Chapter 49

The wind stirred snowflakes in the mountain forest, sending them rustling down onto the tents that had already been pitched.

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 did not find Cyrus inside the tent.

He drew the heavy cloth flap closer, blocking out the cold wind from outside, and asked, "Where is the lord?"

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

Hearing this, Judas said, "The lord took Coalball and the others out for some fresh air. The space in here is rather cramped for them."

Walker nodded and casually removed the greatsword strapped to his body, propping it against the edge of the tent.

He walked over and dropped down beside Ferdinand, clasping his hands behind his head as he smiled. "You'd better make this count. Gaina's king also wants Bruno Green's head. If he gets there before you..."

"He won't."

Ferdinand said calmly, "Bruno Green will only be killed by me."

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

Just then.

A clear eagle cry sounded from far away in the sky, drawing nearer. The soldier standing guard outside the tent instinctively raised his head, but he failed to catch that swiftly moving shadow amid the vast, cloudless white sky.

The soldier showed no surprise.

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

Judas, Walker, and the others emerged from inside.

They stood where they were and waited quietly.

Before long, a snowy-white shadow dove down with speed too fast for the naked eye to follow. Its enormous figure gradually came into view, as though carrying the force of thunder.

The airflow whipped up by a bird's massive wings was incredibly fierce. Before it even drew close, the powerful gust swept down the snowflakes on the tents and treetops, sending them spinning through the air.

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

The snowy-white shadow looked as though it was about to plunge straight into the encampment, its claws as sharp as iron and gleaming with cold light already visible before them.

Yet no one in the camp panicked or made a move. Everyone remained calm.

Even gentle smiles appeared on Walker and the others' faces.

Just as the enormous white figure was about to land among the soldiers, its powerful wings suddenly beat, and it gracefully wheeled away.

Then it landed leisurely on a bare tree trunk. Its sharp talons made the trunk shudder abruptly, and the snow piled atop it instantly fell to the ground.

Judas and the others looked up.

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

It was currently lowering its head slightly to stare directly at them.

The top of the Gyrfalcon's head and the tips of its wings bore an extremely faint pale-blue coloring. It was usually inconspicuous, only revealing the beautiful connected patterns when it moved.

Many soldiers could not help holding their breath as they lifted their heads to admire this beautiful creature, so breathtaking and captivating.

Then, another creature that made them tremble approached the encampment at a leisurely pace.

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

Before beasts of prey caught their quarry, they always moved silently. Only at the most critical moment would they suddenly launch a fatal strike.

Now was not a time for hunting.

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

Before long.

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

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

At the very front was a majestic black tiger. Slightly behind it was a white tiger pacing elegantly.

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

They were beasts of prey, undoubtedly dangerous and frightening beings.

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

Yet upon closer inspection, one could see a small black figure walking between the beasts.

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

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

The three beasts drew closer and soon all entered the encampment. At that moment, the Gyrfalcon perched on the thick branch lowered his head, his turquoise-gold eyes involuntarily revealing affection.

The soldiers' breathing changed as well, their expressions filled with respect and admiration.

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

The beasts moved aside.

A figure draped in a black cloak emerged from between them. It was Cyrus.

Judas had wrapped him up very warmly, the cloak covering every part of him and completely blocking the piercing cold wind.

White fur was sewn along the edge of the cloak's hood. It trembled slightly in the wind, occasionally brushing against the translucent face within.

Cyrus had grown taller, and the baby fat on his cheeks had faded somewhat. His caramel-colored eyes shone brightly like stars, and his soft pink lips curved into a lovely smile, showing just how good his mood was.

The ends of his fluffy, soft hair curled slightly as they peeked out from beneath the cloak, resting beside his ears and cheeks, making him look exceptionally adorable.

"My lord."

Judas and the others bowed slightly, their expressions respectful.

Cyrus reached out from beneath his cloak and pushed the broad brim of his hood back a little, then nodded to them.

He then looked up at the Gyrfalcon, whose weight was making the branch sag continuously.

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

"Chirp, chirp."

The Gyrfalcon made a coquettish sound and wanted to flap his wings twice, but they were too enormous to spread between the branches.

The tree trunk beneath his talons made cracking sounds as though it were about to break.

"Come down already."

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

Qing Tuan seemed to have no clear awareness whatsoever of his own height and weight.

He was not an ordinary eagle, nor was he naturally an ordinary Gyrfalcon. Standing upright, he was over five feet tall, while his wingspan could reach more than twenty-three feet. The wind created by his flight could send a grown adult flying.

Not to mention Qing Tuan's sharp beak and talons, which gleamed with cold light—absolute weapons of destruction.

Ordinary thick tree trunks simply could not bear his talons and weight, yet the bird himself had absolutely no self-awareness.

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

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

"Chirp."

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

Judas stepped forward and crouched down, removing the small wooden tube tied to Qing Tuan's talon. Inside was information sent by Taylor, Mike, and the others.

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

The letter stated that Bruno Green had joined forces with the people of Helgoda and was closing in step by step. Light no longer had any strength left to resist.

He had no choice but to offer tremendous sincerity and sufficient benefits in exchange for Cyrus's help.

After that.

Only after receiving conditions that satisfied him did Cyrus secretly bring people into Gaina.

He wanted to personally watch Bruno Green die and take control of Gaina.

Cyrus ordered the Black-and-White Cavalry to divide into two groups.

One group, led by Ferdinand and Walker, moved toward Gaina Royal City. The other, led by Taylor and Mike, took a detour behind Bruno Green's cavalry so they could launch a pincer attack from both sides.

Qing Tuan flew back and forth delivering real-time updates on both sides' progress.

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 to rest.

At present, the two cavalry forces were far apart.

Bruno Green had yet to approach Gaina Royal City, while Taylor and the others needed to circle farther behind him in order to scout and monitor the situation at any time.

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

With Qing Tuan, the two cavalry forces could exchange information far more quickly and efficiently, keeping track of every development and responding in time.

The information delivered today was not important.

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

Cyrus accepted the note Judas handed over. After reading it, he raised an eyebrow, an odd expression appearing on his face. "...Despicable and vicious."

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

Cyrus handed the note to him.

After reading it, Walker wore the same expression. Frowning, he read aloud, "Taylor says Bruno Green keeps two extremely ferocious lions. He feeds them human flesh and has them chase down and kill people..."

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

The people present could not help displaying varying expressions 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.

Cyrus called out, "Egg Yolk, come here."

"Roar."

The male lion, whose entire body shone with a beautiful luster, padded over to Cyrus's side and rubbed the darker mane around his neck against Cyrus's cloak. His tail swayed happily behind him.

098 shook his matchstick-like little head in the system interface and said, [Host, the bad guys' lions stole the name. They definitely cannot compare to the Golden Lion King 098 gave the host.]

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

Cyrus answered with a smile in his heart.

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

Every time he returned, he brought Cyrus gifts. One of them was the beautiful, majestic, and imposing lion before him.

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

The person he liked most was Cyrus, and his favorite thing to do was trot after Cyrus, Coalball, and Snowball.

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

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

But now, he had grown into a tall and mighty figure.

Cyrus gently stroked the thick, dense mane on Egg Yolk's head, his eyes curving as he said, "Egg Yolk is the strongest lion king."

"Roar."