A bandit on alert was too nervous and mistook a night owl that happened to fly by for a Pegasus Knight, screaming at the top of his lungs, “They’re here! They’re here!”
Instantly, the entire camp erupted into chaos.
Countless people woke up from their sleep or sprang from their feigned slumber, frantically grabbing their weapons and looking around.
“Where? Where?”
“Quick! Prepare for battle!”
Karl and his leaders also rushed out, nervously looking at the sky.
However, there was nothing in the night sky but sparse stars and occasionally drifting clouds.
“What are you shouting about! It’s just a bird!”
A sharp-eyed leader saw the startled night owl and cursed angrily.
The bandit who made the false report was kicked hard and cowered on the ground, not daring to make a sound.
After a false alarm, the atmosphere in the camp became even more oppressive and tense.
This state of extreme paranoia greatly drained the bandits' energy and morale.
In stark contrast to the chaos and fear in the Blood Wolf Band’s camp, Blackstone Town was a scene of order and bright lights.
Inside the town’s council hall, Aide was reporting the day’s battle situation and the enemy’s movements to Lei Luo.
Lei Luo sat in the main seat, and after listening to Aide’s report, he nodded, a hint of approval on his face.
“Well done, Aide. The initial strike achieved the desired effect, successfully thwarting their momentum and delaying their advance.”
Aide bowed slightly: “It’s mainly because the Lord Lei Luo’s strategy was appropriate.”
Lei Luo waved his hand, his gaze turning to the simple map hanging on the wall, which marked the Blood Wolf Band’s current encampment location.
“They chose to camp at the bottom of a gentle slope; although open, it lacks cover. Karl is brave, but he lacks strategy and overly relies on his core strength, neglecting overall morale and logistics.”
A civil official in charge of logistics stepped forward.
“Lord Lei Luo, the knights have received ample rest and food, and the Pegasus have all been fed the best fodder. As per your instructions, a large amount of fire oil and kindling has been prepared.”
Lei Luo nodded.
“Very good. Tonight, let these jackals who dared to covet Blackstone Town taste the flavor of raging fire.”
He looked at Aide.
“Aide, the night raid mission is entrusted to you. Remember, the goal is to create maximum chaos and panic, burn their supplies and tents, and completely crush their will to resist. Be careful and do not prolong the battle.”
“Yes, Lord Lei Luo!”
Aide’s eyes also burned with fighting spirit.
The daytime harassment was just an appetizer; tonight’s night raid was the true key to determining victory or defeat.
Outside the council hall, the Pegasus Knights were making their final preparations.
They checked their bows and arrows, securing bundles of cloth soaked in fire oil and small pottery jars next to their saddles, their faces showing no tension, only the excitement and determination of impending battle.
The night grew deeper.
The moon was obscured by thick clouds, with only a few persistent stars twinkling faintly through the gaps. The wind on the wilderness seemed to have died down, and the air was so heavy it felt as if water would drip from it.
In the Blood Wolf Band’s camp, the bonfire’s glow gradually dimmed, and except for a few persistent sentries, most of the bandits could not resist fatigue and drowsiness, huddling on the cold ground, falling into an uneasy shallow sleep.
They did not know that in the dark night sky above them, a group of true reapers was silently spreading their wings.
Aide mounted his Pegasus and gently patted its neck.
The Pegasus let out a low whinny, seemingly sensing its master’s fighting spirit.
“Depart!”
Aide whispered, taking the lead to ascend into the sky.
More than twenty Pegasus followed closely, blending into the dense night like ghosts.
The night was the best cover.
The Pegasus Knights, using the cloud cover, silently arrived directly above the Blood Wolf Band’s camp.
From high above, the bonfires on the ground looked like scattered sparks, faint and tiny.
The camp was silent, with only the occasional murmur of a dream and the faint sound of armor rubbing as sentries moved.
Aide made a gesture, and the Pegasus Knights immediately dispersed, like a wide net, covering the entire camp from above.
Inside the tent at the center of the camp, Karl tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
A strong sense of unease lingered in his heart, making his eyelids twitch.
He suddenly sat up, grabbed the scimitar beside him, and wanted to go out to check the situation.
Just as he lifted the tent flap, a sudden change occurred!
“Attack!”
Aide’s cold voice, like the whisper of death, cut through the silent night.
The Pegasus Knights, already prepared, acted simultaneously!
They controlled their Pegasus, diving rapidly from hundreds of meters high, like falling meteors!
“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!”
This time, it wasn’t the sound of arrows cutting through the air, but the whistling sound of lit torches and oil jars being thrown downwards, rubbing against the air!
One by one, burning bundles of cloth soaked in fire oil and small pottery jars crashed to the ground like hail!
They landed precisely on the bandits’ crude tents, in areas where grain and poor-quality weapons were stored, and among the crowds huddled together for warmth!
“Boom!”
The first oil jar smashed onto the largest tent, the pottery jar shattered, fire oil splattered, and upon encountering the bonfire next to the tent, it instantly ignited into a raging inferno!
Dry animal hides and wood became the best fuel, and the fire spread at an astonishing speed!
Immediately after, more fires erupted throughout the camp!
“It’s on fire!”
“Enemy attack! It’s those birdmen!”
“Help!”
Screams of agony and shouts of terror instantly filled the entire camp!
The once silent night was completely shattered!
Countless bandits who were asleep were awakened, greeted by a sea of flames and chaos!
Flames devoured the tents, illuminating the night like day, and scorching hot air blasted towards them.
Thick smoke billowed, choking people and making it impossible to breathe.
Panic spread like a plague!
The bandits ran around like headless chickens.
Some tried to extinguish the flames on their bodies, letting out heart-wrenching wails; some tried to rush out of the fire, but were pushed to the ground by the panicked crowd and trampled; others were completely terrified, dropping their weapons and fleeing aimlessly into the dark wilderness like startled rabbits.
Karl watched the hellish scene before him, his eyes splitting with rage.
It’s over!
Everything is over!
His so-called main force, in the face of this fire from the sky, was as fragile as paper.
“Blackstone Territory… Lei Luo…”
Karl gnashed his teeth, muttering these names, his voice like the low growl of a wounded beast.
He knew that the Blood Wolf Band had fallen this time, completely and utterly.
In the distance, Blackstone Town.
Lei Luo gazed at the soaring flames.
“Only aerial cavalry can counter aerial cavalry!”
Lei Luo sighed.