Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence-Chapter 124 - 118: Stone Crow Robbery Gang

「Nightfall.」

Two Knights dragged in a gaunt man.

The man’s limbs were limp, and he was practically hauled inside. His hair was greasy and matted, and his clothes gave off a sour stench. He collapsed to the floor like a boneless heap.

"My lord, we’ve brought the minor leader from the Stone Crow Robbery Gang."

Ed reported.

Raylo’s gaze fell upon the man. His name was Feichi, nicknamed "Snake Eye," a minor leader in the Stone Crow Robbery Gang in charge of intelligence and infiltration.

He no longer possessed a shred of a bandit’s ferocity, only a bone-deep terror.

"Lift your head."

Raylo said.

Snake Eye Feichi’s body jerked violently. He struggled to lift his eyelids, and when his cloudy gaze met Raylo’s, he immediately shivered again.

"My lord... spare me... I... I’ll tell you anything..."

Feichi’s voice was hoarse and dry, laced with sobs.

He had been following the orders of his leader, "Stone Crow," to disguise himself as a groom and infiltrate the mansion of a Baron in Sunset Town, waiting for an opportunity to kidnap the man’s daughter for ransom.

After days of brutal torture in the dungeons at the hands of the Black Stone Territory’s Knights, he had spilled his guts, revealing everything he knew about the Stone Crow Robbery Gang.

"Tell me everything you know about the Stone Crow Robbery Gang. Your base, your leader, your strength."

"Yes, yes!"

Feichi didn’t dare hide a single detail, spilling everything he knew in a torrent of words.

"Our base... is in the northern part of Ironthorn Territory, near the Black Stone Mountain Range. There’s a hidden valley there called Crow’s Nest Valley, it’s... about a hundred kilometers from here. Our leader, nicknamed ’Stone Crow,’ my lord, he... he’s a powerful Tier Three Advanced Mage! And the Vice Commander, ’Iron Arm’ Rogge, is a Tier Three Earth Knight! The gang also has several Tier Two leaders..."

’A Tier Three Advanced Mage and a Tier Three Earth Knight.’

Raylo raised an eyebrow slightly.

’The Stone Crow Robbery Gang is a bit stronger than I expected.’

’If utilized properly, the destructive power of a Tier Three Advanced Mage far surpasses that of a Knight of the same tier.’

"Very good."

Raylo’s tone betrayed no emotion.

"Ed."

"I’m here, my lord!"

"Take him with you. You will take fifty Knights and one hundred followers and depart immediately for the former Ironthorn Castle. Rendezvous with Bolin, who is stationed there, and await my orders."

"Yes, my lord!"

Ed accepted the order, turned, and left with brisk steps.

The Knights within the castle moved swiftly into action.

Raylo stood up, walked to the window, and gazed in the direction of the Black Stone Mountain Range.

’The Stone Crow Robbery Gang, entrenched over there, has always been a threat to the Black Stone Territory.’

’Now, this threat is about to become ’fodder’ for Master Barnaby’s experiments. A fitting use for them, I suppose.’

"Moonlight, get ready. We’re leaving soon."

Raylo said softly.

On the windowsill, the large white cat that had been curled up lazily opened its pale golden eyes and let out a soft "mrrrow" in response.

...

「Afternoon.」

The former Ironthorn Castle, once belonging to Baron Mengde, now flew the flag of the Black Stone Territory.

The advance party led by Ed had already arrived, having rendezvoused with the fifty Defense Knights under Bolin’s command.

The Knights were checking their weapons and equipment and feeding their horses.

Suddenly, a loud, piercing cry echoed from the sky.

"Look! It’s a Griffin!"

A sharp-eyed soldier pointed at the sky and exclaimed.

Twelve massive figures appeared in the azure sky, drawing closer. The one in the lead, a Storm Griffin King, was especially majestic, its tawny Iron Feathers glinting with a metallic sheen in the sunlight.

It was Raylo, riding Baofeng and leading the Storm Griffin Group. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

The flock of Griffins landed smoothly on the open ground before the castle, the powerful winds they generated making the banners snap and flutter.

Raylo leaped down from Baofeng’s broad back, his gaze sweeping over the troops who stood ready.

Ed and Bolin hurried forward and saluted.

"My lord!"

Behind them, a burly, resolute-faced, middle-aged Knight also stepped forward and knelt on one knee.

"I am Monk, former Knight Captain of Ironthorn Castle, at your service, my lord!"

This was Monk, the most capable Earth Knight who had served under Baron Mengde of Ironthorn Castle.

After Baron Mengde was convicted and stripped of his title, Monk had chosen to surrender.

Raylo had not been harsh with the former Knights and soldiers of Ironthorn Territory, merely assigning Monk to temporarily assist Bolin with managing the defenses of Ironthorn Castle.

"Knight Monk, please rise."

Raylo gestured for him to rise.

"You’re familiar with the terrain in northern Ironthorn Territory. You will accompany me on this operation."

"I am willing to serve you, my lord!"

Knight Monk knew this was an opportunity Raylo was giving him—a chance to prove his worth once more.

Raylo nodded, his gaze shifting to Ed.

"Have the scouts been sent out?"

"Yes, my lord. We’ve already dispatched Pegasus Knights to scout the area around Crow’s Nest Valley," Ed replied.

"Good."

"Feed the Griffins. The entire army will rest for a while. In one hour, we march on Crow’s Nest Valley!"

"Yes, my lord!"

The Knights roared in unison, their voices shaking the plains.

An hour later, the army of the Black Stone Territory was on the march once more.

At the very front of the column was Snake Eye Feichi, bound hand and foot and placed on a nag. His face was ashen, and he would periodically glance back at the majestic Storm Griffin King within the ranks, and the imposing figure on its back, shivering involuntarily at the sight.

Under Feichi’s "guidance," the army marched along a rugged mountain path for the better part of the day.

As dusk approached, the army finally reached its destination: Crow’s Nest Valley.

Just as Feichi had described, the terrain of Crow’s Nest Valley was extremely perilous and easily defensible.

The entire valley was shaped like a massive gourd. The entrance was a narrow pass, only wide enough for two or three horsemen to ride abreast, flanked by steep cliffs that made it easy to defend and difficult to assault.

The valley itself, however, was relatively open. The scattered specks of firelight and crude buildings were faintly visible within.

"My lord, this... this is the place."

Feichi said in a trembling voice, terrified that Raylo might kill him in a fit of anger.

Raylo’s gaze scanned the valley entrance for a moment before he looked up at the cliffs on either side.

"Knight Monk, are you familiar with this area?" Raylo asked.

Monk urged his horse forward and said in a low voice.

"My lord, Crow’s Nest Valley is a notoriously treacherous place in northern Ironthorn Territory. No ordinary merchant caravan would dare approach it. The entrance is narrow; if Archers were positioned in ambush on the cliffs, a direct assault would result in heavy casualties."

Raylo nodded. He already had a plan.

’But I don’t need to force an assault,’ he thought. ’I have air superiority. I can easily crush any organized defense.’

"Ed."

"Here!"

"You’re in command. Lead the Knights in a frontal assault. Thor, your Armored Rhinoceros will break through the gate."

"Bolin, Monk, you two will support the assault."

"Yes, my lord!"

The men stepped forward and replied in loud, clear voices.

"I want Crow’s Nest Valley taken before nightfall. We’ll be spending the night inside!"