All the predators were watching and probing, each wanting to tear off a piece of its flesh.
Defending on all fronts, cowering and hesitating, would only make their enemies see them as weak and ripe for the picking, inviting even more frenzied attacks.
The only way was to choose a single target and strike with the force of a thunderbolt. They had to utterly cripple and terrify their foe, using a resounding victory to shock all the malevolent vultures circling overhead. Only then could they earn so breathing room and space to grow.
The worry and fatigue in Aiden Duke’s eyes vanished, replaced by a soaring battle spirit he hadn’t felt in years—the spirit of a seasoned general.
"Well said!"
He slamd his hand on the table, which let out a dull THUD.
"One decisive blow! We’ll make an example of the Lion Duchy!"
His voice brimd with imnse confidence and a hint of disdain.
"That old, sick lion from the Lion Duchy was no match for in his youth. Now his fangs and claws are dull with age, yet he still dares to provoke . Since he’s offered up his neck, I’ll take this trip to the Southern Territory and personally crush him on the battlefield!"
Raylo nodded in agreent.
"You’re right, Father. If the war gets bogged down and becos protracted, it won’t just drain the Duchy’s strength. It will also give the Light Holy See the ti and excuse they need to make their move and intervene directly."
"Exactly."
Aiden Duke rose and paced around the room.
"A swift, decisive war. I’ll depart imdiately after your wedding. This battle must display the might of our Thunder Dragon Duchy. We’ll show the entire Continent that the Thunder Dragon Duchy is no pushover!"
Father and son exchanged a look. In that mont, the imnse pressure they were under solidified into a clear, decisive strategy.
The Duchy, a great ship tossed by storming seas, had just corrected its course through the fog.
With the plan decided, Raylo took his leave.
In the empty conference room, Aiden Duke stood alone, muttering the phrase to himself once more.
"’One decisive blow prevents a hundred more...’"
The more he considered it, the more he felt the phrase was filled with a simple yet profound wisdom, as if it contained so fundantal Law that cut to the heart of the matter.
He gazed in the direction his son had departed, a gratified smile touching his lips.
’This son of mine... he has far surpassed my expectations.’
...
Two days later, Black Stone Territory finally welcod its guests from afar.
The bridal procession of Marquis Orlando of Baisha appeared on the vast horizon of the Northern Territory like a long, colorful dragon.
Fluttering banners and gleaming carriages brought a splash of bright color to the rugged, desolate land.
Ten kiloters outside Black Stone Castle, Raylo reined in his Storm Griffin King, Baofeng, and ca to a halt.
Behind him stood the Moonlight Knight Order in perfect formation.
Thirty Griffin Knights circled in the sky, while a phalanx of two hundred Pegasus Knights stood on the ground like a heavy white cloud.
The ranks were immaculate and utterly silent, the only sound coming from the Black Stone Territory banners snapping in the wind.
This was the elite unit Raylo had forged himself. By personally leading them ten kiloters out from the castle to greet the procession, he was demonstrating the full extent of Black Stone Territory’s sincerity regarding the alliance.
The convoy drew closer. At its head was a nobleman in magnificent robes with a refined, scholarly face—it was none other than Marquis Orlando.
"Marquis Orlando, you’ve had a long journey."
Raylo dismounted, his movents crisp and decisive.
Marquis Orlando quickly dismounted as well, a warm smile on his face.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Raylo led the procession toward Black Stone Castle.
As the procession reached the castle, its magnificent gates were already thrown wide open.
Ed had the Black Stone Knights lined up on either side, and on the castle steps above, Aiden Duke stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
He wasn’t wearing elaborate ducal regalia, but a fine, black military uniform. At his waist hung the legendary sword, Thunderbolt Fury, a symbol of the Duchy’s ultimate military might.
His expression was solemn, his presence imposing without a hint of anger. His powerful aura lent a gravity to the entire square before the castle.
A shiver went through Marquis Orlando.
The signal behind Aiden Duke’s personal welco was unmistakable.
It was a sign of respect for the Baisha Family, but also a silent, firm declaration to all potential enemies.
The union of Black Stone Territory and Baisha Territory was being sealed under the personal watch of the Duke of Thunder Dragon himself.
Marquis Orlando hurried forward, placed a hand over his heart, and perford a standard noble’s bow.
"Your Grace."
"Orlando, there is no need for such formalities."
Aiden Duke descended the steps and personally helped him up, a slight smile on his face.
"Welco to Black Stone Territory, my kinsman."
That single word, "kinsman," instantly closed the distance between them and added a touch of personal warmth to the political alliance.
That night, a grand bonfire banquet began at Black Stone Castle.
Though the castle’s banquet hall was spacious, it was nowhere near large enough to accommodate the entire bridal procession from Baisha Port.
So, Raylo gave the order to set up the feast directly under the stars.
Dozens of huge bonfires blazed, their dancing flas dyeing the night sky a warm, orange-red and illuminating the faces of every guest.
Long wooden tables were covered in burlap and laden with sizzling whole roasted sheep, fragrant ale, and various berries and cheeses unique to the Northern Territory.
The air was filled with the savory aroma of roasting at, the rich scent of ale, and the CRACKLE of burning pinewood. The atmosphere was boisterous and unrestrained.
The nobles from Baisha Port were sowhat reserved at first, but they were soon swept up in the enthusiasm of the Black Stone Knights.
When Captain Ed hoisted a keg nearly half his height and went around topping off their mugs with ale, any trace of southern aristocratic propriety vanished amidst the deafening cheers.
What truly stunned them, however, was the scene at the very center of the feast.
Fourteen Hill Giants were seated around a bonfire as large as a house.
In the heart of the flas, an enormous, cleaned Wilderness Barbarian Bull was skewered on a massive log, slowly rotating over the fire.
Golden fat dripped into the fire with a SIZZLE, its tantalizing aroma drifting for miles.
The most imnse of them, Kado, used his massive hands to rip a huge chunk of at directly from the roasted bull’s leg, stuffing it into his mouth and chewing voraciously.
He ate with gusto, CRUNCHING on the bones as if they weren’t solid bone at all, but crispy crackers.
The guests from Baisha Port stared, utterly dumbfounded.
A young nobleman, just about to lift a small piece of roast lamb to his lips, saw the spectacle and his hand trembled, his silver fork falling onto his plate with a CLANG.
The banquet lasted late into the night, with hosts and guests enjoying themselves to the fullest.
The guests from Baisha Port, initially reserved and uneasy, were gradually swept up by the boisterous atmosphere. They cast aside their propriety, slinging their arms around the shoulders of the Black Stone Knights and laughing heartily.
...
「The next day, at the crack of dawn.」
The cool morning light draped Black Stone Castle in a silvery-gray mantle.
Inside and outside the castle, it was already a scene of bustling activity. Servants hurried to and fro while Knights adjusted their armor, making the final preparations for the coming ceremony.
The main roads leading out of Black Stone Territory began to grow busy.
Convoys of carriages, their banners distinct, converged from all directions, their destination none other than Black Stone Castle.
The first to arrive were the local Lords from the Northern Territory.
They were mostly loyal vassals of Raylo’s father, Aiden Duke, or newly-risen nobles on good terms with Raylo.
Their retinues were not extravagant, but they all possessed the fierce, rugged air unique to the Northern Territory.
Soon after, nobles from other regions of the Duchy began to arrive as well.
For a ti, the area outside Black Stone Castle was a bustling hub of traffic, a forest of colorful banners.
Ed directed the Black Stone Knights in establishing a massive temporary encampnt outside the castle, thodically arranging the arriving guests by region.
He was so busy he barely had a mont’s rest, yet his face bead with pride.
Once, Black Stone Territory had been nothing more than a poor, remote fiefdom. Now, it was the center of attention for the entire Duchy, and even for the surrounding Kingdoms.
Raylo stood atop the castle’s highest tower, looking down on everything below.
He watched as nobles from different regions, representing various powers, gathered in his domain with expressions of goodwill and reverence.
Sunlight pierced the clouds, spilling onto the gray-black walls of Black Stone Castle.
A tide of people surged below, the guests as nurous as the clouds.
The wedding was about to begin.
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