adbindia Chapter 434 - 368: Moonlight’s "Magic Energy Collar" and Visiting Lord Astra
Chapter 434 - 368: Moonlight’s "Magic Energy Collar" and Visiting Lord Astra
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, Raylo threw himself into the territory’s backlogged administrative affairs.
Inside the study, the long oak table was piled high with all sorts of documents and reports.
From ore production and grain taxes, to trade with neighboring territories, to pensions for fallen soldiers and the recruitment of new ones, every single item required his personal review and approval.
Ed stood to the side, concisely reporting on the territory’s defensive situation.
On the other side, the Scribe, Evan, waited nearby, ready to report on the administrative matters that had piled up.
"Alex and Bolin led the Knights to sweep through most of the Demon nests on the fringes of the Jade Swamp. They’ve already collected over three thousand Demon corpses and, as you instructed, have gathered them on the designated highland."
"In this operation to exterminate the Demon nests, twenty-three Knights and fifty-six Knight’s Attendants were killed in action."
Ed reported.
"Ensure the death benefits are paid in full. The families of the fallen Knights and Attendants must be properly cared for."
Raylo ordered in a low voice while flipping through the documents.
"Additionally, Alex sent word that in the southern region of the Jade Swamp, Demons are showing signs of massing. A new Demon warband is gathering, and we may face another war soon."
Raylo nodded. This was to be expected.
After being attacked by the Black Stone Territory, the Jade Swamp would naturally retaliate.
Although it had suffered multiple setbacks in its wars with neighboring forces, its Domain Level and higher combatants had not sustained significant losses. As for its subordinate Demon minions, they were a practically inexhaustible resource within the Jade Swamp.
"Also, the territory has begun this quarter’s latest round of recruitment. We have enlisted three hundred twenty-five Knight Apprentices so far."
Ed said.
"The selection standards for new recruits must not be lowered. Quality over quantity."
Raylo said.
"Yes, My Lord."
After Ed finished his report, Evan was organizing his documents and about to step forward when a Personal Guard’s announcement came from outside the door.
"My Lord, an envoy from the Duke requests an audience."
’Aiden Duke?’
The pen in Raylo’s hand paused slightly, and he looked up.
A moment later, a Knight wearing the insignia of the Thunder Dragon Knight Order on his chest walked into the study, led by the Personal Guard.
Upon seeing Raylo, he bowed respectfully.
"Your Highness."
The envoy took a wax-sealed parchment scroll from his coat and presented it with both hands.
"By order of the Duke, I have come to deliver joyous news from the Duchy. To celebrate our decisive victory in the war against the Lion Duchy, the Duke will be hosting a grand victory banquet in Thunder Dragon City seven days from now."
"The Duke has specifically tasked me with inviting Your Highness to witness this glorious moment together."
’A victory banquet?’
"Please inform the Duke that I will arrive at Thunder Dragon City on time."
Raylo said.
"As you command, Your Highness."
The envoy bowed again, then turned crisply and left the study under the Personal Guard’s escort.
The study fell silent once more.
Raylo looked at Ed.
"Relay my orders. Assemble twenty Griffin Knights. They will accompany me to Thunder Dragon City this afternoon."
"Yes, My Lord."
Ed acknowledged the order and departed with a quick stride.
Only then did Scribe Evan step forward, clutching a thick stack of documents, and carefully placed them on the small clear space that had been made in front of Raylo.
"My Lord, these are the territory’s backlogged administrative affairs. First, regarding..."
Evan began his detailed report: the storage of grain after the autumn harvest, the consumption and inventory of various ores newly purchased from Baisha Port...
Raylo listened while rapidly reviewing the documents. The tip of his pen glided across the paper, leaving behind line after line of directives.
He handled the complex administrative tasks until noon.
After a hasty lunch, Raylo once again summoned his core subordinates.
He left the territory’s administration to Evan and its defense to Ed, as before.
The territory was currently in a period of peace. Although the Jade Swamp was making moves, any new war was estimated to be at least a month away.
Besides Ed, he had also left the Hill Giant Kado and the Great Mage Marlin behind. With them assisting Ed, they would be sufficient to handle most crises.
In the afternoon, fierce winds howled across the square of Black Stone Castle.
Baofeng stretched its massive wings, each beat stirring up a powerful gust of air.
Behind it, twenty Griffin Knights were already mounted on their steeds, arrayed in neat formation, an aura of grim lethality hanging in the air.
Raylo strode forward and vaulted onto Baofeng’s back.
Behind him sat Avril, clad in a blue Magic Robe.
"Depart!"
At the command, Baofeng let out a long cry that could pierce clouds and shatter stone. With a mighty flap of its wings, its enormous body shot up from the ground, becoming a streak of yellowish-brown lightning that soared into the heavens.
Immediately after, the formation of twenty Griffin Knights followed like a shadow, racing toward Thunder Dragon City.
On the ground below, the castle and mountains rapidly shrank, eventually turning into patches of dark green and grayish-black before disappearing behind the endless Cloud Sea.
High in the sky, the wind howled. The Cloud Sea churned beneath them like a boundless white ocean.
Baofeng’s flight was exceptionally smooth. Its yellowish-brown Iron Feathers refracted a metallic sheen in the sunlight.
Raylo’s gaze pierced through the clouds ahead, settling on the distant horizon.
At the speed of the Griffin Knights, it would only take about four days of flying at full speed to reach Thunder Dragon City.
Raylo had departed early for two reasons. First, it gave him more breathing room, and second, he planned to take a detour to "collect" from a few locations that his system’s intelligence had indicated held clues to treasure.
"Head southeast. Descend and enter that canyon."
Raylo ordered.
The Storm Griffin King let out a low cry, tilted its wings, and its massive body dove like a sharp arrow. The twenty Griffin Knights behind it immediately adjusted their formation and followed in perfect sync.