novelHome #1082 - Chapter 1082: Cruelty is Kindness, Kindness is Cruelty
#1082 - Chapter 1082: Cruelty is Kindness, Kindness is Cruelty
Facing the gazes of countless lords, Wu Wei sneered, then looked at Li Sinuo with the eyes one reserves for an idiot, and said.
"Civilians?"
"What civilians?"
"In my eyes, right now, there are no civilians in this world anymore!"
As expected, Wu Wei's words stunned the lords.
However.
Some of the more intelligent lords immediately understood the meaning of Wu Wei's words after their initial daze.
While some of the less "intelligent" lords silently lowered their heads.
"The only reason I am saving these so-called civilians is to use them as consumables!"
"More accurately, they should have been prepared for this the moment the war began!"
Sure enough, Wu Wei's devilish words continued.
"You must understand."
"In the war we are currently waging, these civilians are absolute burdens."
"In reality, their effect is negative."
Hearing Wu Wei say this, one lord finally couldn't bear it any longer.
He stood before Wu Wei and said righteously.
"You're talking nonsense!"
"They are not burdens, they are subjects of our Human Empire!"
"Although their abilities are weak, they are all subjects of our Human Empire."
"From birth, they have used their abilities to serve our Human Empire."
"They produce food, manufacture firearms, and participate in the army."
"These civilians have fulfilled their responsibilities, now, isn't it our turn to protect them?"
"They are the cornerstone of our Human Empire!"
"We lords should not simply allow them to be dragged into the battlefield."
Seeing this lord speak like this, Shi Xin couldn't help but cover her forehead.
Although she was unwilling to admit the lord's statement, the problem was.
He was right.
As a human, although her status was lofty, she still had some compassion for these civilians.
Moreover, if Wu Wei really brought the war to the area thirty kilometers away, then these civilians would most likely die miserably.
After all, on the battlefield, artillery fire and bullets are merciless.
In any case.
She actually hoped that Wu Wei could make a better decision.
But unfortunately, facing this lord's argument, Wu Wei's expression became even colder.
"The cornerstone of the Empire?"
"Heh."
A pair of pupils engraved with scarlet crosses coldly swept across everyone present.
No matter who it was, they would tremble slightly under the gaze of these scarlet cross pupils.
"Maybe."
"In the past, these civilians might really have been the cornerstone of the Empire."
"But now, they are not."
"Because haven't you forgotten one thing."
"That is, our enemies, the Elves, have deployed a World Tree in this world!"
"Unless this World Tree is destroyed, every civilian of ours captured by the enemy will make that World Tree grow even more vigorously!"
Those originally lively humans would be transformed into a green liquid by magic.
And this liquid would greatly promote the growth of the World Tree.
So if the Elves capture human civilians, they will directly use them as nourishment for the World Tree.
Many human lords ignored this problem, but Wu Wei always remembered!
"So, under these circumstances, if it weren't for the fact that these civilians can still produce some fuel, weapons, and ammunition for me,"
"I would have ordered you to slaughter them long ago."
"Because they, unarmed, are themselves a resource."
"A..."
Wu Wei looked at Li Sinuo's face and said coldly.
"A resource that allows the enemy to gain an even greater advantage!"
"Rather than letting them have the opportunity to strengthen the enemy, I might as well just kill them."
"No, no, no."
"Everyone, if it weren't for the fact that there are still quite a few industrial infrastructure creations in your area, if it weren't for the fact that most of you are too merciful, I would have ordered long ago to use the value of these civilians to use them as living bait."
The demon's words continued.
"As long as the Elves approach these living baits, my artillery units will open fire, thereby causing these Elves who want to capture humans to die on the spot!"
"Everyone..."
Wu Wei took a deep breath and said to these silent lords.
"Although I don't know how you view war."
"But I can responsibly tell you one thing."
"That is, in war, there are no so-called civilians!"
"Moreover, have you ever thought about what kind of fate these civilians will suffer once you lose, will it be more merciful than my slaughter?"
"No, your mercy will put these civilians in an even more cruel situation!"
"So..."
"In war, cruelty is mercy, and mercy is cruelty!"