Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

206 Equal Treatment

The terrifying night was filled with blood and death.

There was silence, only the sound of people remaining. The terrifying commotion of the battle scared away all the animals. Only weak cheers, heart-wrenching cries, and hysterical laughter were left on the city wall.

They were like a group of injured owls.

The medical team formed by the city hall climbed up the city wall as soon as possible to treat the injured, comfort the mentally unstable soldiers, deal with the dead remains, and confirm their identities.

The battle between the two armies was extremely tragic, and cleaning up the battlefield was heart-wrenching.

Kang De sat in the car with the Hummer hidden in the dark. He watched as the reserve troops were mobilized and changed their defense. He watched as carriages transported the corpses that had been screened down. The conscripted laborers looked afraid and uneasy. They carried their tools and buckets up the city wall in fear and carried stretchers to send the injured down.

Some of the warriors lying on the stretcher were unconscious, some opened their eyes and looked at the sky without saying a word, and some wailed like wolves. It was unknown if it was for him or for others.

These warriors who had fought hard and survived the attack of a powerful foreign enemy, what would their future be? Was their hard work and battle tonight meaningful?

No one knew.

Kang De only quietly watched as people continuously came down the stairs of the city wall. All kinds of people walked past him. Some people no longer cared about the outside world, and some people noticed the steel beast hidden in the shadows. It was unique in the entire Valentine, even the entire Goethe, and even the entire world.

They all knew what this was and who was sitting in the car.

The injured soldiers had complicated expressions. They stared at Kang De in the shadows under the faint firelight and helped each other leave silently. Some people struggled to get up and shouted questions. Many of them were not good words, and most of the words were completely unknown. They were the most ordinary people from another world. Their education was limited, and their expressive ability was worrying. After such a bloody battle, how could they make things clear?

Kang De sat in silence and listened.

He stared at the people who left one by one and met their gazes, regardless of whether they could see him clearly… The blurry figures that fused into the night were humans, but they also looked like lost souls.

“D*mn.”

He grinned and chuckled silently.

“The novels are all f*cking liars. What bravery? What domineering aura? What unity? What a joke… Are they NPCs?”

It was only a group of ordinary people who were brave for their family and home, but there was a limit after all. They would be afraid, uneasy, and angry.

Someone walked over and knocked on the window.

Kang De nodded. Then the lights in the car came on. The window rolled down and reflected Preston’s face.

This brave and intelligent commander also looked tired now, but he forced himself to stay awake. He looked at Kang De with apology and sympathy in his eyes. As a small number of people in the city who could always maintain their rationality and understand things, he knew Kang De’s encounter and innocence very well.

Preston opened his mouth and finally sighed deeply. “I’m sorry.”

Kang De’s expression was calm and composed. There was no sorrow or anger. Facing the shameless and vicious attacks of the elves and the impudence and hostility of the soldiers guarding the city, he maintained his calm from the beginning to the end. He did not cry or fly into a rage. The sadness and confusion he displayed in front of the Autobot were also restrained and restrained.

His iron son did not know what this restraint meant, but Hong San was worried and afraid, but he did not know where to start… No one could probably persuade him.

Kang De said, “Why should you apologize?”

Preston turned to look at the soldiers who were slowly withdrawing the city wall and changing their defense. “For them.”

A trace of mockery appeared on Kang De’s face. “Oh.”

Preston turned and met Kang De’s eyes.

“What are you looking at?” Kang De said indifferently. “Do you think I’ll accept it?”

“They’re all commoners. They’re pitiful and sad. Usually, I disdain speaking to them and feel that they don’t know morals or trustworthiness. They don’t have ideals, are crude and ignorant, and their actions are detestable…”

Preston said softly, “However, now that the elves are besieging the city, the fates of the nobles and the commoners are the same. In front of the enemy’s iron hooves, on this city wall, everyone’s lives are no longer precious. At this moment, I’m envious of these sad and pitiful people…”

The young commander looked at the departing people and the figures on the city wall, “Because they don’t know anything… Because of the sinister schemes of the elves, they turned their fear and madness into hatred and transferred it to you. They don’t feel ashamed or uneasy, but they feel that it’s natural.”

“I can’t do that.”

“I’m usually not a warm and generous person. I’m not strict with servants and commoners, and I definitely can’t be called benevolent. Now that I look back on the previous years, not many actions can be associated with virtue. However, at least now, I can’t be like them and blame everything on you. Instead, I’ll feel ashamed and uneasy. I clearly know that you’re innocent, but I can’t do anything about it…”

Kang De listened silently.

“I only…”

The young noble hesitated and revealed a vexed expression as if he was organizing his words. Perhaps he was also surprised that he suddenly wanted to say such a thing, but he still said it.

“I only want to tell you that they won’t do this just because they’re evil, shameless, and immoral. In the past, although they were rough, they wouldn’t make a living from stealing and scamming. Although they don’t have any ideals, they still work every day to support their families. The reason why they revealed such an ugly appearance today is that the cruel war and the approaching fear made them lose their guard and lose their composure. As for these…”

Preston said slowly, “It’s all our responsibility.”

He lowered his eyes and hid his eyebrows in his hair as he bowed gently.

“It’s the nobles of this country who didn’t protect Goethe and her subjects. It’s all our responsibility to expose the ugliness of the weak and powerless people in the face of war and death.”

The noble with Valentine’s surname apologized again, “I’m sorry.”

After a long time, Kang De retracted his gaze and looked ahead. “What’s the use of saying this now?”

Preston smiled bitterly. “Not now, but in the future.”

“My brother once taught me that instead of being harsh and disgusted, it’s better to pity and be responsible for the evil displayed by the commoners.”

“Pity is to pity the pain of their lives and understand the source of their actions and thoughts. Their responsibility is to realize their duty as nobles. We were born nobles and came from extraordinary backgrounds. Can we do anything for them?”

At this point, he looked at Kang De and said seriously, “You’ll become one of us, Your Highness. I only hope that in the future, you’ll remember today or encounter a similar situation. Don’t only see their sorrow and hatred, but have pity and know the reason.”

“You’ll become Princess Tina’s husband. With your ability, you’ll definitely become one of the decision-makers in this country in the future. Your status and responsibility are far above mine… At that time, may you be compassionate and righteous.”

Kang De was stunned when he heard this.

It was not for Preston’s words. As an Earthling, the concept he had formed in his hometown was higher than Preston’s thoughts. The beauty of the world could not be entrusted to the kindness and responsibility of a privileged class. The peace and stability of society lay in the rule of law, not human rule. This was the principle he had learned.

He only heard familiar words.

Pity and righteousness.

The head of the gods, the Dragon of Time and Space, was the good god who symbolized pity and righteousness. After giving Kang De the most basic time and space ability, the majestic divine power in the crimson scroll was like a pool of stagnant water. It did not move at all and ignored Kang De’s request to watch Valentine.

Could it be that the so-called righteousness and pity were to make him kindly and tolerantly forgive these people’s stupidity and retardation? No matter how outrageous they had done, he had to forgive them?

—Pfft!

D*mn, he had run from Earth and not become the protagonist of an urban novel. He was trapped in this lousy city and was beaten up by the elves. He had risked his life for these people. If not for him, Valentine City would have long been broken twice. In the end, he was still hated and faced hostility from these people. How could he forgive them?

As soon as this thought appeared, endless anger and grievance stirred and almost gushed out.

With his personality, that guy on the city wall was talking nonsense. At that time, he should have chopped open his head with an axe and left. He would no longer care about the lives of these people. Those soldiers looked at him strangely and he should have glared and cursed back. The reason why he had suppressed his majestic anger until now was only that this country was called Goethe. He had a princess friend and a knight friend.

—Maintaining restraint and calm was the greatest pity and righteousness… What else do you want me to do?

What did they have to do with him? Why should he understand them?

Kang De’s heart surged, and his emotions changed drastically.

Seeing his strange expression, Preston thought that he was deep in thought and puzzled, so he revealed a calm and gentle smile and said softly, “There’s no need to be conflicted. Take your time to think about it. You’ll understand in the future.”

Kang De did not notice this smile, so he naturally did not know what was contained in such a smile.

This was an ancient Chinese saying. However, in other civilizations, there was a similar saying. After experiencing bloodshed and extreme attacks, a serious and polite Goethe noble ran over to tell Kang De such a thing. Only he knew the meaning.

Kang De only looked up into Preston’s eyes.

“Haven’t I… done enough? Haven’t I… done enough?”

A person’s heart was not made of iron and stone. Even a clay figurine would have some anger, let alone a hot-tempered person like Kang De. He had never suffered such grievances since he was young.

The despicable schemes of the elves, the stupid gullibility of humans, the negative emotions accumulated by the extreme defense of the city, the pressure brought about by the Dusk Legion… Sooner or later, it would erupt.

Previously, he was only forcing himself to endure it. The knight and Tina’s stance made him control his emotions and aim the spearhead at the elves from the beginning to the end. However, tonight, Preston suddenly ran over to tell him about pity and understanding. His surging anger finally found the jet port and exploded.

“What did I do wrong?”

“Why are they such b*stards?”

“Why would I rather believe the elves than me?”

“I risked my life for them in exchange for this?”

“Don’t they know that if not for me, this city would have long been taken down?”

His tone went from suppressed and low to gradually raised, and his voice became louder and louder.

Preston looked at Kang De quietly and listened to his increasingly ridiculous curses and venting. It was not until he was panting that he slowly nodded. “Yes, you’re right. They don’t believe you.”

Kang De smiled half mockingly and half desolately, “Because I’m a f*cking Cathayan? D*mn racial discrimination, you white pigs, disgusting things…”

The young noble’s tone was still calm, “No, it’s not all because of this. Most importantly, they don’t understand you. You’re so high and untouchable, making them curious and confused. They don’t know anything about you, only awe and guesses… You’re too proud.”

“Proud?” Kang De widened his eyes and even smiled, “I’m proud? I’m f*cking proud? F*ck, do you know who I am? Do you know my identity?”

Preston said indifferently, “I don’t know, but I can guess that you must be the noblest person in Cathay. You have the noblest bloodline and background. You’ve been above all living beings since you were born.”

Kang De laughed loudly, “You know again? Your imagination is too strong? What did I do to make you have this illusion? Did I despise you? Did I look down on people? I f*cking eat the same food as you. Be it the mayor or the commoners, I speak in the same tone. I didn’t enslave anyone, nor did I beat or scold anyone. I treated everyone equally, even the green-skinned. I…”

Before he could finish speaking, Preston said softly, “Those soldiers who once defended the city with you don’t even know your name is Dong Zhuo.”

Kang De’s laughter stopped.

In the darkness of the night, on the silent street, the Hummer slowly drove. The braziers on both sides burned, and the light shone on Kang De’s flickering face. The car was very quiet.

Preston bade farewell and left. The group returned to the Vidal Chamber of Commerce. Kang De’s expression was as serious as a statue.

After a while, he said softly, “Is that so?”

The Autobot was inexperienced in the world. Hong San was as smart as a ghost, so no one replied.

After waiting for a moment, Kang De said, “Hong San, speak.”

Hong San, who had been hiding in the back seat, carefully deliberated his words and braced himself, “That… oh, right, Master, this is what my master said. He said that treating everyone equally is not the same as putting oneself on the same level as others.”

Kang De was still silent and only smiled soundlessly—whether it was true or not was meaningless. Even Preston had said something like “I hope you’ll succeed in the future”, and Valentine’s fate had already been decided.

Amidst the fear and uneasiness in the city, the Hummer drove towards the Vidal Chamber of Commerce.

Under the light, the leaders of the Heaven and Earth Association looked at each other and finally nodded slowly. Everyone held hands.

…

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