince Kang De away, because the previous two battles have already proven one thing. As long as Prince Kang De is around, the elves have to pay an extremely heavy price to attack the city!”
When Kang De heard this, he only smiled faintly and did not comment.
However, he was still secretly happy.
It could not be helped. Young people had never seen much of the world and were still vain.
At this point, the mayor nodded slightly at Kang De. He looked neither servile nor overbearing, but it was actually the highest realm of flattery. He slowed down his tone and said, “This is our advantage because if the elves want to use a plan, they won’t use everything to attack the city. Instead, they’ll slowly disintegrate our will and wait for their despicable and laughable methods to ferment… All of this takes time.”
“Time is on our side.”
He placed his hands on the table and leaned forward. He looked at Kang De and said sincerely, “The Sword Orchid Army will arrive soon. This city can be defended… as long as you’re here.”
Leona glanced at Kang De and said, “I…”
Hong San immediately interrupted Leona and said directly, “Then, Mr. Nick, please forgive me for being rude and presumptuous. I’m a Cathayan and a wild dog. I only care about my daily food and my master’s safety, not the fate of Valentine City and Goethe. You asked His Highness Kang De to stay and gave the corresponding reason, but I’m afraid I have to ask you something.”
Nick nodded. “Please speak, Mr. Hong.”
Hong San said firmly, “If the Sword Orchid Army doesn’t arrive, what should we do? Or is it because of all kinds of reasons that they’re delayed, so much so that Valentine City can’t be defended before the army arrives? Let me ask you this. If such a thing happens, what will His Highness Kang De do?”
This was what Leona wanted to ask and what she had always questioned.
What if the Sword Orchid Army did not arrive and Kang De stayed in the crumbling Valentine City?
Nick raised his finger. “Three days, at most. Or we can reach a consensus. When this city can no longer be defended, or the situation in the city has already reached an extremely dangerous stage, I can send Prince Kang De away from here. I definitely won’t let him stay here and be in danger.”
Hong San’s expression changed as he said in a low voice, “How?”
Nick hesitated for a moment before slowly answering, “There’s a secret passage.”
Hong San had already pretended to be a bad person today, so he simply questioned everything. “Bring us to see.”
Nick shook his head and said, “No, the secret passage is sealed with a spell to prevent the elf mage from discovering it. I can’t bring you out of the city…”
Hong San was now talking about Kang De’s safety. His usual humbleness and cowardice did not exist. He said firmly, “Without strong evidence, I can’t believe Mr. Mayor!”
Nick was still not angry.
He looked at Kang De and not Hong San and said seriously, “I can only ask you to believe me, Your Highness Kang De. I’ll tell you honestly that in my eyes, your safety is more important than Valentine City and my life. Therefore, I definitely won’t leave you in a situation where you’ll definitely die.”
Hong San frowned and said, “Mr. Mayor, just this sentence…”
Kang De suddenly said, “Hong San, enough. This sentence is enough.”
Hong San hurriedly said, “Master…”
Leona was also anxious. “Hey, this is not…”
Nick did not speak, but he stared at Kang De with deep eyes that could not tell what he was thinking.
Kang De chose to believe it.
It was not out of pride or intuition. He only recalled Mayor Nick’s tears that day… Moreover, these words made sense. Not to mention the strength and potential that Kang De had displayed, just the fact that he was treated as the son of the prophecy by the green-skinned meant that he had terrifying help from the north.
He said indifferently, “Moreover, even if there’s no secret passage, I have plenty of ways to leave.”
Nick was silent for a long time, then slowly lowered his head. “Thank you.”
Then, he said, “When you leave, please do one last thing for Valentine. This is the operation route and plan. At that time, advance according to the route on the map. That’s the marching route of the Sword Orchid Army. When you meet up with the other party, you’ll be able to see the Grand Duke’s second son, Her Highness Landiston. Please tell him the grievous news of Valentine’s fall. We’ve tried our best, but we still can’t defend this city. The citizens of the city have done their best.”
“In the other letter, there’s my last arrangement. If the city falls, I’ll fight to the last moment and try my best to destroy the city defense, leaving a way out for the Sword Orchid Army to counterattack. I’ll definitely be able to completely leave the Dusk Legion with great vitality… This is Valentine’s last revenge.”
At this point, Mayor Nick said softly, “Therefore, please don’t be rash even if you want to return after seeing the Second Prince. You have to complete the encirclement of the Dusk Legion according to the established battle plan and not advance and return and alarm the elves so that our sacrifice will be in vain.”
He pushed these letters over.
Kang De calmly took it and nodded. “I understand.”
Nick said, “Again, thank you.”
“Then…” Kang De stood up and stretched out his hand, “I hope these things will never be used. I hope this will be the best outcome.”
The best outcome was to defend the city until the Sword Orchid Army arrived. No one had to take the risk, make a decision, or abandon anyone.
Nick only smiled. “It’s not the personality of the Goethe people to place their hopes on a small fate.”
He held Kang De’s hand. “But Sulla illuminates this land. I believe that justice and morality have never left. The brave don’t have to experience sorrow. The fearless will be rewarded.”
Kang De smiled too.
Nick retracted his hand and looked at Kang De. He had already returned to his decent and elegant noble appearance.
Then, he bade farewell and left.
After watching the mayor leave, Leona complained, “You’re really strange. No wonder you could catch Tina’s eye. She said a few words and you obediently worked for her.”
Kang De shook his head and said, “I’ve never risked my life, nor will I be manipulated by the words of others. From the beginning to the end, I was the one who evaluated the risk. I made the choice, and I bear the consequences.”
Leona curled her lips. “But you still believe him.”
“I believe in myself and place my hopes on the kindness of others. It’s not my personality.” Kang De turned to Hong San and said, “I’ll give you a mission. I’ll give you a camera that can record images. For my reputation, I have to film something for Tina and her family to see. In the future, when I defeat the elves, I’ll turn it into a documentary. I have to screen it every winter and summer vacation to vent my anger.”
Then, he said to the iron head sticking out from the wall behind, “When you’re free, make some simple engines, the ones the green-skinned used previously.”
In the end, he said to Leona, “You have a mission to do…”
Amidst the surging undercurrents in the city, the people of the Vidal Chamber of Commerce began a new round of work.
Mayor Nick left the Vidal Chamber of Commerce and patrolled the streets. Then, he returned to his residence, his office, and his home.
He sat at the wide desk and his body sank into the soft chair. His eyes were open as he looked at the ceiling. His gaze was alternately complicated and ferocious, hesitant and agitated.
On the table was an open letter and a small and exquisite safety device. The handwriting on the letter was beautiful and powerful. Just from the handwriting, it was obvious that it was written by the upper-class elves.
Nick’s hands on the armrest slowly clenched.
Then, he sat up calmly, rolled up the letter, and placed it in the device. He twisted it a few times. Immediately, a cluster of flames slowly ignited, and even the device and the letter turned to dust.
He looked at this silent flame in a daze. His elegant and handsome face swayed and changed between light and shadow. As the flame dissipated, it froze into indescribable chaos.
After a long time, Nick said, “Men.”
Someone outside replied, “Lord, what are your orders?”
The mayor said indifferently, “Go to the Heaven and Earth Association and invite a few leaders over. Keep it a secret.”
The loyal subordinate left.
Sitting there, Nick was silent for a long time before he suddenly grinned. His smile was silent but intense. His smile became brighter, crazier, and more ferocious.
“He believed me…” He covered his face and laughed wildly. Tears streamed down his face. “He believed me…”
It was unknown who he was laughing at or what he was laughing at.
…
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