Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Thornback Barbarian Bull

”The Knights on patrol discovered some enormous claw prints, far larger than a common wolf’s. There were a lot of them, scattered chaotically. The ground was trampled and gnawed, as if a pack of large predators had passed by.”

Ed said gravely.

”The patrol didn’t dare venture deeper. They only scouted the perimeter before quickly returning to report. Based on their experience, it seems Magical Beasts have entered our territory, and in considerable numbers.”

Raylo nodded. ’It seems a small beast tide from the Black Stone Mountain Range is coming.’

”Expand the patrol perimeter. Mobilize the Pegasus Knights to scour the lands around our territory. We must determine the number and types of these Magical Beasts!”

”Yes, my Lord!”

Ed accepted the order.

At dawn on the third day, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, the hurried sound of hooves shattered the tranquility of Black Stone Town.

A Pegasus Knight, tasked with scouting the perimeter, rushed into Black Stone Town, his body covered in morning dew.

”My Lord! This is terrible!”

The Knight’s voice was filled with undisguised panic.

”Magical Beasts! It’s the Magical Beasts! They... they’ve gotten inside!”

Raylo threw on his coat, grabbed the Long Sword hanging on the wall, and strode out of his wooden cabin.

”Don’t panic! Speak clearly! What kind of Magical Beasts? How many? Where did you find them?”

”It’s... it’s Hyenas! And Black Wind Terror Wolves! We even saw a few Thornback Barbarian Bulls!”

The Knight gasped for breath, struggling to compose himself.

”There are too many of them, at least... at least a hundred! They’re to the northeast, less than twenty kilometers from town! And they’re heading this way!”

Over a hundred Magical Beasts!

Hyenas were cunning and vicious, Black Wind Terror Wolves were fast and extremely aggressive, and the thick-hided Thornback Barbarian Bulls were particularly tough Tier Two Magical Beasts.

Ed, having heard the news, had also rushed over, his expression equally grim.

”My Lord, we must organize our defenses at once!”

”Ed, assemble the army!”

”Yes, sir!”

Ed turned and sprinted away.

Soon, the army began to muster in the town square.

A few key members gathered in the meeting hall.

A conspicuous red X was marked on the map spread out before them.

Raylo pointed to the red X on the map. ”This place, the Chaotic Stone Slope? The terrain is complex, filled with strange rock formations—a natural ambush site. We will find a way to lure the Magical Beasts there!”

”Ed, you will immediately take the main force and head to the Chaotic Stone Slope with all possible speed. Set up traps and trenches! I will personally lead the Pegasus Knights to intercept and herd them from the air. We will drive those invading Magical Beasts into the grave we’ve prepared for them!”

”My Lord, that’s too dangerous!” Ed said urgently.

”There is danger, but it’s manageable,” Raylo said. ”We’re in luck. There are no Flying Magical Beasts in this horde. Our Pegasus Knights will allow us to seize the initiative.”

Ed looked at Raylo’s determined gaze and knew his lord’s mind was made up.

He abruptly puffed out his chest. ”Yes, sir!”

Ed immediately gathered his men. With the majority of the Knights and the armed, able-bodied Militia, he galloped off toward the Chaotic Stone Slope.

They needed to finish setting the traps and preparing for battle before the Magical Beasts arrived.

Two Pegasus Knight Squads were already waiting in the square.

Moonlight leaped into Raylo’s arms. Together, they vaulted onto the Griffin’s broad back, and Raylo gripped the saddle’s reins.

The Storm Griffin let out a piercing, eagle-like cry. With a powerful beat of its enormous wings, it kicked up a gale and soared into the sky.

Following close behind, several Pegasus Knights beat their pure white wings and followed their Lord, shooting like arrows from a bow toward the ominous northeastern sky.

The wind howled past his ears as Black Stone Town shrank rapidly below, becoming a blurry patch of color.

Raylo leaned low, pressing close to the Storm Griffin’s warm, solid back. His sharp, falcon-like gaze swept across the vast woodlands and plains below.

The Storm Griffin was incredibly fast. Its powerful wings sliced through the air, creating a ripping sound.

The two squads of Pegasus Knights followed close behind in a loose arrowhead formation. Their white Pegasi gleamed with an almost holy light in the sun, a stark contrast to the Storm Griffin’s tawny form.

Soon, they flew over the edge of the forest below. The area was a scene of devastation, with snapped trees and torn-up earth.

A strong, foul stench—the unique scent of Magical Beasts—drifted faintly through the air.

”Target sighted!”

A sharp-eyed Pegasus Knight pointed to a spot ahead and to the left.

Raylo looked in the direction he indicated, his pupils contracting slightly.

In a relatively open clearing, several Hyenas were gathered around a dead wild deer, tearing it to pieces.

These Hyenas were nearly twice the size of common wild dogs, with matted, dirty-brown fur. Saliva dripped from the corners of their mouths, and their eyes glinted with vicious greed.

They appeared to be stragglers, separated from the main horde and drawn in by the kill.

”Clear out these stragglers!”

Raylo ordered.

”Make it quick!”

As the order was given, the aerial formation reacted instantly.

Several Pegasus Knights descended in perfect sync, diving like bolts of white lightning.

The Long Spears in their hands carved vicious arcs through the air, their tips glinting coldly.

The Hyenas, engrossed in their meal, clearly hadn’t anticipated an attack from the sky.

By the time they sensed the danger and looked up to snarl, it was too late.

SQUELCH!

SQUELCH!

The Long Spears precisely pierced the necks of the two largest Hyenas. The immense force pinned their bodies to the ground, instantly staining the grass red with blood.

Terrified by the sudden assault, the remaining Hyenas scattered in all directions, letting out panicked howls.

The other Pegasus Knights followed close behind, using their Pegasi’s maneuverability to divide and surround the fleeing Hyenas like sheepdogs herding a flock.

Raylo didn’t join the hunt for the Hyenas. His Storm Griffin circled at a higher altitude, his gaze fixed on the depths of the forest in the distance.

He could sense a much larger, more chaotic presence approaching.

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before the sound of hooves like distant thunder, mixed with a cacophony of roars, filled the air. Large swathes of the forest began to shake and collapse.

A horde of dark shapes burst from the cover of the forest, spilling onto the plains ahead.

Leading the charge were dozens of Black Wind Terror Wolves.

These Terror Wolves were covered in sleek black fur and were as large as ponies. They ran with the speed of the wind, their fangs bared and their eyes glowing with a bloodthirsty red light.

Spreading out in a fan formation, they let out constant, low snarls, as if herding something forward.

Behind the Terror Wolf pack was an even larger, more powerful presence.

Over a dozen Thornback Barbarian Bulls!

These Barbarian Bulls stood over two meters tall at the shoulder, their bodies covered in thick, rock-like hides. Sharp Bone Spikes ran from their backs to their tails, and their two massive, curved horns glinted with a metallic sheen.

The ground trembled slightly with their every step. They snorted clouds of hot breath, clearly in a frenzied state.

Wedged between the Terror Wolves and the Barbarian Bulls was an even larger number of Hyenas, trailing the main horde and waiting for an opportunity to attack.

In all, the Magical Beast horde numbered no less than a hundred!

”There they are!”

Raylo’s voice was steady and powerful.

”Proceed as planned! Squad One, drive them from the left flank! Squad Two, pressure them from the right! Watch your altitude! Use your Bows and Arrows and Javelins to herd them!”