Night fell.
Several massive bonfires were lit on the castle plaza, their roaring flames illuminating the entire area as bright as day. Large chunks of meat sizzled over the fires, dripping grease that caused sparks to dance upward. The rich aroma of roasted meat mingled with the sweet scent of ale, making everyone's mouth water. Knights sat gathered around the fires, their boisterous laughter and the clinking of tankards echoing through the night.
Leylo sat at the head of the festivities, flanked by his core circle, including Ed and Borin. After a few rounds of drinks, he gave Ed a subtle nod.
Ed stepped forward, his booming voice cutting through the noise.
"The selection for the Earth-Dragon Knights begins now! The rules are simple: twenty candidates, dueling in pairs. The victors will earn the supreme glory of contracting an Earth-Dragon! To the losers—do not be discouraged. Train hard, for the next opportunity will always belong to the brave!"
"ROAR!"
A thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd. Ed raised a hand for silence, and once the shouting died down, he announced the specific rules.
A wide space was quickly cleared in the center of the plaza. Twenty formidable knights stepped out, their expressions solemn but their eyes burning with an irrepressible fighting spirit.
"First match: Barrot versus Rhod!"
At Ed's call, two knights entered the ring wielding heavy, hardwood training swords. After a brief salute, they wasted no time and lunged into a fierce melee. The wooden swords whistled through the air and collided with dull "thuds." Every block sent vibrations numbing through their arms; every thrust was swift and heavy.
Under the firelight, sweat sprayed and muscles bulged. The watching knights were stirred to a fever pitch, some clenching their fists, others subconsciously mimicking the movements on the field, gasping and cheering at every brilliant offensive or defensive maneuver.
The knights who had fused with the Earth-Dragon bloodline gradually showcased their staggering advantages. Their stamina seemed endless, their explosive power was superior, and their reaction times and durability noticeably exceeded those of their peers.
Each duel was incredibly grueling; no one would easily yield the chance to bond with an Earth-Dragon. One knight, caught in a flaw by his opponent, took a heavy strike to the shoulder. Despite the armor padding, he groaned in pain and stumbled back, nearly losing his grip on his sword. But with a roar, he surged forward instead of retreating, using a vicious shoulder tackle to knock his opponent back and win himself a moment to breathe.
One by one, the victors emerged from the exhausting struggles. They stood to the side, drenched in sweat and panting heavily, some covered in bruises and bloodstains, but their faces overflowed with pride. The knights who lost were clearly disappointed, yet they accepted their defeat gracefully, cheering wholeheartedly for the strength of their comrades.
As the final winner held his wooden sword high after a grueling test of will, the plaza erupted in thunderous applause. Leylo rose slowly and raised his cup.
"Knights!" His voice stilled the commotion instantly. "Tonight, we witnessed the birth of warriors! The clouds of war loom over us, but Blackstone Territory never fears a challenge!"
"War is coming. Everything you desire is on the battlefield—go and take it with your swords! When the war ends, I shall host another banquet to reward your merits!"
His sharp gaze swept over the excited faces. The knights' emotions were fully ignited.
"For the Lord!" a newly minted Earth-Dragon knight shouted.
"Blackstone stands firm! The blades are drawn!" Alex, already half-drunk, added his own bellowing cry.
"Blackstone stands firm! The blades are drawn!"
The mountain-shaking roar converged into an unstoppable torrent, echoing over the plaza as if to tear the night sky apart. Leylo took a deep breath of that palpable fighting spirit and drained his ale in one gulp.
"Gentlemen, drink up!"
Moonlight's New Friend
Late that night, Leylo returned to his room with a slight buzz from the alcohol. As he opened the door, a soft sound came from the window. A white silhouette darted in, leaping straight onto the bed and leaving several dark mud prints behind.
"Moonlight," Leylo sighed helplessly. The little rascal had clearly been off roaming some muddy valley again.
He walked to the bedside, grabbed a clean linen cloth, and wiped the mud from the sheets. Then, he picked up Moonlight—who was just about to curl up—and placed her on the desk. Moonlight flicked her tail in annoyance but let him hold her paws to wipe them clean.
"We leave for the front lines tomorrow," Leylo murmured while cleaning. "From today on, no more running off, do you hear me?"
Moonlight had been lazily squinting, but at the word "leave," her ears twitched and her eyes snapped open. The next moment, she broke free from Leylo's grip, turned into a white blur, and leaped straight back out the open window.
"Hey!" Leylo froze. Did she hear she was going away and decide to run away from home in a huff?
He hurried to the window. The night was thick; there was no sign of her. He frowned, though he wasn't truly worried—Moonlight was far too clever to actually disappear.
About an hour later, a light scratching came from the sill. Moonlight reappeared, crouching steadily on the ledge. She didn't jump down immediately; instead, she turned her head and gave two low, calling chirps: "Wu... Aoo-miu."
Then, a black cat, about a size smaller than Moonlight, clumsily scrambled up onto the windowsill. It was jet-black and crouched warily behind Moonlight, peeking into the room with wide, cautious eyes.
Leylo raised an eyebrow, caught between laughter and tears. It turned out Moonlight had heard they were leaving Blackstone and rushed out to fetch the "little sidekick" she'd picked up outdoors to bring along.
Leylo certainly wouldn't object to Moonlight bringing a "minion." After all, almost every beast in the territory was her subordinate. He walked over and rubbed Moonlight's fluffy head. Then, he reached out to pat the little black cat.
Just as his fingers were about to touch it, the black cat's form blurred. In the next instant, it vanished into thin air, reappearing on a thick tree branch ten meters outside the window, its round head watching warily.
"Hmm?" Leylo's eyes flashed with surprise. "Teleportation?"
Moonlight seemed displeased by the black cat's cowardice and chirped a few more times in a reassuring, commanding tone. The little black cat hesitated, its eyes darting around, before its form blurred again—teleporting back to the windowsill right next to Moonlight.