After a bumpy journey, the team finally arrived at Blackstone Town at dusk.
The outline of the town appeared exceptionally peaceful under the setting sun.
The news had not yet spread, so there weren't many people gathered at the town entrance.
The Knights, familiar with the routine, led the Pegasuses into a pre-prepared, sufficiently spacious, and reinforced temporary stable within the town.
The most important thing now was to properly settle them; as for taming, with Moonlight present, it saved a lot of effort.
After unloading the tack and tending to the warhorses, Lei Luo had just entered the temporarily requisitioned council hall when he saw a familiar figure.
Barrett stood there, travel-worn, with a hint of fatigue on his face, but his eyes were unusually bright.
He had clearly just returned not long ago.
"My Lord!"
Seeing Lei Luo enter, Barrett immediately came forward to greet him.
"Barrett, you're back."
Lei Luo nodded, his gaze sweeping past Barrett to the person behind him.
A young man stood there, about twenty years old, dressed in simple linen clothes, with a small cloth backpack on his shoulder.
He seemed a bit reserved, but his eyes curiously surveyed his surroundings, especially when he saw Lei Luo, he slightly lowered his head, with a hint of awe.
"I did not fail in my mission, My Lord."
Barrett turned sideways and introduced, "This is Karl, Master Balin's most favored apprentice. When I found him, he was helping a nearby lord repair a broken alchemical crossbow. I explained our purpose and conditions, and he is very willing to come to Blackstone Town to develop."
"Karl greets My Lord."
The young man, Karl, stepped forward, bowed slightly, his voice a bit nervous but clear.
"Welcome, Karl."
Lei Luo assessed the young man. A disciple of Master Balin—this was truly a timely aid.
"You've had a hard journey. Barrett, you've rendered a great service this time."
"My Lord overpraises me."
Barrett's face broke into a smile.
"It is my honor to share My Lord's burdens. Oh, My Lord, your recent outing..."
He noticed the faint neighing of horses from outside and the undisguised excitement on the Knights' faces.
"We captured eighteen Pegasuses."
Lei Luo's words were concise, but their weight astonished both Barrett and Karl.
"Eighteen?!"
Barrett's eyes widened.
Karl also looked up in surprise, his gaze at Lei Luo filled with incredulity and admiration.
Although he was only an alchemy apprentice, he understood what eighteen Pegasuses meant.
"Yes, good luck."
Lei Luo didn't elaborate much.
"Ed, you first lead the men to settle the Pegasuses, find some reliable hands to guard them, and make sure nothing goes wrong."
"Yes, My Lord!"
Ed responded and turned to make arrangements.
Lei Luo turned to Karl, his tone softening slightly: "Karl, Blackstone Town is currently in ruins, and there are many areas that need your skills. I trust Master Balin's ability, and I believe you will not disappoint me either."
"My Lord, please rest assured! As long as there are materials and tools, Karl will do his best!"
Karl nodded vigorously, his nervousness largely receding, replaced by an eager excitement.
Working under a Lord with such boldness, who could even capture Pegasuses, was also a rare opportunity for him.
"Very good."
Lei Luo said,
"Barrett, first take Karl to settle down and familiarize himself with the environment. There are some basic materials and tools in the town's warehouse; take him to see them, and make a list for me if anything is missing. As for remuneration and treatment, it will be as we agreed, only higher, not lower."
"Understood, My Lord!"
Barrett accepted the order and left the council hall with Karl.
The next day.
As soon as dawn broke, there was a commotion from the temporary stable.
The newly captured Pegasuses, after a night of brief rest, seemed to have regained much of their energy. Their restrained wings flapped in vain, and their hooves restlessly stamped, hitting the reinforced wooden railings with dull thuds.
The guarding Knights had been awake all night, and now they were even more alert, fearing that these wild horses might break free.
Lei Luo and Barrett stood outside the stable, watching the restless herd of Pegasuses inside.
The first rays of sunlight cast a faint golden glow over these magnificent creatures, yet it did nothing to diminish the untamed spirit in their bones.
"It seems they haven't accepted reality yet."
Barrett folded his arms, his brows slightly furrowed.
Taming wild horses was already difficult, let alone Pegasuses that could soar through the sky; the difficulty was imaginable.
Lei Luo, however, showed no signs of worry on his face. He turned his head to look at the figure beside him.
"Moonlight, it's your turn."
The air seemed to ripple, and a petite figure silently appeared beside Lei Luo.
Moonlight yawned, rubbed his sleepy eyes, seemingly displeased at being disturbed from his sweet dreams.
He glanced at the Pegasuses in the stable, his small nose wrinkling, as if he found something objectionable.
"The usual, three roasted geese," Lei Luo said.
Moonlight's eyes lit up, instantly becoming energetic, all sleepiness gone.
He held up three fingers and wiggled them.
Lei Luo nodded, emphasizing: "One Pegasus, three roasted geese. Eighteen in total."
Moonlight nodded in satisfaction, patted his non-existent pocket on his chest, as if he had already collected fifty-four roasted geese.
He strutted towards the stable on his short legs.
The guarding Knights quickly opened the reinforced gate, simultaneously gripping their weapons tightly, ready to respond to any potential uprising.
Moonlight lightly jumped onto the stable fence, looking down at the agitated Pegasuses.
He cleared his throat and let out a little "Awoo."
The Pegasuses, who had been neighing and struggling, instantly fell silent as if spellbound.
They restlessly turned their heads, looking at the small figure on the fence, their eyes filled with an instinctive fear.
Moonlight seemed very pleased with this effect.
Then, his fluffy little fists waved.
Moonlight clapped his hands, jumped off the fence, yawned again, and then looked eagerly at Lei Luo, extending his small paw.
"I know, I know, you'll get yours."
Lei Luo was a little helpless, signaling the servants to bring the three plump roasted geese that had already been prepared.
Three were paid upfront; the remaining fifty-one would be paid in installments.
Lei Luo turned to Barrett: "Alright, the most troublesome step is solved. Now, how to turn these Pegasuses into a fighting force is up to you, Instructor Barrett."
Barrett took a deep breath, nodded, his eyes becoming sharp.
"Mission accomplished, My Lord!"
In the open space outside the town, the Knights had already assembled.
Barrett stood at the front of the formation, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by the solemnity of a soldier.
He turned to face the Knights, who had already assembled and were eager to begin.
At this moment, their eyes gleamed with excitement and anticipation.
Being able to ride a Pegasus and fight in the sky—this was every Knight's dream!
