Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence-Chapter 100 - 99: Storm Griffin Squadron Combat

Raylo looked at its display and shook his head helplessly.

He had been wracking his brain over how to subdue this flock of Griffins. As it turned out, Baofeng had just solved the problem using the most primitive and effective method.

Sometimes, he had to admit that these highly intelligent Magical Beasts were, in some ways, more direct than humans and had a better understanding of the rules governing their own kind.

’Now you’re the new leader of this Stone Forest.’

Raylo gazed at the Storm Griffins lying quietly in the distance, his heart swelling with emotion.

’Thirteen new Tier Three subordinates in one go. Baofeng, you’ve really given me a great gift.’

This meant Black Stone Territory’s air power would be tremendously enhanced.

An aerial squadron of fourteen Storm Griffins, including one Tier Four Griffin King, was a force that would make any power with ill intentions toward Black Stone Territory think twice.

Baofeng tossed its head proudly.

Raylo, covered in dust from his journey, returned to Black Stone Castle.

As soon as he stepped into the castle’s great hall, a Knight approached him, clearly having been waiting for some time.

"My Lord, you’re finally back!"

Raylo raised an eyebrow.

"What’s happened? Why the panic?"

"There are over a dozen Knights outside the castle. They look like routed soldiers—their equipment is damaged, every man is wounded, and they’re in a sorry state. They claim to serve under Giant Stone Barton and are requesting to enter the castle to rest and recover."

The Knight reported, his words coming out in a rush.

’Giant Stone Barton?’

A thought struck Raylo.

"Take me to them," Raylo said, his voice grave.

Outside the castle, gathered around a makeshift campfire, a dozen or so Knights were either sitting or lying down. They were all dejected, their armor covered in scratches and dents, some of it still stained with drying blood.

A strange mixture of medicinal herbs and the coppery tang of blood filled the air.

Seeing Raylo approach, flanked by his guards, the Knights all struggled to their feet to salute.

"At ease. You’ve all been through a great deal."

Raylo waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over their exhausted faces.

"I am the Lord of this territory. What happened? Where is the Count?"

A Knight who appeared to be a squad leader, an unhealed gash on his face, spoke with a bitter tone.

"My Lord, we... we were defeated."

"Defeated?"

Raylo’s heart sank. ’Although Giant Stone Barton can be reckless, he is quite powerful himself. And with an Allied Army formed from so many lords of the Northern Territory, plus a Domain Knight like Rift Rock Kane... they shouldn’t have been defeated so quickly, so utterly.’

"Yes, my Lord."

The Knight’s voice held a tremor.

"We had been on the outskirts of the Jade Swamp for less than a day when we were ambushed by the main Lizardman Battle Group. Those damn green-scaled monsters... it was like they just rose up out of the mud. Their numbers were far beyond anything we imagined!"

Another, younger Knight couldn’t help but cut in, his voice laced with a fear he couldn’t shake.

"It was terrifying! Their coordination was flawless, and those Swamp Giant Crocodiles... they’re a Knight’s nightmare! Our warhorses were useless in the swampy terrain; they just became a liability."

"And Rift Rock Kane?" Raylo pressed.

At the mention of Rift Rock Kane, the squad leader’s expression darkened.

"Lord Kane... his fate is unknown..."

’His fate is unknown.’

Raylo fell silent.

’It seems the Poison Fang Lizardman Battle Group in the Jade Swamp is incredibly strong.’

"What about Lord Barton?"

"Lord Earl... a few of his Personal Guard fought to the death to protect him as he broke out toward the southeast with the remaining troops. He ordered scattered units like ours to find their own way to safety."

The squad leader lowered his head.

"We fled in chaos, desperate to escape that damn swamp. By sheer luck, we made it to Black Stone Territory."

Raylo looked at these soul-crushed Knights. Their fighting spirit was almost completely gone, replaced by the dazed relief of having survived.

He could imagine how brutal the battle must have been.

"First, see that they get some rest. Provide them with clean clothes, food, and hot water. Have a physician tend to the wounded properly."

Raylo ordered the Knight beside him.

"Yes, my Lord!"

"Thank you, my Lord! Thank you!"

The routed soldiers were moved to tears of gratitude.

After their desperate flight, finding a safe haven like this was nothing short of heaven to them.

Raylo nodded. He watched them being led away, but a deep sense of unease settled over him.

The Jade Swamp had become a massive threat.

Giant Stone Barton’s crushing defeat was bound to send shockwaves through the neighboring territories.

He turned and headed back to the castle, his mind already calculating how to deal with the threat from the Jade Swamp.

First, he had to strengthen the territory’s defenses, especially along the border with the swamp.

He summoned Ed and Barrett, and they conferred late into the night, laying out various deployments and contingency plans.

「The next morning.」

As dawn was breaking, an announcement came from outside the castle. A messenger from Red Leaf City sought an audience.

’Red Leaf City?’

’A message from Gao Wen.’

The messenger was a follower dressed in the distinctive deep red, gold-trimmed livery of Red Leaf City, his expression solemn.

Upon seeing Raylo, he dropped to one knee.

"Greetings, Lord Baron. I come at the command of the new Count, Lord Gao Wen, to deliver a message."

"New Count?"

Raylo seized on the title immediately.

The messenger lowered his head, his voice heavy with sorrow.

"The Old Earl, Lord Count Sikes, passed away suddenly three days ago. His eldest son, Gao Wen, has formally inherited the title of Count."

Raylo nodded.

’With the Old Earl dead and Gao Wen taking his place so hastily, Red Leaf City is probably in for a period of internal turmoil.’

The messenger retrieved a letter sealed with wax from within his tunic and presented it with both hands.

"Count Gao Wen cordially invites you, my Lord, to Red Leaf City in seven days’ time to attend his succession banquet and discuss matters concerning the Northern Territory."

He paused before adding,

"Lord Earl also instructed me to convey his most sincere gratitude. He thanks you for your decisive aid in his most desperate hour. Lord Gao Wen says your noble actions saved him and his kinsmen, and demonstrated the meaning of true friendship."

Raylo accepted the letter, understanding completely.

"Please tell Count Gao Wen that I am deeply saddened to hear of his father’s passing."

Raylo said.

"I will be there for the banquet in seven days."

"Lord Earl will be most pleased."

The messenger bowed respectfully and took his leave.

Over the next few days, the atmosphere in Black Stone Territory grew increasingly tense.

More routed soldiers straggled in from the direction of the Jade Swamp. They were gaunt and hollow-eyed, bringing with them more fragmented, terrifying accounts of the swamp’s depths.

The temporary relocation area in Black Stone Town was soon overflowing.

To make matters worse, Alex sent a man with an urgent military dispatch.

The messenger arrived, covered in dust from the road. It was his third trip to Black Stone Castle.

"My Lord, Captain Alex sends word. The things in the swamp... they’re getting restless."

The messenger’s voice was hoarse.

"Over the past few days, they’ve been driving the Swamp Magical Beasts to attack our defensive positions at the swamp’s edge. They’ve already launched three assaults."

"What are the casualties?" Raylo asked.

"The first two days were just small-scale probes, and we beat them back. But this morning’s assault... it was several times larger. Our men suffered heavy casualties."

The messenger’s head hung even lower.

"Commander Alex says the main problem is the Swamp Magical Beasts they’re driving before them. They’re incredibly tough, and it’s difficult for an ordinary Knight to inflict a fatal blow. They’re putting immense pressure on our defensive line."

Raylo’s brow furrowed.

The crushing defeat of the Giant Stone Barton Alliance Army had clearly emboldened the Lizardfolk in the Jade Swamp.

He knew full well that Black Stone Territory’s current military strength was insufficient to sustain a prolonged war of attrition.

"I understand. Go and get some rest."

Raylo stood up, his gaze fixed on the window, staring off in the direction of the Jade Swamp.

Half an hour later, Raylo, armed with Moonlight, mounted the Storm Griffin King and soared into the sky.

Raylo was dressed for battle, straddling the broad back of Baofeng, the Storm Griffin King.

Upon reaching the Stone Forest Group, Baofeng circled twice, letting out several piercing shrieks.

From the Stone Forest Nest, thirteen Storm Griffins burst into the sky, answering their king’s call.

Since Baofeng had subdued the flock of Storm Griffins, Raylo had brought him to the Stone Forest multiple times to feed them and conduct simple training exercises.

These Tier Three Magical Beasts possessed considerable intelligence and had quickly learned to follow Baofeng’s simple commands.

Baofeng let out a high-pitched cry, gave a powerful beat of its wings that stirred up a fierce gust of wind, and shot into the sky.

The other thirteen Storm Griffins followed close behind, forming a loose line as they flew at high speed toward the Jade Swamp.

High in the sky, the wind was biting cold.

Raylo looked down at the scenery rushing past below. The farmlands and villages of Black Stone Territory gradually receded into the distance.

Soon, a vast, dark-green expanse appeared ahead—the Jade Swamp.

The closer they got to the swamp, the richer the damp, rotting stench in the air became.

Soon, they reached the area near the border defenses Alex had spoken of.

The ground was scorched, littered with broken arrows and dark brown pools of dried blood.

Looking down from above, the sound of the Storm Griffins’ beating wings shattered the swamp’s momentary peace. Several huge, dark shapes were rising from the murky water.

The first to come into view were Magical Beasts resembling giant lizards. They were over five meters long and covered in thick, dark-green Scale Armor that looked like rotting bark. A nauseating stench wafted from them as they moved.

Their limbs were thick and powerful, their claws sharp, and their long tails swished behind them, churning up the mud.

These were the Rot-skinned Giant Lizards, known for their astonishing defensive capabilities and Life Force.

Following them were several Swamp Giant Crocodiles. They were far larger than ordinary crocodiles, and their backs, covered in Bone Spikes, resembled small, moving hills. They were almost impossible to spot when submerged, but once they attacked, their massive jaws could swallow a Knight, horse and all.

Farther in the distance, a group of bizarre, giant frog-like Magical Beasts was assembling.

Their skin was an ominous grayish-black and their backs were covered with sharp Bone Spikes. The dull CROAK CROAK from their bulging throats, when combined, created an imposing clamor.

These were the Scabbed Swamp Frogs. Not only could they leap and crush enemies with their sheer weight, but they could also spray corrosive Venom from their gular sacs.

These Swamp Magical Beasts had clearly received some kind of command and were now massing for another assault on Black Stone Territory’s defensive line.

Among them, the figures of Snake-men wielding bone Weapons could be glimpsed. They were the minions of the Nine-headed Demon Serpent.

"Baofeng! Take the Storm Griffins! Target the Swamp Magical Beasts!"

Raylo commanded.

SKREEE!

Baofeng shrieked in excitement, spread its wings, and dove like a bolt of Lightning.

It didn’t charge the Giant Lizard’s tough back directly. Instead, it cleverly used its speed and talons to strike at the beast’s relatively vulnerable neck and underbelly.

One Rot-skinned Giant Lizard failed to dodge in time. Baofeng’s talons tore a gash in its neck so deep that bone was visible. Dark-green blood sprayed out as the beast let out a pained roar.

The other Storm Griffins scattered, each picking its own target.

They circled high above, using their altitude to evade the Venom spat by the Scabbed Swamp Frogs, then seized their chances to dive, tearing at the Swamp Magical Beasts with their talons and sharp beaks.

Raylo urged Baofeng forward. It beat its wings, creating a gale that dispersed the toxic mist, then descended sharply, grabbing a Rot-skinned Giant Lizard by its neck and back.

It soared a hundred meters into the air, then let go.

Like a precision bombardier, Baofeng dropped the Rot-skinned Giant Lizard directly onto a Swamp Giant Crocodile. Instantly, the two massive Magical Beasts were smashed into a pile of gore.