Chapter 107 - 104: Setting Off for the Jade Swamp

A one-ton power boost was certainly tempting, but its lack of sustainability was a major problem.

It seemed that to fully unleash the power of the Giant’s Grip, or at least make it more practical, finding a replacement for or repairing the Giant’s Heart was the only long-term solution.

However, even so, the three hundred Golden Dragons had been well spent.

At the very least, he now had a trump card that could unleash immense power for a short period.

As night deepened, Raylo sat alone in his study.

"The Giant Dragon Temple..."

Raylo muttered to himself, his gaze drifting toward the vast night sky outside the window.

The Jade Swamp was far more treacherous than any ordinary hazardous region.

The lesson of the Count of Giant Stone, who had led an Allied Army of several thousand men to near-total annihilation, was still fresh in his mind.

He had no intention of repeating that mistake.

A ground force would be too large a target and would move slowly in the swamp. If they ran into trouble, they would be easily surrounded.

This mission required maximum mobility.

After a moment of contemplation, he had a plan.

He would take only a small, elite force and rely on the Griffins’ air superiority. It would allow them to strike quickly and retreat just as fast.

As for his retinue, Raylo planned to bring only one person: Ed. In terms of both skill and loyalty, Ed was the best candidate.

He immediately ordered a guard to ride with all haste and recall Knight Ed from the defensive line at the Jade Swamp.

A travel-worn Ed appeared at the training grounds of Black Stone Castle.

His build was burly and his features resolute, and his military uniform added to his grim, imposing air.

Upon seeing Raylo, he dropped to one knee.

"Lord, Ed reports as ordered."

Although the fighting in the Jade Swamp had died down for now, sporadic skirmishes never ceased.

Raylo gestured for him to rise, a meaningful smile touching his lips.

"It’s been a while, Ed. Have you let your skills get rusty? How about a little warm-up with me?"

Ed was taken aback for a moment, then laughed heartily. "Nothing I’d like more! What did you have in mind, Lord?"

"Something simple."

Raylo picked up the Giant’s Grip from the desk, testing its weight in his hand.

"How about we arm wrestle?"

’Arm wrestling?’

A curious look flashed in Ed’s eyes.

’Since when did the Lord have time for such idle pursuits?’

However, he didn’t question it, simply grinning to reveal his white teeth.

"Alright! You’d better be careful, Lord. I’ve gotten a lot stronger recently!"

As he spoke, he walked over to the desk, planted his right elbow firmly on its surface, and took his stance.

Raylo said nothing more. He slipped on the Giant’s Grip and clasped Ed’s right hand tightly.

"Here I go, Lord!" Ed grunted, suddenly putting his strength into it.

However, the scene Ed expected—of Raylo being overpowered—never came.

Raylo’s right hand was as steady as a rock; his expression didn’t even flicker.

Ed felt his strength vanish as if into a bottomless pit; his opponent’s arm was like an immovable mountain.

"Hmm?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Ed’s eyes. He increased the pressure, veins bulging on his forehead as his face flushed red.

He used every ounce of strength he had, yet Raylo’s arm didn’t budge an inch.

With a mere thought, Raylo discreetly channeled more Fighting Spirit.

A surge of overwhelming power instantly flooded his left arm before spreading through his entire body.

He applied just the slightest pressure with his right wrist.

"Agh!"

Ed felt an irresistible, terrifying force surge from Raylo’s arm. The strength he was so proud of felt as fragile as rotten wood before it.

His wrist was instantly bent back, throwing him off balance. He staggered back several steps, nearly falling over.

"Th-this... How is this possible?"

Shaking his numb wrist, Ed’s face was a mask of utter disbelief.

He knew Lord Raylo was a Magic Knight, but when it came to sheer physical strength, he was confident that no Knight in Black Stone Castle could match him—save for that brute bear Thor, who might surpass him one day.

Today’s contest had completely shattered his understanding.

With a light chuckle, Raylo took the Giant’s Grip off his left hand and passed it to the still-stunned Ed.

"Try this."

Puzzled, Ed took the strangely shaped metal gauntlet. It was cold and heavy to the touch.

He did as he was told, slipping it onto his left hand. Following Raylo’s instructions, he tried to channel his Fighting Spirit into it.

HUMMM!

The Magic Patterns on the gauntlet’s surface suddenly flared to life. A sensation of power, several times greater than his own, surged up his arm, as if an ancient Giant Beast had awakened within him.

Ed could clearly feel the muscles in his left arm swell, filled with an unprecedented, explosive strength.

He instinctively glanced at a three-hundred-pound stone block used for Knight training, an object that normally took him some effort to lift.

Now, with a casual grip of his gauntleted left hand, he easily lifted the stone block with that one arm, as if it weighed nothing at all.

"My gods!"

Ed cried out, his eyes wide with shock as he felt the power coursing through his arm.

"Lord, this... What is this Divine Artifact?!"

"The Giant’s Grip. An ancient creation of Alchemy," Raylo explained.

"It can greatly enhance the wearer’s Power, but the energy drain is staggering. It can’t be used for long."

He paused, his expression turning serious.

"Ed, I’m taking you with me into the depths of the Jade Swamp. The journey will be exceptionally dangerous. I’m lending you the Giant’s Grip for now to bolster your strength."

At these words, the excitement on Ed’s face slowly faded, replaced by a look of solemn gravity.

He knew full well what venturing deep into the Jade Swamp meant. It was the treacherous land where even the Count of Giant Stone had met his disastrous end.

"Lord..." Ed said resolutely.

"I will not fail your trust, Lord. I will follow you to the death!"

Raylo clapped him on the shoulder.

"Don’t be so tense. This is primarily a scouting mission. Safety is our top priority. With the Storm Griffins, if we can’t win a fight, we can always escape."

Ed nodded firmly.

All preparations were complete.

The next morning, a thin mist had yet to disperse.

Raylo and Ed emerged side by side.

Raylo vaulted onto his majestic Storm Griffin King, Baofeng.

Sensing its master’s intent, Baofeng let out a high, piercing cry. It spread its massive wings, kicking up a powerful gust of wind.

Ed smoothly mounted another magnificent Storm Griffin.

"Move out!" Raylo commanded.

The two Griffins beat their wings and soared high, shooting like arrows into the clouds and speeding toward the Stone Forest.

Behind them, Black Stone Castle rapidly shrank until it was nothing more than a blurry black dot.

Soon, they reached the Stone Forest, a place nestled among the mountains.

This was the Storm Griffins’ habitat. Dozens of massive, bizarrely shaped stone pillars shot up from the ground, piercing the heavens. The Griffins built their nests atop these pillars.

Baofeng let out a series of piercing cries that echoed over the Stone Forest.

Soon, a chorus of answering cries rose from all around them.

Twelve Storm Griffins, slightly smaller than Baofeng but just as agile and ferocious, spiraled up from the tops of the pillars to gather behind him.

Raylo glanced back at the fully assembled flock of Griffins and nodded in satisfaction.

"Onward, to the Jade Swamp!"