No Other Way

After spending a few days in the real world, Ye Chuan once again focused his energy on Aiser Continent, as the main quest still needed to be completed.

Although Ye Chuan could level up by idling, it took a bit too long; doing the main quest was more substantial.

Thus, Ye Chuan began the text adventure—

[Milar, allied with armies from other territories, launched an attack on hostile territories along the route to the royal capital. The battle was fiercely contested, with a high casualty rate among soldiers.]

[As a core combatant for Milar, you chose not to intervene, silently observing the war unfold.]

[You unexpectedly discovered that Aiser Continent possessed many magitek weapons. Among them, a type of siege engine was the super-magitek cannon, whose power could easily shatter mountains and rivers. Apart from range and accuracy, its destructive force was no less than modern firearms.]

[Today, as usual, you were training Elara in magic, but the adjutant found you, bringing a secret letter from Kaiaolen at the front lines.]

[You opened the secret letter—]

[Xi Xi, the cruelty and duration of the war have far exceeded our expectations. Moreover, an unexpected situation has arisen—the neighboring Dorento Empire has chosen to invade at this very moment.]

[Currently, all combat forces are committed to the front lines. We hope you can lead an army to intercept the Dorento Empire's forces and buy us some time.]

[After learning the details, you chose to accept the mission. The reward is unknown, but it's certainly not small.]

[In holographic adventure—]

[You appeared at the temporary garrison: Galun.]

...

The scene before him shifted, and Ye Chuan once again found himself in Galun territory. Glancing at the surrounding camp, he yawned.

"Here we go."

"Lord Xi Xi!" A sound of hurried footsteps came from the distance. Ye Chuan looked over and saw Kaiaolen's adjutant running towards him.

"When do we depart?" Ye Chuan asked. "That Dorento Empire army taking advantage to invade, exactly how many are there, and what's their general strength?"

The adjutant didn't dare slack off in the slightest, promptly bowing in reply, beads of sweat from his frantic run still on his temples.

"Lord Xi Xi, the latest intelligence from the scouts reports the enemy numbers a full 150,000! Their equipment is extremely sophisticated, with an uncountable number of magitek devices accompanying the army. They are even fully equipped with heavy magitek war chariots and magitek ballistae!"

A force of such scale was enough to rival Milar territory's entire military strength!

"As for their combat power, it's currently confirmed that several seventh-tier experts are serving as frontline commanders, responsible for directing the main army."

"As for whether there are even stronger hidden forces within the army... the scouts didn't dare get too close, so that hasn't been ascertained yet."

"Oh?" Hearing this, Ye Chuan pondered for a moment.

150,000 elite troops, plus countless magitek devices and seventh-tier experts—a military force of this scale...

If they were allowed to circle around to the allied forces' rear, the front-line army would inevitably be attacked from both front and back. By then, forget about attacking the royal capital, even holding onto their current territories would be a problem.

Ye Chuan extended his hand. "Give me the map of this area. I'll go take a look myself."

"Ah?" The adjutant was instantly stunned, thinking he had misheard.

"My lord, you... you said you'll go yourself? Don't you need to bring an army?"

Although Galun territory had already dispatched most of its forces to the front lines, there were still over 20,000 soldiers remaining in garrison, including many elite mages and swordsmen.

If hastily assembled, they could at least form a vanguard squad of 5,000 to maneuver alongside him, which would provide considerable support.

Facing an invading army of 150,000, going alone was far too dangerous.

"Bring an army?" Ye Chuan casually waved his hand.

"No need. The travel speed would be slowed down. I don't have time to wait for them to inch their way there."

"If a real fight breaks out, I'd have to split my focus to protect them. That's purely a waste of time and completely unnecessary."

Ye Chuan's words were spoken plainly, but if anyone else had said them, it would have been the height of arrogance. That was a well-equipped army from a neighboring country.

Even if it were 150,000 goblins charging, they could overwhelm someone.

The adjutant opened his mouth, wanting to persuade further, but instantly, memories of Ye Chuan's past deeds flashed through his mind.

Lord Xi Xi... one simply couldn't use common sense to understand the things he did.

Hesitating for a few seconds, the adjutant finally gritted his teeth, bowed, and complied:

"Yes! This subordinate will fetch the map immediately!"

Soon, the adjutant hurried back, carefully holding a finely drawn magic map marked with terrain, territories, and army positions.

He cautiously unfolded the map, pointing to a location marked in red, and said respectfully:

"My lord, look. The invading army of the Dorento Empire is currently in this area of the White Demon Valley, west of Galun territory."

Ye Chuan glanced at the map. The marked location was over a thousand li from Galun territory, separated by a dense black forest and two rivers in between.

If marching here, it would still take several days; they wouldn't arrive that quickly.

"Alright, I understand."

After saying this, Ye Chuan vanished from the spot the next second, leaving only the bewildered adjutant.

This...

Did Lord Xi Xi really go alone to intercept the neighboring country's army?

"I... I'd better contact Lord Kaiaolen." Ultimately still uneasy, the adjutant chose to contact Kaiaolen.

...

Meanwhile, at the front-line command camp where Kaiaolen was stationed, he picked up the magical communication crystal when it lit up.

"Lord Kaiaolen, I have notified Lord Xi Xi. However, he stated he intends to intercept the Dorento army alone."

Hearing this, Kaiaolen fell silent for a good while before asking, "You're sure he said he'll intercept them alone?"

"Yes. He thinks the army's speed is too slow."

Kaiaolen let out a deep sigh, as if he had no other choice.

Currently, the allied forces were indeed locked in battle with those territories and couldn't spare anyone to block the Dorento Empire's invasion, which was why he had thought of having Ye Chuan lead a team to maneuver against them.

But upon hearing that Ye Chuan intended to go alone to intercept...

"Well, let it be then."

Though he didn't understand, entrusting it to Ye Chuan would definitely not be wrong.

That was Kaiaolen's understanding of Ye Chuan.

Although his words might not sound reliable, anything entrusted to Ye Chuan had never gone wrong.

Presumably, it would be the same this time. Moreover, Elara had said that Ye Chuan's combat power could overpower seventh-tier experts.

Coupled with his proficiency in spatial magic, as long as he was careful, at the very least, self-preservation shouldn't be a problem, right?

Yes, no problem.

"No problem, my foot!" Kaiaolen slammed the table. "That's an army of 150,000! If it were just 150,000 ordinary people, a single seventh-tier combatant might manage, but the enemy possesses so many magitek devices!"

In Aiser Continent, magitek devices were no less than ordinary people having firearms, or an army having missiles. That was no longer a force where individual power could sway the battlefield!

"I hope he's alright." Kaiaolen rubbed his aching temples.