[Daily Intelligence Refresh]
Count Barton of Great Rock organized the coalition to enter the Emerald Swamp. Clearing monsters was merely a pretext; his true motive is a lost Knight's Inheritance located in an abandoned Dragon Temple ruin in the southwest of the swamp. Attracted by the temple's residual aura, a Tier 4 Marsh Caiman-Dragon now resides there.
The "Wanderer's Market," a massive underground trade hub in the Northern Border's lawless "Three-Way Oasis," will open in one day. In the eastern sector, at a mercenary's stall, lies an old gauntlet hiding legendary radiance behind a dull exterior. Known as the "Grasp of the Giant," this sub-divine artifact grants the wearer the strength of a giant.
Saintess Freya of the Holy See has departed under the protection of the Radiant Knights to tour the kingdoms. She is expected to pass through the Thunder Dragon Duchy in one month.
Baron Bartley "Ironfist" of the West has built a massive underground colosseum and purchased Orcs, Trolls, and other demi-humans from Ash Wasteland slavers to serve as gladiators.
Blood-Axe Baron of Red River and the neighboring Ironwood Territory are feuding over a rich iron vein; several skirmishes have occurred in the valley.
A rare Two-Headed Chimera is frequenting the outskirts of the Misty Forest. As a mutant variant, it has broken its bloodline shackles to become a Tier 5 beast. It will remain there for about two weeks.
"Blood-Throat," scion of the Nine-Headed Demon Snake, has led a warband out of the swamp to invade the Blackstone Mountains. A clash with the Black Dragon occupying the eastern range is inevitable.
Three thousand kilometers north of Blackstone Territory, deep in the mountains, stands a Mage Tower belonging to the legendary mage Wendell "The Furnace." Wendell is currently traveling the astral planes, leaving a Red Dragon to guard the tower.
The Kingdom of Sol will declare war on the Thunder Dragon Duchy in ten days. This holy war, instigated by the Holy See, aims to force the Duchy to open its borders to their faith and name the God of Light the sole deity.
Lillian, en route to her territory, rescued a couple from bandits. The couple is the runaway daughter of the Sunset Baron and her groom. In reality, the groom is a leader of the Stone Crow Bandits planning to ransom her. Lillian, ever helpful, has invited them to stay at her estate as guests.
"Let's check out the Wanderer's Market first," Leylo decided. The "Grasp of the Giant" offered a massive boost to personal combat power. The Dragon Temple could wait until he had the gauntlet in hand.
"Moonlight, we're going out."
The white cat opened one pale gold eye lazily but didn't move. Leylo knew she understood. After delegating the territory's affairs for the next two days, he summoned Tempest. The Griffin King let out a powerful screech, excited for the journey. Moonlight leaped from the window onto his back, yawning as she curled up to continue her nap.
"Let's move."
Tempest shot into the sky like an arrow, heading southwest toward the Three-Way Oasis.
The Law of the Wild
The 1,500-kilometer journey was well within the endurance of a Griffin King. From high above, Leylo watched the world shrink—plains, hills, and lush forests blurred past.
Halfway through the day, a sharp, grating caw echoed from the wasteland below, mingled with the desperate bellows of a beast.
"Lower us, Tempest."
They descended to find a swarm of hundreds of Red Magic Crows, their feathers flickering with sparks, attacking a massive Great-Horned Bull. The bull was a Tier 2 beast, double the size of a normal ox, its horns glowing with earthen mana. However, the crows were relentless. They dodged its horns and pecked at its eyes and joints, their fiery wings cauterizing wounds as they struck.
Eventually, the bull collapsed. The crows swarmed the carcass with triumphant, ear-piercing caws.
"Natural selection. The law of the wild is naked and cruel," Leylo mused. Moonlight watched the scene with bored indifference before yawning again.
The Three-Way Oasis
At dusk, Leylo spotted a lonely outpost called the "Apple Orchard Inn." He parked Tempest behind a secluded dune and entered the tavern with Moonlight in his arms.
The innkeeper, a shrewd, middle-aged man, recognized Leylo's noble bearing immediately. For a silver eagle, Leylo secured the best room and a dinner of roast geese and chickens—mostly to satisfy Moonlight's stomach.
The next morning, they reached the horizon where a splash of lush green interrupted the barren waste. The Three-Way Oasis was a magnificent emerald lake surrounded by ancient trees and a chaotic sprawl of tents, stone buildings, and houses made of giant monster bones.
The oasis wasn't a desert refuge but a symbol of independence, reportedly owned by a Domain Knight.
Tempest screeched in delight at finishing the flight. Leylo landed the griffin on a high dune outside the oasis and commanded him to circle the skies until called. Donning a plain linen robe and pulling his hood low to hide his face, Leylo entered the Wanderer's Market with Moonlight tucked into his arms.
The market was a cacophony of shouting mercenaries, sly merchants, and hooded figures. Goods ranged from rusted blades and ancient pottery to ores humming with mana. Leylo pushed past a foul-smelling area selling low-grade slaves and beast cubs, his eyes fixed on the eastern sector. He was looking for a specific mercenary stall—the one holding the power of giants.