Red Maple Castle was built atop a hill. While it lacked the sheer grandeur of Boulder City, it stood firm and exquisite. From the battlements, the banners of the Red Maple fluttered in the wind.
"Who goes there!" a guard barked from the walls, his voice sharp with vigilance.
Ed urged his Pegasus forward, raising his voice. "The Lord of Blackstone Territory, Baron Leylo, comes at the invitation of Viscount Baker to discuss the eradication of the Ogre den!"
A moment later, the castle's drawbridge groaned as it lowered, and the massive gates swung open. A middle-aged noble dressed in fine silks emerged, smiling warmly and flanked by several knights. This was the master of Red Maple Ridge, Viscount Baker.
"Baron Leylo! Your presence brings immense honor to Red Maple Ridge!" Baker exclaimed, extending his hand enthusiastically.
Leylo dismounted and shook his hand with a polite, practiced smile. "The Viscount is too kind. Ogres are a blight upon the land; clearing them is the duty of all nobility."
"Well said! The Baron is indeed a man of great integrity!" Baker laughed, gesturing for Leylo to follow. "You have traveled far. I have prepared a banquet; please, rest within the castle. We shall discuss our business in detail tonight."
Red Maple Ridge's interior was sumptuously decorated, reflecting years of careful management and deep pockets. That night, Baker held a grand welcoming feast. The long tables groaned under delicacies: golden suckling pigs, tender venison, and fat fish caught from the local rivers, all seasoned with Red Maple's signature maple syrup. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meat and sweet nectar.
The wine was a fine fruit vintage, sweet and crisp. The maple syrup, in particular, had a unique woody fragrance that set it apart from common syrups. Leylo even requested a jar of it from Baker, intending to bring it back to Marlene the cook so Moonlight could try "Maple-Glazed Roasted Goose."
Leylo sat at the guest of honor's seat, while Ed stood stoically behind him. After several rounds of drinks, Viscount Baker stood up, his face flushed with wine.
"Baron Leylo, on behalf of Red Maple Ridge, I thank you for your generous aid! Those Ogres have plagued the deep woods for days, raiding caravans and harrying villages. They are a cancer on my land. If we succeed, you shall be our greatest benefactor!"
Leylo stood and raised his glass. "The Viscount overstates my role. This land belongs to humanity; there is no place for such foul creatures. Blackstone Territory will not hesitate to fight." He drained his cup.
"Excellent!" Baker cheered. "To ensure this operation's success, I have invited another capable assistant."
He pointed to a burly man on his left, wearing polished leather armor and a heavy sword at his hip. "This is Commander Buck of the 'Raging Rock' Mercenary Group. A veteran of many battles and a Tier 3 Earth Knight. His men are all experienced hands."
Buck grinned at Leylo, his voice booming. "Baron Leylo, I've heard much of you! Blackstone has been making quite a name for itself lately. I hope you'll look after us rougher folk in the future!"
Next, Baker introduced a young, stern-faced knight in the official armor of the Red Maple Knight Order. "And this is Captain Kane, the head of my Knight Order. Despite his youth, he is already an Earth Knight. He and his father are the backbone of my territory."
Kane stood and performed a perfect knight's salute. "Baron Leylo, Kane offers you his respects."
The next morning, as the first light of dawn touched Leylo's face, he woke up feeling refreshed. The slight grogginess from the wine was gone, replaced by a sharp sense of clarity. A specific piece of intelligence immediately caught his eye:
[Daily Intelligence Refresh]
[10: Hidden within the Ogre den is a forgotten trophy—the Soul Horn. This horn was crafted a century ago by a powerful mage known as the 'Mad Lich.' He forcibly sealed the soul of his arch-nemesis, a Tier 5 Domain Knight named the 'Star-Fall Knight,' into the horn. Blowing the Soul Horn summons a soul projection of the Star-Fall Knight to fight for the user. Its strength is equivalent to a Tier 5 Domain Knight and lasts for ten minutes. Note: The horn is currently dormant and unusable because the core mana stone has been exhausted.]
Leylo sat bolt upright! A Tier 5 Domain Knight soul projection?
Outside, the festive atmosphere of the night before was gone, replaced by the grim tension of impending battle. Viscount Baker had clearly been preparing for a long time; the logistics were flawless. In the war room, Baker pointed at the sand table to lay out the deployment.
"Baron Leylo, our latest reports indicate that besides the Tier 3 Ogre Chieftain, there is also a Tier 3 Ogre Shaman. Its 'Berserk' hex is extremely troublesome and can massively buff their combat power. If the Chieftain and Shaman are allowed to stay together, it will be a brutal fight."
He pointed to a mountain pass on the outskirts of the forest. "The Shaman rarely leaves the nest. The raids are usually led by the Chieftain. Our plan is to mimic a merchant caravan to lure the snake out of its hole. We will draw the Chieftain out first and eliminate him to solve the biggest problem."
Leylo nodded. Unlike many nobles, Baker had real military talent. Dividing and conquering was indeed the best choice. With the territory's troops and the Raging Rock mercenaries, the plan already had a high chance of success. Yet Baker's decision to hire Leylo's Pegasus squad for thirty percent of the loot showed how cautious—and thorough—he was.
With the plan set, the operation began immediately.