Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 116: Chapter 111: Raylo’s Gift

Raylo looked up at the sky and let out a clear, sharp whistle.

A dozen or so seconds later, a fierce wind howled as it arrived.

It was the Storm Griffin King—Baofeng.

His massive body cast a huge shadow in the morning light, his yellowish-brown Iron Feathers glinting with a metallic sheen.

Behind Baofeng followed a slightly smaller, yet even more magnificent Griffin.

This Griffin’s plumage was primarily yellowish-brown, but its neck, the edges of its wings, and its tail were adorned with clusters of brilliant golden feathers that shimmered in the sunlight, making it look exceptionally unique.

It was the Golden Feathered Griffin, the former leader of the Storm Griffin Group that Baofeng had defeated.

”Whoa!”

Lillian tilted her little face up, her eyes turning into sparkling stars as she watched the behemoths descend from the sky.

The Griffin with the intermingled golden feathers, in particular, completely captured her gaze.

Compared to Baofeng, the Golden Feathered Griffin was even more eye-catching.

Baofeng landed steadily beside Raylo and affectionately nuzzled his shoulder with its giant head. Then, it let out a low growl, as if greeting Lillian.

Raylo pointed at the unique Golden Feathered Griffin and introduced it to Lillian.

”This Golden Feathered Griffin was the former leader of the Storm Griffin Group before Baofeng took over. It’s a rare, mutated species with extraordinary talent.”

Under Baofeng’s low growl and intangible pressure, the Golden Feathered Griffin, despite a hint of wildness and reluctance in its eyes, obediently walked over to Lillian and lowered its proud head.

”Lillian, this is my second gift to you.”

Seeing his sister’s mixed expression of surprise and delight, Raylo continued.

”This Golden Feathered Griffin has immense potential. It will be a great helper for you in the future. With Baofeng here, you can try to form a contract with it.”

Lillian’s face flushed with excitement. She cautiously reached out and gently placed her hand on the Golden Feathered Griffin’s forehead.

She sent out her Spiritual Power. With Baofeng’s subtle prompting, the Golden Feathered Griffin struggled symbolically for a moment before smoothly completing the contract with Lillian.

A wondrous connection formed between the girl and the beast.

”This is amazing! I have my own Griffin now!”

Lillian jumped for joy, hugging the Golden Feathered Griffin’s neck and affectionately nuzzling its golden feathers.

The Golden Feathered Griffin seemed to sense its new master’s goodwill. It let out a slightly immature cry and nudged her gently with its head.

Lady Irina, Knight Commander Kaine, and the others watched this scene with a mixture of surprise and envy in their eyes.

Mutated Magical Beasts were already rare, let alone a mutated Storm Griffin. Its value was immeasurable.

This was a clear testament to the deep bond between the siblings.

Watching Lillian and the Golden Feathered Griffin quickly grow close, Raylo’s smile faded and his expression turned serious.

”Lillian.”

”Hm? Brother?”

Sensing the change in Raylo’s tone, Lillian looked up in confusion.

”Let me ask you, what is the real reason I gave you a Storm Griffin?”

Raylo asked in a deep voice.

Lillian tilted her head and began to think seriously.

”Is... is it because it’s so majestic and a great fighter? Baofeng even defeated a Thunder Dragon.”

Raylo shook his head.

”Is it because it can fly high and see very far?”

Raylo continued to shake his head.

”Then is it because it flies fast, so I can come visit you in Black Stone Territory often?”

Lillian stuck out her tongue and guessed in a small voice.

Raylo shook his head at each guess, his expression remaining serious.

”None of those.”

He looked at Lillian and said, word by word.

”Remember, a Griffin’s greatest advantage is its speed. If you ever face mortal danger, the first thing you do is get on its back and flee! Understand?”

Lillian was stunned. She hadn’t expected that her brother’s primary consideration in giving her such a precious gift was her safety and a means of escape.

A warm feeling washed over her heart, and her eyes grew hot.

She nodded forcefully.

”I understand, Brother!”

Only then did Raylo reveal a smile. He took an exquisite Crystal Box from his Space Ring and handed it to Lillian.

”This is the final gift.”

Lillian curiously opened the Crystal Box. Inside lay a fist-sized, crimson fruit covered in strange thorny patterns. It emitted a faint, peculiar fragrance and a surge of powerful energy.

”Is this... a Dragon Thorn Fruit?”

The well-read Lady Irina stared at the fruit in astonishment.

’This thing can’t be bought with money.’

Raylo nodded and explained to Lillian.

”This Golden Feathered Griffin is a powerful mutated species with potential far exceeding that of an ordinary Griffin. Baofeng relied on a Dragon Thorn Fruit to successfully break through and advance to become the Storm Griffin King. Take this Dragon Thorn Fruit and keep it safe. In the future, when your Golden Feathered Griffin shows signs of advancing, you can have it consume the fruit. It might help it complete its life’s transformation and, like Baofeng, advance to King Level.”

Lillian held the Crystal Box, her small hands trembling slightly.

She knew the value of this fruit—it was practically equivalent to a future King Level combatant!

”Brother...”

Lillian’s eyes welled with tears. A thousand words were caught in her throat, but in the end, they all melted into a choked, ”Thank you.”

”Alright, you silly girl.”

Raylo smiled and patted her head.

”You should get going now. Don’t delay your journey.”

”Lady Irina, Knight Commander Kaine, the Black Stone Mountain Range has many dangers. I’m entrusting Lillian to you.”

”Rest assured, Lord Baron. We will not fail your trust.”

Lady Irina and Knight Commander Kaine bowed solemnly.

Surrounded by the crowd, Lillian was about to board the carriage.

Suddenly, a Knight from Raylo’s ranks stepped forward.

”My Lord, I have something to report.”

Lillian stopped and looked over curiously.

”Speak.”

Raylo’s expression soured, clearly displeased by the Knight’s ill-timed request.

”My Lord, I was formerly a member of the Blood Wolf Corps. Thanks to your rescue, I am now able to serve you. I have just discovered a leader from the ’Stone Crow Robbery Gang’ in Her Highness’s party. I spoke out of turn because I was concerned for Her Highness’s safety.”

”Oh? Who is this person? Point him out to me,” Raylo said.

The Knight pointed into Lillian’s party, singling out a man in his thirties who was rather handsome and wore Leather Armor.

”Your Highness, I’ve been wrongly accused!”

The man was clearly flustered at being pointed out, but he quickly composed himself, dropped to his knees, and shouted that he was being framed.

Beside him, a young woman also stepped forward.

”Lord Baron, this is my beloved. He has absolutely no connection to any robbers.”

”A while ago, all the territories in the Northern Territory received a bounty notice from Baron Sunset,” Raylo said, watching the scene unfold. ”Could it be that you are Baron Sunset’s youngest daughter?”

The young woman’s gaze was evasive, but she eventually had to admit, ”Yes, Lord Baron. I did indeed run away from home without my father’s knowledge.”

Raylo sighed and said to Lillian, ”Lillian, leave these two to me. You’ve just arrived in your new territory, and you have to start everything from scratch. I’ll handle this small matter for you.”

Lillian nodded. ”Brother, how are you going to handle it?”

Raylo smiled. ”Naturally, I’ll verify the man’s identity. If he really is a leader of the ’Stone Crow Robbery Gang,’ then the laws of the Duchy will deal with him. As for Baron Sunset’s daughter, I’ll send a letter to Baron Sunset and have him bring his daughter back.”

Lillian said, ”And what if he isn’t?”

Raylo took Lillian’s hand and helped her into the carriage.

”If he isn’t, then I’ll let them choose for themselves. Whether they go home or continue to wander, it will be their own choice.”

Lillian agreed, climbing into the carriage while looking back every few steps.

The Golden Feathered Griffin beat its wings and soared high, circling above the convoy.

Lillian’s Knights took the reins of the ten Pegasi, leading them along behind the party.

The convoy slowly started to move, gradually receding into the distance.

Raylo stood at the castle gate, watching until the convoy disappeared at the end of the road before turning back into the castle.

At some point, Moonlight had appeared on his shoulder. It gently brushed Raylo’s cheek with the tip of its fluffy tail, its pale golden eyes staring at him.

”You think I’m being too long-winded, too?”

Raylo chuckled and scratched it under the chin.

Once Lillian’s convoy was far away, Raylo turned around, his gaze falling upon the man and woman still kneeling on the ground.

The Knight who made the accusation stood by with his hands lowered respectfully. The whole farce, naturally, had been arranged by Raylo.

”My Lord, I’ve been framed! I...”

The handsome man tried to argue.

Raylo waved a dismissive hand, too lazy to hear another word.

”Take him down, lock him in the dungeon, and interrogate him harshly.”

Two guards immediately stepped forward and roughly hauled the man to his feet.

The man’s shouts and struggles were soon swallowed by the castle’s thick stone walls.

The young woman’s face was pale, and her lips trembled, but she didn’t dare utter another word to plead for him.

”As for you, the young lady from Baron Sunset’s household.”

Raylo’s gaze turned to her, his tone softening slightly.

”I will arrange for someone to take you to Black Stone Town to stay for the time being. At the same time, I will have someone deliver a letter to your father as soon as possible. I trust he will send people to pick you up shortly.”

The woman opened her mouth, but ultimately lowered her head in dejection.

”...Yes, Lord Baron.”

She knew that resistance was futile.

”Rest assured, your lover won’t be wrongly accused. My prison has no room for the innocent.”

Raylo didn’t look at her again and walked straight into the castle.

This small interlude wasn’t worth any more of his attention.

「Inside the castle’s council hall」

Raylo summoned Ed.

”Ed, I will be leaving for a while to attend Count Gao Wen’s succession ceremony in Red Leaf Territory,” Raylo said.

”During my absence, you will have full responsibility for the defense of Black Stone Territory.”

Ed bowed.

”Please rest assured, My Lord. I will not fail in my duty.”

Raylo emphasized, ”Pay special attention to any movements in the Jade Swamp.”

”Raise the defense level there by another notch. Any sign of trouble, no matter how small, must be investigated immediately. There can be no mistakes.”

”If a large war party of Demon Serpents appears in the Jade Swamp, do not engage them head-on. Immediately retreat to Black Stone Castle and defend it.”

”The safety of our people is the top priority. If the worst comes to worst, evacuate them to another safe territory immediately.”

”As you command, My Lord!”

Ed’s heart tensed.

After settling the territory’s affairs, Raylo didn’t linger.

On the open ground outside the castle, ten Pegasus Knights were already assembled and ready to depart.

The Storm Griffin King, Baofeng, spread his massive wings, covered in yellowish-brown Iron Feathers, and raised his head to let out a cry that could pierce clouds and shatter stone.

Raylo swung himself onto Baofeng’s broad back with a fluid and elegant motion.

”Ready?” Raylo patted Baofeng’s neck.

Baofeng let out another high-pitched cry in response.

”Let’s go!”

At Raylo’s command, Baofeng gave a powerful flap of his wings, kicking up a fierce gale. His massive body shot up from the ground and soared into the sky like a bolt of lightning.

The ten Pegasus Knights followed close behind, forming a standard flight formation and guarding Raylo’s flanks.

Baofeng was much faster than the Pegasi, but this trip was different from his past solo adventures. As a Lord visiting Red Leaf City, arriving alone would be unfitting of his status.

The group transformed into a streak of light in the sky, speeding eastward.

The ground below shrank rapidly, and the outline of Black Stone Territory gradually blurred.

The wind howled in his ears as the earth sped backward beneath him.

Baofeng’s flight was exceptionally smooth. Even while hurtling through the sky, Raylo could still clearly look down on the continuous mountain ranges and winding rivers below.