Chapter 119
Ryan finally understood what it meant that some things can only be done zero times or countless times.
Before experiencing it with 'Shally', he didn't have such a strong feeling. After all, he had so many things to deal with every day, and he was busy being an inside man. How could he have time for such things?
But now, I can do it whenever I have free time without any problems.
There's an old saying, isn't there? When there's work to be done, the secretary does it; when there's nothing to do, well...
"Wow! It really is heavier than Shally's!"
Soft, smooth, tender, and the feeling of pressure and weight on your palm is simply amazing!
One by one, the buttons slipped off, and a fragrance wafted towards them. 'Ina' smiled and wrapped her arms around Ryan's head, letting his cheeks rest against her chest.
'Shally' is very energetic, 'Ina' is very gentle.
What does it mean to be a sophisticated older sister wearing gold-rimmed glasses?
What does it mean to stand next to a table, hold it with both hands, and lean back?
What does it mean to stand against a wall, support yourself with your hands, and lean back?
What does it mean to hug someone from the front, tuck your legs in, and lock your waist?
What does it mean to stand on one leg with one hand supporting the other leg?
What does it mean to...
This joy makes me forget all my worries!
On the first day, Ryan and 'Ina' played a game in the office van.
The next day, Ryan and 'Ina' played a game in the office van.
On the third day, Ryan was still playing Van.
Day four... Ryan, you can't keep going down this low!
On the fifth day, we continued playing the game.
Ina's physical abilities were still considerably inferior to Shally's, so Ryan finally experienced the thrill of 'conquest' for the first time in his life... He originally thought that was how it would be, until he opened Ina's vision and happened to see the latter's inner monologue...
Okay, in terms of combat strength, the two are actually evenly matched.
No, Ina, can we just say what we want to say? It's true what they say: there's no such thing as a field that's been over-cultivated, only an ox that's been worked to death.
So on the sixth day, Ryan let 'Ina' pick it herself.
As punishment for the Secretary-General, well, that's all, and it has absolutely nothing to do with any 'getting angry out of embarrassment'.
Ryan felt he should have become stronger, and everything else was just an illusion. He decided to wait until 'Shally' came back before giving it a proper test.
But now...
Although Ryan was indeed playing Van Games, he was also keeping an eye on the situation in the Southern Territory, managing to juggle both work and business.
The deaths of many nobles left many territories unclaimed. The lesser nobles tried every means to climb the ranks, but before they could buy ownership of their territories from the Empire, they received news of an attack by the Allied forces.
The allied forces from Berman City, claiming to be in the name of the Princess Royal, want to unify the chaotic situation in the Southern Territory. But it's obvious to everyone that they're just here to seize territory.
The nobles of the Southern Territory initially looked down on the so-called Allied Army. After all, this was within the Augustus Empire, not a war of invasion. They had no reason to attack other territories at will, as if the Old Emperor didn't exist. Did they think they were Magana?
To be honest, although everyone says that the Augustus Empire has been in turmoil recently, the real chaos started in the Western Territory of Magana.
But apart from the Western Territory, there doesn't seem to be any large-scale war throughout the empire—if the appearance of the Demon Legion counts.
However, as the Allied forces swept northwards, everyone realized that things were not so simple.
The first battle of the allied forces led by 'Shally' took place in the Aster City, the territory of a murdered viscount. When the army arrived, the nobles in the city tried to command the army to resist, but 'Shally' forcibly broke through the city gate in less than ten minutes.
The army stormed in, and the city's garrison surrendered without any intention of fighting... Nonsense, their lord was dead, their territory was leaderless, and there was no word from the empire, so what were they fighting for?
Anyway, I only have one Little Camilla, so it doesn't matter who becomes the lord of this city.
Unless it's an invasion by an enemy country, it doesn't affect them much.
'Shally' did not kill the soldiers, but executed the nobles who ordered the rebellion. When the great axe fell, heads rolled on the ground. Those nobles who were usually respected were killed so easily. The citizens of the entire Aster City even felt that everything was too magical, like a dream.
Is this still within the empire's territory?
As to whether 'Shally's' actions constituted a rebellion, this question once sparked heated discussions in the Imperial Capital, Baron. Then everyone noticed a problem— the Old Emperor actually turned a blind eye to Caslathdi's actions of expanding their territory under the guise of stabilizing the situation? It was as if he had completely tacitly approved of it.
This displeased the Second Prince and Fourth Prince who remained in the Imperial Capital. They had also made plans in the Southern Territory, but due to imperial laws, they had been developing them covertly.
Now, Fifth Sister is openly stirring up war in the Southern Territory. This is no longer Crown Prince War; this is tantamount to rebellion! Father, are you really not going to do anything about it?
This issue was once brought to the Senate. If it were just Viscount Shally fighting, then there would be no question—it would certainly be treated as a rebellion. But Shally's backer was Caslathdi, an imperial Princess. What did that mean?
Yes, of course it was also a rebellion.
That's the behavior, the crime is clear, but... the Old Emperor didn't react!
Thus, the Second Prince and Fourth Prince mobilized their respective forces and began a struggle for control of the Southern Territory.
Since the old father doesn't care, if Caslathdi can seize territory, why can't they?
Especially the Second Prince, even a fallen camel is bigger than a horse. Although Elvin is gone, the organization of the Crimson Tiger Guard has not been affected in any way, and half of the legion is still loyal to the Second Prince.
These troops, if mobilized, could easily number ten or twenty thousand.
While the Crimson Tiger Guard were not as strong as the Iron Blood Army, they were much stronger than ordinary city defense troops. When the Second Prince saw that his father was not concerned about the situation in the Southern Territory, he was so happy that he wanted to dig out General Elvin and kiss him to tell him the good news, "Grandpa, we are saved!"
With a single order from the Second Prince, you Caslathdi, are heading north? Then I'll head south!
Given the reputation of the Crimson Tiger Guard, coupled with the Second Prince's original advantage among his competitors, the majority of nobles in the upper part of the Southern Territory pledged allegiance to him.
Then the Fourth Prince was about to start cursing.
"Poor child."
Ryan had been keeping a close eye on the changing situation. The Allied forces were already approaching Silver Peak City, and the 'Vainay' army had successively captured the territories of Domaniel and Mist. It could be said that the entire Southern Territory was divided along the line of Silver Peak City, with the lower half belonging to Ryan... oh no, to the great Her Highness the Princess. Loyalty goes without saying; those who understand, understand.
In the first half, although the Fourth Prince wanted to seize a small piece of land, the appearance of the Crimson Tiger Guard caused him to lose even what he originally had, and the Second Prince kicked him out. Several nobles he had secretly won over turned against him.
There's nothing you can do; you may have money, but they have soldiers.
My neighbor hoards grain, I hoard guns; my neighbor is my granary.
At this point, it will basically be a contest between Caslathdi and the Second Prince.
Ryan stared at the game interface, switching from 'Vainay' to 'Shally'. The Alliance Army had a total of 8,000 people, which wasn't a lot, and because they were cobbled together, their combat strength was far inferior to 'Vainay's' 10,000.
The main fighting force of the Allied forces comes from the 1,000 Ironblood Reserves trained by Gruk. These men are trained according to the requirements of the Ironblood Heavy Armor, but they are not trained long enough and are still in the semi-finished stage. They are stronger than ordinary city defense troops, but they are definitely not as good as the Second Prince's Crimson Tiger Guard.
However, with the two forces combined, 18,000 men against the Crimson Tiger Guard might not necessarily lose.
After all, with the killing god 'Shally' around, the bonus in the War Domain is no joke. The Blood Minions plus the blood-sucking group attack basically makes your hands weak from slashing. The only thing to be wary of is that the other side also sends out high-level Supernatural Being.
After all, he is the Second Prince of the empire. The other party knows about 'Shally's' situation and there must be a way to deal with it.
As far as Ryan knew, this Second Prince also controlled a Blood Cult force, the specifics of which were unknown, but he could probably muster Fourth Tier or fifth tiers.
Ryan was confident that 'Shally' could take on Fourth Tier opponent.
But fifth order is unlikely to work.
Adding 'Vainay' might be possible; using Word of Power to support teammates and harass opponents is top-notch.
As for levels five and above, that's basically impossible.
Sixth Tier Supernatural Being are too rare, and even fifth-tier transcendents might not necessarily join the war, because the cost of cultivating high-tier Supernatural Being is very high, and if it really comes to that, the situation will already be out of control.
Although the Old Emperor tacitly approved of the war in the Southern Territory, he could not allow the situation to spiral out of his control.
Basically, as long as things don't go too far on his end, the Second Prince is unlikely to send a high-level Supernatural Being to disrupt the game's balance. The latter is still immersed in the thought that 'this might be a trial given to them by their father,' and he wants to take this opportunity to prove his excellence to his father.
Ryan knew that the Old Emperor's tacit approval was not only to remove obstacles for him, but also because 'war' was exactly what the Old Emperor wanted, and had nothing to do with the so-called trial!
He would die if there was no war, Blood Cult's priesthood was disrupted, so the Southern Territory War filled that void.
"Sigh, we still don't have enough roles."
There are few characters, and their levels are low.
The highest-level wife, 'Lin Qi', is only level 39 so far, still a tiny bit away from being invincible.
After much deliberation, Ryan decided to play it safe.
To prevent the Second Prince from recklessly disrupting the balance, we must reveal a trump card that will make the other side wary.
What else do they have here?
Besides Magana, who was fighting the Western Barbarians in the Western Territory, Ryan thought of a wonderful person—Hano's mom... oops, I mean, Haino's older sister.
"You want the teacher to publicly support me?"
Inside the castle.
After hearing Ryan's suggestion, Caslathdi thought for a moment and then agreed.
"I'll go talk to the teacher."
Anyway, Hainuo has already decided to support her, so whether it's announced now or later, it makes no difference, but it will definitely have different effects on the battle.
After all, the position of vice dean of the St. Marian Academy is highly prestigious.
"Ryan, do we have a chance of winning against Second Brother's army?" Caslathdi asked.
"Optimistically speaking, it's 60/40, but we'll have to see how things go in Silver Peak City."
The fighting is between 'Shally' and 'Vainay', Ryan has no intention of getting involved, so he doesn't know if 'Shally' has any good ideas in mind.
If we could burn the other side down with a single fire, that would be amazing.
However, the Crimson Tiger Guard are not to be trifled with. To be conservative, they are 64. Unfortunately, they still have too few capable people on their side. The Burning Covenant cannot be mobilized easily. After all, this is the battle for succession in Caslathdi. As an official force, the Burning Covenant cannot take sides, at least not openly.
So, apart from the Gruk squad given to him by the Grand Duke, Ryan basically doesn't have any Supernatural Being he can boast about.
'Lin Qi' can't come, and 'Ina' isn't suitable for the battlefield... However, apart from war, the development of other professions is still far from complete. The awesome professions in the game 'Empress Online' have not yet been discovered by Ryan.
"Speaking of which, the new character creation has already been refreshed. Should we call out our five wives?"
Second update! I got back too late and have been writing until now, but I'm finally done! Please vote! Please support me!
I have a question. Many people say that the character 'Lin Qi' is a bit out of place and too masculine, and they want me to change the name. I actually thought about changing it before, but since it's already over 400,000 words long, I'm worried it might not be a good name. What do you guys think? Should I change it?