Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

227 Valentine’s Speech

“Why place the honor of victory and hope for the future on an outsider?”

Such a question clearly reached everyone’s ears.

There was a small commotion in the black crowd, but when it gathered, it was still like a low storm that blew in all directions.

The nobles, representatives, and veterans sitting near Kang De also looked at each other in confusion.

No one expected that after Kang De obtained a miraculous victory and results, his first speech to the public and even the entire world would actually say such a thing.

There were no excited shouts, no emotional greetings, but an emphasis that he was a foreigner. Moreover, he questioned all the Goethe people.

It was terrible. In all senses—Leona buried her face in her palm and wanted to block her ears and escape in a sorry state. The colorful speech she had racked her brains to write was casually thrown aside by Kang De. What was wrong with this b*stard? He actually wanted to make an impromptu speech!

The crowd buzzed.

However, the commotion was very small, and the nobles remained silent. No one jumped out to protest.

After all, there was still reverence. The terrifying mark that was like a meteor shower hitting the ground lay across the vast land. The flesh and blood of the elves were still fresh. No one wanted to go against Kang De at a time like this. Of course, it was also possible that Master Kang De’s cannon was not actually so scary.

The emotions of the audience at the scene temporarily stabilized.

Although it happened suddenly, Hong San was not surprised. He had already chosen a few reliable people and called Heaven Slash. They each held Earth’s recording equipment and aimed at Kang De on the stage from all angles. Now that Master Kang had made such a high comment as soon as he opened his mouth, he only gestured for the cameramen to continue.

These natives of the other world had only just come into contact with technology, but that was only the difference between civilization and technology. It had nothing to do with their intelligence and acceptability. They quickly grasped the method to use it. However, just as there was a huge professional difference between ordinary people and professional photographers, these otherworldly people only knew the method to use it. Higher techniques could not be comprehended and understood in a day or two.

But there were always exceptions.

Heaven Slash actually relied on the reliable intuition of the green-skinned to think very clearly. Compared to the other humans holding cameras and filming stiffly as if facing a great enemy, he steadily held the equipment in his hand and focused on the screen. He moved his feet bit by bit and observed the direction of the sunlight. In the end, he confirmed the best angle and half knelt down to record in this posture.

His actions attracted many gazes. There was surprise, confusion, mockery, and disdain, but Heaven Slash ignored these. The green-skinned man focused on the screen.

In the feedback on the screen, Kang De’s expression was confident and firm. The sunlight gently brushed his face from this angle, causing the light to sprinkle on his clothes like a cloak. The gentle light made him less dignified and fierce, so he looked noble and dignified. The angle of the photo was slightly from the bottom up, making him look even taller. It was as if he was standing at the top of a mountain and looking down at the suffering world with pity and strength.

In front of Kang De was a black crowd that stretched far and wide. It looked shocking and divine, like the coronation of a great king, like the return of a legendary hero.

Not far away, a soft sound sounded. Another green-skinned person holding a digital camera had clearly captured an exciting scene. Although he did not make a sound, he looked like he thought that this photo was especially exciting.

In this silence, confusion, and uneasiness, Kang De said a second sentence.

“Goethe people, do you know where Calonia is? Have you eaten the grains and fruits produced by the verdant wilderness? Do you know what the patterned robe woven from highland white cotton looks like?”

“Have you heard the long poem of St. Alan? Do you remember the story of the voyage of the Adventurer King, Francis? Have you participated in the parade at the Sun Festival? Do you remember the fragrance of the sunflowers held at that time?”

“Can you name the paladins of the ancient Goethe? Do you remember the tradition and virtue promoted by your ancestors? Do you believe in the Sun God, Sulla? Do you know the origin of your hometown? Do you know the name of this country?”

The crowd became even more restless and confused. These were all common sense that even the most ordinary farmer knew.

“I’m not from Goethe. I grew up in another land and another country. I originally knew nothing about these problems until a Valentine told me in his letter that he loved the wind of Calonia and the sunflowers of the Sun Festival deeply and was unwilling to let his descendants wear the robes of elves and never hear the story of St. Alan and Francis again. He had only this reason to fight and was willing to sacrifice everything for it.”

“He fulfilled all his promises.”

Looking at the faces far and close, Kang De said calmly, “This person’s name is Nick Valentine. In front of him, there was once an elf’s letter of surrender and a generous promise of post-war treatment. At that time, no one believed that Valentine would defend against them. Surrender meant survival. His own survival, the continuation of his lineage, and more glory and wealth, but he made a choice and died in the land called Goethe.”

“The people buried here today and the people who are about to be buried here have chosen this path.”

Everyone had already calmed down, completely quietened down, and listened.

“This is the reason why we’re gathered here today and I’m talking to you at this moment.”

“I want everyone, even this country, and the entire world, to know what happened in this battle. There’s such a group of people who clearly knew that the outcome of the battle was already decided and that death and sacrifice couldn’t change the outcome, but they still guarded Valentine, your home.”

“I want everyone to understand that this choice is not stupid or meaningless.”

“Because we’re here, our memory and recitation will give the spirit and meaning of this great act and sacrifice to surpass Valentine and sublimate into the entire Goethe.”

“We will offer a portion of Valentine to these heroic souls who died for Valentine as their last resting place. From now on, this place will be holy and sacred until the distant future.”

“However, it’s not our memorial and remembrance that made this hero’s cemetery sacred, but these dead souls and heroes who have once fought for this land to the last breath have sanctified it. Perhaps hundreds of years later, we’ll have already turned to dust. The world won’t remember who came here today, nor will they remember what we said. However, as long as they see these rows of tombstones, they know who’s sleeping in this land. They’ll hold their breaths and lower their heads. They’ll slow down, as long as they still remember Goethe.”

“This is the reason why these heroes fought to the death.”

The speech gradually entered a good state, or at least that was what Leona thought. The girl’s heart slowly relaxed. She even looked at Kang De on the stage with a fascinated gaze.

However, next, thunder sounded in her ears.

“—You definitely don’t understand what I’m saying, right?”

—F*ck!

Leona was stunned, then she felt that she was about to go crazy. The other nobles had similar expressions.

“Then I’ll change to something you can understand.”

“Ever since the elves attacked the city, I’ve been in this city. I’ve seen everything that happened in this city from resistance to collapse, and even everyone’s choice.”

“In the end, this city resisted. Countless people died because of it, but they still could not stop the Dusk Legion from slaughtering the city, let alone the five elf legions that could almost wipe out all resistance. The elves betrayed their promise, and countless people cried and fled and died in despair. You must remember the nightmare at that time.”

“Some were still escaping, some were still fighting, and people were all dying, but there were two ways to die. Those who faced the elves and died in battle, as well as those who turned their backs to them and cried to death.”

“Then, the stars fell from the sky, and a rain of flames swept through the ground. The five elf legions were reduced to ashes. You were finally saved so you cheered and shouted.”

“You gave me all the honor, gratitude, and credit.”

“However, not many people remember the sacrifices of these warriors, as if what they did was meaningless.”

“You’re only cheering and relieved that you’re safe.”

“Because you think that my strength is enough to rewrite the fate of the war and even determine victory and peace. Moreover, I’m on your side, so you can rest easy because I can eliminate all the enemies for you and be very happy to do it.”

“Is this what you are thinking?”

“Is this what you are dreaming about?”

“In this case, what will you be doing?”

“Are you going to bow and scrape to me? Are you going to please me? Are you going to curry favor with me? Can this please me? Is it enough for me to fight for Goethe so that you can stay away from the war from now on?”

“Is this the peace you want? The peace exchanged via flattery and fawning?”

“What makes you think I’ll help Goethe?”

“Is it because of your begging and flattery? Is it because of your pitiful appearance when facing the elf’s blade and not daring to resist when the massacre happened? Who do you think I am? Is it because your prayers touched the gods that I was sent as an envoy to help? You’re wrong! Very wrong!”

Everyone began to stir again. The scale was larger than before, but they were afraid of Kang De’s power, so no one dared to flare up. After all, everyone had seen the ruins of that battlefield. At this moment, it was just like that. Kang De only needed to use the same trick again. No one present could leave in one piece.

However, a commotion still arose.

Kang De’s expression did not change, and his expression became even colder and more mocking.

“I can tell you clearly that what made me fight for Valentine and make me determined to annihilate the five legions is Nick Valentine’s will, the warriors who fought until the last moment in the city, the people sleeping here eternally, and those noble and brave Goethe people!”

“It’s their sacrifice and fearlessness that moved me and made me admire them. Therefore, I joined them and helped them so that their strong spirit and will won’t die with the wind. This is the meaning of their actions!”

“Goethe! Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Why do you take it for granted that you can rely on me to resolve all your problems?”

“Is this my country?”

“Is this land under my rule?”

“Could it be that the knights who arrived on this land hundreds of years ago and built this country are Cathayans?”

“Could it be that your ancestors who built the country are all foreigners?”

“Could it be that the 15 wars since the founding of the country were all won by outsiders?”

“Could it be that the 157 holy knights commemorated on Knight’s Day and Sun Festival are not Goethe people?”

“Could it be that I’m the one who led the grand expedition and made Goethe rich and powerful?”

The denial gradually became louder. The nobles and soldiers stood up one by one. From a small denial, it gathered into a sea. The voice became louder and louder.

Kang De pounded on the table and made the strongest provocative sound.

“—Could it be that the Goethe people of this land, your brothers, your fathers, and your descendants were all reared by foreigners?!”

“No! No!”

All the roars turned into a tsunami that surged.

Kang De’s roar suppressed all the roars and echoed in the sky.

“What country are the people who died for this city from?”

“Goethe!”

“Where did the festival, tradition, clothes, and heroes that Nick can’t forget come from?!”

“Goethe!”

“Who’s fighting the elves?!”

“Goethe!”

“What are all the sacrifices and battles so far protecting?!”

“Goethe!”

At this moment, everyone sitting stood up. Even the injured soldiers were helped up by each other. Everyone was roaring. The boundary between nobles, soldiers, and commoners gradually blurred, because the reason why humans formed civilization was because of great empathy. At this moment, everything was no longer important.

Only the name Goethe was shining.

Facing the roaring waves all around, Kang De roared, “Then, Goethe people! Let me ask you again. Do you want to entrust the honor of victory and hope for the future to an outsider?!”

This time, there was no commotion or hesitation, only uniform roars.

“No!”

“Then fight! Fight like them!”

Kang De waved his fist and said sternly, “Only fearless warriors can make the enemy revere them! Only they can make outsiders admire them! Help and help come from respect, not pity. The help you obtained was not exchanged with prayers, but with battle! This is the reason why I’m beside you!”

“Fight the elves! Protect your home! Like all brave people! Fight them in the verdant fertile fields, in the bustling cities, in the wilderness, the Gobi, the forest, and the sea! Until the elves painfully admit that this war is meaningless until the entire world hears your roar! Until the world recognizes your courage and will!”

The crowd was already boiling! Feverish emotions were spreading. Humans were creatures who followed the crowd, and even people from other countries like the Empire could not help but stand up. Their blood boiled and they wanted to roar—some people did not notice, and some sat down in embarrassment, but the Goethe people were already crazy.

They shouted fanatically, “Fight! Fight! Fight!”

“Yes! Fight!”

Kang De said sternly, “Because this is your country! Your land! Don’t beg anymore.”

“Lords, please be kind and fight for us and help us—Never say such a thing!”

“Don’t kill us! We’re willing to wear your clothes and forget our homeland. We only ask you not to kill us—Never say such a thing!”

“The outsiders will only admire your bravery and ignore your begging and cowardice!”

“The elves won’t keep their promise. They’ll only be afraid of your counterattack and courage!”

“Therefore, stand up! Everyone has to fight! You might say that you’re only a thin farmer and don’t know how to use weapons. You’re useless in war—that’s fine!”

“It’s not a frontal killing that’s a brave battle. Farmers work hard to farm and provide for the warriors at the front line. Women weave diligently so that the warriors don’t have to be cold. This is everyone’s war. Do your job well and fight! You’re also participating in this war!”

“Goethe!”

“I’ll help you. This is my promise, but I don’t need your flattery and fawning. I need you to show me the courage and will of the Goethe people! I need you to work! Those who can fight will fight! Be it in the fields, in the factories, or on the battlefield!”

“I promise you that we will definitely win! This war will be recorded in history and remembered by our descendants. Perhaps in 20 years, in front of the warm fire, when your young grandson asks about this war, you can proudly say that you were once involved and not kneel and beg in front of the blades of the elves—at that time, they will still remember the name of Goethe!”

“This is the meaning of the sacrifice and contribution behind us, and also the reason for you to fight!”

“Then now, let me ask you one last question!”

“Are you willing to fight with me?!”

The boiling crowd cried, roared, and cheered. Their will and strength were burning.

Perhaps after today, the fanaticism at this moment would gradually fade, but this was still a seed.

It would definitely germinate.

Kang De faced the wind, listening and feeling.

Nick, you once said that you wanted to amplify the roars of the sacrificed.

You said that you wanted more Goethe people to hear their stories. You wanted the people to think of the wind in Calonia and the sunflowers on the Sun Festival and roar like sacrifices.

Now, they heard it.

Perhaps in a long, long time, the war today would become a legend and history. The people who had died would still stay in this land. In the dead of night, the empty streets and cold walls would be filled with returning masters. You had once fought here, and you had never left.

Therefore, don’t worry.

As long as people like you are in this country, the elves will never occupy this place.

I know what you need, so I’ll sow it. I’ll give it to you. You can water it with blood.

Kang De smiled and looked at this scene.

The nobles, soldiers, and even the commoners surrounded him. Everyone looked at him warmly and respectfully, wanting to shake his hand and speak to him. At this moment, the respect of the people no longer came from his terrifying strength.

On the fifth day after the Battle of Valentine ended, Kang De’s speech in front of the National Cemetery turned into beautiful and powerful words that spread to the various places where Goethe was embroiled in the war along with his legend.

It even spread to the entire world.

…