Gripping the half-dead Karachi like an eagle clutching a chick, Baofeng effortlessly changed direction and flew toward the Allied Army’s main camp.
The high-altitude winds rattled Karachi’s armor, but the clanging sound held none of its forr majesty—only misery.
In the distant sky, a bloody, baleful aura and blinding blades of light were still clashing fiercely.
That was Vice Commander Luke locked in a deadly battle with Radiant Blade Kade.
Their battle had long since reached a fever pitch, each clash accompanied by deafening roars and surges of raw energy.
Their Domains clashed with unparalleled power, making it impossible for ordinary Knights to even approach.
Just then, Luke caught a glimpse of Raylo returning from a distance, along with the familiar figure clutched in his mount’s talons.
"Hahaha..."
A peal of thunderous laughter bood out, overpowering the wind and thunder, and striking terror deep into the hearts of the routed soldiers below.
The laughter was filled with unrestrained glee—the cathartic release of a seasoned veteran who saw that the battle was won.
"Kade! Your precious disciple, His Highness the Crown Prince of the Fiery Sun Kingdom, has been captured alive by our forces! Your defeat in this battle is now certain!"
Luke’s voice bood like a thunderclap, ringing in everyone’s ears.
Kade, who was locked in combat with him, suddenly faltered. He craned his neck, his eyes wide with disbelief. When he clearly saw the wretched figure clutched in the Storm Griffin King’s talons, his face instantly turned a deep, apoplectic red.
"Prince Karachi!"
He let out a roar of shock and fury.
After the initial fury, a bone-deep chill washed over him, as if he had been plunged into an icy abyss.
The Crown Prince captured, the Commander-in-Chief slain, the army routed... The situation on the Wind Cry Plain was now beyond saving.
He knew the battle was lost.
Radiant Blade Kade glared at Raylo, his eyes filled with such venom and resentnt it was as if he wanted to carve the young man’s face into his very bones.
But he was a battle-hardened warrior, and he did not let his rage cloud his judgnt.
He wrenched his reins hard. His mount, the Crimson Griffin King, let out a resentful roar as it forced Luke’s Thunder Eagle back.
Then, without a backward glance, he beca a streak of light and fled frantically in the direction of the Fiery Sun Kingdom.
"Sir, should we give chase?"
One of Luke’s Iron Feathered Eagle Knights had caught up to ask.
"Don’t pursue a cornered foe."
Luke waved his hand dismissively, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield below, which had devolved into utter chaos.
"There’s no need to waste our strength on a beaten dog. Our priority is to clean up the battlefield and press our advantage."
He guided his Thunder Eagle over to Raylo’s side. At the sight of the pale-faced Karachi in the talons below, even a man of his composure couldn’t help but burst into laughter once more.
"Well done, lad! A brilliant move! For capturing the Kingdom’s Crown Prince, you’ve earned the highest honor in this battle!"
Raylo gave a slight nod.
Behind him, the Storm Griffin Knights all puffed out their chests, swelling with shared pride.
The two flew side-by-side toward the main camp.
From their vantage point, the entire Wind Cry Plain had transford into one great hunting ground.
The soldiers of the Fiery Sun Kingdom had thrown down their helts and armor, scattering across the plains like a herd of startled gazelles.
Behind them, the soldiers of the Allied Army were like excited hunting dogs. They gave chase in small groups, their faces flushed, shouting as they tied up one captive after another.
Every prisoner they caught represented tangible military honors.
These living trophies were far more valuable than a collection of bloody heads.
In this great chase, Raylo’s Pegasus Knights were undoubtedly the most efficient hunters.
Leveraging their aerial superiority, they repeatedly swooped low, landing with precision before small clusters of routed soldiers. With their gleaming lances and swift maneuvers, they easily shattered any lingering will to resist.
As he watched the frenzied scene below, Raylo’s gaze swept over the Fiery Sun Kingdom Knights. They too were fleeing, but in a much more orderly fashion, the glow of their Fighting Spirit not yet faded.
He issued a command to the Storm Griffin Knights following behind him, his voice clear and cold. "You go down and take prisoners as well. Your targets are the Earth Knights. Capture them alive."
"Yes, my Lord!"
The Storm Griffin Knights answered in unison, then turned their mounts to join the hunt below.
They imdiately fanned out, like a flock of true raptors, diving from the sky to strike with precision at the enemy Knights who were still putting up a futile resistance.
Faced with Tier Three Magical Beasts descending from the sky, the already demoralized Knights could hardly mount any effective resistance before they were easily disard and captured.
’Black Stone Territory is in ruins and awaiting reconstruction; everything needs to be built from the ground up.’
’If I want it to develop quickly, relying on cultivating my own talent is far too slow.’
’These captured Knights, after a bit of "cultivation," will beco the highest-quality source of soldiers for the territory’s expansion.’
’War isn’t just about destruction; it’s also about plunder and growth.’
The one-sided pursuit continued until nightfall.
Only when the last sliver of sunset vanished from the horizon did the Allied Army’s horns finally sound, calling the blood-crazed soldiers back to camp.
The entire camp was brightly lit and abuzz with activity, transford into a sea of celebration.
Bonfires crackled, roasting whole sheep on spits. Grease dripped into the fire, sending up an irresistible aroma.
Soldiers sat in circles, drinking deeply and tearing off huge chunks of at. They boasted animatedly about their deeds from the day—who had captured an officer, who had seized a superior weapon—eliciting waves of envious cheers.
The minor Lords who had recently joined the Allied Army were grinning from ear to ear.
Looking at the long strings of captives and the mountains of loot their troops had brought back, they felt they had never fought such a profitable war in all their lives.
The spoils they had reaped from this one battle would be more than enough to keep them busy for a long while.
In Raylo’s camp, a dozen of his Personal Guard kept a close watch on the Fiery Sun Kingdom’s Crown Prince, Karachi.
This once-unbeatable prince now sat despondently on a blanket, reduced to a rare curiosity for everyone to gawk at.
Raylo did not join the revelry outside.
According to the rules of the Allied Army, any spoils claid by a unit on the battlefield—such as prisoners and equipnt stripped from the enemy—belonged to that unit’s Lord.
This was the greatest motivation for all the Lords to fight with everything they had.
However, collective spoils, such as the enemy’s main supply depot and baggage train, were to be distributed by the Commander-in-Chief, Luke, based on each Lord’s contribution to the battle.
Without a doubt, by virtue of his monuntal achievent in capturing the Crown Prince, Raylo was set to be the biggest winner in the coming distribution.
「The night passed uneventfully.」
On the morning of the third day, as sunlight pierced the morning mist to illuminate the post-revelry camp, a Knight clad in the standard armor of the Thunder Dragon Knight Order arrived before Raylo’s tent.
"Lord Raylo, by order of Commander Luke, you are invited to the central command tent to discuss the distribution of the spoils of war."
User Comments
0 comments from readers