Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 147: Chapter 141: The Departure Banquet

Storm Griffins!

Mammoths!

These were Tier Three Magical Beasts, powerful partners that an ordinary Knight might never hope to obtain in their entire lifetime!

To become a member of the Lord’s Personal Guard and receive such a powerful Magical Beast as a mount was undoubtedly a tremendous opportunity and honor.

An excited flush appeared on every man’s face, their eyes gleaming with fervent desire.

Seeing their excited expressions, Raylo continued.

”Knights, I hope you will fight alongside them and become the sharpest sword and the most solid shield of Black Stone Territory.”

”We are willing to die for you, my Lord!”

The twenty Knights knelt on one knee again, their voices filled with passion.

Raylo nodded and gestured to the side.

”Ed, take them to choose their partners.”

”Yes, my Lord!”

Led by Ed, the Knights went to the other side of the square.

There, ten magnificent Storm Griffins stood with their heads held high. Their yellowish-brown iron feathers shimmered with a metallic luster in the sunlight, and their sharp eyes were filled with untamed arrogance.

Beside them, ten massive Mammoths stood like moving hills. Thick fur covered their bodies, their two curved tusks glinted with a cold light, and their every step made the ground tremble slightly.

The Knights’ eyes lit up, and they could barely move their feet.

”Those with strong physiques should choose the Mammoths. Those who are agile should choose the Storm Griffins.”

Raylo announced the selection criteria.

The Knights quickly made their choices based on their own characteristics.

The taller, stronger Knights with outstanding power walked toward the Mammoths, while the more nimble Knights with sharp reflexes approached the Storm Griffins.

Although these Tier Three Magical Beasts had been initially tamed, their ferocious nature remained deep within.

As the Knights approached, several Storm Griffins let out warning screeches, and the Mammoths swung their long trunks in irritation.

Just then, Moonlight, who was perched on Raylo’s shoulder, yawned. Its pale golden eyes casually swept over the restless group of Magical Beasts.

An invisible yet immense pressure instantly enveloped the entire area.

The Griffins and Mammoths, which had still been somewhat defiant, were suddenly silenced as if they were chicks being throttled, and they obediently lowered their heads.

The Knights exchanged glances, their reverence for the big cat perched on their Lord’s shoulder deepening even further.

”Begin,” Raylo said.

Having received permission, the Knights took a deep breath, suppressed their excitement, and began to establish a Spiritual Link with the Magical Beasts before them to form a contract.

Under Moonlight’s suppressive aura, the rebellious will of these Tier Three Magical Beasts was reduced to a minimum.

Although the process still required a great deal of mental effort from the Knights, it was undoubtedly countless times smoother than it would have been under normal circumstances.

One after another, halos of light from the contracts flared up and then slowly faded away.

When the last Knight successfully formed a contract with his Mammoth partner, a cheer erupted in the square.

The moment the contracts were complete, the Knights clearly felt the wonderful spiritual connection with the Magical Beasts beside them.

They could sense the Magical Beasts’ emotions and even conduct simple communication through their thoughts.

”ROAR!”

A Knight who had successfully contracted a Mammoth excitedly patted its thick thigh. The Mammoth, in turn, gently nuzzled his Armor with its trunk.

Elsewhere, a Knight clumsily climbed onto the back of a Storm Griffin. Although the Griffin was a bit uncomfortable, it obediently spread its wings and let out a clear cry, as if announcing the birth of a new partnership.

Watching this scene unfold, Raylo revealed a satisfied smile.

A Tier Two Great Knight paired with a Tier Three Storm Griffin or Mammoth had a combat effectiveness that was far more than the sum of its parts.

Whether for massed charges or for dispersed reconnaissance and raid missions, the flexibility and combat power of this Personal Guard would be greatly enhanced.

Black Stone Territory’s high-end combat power had reached a new level.

”Alex.”

Raylo turned to Alex, the Earth Knight the Duke had sent to serve him.

”This Storm Griffin will be your partner from this day forward.”

He pointed to a Storm Griffin with a particularly robust build.

Alex was overjoyed at his words. He immediately stepped forward and, with Moonlight’s ”help,” successfully completed the contract.

”Bolin.”

”The Iron Armor Rhino Mother Beast that Moonlight newly tamed last night is yours. While it may not be as agile as a Storm Griffin, it’s a rare asset for charging into enemy lines.”

Bolin gave a simple, honest smile and nodded vigorously.

He had coveted that astonishingly defensive Iron Armor Rhino Mother Beast for a long time.

Of the territory’s four Earth Knights, all but Knight Monk had now been assigned a Tier Three Magical Beast.

Monk, the former Knight Commander of Ironthorn Territory, would have to prove his loyalty in the upcoming war before he would receive a reward befitting his station.

With the assignments complete, the square immediately became lively.

The newly appointed Personal Guard Knights, as well as Alex and Bolin, were all eager to bond with their new partners.

For a time, the roars of beasts and the shouts of Knights mingled together, creating a bustling and lively scene.

Just then, the sound of hoofbeats approached from a distance.

Lillian arrived in a flurry, leading a troop of Knights from Amber Territory.

Today was the day Raylo and Lillian had agreed upon for the handover of the Mammoths.

”Brother!”

Lillian shouted from a distance, leaping down from her Golden Feathered Griffin.

”Lillian, you’re just in time,” Raylo said with a smile.

”The Mammoths are ready for you.”

He pointed to a corner of the square where eleven adult Mammoths and two adorably clumsy Mammoth calves were waiting.

These were the ones set aside for Amber Territory, as per their agreement.

Lillian’s eyes lit up. She walked over quickly, studying the massive creatures with a face full of joy.

The eleven Knights she brought with her were also Amber Territory’s most elite Great Knights. At this moment, as they looked at the majestic Mammoths, their eyes were also filled with longing.

”Brother, I’ve brought the loyal and reliable Great Knights you told me to select last time.”

Lillian looked back at Raylo.

Raylo nodded.

Soon, under Moonlight’s intimidating presence, the eleven Great Knights Lillian had brought successfully completed their contracts with the eleven adult Mammoths.

The two Mammoth calves were quite lively, curiously nuzzling Lillian’s skirt with their small trunks, which drew a light laugh from the young woman.

With the threat from the Jade Swamp imminent, strengthening their forces was crucial for both Black Stone Territory and Amber Territory.

”Lillian, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

”Go ahead, Brother,” Lillian said, looking up with her clear, bright eyes.

”Count Gao Wen has sent word. He hopes we can dispatch troops as soon as possible to help him clear the outskirts of the Jade Swamp.”

Raylo stated succinctly.

”I plan to set out for Red Leaf Territory in the coming days to meet up with him.”

Hearing this, the smile on Lillian’s face faded slightly.

Unlike Black Stone Territory, Amber Territory bordered the Black Stone Mountain Range to the north, and its neighbors in other directions were all human territories. The threat of Demons from the Jade Swamp was not as pressing for her.

She gently stroked the rough head of the Mammoth calf, pondering for a moment.

”Brother, after I return, I will immediately assemble Amber Territory’s Knights and go with you.”

Raylo nodded, pleased by his sister’s decision.

With Amber Territory joining them, the chances of success for this expedition increased even more.

”Remember to leave enough men behind to defend the territory, to ensure you have the ability to protect yourself after you leave.”

Lillian nodded in agreement.

「After seeing Lillian and her party off.」

Raylo’s gaze turned to another side of Black Stone Town, where a batch of Earth Dragons newly tamed by Moonlight were being kept.

After some deliberation, he decided to hold a banquet for the territory before the expedition, along with some small events to boost the morale of the Knights.

He summoned Ed.

”Tonight, arrange a bonfire banquet in the square.”

”First, it will be a send-off for the Knights who are about to go on the expedition, serving as a pre-war mobilization. Second, select ten males from the tamed Earth Dragons. Arrange for twenty Knights who have fused with Dragon Blood to duel in pairs. The winners will earn the right to form a contract with an Earth Dragon.”

Ed accepted the order.

”Understood, my Lord. Is there anything special I need to prepare?”

”Don’t skimp. Make sure there’s more than enough meat and wine.”