Chapter 133: Hunting
After the army was finally ready and fully prepared, Rios finally came out. He was not wearing any armor, only his elegant suit!
Rios carried Elena beside him and activated the Abyss Cloud Technique, flying through the air above the army, while the army rode monsters that resembled deer, but had long tails and four horns instead of two.
This army was led by the experienced old commanders, while three hundred new warriors with Legendary bloodlines and above advanced at the front. They were led by General Thandria, with Ethar and Imris learning from her.
In the air, one thousand people flew around Rios in a precise formation.
These were the Wind Elves and Light Elves, led by Etham and Ayat. They were able to fly like this because of the ability of their special armor, which allowed them to fly through artificial wings attached to the armor.
But unfortunately, there were only one thousand sets of this armor so far!
"This type of armor will be a great support for the army, and it will make up for our weakness in aerial combat." Elena’s eyes lit up as she inspected the Sky Legion.
"This time, we received the blueprints for these armors and weapons. After this campaign to reclaim the Forest of Light, we will begin producing our own armors and weapons." Rios nodded in agreement while smiling at his people, who were bidding them farewell below with the happiest and most joyful expressions!
The army marched amid the cheers of the people until they left the city. Behind them, at the city gate, Jasmine stood on the walls, watching her son and king leave for the unknown. She silently prayed with worry that they would return safely while clutching something resembling a white coin. Rios had given it to her before leaving and said that it was something he had made himself.
"Come, my daughter. They have already left and disappeared over the horizon." Beside her, her father, "Chief Dathan," placed his hand on her shoulder and advised her.
Hmm!
Jasmine nodded and left with her father, never letting go of the white coin or her worry for them for even a moment.
---
After traveling for a full hour away from the city, the army finally stopped!
"As planned, you will split into one hundred squads. Each squad will activate an area one kilometer wide as we advance.
"During this activation, kill any monster you find and bring back the core inside it. Every core you obtain will count as contribution points in your favor, and you can exchange them for whatever you want after returning." Rios’s voice echoed through the ears of the army. He then turned toward the Sky Legion.
"As for the Sky Knights, you will split into ten squads, one hundred warriors in each squad. Each of your squads will cover ten ground squads.
"You will support them from above and guide them toward their targets, in addition to protecting them from any aerial threat." Rios spoke loudly, informing every warrior.
"Our campaign will end at sunset. By then, we must reach the first city near the City of Light. Do not bother yourselves with collecting corpses or anything else. Kill any monster or Giant you find, and bring back its core only."
Immediately after this speech, the army moved and divided themselves into the squads that had been planned beforehand. Soon, the one hundred ground squads and ten aerial squads were formed.
The army moved at great speed atop the four-horned deer, and no group of monsters could stand in their way.
"There is a group of fifty wolf-type monsters three hundred meters ahead!"
"There is a group of ten blue boars two hundred meters ahead!"
"There is a flock of flying crows, approximately one thousand in number, that will descend upon you shortly. Prepare to collect the cores!"
The Sky Knights split up and divided themselves according to the ground forces.
Every three Sky Knights were responsible for the intelligence of one of the squads, warning them and informing them of every new development and emergency. Meanwhile, the rest of the Sky Knights focused on helping the ground forces hunt from the air using arrows, in addition to repelling any aerial threat that could endanger the ground forces!
The army advanced quickly and easily through the forest like a hot knife cutting through a block of butter, without stopping for even a moment. Soon, they reached the first city — Wood City!
"There are fifty Giants living in Wood City ahead!" Before the army reached Wood City, the Sky Knights immediately sent out a warning.
If this had been the old army of the City of Light, terror and fear would have immediately spread among them.
But now, the old generation that had witnessed the massacres and brutality of the Giants had their blood boiling, their souls screaming for revenge for their families and loved ones.
Meanwhile, the old generation was excited, their blood boiling at the sight of and confrontation with these devils they had heard so much about.
"General, allow me to advance!"
"General, allow me to advance!"
"General, allow me to advance!"
.....
As soon as they reached the outskirts of the city, seven voices called out almost simultaneously, asking General Thandria and General Etham for permission to advance first.
In the sky, above the gray and black Abyss Cloud on which Rios and Elena were sitting.
Rios narrowed his eyes as he looked toward the fifty Giants. "What disgusting creatures."
Rios remembered that Giant, Ang, and how difficult it had been to kill him back then compared to the other monsters.
After Rios arrived at the City of Light and after the coronation ceremony, he had devoted some time to studying the Giants living near the City of Light.
It turned out that the Giant Ang was one of the few Giants who preferred to remain alone. In addition, his territory did not contain many monsters. This was why the old Gansh and the girl Lona had been sent to him to ask for help!
Even though he was far away from the City of Light and faced the threat of monsters, the council had chosen to send the two messengers to him because he remained one of the closest Giants who preferred to live and hunt alone.
Otherwise, if they had been sent to a group of Giants, their deaths would have been certain.
At least by sending them to ask Giant Ang for help, they had a chance to escape if he refused. But against a group of Giants, there was no hope!
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"My lord, the seven youngsters want to advance and fight first!"