Chapter 49

The wind whipped snowflakes through the mountain forest, where they rustled down onto the tents that had already been set up.

A thin layer covered the pitch-black tent roofs, only to be shaken loose when someone lifted the flap and entered, scattering across the brown ground.

Walker returned from Gaina's royal palace, but Xia Zuoyi was nowhere to be seen in the tent.

He drew the heavy canvas curtain tighter, shutting out the cold wind from outside, and asked, "Where is the Lord?"

Judith, Ferdinand, and the others sat inside the spacious tent, discussing matters together.

At that, Judith said, "The Lord took Coalball and the others out for some fresh air. The space in here is a little too cramped for them."

Walker nodded, casually removed the greatsword from his back, and propped it against the edge of the tent.

He strode over and dropped down beside Ferdinand, clasping his hands behind his head as he grinned. "You'd better pull yourself together. Gaina's king wants Bruno Green's head too. If he gets there before you..."

"He won't."

Ferdinand said calmly, "Bruno Green will die by my hand alone."

Walker's smile deepened. He clenched his fist and lightly punched Ferdinand's shoulder. "Of course. I've never doubted that."

Just then.

A clear eagle cry sounded from the distant sky and drew closer. The soldiers standing guard outside the tent instinctively raised their heads, yet failed to catch that swift shadow amid the vast, bright-white sky.

The soldier showed no surprise.

He merely continued standing calmly with his spear in hand. Before long, the tent behind him was opened.

Judith, Walker, and the others emerged from inside.

They stood still and waited quietly.

Soon, a snow-white shadow dove down with such speed that the eye could scarcely follow it. Its enormous form gradually came into view, seeming to carry the force of thunder.

The powerful air currents stirred up by the great wings of the bird swept over them before it even approached, whipping up a fierce wind that tore snow from the tents and treetops, sending it spinning through the air.

The snowflakes then scattered across the soldiers' armor and the partially melted ground.

The snow-white shadow looked as though it was about to plunge straight into the encampment. Sharp talons, as keen as iron and glinting coldly, had already appeared before them.

Yet no one in the camp panicked or moved. Everyone remained calm.

Even Walker and the others wore gentle smiles.

Just as the huge white figure was about to land swiftly among the soldiers, those powerful wings suddenly beat, and it gracefully wheeled through the air.

It then landed unhurriedly on a bare tree trunk. Its sharp claws made the trunk tremble violently, and the snow piled atop it instantly fell to the ground.

Judith and the others looked up.

It was a Gyrfalcon covered entirely in snow-white feathers, with a sharp, formidable beak and talons. Its blue-gold eyes were both beautiful and exceedingly keen.

It was currently staring directly at them with its head slightly lowered.

The top of the Gyrfalcon's head and the very tips of its wings bore an extremely faint pale-blue tint. It was usually inconspicuous, but when it moved, beautiful connected patterns could be glimpsed.

Many soldiers could not help holding their breath. They raised their heads, unable to stop themselves from admiring the beautiful creature that shook their hearts and brimmed with charm.

Soon afterward, creatures that made them tremble just as much were strolling toward the camp.

Judith, Ferdinand, and the others turned their gazes toward the distance.

Before predators caught their prey, they always moved without a sound. Only at the most crucial moment would they suddenly launch a fatal strike.

This was not a hunt.

Thus, their steps were leisurely and relaxed. Their thick, sturdy paws made soft crunching sounds in the snow, while their tails swayed back and forth behind them, revealing their excellent moods. They had clearly just returned from a walk.

Before long.

The three beasts crossed through the branches and brush, arriving before the group. Their towering, powerful bodies nearly reached an adult's chest.

They cast deep shadows around them and could not be ignored by anyone.

Walking at the front was a majestic black tiger. Slightly behind it was a white tiger pacing elegantly.

Farther back was a golden lion that seemed to shine with light.

They were beasts—undeniably dangerous and fearsome creatures.

Even while strolling leisurely, they radiated an aura that made the soldiers' hearts pound with fear.

Yet a closer look revealed a shorter black figure walking among the beasts.

If one did not pay close attention, he would be completely hidden amid the fluffy fur of the three beasts.

The snow-covered ground had already been trampled into a mess.

The three beasts drew closer and soon entered the camp's perimeter entirely. At that moment, the Gyrfalcon perched on the thick branch lowered its head, its blue-gold eyes unconsciously revealing affection.

The soldiers' breathing changed at once, and their faces filled with respect and admiration.

Judith, Walker, and the others wore gentle expressions as they patiently waited for the figure at the very center to appear before them.

The beasts stepped aside.

A person wrapped in a black cloak emerged from between them. It was Xia Zuoyi.

Judith had bundled him up thoroughly. The cloak covered every part of him, completely blocking the bone-piercing cold wind.

White fur was sewn along the edge of the cloak's hood. It trembled lightly in the wind, occasionally brushing across his clear, delicate face.

Xia Zuoyi had grown taller, and the baby fat that had once lingered on his cheeks had faded somewhat. His caramel-colored eyes shone brightly like stars, while his rosy lips curved into a beautiful smile, revealing his excellent mood.

The ends of his fluffy, soft hair curled slightly as they peeked out from beneath the cloak, resting beside his ears and cheeks. He looked utterly adorable.

"My Lord."

Judith and the others bowed slightly, their expressions respectful.

Xia Zuoyi extended a hand from beneath his cloak and pushed the wide brim of his hood back a little, then nodded at them.

He then raised his eyes toward the Gyrfalcon, which was making the branch sag continuously beneath its weight.

He could not help saying, "Qing Tuan, you came back so slowly. Did you go off to play again on the way?"

"Chirp, chirp."

The Gyrfalcon made a coquettish sound and wanted to flap its wings twice, but its wings were too large to spread properly among the branches.

The trunk beneath its talons made cracking sounds as though it was about to break.

"Fly down quickly."

Xia Zuoyi said helplessly, "Otherwise, this will be the nineteenth time you've broken a tree trunk."

Qing Tuan seemed to have no clear understanding whatsoever of his own size and weight.

He was not an ordinary eagle, nor was he an ordinary Gyrfalcon. Standing upright, he was over five feet tall, while his wingspan could reach nearly twenty-five feet. The wind raised by his wings could send an adult flying.

Not to mention Qing Tuan's sharp, cold-glinting beak and talons—absolute weapons of destruction.

Ordinary thick tree trunks simply could not withstand his talons and weight, yet the bird himself had no such awareness.

At Xia Zuoyi's call, Qing Tuan flew down from the tree trunk and landed on the ground.

Judith and the others stepped back, making room for him.

"Chirp."

Qing Tuan lowered his head and slightly lifted one talon, looking somewhat foolish.

Judith walked over and crouched down, removing the small wooden tube tied to Qing Tuan's talon. It contained information sent by Taylor, Mike, and the others.

Desinia Territory had recently received a secret letter requesting aid from Light.

The letter stated that Bruno Green and the people of Helgoda had joined forces and were steadily closing in. Light no longer had the strength to resist.

He had no choice but to offer great sincerity and sufficient benefits in exchange for Xia Zuoyi's aid.

After that.

Only after Xia Zuoyi received terms that satisfied him did he secretly lead people into Gaina.

He wanted to watch Bruno Green die with his own eyes and take control of Gaina.

Xia Zuoyi ordered the Black-and-White Cavalry to split into two groups.

One group, led by Ferdinand and Walker, approached Gaina's royal capital.

The other, led by Taylor and Mike, circled around to the rear of Bruno Green's cavalry, allowing them to launch a pincer attack from both sides.

Qing Tuan carried real-time updates between the two groups.

As a Gyrfalcon capable of flying the highest and fastest, Qing Tuan's snow-white feathers made his trail difficult to spot in the sky.

Moreover, he could make several round trips in a single day without stopping.

At present, the two cavalry groups were far apart.

Bruno Green had not yet approached the area around Gaina's royal capital, while Taylor and the others needed to circle farther behind in order to scout and keep watch at any time.

Qing Tuan could easily make a round trip within the time it took for an hourglass to run out, and by easily, it meant without flying at full speed.

With Qing Tuan, the two cavalry groups could exchange information more quickly and efficiently. They could keep track of every development and respond in time.

Today's message was not important.

Qing Tuan had returned a little later than usual. He had clearly wandered off somewhere to play before finally arriving at the camp.

Xia Zuoyi accepted the note Judith handed him. After reading its contents, he raised his brows, a strange expression appearing on his face. "...Vile and malicious."

Walker asked in confusion, "My Lord, what does it say?"

Xia Zuoyi handed him the note.

After reading it, Walker could not help showing the same expression. Frowning, he read aloud, "Taylor says that Bruno Green keeps two extremely ferocious lions. He feeds them human flesh and makes them chase down and kill people..."

"These two lions are said to have been prepared for Light... Bruno Green calls them... uh, Gold Lion Kings."

The expressions of everyone present became varied after hearing that.

They then turned their gazes toward the large lion whose fur seemed to gleam gold as he followed behind Coalball and Snowball.

Xia Zuoyi called out, "Egg Yolk, come here."

"Roar."

The male lion, whose entire body shone with a beautiful luster, strolled to Xia Zuoyi's side and rubbed his cloak with his darker mane. His tail swayed happily behind him.

098 shook his little matchstick head in the system interface. [Host, the villains' lions stole the name. They definitely can't compare to the Golden Lion King 098 gave the host.]

A "golden" "king" in every sense of the words.

Xia Zuoyi answered with a smile in his heart.

Over the past three years, 098 had gone traveling several times.

Each time he returned, he brought Xia Zuoyi a gift. One of those gifts was the beautiful, majestic lion before him.

When he first arrived, he had been a round, chubby little lion cub.

The person he loved most was Xia Zuoyi, and his favorite thing to do was toddle after Xia Zuoyi, Coalball, and Snowball.

Before sleeping, he had to burrow into either Coalball's or Snowball's den.

At first, the lion cub had been a plump, brilliant golden ball, like an egg yolk.

Now, however, he had grown into a tall, imposing lion.

Xia Zuoyi gently stroked the dense, thick mane on Egg Yolk's head, his eyes curving with a smile. "Egg Yolk is the most formidable Lion King."

"Roar."