Chapter 56 - Robbery

In the end, Kang De could not convince the princess and the knight.

The Goethe people insisted on participating in the battle for the ship.

Even if it meant bloodshed and sacrifice.

Kang De could not dissuade them because he understood their intentions. Apart from the so-called honor of fighting and the pride of the Goethe people, Cleveland and Tina’s intentions were very obvious.

They did not want Kang De to participate in an intense frontline battle.

The reason was just as the princess had said.

Because this was a world filled with killing and war, the purity of the soul was especially rare. As someone who had experienced it with blood on his hands and could not turn back, the knight did not seem to be willing to let Kang De set foot in that world too early… Although such kindness was very difficult to understand in his opinion, he could not reject it.

After all, people who grew up in peaceful environments could not truly understand the horror and preciousness of war… nor could they truly understand the pain and weight of life.

After a short argument, Kang De finally agreed to the knight’s suggestion.

Both sides took a step back.

Just as Kang De did not want the Goethe people to participate, the knight even wanted Kang De and the princess to return to the camp first and let him lead the Goethe Navy to fight for the ship.

In the end, Kang De immediately sent a bird to send a message to inform the Goethe camp to start marching. Then, the three of them took the ship out to sea and met up with the small boats on the Goethe side. Lady Bedolla, who was following the ship, would bring the princess back to the camp, and the men began to fight for the ship.

The waves rose and fell, and the sky was filled with moonlight. The Wayne Wings in the distance was like a black silhouette. The silent sea beast lay quietly, a colossus.

Kang De and the others met up with the small boats on Goethe’s side.

The few ships on Goethe’s side were all in an overloaded state and carried a lot of people. Fortunately, the three assault boats left by the elves at the beach eased this awkward problem. The sailors changed ships silently and quickly, leaving a small boat to carry Lady Bedolla and Princess Tina back to the Goethe camp.

The entire process of redeploying people was silent and efficient.

This was a secret raid. Everyone had been given strict orders not to make any sound before approaching the target, so there was no speech or order.

However, all the soldiers maintained high morale… Their allies had been killed, the enemy had wreaked havoc in their homeland, and the honor of boarding the Elven main ship had given the Goethe people enough reason to fight.

Before leaving, the princess looked at the surrounding ships. The warriors of Goethe were already prepared to fight.

Just like before, just like the thousands of people who had fought for Goethe.

As usual, she could only watch the brave warriors rush to the battlefield of blood and death.

This made her feel a trace of sadness and helplessness. These brave people in front of her might die under the arrows of the elves soon, just like the people of the Iron Fist Bane.

She could only watch helplessly.

What could not be obtained at the negotiating table had to be paid with blood and sacrifice?

—Because of the incompetence of the ruler, the country could not become rich and prosperous, could not deter external enemies, and could not choose war. It could only passively endure invasion and declaration of war, so much so that when the war erupted, it could only watch helplessly as the hot-blooded and brave citizens fought with their lives, causing countless blood and sorrow and shattering countless families. These were all sins carried by the Tedrell family.

At this moment, she understood the self-blame and exhaustion contained in her father’s words.

However, Father, the internal forces of Goethe were intertwined. The various countries were eyeing them covetously. The shipping in the outer seas had been cut off by the elves, a large number of land could not be farmed, and the attitude of the Empire was especially ambiguous… In such a difficult environment, it was already very difficult to support. Even if he worked diligently every day, how could he make such a country suddenly rise and become powerful?

Perhaps even the gods could not do this…

The princess sighed silently in her heart.

His father was probably helpless in the face of such a dead end, which was why he was so helpless and angry.

However, this was the only way. All the Goethe people could only grit their teeth and endure it. They each did their own things and silently prayed that the light of the gods could shine again.

That was the only way.

She stabilized herself in the bumpy ship and bowed to everyone. She said softly, “Everyone, please bring victory to Goethe and return safely… Everyone, come back alive.”

The soldiers lowered their heads in silence.

Tina looked at Kang De again, then turned to the knight. “My knight, please protect Mr. Kang De and take care of yourself.”

Cleveland said in a low voice, “As you wish, I’ll abide by the oath and have no regrets until I die.”

The princess frowned. She had never liked to hear the word “die”.

In the end, she looked at Kang De, her eyes filled with worry and worry.

Kang De knew what she was worried about.

He said, “I know. Don’t worry.”

Tina said softly, “Yes, I’ll wait for you to come back. After this, I have something to tell you.”

Hmm?

What do you mean?

What do you want to say to me?

Even though he was about to face a battle, Kang De’s heart could not help but move to this cold sea.

After Tina said this, she bowed to everyone again and sat back on the ship. The sailor shook the oar and the small boat returned to the Goethe camp.

Kang De smacked his lips and was stunned for a moment. He suddenly said to the knight beside him, “…What do you think your princess wants to say to me?”

The knight gestured to the captain, who nodded. The ship raised the temporarily added sail. The ships rode the wind towards the Wayne Wings and paid close attention to the surroundings. Cleveland replied casually, “Her Highness has always had her own ideas and plans.”

Kang De was puzzled, “Aren’t you curious at all?”

Knight asked, “Why should I be curious?”

At first, Kang De was only saying it casually. Seeing that the knight did not care, he wanted to tease him, “Shouldn’t you be curious? You’re her Guardian Knight and have to protect her safety and reputation. Look at her. She’s a big girl and said in front of everyone that she has something to say to me when she comes back… Therefore, aren’t you afraid that she’ll express a good impression of me or confess?”

It was a very classic plot.

The loyal dog character beside the female protagonist had a lifelong belief in protecting the female protagonist. He had love in his heart, but he did not dare to have any blasphemy. Like a simp, he displayed huge hostility and vigilance towards the male protagonist’s appearance. He was very resistant to the male protagonist and the female protagonist getting together and repeatedly interfering and stopping them.

Such an annoying character would most likely become evil in the latter half of the plot because he would have nothing in the end and become the final stepping stone for the blissful couple.

—If it was a traditional romance, he would probably repent after the conspiracy was exposed. He would bless the male and female leads and live with the defeated female leads who were eliminated. Those who were cultured in the city would most likely be stepped on ten thousand times by the male lead and could not make a comeback. If they encountered a more particular author, they might sacrifice their lives to protect the female lead at the end and use their lives to carry out the ultimate meaning of being a simp.

That was probably the case.

It had to be said that this plot was really too classic, so much so that when Kang De saw this knight and princess combination, he immediately began to observe Cleveland’s intentions and attitude.

How should he put it? Although Tina was very beautiful and he had a good impression of this otherworldly princess, it was not to the extent where he had the idea of “Mom, I want to mate with this young lady” with a glance… However, he still had to understand the information he needed to know to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Unexpectedly, when Cleveland heard his probing, he turned around and sized him up. Then, he said, “Her Highness is a reserved and self-respecting lady. She definitely won’t easily do what you’re talking about. She’s always had her ideas and plans and will make a rational and mature choice, including her personal feelings… I have no right to ask and interfere.”

“…” These words were a little confusing. Kang De felt that this guy was implying something.

Therefore, he asked directly, “What do you mean?”

The knight glanced at him and said casually, “What I mean is that if you have a good impression of the princess and plan to take action, don’t let your imagination run wild. Work hard to show your intelligence, maturity, knowledge, and responsibility. Moreover, abandon some strange bad taste and work hard to increase the princess’s impression and evaluation of you. This is better.”

Kang De’s face darkened. “You mean that the current Tina doesn’t fancy the stupid, childish, shallow, and mischievous me at all, so I don’t have to think too much about it? Is that right?”

—Who said that honest people did not know how to curse?

He was really a noble. He even beat around the bush when scolding people.

A smile appeared on the knight’s lips. It seemed that he planned to give silent approval.

Kang De whistled as if nothing had happened. “F—ran—”

Before he could finish speaking, the knight was shocked. He glanced at Kang De as if he was killing a chicken, his eyes filled with accusation and even a trace of pleading.

The knight revealed a sad and angry expression.

“Seriously.” Kang De stopped teasing him. “Don’t you have a good impression of Tina?”

The knight was stunned for a moment. “Of course. Her Highness is beautiful, knowledgeable, gentle, and kind. Everyone who has seen her will admire her, let alone someone like me who follows and protects her.”

“…” Kang De said, “It’s not this favorable impression. I mean…”

For a moment, he did not know how to describe it. It seemed a little too straightforward to ask directly if he liked Tina… Speaking of which, this did not seem to be a good place to discuss such a topic.

The knight seemed to have thought of something. He looked at Kang De meaningfully and revealed a strange smile, “You want to ask if I have any feelings for Her Highness?”

He smiled and patted Kang De’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, no, really no.”

…Why do you want me to be at ease? Huh? Why do I feel strange?

“As for the reason…” Cleveland winked at him. “I’ll tell you later.”

The ship used the oars and sails and gradually approached the Wayne Wings. In his vision, the other party’s body kept growing. The sailors were already waiting solemnly, and Cleveland and Kang De had lost the mood to talk.

“The relaxing chat is over.”

The knight became serious, “Next is the moment of battle. Mr. Kang De, it’s not hunting black beasts or ambushing the elves, but a battle of courage and will. We’ll fight the elves head-on.”

He looked at Kang De and said seriously, “Before this, the princess has already given me strict instructions. In this battle, the importance of seizing the Wayne Wings and protecting Mr. Kang De is the same. Therefore, I have to ask you not to put yourself in danger.”

Kang De smiled.

The princess had previously stated her good intentions and thoughts to him.

She could not let the clean person fall into slaughter.

This kindness was something that Earthlings could not understand.

This was what the princess thought, and so did the knight.

However, now, Kang De understood the difference between the two.

On one side was a cute girl who stared at him with beautiful and charming eyes and said affectionately, “I don’t want Kang De to fall into that situation, so promise me not to do anything dangerous, okay?”

On the other side was the ferocious man. He said with a firm gaze and a serious expression, “Don’t get involved in the killing. Don’t fight. Pay attention to protecting yourself and hide behind me.”

It was completely different.

The former would make him feel gentle and proud. “This girl is so kind and treats me so well. Do you have any thoughts about me?” After all, the saying that a beauty valued kindness was not a joke.

As for the latter…

—D*mn, are you looking down on me? Huh? You’re not as good at fighting as me!

Therefore, Kang De smiled. “It’s hard to say who’s protecting who.”

The competitiveness between men was simply one of the most unreasonable things in the world.

The Wayne Wings had already approached.

The ship lowered the sail and the sailors prepared the oars. Every ship was confirmed. The captain and the knight looked at each other and nodded at the same time before giving the order.

The sound of water rumbled. The assault boat rushed towards the Wayne Wings as quickly as possible, no longer caring if the intense splashing sound would attract the attention of the elves.

The Goethe sailors, who were ready to attack, immediately threw out their hooks and locked them on the side of the ship. They exerted strength in their feet and quickly climbed up. The sound of footsteps could not help but alarm the elves in the cabin. One of them pushed open the porthole and looked out. The kangaroo shot an arrow directly in the forehead.

However, there was an uproar in the cabin.

Cleveland said sternly, “Get on the ship! Speed up!”

Kang De pulled out a homemade grenade from his body, lit it, and threw it to the gorilla at the side. The gorilla raised its hand and threw it through the porthole. There was a bang, a scream, and a muffled sound.

“When we get up, the few of us will defend first.”

Kang De instructed again, “You have to be wary of unexpected arrows. Kangaroo, you have to pay more attention. Gorilla, you’re the largest. I’ll get you a shield later. I know your skin is thick, but strong defense is different from being casually cut down. In short, let’s stabilize ourselves first and rob them!”

The animals were distracted at first. When they mentioned the word “rob”, their eyes immediately lit up.

Cleveland shouted from above, “Kang De!”

“It’s here!”

Kang De grabbed the hook and kicked the wall of the ship twice before flying up. The wolverine and groundhog carried him up, followed by the gorilla, and finally the kangaroo—this archer had directly jumped up.

After coming up, the Goethe people had already lined up and prepared javelins, longbows, and hard crossbows to deal with the elves who rushed out. The captain was shouting and commanding the distribution of tasks. The sea breeze was rustling, and the sails sounded.

The elves had already sensed the uninvited guests boarding the ship.

Kang De took a deep breath.

The battle was about to begin.

Before that…

Although the explosion at the beach was not noticed by the Wayne Wings, the other outposts on the island heard this unusual sound. When the scouts rushed to the beach, they saw the flames that had not been extinguished and the incomplete corpses of their companions.

In their shock and anger, they blew the horn and pulled the whistle arrow.

He discovered that the few ships at the beach had already disappeared.

“Could it be…”

The elves were not stupid. They looked at the distant Wayne Wings in shock.

“We have to inform the captain and Sir Taize immediately!”

This news that shocked and terrified the elves was quickly sent to the rift valley guarded by the troops and into the hands of Adjutant Myron. When the adjutant saw this, cold sweat broke out. He immediately ran to the front of the rift valley, raised the horn, and blew it forcefully. The sound wailed and rushed deep into the rift valley, far, far away.

The meaning of this horn was to return immediately and ignore everything else. It was a state of emergency.

However, the adjutant waited for a long, long time. The captain and the knight’s horn replied, but they did not arrive…

…