ALL NOVEL Chapter 27
Chapter 27: The Book and the Box
With Princess Vilyric’s intense gaze making her scalp tingle a bit, Vilyric couldn’t help but feel confused. What she just said, what does it have to do with her?
Although she didn’t know what the faith-based magic in this world was about, her power completely came from the 【Illusory Realm】.
The skill tree indeed didn’t require any talent, but how on earth could she teach this unique thing to someone else?!
Wait, there might actually be a way…
Hmm… right, this could be a very interesting concept. If it really works on Liliya…
“Alright, we can give it a try, but just so you know, my power system might be vastly different from your understanding, and I can’t guarantee it’ll succeed…”
“…Eh? Really? I-I understand! Even if there’s just a sliver of a chance, I’m willing to take the risk, even if it’s dangerous! Thank you, Sister Vilyric!!”
Liliya excitedly covered her mouth, her previously gloomy expression now shining with joy, she was just one hug away from the Priestess!
Geez, calling her sister now too…
Speaking of which, when they first met, Princess Vilyric had called her “Angel Sister,” but those two meanings were probably not the same.
If this were still in a game, Vilyric thought there would definitely be a “Affinity Up!” indicator popping over the head of the blue-haired princess.
“Well then, remember to come to my room tonight.”
“Okay!”
Wait a minute, why does that dialogue sound so strange?
After the Beastmen’s first wave was fiercely repelled, as the princess had anticipated, they chose to retreat. However, they didn’t head straight back to the Beast Kingdom but instead stationed themselves at the border near Wanku Fortress, dispersing hundreds of thousands of troops and subtly surrounding this major city in the western region.
In fact, according to the usual autumn warfare practices, the Beast Kingdom typically wouldn’t nibble on such a hard nail as Wanku Fortress; their goal was simply to seize food and deplete excess population.
Under normal circumstances, the Beastmen commander would completely scatter the troops into small units of dozens to a hundred people, infiltrating eastward across the vast land of the United Kingdom and the Beast Kingdom, looting and then retreating after a successful strike.
Even if a large-scale siege battle occurred, it would be directed at the border on either side of Wanku Fortress, targeting some less significant small cities, killing, looting everything in sight, and then retreating before the large human forces arrived.
The area along the border between the United Kingdom and the Beast Kingdom stretches thousands of kilometers wide. Although the Western Frontier Army could guard the major pathways into the United Kingdom and the plains, it would be a pipe dream to prevent any Beastmen from slipping through the border.
Every autumn war essentially takes this form. Wanku Fortress itself hadn’t endured a direct attack in many years.
The Whispering Plain here is the largest gateway in the entire western part of the United Kingdom, with the permanent population of Wanku City exceeding a million. If the Beastmen wanted to take over here, it would mean they were no longer engaging in mere skirmishes—one misstep could lead to true devastation.
“So, what Liliya means is that the Beastmen won’t let it go easily?”
On that night of the siege, in Wanku Fortress, in Vilyric’s room, the black-haired girl and the princess were sitting face-to-face at the table, the burning candlelight illuminating their exquisite and beautiful faces, creating a dreamlike beauty in the hazy ambiance.
“Yes, I don’t know why the Beastmen suddenly decided to invade with a large army, but it’s likely that my brothers have done something… With them causing trouble, we’re essentially facing threats from both inside and outside. We can’t just rely on the support troops; we need to think of another way.”
Liliya’s face was serious, rhythmically tapping the table in front of her. Whenever she was deep in thought, she would subconsciously do this.
It seemed that the princess wasn’t too optimistic about the prospects for the western front.
“Facing fifty thousand Beastmen just at Wanku City, the other allied defensive cities are also suppressed and unable to send reinforcements. Conservatively speaking, the Beastmen have deployed at least over a million main forces this time, and even for the Beast Kingdom where everyone is a soldier, this is a huge investment. Relying solely on the Western Frontier Army, I’m afraid…”
“So, does that mean you have some special idea?” Vilyric rested her chin on her hand, leaning on the table, eagerly waiting for the princess to elaborate.
“Yes, Sister Vilyric, we can’t sit back and wait. As mentioned before, if we simply defend relying on the walls, even if we manage to hold them off in the end, Wanku Fortress will probably be left in ruins.”
“Warfare heavily relies on logistics. To subdue the enemy without fighting, we must cut off their supplies.”
Liliya gritted her teeth, her tone somber: “I’ve made up my mind. Before the second wave of attack launches, I will personally lead a troop out of the city and deep into the Beastmen’s rear to destroy their supply lines.”
“Oh, really…”
In theory, Liliya’s decision was feasible. While the Beastmen could reduce food consumption through hunting and gathering, having several hundred thousand troops mobilized without a stable supply was sheer nonsense.
Especially if they were stationed in the same place, the local animals and resources would soon be exhausted by the numerous Beastmen.
The food issue was the biggest challenge the Beast Kingdom had faced since ancient times. If Liliya succeeded, it would indeed hit the enemy’s artery.
“I see, so you want to gain as much self-protective power as possible before heading out?”
Liliya nodded frankly, her gaze clear as she looked at Vilyric. “Yes, the world is unpredictable. Although I have you and Sister Hua to protect me, no one knows what might happen on this trip. If possible, I just hope to have as many trump cards as possible.”
“Alright, since you asked, I have no problem with that. But before that, there’s something I need to give you first.”
Vilyric stood up, and from the Void, she pulled out a heavy black-covered book and a square silver-gray little iron box, placing them on the table.
“Take a look at this book first. You only need to turn to the first page, but remember, don’t flip through it too much, or I can’t guarantee what might happen.”
Vilyric pushed the dictionary-like thick book towards Liliya, gently tapping the hard cover with her finger, and playfully tried to scare her a bit.
“Ugh…”
That last line clearly had quite an impact; Liliya adjusted her posture and carefully opened the book’s cover, flipping to the page that, in Vilyric’s eyes, read 【Table of Contents】.
“Eh?”
The princess paused for a moment, looking somewhat awkwardly at the black-haired girl.
“Um… Sister Vilyric, I can’t understand the text on it.”
“…?”