The Storm Griffin smacked its beak, but before it could even register the flavor, a powerful aura erupted from within its body.
It's starting!
Leylo's eyes sharpened. The Griffin's body began to tremble violently. Cyan wind elements surged frantically around it, forming visible whirlwinds that swept dust and grass into the air. Its feathers stood on end like sharpened steel needles, and its frame began to expand at a visible rate.
Leylo grabbed a bottle of blue energy potion from the chest, twisted off the cap, and poured it directly into the Griffin's wide-open beak.
Gulp... gulp...
Knowing this was the key to its evolution, the Griffin didn't resist, allowing the thick, energy-rich liquid to flow into its stomach. One bottle, two, three... Leylo poured the precious potions as if they cost nothing, though each bottle represented a mountain of golden Gold Dragons.
On the windowsill, Moonlight shifted positions, her attention finally piqued.
As the energy surged, the Griffin's aura grew more magnificent. It let out a high-pitched cry that shook the surrounding fields. A powerful pressure radiated outward, causing the nearby attendants to feel a sudden chest-tightening dread, forcing them to retreat.
Soon, over a dozen bottles were empty. The cyan light on the Griffin's skin flickered unevenly; the evolution seemed to have hit a bottleneck. The aura was still climbing, but the speed had slowed significantly, as if it were just one final step away from the threshold.
Leylo frowned. These potions were the entirety of Blackstone's stockpile, yet it still wasn't enough. He looked at the remaining two Dragon-Thorn Fruits on the tree. Without hesitation, he plucked another.
"To catch the wolf, one must be willing to lose the bait!"
Leylo tossed the second fruit. At the critical moment of its breakthrough, the Griffin instinctively sensed the massive energy within and swallowed it whole.
BOOM!
The moment the second fruit hit its stomach, a torrent of energy far more violent than before exploded within. The stalled evolution was injected with powerful momentum and accelerated again.
The Griffin's size expanded further. Its height, originally near three meters, shot up until it rivaled a small house. Its cyan feathers deepened in color, appearing as if they were forged from pure wind elements, with faint sparks of electricity dancing along their edges. The crest on its head grew longer and more ornate, resembling a natural crown. Its sharp eyes flashed with a brilliance that was hard to look at, overflowing with majesty and power.
SKREE!
A piercing cry echoed across Blackstone Territory. The Storm Griffin snapped its wings open—a massive span that covered half the clearing. A gale rose, making the surrounding trees groan and rustle. A terrifying pressure, far exceeding that of a Tier 3 magical beast, swept out to announce the birth of a new king.
Tier 4! Storm Griffin King!
Leylo smiled with satisfaction. Though the cost was high—two precious fruits and over a dozen potions—it was worth it to have a Tier 4 powerhouse. The Griffin King slowly folded its wings and affectionately nudged Leylo's shoulder. Unlike its previous reluctant submission under Moonlight's "tyranny," its eyes were now filled with genuine gratitude and recognition.
"Go on, get a feel for your new power," Leylo said, patting its neck.
The Serpent's Shadow
The following afternoon, Leylo sat behind his oak desk, dealing with a mountain of paperwork. I really need to recruit a proper batch of administrative officers, he thought, rubbing his temples.
Suddenly, urgent footsteps approached. Knock, knock, knock!
"Enter!"
A dusty knight in leather armor burst in and knelt on one knee. "My Lord, emergency! Reports from the Emerald Swamp—a large group of Snake Cult minions has appeared near the border! At least a hundred of them!"
"Minions of the Demon Snake?" Leylo stood and walked to the window, looking toward the distant mountains. "So, they've finally come."
The sleeping Nine-Headed Demon Snake required vast amounts of flesh to complete its ascension. It seemed the territory would be plagued by these pests for some time.
"Pass my orders! All Pegasus Knights are to assemble at the training grounds immediately! Everyone else, move to high alert!"
Leylo strode out of the study, his previous weariness replaced by a surging fighting spirit. These minions were mostly Tier 1, with a few Tier 2 leaders, but their strength lay in their sheer numbers. Their goal was to plunder flesh; if they were allowed to rampage, Blackstone's already thin population would suffer a devastating blow.
At the training grounds, dozens of Pegasus Knights stood in formation, their silver armor glinting.
ROAR!
A massive cyan shadow soared into the sky, creating a violent downdraft as it landed before Leylo. It was the evolved Storm Griffin King. Standing five meters tall, it radiated pure intimidation. Its wingspan, now reaching twenty-odd meters, kicked up a storm with every flap. Its feathers hummed with electricity, edges sharp as knives.
Moonlight appeared from nowhere and leaped into Leylo's arms as he climbed onto the Griffin King's broad back.
"Lord of the Territory!" the knights shouted in salute.
"Move out!"
Leylo wasted no words. The Griffin King let out a cry that split the clouds and beat its massive wings, leading the flight toward the border.