I have a Synthesizer

Hearing Hawkins mention the battle plan, Devoord's emotions seemed to surge.

"Plans, plans! Your home isn't Leshas. The life and death of the people here are nothing to you. Of course, you can say that."

Having said that, Devoord led the team towards the depths of the cave.

Watching the angry departure of Devoord, Hawkins also felt somewhat helpless. In situations like this, involving personal feelings about one's hometown, no one can judge right or wrong.

He saw Becky rushing over and, assuming she had something to say, turned his head.

"Miss Becky, is there something you need?"

Becky looked at Hawkins, then at Devoord, who hadn't gone far, and hesitated.

Hawkins had a keen sense of observation. Although his mission rhythm was interrupted, he clearly felt that Becky wanted to say something.

"Miss Becky, time is of the essence. If there's anything, please tell me as soon as possible."

"Hawkins, don't you think Captain Devoord is acting a little strange?"

Hawkins paused for a moment. He looked at Becky, his eyes filled with doubt but no disbelief.

Devoord was indeed acting strangely; he had sensed it too, but he couldn't quite pinpoint what was wrong.

"What have you discovered?"

Becky wasn't very eloquent and didn't know how to put it, but at that moment, Lilith walked over.

"He's too familiar with this place. We have too many mages in our formation. Including Klein, there are five mages and one hunter.

Such a lineup is not suitable for indoor combat.

If this Devoord really has ulterior motives, then he will definitely lead us into a narrow room for an ambush."

Lilith explained in detail. After thinking for a moment, Hawkins nodded heavily.

These words were Lilith's conclusion, based on Klein's discoveries and her own combat experience.

Her saying it carried more weight than if Klein, an arcane mage, had said it.

......

The Fireblade Cult's cave was built by a group of earth mages, and its internal structure was already very similar to ordinary buildings.

In a large hall deep within the cave, dozens of Fireblade Cult members knelt on the ground, constantly prostrating towards the altar in the center of the hall.

"He who can save the world is our Lord; destruction is rebirth."

At this moment, a Fireblade Cult member came to the center of the hall and whispered something to the high priest.

Hawkins remained vigilant, following Devoord all the way forward. After killing several Fireblade Cult guards,

they finally followed the sound of wailing to the place where the captured hostages were held.

Klein and Lilith kept a distance from Hawkins and the others, while Becky stood hesitantly next to Lilith.

All those imprisoned in this cell were women and children. Most of them were scantily clad, some with vacant eyes, and others weeping softly.

The Fireblade Cult's harm to them was no longer limited to the physical; it had also ravaged their spirits.

"These bastards! Brothers, quickly find a way to rescue these women and children first!"

Devoord roared and led all the soldiers to disperse, trying to break the cages.

Watching the soldiers carrying out the rescue, Brühl also wanted to step forward to help, but Hawkins stopped him.

He had taken Lilith's words to heart and didn't act rashly.

This room, this environment, was exactly as Lilith had predicted. It was too narrow, they had too many mages, and there was also a hunter.

Such an environment was indeed not suitable for them to fight.

Not only was it unsuitable for fighting, but in such a room, if they were attacked, the large number of mages would even make it difficult for them to counterattack.

Devoord turned to look at the group of academy students and frowned.

"What are you doing? Why aren't you coming in to save people?"

No one answered him. Hawkins narrowed his eyes warily and raised his hand into a fist.

"Everyone, retreat!"

If it weren't for Lilith's reminder, he might not have observed so carefully, but once some things are pointed out, many people become more cautious.

Just now, when Hawkins was observing this prison room, he noticed one of the women staring at Devoord.

There was no gratitude in her eyes, only confusion, surprise, and then gradually turning into fear and despair.

This was just a small detail, and it would be impossible to notice without careful observation. But just this one detail was enough.

He repeated for the second time.

"Everyone, retreat!"

The quality of the academy students was reflected at this moment, and they began to retreat slowly and orderly.

And Devoord's expression finally changed.

"You're quite perceptive, Hawkins."

Devoord looked directly at Hawkins. At this time, he no longer had the impulsiveness and impatience he had shown before.

His eyes were only filled with calmness and indifference, as if everything here had nothing to do with him.

"I should have noticed your problem a long time ago. You're too familiar with the route to get here.

But your concern for the citizens, and the soldiers' and citizens' love for you, made me hesitate.

It wasn't until that woman looked at you with that terrified gaze that I realized I was wrong. You must have done things that hurt these civilians too, right?"

Devoord shook his head and laughed somewhat neurotically.

"Heh heh heh heh heh, hurt? Hawkins, you're still too young and have too little experience. You don't understand what true hurt is. They will all become exquisite goods. Before that, what's wrong with me enjoying them?

You're very good, Hawkins, but not good enough. You always like to play some petty tricks, which is unnecessary for a strong person.

When I was young, I was like you, loving this country, loyal, brave, but what's the use of that?

Leshas has been controlled by the Skull Society for more than 20 years. What has the empire done? Will Her Majesty the Empress really see us?

My lover was humiliated by the people of the Skull Society, my family was killed by them. I waited bitterly for the empire's support for Leshas, but what did I get?

All I waited for was the Dark Crusaders coming here and endlessly demanding things. Those greedy guys were even more disgusting than the Skull Society.

Finally, I couldn't wait any longer. I vowed to wipe them out, and my Lord welcomed me.

After throwing myself into my Lord's embrace, we wiped out the Skull Society, which had been entrenched for more than 20 years. My revenge was finally taken.

From that moment on, I vowed to dedicate everything to my Lord, whether it be honor, loyalty, or life."

Hawkins listened to Devoord's story, wanting to refute something, but for a moment he didn't know how to respond.

Because there was such an ancient saying in the Royal Academy's motto.

[Don't advise others to be kind without experiencing their suffering, and stay away from those who advise you to be generous]

He had not experienced Devoord's pain, so naturally he was not qualified to judge his choice, nor was he qualified to advise him to be generous.

But the positions of the two sides were different. Perhaps Devoord's experience was very tragic, but the Fireblade Cult was always an enemy of the empire.

And Devoord himself had not made any mistakes.

"I have no right to judge your experience, but that's not a reason for you to bring pain to others. You are not without fault, at least this woman is proof.

Devoord, perhaps your experience is very tragic, but the other faults cannot cover up your own faults."

Although Hawkins had many shortcomings, arrogance, sophistication, it was undeniable that he had more advantages.

Resolute, serious, powerful, and more courageous to face suffering, being able to become the leader of a small team was not just a matter of strength.

"Hawkins, you're really lucky. I prepared so many traps for you, but none of them were used.

But it doesn't matter. Even without traps, you will soon become sacrifices to our Lord."

Don't advise others to be kind without experiencing their suffering

— De Yun Grand Mage, De Gang - Guo