Mercenary's War-Chapter 2007 - 1984: For the Sake of Ideals

Perhaps it’s time to leave.

Knowing that the Iron Madonna is unlikely to stay as he hoped, and even less likely to seek revenge, Gao Yang felt a bit regretful. But more than that, he felt a sense of relief.

Since arriving in Ukraine, he has stayed for so long to help Grand Ivan stabilize the situation. Gao Yang was already a bit tired, and now he thinks that ending it might not be so bad.

It’s time to leave, so let’s leave.

Gao Yang let out a long sigh and looked at Alexander, "So, where will you guys go next?"

Alexander smiled, "Home, returning to retirement life. When we discover the Iron Madonna’s whereabouts, if the opportunity is right, I will regroup until the day she is completely eliminated."

"That’s nice; you all can retire."

Gao Yang said admiringly. It was his heartfelt sentiment. Regarding Aurora, what he admired most is that they could retreat at their peak without hesitation.

Now, Gao Yang finds himself with an endless supply of money, but completely leaving the battlefield for the life he once longed for actually makes him feel reluctant, even fearful.

Gao Yang really can’t imagine what life would be like, living a calm yet bland existence in a big city, so he has always been able to avoid addressing this issue.

Seeing Gao Yang’s contemplative expression, Alexander chuckled and said softly, "What? Can’t go back?"

Gao Yang nodded slightly, softly replying, "Yes, can’t go back. That’s why I think you guys are really amazing, saying you’d quit and actually leaving the battlefield completely."

Alexander seriously said, "Most mercenaries eventually face this problem. To solve it, you need to ask yourself why you fight."

Gao Yang was silent for a long time, finally replying softly, "I fight for money, you know, Mad Wolf asked me the same question a long time ago, and that was my answer. But now you should be able to see, if it was really for money, then we should have left already, we’ve earned enough."

Alexander smiled and asked, "Then, why do you fight now?"

Gao Yang shook his head, confused, "I don’t know. No, actually, I think I do know why I fight, I just don’t want to admit it. We are fighting for the sake of fighting."

Forced to face reality, Gao Yang found it hard to accept. He rubbed his face vigorously, then raised his head with a smile, saying, "Fighting for fighting’s sake, besides death, there is no other destination. When I first met Mad Wolf, he said he fought for fighting’s sake, and at the time, that seemed like a ridiculous reason, but now I realize I’ve finally reached that point too. It’s really ridiculous."

Alexander exhaled a breath, shrugging helplessly, "Yes, for mercenaries, no matter the reason for entering the field, most end up fighting for the sake of fighting, only ending in death."

Gao Yang laughed, "Actually, we do have goals, which is to build a big company, but honestly, that’s just an excuse for me to continue fighting. So, ultimately, it’s still fighting for fighting’s sake."

Spreading his hands, Alexander said deeply, "Fighting for fighting’s sake is the basest reason. It means you’ve become a bloodthirsty beast, only seeking meaning through slaughter. Fighting for fighting’s sake leading to eventual death is the most worthless, the most ridiculous."

Pointing towards Nate’s direction, Alexander smiled, "Look at Mad Wolf, is he still fighting for fighting’s sake? Yes, but also no. He fights to achieve his ideals, using them as an excuse to give his battles some meaning. What he needs is the process of fighting; the journey is more important than the result."

Gao Yang clapped his hands and laughed, "Exactly, that’s why we found a goal that requires fighting to achieve."

After a moment of silence, Alexander spoke softly, "Do you know what I’m most proud of? It’s that I built Aurora, but then disbanded it. I led a group of brothers who lived for combat, and in the end, I helped them successfully escape it. I am Aurora’s founder; I am their guide. If I can remain rational, Aurora won’t walk the path of fighting for fighting’s sake."

Alexander’s words made Gao Yang somewhat ashamed, but Alexander changed his tone, speaking sorrowfully, "But maturity comes at a cost. Sometimes, only after you pay a price you can’t bear do you realize some things are more important than combat."

Gao Yang made a puzzled gesture.

Alexander chuckled, lowered his head, and slowly said, "Your goal is to start a company, then do it. No matter what, dying for a dream is more valuable than dying for fighting alone. Even if your goal requires fighting to achieve, it’s still much better than aimless fighting."

Raising his head, Alexander pointed at Gao Yang, smiling, "When you establish a security company, you’ll strive for the survival of the company, to preserve your shared efforts. Eventually, you’ll gradually leave the battlefield, which is the best ending. Just like Nate, he’s realizing his ideal. If he truly can build a country of his own in Ukraine, then he naturally must leave the battlefield, because governing a country is evidently more important than mere fighting."

"Oh! You know?"

Gao Yang was surprised, because he didn’t think Alexander should know Nate and the Angel Mercenary Corps’ ultimate goal. But having Alexander suddenly reveal Nate’s goal was extremely shocking.

Alexander chuckled and nodded, "Yes, I know, because Nate spoke of his ideals to me when he was my friend."

Gao Yang gasped, stammering, "Nate, was, your friend?"

Alexander spread his hands, smiling, "At one point, Nate and I had a good relationship. When he was still in the army, we met by chance and got along well."

Gao Yang said blankly, "Then why later..."

Alexander smiled, "As we got to know each other better, we developed differences in ideals, very serious differences. Nate only wanted to serve in the best military, so when he became a lieutenant colonel, he quickly chose to retire, because he felt Germany wasn’t the right stage for him. So, after retirement, he founded the Angel and wants to fulfill his dream on a stage of his own creation."