Chapter 156 – Kangkai's Decision

“Wait, please wait, esteemed Lord Kangkai, Lord Bahanger!”

On an inconspicuous street corner, an extremely resolute yet breathless voice echoed from afar, carrying traces of magical enhancement. Not only Punk and his companions heard it clearly, but the refugees did as well.

Without a doubt, it was Dichiduo and the others who had arrived!

However, the refugees showed no awareness of being saved. The moment Dichiduo’s voice faded, all the refugees erupted into chaos because they heard the one name they least wanted to hear—Bahanger!

The panicked refugees knew exactly what kind of terrifying presence they were facing. Instead of foolishly charging forward to their deaths like the crowd at the city gates, they unanimously scattered and fled. The bustling street became completely deserted in less than a minute.

Aside from some trampling incidents, their escape proceeded relatively smoothly. Punk was more than happy to let the refugees create chaos everywhere, while Kangkai intentionally allowed them a way out. Thus, no one stopped the refugees from scattering in all directions.

Then, Punk used Mage Hand to lift Dichiduo, Lotalan, and Bilan up together…

What else could he do? Strictly speaking, these three were all his subordinates. Letting them continue shouting and making a scene on the garbage-strewn streets was too embarrassing. Punk could already feel Bahanger’s mocking gaze.

The first thing Dichiduo did upon reaching the rooftop was kneel on one knee before Kangkai. He recognized that Kangkai was the only one who truly cared about the lives of Doleiz City’s people. With red-rimmed eyes, he exclaimed loudly:

“Please don’t believe the despicable Nobles’ claims! Although a small portion of the refugees have indeed lost their sanity and been blinded by desire, many others were merely acting on impulse. Moreover, the chaos in Doleiz City stems from the incompetence of the City Guard and the Nobles! You can see for yourself—those soldiers who should be protecting the people are actually seizing the opportunity to plunder wealth, while the Nobles hoard grain, leaving the refugees with no means of survival! I beg you to forgive the refugees’ transgressions…”

Dichiduo’s voice choked with sobs as he spoke. He knew full well how grave a crime it was for commoners to attack Nobles in this world, but he couldn’t stand by and watch tens of thousands of refugees mindlessly become bandits, even if no one would thank him for it.

Kangkai looked at Dichiduo with complex emotions in his eyes. He knew this young man possessed a righteous heart—the ability to endure chaos without being tainted by hatred was what Kangkai admired most about him.

Just as Kangkai struggled with his decision, Hett grew increasingly anxious beside him. Why? Because everything Dichiduo said was the absolute truth!

Hett now thought to himself: “So you want to play the tragedy card? You cry, I’ll cry too—and I’ll definitely cry more pitifully than you!”

True to his thoughts, Hett immediately threw dignity aside. The moment Kangkai gently helped Dichiduo to his feet, Hett “thumped” to his knees, wailing as if he had suffered some unimaginable injustice, his cries filled with utter despair.”Lord Kangkai! Lord Punk! Lord Bahanger! This is outrageous! This… this fellow has sinister intentions… he cannot be trusted. How can the words of a lowborn compare to the trustworthiness of honorable, capable nobles? These refugees are clearly in cahoots with Tisha Xia’er… they… they are plotting to overthrow the Dillon Kingdom…”

Hett’s weeping appeared genuinely convincing, for he truly feared Kangkai might uncover his collusion with Tisha Xia’er. As a cunning old fox, he knew Punk would cease providing any protection for the Weimi Family the moment he failed to acquire a large number of slaves.

Seeing Hett’s despicable demeanor, Kangkai felt particularly disgusted. He understood what Hett meant by “honorable, capable nobles” – the former implied that Kangkai, as a mere adventurer, had no right to judge nobles appointed by the Dillon royal family, while the latter hinted that governing this fractured city couldn’t be done without the nobility.

Hett’s “lamentations” were designed to save face for Kangkai. Knowing Kangkai was a ranger of good alignment, Hett dared employ such moral blackmail tactics. Had it been Punk, he wouldn’t have dared utter a single word.

Kangkai fell silent momentarily. As a follower of Obe, he had to uphold “Lawful” principles, and in traditional understanding, noble rule equated to “order”! Kangkai had to admit he felt lost.

If the nobles were punished, who would govern Doleiz City? Would the Dillon royal family stand idly by? But condemning all refugees to slavery for this would be too cruel.

Seeing Kangkai’s prolonged silence, Dichiduo grew anxious. Disregarding propriety, he shouted loudly:

“Does so-called justice mean turning a blind eye to blatant evil? Does so-called goodness mean raising the executioner’s blade against impoverished people who made momentary mistakes? Can’t… can’t we give those people a chance?”

Dichiduo began weeping uncontrollably, wiping his tears with grimy sleeves, leaving streaks on his dirty face.

Faced with Dichiduo’s questioning, Kangkai remained silent.

Witnessing this, Bilan and Lotalan stepped forward to speak, but in the next instant they simultaneously felt an icy gaze.

Both girls shuddered violently, then quietly closed their mouths again. They didn’t dare provoke a formal mage, especially Lotalan – her Minohorn Merchant Guild technically still belonged to Punk, and she felt guilty for acting without permission on so many matters.

Having easily prevented the two ignorant girls from adding unnecessary complications, Punk withdrew his cold gaze and continued watching the frowning Kangkai with amusement. He was curious how Kangkai, this true “saint,” would choose in such a situation.

“On one side is ‘order,’ on the other is ‘goodness,’ but now these two cannot coexist. What will you do, Kangkai?”

Ignoring Punk’s amused, mocking gaze and Bahanger’s impatient expression, Kangkai made his decision.”This isn’t the responsibility of any single individual, but of everyone. Both Nobles and refugees are at fault, but I believe Oubai would mercifully give all who have erred a chance. The refugees can help rebuild Doleiz City, and the Nobles must open their granaries. Only when everyone makes amends for their mistakes will Doleiz City find new hope.”

Kangkai whispered these words to Dichiduo. In truth, he had already reached his own conclusion when facing Dichiduo’s loud accusations.

“Just as expected, bleeding hearts are all the same—indecisive no matter where they’re from. Suppressing hatred by force only makes it fester. Ignoring such a simple truth to believe in ridiculous ‘mutual amends’? So this is the extent of a fool like Kangkai’s intelligence.”

Punk cast a disdainful glance at Kangkai and strode away. The messy affairs of Doleiz City were enough to keep Kangkai occupied. Now he had ample time to set up a lethal trap. As for Kangkai… in his eyes, Kangkai was already a dead man.

Lotalan, Bilan, and that reckless Dichiduo—hadn’t they always wanted to break free from his control? Fine, let these three fools follow Kangkai. Let them form bonds with this do-gooder paladin. And those very bonds would become the sharpest blade against Kangkai!

Punk had devised a perfect plan. Once his trap was set, he would kidnap Dichiduo and the other two as hostages. He refused to believe Kangkai would stand by and do nothing.

Time to eliminate Kangkai. The Doleiz City arc will conclude within seven chapters. Stay tuned~

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(End of Chapter)