213 Thank You
The messenger looked haggard and sad as tears flowed.
He unbuttoned his coat, took off a cloth bag tied to his chest and abdomen, and threw it to the ground. A corner of the cloth lifted, revealing some pure white fibers. They looked to be some kind of cotton fabric.
Leona’s expression changed slightly beside Kang De. She said in a low voice, “It’s fire cotton. It’s extremely flammable and the fire is ferocious.”
This item that was extremely easy to ignite and had a rapid-fire was probably one of the messenger’s missions.
!!
Then, the messenger took out the letter that was surrounded by this fire cotton and held it in his hand. However, he did not go forward to deliver it. Instead, he turned to look at Hong San.
After Hong San took it, he looked at Kang De.
Kang De stared at the letter, his eyes flickering. Clearly, he was not calm. He had a guess, but he was not willing to believe this fact. He closed his eyes for a moment and said, “Read it for me.”
Hong San’s hand trembled slightly. He bowed and said, “Yes.”
The messenger said nothing, his eyes empty as he stood where he was.
After opening the letter, Hong San glanced at it from top to bottom. A moment later, his expression changed drastically.
“What’s wrong?” Kang De laughed at himself, “It can’t be something like ‘Kang De dies in front of this letter’, right?”
Hong San looked a little confused and shaken. “No… no.”
Kang De slowly said, “Then read it.”
Hong San’s knuckles were slightly white and looked very forceful. He took a deep breath and slightly calmed his rising and falling heart. Then, he read softly, “Your Highness Kang De, I’m very happy that you can see this letter. It’s not polite or empty words. I’ve never been so sincere as at this moment. I’m very happy that you can see this letter.”
“Because this means that even if you leave Valentine because of disappointment and betrayal, you still chose to meet the Sword Orchid Army and inform them of this, not leave.”
“Your noble virtue is something I’ve confirmed long ago. In such a world, especially in the current situation, people with morals can play a huge role. I’m very happy that you can become a member of the Tedrell family and happy with Princess Tina’s choice.”
“However, I have to apologize to you. The reason why you can see this letter means that I used despicable methods to force you to leave this city. Although I was forced, I must have let you see the worst side of the Goethe people. I’m sorry and uneasy about this, but I’m helpless. I have no other way.”
“The reason why I did this is that I already know your morals. Everyone has seen what you did for Valentine. I also believe that even at the last moment of Valentine’s fall, you will definitely stay in this city and continue to fight and not agree to leave.”
“There’s no leaving unless you’re disappointed in the ruler and people of this city.”
Kang De was expressionless and unknowingly clenched his fists.
“I’m very sorry about this and can understand your current mood, but I have no choice.”
“Because the reinforcements of the Sword Orchid Army… never existed.”
There was a commotion.
At this point, Hong San could not help but look up at Kang De.
Kang De’s expression was calm as he said in a low voice, “Read it quickly.”
“In other words, Valentine’s outcome has long been decided. It will definitely fall under the iron hooves of the elves. It’s only a matter of time before it falls.”
“A few days before the Dusk Legion arrived, the second prince, Landiston, entered the city to see me. He knelt to me as the second son of the Grand Duke. He will lead the Sword Orchid Army back to defend the capital and fight the elf army coming from the west. He begged me to try my best to delay the defense of the city for three days. He swore to me with his soul that after three days, he would allow me to surrender the city. Even if I became the elves’ lackey from now on, the Tedrell family would definitely not pursue the matter.”
“I actually didn’t agree to it.”
“Perhaps my thoughts are very ridiculous, or perhaps my decision is extremely ridiculous. Perhaps I’m doing an extremely wrong thing, but the elf army marches in and kidnaps our citizens. They invade our land and kill our bravest warriors, wanting to turn us into their puppets. The entire country is bleeding for this. The most sincere and brave people are sacrificed at the front. If we surrender, what will the people who sacrificed think?”
“I’m a Goethe person. I grew up in the breeze from Calonia. I ate the grains, fruits, and vegetables produced by the verdant wilderness and wore a patterned robe woven from highland white cotton. I listened to the long poem of St. Alan and yearned for the voyage of the Adventurer King, Francis. I swam through the streets with sunflowers on the Sun Festival, adhering to the ancient tradition and etiquette and pursuing the virtues of the ancient Goethe paladins.”
“This is our land, our country. We have the same hometown, believe in the same gods, have our own legends, our own stories, and have heroes we worship and admire. This is Goethe.”
“Although the elves’ things are all good, they’re not ours. I’m unwilling to change into the elves’ robes and bow to their Empress. I don’t want my children to only learn the words and history of the elves from now on. I don’t want the next generation of Goethe to only remember the hero story of the Twilight Dynasty.”
“The elves’ things are actually very good. I used to like them very much, but if I have to force myself to accept everything they have and forget my hometown, my answer is no.”
“So I made a decision.”
“This idea is very crazy, heavy, and cold-blooded. I’m very uneasy and don’t know if I’m right or wrong. I’m only a mortal, not a hero, nor a wise person. I can’t see the future or distinguish right from wrong. I can only do what I think I have to do.”
“I only feel that I should do something for this country. Everyone should do something for this country. Ever since the war, many, many brave people have fought and died for this. They must also want to live and live a peaceful and happy life, but they chose to sacrifice themselves. They might not be able to explain the reason why they faced death calmly, but they used their actions to fulfill their trust and love. I’m willing to be one of them.”
“I want to magnify their roars before they sacrifice themselves and let more and more Goethe people know their story. I want our citizens to think of the wind of Calonia and the sunflowers of the Sun Festival and roar like the sacrificed. I want the elves to see our ambition and hear our voices. Goethe will definitely not submit.”
“I want the elves to know what it takes to destroy this country.”
“I want the elves to know what they have to face to conquer this country.”
“Therefore…”
At this point, Hong San was speechless. Perhaps this word was getting heavier and heavier, making it difficult for him to breathe. He closed his eyes and was silent for a moment as if paying his respects.
Then, he read, “Therefore, Valentine City will fight to the last moment. I’ll try my best to do everything, plot, methods, and viciousness to kill as many elves as possible until I stop breathing.”
“This is not a simple decision, because it means that all the civilians in the city might invite a painful outcome. I’m very uneasy and pray to Sulla day and night, but I’m only a mortal. I’m helpless.”
“The situation of the Goethe battle is like this. I have to make a choice. There’s no other way because this is war. War has no morals, and war has no mercy. Since countless Goethe people have already died for this, the other Goethe people protected by the lives of the sacrifices also have the obligation to sacrifice.”
“I can only think so. That’s all I can convince myself.”
“Perhaps I did something wrong, but I’m only a mortal. In the face of war, I have no other way.”
“I’m very regretful to those people who will definitely be hurt or even in pain and despair because of this, but I’m helpless. The only thing I can do is be fair.”
“They themselves, their relatives, and everything they have is in this city. They’re about to be reduced to ashes with the fall of the city. Then, I, my family, and everything I have will remain in this city. I’ll defend the city with them and welcome the outcome.”
“That’s all I can do. I’m only a small mayor, a small noble. In this war, everyone has their place. Everyone has their mission.”
“I hope everyone can do more and work harder. Perhaps we can win.”
“I hope that a long, long time later, the descendants of the Goethe people will also remember this story. When the young children eat the fruits produced in the verdant fertile fields and wear the luxurious clothes woven from highland white cotton, holding the sunflowers as they pass through the lively celebration of the Sun Festival, the souls of the people who sacrificed themselves in this war will transmigrate through time and space with them through the oral speech of the bard, just as we are commemorating the ancient heroes.”
“Please remember us, Your Highness Kang De. Please remember our story.”
“Remember what you’ve seen too. We’re all mortals and not fearless heroes. It’s just that some people are brave a little earlier. Perhaps you’ve already seen Valentine’s evil, but please don’t be disappointed in this country or the Goethe people. I hope more people will hear our roar and realize that today’s bravery will change the future. I deeply recognize this because I was side by side with them in the previous battle. This country is not hopeless, as I’ve shown you at this moment.”
“I can sense your mood at this moment, but I have to beg you not to return and continue to leave. Unless you counterattack or win, please don’t return to Valentine.”
“Because it’s meaningless.”
“Please do more meaningful things. Remember us.”
“When I first saw you, even if I had a faint guess in my heart, I did not care much. Since I had already decided to die with Valentine, why should I care about your life?”
“However, after the second city defense battle, I finally wrote this letter. Why do I want you to leave? Is it because you’re regarded as the son of the prophecy by the orcs, or is it because of the ability and powers you displayed in the city defense battle? I don’t know either.”
“Perhaps it’s only because of something you said.”
“Farewell, Kang De.”
“Thank you for trusting and understanding me.”
In silence, Hong San flipped to another page and subconsciously read, “I’m the Chief Mage of Valentine, Ace Jordan. I graduated from the Thunder Dragon Academy and swear to the Sun God, Sulla, that everything below is the truth. His Highness Kang De hid his identity and willingly defended the city. He fought bravely and never retreated. He has made four great contributions. Firstly…”
At this point, he opened the next few pages and said, “Master, these were all written by the people of Valentine. There are mages, low-level officers, warlocks, and the battle logs of the past few days…”
At this point, Hong San’s voice became softer and softer.
Clearly, even if the elves fabricated the truth and made a fuss, if Nick really did anything, what happened to Valentine would still spread throughout Goethe. Coupled with Nick’s will, everyone’s proof, and Valentine’s war log as supplementary evidence, any slander and criticism of Kang De would be completely untenable.
When Nick was preparing these, he did not know that Kang De had a camera that could film videos, so he had thought about it and already prepared everything he needed for him.
There was dead silence.
No one spoke.
The people of the Empire and even the green-skinned people led by Leona held their breaths and listened until now.
Then, the messenger choked and said, “Your Highness Kang De, can I leave now?”
Kang De slowly looked up at him, his expression still emotionless. “You want to go back?”
“No, I want to leave here and survive. The longer I live, the better. I’ll tell everyone the story of what happened to Valentine until every Goethe person knows his story.”
The messenger bowed deeply. “Your Highness Kang De, thank you for everything you’ve done for Valentine. Goodbye.”
The people behind him gave way and watched the staggering figure gradually leave.
Kang De said indifferently, “It’s best if you don’t go back…”
He turned to the Hummer and slapped the hood. “Let’s go back.”
Hong San and Leona’s expressions changed and they immediately ran to Kang De’s side.
The girl grabbed Kang De’s arm and said, “Kang De, you can’t go back.”
“I understand your feelings. Although I’m from the Empire and Nick’s original plan was most likely to let me die in Valentine, even so, I admire him and write off my score with him.”
“I understand his mood. He tried his best to let you leave Valentine. The outcome of that city is already decided. If you return now, you won’t be able to change any outcome. Instead, you’ll walk into a trap and let his sacrifice and hard work be in vain. He also said in the letter that he doesn’t want you to return! Just remember him. Kill more elves in the future and defeat them. Protecting Goethe will be the best repayment to him!”
Kang De shook his head and said, “No, I want to go back.”
Leona’s tone was intense as she said sternly, “No! What are you going back for?! You’ll die if the elves discover you! Even if you go back, you can’t save this city or those people. Don’t do anything stupid!”
“I know… I know I can’t save them.”
Kang De looked into the girl’s eyes and slowly said, “Therefore, I’m only going back to watch them die with my own eyes.”
…
New novel 𝓬hapters are published on (f)reeweb(n)ovel.com