"The patrolling knights found massive claw marks, much larger than those of ordinary wolves, and in great number. They are scattered chaotically. There are traces of trampling and gnawing on the ground, suggesting a group of large predators has passed through," Ed said in a heavy tone.
"The patrol didn't dare go deep; they reported back immediately after scouting the perimeter. Based on experience, it's likely that magical beasts have strayed into our territory, and in significant numbers."
Leylo nodded. It seemed the small-scale beast tide from the Blackstone Mountains was finally arriving. "Expand the sentry range. Deploy the Pegasus knights to scout the surrounding lands. We must identify the exact number and species of these beasts!"
"Yes, My Lord!" Ed obeyed.
At dawn on the third day, the urgent sound of galloping hooves shattered the silence of Blackstone Town. A Pegasus knight responsible for the outer perimeter, his cloak soaked in morning dew, burst into the town.
"My Lord! It's bad!" The knight's voice held an undeniable tremor of panic. "Magical beasts! It's the beast tide! They... they've entered the territory!"
Leylo threw on his coat, grabbed his longsword from the wall, and strode out of the wooden house. "Don't panic! Speak clearly! What beasts? How many? Where were they spotted?"
"It's... it's Hyenas! And Blackwind Direwolves! I even saw several Spine-Back Barren Bulls!" The knight gasped for air, trying to settle his emotions. "There are too many, at least... at least a hundred! They are in the northeast, less than twenty kilometers from town! They are heading straight this way!"
Over a hundred magical beasts!
Hyenas were cunning and cruel, Blackwind Direwolves were fast and highly aggressive, and the Spine-Back Barren Bulls were Tier 2 beasts with hides as thick as armor—notoriously difficult to kill. Ed arrived shortly after, his face equally grim.
"My Lord, we must organize a defense immediately!"
"Ed, mobilize the troops!"
"Yes!" Ed turned and sprinted away.
Soon, the army began to assemble in the town square. The core members gathered in the war room, where a map was spread out with a prominent red "X" marked upon it.
Leylo pointed to the mark. "This rocky slope? The terrain is complex with jagged boulders; it's a natural ambush site. We must find a way to lure the beasts there! Ed, take the main force immediately at top speed to the slope. Set traps and dig trenches! I will personally lead the Pegasus knights to intercept and drive them from the air. We will herd that pack into the grave we've prepared for them!"
"My Lord, that's too dangerous!" Ed said urgently.
"There is risk, but it is manageable," Leylo replied calmly. "We are lucky; there are no flying beasts in this pack. Our Pegasus knights give us the initiative in this war."
Seeing the resolve in Leylo's eyes, Ed knew his mind was made up. He snapped to attention. "Yes, My Lord!"
Ed immediately gathered his men, leading the majority of the knights and the armed, able-bodied militia toward the rocky slope. They needed to complete the trap layouts and combat preparations before the beasts arrived.
Two Pegasus squads were already waiting in the square. Moonlight hopped into Leylo's arms as he flipped himself onto the broad back of the Storm Griffin, gripping the reins tight. The Storm Griffin let out a piercing hawk-like shriek, its massive wings beating a gale of wind as it soared into the sky. Following close behind, the Pegasus knights flapped their white wings, trailing their Lord like arrows shot toward the dark, churning horizon to the northeast.
The wind howled past his ears as Blackstone Town shrank into a blurred patch of color below. Leylo leaned low against the Griffin's warm, solid back, his sharp gaze scanning the vast woodlands and fields below like a falcon. The Storm Griffin was incredibly fast, its powerful wings slicing through the air with a tearing sound.
They soon crossed the edge of the forest. Below, trees were snapped and the earth was torn up—a scene of total chaos. A thick, pungent musk filled the air, the unmistakable scent of magical beasts.
"Target spotted!" a sharp-eyed knight pointed forward and to the left.
Leylo looked and his pupils contracted slightly. In a relatively open clearing, several Hyenas were tearing at a dead deer. These Hyenas were nearly double the size of wild dogs, their fur a filthy yellow-brown, with saliva dripping from their muzzles and eyes full of cruel greed. They seemed to be stragglers who had broken off from the main pack, lured away by food.
"Clear these scouts!" Leylo ordered. "Make it quick!"
The aerial formation reacted instantly. Several knights banked and dove like white lightning. Their spears traced lethal arcs through the sky, tips glinting coldly. The Hyenas, busy gorging themselves, didn't anticipate an attack from above. By the time they looked up to snarl, it was too late.
Puchi! Puchi!
Spears precisely skewered the necks of the two largest Hyenas, the sheer momentum pinning them to the dirt. Blood instantly stained the grass red. The remaining Hyenas scattered in terror, letting out panicked yelps. The other Pegasus knights followed up, using their mobility like sheepdogs to cut off and surround the fleeing beasts.
Leylo did not join the skirmish. His Storm Griffin circled higher, eyes fixed on the deeper forest further out. He could feel it—a much larger, more chaotic presence was approaching.
Sure enough, before long, accompanied by a sound like muffled thunder and a cacophony of roars, a large swathe of trees began to shake and collapse. A mass of black shadows burst from the forest cover onto the plains.
Leading them were dozens of Blackwind Direwolves. Their bodies were covered in sleek black fur, and they were the size of ponies. They ran as fast as the wind, tusks bared, eyes glowing with a bloodthirsty red light. They fanned out, letting out low growls as if herding something themselves.
Behind the wolves were even larger, more imposing entities: over a dozen Spine-Back Barren Bulls. These bulls stood over two meters tall at the shoulder, covered in thick, rock-like hide. From their backs to their tails grew sharp bony spines, and their curved horns glinted with a metallic luster. Every step they took shook the earth, and they snorted thick white steam, clearly in a state of frenzy.
Caught between the wolves and the bulls were even more Hyenas, following the main pack and looking for an opening to strike. The entire horde numbered no less than a hundred!
"Targets confirmed!" Leylo's voice was steady and powerful. "Proceed as planned! Squad One, drive them from the left flank! Squad Two, pressure from the right! Maintain altitude—use bows and javelins to herd them!"