The date for the Boulder City Lord's Gathering was drawing near, and there was no time for further delay.
"Ad!" Lei Luo called out.
Ad, the Captain of the Royal Guards, pushed open the door and entered, his posture tall and straight.
"My Lord."
"Have the First Pegasus Knight Squad prepare their gear and mounts. We will depart after lunch for Boulder City."
Lei Luo was swift and decisive.
"Additionally, immediately summon Knight Bolin, Mayor Buck, and Carl to my study."
Soon after, the three gathered in the study.
Lei Luo first looked at Bolin.
"Bolin, during my absence from the territory, the overall defense and border vigilance of Blackstone Territory will be entirely your responsibility. Especially the areas bordering Iron Thorn Territory, double the manpower for day and night patrols. Baron Mond has been making some small moves; keep a close eye on him."
"Please rest assured, My Lord!"
Bolin bowed and accepted the order.
Then, Lei Luo turned to Old Buck, the Mayor, and Carl, the Internal Affairs Officer, his expression becoming a few shades more solemn.
"Mayor Buck, Carl, several nearby villages have suffered from a plague. Both of you must organize people to strictly investigate the safety of water sources and food within the territory and strengthen hygiene management in all villages and towns. Should any suspicious symptoms or signs of plague be discovered, they must be isolated immediately and reported as quickly as possible, while also making every effort to control its spread."
"Understood, My Lord!"
Old Buck and Carl knew the matter was of great importance and solemnly agreed.
After lunch, the sky was clear and boundless.
In the central training ground of Blackstone Territory, ten Pegasus Knights had already formed ranks.
Lei Luo swung himself onto the broad back of Storm Gryphon.
Moonlight jumped up and sat in the small seat specially left for it in front of the saddle.
Storm Gryphon's saddle was a custom-made double saddle that Lei Luo had commissioned from the territory's leatherworker.
The smaller position in front was Moonlight's exclusive seat.
"Depart!"
Lei Luo's gaze swept over the formation, and he gave a deep command.
"Caw!"
Storm let out a high, clear eagle's cry, and with a fierce flap of its wings, it stirred up a gust of wind and was the first to soar into the sky.
The Pegasus Knights followed closely, quickly taking flight and disappearing into the sky, speeding towards Boulder City.
The group flew at high speed, and two days later, they entered the Withered Ridge area of the Black Stone Mountain Range.
As its name suggested, this mountain range was rugged and rocky, appearing in a scorched, charcoal grey, with extremely sparse vegetation. Only a few tenacious shrubs struggled to survive between the rocks, and an aura of desolation and deathly silence permeated the surroundings.
"My Lord, there's something unusual in the airspace ahead!"
In the front of the formation, a keen-eyed Pegasus Knight shouted a warning, pointing into the distance.
Everyone concentrated their gaze, only to see over thirty black dots, constantly flapping their wings, rapidly approaching them in the dim sky ahead, accompanied by faint, sharp, piercing cries.
"It's Harpies! Their number is around thirty. All prepare for battle!"
Ad, being experienced, quickly made a judgment.
The Pegasus Knights showed no panic whatsoever; they skillfully adjusted their formation in the air, each taking bows from their saddle-sides and nocking arrows that gleamed with cold light, pointing them towards the approaching enemies from a distance.
The Harpies also discovered Lei Luo and his party. They had dirty female heads and gaunt upper bodies, but their lower halves were massive, vulture-like talons and wings covered in grey feathers.
They let out greedy and piercing shrieks, their eyes glinting with bloodlust, clearly viewing this well-equipped squad as a rare and plump prey, and they dove down without hesitation.
"Maintain distance, three volleys! Fire!"
Ad shouted sternly.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Arrows cut through the air, making sharp whistling sounds, precisely covering the Harpies' diving path.
The first few Harpies in the charge failed to dodge, and several bursts of blood bloomed on their bodies. They let out shrill screams, their wings pierced, and tumbled down from the sky like kites with broken strings.
Harpies are first-tier magical beasts, skilled in agility and flight, but their defense is very poor.
One volley shot down several enemies, and the Pegasus Knights' morale soared as they quickly nocked their second arrows.
However, Harpies are ferocious by nature; the deaths of their companions did not deter them. Instead, it incited their ferocity, and the remaining monsters let out even sharper shrieks, accelerating their charge recklessly, their sharp claws tracing dangerous cold glints in the air.
Lei Luo's eyes turned cold, but he did not make a move. He merely patted the neck of the Storm Gryphon beneath him.
Storm Gryphon had long been restless. Upon receiving its master's signal, it suddenly raised its head, its wings stirring up a gale, its chest heaving violently, and then it opened its massive beak and let out a soul-shaking roar!
"Caw!!!"
The clear and majestic roar, like a tangible sound wave, mixed with the powerful pressure unique to a third-tier magical beast, swept and spread wildly in all directions like an invisible hurricane!
The Harpies, who were ferociously flutter coming, seemed to have their throats gripped by an invisible giant hand, and their diving movements suddenly halted.
Their ugly faces instantly filled with extreme fear and panic, as if they had encountered the most dreaded natural enemy from the depths of their bloodline.
They shrieked in confusion, no longer caring about attacking, and flapped their wings in terror, turning around in a disheveled manner, desperately fleeing into the distance, disappearing beyond the hazy horizon in the blink of an eye.
A fierce battle that might have occurred was thus abruptly extinguished by Storm's single roar.
Moonlight, hanging on Lei Luo's chest, had merely lazily lifted its eyelids the entire time. Now, seeing the Harpies fleeing in disarray, a faint disdain flashed in its pale golden eyes, and it let out an extremely soft "tch" from its throat, as if mocking the overestimation of these lowly magical beasts.
After dispelling this group of short-sighted Harpies, the rest of the journey encountered no further obstacles.
Two days later, a magnificent and grand city finally appeared on the distant horizon.
Boulder City, this core city that had stood on the northern frontier for hundreds of years, and also the venue for this Lord's Gathering, had finally been reached.
The city walls were entirely built from massive, dark grey flagstones, towering dozens of meters high, stretching endlessly, like an ancient giant beast prostrated on the earth, exuding an aura of grandeur, solemnity, and solemnity.
Inside the city, arrow towers stood numerous, and banners fluttered. Even from a high-altitude view, one could clearly feel the prosperity and bustle that rushed forth, a sight completely different from the barren desolation of Blackstone Territory, like two different worlds.
The group slowly descended outside the city gate. The Pegasus folded their wings, emitting weary low neighs.
Storm Gryphon, however, remained energetic, its four claws firmly gripping the ground upon landing, its head held high as it looked around, its regal aura undiminished.
"Is the arrival Baron Lei Luo of Blackstone Territory?"
A knight wearing the Boulder family crest rode forward, his voice clear and loud, his gaze lingering for a moment on Lei Luo, Storm Gryphon, and the Pegasus, carrying a hint of imperceptible surprise and envy.
His warhorse was also considered sturdy, but compared to Storm Gryphon, it was like a domestic dog encountering a fierce tiger.
"Indeed."
Ad nodded, handing over the invitation.
"My Lord has received an invitation from Earl Boulder to attend the gathering."
The knight captain carefully verified the emblem, his expression becoming even more respectful.
"My Lord Baron, you must have had a tiring journey. Please follow me; the City Lord has arranged accommodation for everyone."
He waved his hand, and immediately two rows of knights separated from behind him, opening the way and guiding Lei Luo and his party through the massive city gate.
