Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Subduing the Stone Forest Griffin Flock

He stepped out of the castle.

In the courtyard, Storm Griffin King Baofeng was resting beside the Dragon Thorn Fruit Tree. The spot had become his exclusive resting place.

Raylo called out to him.

Baofeng’s eyes snapped open. He stretched his massive wings, which were covered in tawny Iron Feathers, and flew over, stirring up a gust of wind.

Seeing Raylo, he let out a low cry.

Without bringing anyone else, Raylo swung himself onto the Storm Griffin King’s broad back.

”Let’s go!”

The Storm Griffin King gave a powerful flap of his wings, kicking up a cloud of dust. His massive body shot into the sky like an arrow released from a bow, swiftly ascending to just below the clouds.

His streamlined body easily parted the strong air currents. Baofeng became a cyan streak, speeding toward the northeast of the territory.

Raylo didn’t fly directly to the Stone Forest Group.

His first stop was the newly constructed defensive encampment at the border of the Black Stone Territory and the Jade Swamp.

The Jade Swamp had been volatile recently. Ever since dealing with the Demon Serpent’s Fangs invasion, Raylo had ordered the construction of a forward base here to constantly monitor the swamp’s movements, serving as the first line of defense against it.

The Storm Griffin King was incredibly fast. In just half an hour, the edge of a lush, green wetland came into view.

On a patch of relatively dry high ground, a small encampment of mixed wood and stone construction had already begun to take shape.

Defensive structures like watchtowers, cheval-de-frise, and trenches were all in place. Inside and outside the camp, Knights patrolled back and forth in an orderly fashion.

Raylo signaled the Storm Griffin King to descend.

The soldiers in the camp had long since spotted the massive figure in the sky. They were nervous at first, but upon realizing it was the Lord’s mount, they all straightened their backs and looked on with reverence.

The Storm Griffin King landed steadily in the open space at the center of the camp.

”My Lord!”

Alex stepped forward.

His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his gaze steady. He showed no sign of panic at Raylo’s sudden arrival.

As the third Earth Knight in the territory, the heavy responsibility for this defensive base had been entrusted to him by Raylo.

Clearly, Alex, who hailed from the Thunder Dragon Knight Order, had not disappointed him. The layout of the camp and the arrangement of the Knights were all methodical.

Raylo leaped off the Griffin.

Behind him, one hundred Knights quickly assembled. Their ranks were neat, their spirits high, and they were clearly well-trained.

Most of these Knights were veterans from the Black Stone Territory, with the rest being assimilated from the Ironthorn Territory and the Blood Wolf Corps.

Raylo’s gaze swept over the Knights, and he nodded slightly.

”Has there been any unusual activity in the Jade Swamp recently?”

”Reporting to you, my Lord.”

Alex reported.

”As you commanded, we have not ventured deep into the swamp. We have been relying on the dispatched Pegasus Knights to conduct reconnaissance around the perimeter. Currently, there seems to be an unstable fluctuation of Magic Power deep within the swamp, waxing and waning, but the specifics are unknown. Our Pegasus Knights tried to get closer, but they were blocked by Flying Magical Beasts from within the swamp and couldn’t approach.”

”Oh? Unstable fluctuations of Magic Power?”

Raylo’s brow furrowed slightly.

”Yes, my Lord. The ten Pegasus Knights take turns on reconnaissance and report daily. They are experienced and judge that the fluctuation doesn’t seem to be natural. It’s more like some powerful entity is present, or perhaps performing some kind of ritual.”

Alex explained in detail.

Raylo had specifically transferred the ten most experienced Pegasus Knights from the territory to this camp precisely for their reconnaissance and mobility skills.

As it turned out, the decision was correct.

”Very good.”

Raylo said.

”Have the Knights remain vigilant, but don’t risk venturing deeper. The camp’s fortifications must be reinforced further, especially against the characteristics of swamp creatures, such as poison gas and stealth. You must be prepared for everything.”

”I understand!”

Raylo nodded.

After a tour of inspection, Raylo expressed his approval of Alex’s work.

”You’ve done well, Alex. The direction of the Jade Swamp is the territory’s main defensive priority for the near future. Your responsibility is great, so you must not let your guard down.”

Alex’s expression turned solemn as he declared loudly.

”Please rest assured, my Lord!”

”I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving. If there are any emergencies at the camp, report to me immediately via the Pegasus Knights.”

”Farewell, my Lord!”

Alex led the Knights in a salute.

Raylo leaped onto the Storm Griffin King’s back once more, and Moonlight deftly hopped back onto his shoulder.

The Storm Griffin King let out a clear, resounding cry, spread his wings, and soared into the air again, transforming into a cyan stream of light as he streaked toward the northwestern sky.

The defensive encampment below rapidly shrank, soon blending into the vast sea of trees.

There was still a considerable distance from the border of the Jade Swamp to the Stone Forest Group in the north.

The Storm Griffin King flew steadily at a high altitude, the strong air currents whistling past Raylo’s ears.

Raylo looked down at the mountains and rivers flashing by below. In the distance, he saw a herd of unknown Magical Beasts pouring out from the direction of the Jade Swamp, migrating deep into the Black Stone Mountain Range.

The Storm Griffin King spread his wings and skimmed low over the vast sea of trees.

The pressure from a Tier Four Magical Beast was like an invisible boulder dropped into a calm lake, throwing the herds of Magical Beasts below into a commotion. They scattered and fled in a panic, losing all sense of direction.

Many weaker Magical Beasts simply collapsed to the ground, trembling uncontrollably as they awaited Judgment’s call.

However, Baofeng’s target wasn’t these skittish creatures. He was simply enjoying the feeling of lording over all creation, occasionally letting out a deep cry to announce his presence.

’The Magical Beast density in this area seems a bit higher than the last time I was here.’

Raylo’s gaze swept over the fleeing herds below, his brow twitching almost imperceptibly.

Raylo observed that several of the species, previously unique to the Jade Swamp, were now appearing in the Black Stone Mountain Range. They must have recently migrated.

Suddenly, a swift black shadow appeared in the distance.

From the shaded side of a steep mountain peak, a massive Two-legged Flying Dragon lunged out of the shadows without warning.

Its wings, covered in jagged Bone Spikes, flapped, stirring up a foul, acrid wind.

Its target was clear. Its talons, like iron hooks, shot with precision toward a panicked Magical Beast on the ground.

It was a Silver Moon Deer, pure white except for a pale, silver horn in the center of its forehead, shaped like an inlaid crescent moon and emitting a soft, faint glow.

The Silver Moon Deer was known for its speed, but it was powerless against the Two-legged Flying Dragon’s surprise attack. It only had time to let out a mournful shriek before being seized by the powerful talons and lifted into the air.

Having succeeded in one strike, the Two-legged Flying Dragon didn’t linger. It powerfully flapped its wings, its massive body climbing higher as it let out a piercing roar, as if making a show of force in Raylo’s direction.

Then, it changed direction, clutching the struggling Silver Moon Deer, and quickly vanished over the distant horizon.

”A Two-legged Flying Dragon!”

Raylo narrowed his eyes. This wasn’t the first time he had encountered this Two-legged Flying Dragon.

This type of Magical Beast wasn’t common on the outskirts of the Black Stone Mountain Range. They usually occupied deeper, more treacherous regions.

For some unknown reason, this particular Two-legged Flying Dragon had been lingering on the outskirts of the Black Stone Mountain Range.

After flying for about another hour, the Wind Element in the air began to grow more active. On the distant horizon, a peculiar sight gradually came into focus.

It was a vast Stone Forest, with countless giant stone pillars rising from the ground in a scattered yet orderly pattern. The tallest were forty to fifty meters high, while the shortest were at least ten.

The pillars had various shapes. Some were like sharp swords piercing the sky, some like snarling beasts, and others stood silently like old men.

Gale-force winds weaved between the pillars, creating a mournful, whistling sound.

Atop these pillars, tawny figures could be faintly seen—the Storm Griffins that had just migrated here.

”We’re here.”

Raylo said softly.

Baofeng let out a low cry, seeming somewhat impatient.

However, he followed Raylo’s instructions and didn’t barge in directly, instead landing slowly on a mountain peak at the edge of the Stone Forest.

The aura of the Tier Four Magical Beast was quietly retracted.

Raylo leaped down from Baofeng’s Back.

Moonlight also jumped lightly onto his shoulder, warily eyeing the distant Stone Forest.

’Quite a few of them.’

Raylo gazed into the distance, where he could faintly see the figures of Storm Griffins occasionally rising and falling within the Stone Forest.

’Thirteen Storm Griffins.’

Raylo quickly calculated in his head.

Storm Griffins are pack-based Magical Beasts with extremely strong coordinated combat abilities.

Although Baofeng had advanced to Tier Four and his Power was far beyond that of his Tier Three kin, he likely wouldn’t be able to win against thirteen Storm Griffins at once. A direct confrontation could even leave him severely injured.

His original plan was to use Baofeng’s High Tier pressure to drive out these uninvited guests and prevent losses to his territory.

’But now,’ he thought, ’it seems this plan might need some adjustments.’

Although the Pegasus Knights formed in the territory had achieved good results in successive battles, because the Pegasi themselves were only Tier One Magical Beasts with weak combat Power, their role in battle had always been skewed toward ranged support.

If he could find a way to subdue this flock of Storm Griffins, the territory’s aerial forces would be greatly enhanced.

He stood on the cliff, his gaze sweeping across the distant Stone Forest.

Time trickled by. The Sun gradually sank in the west, painting the Stone Forest in a golden afterglow.

After several hours of observation, Raylo had a deeper understanding of this flock of Storm Griffins.

They seemed to have fixed hunting grounds and times, and they didn’t always fly out as a group.

Occasionally, two or three would fly out together, or one would fly alone, leaving the Stone Forest to forage in the distance.

’This is an opportunity.’

’Rather than forcibly expelling them and causing unnecessary casualties and trouble, it would be better to... pick them off one by one.’

”Baofeng, it’s all up to you.”

Raylo patted Baofeng’s neck.

His plan was to have Baofeng take advantage of his Tier Four advantage and bloodline suppression to defeat the Storm Griffins one by one when they flew out alone to hunt.

A Tier Three Magical Beast had almost no power to resist a Tier Four Magical Beast, let alone one of a higher Tier within the same species.

As long as it was handled correctly, he could ”persuade” these Storm Griffins one by one without any bloodshed.

The process might be a bit slow, but its advantage was that it was safe and would preserve the strength of these Storm Griffins to the greatest extent possible.

After all, every single Storm Griffin was a precious aerial asset.

During this period, the parts of the territory near the Stone Forest would inevitably suffer some losses from these Storm Griffins. But as long as the population was moved into Black Stone Town, the other economic costs were bearable.

Baofeng, who had been dozing, opened his eyes when he felt Raylo pat his neck.

It’s unclear if he misunderstood Raylo’s intentions.

Baofeng abruptly raised his head and let out a high-pitched, piercing cry!

The sound, filled with provocation and battle intent, could pierce clouds and shatter stone. It boomed like a clap of thunder, echoing deep into the Stone Forest.

Raylo’s heart skipped a beat. ’What is Baofeng doing?’

’Why is he suddenly so excited?’

Before Raylo could think, Baofeng flapped his wings violently. His massive body kicked up a gale, and like a cyan bolt of lightning shot from a bow, he charged straight toward the Stone Forest!