Little Blackie's injuries had basically healed by now.
Its self-healing ability outside of combat was no exaggeration.
Zong Shen nimbly climbed onto the black dragon's back, preparing to take flight on dragonback.
Little Blackie raised its neck, its powerful hind legs supporting its entire body.
The ground in the courtyard had been packed firmly and reinforced with thick stone slabs, so it could bear Little Blackie's weight.
It no longer seemed resistant to Zong Shen riding it. At least this time, Little Blackie did not dawdle and refuse to move.
The black wings behind it abruptly spread open. As they flapped, air currents churned across the ground, sending dust drifting into the air.
Under Zong Shen's command, it soared into the sky and prepared to head for the outer defensive line of the territory, where Vereesa had assembled the troops.
Vereesa had long since gathered the mixed combat squadrons as Zong Shen instructed.
Ten squads formed a new formation, resting casually where they stood.
Zong Shen had slept for two hours, and they had rested here for two hours as well.
Vereesa herself leaned against a barricade along the defensive line, calmly gazing into the distance.
Each mixed combat squadron had a combat-type hero overseeing it.
The troops included cavalry, archers, and warriors, as well as a smaller number of mages. The surviving Griffons and Scorpion-tailed Tigers had even been assigned as aerial support units of flying magical beasts.
There were not many mage troops in the territory, so each squad only received a few. Still, for squadrons tasked with heading out to hunt down enemies, their current configuration was sufficient.
The troops also had Tier 6 and Tier 5 warriors stationed among them.
This way, even if they encountered high-tier Dark Orc Warrior squads, they would not be slaughtered