Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

"At least three days, at most five days!"

Mayor Nick's answer was firm. His expression was firm and his gaze was calm.

However, Kang De did not trust people. Instead, he trusted facts and logic.

He asked, "Where will the reinforcements come from? Can they defeat the elves?"

Nick said without hesitation, "Yes!"

Kang De raised his hand and said, "Please be specific."

Mayor Nick looked at Leona and frowned, "This is also a military secret. Although I can tell Mr. Dong Zhuo, please let the Empire's girl leave first."

Leona slapped the table and said angrily, "This is my territory!"

Nick said calmly, "No, it's mine."

The two of them looked at each other and did not give in to each other. A moment later, Leona retracted her gaze and snorted. She already had the intention to retreat. She turned around and said disdainfully, "I can't be bothered to listen…"

Kang De grabbed her arm and said, "It's fine. Stay."

Leona was shocked and looked at Kang De in surprise. A moment later, her gaze softened and she said softly, "It's fine. It's good that you know. I believe you."

Nick also frowned. "Mr. Dong Zhuo, with all due respect, the war is dangerous. Once the news is leaked, you must know what it means. This matter concerns the safety of countless people. Please don't use such a huge matter to please a woman at a time like this. Moreover, she's from the Empire."

Kang De pressed Leona's shoulder and forced her back to her seat. Then, he said, "Mr. Mayor, a good friend of mine told me not to trust all the Goethe people easily because of him. Don't hate all the people of the Empire because of the actions of some people. I'll listen to everything he says, of course, including this."

"In fact, I won't judge if I trust someone because of their country and background. With all due respect, Mr. Mayor, the current me trusts her more than I trust you because you rationally and coldly use everyone's lives accurately. This might be right, but the lack of favors makes me afraid and afraid."

"As for this Miss Vidal, although she's filled with vulgar words, she ran here for her old friend and caused herself to fall into chaos. I think from your performance, I want to be friends with her more."

Mayor Nick's expression became a little ugly. Although he paid attention to showing others his sincerity and speaking frankly, he still instinctively felt unhappy to be told such a truth by Kang De.

He said coldly, "It's your freedom to be friends with whoever you want, but does this have anything to do with her staying here to listen to military secrets as an Empire citizen?"

Kang De said, "Of course it's related. I don't want to lie to Mr. Mayor. Even if she leaves now, I have to tell her the information you told me later, including Hong San. Because I don't quite believe you, I have to advise my two friends to avoid being treated as cannon fodder and pawns."

The mayor took a deep breath and his tone became even darker, "But if the news leaks…"

"If the news is leaked, you can just pursue the responsibility. No matter how confidential this secret is, Leona is still in Valentine City. Even if she leaks this secret to the elves outside the city, can't you kill her before the elves break through? Moreover, with your methods and backup plans, spread the news of the Vidal Chamber of Commerce's betrayal and make it onto Goethe's revenge list—is this very difficult?"

Kang De casually pressed Leona's head and gestured to Nick, "Look, even from a purely provocative point of view, she doesn't have the courage to leak the news, right?"

This time, when the girl's head was pressed down by Kang De and shook back and forth, she was actually not angry.

Nick looked at Kang De for a moment and suddenly sneered, "That's true."

He looked around and did not discover a map. However, Valentine and even the map of the area had long been memorized. The mayor dipped his finger in tea and outlined the general map on the table. He set up the location with the tea set and snacks and said, "This is Valentine, and these three cities…"

"Kunke City, Tamin City, Red Creek Valley."

After pointing out the locations one by one, the mayor said, "When I discovered the elves, I had already spread the news. If the reinforcements set off from these three cities, they can reach Valentine in three to five days."

Kang De had long calmly turned on the camera mode of his phone. Then, he leaned over and pretended to look at it a few times. After all, he did not understand war and could not understand military maps.

However, the greatest ability that modern education had given him was not the messy knowledge of mathematics, physics, and history, but the method of logical thinking. It was the thought of solving problems and the ability to accept new things. He thought for a moment and understood the key to the matter. What he wanted to understand was not a military problem like the marching of the army, but the question of whether the City Lord's words could be believed.

Therefore, Kang De asked, "The reinforcements can arrive in three to five days—but will they come?"

Mayor Nick said, "Of course."

Kang De asked, "Why? Is there a reason to save Valentine City? The three cities are not far away and are about to face the attacks of the elves. Why did they decisively send troops and not consider preserving their strength?"

"Moreover…"

He leaned out and pointed at Valentine, who was represented by the teacup, "If I were the elf commander, I would surround Valentine and fight casually, assuming a siege posture. However, I wouldn't attack the city with all my might. Instead, I would gather the elites and eat the reinforcements of the surrounding cities one by one to eliminate the reinforcements in the area… How about it?"

Nick was first slightly shocked, then he smiled and revealed an impressed expression, "This war train of thought is extremely impressive. I'm really surprised and impressed that Mr. Dong Zhuo can think of this move."

Kang De said indifferently, "I don't dare to take credit. This is the outstanding military strategy of the heroes of my hometown."

"Cathay is very impressive. Unfortunately, the communication between the East and the West was interrupted a long time ago." Nick sighed and said, "However, I can guarantee that the situation you mentioned won't happen in this battle. It's better to say that if the elves really plan like this."

Kang De's expression changed. "Why?"

Nick glanced at Leona again and hesitated for a moment before saying, "Because the Sword Orchid Legion led by the Grand Duke's second son, Her Highness Landiston, is about to arrive in the area!"

At this point, a confident and relieved expression involuntarily appeared on his face.

It was as if things would be stable as soon as that Highness arrived.

Even Leona could not help but exclaim.

Kang De did not feel anything real at all. Although Tina had mentioned her brothers and sisters earlier, it was only an innocent girl who was doted on and cared for talking about her family. There was no useful information.

In other words, when he heard this Second Prince's name, his first reaction was…

Ah, his second brother-in-law was here.

However, then, he fell into deep thought.

Mayor Nick said, "The Sword Orchid Army led by Her Highness Landiston is one of the most elite troops of Goethe. It has always followed Her Highness to fight the elves. I've already spread the news. The Sword Orchid Army has already responded. Her Highness Landiston won't let go of this good opportunity."

"Once the Sword Orchid Army arrives, not only will the elves who collide with the wall under Valentine City not be able to take down this city, they might even be surrounded and annihilated by a few reinforcements."

The mayor picked up a few pastries and placed them on the table. He divided them into directions and pushed them towards Valentine, "It's better to say that when the news of the invasion of the Dusk Legion is confirmed, a large net has already quietly been spread. How sharp is His Highness Lanstiton's war sense? With his identity and prestige, he can definitely command the surrounding cities to send reinforcements and set this hunting plan."

"At that time, with the Sword Orchid Army as the main force and the reinforcements of the three cities as the flank, Valentine City will provide support. Even with the strength of the Dusk Legion, they can only die."

"Not only can it greatly reduce the military pressure in the area, but it can also greatly dampen the drive of the Dragon Fang Army."

At this point, the mayor's tone was already excited. He slapped the table and said decisively, "Therefore, as long as we guard Valentine City tightly before the reinforcements arrive and exhaust the exhausted elf army as much as possible, we can create a good opportunity to wipe out the Dusk Legion. Once we succeed, it'll be a great merit!"

He smiled at Kang De and said, "Mr. Dong Zhuo, are you relieved now?"

Kang De only looked at him with a complicated gaze.

The mayor asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

Kang De finally spoke, his tone a little cold, "So, all of this… is a trap? It's all a strategy to wipe out the main army of the elves? You planned it?"

His words were still relatively restrained, and Leona could not hold back.

After all, she had a deep prejudice against Nick.

The girl said coldly, "Eliminating the elf battle group will definitely be a great merit. As the commander of the elves, Valentine, who attracted and delayed them, the mayor has made the greatest contribution. Goethe will definitely reward you and your family greatly. The cost and effort of defending the city this time will definitely be doubled. Good business. The mayor should be a businessman—no wonder you've been jumping up and down these past two days and don't take the lives of the commoners seriously. Indeed, how much are their lives worth? As long as you can delay the elves, it doesn't matter how many people die, right?"

Nick sneered.

He looked at Leona and said coldly, "What? Did I ask the elves to invade Goethe? Did I write a letter to suggest that the Dusk Legion attack Valentine?"

"Not only can protecting this city save countless lives, but it can also capture this invader army in one fell swoop. Why don't I do it? Otherwise, what should I do? Surrender?"

"Since we have to defend the city, we have to use all our strength and all kinds of methods. You only see that I want to be promoted and rich after the city is successfully defended and annihilated. However, have you thought about it? If the city fails and the entire city is destroyed, my family, my ancestral business, and all my glory will be scattered with the wind… However, this is not the most important thing!"

"Most importantly, if the elves capture the city and defend it, the situation in the area will instantly reverse. The plan will be completely ruined, and the Sword Orchid Army will return empty-handed, or even worse! Valentine City is a place of transportation and transit. If the elves continue to increase their troops, the local area will fall. Even the Sword Orchid Army will be in danger and will affect the entire strategic level. All of this is my responsibility!"

At this point, his voice was already sharp and ferocious, "Do you understand? You're only a businessman from the Empire. How can you understand us Goethe people? The destruction of the family and the severance of glory are small matters. If this implicates the national strategy, I can't redeem myself even if I die a hundred times. Today, I can tell you that even if the entire city of Valentine City is wiped out, you have to firmly nail the Dusk Legion under the city!"

The military matter was dangerous, but it had always been very far from the girl. When had the beloved daughter of the Vidal family personally experienced a true war… Until now, she saw a hysterical lunatic.

The other party's words, the other party's anger, and the other party's madness shocked the girl.

Leona subconsciously shrank back.

Kang De stretched out his hand and protected her. Then, he said, "Mayor, there's no need to vent the pressure accumulated in your heart on a little girl. She has a lot of objections to you because you forcefully recruited foreigners like them. Although the Empire has done something to let Goethe down, it has nothing to do with the Vidal family. Isn't it a little unreasonable for you to be hostile to all the people of the Empire?"

Nick's anger subsided slightly, but he still sneered, "When did the elves argue when they invaded our country? Where can we argue? Goethe is facing the danger of losing its country. It's about to fall. Who will argue with her?"

Kang De sighed.

How should he put it?

After the war began, the first sacrifice was reason.

He said, "I roughly understand this plan and the importance of defending the city."

Nick slowly nodded, then looked at Kang De and said seriously, "So, your decision?"

Kang De stretched out his hand, "I'm willing to help you… Not to mention the plan to annihilate the Dusk Legion, defending the city is very necessary. I'm willing to help you defend the city."

The mayor said sincerely, "Thank you… Your gratitude is too insincere. If there's anything I can do, please ask. I definitely won't refuse."

"I will if I need to," Kang De said. "But there's one right now."

"Please speak."

Kang De said indifferently, "If the defense of the city succeeds and even annihilates the elves, there's no need to mention the reward for your contribution. When Mr. Mayor enjoys incomparable glory, please don't forget the people who sacrificed themselves for this."

The mayor said, "Of course, I will."

Kang De glanced at him and said calmly, "I hope so, Mr. Mayor. I also hope that what you said today is the truth and that you don't have any intention of maliciously deceiving and using us. Otherwise, you'll definitely regret it."

These words were already a very rude threat but Nick only smiled.

"Please watch."

He said in a relaxed tone, "Mr. Dong Zhuo just said that compared to me, you want to be friends with this Miss of the Empire more. I hope you'll change your mind after this battle."

Then, he bade farewell and left.

He was not in a hurry to bring Kang De and Hong San to a meeting. This mayor was considered very understanding and knew that Kang De most likely had to discuss it with Hong San and Leona.

As he had expected.

"Let's go see if Hong San has woken up… Tell him what Nick just said."

Kang De's tone was a little annoyed and uneasy.

Leona nodded in agreement, then asked, "What's wrong? Do you suspect him?"

Kang De paced back and forth a few times and said, "Yes, I feel that he's not telling me the truth. At the very least, he's hiding something. There are some things in his words that puzzled me, but in the end, he revealed his true feelings and roared at you with an agitated expression. He didn't fake it at all… That's why it's very strange."

Leona nodded. "Is that so? I'm filled with prejudice against him, so my opinion is definitely not objective. Let Hong San discuss it with you…"

"Yeah."

The two of them walked out of the meeting room together. Leona turned to look at the side of Kang De's face and suddenly blushed. She hesitated for a moment before hesitating, "Thank… and…"

Kang De turned around and said, "What?"

The girl lowered her head and muttered, "Thank you. He wanted to chase me out and not let me hear it earlier. You insisted on keeping me here… Thank you for trusting me."

Kang De said, "It's nothing. As I said, even if you leave, I'll tell you after."

When Leona heard this, she was very happy. She snorted, "You trust me that much?"

"I made the decision to trust you after careful consideration and observation. I'm responsible for this."

As Kang De walked, he casually said, "Therefore, if you really leak the secret, there's no need for Nick to bring people to kill you. I'll chop you up alive with my axe first."

"…"

"…"

A moment later, Miss Leona suddenly turned around behind Kang De and jumped up forcefully. Then, she ruthlessly chopped the other party's head.

…