When the Lord of the Gray Swamp's massive body finally lay completely still, a brief silence fell over the battlefield.
The wind, the panting, and the creaking of the winches all seemed to fade away at that moment.
Everyone stared blankly at the mountainlike beast sprawled before them, unable to believe they had actually succeeded.
We... won?
A few seconds later, a soldier dropped his weapon and let out a cheer.
"We did it!"
Then joy spread across the soldiers' faces. Looking at this high-ranking magical beast they had only heard of in legends, their emotions erupted like a volcano, and cheers swept across the Deadwood Flats.
"We won! We won!"
"Good heavens! We actually captured a level five magical beast!"
Finally, every voice joined in the same cry-"Long live our lord!"
Ola and Barrett exchanged a look from afar, each seeing relief in the other's eyes.
The whole operation had been nerve-racking, but looking back, it had gone almost too smoothly.
Every step had fallen within their lord's calculations.
Ola strode into the basin, scooped up Barton, who was still spitting, and tried to sling him over a shoulder.
But the strange, rank stench coming off Barton and his six squad members made the dwarf baron stagger, nearly throwing their "hero" away.
"Damn it, Barton! Did you fall into a cesspit?" Ola roared.
Barton grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth. Unidentifiable, viscous fluid still clung to his face, but his smile was radiant.
"My lord, this is the essence of a level five magical beast! Have a taste-it'll make you strong and healthy!"
The surrounding soldiers burst into laughter, sweeping away their earlier tension and fear.
Amid the chaos and joy, Roland's eyes brimmed with emotions he could not put into words.
On a hunt for a level