The next morning.
BOOM! BOOM!
A dull, thunderous roar pierced through the castle’s thick stone walls, waking Raylo from a deep sleep.
It was the Hill Giants doing their morning exercises, practicing their long-range throwing with millstone-sized boulders, aiming for a barren mountain several miles away.
Raylo got up as the faint light of dawn stread in.
Outside the castle, on the training grounds, the Knights had already begun their drills. Shouts and the clash of weapons rose and fell in waves.
[Daily Intelligence Update]
[1: The Lion Duke of the Lion Duchy, under the pretext of a "hunting exercise," has assembled his most elite Lion Knight Order and several legions, a total of 60,000 troops, and has reached the border of the Thunder Dragon Duchy.]
[2: Several Red-robed Bishops and White-robed Bishops of the Light Holy See have publicly stated, "Aberrations like Giant Dragons should not be allowed to walk in the Light."]
[3: Several Wandering Knights from nearby territories have heard of Black Stone Territory’s military achievents and are on their way to pledge their allegiance.]
[4: In the Giant Dragon Realm, south of the Canglan River, there is a giant valley known as the "Land of the Fallen Giants." Buried beneath a Giant Wood Forest in the center of the valley lies a fragnt of the "Titan’s Heart." Consuming and fusing with this fragnt can help a Giant awaken their ancestral bloodline. This is a sacred site for the Hill Giant Race; approaching rashly will result in an attack.]
[5: The Thunder Dragon Duke is furious about the Lion Duchy’s so-called exercise on the border. He has condemned their actions as a "shaless provocation" and dispatched Gaius to lead the Thunder Dragon Knight Order to the border. With both sides amassing troops, the atmosphere is tense.]
[6: Saintess Karola of the Light Holy See has left the Holy See and begun a tour of the major kingdoms to spread her doctrine and gather the Power of Faith. She is expected to arrive at her first stop, the Lion Duchy, in three days.]
[7: The Dragon Blood Ancient Tree in the Black Stone Mountain Range has produced three Dragon’s Blood Fruits, which will ripen in half a month. Consuming a Dragon Blood Fruit can help a Giant Dragon rapidly strengthen its Origin Power.]
[8: Over a hundred kiloters east of the Jade Swamp, the Necromancer "Modi Caesar," entrenched in the "Abandoned Ruins," has completed his preliminary preparations. In three days, he will successfully resurrect a Skeleton Giant Dragon. In life, this Skeleton Giant Dragon was Catastrophe Level; after resurrection, it will possess the power of a Domain Level Peak, and its Dragon Breath will retain so Catastrophe Level characteristics.]
[9: In the Jade Swamp, Snake Woman Najasha has ford a new legion. She is leading this legion toward the Black Water River and is expected to join the war between the Jade Swamp and the Black Water River in two days. The Eternal Giant Turtle, having successfully taken control of the middle section of the Black Water River, will use its geographical advantage to continue the stalemate with the Jade Swamp.]
[10: In the eastern Black Stone Mountain Range, the Young Black Dragon "Black King" has begun experinting on Kobolds. So Kobolds, infected by Dragon Blood, have beco stronger and more ferocious. One exceptionally talented Kobold awakened a Wizard bloodline and, after fusing with the Essence Blood granted by the "Black King," beca a Tier Four Dragon Blood Wizard. Under the influence of the "Black King’s" Dragon Mighty, it will rapidly advance as a Dragon Blood Kobold and is expected to break through to the Domain Level.]
The Dragon Blood Ancient Tree, three Dragon’s Blood Fruits.
The Young Black Dragon "Black King," experinting on Kobolds, a Dragon Blood Wizard.
Raylo gazed at the continuous silhouette of the Black Stone Mountain Range.
That Black Dragon from the Black Stone Mountain Range had been severely wounded last ti by the combined efforts of Sun and Kado.
It seed he was now sharpening his claws and whetting his fangs, once again building up his own forces.
Especially that Kobold Dragon Blood Wizard, who was expected to break through to the Domain Level. If a conflict broke out again between Black Stone Territory and the "Black King," the death and destruction a Domain Level Mage could cause would be terrifying.
But for now, none of that mattered.
What mattered were those three Dragon’s Blood Fruits.
Raylo’s gaze drifted involuntarily to the window.
In the courtyard, Moonlight was yawning lazily. Beside her, a small, pitch-black dragon that looked like a ball of coal was painstakingly balancing a gold coin on the tip of the white cat’s claw, having the ti of its life.
At the highest point of the castle, the hundred-ter-long Golden Dragon, Sun, was coiled, its golden scales shimring in the morning light.
Three dragons, three fruits.
It was practically a gift from the Black Stone Mountain Range.
’Looks like we’ll have to make another trip to the Black Stone Mountain Range.’
’I hope His Excellency, the "Black King," will be generous.’
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
During this ti, the Alchemy Workshop in Black Stone Territory was bustling with activity.
Thanks to the batch of Earth Dragons captured in the last war, and with a large supply of their Essence Blood, Carl had once again created thirty bottles of Earth Dragon Bloodline Potion.
Today was the day for awarding honors and bestowing rewards.
On the massive training ground before the castle, the Knights of Black Stone Territory stood in neat square formations, their armor gleaming and their formation solemn.
Their gazes, filled with fervor and reverence, were all fixed on their Lord, Raylo, who stood on the high platform before them.
"...In the last battle defending against the invasion of the Black Dragon, the ’Black King,’ you were all valiant and fearless! With the bodies of Mortals, you stood against the might of a Giant Dragon and defended the honor of Black Stone Territory!"
Raylo’s voice, amplified by Magic, carried clearly to every Knight’s ears.
"I have not forgotten your ritorious deeds. In Black Stone Territory, contributions will always be rewarded!"
He didn’t waste words and got straight to the point.
"Bali!"
"Here, my Lord!"
A burly Knight strode out from the ranks and knelt on one knee.
Raylo personally descended from the high platform and placed a Crystal Bottle into his hands. It contained a blood-red Potion that flowed like molten lava.
"This is an Earth Dragon Bloodline Potion. Bali, your bravery is worthy of this honor."
Bali trembled with excitent. He could feel the imnse power contained within the Potion.
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