Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence-Chapter 213 - 207: One Fish, Two Meals

At dusk, the setting sun was the color of blood, dyeing the sprawling military camp in a grim, golden hue.

Raylo changed into a suit of light Leather Armor. On his chest, the newly acquired Heart-Protecting Mirror, the Heart of Water Moon, emitted a faint, imperceptible fluctuation of Magic Power, ready to block a fatal blow at any moment.

The Soul Horn at his waist was also placed within easy reach.

When Luke had returned the Horn, the Tier Five Magic Core was still embedded in it, containing enough Magic Power for two more summonings of a Starfall Knight.

"Time to go. Let’s get to work."

With a sharp whistle, a tawny bolt of Lightning descended from the sky—it was the Storm Griffin King, Baofeng.

Its massive Iron Feathers made a soft, metallic chime in the evening breeze.

Raylo vaulted onto the Griffin’s broad back, with Ed following close behind.

Coal Ball appeared on Raylo’s left shoulder, while Moonlight leaped into his arms and yawned.

Baofeng beat its wings and soared into the sky. After circling the military camp once, it flew west toward a stretch of rolling hills.

Five kilometers away, Raylo chose to land on the summit of a hill with a wide, open view.

After surveying the area, he took out the orange Magic Signal Bomb from his robes and infused it with Magic Power.

WHOOSH!

A bright orange flare shot into the air, exploding in the twilight sky to form the massive shape of a Griffin’s claw that lingered for a long time.

With that done, Raylo stood composedly atop the hill, letting the evening wind buffet his cloak.

Time ticked by.

Half an hour later, just as the last sliver of light was devoured by darkness, a sharp presence shot from the distance, arriving in an instant.

A figure appeared silently in the shadows not far ahead, as if he had been standing there all along.

The man just stood there, yet a pressure as heavy as a mountain washed over them, making the very air feel thick.

It was the Domain Knight of the Fiery Sun Kingdom, Karachi’s Swordsmanship Instructor, "Radiant Blade" Kade.

"You’re the one who fired the signal?"

Kade’s voice was cold and raspy, like metal grinding on metal. His gaze, sharp as a hawk’s, locked onto Raylo.

"Where is Karachi?"

"Lord Kade, it’s good to see you’re well."

Raylo smiled faintly, completely unaffected by the man’s oppressive aura.

Moonlight, on his shoulder, even swished its tail in displeasure, its pale golden eyes revealing a wary look.

"I don’t have time for your nonsense, young man. Hand over the Prince, and you can leave unharmed."

"I’m afraid I can’t do that."

Raylo shook his head.

"The Prince of Karachi and I have already reached an agreement. He has promised me a few things in exchange for the chance to return to the Fiery Sun Kingdom."

Kade froze for a moment, then his anger turned into laughter.

"Are you toying with me?"

"That’s not something you need to worry about."

Raylo’s tone shifted, becoming playful.

"I sought you out today to discuss another business deal."

"What kind of deal?"

"Paying a ransom for your student," Raylo said.

"A ransom that will allow him to leave here safely tonight."

The killing intent radiating from Kade instantly surged.

"You dare extort a Domain Knight?"

"This isn’t extortion, Lord Kade."

The smile on Raylo’s face didn’t change, but his eyes grew cold.

"Failure always comes with a price. Of course, you are free to refuse."

He paused before adding leisurely, "In that case, I’ll hand him over, completely unharmed, to our Iron Blood Commander-in-Chief. I imagine Lord Luke would be more than happy to deal with a prince from an enemy kingdom."

"You!"

Kade trembled with rage, the Treasure Sword at his waist humming.

He knew Raylo was telling the truth.

Once Karachi fell into the hands of "Iron Blood" Luke, it would all be over.

’I would completely lose any chance of rescuing Karachi.’

Seeing Kade’s reaction, Raylo knew the time was right.

He took a letter from his robes and, with a flick of his finger, sent it fluttering toward Kade.

"This is a letter Karachi wrote for you. Take a look."

Kade snatched the letter and quickly unfolded it.

It was indeed Karachi’s handwriting. The message was simple: cooperate with all of Raylo’s demands, as this was his last chance.

After reading the letter, a trace of pain and unwillingness appeared on Kade’s resolute face.

He knew he’d been completely outmaneuvered.

As Karachi’s Swordsmanship Instructor, his fate was too deeply intertwined with the prince’s.

"What do you want?"

Kade practically squeezed the words out through gritted teeth.

"It’s simple."

Raylo held up one finger.

"Everything you own, except for your Weapon and armor."

Kade’s face instantly turned ashen.

The entire fortune of a Domain Knight was a sum that would drive any Earl Family into a frenzy.

He glared at Raylo, as if trying to skewer the greedy young man with his gaze.

But Raylo simply met his gaze calmly. The Silver Dragon on his shoulder gave a low growl from its throat, and the Space Young Dragon also bared its fangs.

Finally, like a deflated ball, Kade’s shoulders slumped in defeat.

He untied an unremarkable Space Storage Pouch from his waist, slid a simple, ancient-looking Ring from his finger, and tossed them both to Raylo.

"Everything’s in there."

Raylo caught them and extended his Spiritual Power inside, sweeping through the contents.

The Storage Pouch was piled high with an astonishing amount of Gold Coins and various Magic Crystals.

But the contents of the Ring made his heart skip a beat.

There were several chests of rare Magic Materials, a dozen or so High Tier Magic Cores, over a dozen High Tier Potions that were clearly priceless, a dozen or so pieces of Enchanted Equipment of various shapes and functions, and even a few Fighting Spirit Combat Manuals.

The collection of this veteran Domain Knight was truly richer than he could have imagined.

"A pleasure doing business with you."

Raylo put the Storage Pouch and Ring away.

"Now, we can discuss how you’re going to ’rescue’ His Highness Prince."

Kade looked at him suspiciously.

Raylo laid out his plan.

"In the early hours of the morning, I’ll have my men set fires on the west and east sides of the camp simultaneously to create a diversion. You’ll use the chaos to sneak into the third tent behind the central command tent. Karachi will be waiting for you there."

"It’s that simple?"

Kade didn’t believe it for a second.

"It’s that simple," Raylo admitted frankly.

"I just need to stage a little drama—’Camp Attacked, Prince Abducted by a Mysterious Master’—so I have an explanation for Luke and the rest of the Allied Army."

The reason was logical and reasonable, leaving Kade with no holes to poke in it.

"Remember, don’t make too much of a scene. Grab him and retreat south immediately," Raylo instructed.

"My men will clear a path for you."

Kade was silent for a moment, apparently processing the feasibility of the plan.

Finally, he nodded.

Things having come to this, he had no choice but to trust him.

"If this is a trap..."

Kade’s figure began to blur, melting into the night, leaving only a final, cold sentence echoing across the hill.

"You and your domain will face the endless hunt of a Domain Knight."