Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 217: Chapter 211: The Battle for the Pontoon Bridge

Luke paused. He picked up a large blue flag representing the main force of the Thunder Dragon Duchy and pushed it forward, shoving it right up against the golden flag that represented the Fiery Sun Kingdom’s main camp.

It was an overtly aggressive gesture.

”But...”

Luke’s tone shifted as his finger moved to the Nu River.

”To cross the river, we need a stable bridgehead. This current fight for the floating bridges is causing too many casualties and is far too inefficient.”

The atmosphere in the tent grew heavier. Everyone knew this was the crux of the night’s meeting.

”So, I need two of our sharpest spears to rip open two holes for our army, as quickly as possible.”

Luke’s gaze turned sharp as a knife. He first looked to the burly Count.

”Count of Giant Stone, No. 2 Floating Bridge is yours. I want you to have your Barbarian Bull Knight Order at the bridge by noon tomorrow. Drive out every last bastard from the Fiery Sun Kingdom and guarantee the main army of our Duchy a safe crossing.”

The Count of Giant Stone grinned, his voice booming like a great bell.

”No problem. It’s just a floating bridge.”

Then, Luke’s gaze landed squarely on Raylo.

”Baron Raylo.”

”Baroness Lillian.”

”Present.”

Raylo and Lillian stood up at the same time.

”I’m giving No. 1 Floating Bridge to you,” Luke commanded.

”Use your Mammoth Knights to clear the way. Same as before, take the bridge by noon tomorrow.”

His words caused a subtle stir in the tent.

No. 1 Floating Bridge was located at the southernmost end of the front line, exactly where their reinforcements would face the enemy’s newly added flank. It was the point of greatest pressure, and also the most crucial.

Raylo’s gaze fell on the sand table.

The No. 1 and No. 2 Floating Bridges were like two nails driven deep into the enemy’s defensive line.

He immediately understood Luke’s intent.

’Use the Giant Beasts to open a path, break their line at a single point, and buy time and space for the army on the far bank to cross.’

’It was the most efficient, and also the most ruthless, tactic available.’

Raylo felt no resentment. Instead, a thrilling excitement washed over him.

’My Power is becoming a decisive factor in this war.’

”Yes,” he replied, his voice deep.

Luke nodded.

”Good. All other units will provide full support for the flanking assaults. Feign attacks on the other bridges to pin down enemy forces. Remember, our time is short.”

”For the Duchy!”

Luke raised his fist.

”For the Duchy!”

After the meeting, Raylo stepped out of the tent. The cool night air on his face cleared his head.

He looked up. In the distance, magical flares shot into the sky, one after another, casting the killing fields below in a flickering, uncertain light.

The sounds of battle felt as if they were right beside him.

Just as the eastern sky began to show the first pale light of dawn, the shrill, long blast of a horn tore through the morning mist, echoing among the sprawling camps.

The war machine awakened in an instant.

In the Black Stone Territory’s camp, soldiers splashed their faces with icy river water. Huddled by the last embers of their fires, they stuffed flatbread mixed with jerky into their mouths.

Raylo stood before his tent. Moonlight sat at his feet, the tip of its tail gently brushing against his war boots.

Ed strode over, clad in full armor with his helmet tucked under his arm.

”Lord, with the exception of the camp guard, all soldiers are assembled.”

Raylo nodded, his gaze sweeping past the camp to the Nu River, now bathed in the morning glow.

”Move out.”

With the command given, the black banner of the Black Stone Territory started to advance.

Amidst the heavy thud of footsteps, ten Iron-Armored Mammoths led the vanguard. Each step they took sent a slight tremor through the ground. The Knights in the saddles on their backs, holding Heavy Crossbows and Long Spears, wore grim expressions.

They hadn’t gone far before another, more brightly colored contingent merged with their column.

An amber banner billowed in the wind. Lillian arrived on her Golden Feathered Griffin, also accompanied by ten Mammoths.

”Brother.”

Lillian drew up alongside Raylo.

Today, she wore form-fitting Silver Soft Armor that traced the graceful, burgeoning curves of her figure. Her long, golden hair, usually worn loose, was pulled back into a neat, high ponytail, giving her a dashing and heroic air.

”Ready?” Raylo asked.

”Of course.” Lillian tilted her chin up.

”The Amber Knight Order won’t slow you down.”

Raylo smiled. He knew his sister’s temperament. She might seem headstrong, but she was meticulous in reality. Since they had gone over the battle plan last night, he knew she wouldn’t be a liability.

The two forces merged into one and pressed onward to the front line.

The closer they drew to the Nu River, the thicker the stench of blood in the air grew.

The combined smell of charred wood, churned earth, and blood assailed everyone’s senses.

Ahead, the main Allied Army, personally led by Lord Luke, had already clashed with the forces of the Fiery Sun Kingdom. The boom of magical explosions and the shouts of soldiers rolled toward them like distant thunder.

”Baron Raylo! Baroness Lillian!”

A booming voice, resonant as a bell, called out from their flank.

Raylo turned to see the Count of Giant Stone on his ferocious Winged Demon Tiger, leading his troops forward. The Barbarian Bull Knights thundered past, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The Demon Tiger was as large as a warhorse, with wings sprouting from its sides. Each beat of its wings stirred a fierce wind. It bared its fangs, a low growl rumbling deep in its throat.

The Count of Giant Stone shouted to Raylo from afar.

”Raylo, lad! And you, Lillian! How about a little competition? First one to plant their banner on the bridge wins!”

”Count of Giant Stone, I’m afraid your Barbarian Bulls are no match for our Mammoths!”

With that, he led his troops onward, splitting off from the Count of Giant Stone’s army to advance toward their own objective.

The Count of Giant Stone let out a hearty laugh.

”We’ll see about that after the battle!”

No. 1 Floating Bridge was already a Purgatory on earth.

The riverbanks were piled high with countless corpses and shattered weapons. The earth was soaked a dark crimson from all the blood.

The crude floating bridge swayed with the river’s current. Its wooden planks were shattered and incomplete. On this narrow path, no more than a dozen meters wide, soldiers from both sides were locked in a primitive, bloody tug-of-war.

The Fiery Sun Kingdom’s soldiers, clad in gold-and-red Armor, fought with a ferocious disregard for their own lives.

They had already established a solid bridgehead, using spiked barricades and simple earthworks to hold the far end of the floating bridge firmly in their grasp.

Overhead, more than fifty of the Fiery Sun Kingdom’s Pegasus Knights circled, suppressing the Duchy’s attempts to charge with volleys of arrows.

”Attack!” Raylo bellowed.

The moment the order was given, the twenty Mammoth Knights let out a deafening roar.

”For the Lord!”

”For the Black Stone Territory!”

The twenty War Giant Beasts began to move as one, and the ground began to tremble violently.

They were no longer moving at a slow march. Instead, they launched into a charge, moving with a speed that defied their colossal size!