The sky was faintly bright, and the morning light streamed through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the floor.
Daily Intelligence Update:
1: The Lord of the neighboring Boulder City has dispatched an envoy who will arrive at Blackstone Territory in three days to discuss “Joint Border Defense” matters with you.
2: A group of Magic Snake Claws silently appeared in the northern part of Silver Moon Territory. Because the Silver Moon Lord had deployed his main forces to guard against his neighbors and protect the silver mine, several villages were massacred by the Magic Snake Claws, resulting in hundreds of casualties among the common people.
3: A group of about fifty refugees will arrive at Blackstone Town tomorrow. They claim to be from villages in the east that were destroyed by Magic Snake Claws. They are in rags, lack food, and there seem to be a few craftsmen with special skills among them, requesting asylum in Blackstone Territory.
4: Old Buck Martin from the northern farm has reported multiple times to the sheriff that he saw his neighbor Hans’s scarecrow dancing in the field by itself at night and trying to steal his radishes.
5: …
6: …
7: Large-scale conflicts have erupted between several territories on the border of the Sun Kingdom and the Thunder Dragon Principality, with intense fighting. This conflict may escalate into a full-scale war between the two nations, potentially affecting the prices and circulation of strategic materials such as weapons, ores, and food.
8: The atmosphere in the neighboring Viscount of Poplar Territory has been strange recently, with its Lord frequently meeting with individuals of unknown identity. Intelligence agents who have infiltrated the territory reported hearing whispers about “sacrifice” and “power,” suspected to be related to certain cult organizations, most likely the remnants of the Magic Snake Cult.
9: A rare “Dragon Language Flower” grows on the peak of Azure Sky Peak in the eastern Black Stone Mountain Range. The unique fragrance emitted by this flower is fatally attractive to magical beasts, but it also attracts fierce sky predators.
10: The Blood Wolf Band and its behind-the-scenes boss have reached an agreement to double the commission for the mission to destroy Blackstone Territory. The Blood Wolf Band’s main force, their appetite satisfied, will arrive at Blackstone Territory tomorrow evening. The previous attack on Blackstone Territory resulted in heavy losses for the Blood Wolf Band, and this renewed assault by their main force will leave their lair extremely vulnerable.
The Blood Wolf Band is coming again?
Behind-the-scenes boss?
Lei Luo pondered, and soon had a plan in mind.
He had his attendants summon the core members of the territory.
At the breakfast table, Lei Luo arranged the day’s affairs.
“First, an important matter: we’ve received the latest intelligence that our old adversaries, the Blood Wolf Band, and their main force, are expected to arrive at Blackstone Territory tomorrow evening.”
“They still dare to come? Wasn’t the last lesson enough?” Edd asked.
“The Blood Wolf Band wants to catch us off guard, so we’ll give them an even bigger ‘surprise.’ Passive defense has never been my style. Since they’re coming out in full force, we’ll seize the opportunity to wipe out their lair!”
“Utilizing the mobility of the Pegasus Knights, if we depart after breakfast, we’ll have enough time to destroy the Blood Wolf Band’s lair and return in time to defend the territory.”
Abandoning static defense and taking the initiative to attack was aggressive, but indeed had a chance of success.
Lei Luo stood up and walked to the center of the dining room, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.
“I will personally lead this time, Edd, you will lead the Pegasus Knights.”
“Let those scoundrels know that from today onwards, the tables have turned.”
Edd immediately stood up, his face showing unconcealed confidence.
“Yes, My Lord!”
“Bolin,” Lei Luo said; “You and Old Buck, the town mayor, will be responsible for the defense of Blackstone Town. The Blood Wolf Band’s main force won’t arrive until tomorrow evening, so you have more than a day to reinforce the town defenses, organize the militia, and prepare defensive supplies like stones and hot oil.”
Bolin took a deep breath and solemnly said, “Rest assured, My Lord, as long as one of us stands, we will not let the Blood Wolf Band set foot in Blackstone Town!”
“Very good.” Lei Luo nodded.
“Instructor Barrett, your task is the most crucial. You must not only train the new recruits but also assist Bolin in commanding the defense. The remaining forces of the Pegasus Knight Order, as well as all squires and apprentices from the Knight Training Camp, will be under your unified command.”
Barrett’s face was expressionless; he simply nodded forcefully: “Mission accomplished.”
Half an hour later, on the training ground of Blackstone Territory.
Edd had already assembled, with twenty Pegasus Knights lined up neatly.
Lei Luo, dressed in light leather armor with a long sword at his waist, walked to the front of the formation.
“Everyone,” Lei Luo’s voice clearly echoed across the training ground, “The mission is clear. Everyone will follow Captain Edd’s command, maintain formation, and are not permitted to act without orders.”
“Yes!” The knights responded in unison.
“Depart!”
Edd shouted, spurring his Pegasus to ascend first.
The Pegasi rose into the air one by one, their pure white wings cutting through the air, galloping towards the depths of the Black Stone Mountain Range, towards that unknown Blood Wolf lair.
The wind whistled in their ears, and below them, mountains and forests rapidly receded.
Edd flew at the very front of the formation. As an experienced knight and commander, he deeply understood the risks of this surprise attack.
The Blood Wolf Band had been entrenched in the Black Stone Mountain Range for many years, so their lair must have been chosen in an extremely concealed and easily defensible location.
Time passed during the monotonous flight.
The landscape below gradually changed from the familiar surroundings of Blackstone Territory to something strange and desolate.
The mountains became increasingly perilous, peaks overlapping, with few traces of human activity.
Occasionally, they could see raptors circling over cliffs, or huge figures flashing through the dense forest below—those were dangerous magical beasts belonging to the depths of the Black Stone Mountain Range.
After flying for nearly eight hours, Moonlight tapped the Pegasus’s head.
The Pegasus circled once above a hidden valley surrounded by mountains, then descended.
“We’re here.”
Lei Luo’s voice came.
“It’s on the mountainside of that cliff below.”
The knights all controlled their Pegasi to lower their altitude, carefully hovering in the air, looking down.
Below was a steep, sheer cliff. In the middle of the cliff, there was a huge cave entrance largely obscured by vines and rocks, making it extremely difficult to spot without careful observation.
Below the cave entrance was a relatively gentle Rocky Slope, but the slope was still very steep, almost impossible for a large force to climb.
On the cliffs on either side of the cave entrance, faint traces of artificial excavation were visible, appearing to be rudimentary lookout points and defensive fortifications.
“It seems the intelligence was correct; their main force has indeed left,” Edd observed for a moment, then said in a deep voice.
The knights landed in a hidden forest clearing several miles from the cliff.
The terrain here was flat and densely wooded, enough to conceal their movements.
The knights quickly dismounted, unfastened their Pegasi’s saddles, and took out the water and special feed they carried to nourish their mounts.
These magnificent creatures also needed rest after a long flight.
The knights themselves also took out their water skins and hardtack to replenish their energy.
Several hours of continuous high-altitude, high-speed flight had taken a toll on their mental and physical strength.
Time passed slowly, and the light in the forest gradually dimmed.
The outlines of the distant mountains became blurred in the twilight.
Lei Luo glanced at the sky.
“Very good. The time is almost right.”
He turned to all the knights, “Everyone, prepare to mount! Remember our objective: to break into the cave at the fastest speed and eliminate all resistance! Edd, you will lead the first squad as the assault team. The second squad will move with me.”
“Yes!”
The knights roared in affirmation, quickly organized their equipment, and swung onto their mounts.
The Pegasi also seemed to sense the tense atmosphere, letting out a low whinny and flapping their wings, ready for takeoff.