Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 533: Chapter 411: Windburn Mountain: The Clash of the Light Holy See and the Red Dragon Empire

Baofeng’s massive form cut through the morning mist, landing steadily in the plaza of Black Stone Castle.

He leaped from the Griffin King’s back, landing alone on the hard, black flagstones with a crisp sound.

Avril had remained at the Observatory to study the profound arts of Star and Spiritual Magic with Mage Delin.

Lillian, meanwhile, remained in the Mage Tower filled with lava and fire, pursuing her own Path of Flames.

They had set out as three, but he returned alone.

Raylo surveyed the familiar castle—his castle.

The straight-backed figures of the guards, the shouts carrying from the distant training grounds, the smoke gently rising from the kitchen chimneys...

"My Lord, you’ve returned."

Ed appeared nearby.

"Mm. Thank you for your hard work."

Raylo nodded and began walking toward his study, asking as he went.

"Did anything happen in the territory while I was gone?"

"All is well, My Lord."

Ed followed behind him, giving a concise report.

"The Knights’ initial training phase is complete, and all construction projects in the territory are progressing steadily."

Raylo entered his study and sat down at the desk.

Sunlight streamed through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the room in bright, warm light.

He gestured for Ed to sit.

"Ed, there’s a matter I’d like to hear your thoughts on."

Ed immediately straightened his posture, his expression attentive.

"Before I left, the Knight Tournament captured the attention of the entire Duchy. Now that it’s over, how long do you think the excitement will last?" Raylo asked.

Ed considered this for a moment before answering.

"My Lord, I believe the popularity generated by a single tournament is fleeting. People will remember the champions and discuss the thrilling duels, but that excitement will fade in a month or two at most. What will truly allow Black Stone Territory to consistently attract talent is not a grand event, but our ability to continuously provide them with what they crave."

"Strength, status, and glory."

Raylo nodded.

Ed’s assessment was identical to his own.

"Therefore, I plan to make the Knight Tournament a recurring event," Raylo said slowly. "We’ll hold it once a year after the autumn harvest, turning it into a signature event for Black Stone Territory, and perhaps even the entire Northern Territory."

A flicker of light shone in Ed’s eyes.

"You mean... to make it a recurring event, My Lord?"

"Exactly," Raylo said.

Raylo and Ed discussed the concept for a while longer, after which Ed reported on some new developments in the territory.

One matter, in particular, caught Raylo’s attention: Werewolves had been sighted in the dense forests on the northwestern border of the territory.

’I just made a move against the Crimson Bloodline in Silver Moon Territory, and now Werewolves show up on my border. This can’t be a coincidence.’

"By the way, My Lord, there is one other matter," Ed said.

"Just yesterday, we received an urgent report from the Royal Capital."

Raylo’s eyebrow twitched.

"Go on."

"Prince Awei of the Red Dragon Empire, leading his most elite Red Flame Knight Order, has encountered the Holy Radiance Knight Order, led by Holy Knight Gust of the Light Holy See. They met on the southeastern border of the Duchy, at a place called Windburn Mountain."

"Windburn Mountain?"

Raylo searched his memory for the name.

It was a massive active volcano located in a chaotic borderland between several minor kingdoms. It was named for the scorching gales that perpetually blew across its summit.

It was a good five to six thousand kilometers from the Thunder Dragon Duchy.

"They encountered each other? And then?" Raylo pressed.

"And then..."

Ed’s expression grew solemn.

"A fierce conflict erupted between them. According to our intelligence, the Red Flame Knight Order and the Holy Radiance Knight Order have already engaged in several large-scale clashes on the outskirts of Windburn Mountain. Both sides have deployed Domain Level powerhouses, and while both have sustained casualties, neither has managed to gain the upper hand."

The collision of the Red Dragon Empire and the Light Holy See was like a boulder dropped into a placid lake, bound to create massive waves.

And Black Stone Territory, along with the entire Duchy, would be swept up in the current of the times.

Raylo rose and went to the window, gazing down at the vibrant territory below him.

Knights dripped with sweat on the training grounds, farmers toiled diligently in their fields, and merchants’ carriages streamed endlessly along the wide roads.

His task was to protect all of this in the coming storm. And become stronger.

Strong enough to make any power think twice before casting its gaze upon this land.

He returned to his chambers, intending to take a short rest.

As he lay on the large, soft bed, what seemed to be Avril’s faint, sweet scent still lingered on the pillow.

Raylo closed his eyes, but his mind was far from calm.

Though Avril and Lillian had left to secure better futures for themselves, he still felt an emptiness inside.

’Perhaps,’ he thought, ’only by constantly growing stronger and climbing ever higher can I keep everyone and everything I cherish firmly in my grasp.’

By afternoon, the warm sun had chased away the morning’s chill.

Raylo, now fully refreshed, walked alone along the ramparts of Black Stone Castle. He gazed down at the Knight Camp below, which had already begun to take on a considerable scale.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps approached from behind.

"My Lord!"

Alex appeared.

"The emissary from the Fiery Sun Kingdom... he’s here again!"

Raylo raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

’Karachi is moving faster than I expected.’

「Black Stone Castle - Reception Hall」