"Quickly, harvest them with care!" Leylo commanded immediately, his voice thick with excitement. "Take only the stems and leaves; leave the roots intact."
The group moved with cautious speed, snapping off the mature Earth Dragon Grass. They tucked the leaves into soft cloth bags while leaving the roots in the soil to ensure future growth.
Moonlight's agile silhouette, like a bolt of white lightning, shot up into the treetops. A long-tailed Blue-Striped Sparrow had caught its attention. However, just as it plucked out a few bird feathers, it suddenly froze. Its ears pricked up alertly, and its sharp gaze locked onto the distant sky.
"Meow... Meow-wu!" A low, urgent warning howl abruptly shattered the silence of the woods.
Leylo, Ed, and the others, who were buried in their work, stiffened instantly. They snapped their heads up, following Moonlight's gaze. In the western sky, under the fading glow of the sunset, several small black dots were rapidly expanding, flying toward them at high speed.
"What is that?" a knight asked, uncertain.
As the distance closed, the silhouettes became clear. Their forms were elegant and powerful, their snow-white wings stretching wide in the air.
"It's... Pegasus!"
Pegasus! The herd mentioned in previous intelligence reports. Leylo had dispatched knights multiple times to search the Misty Forest from afar to no avail, and yet they appeared now?
Almost instantly, Leylo thought of the Earth Dragon Grass emitting its enticing fragrance. It seemed they, too, had been drawn by the herbs.
"A rare opportunity. We take them now," he whispered, his excitement barely contained. "Moonlight, stay still for now. Wait for my command."
In the treetops, Moonlight flicked its tail, letting out a low rumble from its throat in response. Its pale gold eyes remained locked onto the approaching herd, filled with curiosity and a desire for action.
There were six Pegasi in total, pure white without a single stray mark. They flapped their broad wings, gliding with a grace that made them look like spirits of the sky. Clearly attracted by the unique scent of the Earth Dragon Grass, they circled a few times. After confirming no danger was present, they began to slowly descend.
"My Lord, should we..." Ed leaned in, his voice a mere breath, his eyes burning with fervor.
The value of a Pegasus was beyond question. Whether as a mount or a strategic resource, they far surpassed ordinary warhorses. Capturing even a few would be a massive leap in Blackstone Territory's strength.
"Don't rush." Leylo made a gesture for patience, his gaze shifting to the lithe Moonlight perched above. "Moonlight, help us out. Use your... um, little trick. Hide us so they don't spot us."
He tried to phrase it in a way the creature could understand. Moonlight tilted its furry head. It looked down at the knights holding their breath on the ground, then up at the Pegasi about to land, and gave a light swipe of its paw.
Immediately, a strange scene unfolded. Centered around the bushes where Leylo and the others hid, the light seemed to warp slightly, like ripples on water. Their colors and outlines merged perfectly with the surrounding trees and weeds, as if they had donned a camouflage woven from shadows and leaves. Without looking closely, it would be impossible to tell a dozen men were hidden there.
"This..." Ed and the other knights stared, their eyes wide with disbelief. They could see each other clearly, but it felt as if they had become part of the environment, their presence greatly diminished.
"Ready the lassos," Leylo suppressed his excitement, issuing a cold command. "When they land, let down their guard, and start eating—on my mark, we strike together!"
"Yes!" the knights responded in hushed tones.
The air seemed to solidify. Everyone held their breath, hearts pounding in their chests. Only the occasional chirp of insects and the sound of wings beating against the wind remained.
Finally, the lead Pegasus—the most magnificent of the lot—touched down first. Its ears twitched alertly as it scanned the area, its long lashes fluttering over eyes as clear as pure lakes. Confirming safety, it elegantly lowered its head and began to feast on the Earth Dragon Grass. Following its lead, the others landed one by one, gathering around the patch with satisfied whinnies. They were entirely immersed in the temptation of the food, oblivious to the danger inches away.
Now!
A sharp light flashed in Leylo's eyes. He swept his hand down! "Do it!"
The command was like a boulder dropped into a still pond.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
A dozen ropes shot out like striking vipers, accurately targeting the snow-white figures.
"NEIGH—!!!"
The Pegasus herd instantly erupted in chaos! They screamed in terror, flapping their wings to take flight. However, the prepared knights were faster. The loops settled over the necks of the six Pegasi. The knights immediately hauled back, pouncing in groups of three or four to wrestle the panicked beasts.
For a moment, the woods were a mess of men and beasts! The strength of a Pegasus was immense; even caught, they struggled, leaped, and kicked with everything they had. Though well-trained, the knights had to use every ounce of strength. Some were dragged stumbling, others narrowly avoided being struck by hooves.
Ed was particularly agile; he had lassoed the lead stallion. He dug his heels in, pulling the rope with all his might, the muscles on his arms bulging and veins popping.
In the confusion, one Pegasus—smaller but the quickest to react—leaped backward the moment the rope flew, dodging the restraint. It let out a sharp cry and beat its wings, creating a gust of wind as it lifted off the ground, intending to soar away!
"Not good! Block it!" a knight shouted, seeing the beast about to clear the treetops.
At that critical moment, a white shadow shot like an arrow from a nearby canopy! It was Moonlight! Its small body traced a graceful arc through the air, landing precisely on the rising Pegasus's back—or more accurately, right on top of its head!
The Pegasus, startled by the sudden "accessory" on its crown, tossed its head violently. Then, a scene occurred that left everyone dumbfounded. Moonlight sat firmly on the horse's head, extended its two furry paws, and—
Bonk! Bonk!
Two crisp, heavy thuds rang out. The force didn't seem great, but it carried a strange vibration. Like... a head-knocking technique?
The Pegasus, which had been straining to fly upward, stiffened instantly. Its momentum died. It shook its head vigorously, its eyes turning visibly dazed and its flight path wobbling as if it were drunk.
"Meow-wu~" Moonlight seemed quite satisfied with its "battle results." It flicked its large tail proudly and even took two extra steps on the horse's head as if declaring ownership.
"...Good job!" Leylo shouted, stuck between a laugh and a cry. He hadn't expected Moonlight to have such a "physical persuasion" method.
"Quick! Now!" Ed reacted instantly, directing two knights. They snapped out of their shock and threw their spare lassos. Deprived of its balance and speed, the Pegasus was now a swaying target and was easily caught.