Chapter 103: The Scout's Duel
At the edge of Storm Ridge, more than forty Giant Eagles flew in perfect formation, their massive wings slicing through the thin mountain air. Perched atop each eagle was a Knight clad in full Plate Armor, their chests bearing the emblem of an Eagle and Sword—the heraldry of the Lakanman Family.
These were the famed Northwind Eagle Guards, elite members of the Lakanman Family’s inner circle. This time, they had sent an entire contingent—forty-eight seasoned Eagle Guards—on a critical scouting mission, sweeping the skies to detect enemy movements before the war fully erupted.
The Lakanman Family had truly emptied their coffers for this campaign.
This particular unit—the Sixth Division—was composed of the remnants of Alje’s former forces, reorganized and rebuilt from the ashes of past battles. Their current commander was Neli, the only woman among the six commanders of the Northwind Eagle Guards, and once a trusted lieutenant under Alje himself.
Neli wore heavy Plate Armor, her grip firm on the Eagle Cry Silver Sword—the weapon reserved for commanders. Her clear, determined eyes reflected the cold wind of the high cliffs.
“Back here again…”
“Storm Ridge.”
She whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
This place was her Mind Demon’s domain—the very spot where her beloved commander had sacrificed himself to save them all, vanishing into the inferno of dragonfire. She believed he had died fighting, never surrendering to the Evil Dragon. And of her comrades from the Sixth Division, most had been consumed by the same firestorm.
Tears welled in her eyes, but she clenched her jaw, resolve hardening.
“I’ll avenge you, Commander.”
“And all my fallen brothers and sisters.”
“I swear, even if it costs me my life, we will crush this nest of evil. We will repay Lord Duke’s kindness. Justice and Order will be restored across all of Anzeta!”
With that vow, she squeezed her legs tightly around her Giant Eagle and urged it forward.
“Screee—!”
A long, piercing eagle cry echoed through the sky.
But Neli had forgotten—Storm Ridge’s skies were no longer the open expanse where the Eagle Guards once flew freely. Now, Ashen Hollow was patrolled day and night by eighteen Crimson Scale Conquerors, relentless in their hunt for any threat.
“Commander! There’s something ahead!”
The lead Eagle Guard reported urgently.
Neli squinted into the distance. Dozens of massive Two-Headed Dragonforms surged forward, their twin heads roaring in unison. At the front of the formation, a rare Dragonvein Eagle cut through the clouds, its eyes glowing with unnatural fire.
On the backs of the Dragonblood creatures rode armored Knights—thick Plate Armor, weapons strapped across their backs—but their faces were monstrous, half-dragon, half-human, twisted with cruelty and hunger.
“Damn it! They’re Red Dragon’s minions!”
“Northwind Eagle Guard—prepare for combat!”
Neli raised her Eagle Cry Silver Sword high, its blade flashing in the sunlight as she swung it in a sharp arc, the metal screaming through the air.
She didn’t know of the Crimson Scale Conquerors’ existence—but those with Dragon blood were infamous across the region, known for their brutality and ferocity.
On the other side, Alje had already spotted them.
The Eagle Guard’s bold, unguarded advance through Ashen Hollow’s airspace was impossible to miss. Not with Alje’s sharp eyes—trained over decades of war, sharpened by the instincts of a true dragonborn. And dragonkind’s vision far surpassed that of humans.
When he saw the leader, his Golden Vertical Pupils flickered with shock.
“Neli?”
His former subordinate. The one who used to follow him like a shadow, stubborn and fierce. He never thought he’d see her again—certainly not in battle.
But Alje composed himself quickly. His gaze hardened, fixed on the enemy.
“The former Eagle Guard Alje died in the flames. What lives now is only the Dragon’s Claw—cold, merciless, a Crimson Scale Conqueror.”
He gently stroked the feathers of his Giant Eagle, calming its restless flutters. Even Iglér, his loyal mount, seemed to recognize the enemy.
“Igler, prepare.”
“After all,”
“Each serves their own side.”
His words were carried away by the wind.
Alje raised his Everburning Greatsword, the blade igniting into a blazing inferno, a beacon of fire in the sky.
“Crimson Scale Conquerors! With me—destroy them!”
Behind him, the other players erupted in wild cheers.
“Charge! Charge!”
“Let’s light this up!”
“For Ashen Hollow!”
“For Faction Contribution!”
“Dude, air combat is this intense?!”
Facing the massive, fewer-numbered Two-Headed Dragon Knights, Neli’s Northwind Eagle Guards instinctively adopted a Wide Circular Formation—counting on the agility of their Giant Eagles and their numerical superiority to outmaneuver and surround the enemy.
But before they could close in, casualties began to mount.
Hundreds of meters away, Singo drew his bow with precision, aiming at the lead Eagle Guard—his mount, the Giant Eagle.
“Two-Headed Dragon, stay steady.”
A Purple Rune flared across the eagle’s body—but the creature remained unaware, continuing its flight under its rider’s control.
Singo released the arrow.
Guided by the specialization Elven Precision and the spell Hunter’s Mark, the arrow flew true.
Thwip—
It pierced straight through the eagle’s chest, striking its heart with deadly accuracy.
The Giant Eagle plummeted, its rider screaming as he fell—his fate sealed.
The Crimson Scale Conquerors erupted in celebration.
“Damn right!”
“Hardcore Player got First Blood!”
“My Contribution Value just skyrocketed!”
“I can’t believe I missed it!”
Stuffed Bun, watching the fall in horror, muttered, “No way… you actually hit that from that far?”
Singo scoffed. “You got a problem with the worth of an Elven Precision Bow Warrior? That’s skill. Want to test it? Arrow Duel?”
Stuffed Bun knew he was outmatched, but still defended his pride. “Fine, lucky shot. Don’t get cocky.”
“Just wait,” Singo said, lowering his bow. “They weren’t ready. But the next time? They’ll adapt. Watch.”
He pointed at the Eagle Guard formation—and sure enough, their formation had already shifted, breaking apart.
Neli stared at the falling body, stunned.
“How… how is this possible?”
According to her years of combat experience, aerial archery accuracy was already severely diminished. At that range—hundreds of meters—hitting a target like that was nearly impossible, even on the ground. She had made no special preparations, assuming the enemy wouldn’t be able to land a shot.
The death of her comrade could only mean one thing: these Dragon’s Claws were far stronger than they’d imagined.
Neli raised her sword instantly.
“Break formation!”
“Watch for enemy archers—evade!”
The Eagle Guards scattered, avoiding collisions, relying on their elite horsemanship to twist and turn, attempting to close in from all directions.
Thwip—
Another arrow.
Feathers scattered through the air.
A Knight mid-roll tumbled from his mount, screaming as he fell.
Singo lowered his bow, glancing at Stuffed Bun, whose jaw had dropped in disbelief.
“Overcomplicating it like that? Pathetic.”
Stuffed Bun had nothing left to say.
“…Okay, you were right.”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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