Chapter 101 - 100: Moonlight and the Sand Rat King

The Storm Griffins circling low in the sky saw their leader’s success and began to follow suit.

The Storm Griffins weren’t strong enough to lift high-tonnage Tier Three Magical Beasts like the Swamp Giant Crocodiles and Rot-skinned Giant Lizards. The Tier Two Scabbed Swamp Frogs, however, were only the size of calves, and the Griffins could easily snatch them up with a single claw.

And so, these Scabbed Swamp Frogs became the Storm Griffins’ primary targets.

One after another, the Storm Griffins swooped down, grabbing the shrieking Scabbed Swamp Frogs. They flew dozens of meters into the air and simply dropped their prey, smashing the frogs into pools of green sludge on the ground below.

The battle raged fiercely at the edge of the swamp.

The Storm Griffins demonstrated their powerful aerial superiority, nimbly dodging attacks while striking their enemies with precision.

Although the Rot-skinned Giant Lizards had astonishing defenses, the Griffins’ coordinated attacks continuously flipped the Giant Lizards onto their backs, exposing their soft bellies. The flock would then swarm in and tear them to shreds.

Baofeng was peerless in his ferocity. Like a king on the battlefield, his every dive and attack either claimed the life of a Magical Beast or severely wounded several others.

Once he saw that most of the Swamp Magical Beasts were eliminated and the last few were fleeing in a panic back into the swamp’s depths, Raylo signaled for the Storm Griffins to cease their attack.

The surprise hunt ended in a complete victory for Black Stone Territory.

A few of the younger Storm Griffins had sustained minor injuries, but with the powerful regenerative abilities of Tier Three Magical Beasts, it was nothing serious.

In contrast to the near-total annihilation of the Swamp Giant Beasts, the Demon Serpent’s Fangs who had gathered here suffered very few casualties.

Aside from a dozen unlucky souls caught in the crossfire, only a single Tier Three Snake-man Priest was singled out by Baofeng due to the significant threat its Magic posed. Baofeng used his Iron Claws and Iron Beak to disembowel it.

The Storm Griffins followed Baofeng, landing one by one in the clearing beside the camp.

The Knights on the border defense line had witnessed the entire spectacular battle. Not one of them could tear their eyes away from the magnificent creatures.

Even the Pegasus Knights, who were usually haughty and looked down on others, were now staring intently, their eyes burning with a collective gaze.

Ed and Alex came out to greet him.

"Lord!"

Both men were visibly excited. Witnessing such a scene would stir the heart of even the most battle-hardened, "Iron Blood" warrior.

"The Storm Griffins have cleared out the most troublesome of the Swamp Magical Beasts."

"Alex, take half our forces and wipe out the remaining Demon Serpent’s Fangs. Then, organize a party to bring back the Magical Beast carcasses!"

Alex acknowledged the order and departed.

Ed stood nearby, his eyes periodically drifting toward the clearing where the Storm Griffins were resting.

"Ed, what’s wrong? See one you like?"

Raylo teased upon seeing this.

"I wouldn’t dare, my Lord!"

Ed, looking uncharacteristically embarrassed, said uneasily.

"Go on, pick one,"

Raylo said.

Raylo had no reason to be stingy with Ed, his longest-serving and ever-loyal Personal Guard Captain.

Ed’s face lit up with surprised delight. He could hardly believe it.

"Thank you, my Lord!"

Ed gave a formal Knight’s salute.

Perhaps it was a display of his subordinate’s high EQ, or perhaps it was because the Golden Feathered Griffin—the former leader of the Storm Griffin Group—kicked him with its Iron Claw when he lingered by its side, unwilling to move. In the end, Ed chose another, more robust Storm Griffin.

Under the authority of Baofeng, the flock’s leader, Ed successfully formed a contract with the Storm Griffin.

Looking at his new partner, even the normally stoic Ed couldn’t contain his joy. He was grinning from ear to ear.

The afterglow of the setting sun rimmed the distant mountains in gold. In the direction of the Jade Swamp, a cloud of dust was slowly rising.

The party of Knights led by Alex appeared in the distance.

Behind them were dozens of creaking carts, piled high with the carcasses of various Magical Beasts. The air was thick with the stench of blood, a smell that also promised a rich bounty of spoils.

"Lord!"

Alex dismounted and strode quickly over to Raylo.

"The Demon Serpent’s Fangs at the swamp’s edge have been completely purged. We only suffered a few Knights with minor injuries. It’s nothing serious."

Raylo nodded, his gaze sweeping over the mountain-like pile of gains.

"Good work. Organize a crew to process these carcasses as soon as possible and transport them back to the icehouse at Black Stone Castle. Moonlight and our new comrades will be eating well for a while, thanks to these."

"Yes, my Lord!"

Alex replied.

The Knights and their followers got to work.

The Rot-skinned Giant Lizard’s tough Leather was an excellent material for making Armor, while its flesh was rich with energy.

Although the Scabbed Swamp Frogs weren’t large, there were many of them. Once skinned, they could be broken down into hundreds of pounds of fine Magical Beast Meat. Their poison glands and gallbladders were particularly precious Alchemy Materials, fetching a high price.

There were also several Swamp Giant Crocodile carcasses. Though mangled and bloody, the Magic Power they contained was not the least bit diminished.

The bloody scent permeating the air attracted a special "supervisor."

The thirteen new Storm Griffins were also drawn by the rich scent of blood and flesh, but without an order from Baofeng, they remained at rest in the clearing, not moving a muscle despite the temptation.

The bellies of these raptors, who had just been through a major battle, were long since empty.

Raylo had Alex arrange for a skinned Rot-skinned Giant Lizard carcass to be brought to the Storm Griffins for their dinner.

After their leader, Baofeng, took the first bite, the others flocked around, tearing at chunks of meat with their sharp beaks and letting out satisfied, low chirps.

Meanwhile, Ed was riding his newly contracted Storm Griffin in the clearing beside the camp, practicing basic flight coordination.

It was an exceptionally majestic Storm Griffin with iron-gray feathers and a piercing gaze.

Ed sat tall in the saddle. Though his movements were still a bit clumsy, the excitement and joy on his face were impossible to hide.

"Higher! Go higher! Feel the flow of the wind!"

Ed shouted, communicating with his new partner.

The Storm Griffin let out a clear cry. With a powerful beat of its wings that kicked up a gale, it carried Ed soaring into the sky.

It was clearly still adapting to the extra weight on its back and the Knight’s commands. Its flight wasn’t as smooth or effortless as Baofeng’s; it occasionally wobbled or turned too sharply, drawing gasps of alarm from the watching Knights on the ground.

After handling the preliminary arrangements for distributing the spoils, Alex looked up and saw the spectacle.

The sunlight bathed Ed and his mount, making them look as if they were clad in golden Battle Armor, majestic and imposing.

Alex’s eyes were filled with unconcealed envy.

He too was a Knight, one who yearned to win glory on the battlefield.

He had witnessed the power of the Storm Griffins with his own eyes.

The feeling of soaring through the heavens and looking down upon the world, the telepathic bond with a powerful Magical Beast—it was an irresistible temptation for any Knight.

He watched Ed circle in the air, clumsily directing the Griffin through various maneuvers, and thought, ’Captain Ed has followed the Lord the longest and has been unfailingly loyal. He deserves a reward like this. I may be one of the Lord’s right-hand men, but if I want to obtain such a precious Storm Griffin, I’ll need to perform an even greater deed.’

He couldn’t help but clench his fists.

’The battle at the Jade Swamp was a victory, but Black Stone Territory has far more enemies than just these.’

’There will always be another chance.’

He took a deep breath, his gaze resolute.

’Next time. Next time, I will perform a deed so great the Lord can’t ignore it, and then I will ask him for a Storm Griffin of my very own!’

Thor had wandered over at some point. The big, good-natured Barbarian was tilting his head back, his eyes shining with admiration as he watched Ed practicing in the sky.

"Captain Ed is so impressive! That big bird is way faster than my Armored Rhinoceros, and it can fly!"

he rumbled, his voice filled with longing.

Alex clapped him on the shoulder and chuckled.

"Keep up the good work, Thor. Maybe one day you’ll get a big fella of your own to ride."

He knew that a Knight with the Earth Bear Bloodline was better suited for ground combat, but there was nothing wrong with a little wishful thinking.

Thor nodded vigorously, a good-natured grin spreading across his tanned face.

"Yeah! I’ll work hard!"

...

「The morning sun filtered through the castle’s glass windows.」

He opened his eyes and habitually glanced at his bedside.

Usually, Moonlight would be curled up on its custom-made, giant soft cushion, sleeping sprawled out on its back.

Today, however, was different.

"SQUEAK! SQUEAK SQUEAK!"

A series of sharp, urgent squeaks drew Raylo’s full attention.

There, on the rug in the center of the room, Moonlight was crouched over, its front paws deftly batting at something small, furry, and grayish-brown.

The tip of its tail flicked back and forth.

Its toy was an unusually plump sand rat, nearly twice the size of a normal one, with a sleek, glossy coat. It looked like a Sand Rat King. The creature was trembling under Moonlight’s paws, letting out desperate squeals.

Moonlight seemed in no hurry to finish it off. With a gentle push of its paw, the sand rat went tumbling away. Just as it scrambled to its feet to escape, Moonlight pounced gracefully, pinning it again. A low purr rumbled in its throat.

Raylo shook his head and laughed. ’This little guy has really learned to act exactly like a cat.’

’I have no idea what corner of the castle it managed to dig this unlucky Sand Rat King out of.’

He got up, put on a linen undershirt, and walked to the window to stretch.

After a night’s rest, the slight fatigue from the previous day’s battle had vanished completely.

With the large Magical Beasts at the edge of the Jade Swamp purged, the pressure on the border was drastically reduced, at least for the time being.

With two Earth Knights like Ed and Alex holding the line, the territory should be secure for a while.

"Alright, Moonlight, stop playing with your food. It’s too early in the morning for this,"

Raylo said.

At the sound of his voice, Moonlight’s paws paused mid-swipe, seemingly annoyed that Raylo had interrupted its "morning entertainment."

It looked down and let out a soft "awoo" at the Sand Rat King, which was already scared out of its wits. The sound seemed to express a hint of regret. Then, with a gentle flick of its paw, the Sand Rat King, as if granted a royal pardon, scrambled away and scurried into an inconspicuous crack in the wall, vanishing in an instant.