The next morning, the first ray of sunlight pierced through the mist on the horizon, scattering over the scorched and messy battlefield.
The soldiers of Blackstone Territory had been busy all night, and the fighting from last night seemed to still linger in the air.
Most soldiers had fatigue on their faces, but even more, there was a sense of excitement.
Overnight, the Blood Wolf Band, which had plagued the Black Stone Mountain Range for many years and had been a headache for Blackstone Territory, was completely eradicated.
Several bold Blackstone Territory soldiers were discussing in low voices.
“Tsk, tsk, that old scoundrel Karl, who ran rampant for over a decade, I didn't expect him to fall so quickly.”
“Lord Ad is still amazing, one shot! Just one shot! Karl was an Earth Knight, right? And he was just gone like that?”
“Heh, Lord Ad’s shot, I think it was faster than lightning!”
The discussions were filled with reverence for Lei Luo and admiration for Ad's martial prowess.
This clean and decisive victory greatly boosted the morale and cohesion of the Blackstone Territory army.
【Daily Intelligence Update】
【1: A particularly fat Wild Boar King is rampaging in the forest at the edge of the territory; multiple hunters have attempted to capture it but failed, earning it the nickname 'Running Meat Mountain'.】
【2: A small amount of placer gold has been found in the upper reaches of the Blackwater River near Blackstone Territory, but the content is extremely low, making its mining value insignificant.】
【3: The wandering knight 'Swift Wind' Alex has appeared in the Blackstone Town tavern; he is reportedly searching for a legendary sword named 'Star Smasher'.】
【4: An adult Ironclad Earth Dragon has nested in the northern mountainous area of Blackstone Territory; it is extremely irritable and highly territorial. The Ironclad Earth Dragon is a Tier 3 magical beast, and its hide is an excellent material for crafting fine armor.】
【5: After a major battle, the apprentices of the Knight Training Camp, spurred by the surge of bloodlust, successfully activated their Knight's Seed. In the coming week, a group of young knights, including Thor, will be born.】
【6: ……】
【7: Approximately fifty miles outside the northern border of Blackstone Territory, an intermittently erupting sulfur hot spring has been discovered. The surrounding environment is harsh, and some associated rare minerals have formed.】
【8: 'One-Eyed' Hades, the leader of the 'Stone Raven' bandit group entrenched in the eastern hills, after receiving news of the Blood Wolf Band's annihilation, secretly dispatched small groups of bandits to the Blood Wolf Band's former territory, attempting to seize control of this vacuum.】
【9: An injured Storm Gryphon has fallen in the northern part of Blackstone Territory. It was heavily wounded after losing a fight with other magical beasts over 'Dragon Language Flower' deep within the Black Stone Mountain Range. The Storm Gryphon is a Tier 3 magical beast; its eagle beak and sharp claws possess powerful lethality, and among Griffon magical beasts, the Storm Gryphon is known for its speed and agility.】
【10: After daily feeding with beast growth potions, the two Ironclad Rhinoceros cubs will pass their Childhood in one week. One of the Ironclad Rhinoceros cubs has not yet signed a contract with a knight; please select a contract knight for it as soon as possible, as the difficulty of contracting magical beasts after they pass their Childhood will significantly increase.】
The sunlight dispersed the thin mist but could not dispel the lingering scent of blood and dust mixed in the air.
The battlefield, noisy throughout the night, gradually returned to calm, with only the busy figures of Blackstone Territory soldiers cleaning up the aftermath.
Lei Luo, however, was not immersed in the afterglow of victory.
“Bolin,” Lei Luo’s voice rang out.
Knight Bolin, whose enthusiasm had recently increased significantly, responded and entered the room.
“My Lord,” Bolin bowed slightly.
“How are the Blood Wolf Band prisoners being handled?” Lei Luo asked.
“According to your instructions, they are currently being screened,” Bolin replied clearly and logically.
“Initial screening has identified thirty-seven unrepentant individuals, guilty of multiple murders, who have been separately detained, awaiting your final command.”
Lei Luo nodded.
“These scoundrels are a menace if left alive. Execute them publicly, and let their blood atone for the evil they have committed.”
“Yes.” Bolin did not hesitate in the slightest.
“Additionally, one hundred twenty-odd people have been identified as villagers from nearby towns who were recently coerced by the Blood Wolf Band; their identities have been verified.”
“Mm, these people are innocent. Give them enough provisions and send them home! Tell them that if they dare to associate with bandits again, they will not be spared,” Lei Luo added.
Bolin continued, “The remaining approximately two hundred people are old members of the Blood Wolf Band, but they don't have much bloodshed on their hands; most were just following the tide. Some of them even seem to have some conscience left and harbor quite a few grievances against Karl's cruelty. According to your wishes…”
“These people,” Lei Luo pondered for a moment, “still have value for reformation. Disperse them, reorganize them, and form a ‘Redemption Camp.’ They will be responsible for the hardest labor within the territory, such as mining and road construction. These people must be strictly guarded to prevent any trouble.”
“Yes, My Lord. Finally, there are eighteen knights and two Great Knights. Although they followed Karl and became bandits, they did not commit too many killings, so their crimes are not punishable by death,” Bolin said.
“Integrate them into the Knight Order as Redemption Knights. They are not allowed to leave the camp without orders, and if they perform meritorious deeds in the future, they can be given an opportunity to pledge their loyalty.”
“Go and handle it,” Lei Luo waved his hand.
Bolin acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Ad then appeared at the doorway.
His reputation was even greater after he killed Karl with a single shot last night, and he seemed more confident.
“My Lord.”
“Take a Pegasus Knight squad, prepare hunting nets and ropes, and we'll go to the edge of the territory.”
A glint flashed in Ad’s eyes; he knew his Lord was about to acquire something good again.
“Understood!”
Soon, ten well-equipped Pegasus Knights assembled on the open ground outside the castle.
“Depart!” With Lei Luo’s command, twelve Pegasi flapped their wings and soared high, raising a gust of wind as they flew towards the mountains in the north.
In the air, the wind howled.
From high above, the outline of Blackstone Territory was fully visible.
The scorched battlefield was like a scar on the land, but the newly built houses, cultivated fields, and busy figures in the distance were full of vibrant life.
Following the general direction indicated by the intelligence, the Pegasus Knights spread out, carefully searching the mountains and forests.
Not long after, a knight sent out a signal.
Lei Luo immediately steered his Pegasus closer.
Below a steep mountain hollow, a giant Griffon lay on the ground; it was indeed a Storm Gryphon.
It had the sturdy body of a lion, covered in tawny feathers, while its head and front claws were those of a hawk, its beak and claws gleaming with a metallic luster.
At this moment, one of its wings was twisted at an unnatural angle, and there was a deep, bone-exposing wound on its abdomen. Blood stained the rocks beneath it, and its breath was faint; it was clearly severely injured and had lost consciousness.
“It's here as expected, and badly wounded.” Lei Luo observed the Griffon's condition.
“It looks like it lost the fight for the 'Dragon Language Flower' and was severely injured by other powerful magical beasts.”
“Proceed as planned!” Lei Luo ordered.
The ten Pegasus Knights quickly spread out, taking advantageous positions.
They took out the large nets and ropes they carried.
Several large nets were simultaneously thrown, covering the unconscious Storm Gryphon from different angles.
The nets landed precisely, firmly wrapping the Griffon's massive body.
“Pull in the nets! Secure!”
The Pegasus Knights drove their Pegasi, slowly tightening the net ropes.
On the ground, Ad, with a few knights, worked together to carefully hoist the heavy Tier 3 magical beast.
The return journey took more time.
The huge Griffon, caught in the net, hung beneath several Pegasi, slowly and steadily flying towards Blackstone Town.