[Vol. 1] Chapter 24: The Golden Barrier on the City Wall
Beastmen had outdated equipment, so the only long-range attack method for Harpyfolk, apart from using their sharp claws, was to throw rocks from high altitudes or roughly polished short spears.
Typically, Harpyfolk, as members of the air force, were highly valued even within the Beastman Kingdom. Therefore, they usually didn't descend to engage in close combat with humans. Instead, they continued to harass and suppress using these methods to create opportunities for the main Beastman forces during the siege.
The Human United Kingdom didn't have an air force, or more accurately, it didn't have an organized, large-scale aerial combat force like the Beastmen, so they had no choice but to endure the attack.
Countless stones and various miscellaneous projectiles fell like raindrops. Although their individual power wasn't very high, under the influence of gravity, if they hit someone in the head, even regular soldiers would immediately lose their fighting capability.
Lilya was well-prepared for this and wouldn't allow such a thing to happen.
Without needing the princess to prompt her, Leyton immediately took a deep breath and let out a thunderous roar that resonated across the western city wall.
"Shieldbearers, raise your shields!!!"
"Hah!"
A defensive line composed of countless shields rose from the ground, almost covering the entire city wall. The continuous sounds of clashing echoed, and due to their preparation and prompt response, this wave of attack almost didn't inflict any damage on the city wall defenders.
As for Lilya's side, although a few silver-armored guards immediately moved to shield her, Violet stepped forward and unfurled a massive golden curtain, encompassing not only the princess and herself but also all the officers and soldiers within a hundred meters.
The rocks and spears struck the seemingly thin golden barrier but dissipated instantly without causing any disturbance, allowing those inside to attack outward unhindered.
The siege Beastmen and even some of the defending soldiers on the city wall were startled by the sudden appearance of the massive light shield. Even their movements instinctively paused for a moment. Those commanders protected within by Violet were even more shocked, nearly popping their eyeballs out.
Although they had been informed in advance that this black-haired girl was a "legendary-level" expert, no one had expected her to casually do something so terrifying. Was this really still just a legendary-level…?
Only Lilya, Leyton, and the young general Rekt, who had witnessed Violet casting the 9th-tier magic spell [Blessing from the Skies], had slightly more normal reactions.
However, Lilya, with an "as expected" expression, cast a meaningful glance at the stunning girl beside her before refocusing on her command.
Well, this time it wasn't so bad, without causing such exaggerated reactions. After all, they were on the battlefield, and many people didn't have the luxury to care about such things.
Violet didn't pay special attention to Lilya's expression but nodded in satisfaction.
The protective shield she had just unleashed was a 6th-tier magic, learnable at level 50, with no need for complicated prerequisites. In fact, the skill [Light's Protection] was one of the prerequisites for a higher-level skill. It had to be fully mastered.
The size of protective and barrier-type skills could be controlled by adjusting the input magical power. Although the current range of [Light's Protection] was the most basic, this skill could be expanded to a maximum diameter of two kilometers when magnified to its extremes.
As for its superior version, the 10th-tier magic [Radiance of the Holy Light], if Violet had cast that just now, it could have covered the entire Wanhe Fortress, including a large area outside.
Once formed, this skill automatically absorbed magical energy from the air to replenish itself. Unless completely shattered, it could persist indefinitely, ranking among the strongest protective and barrier-type skills and serving as one of the ultimate techniques achievable only after mastering the entire series of single-type skills.
Violet's sole purpose was to protect Lilya, so she had no intention of unleashing anything overly extraordinary. In fact, she was rather curious about how the natural course of warfare unfolded in this world. Therefore, unless she encountered a special situation, she had no plans to actively intervene in the course of this war.
Violet also felt somewhat concerned because Flora had been absent from Lilya's side since early this morning. The princess had only mentioned that she had assigned Flora a special task and didn't have time to explain further. The Beastman assault began shortly after, piquing Violet's curiosity.
Although they successfully defended against the Harpyfolk's aerial harassment and the attempts of the Beastmen and chimpanzees to climb the walls, the main Beastman forces, consisting of 100,000 lions, tigers, and bears, had fully prepared and were now launching a direct assault on the fortress.
You may wonder, what about siege equipment?
Well, it's simple. They threw things by hand!
Despite hearing about it during discussions in books and with Lilya, Violet was still surprised by the wildness and brute strength of the Beastmen. Those massive, muscular black bears actually picked up nearby lion and tiger folk, took a few running steps, and roared before hurling them toward the Wanhe Fortress's walls and interior!
This was no joke, that was a distance of several kilometers. Even many firearms on Earth couldn't shoot that far…
Moreover, the lion and tiger folk's small stature was only relative to those doing the throwing. They were still at least two meters tall themselves.
What kind of strength was required to achieve such an exaggerated feat? And it wasn't just one or two bear folk doing this. The entire front row of the army, consisting of thousands of Beastmen, was making the same motion.
Countless clusters of red and yellow meteors rained down like cannonballs onto the city, falling on top of the walls, and some even hit the sturdy fortress wall directly.
What's even more absurd is that, except for those who crashed mid-flight, most of the lion and tiger folk who were thrown over acted like nothing happened. They shook their dazed heads and, with bloodshot eyes, roared and charged at the surrounding humans.
However, even though Miss Violet was startled, it was clear that impacts of this magnitude posed no threat to [Light's Protection].
Several dozen clusters of furballs crashed against the radiant barrier, crackling with golden electricity, then softly fell onto the city walls. It wasn't clear whether they were alive or dead.
Lilya likely anticipated this type of siege tactic. Still, when she saw that a small portion of Beastmen had directly flown over the city walls and entered the interior, she couldn't sit still and promptly shouted loudly with the help of a magical device.
"The Fourth Legion, immediately encircle and exterminate the Beastman forces that have entered the city! Make sure not a single one escapes into the residential area! The Mage Corps, deploy defensive barriers, intercept the projectiles, and the Shadow Guards go on the offensive. Work together with the troops to swiftly clear the lion and tiger folk on the city walls!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Responses from all directions mixed with high-pitched sounds, and Violet saw that below, a large number of figures inside the city wall area were quickly converging, forming a massive semicircle that gradually contracted inwards. This should be the Fourth Legion force that Lilya had arranged in advance.
It's unclear whether these ordinary human warriors can handle the lion and tiger folk, but there aren't many Beastmen that actually entered the city. The difference in numbers between the two sides is several tens of times, and there are also many strong humans among them, so it should be fine.
Well, this isn't something she needs to worry about anyway.
Faced with the real war that is spilling blood and claiming lives, even Violet's once indifferent heart is now filled with a bit of excitement.
The large number of deaths doesn't make Violet uncomfortable. She feels like she's observing two groups of ants fiercely fighting over territory. The overwhelming emotions inside her are nothing but keen interest and a desire to applaud and cheer.
So, what fresh events will happen next? She can't wait!