Chapter 313: Chapter 307: Head of the Catastrophe Level Demon Serpent, "Ice Wind

"The third location is also the most dangerous."

The Pegasus Knight Captain’s voice was low.

"Fifty kilometers due north of the Swamp Giant Lizard Breeding Ground, in a forest shrouded in mist, we found a nest of Two-winged Feathered Serpents." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"How many?"

Raylo asked.

"We couldn’t get an exact count. The mist has a disorienting effect on the mind. We lost three of our brothers just to get a glimpse, but we’re certain it’s a complete flock. There’s definitely a large number of them."

Ed’s expression darkened.

"Two-winged Feathered Serpents... Those things are a lot of trouble. Their venom can easily corrode a Pegasus’s wings. We’ve suffered at their hands more than once."

Raylo said nothing. He took the third banner, the one depicting a Two-winged Feathered Serpent, and planted it on the sand table.

The three small banners formed an irregular triangle, like three poison fangs sinking deep into the map of the Jade Swamp.

The atmosphere in the command tent grew heavy.

Everyone understood the value of these three pieces of intelligence.

But the problem was that all three locations were deep behind enemy lines. Their defenses were bound to be formidable, and dangers would lurk everywhere.

Trying to take them all down in one go would be like pulling teeth from a tiger’s mouth.

Just as everyone was pondering a way to break the stalemate, Raylo made his move.

His finger started at the position representing the Black Stone Territory’s camp and drew a line across the sand table.

The line was bold and sharp, connecting the three small banners.

Coiling Serpent Mountain, the Swamp Giant Lizard Breeding Ground, the Feathered Serpent nest.

A perfect route for a surprise attack.

Seeing this route, the commanders’ eyes lit up.

It seemed their lord had already made a decision, and he intended to swallow all three targets in one bite.

However, Raylo’s hand didn’t stop.

His finger swept past the third banner, the line it drew continuing without pause, extending deeper into the Jade Swamp.

It crossed forests and swamps, finally stopping on a patch of high ground a full one hundred and fifty kilometers from the Black Stone Territory’s border.

That area was blank on the map, with no markings—just an unremarkable patch of high ground.

Everyone was stunned.

Ed’s brow furrowed. He stared at the end of the line, completely baffled.

"My Lord, I understand the first three targets, but this final stop... this high ground... we have no intelligence on it. Why make it the final destination? Pushing our forces over a hundred kilometers behind enemy lines is far too risky."

Yes, why?

Everyone’s gaze fell on Raylo’s face, filled with confusion and curiosity.

Raylo withdrew his finger. He looked at the deep, unsupported offensive route on the sand table, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.

He didn’t answer Ed’s question directly. Instead, he looked at the assembled group, his gaze sweeping over each commander’s face.

"Destroying the Snake-man settlements, razing the Swamp Giant Lizard Breeding Ground, and burning the Feathered Serpent nests—these are just the appetizers."

Raylo said.

"Here."

Raylo’s finger tapped lightly on the nameless high ground.

"Here is where we will find the most valuable prize of this entire expedition."

10: Approximately one hundred and fifty kilometers from Black Stone Territory, deep within the Jade Swamp, there is a patch of high ground. On this high ground stands a Demon Serpent Temple dedicated to the Nine-headed Demon Serpent. The temple enshrines ’Ice Wind,’ the Head of the Demon Serpent, which was severed during its battle with the Legendary Dragon Knight Gavin after it ascended to the Catastrophe Level. After centuries of worship by the Snake-men, the Demon Head ’Ice Wind’ has been reactivated. It can be controlled with Magic Power to unleash Catastrophe Level Ice Wind Magic. A devout, Domain Level Demon Serpent Priest guards this place.

Just this morning, a new piece of system intelligence had left Raylo greatly invigorated.

’As long as I can capture this ’Ice Wind’ Demon Head, I’ll be the biggest winner of this war, regardless of the ultimate outcome.’

The lights in the command tent, which had burned all night, were only extinguished when the first rays of dawn pierced the horizon.

The sky was still dim at first light, and a damp mist drifted through the camp.

The army of Black Stone Territory had already assembled in silence. There were no rousing slogans, only the dull clang of overlapping armor plates and the suppressed growls of the Magical Beasts.

Raylo swung himself onto the broad back of Baofeng, the Storm Griffin King.

The giant beast ruffled its tawny Iron Feathers and let out a clear, sharp cry that pierced the morning mist.

"Move out."

Raylo ordered.

At his command, the vast military formation began to move, like a colossal beast awakening.

Ten Mammoth Knights, like moving hills, led the vanguard, their every step causing the ground to tremble slightly.

Following them were twenty Earth Dragon Knights. Their mounts were covered in thick Scale Armor, and they exhaled white smoke tinged with the smell of sulfur.

Behind them came Black Stone Territory’s most elite Heavy Armor Knights.

The skies, meanwhile, were dominated by two other units.

Sixteen Griffin Knights flew in a protective formation around Raylo, while over two hundred Pegasus Knights formed a great white arrowhead, circling high above and blending in with the flowing clouds.

The great army marched forth, resolutely setting foot on the path into the heart of the Jade Swamp, the very route Raylo himself had drawn.

The swamp paths were muddy and difficult to traverse, but for this particular army, it was not much of an obstacle.

The massive bodies of the Mammoths and Earth Dragons trampled a relatively solid path through the mud and puddles.

Less than an hour into the march, a signal came from the Pegasus Scouts up ahead.

"My Lord, three kilometers ahead, we’ve spotted a Lizardfolk patrol, about fifty strong."

Ed steered his Griffin closer and reported in a low voice.

Without even turning his head, Raylo simply raised his left hand and made a simple gesture.

High above, a squadron of one hundred Pegasus Knights quietly broke away from the main formation. They descended like ghosts, using the thin morning mist as cover, and silently dove toward their target.

There were no war cries, only the whistle of javelins and the sickening thud of blades sinking into flesh.

The battle was over in minutes. By the time the main army arrived, all that could be seen was a field of Lizardfolk corpses.

The Pegasus Knights had already returned to the formation as if nothing had happened. Only the undried blood on the tips of their spears testified to the brief and efficient slaughter that had just occurred.

The army’s pace was not affected in the slightest.

This was only the beginning.

As they pushed deeper, the resistance they encountered grew stronger.

The forces of the Jade Swamp had clearly detected these uninvited guests and had begun to organize interceptions.

"Mixed force of Snake-men and Swamp Giant Lizards ahead! Over three hundred of them!"

This time, the enemy had occupied a narrow pass, attempting to use the terrain to their advantage.

"Earth Dragon Knights, prepare to charge."

Raylo’s command was concise.

The twenty Earth Dragon Knights immediately moved to the front, forming a solid horizontal line.

They lowered their visors, their heavy lances held steady under their arms.

"For Black Stone Territory!"

With a furious roar, the Earth Dragons began to accelerate.

Their heavy footfalls thundered against the ground like the beating of war drums.

The Snake-men’s Poison Arrows struck their thick Scale Armor, only to produce a shower of sparks, causing no real damage.

BOOM!

The ironclad line of Earth Dragon Knights smashed violently into the Snake-men’s fragile defensive line.

The sound of cracking bones and shrill screams filled the air.

The agility and venom of the Snake-men seemed laughable in the face of absolute power and defense.

Behind them, the Knights of Black Stone Territory charged, pouring through the gap torn open by the Earth Dragons to cut down the remaining enemies.

After routing three organized units of the Demon Serpent’s Fangs, the path ahead suddenly opened up.

A thick, foul stench and a cloying, humid odor began to fill the air.

The Pegasus Scouts reported back once again.

"My Lord, Coiling Serpent Mountain is just ahead."