ALL NOVEL Chapter 43
Chapter 43: The Old Fox’s Scheme
“High Priest, I’m sure that I gave it my all to block that strike, yet it was still futile. I don’t know why I didn’t die in the end, but that arrow definitely pierced through my skull.”
The tall and sturdy Tiger-Human knelt on the ground, his head lowered, eyes filled with confusion and guilt. He felt ashamed for failing to guard the supplies and didn’t understand why he was able to wake up again from that battlefield reduced to ashes.
“Enough! You weren’t shot in the head; you were just knocked silly! Besides your baffling testimony, everything else is just as expected. Go see a shaman; your head is a lot more important than that brute strength of yours.”
“Uh, but High Priest, I’m not lying! At that moment, really…”
“Enough!”
Chaharit snapped sharply. Though his gaze appeared comical due to his eye issues, the authority he had cultivated over time silenced Kunier, who was about to argue.
“I know you’re upset about losing the supplies and eager to find an excuse, but this incident isn’t entirely your fault.”
“If I’m not mistaken, that red-haired archer should be one of the three legends of the City of Courage in the United Kingdom, the second-generation heir of the Scarlet Lotus Archery, Fiery Blossom. It’s quite impressive that you managed to escape with your life from her. After all, even I wouldn’t dare claim I could win against that woman…”
“Uh…”
The wronged Tiger-Human opened his mouth, really wanting to emphasize that it was absolutely not an illusion. But just as the High Priest said, if he had truly been pierced by an arrow to the brain, how could he possibly be alive and well now?
Could it really be that his head was knocked so hard that his memory got scrambled?
Kunier, who had always prided himself on being far smarter than his kin, was suddenly filled with deep doubts about his own understanding.
“Alright, you can go. For now, just stay in the central army and wait for orders. I will handle the attack on your unit and the supply issue separately. Given the special circumstances, I’ll let you off this time.”
“…Yes, thank you for your generosity, High Priest.”
After hesitating for a moment, Kunier didn’t say anything more and got up to leave the central tent.
His footsteps slowly faded away.
At this moment, the old fox Chaharit revealed a thoughtful expression: “Strange… If he really faced Fiery Blossom, Kunier shouldn’t have survived. Why did she let him go?”
“And why didn’t they capture him to extract information? I specifically issued a ban on him to prevent that…”
“No, thinking from another angle, isn’t it possible that what he said is true? Fiery Blossom actually did kill him, but something allowed Kunier to come back to life?”
Instinctively, Chaharit thought of necromancy. The group that had dealings with the Beast Emperor was rife with all sorts of factions, and there indeed were some who studied those disgusting arts. But they shouldn’t have had the opportunity or reason to use it on Kunier…
Moreover, based on what the old fox observed earlier, this Tiger-Human was in good health, his pupils shining, and he spoke fluently. He had only been slightly injured, but his energy was still considerable, which was starkly different from “those things.”
Could it be genuine resurrection magic?
No, that’s impossible. There are no shamans or priests in the Beast Kingdom who master such profound powers, or else Chaharit wouldn’t be completely unaware of it.
The only widely known “miracle that can revive the dead” could only be performed by the Redeeming Saintess among the three Saintesses of the Holy Empire, using that artifact.
Although there were many other ridiculous legends and rumors about resurrection and revival, most of them were pure nonsense. The few that resulted from necromancy or puppetry created illusions, or turned corpses into other races for a “new life.”
Only the Redeeming Saintess could completely preserve the dead’s rationality, memories, and powers, reviving the deceased without changing their race—true “revival.”
Everything else was merely a cursed lie pretending to be redemption.
Furthermore, it was said that the burden of the resurrection miracle was heavy on the Redeeming Saintess. She couldn’t use it casually, let alone travel thousands of miles to rescue an obscure Tiger-Human with only a bit of cleverness.
Right, everything about it didn’t add up. Even if that suspected transcendent entity within Wanku Fortress had similar powers, there was absolutely no reason for her to use such costly abilities for a weak Tiger-Human, an enemy.
It was most logical to conclude that Kunier had hallucinated. As for why Fiery Blossom let him go, Chaharit still couldn’t comprehend.
But just to be safe, the old fox purposely found an excuse to keep Kunier in the central army under his watch. That way, if anything did happen, he could react in time.
“However… if that truly is Fiery Blossom, along with a group of female assassins, there’s a good chance they’re the princess’s guards. The guards can’t leave their master, so that means Princess Liliya really is in that unit…”
Once this was confirmed, the old fox picked up a tattered stick nearby, doodled on the ground for a while, and when that strange pattern began to glow, he spoke softly.
“The guess is correct; your target should be nearby. I will send the fastest unit for support; the rest, no need for me to say more, right?”
No one responded, and the glowing pattern gradually faded, dissipating like a bubble on the ground. But Chaharit knew that the other side had received the notification, and whether they succeeded or failed would depend on the battle tomorrow.
“…”
“Someone, pass my orders! Command the Wolf Riders of Armies One, Six, and Seven, and the first mixed unit of Bird-Humans to set off for the Tapea Basin overnight… the Ghost Fox Assassins too. Move quickly; they must reach their destination before noon tomorrow, not a second late. Mavis will handle the details; she knows what to do.”
“Yes!”
“Wait…”
“Yes, High Priest, is there anything else?” A Fox-Human warrior, half out of the tent, turned back at the call.
“…Tell Mavis to do her best; this is a conflict among humans. Even though we’ve benefitted, there’s no need to risk our lives. If things become too difficult, she is permitted to abandon the plan and retreat.”
“Understood! High Priest!”
The light filtering in from outside the tent dimmed again, and within the old fox High Priest’s deep-set eyes, a brilliant light shone, filled with the wisdom and composure forged over time.
After a moment, it seemed he had made a decision and called for another messenger.
“Send scouts to inform the Southern and Northern Armies currently engaged with the United Kingdom. Upon receiving this order, initiate a full-scale attack. Fight for one more day, and after one day, retreat into our borders, contracting in from the north and south to form a siege.”
“If they encounter humans, they may engage in battle at their discretion, but they must not pursue recklessly or fight to the death. Now go.”
“Yes, High Priest!”
After a brief pause, the old fox broke into a sinister smile.
“Allies, I’ve done my utmost; I deserve the massive supplies and grain you provided.”
“Whether or not gods truly exist, it’s up to you all to test it with the Throne of Immortality. As for me, the Beastman, I won’t wade further into these murky waters, hehehe…”