Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 163: Chapter 157: A Tooth-Shattering Hard Bone - Red Iron Castle

Raylo rode on the back of Baofeng, the Storm Griffin King, soaring high in the sky.

By this time, the main force led by Count Gao Wen had already charged toward their next target.

Baofeng’s tawny Iron Feathers rustled in the wind. The rider and his mount, like a golden bolt of lightning, quickly flew past the marching columns of the Black Stone Territory.

The land ahead was no longer flat wheat fields, but a series of rolling, ochre-red hills.

In the distance, a castle constructed entirely of crimson rock and black iron appeared in his field of view.

It sat atop a massive iron ore mountain, its position perilous. The walls were taller and thicker than those of Golden Wheat Castle, resembling a giant beast of steel coiled on the summit, exuding a coarse and solid aura.

Above the castle, a black flag with a red sigil fluttered—crossed hammers and an anvil.

Red Iron Castle, the territory of the Valen Family.

This family was renowned throughout the Fiery Sun Kingdom for their exceptional ore smelting and weapon forging techniques. The ”Red Iron” series of armor and weapons they produced was standard issue for many of the Kingdom Knight Orders.

At this moment, Red Iron Castle was completely surrounded by a large army.

On the walls, the Valen Family’s Knights continuously unleashed hails of arrows, causing considerable trouble for the besieging forces.

Raylo guided Baofeng to a slow descent beside Count Gao Wen’s command tent.

”You’re finally here!”

The moment Count Gao Wen saw Raylo, he strode over to greet him.

”This nut is a lot tougher to crack than Golden Wheat Castle! These blacksmiths of the Valen Family might not be good for much else, but they’re masters at making turtle shells!”

Raylo’s gaze swept over the clamorous battlefield and settled on the formidable Red Iron Castle.

He could sense faint traces of Earth Magic reinforcing the castle walls, making them several times stronger than ordinary stone.

Count Gao Wen was growing agitated.

”The Valen Family’s Knights are a tough bunch, too. They’re holed up in the city and won’t come out, just wearing us down with their archers.”

Raylo nodded, a plan already forming in his mind.

’Charging head-on against this kind of ironclad defense is the most foolish approach.’

’The Valen Family...’

The Red Iron Castle before him wasn’t just a fortress; it was a massive forge.

He had seen armor and long swords marked with the insignia of crossed hammers and an anvil more than once.

Their sturdiness and sharpness far surpassed common wares.

In the Thunder Dragon Duchy, the Valen Family’s ”Red Iron” series of weapons and armor were also bestsellers.

’Black Stone Territory’s foundation is too weak.’

’Swallow the Valen Family whole—take the people and their skills, all in one package.’

Once the idea took root, it grew wildly like a vine.

”Raylo, my friend!”

Viscount Andrew’s coarse voice interrupted his thoughts.

Viscount Andrew was the commander of the vanguard attacking Red Iron Castle. Within the second army led by Gao Wen, his strength was considered among the best of all the lords.

”Baron Raylo, lend me your Griffin Knights and Pegasus Knights. I want them to sweep those annoying flies off the city walls for me!”

”Breach this fortress, and I’ll give you twenty percent of the spoils.”

He pointed at the archers on the battlements who were continuously firing their arrows, as if it were some easily attainable merit.

Raylo withdrew his gaze.

”Your Excellency, my men have just taken Golden Wheat Castle. After such a long forced march, they are exhausted. Look, they’re about to fall asleep on their feet.”

He gestured to the soldiers of Black Stone Territory who were setting up camp not far away.

The soldiers were pitching tents right where they stood, preparing to rest.

Viscount Andrew’s brows furrowed, and the warmth on his face cooled.

He eyed Raylo up and down suspiciously, as if trying to find a flaw in his expression.

”The Valen Family’s turtle shell is reinforced with Earth Magic. Ordinary attacks won’t be very effective.”

Raylo added in a sincere tone at just the right moment.

”A rash, frontal assault would likely result in heavy losses. We are allies; I cannot send my soldiers to a needless sacrifice.”

His words were reasonable, and Viscount Andrew could find no reason to refute them, but the fire of his anger only burned hotter.

In his eyes, this was just an excuse for cowardice.

He snorted heavily, flung his arm, and walked away, muttering words like ”coward,” just loud enough for Raylo to hear.

Raylo’s expression didn’t change, as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

He turned and arranged for his troops to make camp on a high ground behind the Allied Army, far from the clamor of the main battlefield, taking on the posture of a passive observer.

Before long, Lillian came over, puffing her cheeks in anger.

”Brother! That bearded Viscount is so annoying!”

Lillian plopped down on a campaign blanket, grabbed a waterskin, and took a huge gulp.

”When he saw he couldn’t persuade you, he actually came looking for me!”

She perfectly mimicked Viscount Andrew’s tone and demeanor, puffing out her small chest and lowering her voice.

”My esteemed Miss Lillian, you are a genius Mage, the pearl of Amber Territory. Those ignorant blacksmiths do not understand the greatness of Magic. If you but make a move, that wall will become as brittle as a cracker! The glory of victory will be yours!”

Her exaggerated performance made the nearby Knights chuckle.

Raylo was also amused by his sister’s antics, and the trace of gloom in his heart dissipated.

He ruffled Lillian’s hair.

”And then? Was our Great Mage tempted?”

”Of course not!”

Lillian slapped his hand away and smoothed her hair.

”I told him my Magic Power must be saved for a crucial moment and not wasted on smashing walls. Then I ran over to find you. Are we really just going to watch?”

”Of course we’re not just going to watch.”

Raylo’s gaze once again fell upon Red Iron Castle.

”We’re waiting.”

”Waiting?”

”Waiting for those lords who are desperate for quick success to smash themselves to pieces against Red Iron Castle.”

”Red Iron Castle is a tough nut to crack, but the Valen Family’s value lies not in this fortress, but in their forges and artisans. If we let Viscount Andrew charge headfirst into it and smash the castle and everyone inside to bits, what would we get? A pile of scrap metal and corpses?”

Lillian was quick-witted and immediately understood Raylo’s intention. Her eyes lit up.

”You want to devour the Valen Family’s century of accumulated wealth and knowledge!”

”A complete forging family, one that has mastered core technologies, is worth far more to us than ten Golden Wheat Castles.”

A faint smile played on Raylo’s lips.

”Therefore, we need an opportunity. Viscount Andrew’s assault on Red Iron Castle will only result in losing troops and commanders. Soon, it will be our time to shine.”

Raylo’s words convinced Lillian, and the army of Amber Territory settled down completely.

They boiled water, cooked meals, fed their warhorses, and polished their weapons, as if they weren’t on a battlefield but on a field training exercise.

This leisurely atmosphere was a stark contrast to the earth-shaking battle cries not far away.

After being rejected, Viscount Andrew, seething with rage, immediately joined forces with several other baron families eager to earn merit and launched a ferocious, tide-like assault on Red Iron Castle.

The war machine began to roar.