World’s End: My Keyword is One More Than Others

"You’re a criminal!

Do you really think you’re a savior?

Even if what you say is true, you’ve only awakened a half-crippled martial soul. Who gave you the courage to go against the entire Lucerne Kingdom?

That jailer might be stupid, but do you think we are too?

Reg and the other two stood behind the cell door, looking at Du Ge, who was sincerely inviting them. They all had the same thought.

Then.

Three voices almost simultaneously said, "I’m willing."

Everyone locked up here was a serious criminal. Even if they weren’t sentenced to death, they would be confined in this dark prison for countless years. Who would give up such an easily attainable freedom?

Moreover.

Holly had only awakened half a martial soul, and it wasn’t even a combat type. As long as they regained their martial soul abilities, getting rid of him would be a piece of cake.

Plus, with Holly having offended almost half the noble circle, he would attract all the hatred, increasing their chances of escaping the pursuers.

Maybe Holly was indeed a righteous person.

But can righteousness fill your stomach?

Righteousness only led to his family’s ruin, turning him into a fugitive in the end.

Beliefs, dreams...

They’re just fairy tales to fool children!

...

"Thank you all for believing in Holly," Du Ge instinctively wanted to clasp his fists but remembered this world didn’t have such a gesture. He awkwardly retracted his hands and nodded instead. "Simon, let them out. Let’s join hands and carve out a place in this world."

Simon responded, found the keys, and released the three of them.

Reg was burly, sporting a big beard, looking over thirty. His physique was twice that of Du Ge’s, standing there like a towering iron pillar, exuding intimidation.

Lather was much thinner, with gray hair but no wrinkles on his face, making it hard to determine his age. After stepping out of the cell, he glanced at Du Ge several times before quietly standing aside.

As for Orey, he looked about the same age as Leen. After coming out, his brows were filled with undisguised joy. "Holly, you’re a good man. Thank you for saving me, but let’s be clear, I can’t follow you for life. I still want to enjoy life and love. I’ll protect you for a year at most, to repay your kindness for saving me. Yes, a year at most..."

Du Ge glanced at him and smiled, "A year is enough. I need righteous companions, not slaves to command. Orey, you don’t need to make any promises to me. Whenever you feel my actions betray my ideals, you can leave at any time, and I won’t hold any grudge."

Reg and the other two looked at Du Ge again, seemingly surprised by his words.

For a moment.

The three felt a bit ashamed.

Such a righteous person, and they were thinking of ditching him as soon as they escaped. What scum they were!

Indeed.

You can’t stand next to such morally upright people; they make you look so dim in comparison.

"No, Holly," Orey shook his head seriously. "I’m a man of my word. A year means a year. I don’t care what you become during this time. For this year, I’ll protect you with my life. Unless I die, this one-year promise will never change."

Du Ge looked at Orey in surprise, his evaluation of him rising a few notches. He loved dealing with principled people.

"Since Orey promised a year, I’ll also protect you for a year to repay your kindness," Reg said in a deep voice.

"I’ll protect you for a year too," Lather said, lifting his eyelids.

"You guys..." Leen looked at them and let out a dissatisfied sneer. "A year? Holly saved you from death row."

Indeed.

Leen was the best companion. Though his temper was a bit fiery, he was someone you could truly connect with. Du Ge analyzed their personalities in his heart and gave Leen an appreciative look. "Leen, don’t say that. I’m not someone who demands repayment for kindness. Besides, following me is filled with danger. Their promise of a year already shows considerable courage."

"But..." Leen wanted to argue.

Du Ge shook his head at him. "Leen, a righteous person shouldn’t limit others’ freedom for their own sake. A year is enough for us to grow to the pinnacle of the world."

Hahaha!

A strange laugh suddenly came from a cell in front.

Du Ge turned to look.

An unkempt old man was slapping his thigh and laughing wildly, as if he had seen something incredibly amusing.

"What are you laughing at?" Leen shouted.

"I’m laughing at you all for being a bunch of fools," the old man wiped the tears from his eyes. "Have you forgotten who this guy offended?"

"Isn’t it just Grand Duke Lynch?" Leen said disdainfully.

"Just Grand Duke Lynch?" The old man sneered. "Ignorance is bliss. The entire Lucerne Kingdom has only three dukes.

And Grand Duke Lynch is the only non-royal member. He controls a third of the kingdom’s army and almost the entire Magic Guild. He’s the Grand Elder of the Magic Guild and the honorary principal of the Magic Academy. What do you have to fight against Grand Duke Lynch?"

No wonder Xima Lynch is a genius magic girl; there’s such a connection behind her!

Du Ge muttered in his heart.

He glanced at the old man, secretly marveling at the talent in this prison. He thought it was a disastrous start, but it turned out to be a heavenly one...

"With you bunch of martial soul-sealed trash?" The old man continued, "Or that guy with half a martial soul? He can foresee disasters on others, but he can only prevent small accidents like flowerpots falling or drowning. Can he stop man-made disasters? Even if you escape this prison, will you live like rats, hiding after every disaster he foresees?"

Leen and the others’ faces changed.

Simon trembled even more. He was just a small jailer and only knew the duke by name, unaware of his vast power.

He always thought Prince Nelson was more formidable!

Damn it, how did he get so impulsive and release Holly...

Throughout, Du Ge remained calm. He looked at the ranting old man, smiled, and asked, "Sir, if I have Simon release you, would you follow me for a year?"

The old man was stunned, then a mocking smile appeared on his face.

"Sir, I always hold myself to the strictest standards but treat others with the most lenient ones," Du Ge smiled and continued, "From your analysis, I can tell you’re knowledgeable.

If you agree, I can release you without demanding you keep a one-year promise. During this time, if you find the enemy unbeatable, you can leave anytime. I won’t hold any grudge, only blame myself for poor judgment. Will you follow me for a year?"

The old man looked at Du Ge, speechless.

Lather glanced at Du Ge again, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

What is moral coercion?

This is moral coercion!

Du Ge smiled sincerely at the old man.

I hold myself to the highest moral standards but treat you like untrustworthy trash. Let’s see how you respond.

Seeing the old man silent for a long time, Du Ge shook his head. "Sir, do you think Leen and the others really don’t know how powerful Grand Duke Lynch is?"

"..." The old man looked at Du Ge in confusion.

"How many fools are locked up here?" Du Ge said, "But knowing Grand Duke Lynch’s power, they still chose to step out of this cell at their weakest, to face an unbeatable enemy with a half-crippled martial soul like me. To you, this may be foolish, but to me, it’s courage. They are true warriors."

Reg clenched his fists and stepped closer to Du Ge.

Lather’s face showed surprise again.

Simon lowered his head in shame for his earlier hesitation.

Always smiling, Orey’s expression turned serious.

"Sir, to save innocent people, I became a despised scoundrel; even for a disaster that might never happen, I put myself on the guillotine, ruining my family’s fate. In your eyes, this might be foolish too!"

Du Ge looked around at his companions and smiled again. "We are the same kind of people. But if the world had only people like you, who mock others’ foolishness, and none like us, who stand up despite knowing the danger, would the world still be beautiful?

If I had to choose again, I’d still be a fool, fighting for my beliefs, rather than hiding in a dark corner, mocking others..."

Leen and the others stood straighter, as if foolishness had become their pride.

At this moment, they felt infinitely closer to Du Ge.

Du Ge paused, looked at the old man with pity, and said, "Sorry, sir, I’m no longer the scoundrel I once was. I shouldn’t use such harsh words on you. Everyone has their choices, and I respect yours."

The old man’s face turned red. "Holly, who do you think you’re looking down on? If you let me out, I’ll protect you for a year. Who’s afraid of Lynch? I’m not afraid of him..."