The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 740: Victory is not the end (II)

Lurin had a week to prove his abilities, or else Scarlet General James, the First Collapsing Lightning Pillar, would undoubtedly take the young manʼs position of Scarlet Ambassador and hand it to someone else.

Shortly after Cain finished, the First Collapsing Lightning Pillar stepped forward with a frown.

”My King, permission to speak freely.”

Cain turned to the First Collapsing Lightning Pillar and nodded.

”Go ahead.”

”My King, why must we integrate those people into the Scarlet Alliance? They were unwilling to make a move when we needed them the most, facing The Organization and the Inferno Daemon Invasion Army.”

The First Collapsing Lightning Pillar paused at this point, taking a deep breath and controlling his rage. It was clear how he felt about the people in the Prometheus Sector, seeing them as nothing more than cowards. Although it might sound extreme, it was a normal sentiment, especially in the eyes of the warriors present, who risked their lives while those in the capital did not move a finger.

”With you leading us, I am sure we have the power to breach into the Silver City and take control of the capital. There is no need to court those cowards.”

Cain stared at the First Collapsing Lightning Pillar for a second and saw that some great generals silently nodded, agreeing with the manʼs words.

”With you and the Collapsing Lightning Duke by my side, I could indeed breach into the Silver City. However, the cityʼs defenses are nothing short of extraordinary, so I will have to use all my power. Before the fight ends, nearly a third of the city would have been blown to pieces.”

The First Collapsing Lightning Pillar clenched his fists as he heard those words. The destruction of the city was not the part that bothered him, but the loss of lives. However, he was a general in the army and understood that one needed to make difficult choices during times of war, so he was still firm in his path.

No matter how great the sin or how monstrous the action was, he was willing to bear it since he believed from the bottom of his soul that his cause was just.

”I still believe we should carry on.”

A silver light appeared in the eyes of the First Collapsing Lightning Pillar as he stood straight and firm in his decision.

”And so would I.”

To the shock of all, Cain agreed with the First Collapsing Lightning Pillar. Soon, confusion appeared in the generals due to the sudden change in the Scarlet King, but they remained silent as it was clear he had yet to finish speaking.

”Or at least that is what I would say if we were facing an enemy, but what we are attacking now is our capital. Your mentality is the right one if we only had to think about victory, but that is far from the end.”

A flash of enlightenment appeared in the eyes of the First Collapsing Lightning Pillar and the other great generals who agreed with his point of view as they began to see things beyond the mere aspect of victory.

”Once we take down the Imperial Court, a new one will have to rise to take control over the Goldsayer Humankind Empire, as a vacuum of power and order will only incite death and chaos. However, who would accept the orders and command of a person who just butchered millions of innocent lives for something many would believe is only a personal vendetta?”

The Collapsing Lightning Duke remained silent as Cain uttered those words, and he could only shake his head as he saw how the great generals only now realized what would happen after they obtained their victory.

While all of them were masters of war and had a great understanding of the battlefield, it was clear that their minds were still limited to the concepts of victory and defeat when things were much more complicated outside of war.

The way they won mattered very much since if the Scarlet King just butchered his path to victory, there was no doubt that chaos and strife would plague the Goldsayer Humankind Empire for decades.

Cain allowed the great generals to analyze his words before carrying on.

”As for the rulers of the 81 States, you call them cowards, but once again, things are not so simple. Every soldier who enters the Imperial Army must be ready to defend their home with all their power in the event of an invasion, and those who refuse to fulfill their duty have no excuse. However, those who did not choose that path were not obliged to fight to the death against the Dark Races.

Their sense of racial honor and commitment should have pushed them to do it, but things are not so black and white. What about those who are the sole pillar of their families and clans and whose loved ones would face incredible hardship without them? Is it wrong to prioritize your loved ones and refuse to risk your lives when it is not their duty?

War is an ugly thing, and I cannot really blame those who want to stay away from it.”

The First Collapsing Lightning Pillar was at a loss for words when he heard that. He had been a soldier his entire life, and it was engraved on his bones that every Goldsayer Humanʼs duty was to fight the Dark Races and protect the empire above everything else. Yet, he could not fight the words of the Scarlet King, as deep down, he knew they were right.

”When all this is over, I will find out the truth and understand those who truly failed Goldsayer Humankind, those who were simply too afraid to lose their loved ones, and those who were just cowards.

Until then, I will give all those people a chance to prove their character. I seek to take control of the States and siege the Silver City. That will not only help me reduce the number of casualties but also give us an edge in case we face unpredictable danger.”