Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Magical Beast Growth Potion

Afternoon sunlight streamed through the high windows of the Lord’s Hall, casting dappled light upon the beast hide rugs on the floor.

Ed stood to one side, now wearing the Guardian Plate Armor.

Heavy plates of metal covered his body, and the faint shield-shaped rune on the chest plate seemed to complement his composed demeanor.

Although he had yet to see actual combat in it, simply wearing the armor gave off a reassuring sense of sturdiness.

In the Lord’s Hall, Raylo had summoned his core members to discuss the impending invasion by the Blood Wolf Corps.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside the door.

A young figure appeared in the doorway. He wore an ill-fitting gray apprentice’s robe, and a pair of goggles, commonly used by alchemists, was perched on his nose.

It was none other than the newly recruited Alchemist Apprentice, Carl.

Carl was carefully cupping a slender-necked glass bottle wrapped in thick cloth. The bottle contained a viscous liquid that gave off a faint green glow.

He walked quickly to Raylo and bowed slightly, his voice trembling with excitement.

”My Lord! The... the Magical Beast Growth Potion you tasked me with, I... I succeeded!”

Raylo’s gaze was immediately drawn to the potion.

He gestured for Carl to approach.

”Oh? Let me see.”

Carl hurriedly presented the glass bottle.

Raylo took the bottle and pulled out the wooden stopper. A peculiar scent wafted out—a mix of herbs and some kind of mineral aroma. It wasn’t unpleasant; on the contrary, it carried a strange sense of vitality.

The green liquid within the bottle swirled slowly in the light, seeming to hold some sort of ineffable energy.

”Did the process go smoothly?”

Raylo asked casually as he observed the potion’s color and viscosity.

”M-Mostly smoothly.”

Carl pushed up his goggles, a hint of lingering fear on his face, yet mixed with a touch of pride.

”It’s just that the ratio for fusing the Earth Dragon Grass and the Magical Beast Spinal Fluid is extremely precise. The slightest deviation causes a violent energy backlash. Spinal fluid from different levels of Magical Beasts contains varying amounts of energy, so the proportion of Earth Dragon Grass juice needed for harmonization changes. That ratio is quite difficult to master.”

Raylo recapped the bottle, his eyes filled with praise as he looked at Carl.

”Carl, you’ve done an excellent job! Even faster than I anticipated. This potion is of great significance to the territory.”

Receiving such direct praise from his lord, Carl’s cheeks flushed slightly. He was so excited he became flustered, unsure what to do with his hands.

”Th-Thank you, my Lord! It is my honor to be of service to you!”

”The credit belongs to your talent.”

Raylo placed the potion on the table, his tone growing serious.

”You have a great talent for Alchemy, Carl. Black Stone Territory needs people like you. In the future, if you need any materials or run into any difficulties with your research, go directly to Ed. The territory will prioritize your requests.”

”I will spare no expense in training you to become a true Alchemist.”

Carl was stunned. He never expected to receive such a promise.

”My Lord... I...”

He was too choked with emotion to speak and could only bow deeply.

Raylo waved his hand, gesturing that such formality wasn’t necessary.

”Keep up the good work. This Magical Beast Growth Potion is just the beginning. I have other formulas as well. When the time is right, I’ll entrust them to you for research.”

Ed, watching from the side, smiled as well.

’The Lord has a keen eye for talent and knows how to use it. This is crucial for the future of Black Stone Territory. Following this young lord to this frontier was the right choice.’

’Carl’s success means the territory might be able to acquire strong mounts and cultivate more powerful Magical Beasts much faster. It could even accelerate Silver Dragon Moonlight’s growth.’

However, the lighthearted atmosphere didn’t last long.

A road-worn Knight in Leather Armor strode into the hall, stopping a few paces from Raylo.

”My Lord! Urgent report!”

The smile vanished from Raylo’s face instantly.

”Report.”

”A message has arrived from the scouts to the west.”

The Knight spoke quickly, but his report was clear and concise.

”We’ve spotted the Blood Wolf Corps in the valley about ten li from the border! There are a dozen or so of them, well-equipped and moving fast. It looks like they’re scouting upstream along the river!”

”The Blood Wolf Corps!”

’So, they’re finally here.’

Raylo stood up and walked over to a simple map hanging on the wall.

The map was drawn on beast hide and marked with the approximate borders of Black Stone Territory, as well as its rivers, mountains, and a few important strongholds.

His finger tapped the spot on the map representing the valley.

”A dozen or so riders... Is it just a scouting party?”

”The scouts believe it’s more likely an advance reconnaissance force. They’re moving cautiously and continually sending out riders to scout their flanks,” the Knight replied.

Raylo narrowed his eyes.

He turned to face the others in the hall.

”Now that the Pegasus Knight Squad has been established, the Blood Wolf Corps no longer gets to decide whether we attack or defend.”

Raylo began to issue his orders.

”Ed.”

”Sir!” Ed snapped to attention.

”You will lead the Pegasus Knights. Wipe out any small enemy units you encounter. Harass their main force with bows and arrows. From the moment they set foot in Black Stone Territory, I want you to make sure they don’t get a moment’s rest. When the main battle begins, if the Blood Wolf Corps attacks, you will lead the Pegasus Knights to strike their rear!”

”Yes, my Lord!” Ed accepted the order in a firm, resonant voice.

”Bolin, Barrett.”

”Sir!” Bolin and Barrett stepped forward.

”Bolin, you will lead the remaining Knights, their retainers, and the Black Stone Town Self-Defense Team. You are responsible for the defense of Black Stone Town. Barrett, you will lead the Knight Apprentices from the Knight Training Camp. Your apprentices will serve as a mobile reserve force.”

”Take inventory of all weapons and equipment. Ready the warhorses.”

Raylo’s voice was sharp and resolute.

”Gentlemen, after this battle, the Blood Wolf Corps will be no more.”

As the orders were issued, the atmosphere in the hall grew taut with tension.

Bolin and Barrett exchanged a look, the fire of battle igniting in their eyes. They acknowledged their orders in low, determined voices and strode out to organize their men.

Raylo watched them depart, his own sense of urgency growing ever stronger.

”Ed, have the scouts continue to probe westward. We must get a handle on the movements and size of the Blood Wolf Corps’ main force.”

Raylo’s voice was calm and steady.

”Yes, my Lord!”

Ed replied, then turned and strode from the hall, preparing to personally lead the Pegasus Knights into the sky to carry out his mission.

Time slipped by in a blur of tense waiting and frantic preparations.

Knights polished their armor and checked their weapons. Warhorses neighed in the stables. Under Barrett’s command, the Knight Apprentices moved arrows and supplies, their movements tense but orderly.

The Black Stone Town Self-Defense Team was also mobilized. Though their equipment was simple, their morale was high, bolstered by the confidence from their many past victories.

The afternoon sun grew harsh, and a heavy, oppressive stillness—the calm before a storm—filled the air.

The main host of the Blood Wolf Corps finally reached the border of Black Stone Territory.

Leading the way were about eighty cavalrymen. Though their mounts were smaller than the warhorses of Black Stone Territory, each rider was fierce and formidable, equipped with Leather Armor and a Curved Saber, their eyes glinting with malice.

Behind the cavalry marched over a hundred foot soldiers. They carried Long Spears or Axes, and their formation was reasonably orderly. They were clearly the core strength of the Blood Wolf Corps.

Bringing up the rear were more than two hundred ragged bandits with a motley collection of weapons. They looked more like a conscripted rabble, their eyes a mixture of greed and fear. It was this group, however, that gave the Blood Wolf Corps its numerical superiority, and they were the cannon fodder most often used during raids.