[The Magic Beast Incident in Half-Horn City II]

[Magic Beast Incident in Half-Horn City II]

His men simply could not talk Du Wei out of it. What gave Robert a headache was that this young master seemed dead set on going into the mountains to see what that Magic Beast looked like.

Robert's gaze toward Knight Span grew rather unfriendly. In his view, this fellow had caused all this trouble. If the young master suffered even the slightest injury... even the tiniest fright, he would be the one held responsible!

Although he had grown quite fond of this young master, who put on no airs and treated others gently, Robert still felt that deciding to enter the mountains to look for a Magic Beast was childish recklessness!

There was no helping it. Robert sighed. He could only make up his mind in secret that, once they entered the mountains, he would remain at his master's side every step of the way. With the sword in his hand, he should be able to keep his master safe no matter what.

Besides, in a place like these plains, surely no high-level Magic Beast would appear.

Robert consoled himself. And his self-consolation proved rather effective. After all, on the Roland Continent, Magic Beasts followed a peculiar rule.

Magic Beasts were a general term for wild animals born with magical abilities. Yet there was a strange measure for judging their strength: according to what was known of most Magic Beasts, their danger level was inversely proportional to their size.

In other words, the larger a Magic Beast was, the weaker it usually was. The truly dangerous ones were often those tiny fellows.

Since Span had said that a huge creature had appeared nearby, his martial skills should be enough to handle it.

At that moment, Span could not help feeling as though he were riding a tiger and unable to dismount. Compared with the Magic Beast itself, he was more worried about the safety of this young master of the Roland Family.

But Du Wei had already stated that he had to go and take a look... Span would rather not have the help of the other party's dozens of guards.

Yet Du Wei had made his position clear: even if Span rejected his goodwill, he would still bring his own men up the mountain! Weighing it up, Span felt it would be better to lead men alongside them. At least there would be more people, and it would be safer.

Those mercenaries were quite efficient. Half an hour later, more than twenty mercenaries stood fully armed outside the inn. Du Wei left a group of servants behind to guard the inn, while he himself set off with two squads of cavalry.

Du Wei put on a light suit of armor. Though he still looked somewhat frail, it at least put everyone more at ease. Ruolin knew they would be entering the mountains to search for a Magic Beast—she had done this sort of work before. Hunting Magic Beasts and exchanging the prey for gold coins was how many adventuring groups on the continent made their money.

Span gathered the last twenty men from Half-Horn City's garrison camp. This barely brought their total to eighty or ninety people. Though that was still somewhat thin, seeing that Roland's attendants and guards were all brightly armored and well equipped, Span felt much relieved.

Worthy of the Empire's local regular army, Span and Robert, the two highest-ranking knights, discussed matters and divided everyone into three teams. They also broke up the local troops, mercenaries, and Roland Family guards according to their unit types. Each of the three teams was assigned different types of troops, with close-combat soldiers and archers distributed among them.

The other two teams were led by Span's two deputies, while Span himself and Knight Robert—the two strongest martial fighters—remained at Du Wei's side.

Span had already made up his mind. Even if it meant failing this mission, he absolutely had to ensure the Roland Family's young master was completely safe! Otherwise, if the eldest son of the Imperial military's second-ranking leader came to harm under his watch, his entire future in the army would be finished! Compared with that, whether they could capture the Magic Beast no longer mattered.

It was worth mentioning that the other two teams each had only twenty men. Du Wei's team, on the other hand, retained a full forty subordinates. Thirty were Roland Family guards, while the other ten were the rare archers under Span's command.

Span even gave Du Wei a precious military hand crossbow for protection, because he could tell that this young master likely did not know archery. Having a military hand crossbow would at least improve his chances of staying safe.

Thus, Du Wei's team possessed forty of the most elite regular soldiers—though the Roland Family guards were certainly no worse than regular troops—along with two level-four knights and a genuine magician.

That was already a formidable force.

The three teams immediately set off from the city and entered Half-Horn Mountain by three separate mountain paths. They would search in different directions, and each team carried several items like the signal flares Du Wei knew of. The moment any team discovered the Magic Beast, it would engage and hold it while sending a signal to summon the others.

Their agreed meeting point after the search was Half-Horn Valley at the very center.

Surrounded by the others, Du Wei rode into Half-Horn Mountain. This fellow seemed utterly unaware that he had already become everyone's burden... or perhaps he knew perfectly well and was simply playing dumb.

The forty men, fully armed, spread out in a fan shape on both sides as soon as they entered Half-Horn Mountain, carefully searching for every suspicious trace. The two knights, Span and Robert, guarded Du Wei closely.

The first traces of the Magic Beast in Half-Horn Mountain had been discovered by hunters from a small village on the southern slope. According to Span's introduction along the way, the local hunters had initially spotted footprints on the forest floor and mistaken them for some large wild animal wandering into the woods. They gathered several experienced hunters and entered the mountain to hunt it, only to discover the Magic Beast's traces on the southern side. Realizing that they were no match for a Magic Beast, the hunters simply fled back and reported the situation to the city garrison. According to their account, the Magic Beast they had discovered was enormous, about the size of a lion or tiger. Because they had been standing too far away, they could not see what kind of Magic Beast it was. But the creature's entire body glowed, so it was certainly no ordinary wild beast.

After following the mountain path into Half-Horn Mountain, everyone dismounted, Du Wei included. The soldiers spread out to search both sides, while five warriors with the best martial skills were assigned to scout at the very front.

Under such circumstances, forget seeing any Magic Beast... every step Du Wei took was tested and cleared for him by someone else! Not even a rabbit could possibly be hiding in the grass.

Du Wei could not help feeling a little bored. Looking at the dense woods around them and listening to the occasional chirping birdsong, he glanced at the somewhat nervous Knight Span beside him and smiled.

He knew perfectly well what Span was thinking. "Knight Span, may I ask whether you have ever seen a real Magic Beast?"

Span froze, then thought for a moment. "I have. I once served for four years in the Imperial Storm Legion in the north. The army I belonged to was stationed east of the Frozen Forest in the northern part of the continent. The Frozen Forest is recognized as the place with the most Magic Beast activity on the continent. We encountered some during patrols. Fortunately, those active around the forest's outskirts were generally low-level Magic Beasts and posed limited threats to humans. We never dared venture deep into the forest while patrolling, because the high-level Magic Beasts inside were not something ordinary soldiers could handle."

Du Wei thought for a moment. "Then what are Magic Beasts like?"

Span pondered briefly. "Magic Beasts... are really just wild animals. They are simply much more formidable than ordinary beasts. Normal beasts can only harm people with claws and sharp teeth. But Magic Beasts are born able to use certain low-level magical instincts, so they are rather troublesome to deal with."

"Then have you ever personally hunted a Magic Beast?"

Span's face reddened. He said quietly, "Young Master Du Wei, back then I was only a level-two knight. With my abilities, I could not possibly hunt a Magic Beast alone. But during one patrol, the squad I was in truly encountered a formidable creature. It was a Storm Magic Wolf unique to the Frozen Forest of the northern lands. Those creatures were incredibly fast—arrows could not hit them. Their fur could instantly freeze and crystallize, becoming as hard as our armor. Blades could scarcely harm them, and they could howl out wind blades from their mouths. They were extremely difficult to deal with. Back then, a squad of our soldiers ran into one of them, and ten soldiers were no match for it... I remember that battle. Four of my comrades died, and every survivor was wounded. In the end, our captain took a wind blade head-on and cut off the wolf's tail with one stroke... That kind of Magic Wolf's weakness lies in its tail. Once it loses its tail, its magic weakens. Still, after we skinned that Magic Wolf, its pelt sold for a fine price, and its magic core was worth a good sum as well. Magic Beast cores are things magicians favor, because the magic cores of Magic Beasts of every element are useful tools for storing magical power and materials for crafting magical scrolls of all elements."

Remembering his younger days, Span could not help sighing with emotion. "I remember when I was stationed beside the Frozen Forest, many adventuring groups entered the forest every month to hunt Magic Beasts for money, despite our warnings. But one-third of them never came out alive. No one knew how many died in the forest. Even some magicians died in there."

Du Wei sighed and glanced at Solskja beside him.

They both knew that magicians did not hunt Magic Beasts for money. Yet Magic Beast cores held an extraordinary attraction for magicians. They were all important magical raw materials.

As Span spoke, he used the sword in his hand to chop aside a forked branch jutting across the path. He smiled and said, "Young Master Du Wei, there is no need to worry. By the usual rule, the larger the Magic Beast, the weaker it is. This creature we are dealing with should not be too formidable. With me... ah, and with Knight Robert here, we certainly will not let you suffer any harm."

Du Wei nodded without committing himself. Instead, he looked at the silent Robert. "And you, Robert? Have you ever hunted a Magic Beast?"

Robert's expression turned grave. After thinking for a moment, he gently pushed aside his thick curls and exposed his neck.

Only then did Du Wei notice the shocking wound on Robert's neck! It was clearly a piercing scar, as though something had once stabbed viciously through one side of his neck! Though it was an old wound and evidently many years had passed, the scar was still flesh-red. It was easy to see how severe the injury had been.

"This was left to me by a Magic Beast." Robert's voice was low. "I once went to the Sunset Swamp in the south. In the swamp, my group encountered a flock of griffins."

Before Du Wei could speak, Knight Span, Solskja, and even Ruolin, who was following behind them, all sucked in a cold breath at once! Span cried out, "A flock of griffins? Gods, how did you survive?"

"Griffins? Are they that formidable?" Du Wei asked.

Solskja shook his head. "More than formidable. Griffins are flying Magic Beasts. If we do not count those legendary ferocious beasts, griffins are considered one of the most troublesome Magic Beasts. They are avian Magic Beasts, roughly the size of ordinary eagles, but their cries sound like lions roaring. Their feathers are as hard as iron, their talons can easily tear through our armor, and their beaks can even snap the swords in a knight's hand... The worst part is that they can fly, while their hard feathers make ordinary arrows completely unable to harm them. Their cries can also induce panic in people, and stronger ones can directly stun a person."

"Spirit-type attack magic?" Du Wei drew in a breath.

"The deadly part was, if you only ran into one of these terrifying creatures, it wouldn't be much... but this magical beast was the only one among all magical beasts that lived in groups! In other words, these troublesome things always moved in packs. In the southern swamps, even a small army would choose to avoid them if they encountered them! Because if a huge flock of such formidable creatures came at you in formation from the sky, it would be incredibly difficult to withstand."

Ruolin looked at the wound on Robert's neck and frowned. "How did you survive?"

Robert shook his head. "I'd thought I was as good as dead. Half the people who entered the swamp with us that time died. A griffin clawed my neck, and one of its talons nearly pierced straight through it. But later, we found a huge hollow tree in the swamp. We hid inside it for a full day. The entrance was narrow, so those things lost their advantage in the air and couldn't attack us from above. Only then did things become a little easier for us. By guarding that narrow tree hollow, we held out for a day before those griffins finally left. In the end, the rescue party sent by the family carried me back. My life was finally saved."

After a pause, a trace of gloom crossed Robert's face. "My younger brother died there. Just like me, he was clawed on the neck by a griffin, but he wasn't as lucky as I was. His head was torn off on the spot."

Du Wei's heart jolted. Looking at Robert, he hurriedly said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, Knight Robert. I didn't know..."

"No, it's nothing." The knight shook his head and forced a smile. "That was many years ago. Besides, once we swore loyalty to the family, we had long been prepared to sacrifice our lives for it at any time."

Everyone could not help but regard Knight Robert with solemn respect. Even Ruolin could not resist looking at him twice more. But she soon raised a question. "Sir Robert, Sir Span, I have a question."

"What is it? Please speak, Lady Knight Ruolin." Span was quite respectful toward the honorary female knight at the young nobleman's side.

Ruolin said slowly, "From what I know, magical beasts mostly live in forests, but they rarely live in the center of the continent. Magical beasts need to replenish their magic power, so they only inhabit unusual places along the continent's edges—places such as the Frozen Forest in the north and the Sunset Swamp in the south. Those places are filled with all kinds of magical plants... the raw materials used by magical apothecaries to formulate magic potions grow there. Or there may be places rich in certain special minerals, which also attract magical beasts to live nearby. But... Half-Horn Mountain is nothing more than an utterly ordinary woodland. There are no magical plants here, only common pine and maple trees, and there are no special mineral deposits either. So isn't it strange for a magical beast to suddenly appear here?"

Span and Robert both stopped walking, their expressions turning grave. Even the mage Solskja frowned in thought.

"Ruolin, do you know a great deal about magical beasts?" Du Wei was the one who spoke.

"I've had quite a few adventures, and I once followed several mercenary groups into the Frozen Forest to hunt magical beasts," Ruolin explained. "So I'm probably the person here who has dealt with magical beasts the most."

"You've entered the Frozen Forest in the north?" Knight Span looked astonished. In his view, this female knight had most likely obtained the title of honorary knight from the young nobleman by relying on her beauty. He had never expected Ruolin to have such experience.

Even Robert looked surprised.

Ruolin said quietly, "Yes. I've gone in several times."

"I don't know much about the habits of magical beasts. If what Lady Knight Ruolin says is true... then we must think this through carefully." Robert said gravely, "The appearance of a magical beast is indeed highly suspicious."

Span said nothing, but his expression carried a faint hint of disdain.

Clearly, Span did not believe Ruolin.

An experienced knight like Span could tell what sort of fighter this female knight was. He had judged that her skills were nothing remarkable. She had probably won the young nobleman's favor through her pretty face... and those beautiful long legs.

Entering the Frozen Forest in the north? Several times? Who was she trying to fool?

The search continued for the entire afternoon, yet they found nothing—not even tracks or droppings from a magical beast.

There was no news from the other two search parties either.

Looking at the darkening sky and the setting sun, Knight Span suggested that they rest where they were for the moment, then return to the city together while it was still light. They could come back early the next morning and continue the search.

This decision was a helpless concession made entirely because of Du Wei's presence.

If not for this high-born young master, Span's original plan had been to continue searching through the night. But now that the party had brought along a young master who could neither be touched nor jostled, Span did not dare act rashly. Safety came first. Searching for magical beasts in the mountains at night would only increase the danger.

During the rest, Robert arranged for men to stand guard around them, while Span sent two of his archers to climb nearby trees and observe the surroundings.

"Ruolin." As Ruolin was about to tidy her saddle, Du Wei suddenly called out to his female knight.

"What are your orders, Master?"

"I believe you." Du Wei spoke softly. The words made Ruolin's body tremble. The female knight turned her face toward him.

Du Wei idly toyed with an unknown wildflower in his hand, his smile easygoing. "I know that Knight Span doesn't believe you. He thinks you're boasting."

A bitter smile appeared on Ruolin's face.

Merely boasting? He probably thought she was some lowly woman who had traded her beauty and body for a knighthood.

And it was not only Span. Even most of the Roland Family's soldiers and attendants probably thought the same...

A thread of helplessness welled up in Ruolin's heart.

"I believe you," Du Wei said quietly. He took a few slow steps forward, looked at the helpless expression on Ruolin's face, and smiled. "Because, as it happens, I know that you are a surviving descendant of the Muen Tribe. And, just as it happens, an ancient book I read recorded that the Muen people possess an inborn ability. If what that book recorded was not mistaken... then I don't think entering that Frozen Forest would be difficult for you. Even if you encountered a whole host of magical beasts, you wouldn't be in much danger."

Ruolin was even more astonished. She blurted out, "You... know that too?"

"Books." Du Wei smiled. "Books are the wellspring of human knowledge. Reading more is always beneficial."

As he spoke, the half-grown boy walked to Ruolin's side, gently patted her shoulder, and smiled. "My female knight, we must work hard. Otherwise, others will look down on us. Like today—haven't you noticed? They all see me as dead weight. And you are my first honorary knight. We both need to work hard and show them what we can do."

Ruolin studied the half-grown boy carefully, yet when those words fell into her ears, a warm current could not help but surge through her heart.

That's right! They all thought she was the kind of woman who climbed upward by sleeping with men! Yet the one who truly respected and trusted her was this young master before her!

Ruolin could not help lowering her head deeply to Du Wei. Her voice trembled faintly as she said, "Yes, my master. Ruolin will work hard. I will never allow your honor to be shamed!"

After the brief rest, Span immediately gathered everyone and prepared to descend the mountain. He had people fire a signal to contact the other two teams. Before long, they received a response. One of the other teams was actually not far from Du Wei's group; judging from where the signal had been fired, the two sides were only about a li apart.

The two knights immediately ordered everyone to form up and set off to meet their companions.

But when they were halfway there, Knight Robert at the very front of the formation could already see the other party ahead waving at them...

At that moment, a piercing, miserable roar came from the side! Then they saw a huge figure dart swiftly through the woods! The massive creature seemed wreathed in soaring flames, and as it ran, the trees to either side and the grass beneath it were scorched black by fire!

"...A magical beast?!!!" No one knew who shouted first, but everyone was instantly thrown into alarm!

"Form ranks!!" A steady shout rang out from behind them. Knight Robert had already drawn his broadsword and bellowed, "Don't panic! Form ranks, surround it from both sides! Don't let it get away! Archers, get ready! Those in front, raise your shields!"

Orders flew rapidly from Robert's mouth. More than half of these men were Roland Family guards, and Robert's voice immediately steadied them.

Span was no slouch either. He had already gathered the archers and ordered them all to climb trees on the spot.

For some reason, that magic beast suddenly burst out at this very moment, as if it had no fear of the many humans before it.

Du Wei had finally gotten his wish and seen a legendary magic beast with his own eyes.

This creature was even larger than Du Wei had imagined, as massive as an elephant. A huge, grotesque horn rose from its forehead, its hide was rough and thick, and its four hoofed legs were as thick as pillars. It thundered over the earth, charging wildly forward with shrill roars, flames pouring from its entire body!

With such a strange and vicious giant wreathed in flames, it was difficult for everyone to stop it. The soldiers who had formed ranks and raised their shields did not dare block it head-on, and could only helplessly move aside. The archers in the trees loosed their arrows one after another, but the shafts striking its body seemed unable to inflict much harm.

Fortunately, despite its enormous bulk, it ran rather slowly. Amid shouts and cries, soldiers immediately picked up their spears and brandished them from afar to frighten it.

"Don't be afraid. It's only a Flame Rhinoceros." Ruolin spoke, seeming to let out a breath of relief. The female knight stood beside Du Wei, even taking half a step forward to shield him. Her voice was low, as though she were explaining only to him. "Flame Rhinoceroses are among the lowest-grade magic beasts. Other than being a little strong and able to spit some fire, there's nothing frightening about them. And they run very slowly. With a few powerful bows, it's nothing more than a burning target."

Robert heard Ruolin's words and immediately shouted, "Raise the spears! Block it!"

The Flame Rhinoceros ran a few steps, only to find humans blocking it from every direction, rows of spears raised toward it. It did not dare truly ram headlong into them. Its hide might have been tough and its flesh thick, but it was far from possessing the invulnerability to blades and swords of those high-grade magic beasts. After letting out several strange cries, it ultimately did not dare charge the wall of spears. It could only halt in haste and twist around to flee in another direction—but its weakness, its slow speed, was now exposed.

The soldiers swiftly closed in from both sides and soon blocked off its route. Meanwhile, the archers in the trees continued firing. Though the arrows did little damage, there were simply too many of them, and several shafts still lodged themselves in the Flame Rhinoceros's back.

After being hemmed in several times by the humans, the Flame Rhinoceros had less and less room to move, and its roars grew increasingly frantic. At that moment, Solskja, Du Wei's mage, made his move.

The mage raised both hands. Beneath his robe, his sleeves shook rapidly, and with a whistling sound, several fireballs shot from his hands toward the Flame Rhinoceros.

With a tremendous bang! Before dozens of eyes, the fireballs struck the magic beast accurately. Flames burst in every direction, sparks flying wildly, and the red glare nearly forced everyone to shut their eyes!

They heard an angry, unwilling roar, and then the Flame Rhinoceros suddenly blazed with crimson light all over! Then, with a whoosh, under the gaze of so many eyes...

It vanished!!

The many soldiers froze for a moment, but then erupted into cheers!

Mages really were incredible!! One move, and he had taken the thing down!

Yet these ignorant soldiers failed to notice that Solskja himself wore a blank, bewildered expression.

Vanished?

I used a fireball spell. Even if it could burn that thing to death, it wouldn't leave no corpse behind!

Ordinary soldiers did not understand such matters, but Robert and Span, both fourth-level knights, did!

The instant the Flame Rhinoceros vanished where it stood, both men revealed expressions of shock and unease. Then, while everyone was still cheering, Robert had already roared, "Everyone fall back! Watch out!!"

Du Wei was stunned as well. Seeing the magic beast suddenly disappear, he could not help asking, "Ruolin, do the corpses of these magic beasts disappear after they die?"

"No!" Ruolin's expression changed too. "This... I've never seen a corpse vanish before."

Just then, a pillar of blue flame suddenly surged into the sky from the spot where the Flame Rhinoceros had disappeared! A sharp, ringing howl followed from within the flames!

It was unmistakably the howl of a wolf!

Then, from within that mass of blue fire, a giant wolf sprang out!

The giant wolf possessed ice-blue fur that appeared to have crystallized! Its body was huge and powerful, its claws like blades, yet it moved as swiftly as a gale!

In a flash, the pained cries of several soldiers rang out...

Then the wolf let out a howl, and a wind blade suddenly shot from its mouth!

"Storm Magic Wolf! It's a Storm Magic Wolf!!" Span cried out in alarm. The knight's face changed drastically, filled with deep fear.

This creature that had suddenly leaped out was precisely the magic beast Span had mentioned while speaking with Du Wei and the others earlier—the Storm Magic Wolf he had encountered years ago, one that had cost him several companions before he managed to hunt it down!

But what Span feared was not the wolf itself... it was that this was far too bizarre!

He had never heard of a Flame Rhinoceros transforming into a Storm Magic Wolf after death!

There was no time to think further. Just as Span had said, the wolf's fur had crystallized, making it difficult to harm with blades or swords! It was also astonishingly nimble, and with its sharp teeth and claws, a few savage pounces immediately left soldiers screaming beneath its claws.

When that wind blade shot forth, two soldiers holding shields were struck at once. The shields in their hands instantly shattered, and the two soldiers were flung away!

Watching from a distance, Du Wei could not help sighing. What a formidable creature!

"Ruolin, can magic beasts transform? Can a Flame Rhinoceros become something else? But these two things look so completely different."

"No! Master, something is wrong! The magic beast we encountered seems... to be one I don't know. It is definitely not an ordinary Flame Rhinoceros!" Ruolin's face darkened. Holding her sword, she stood before Du Wei and watched the distant wolf with unblinking vigilance.

With a loud shout, Robert charged forward in great strides. A silver gleam formed over the broadsword in his hand as he slashed swiftly at the wolf.

Ruolin's eyes lit up from afar. "Battle aura!"

The wolf seemed able to sense the threat of the light on Robert's blade. It did not dare meet it with its body, instead shaking itself and leaping aside. Then, with a sideways pounce, it clawed toward Robert's chest and shoulder.

Robert shouted, bending his body slightly as he swung his broadsword across. A streak of light split off from his blade and stabbed viciously toward the wolf's belly!

The wolf truly was formidable. It actually changed direction in midair! Twisting its torso, it evaded Robert's battle aura strike, and after landing, its foreclaws flashed across Robert's arm!

With a ripping sound, Robert grunted. Several bloody gashes immediately appeared on his arm. Fortunately, the wolf had apparently feared his sharp sword and had not pressed in, so the injury was not severe.

At that moment, a shout rang out. Span had made his move from afar! He snatched a spear from a nearby soldier and hurled it with all his strength!

The spear became like a shooting star, slamming viciously into the wolf's back! But everyone heard a clang—it failed to pierce through and was instead knocked away! Such was the hardness of the wolf's crystallized hide!

Still, though it had withstood Span's spear attack, the wolf did not seem to be feeling well. The force of the impact sent it rolling several times, and when it climbed back up, its speed appeared to have dropped somewhat. It seemed it had still been injured.

"Solskja, attack!" Robert shouted. Raising his sword, he pressed forward again, driving the wolf back again and again with several swift slashes.

The distant mage received the call and hurriedly raised his hands, rapidly launching several more fireballs.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

A continuous barrage of fireballs smashed forward. Some struck the ground around them; only three hit the magic wolf.

The magic wolf was clearly highly averse to this kind of fire magic. It let out a howl, and its movements became even more sluggish. Robert rushed in from the side, seized the opportunity, and brought his sword down on the magic wolf's tail!

When everyone had been chatting earlier, Sir Span seemed to have mentioned that the Storm Magic Wolf's weakness was its tail! Robert had remembered it well.

Sure enough, after one slash severed the magic wolf's tail, it howled and swayed before collapsing. But then Robert saw that the tip of his sword was glowing as well!

After the glow faded, not only did the magic wolf's corpse vanish within the light, but even the severed tail disappeared!

Vanished? Pulling that trick again?

Du Wei shouted from afar, "Everyone, be careful! This thing is probably about to transform again!"

Robert's expression turned grave as well. Just as he was about to speak...

A deep roar suddenly came from the horizon! It sounded like a lion's roar!

Then the lion-like roars grew more and more numerous. From far away, it was impossible to tell how many lions were coming this way!

A pride of lions? Damn it, this was open grassland! How could so many lions appear here?

Listening to the sound drawing nearer and nearer, Robert seemed to realize something. His expression instantly twisted, and he suddenly bellowed, "Careful! Everyone, be careful! What's coming is..."

Before he could finish, everyone had already seen them! A flock of creatures with spread wings appeared in the sky, diving down upon them! They blotted out the sky and covered the sun! They had razor-sharp claws and fangs, feathers hard as steel, and... cries that sounded like lions roaring!

"Griffins!! It's a flock of griffins!!!"

As though a nightmare from years ago had returned, despair appeared on Sir Robert's face! He had personally experienced just how terrifying it was to face a flock of griffins!

With so few people against such a huge flock of terrifying creatures, what awaited them could only be a slaughter!!

But before the knight could finish speaking, screams had already rung out. Two soldiers were pierced through by griffin claws and flung far away!

Amid the flying blood and flesh, flock after flock of griffins swooped down from the sky...

Ruolin's face had turned ugly to the extreme. She threw herself over Du Wei, knocking him to the ground...

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