The five hundred guards needed no further mention. In addition, Roy had recruited seven professional mercenary companies. After news of the black dragon spread, large numbers of adventurers and rangers had joined the young noble's camp, bringing Roy's force back up to a thousand men.
Recently, the young noble had also requisitioned a large batch of weapons and equipment from the Kaki Territory in the count's name to replenish his losses.
Although the ballistae had all been destroyed and Archmage Anthony was far away from them, Roy's force remained formidable.
According to reliable intelligence, the Stone Raven Tribe under the black dragon numbered fewer than three hundred, with very few true warriors among them. After being crushed repeatedly in battle, only around fifty remained, while most of the rest were females and young.
Relying on their strength and constitution, these female orcs might have been capable of raiding ordinary travelers, but in a head-on battle, they were no match for a regular army.
No matter what, Roy Brando would not allow the black dragon to escape so easily. Every chromatic dragon was an extraordinarily vindictive, spiteful evil creature. If it were given a chance to catch its breath and gather its strength again, then in the future, it would not be Roy alone who suffered—perhaps the entire Brando Family would have to live beneath this shadow.
After their last defeat, several days of rest and continuous reinforcements had restored his men's fighting capability. They were primed and ready.
But no mercenaries or adventurers took part in this ambush.
Roy feared that those untrained fellows would fail at a critical moment and prove unfit for such work, so he left that rabble behind at the river valley camp. The entire ambush was entrusted to his guards.
Katus took command. With a