Chapter 104: Chapter 104: Strike First! Night Raid

Beneath the vast, boundless sky, the Red Iron Dragon stood silently atop the hill.

The small thorns on his body glimmered in the twilight of dusk, his imposing and exaggerated wings slightly folded back, his majestic limbs and Dragon Tail taut like a bowstring, and every piece of Scale Armor on him emitted a near-physical killing intent, even the surrounding air seemed to thicken and solidify due to the Dragon’s Power.

Two Kola Giant Eagles trembled.

They buried their heads deep into the feathers of their chests, their robust eagle claws unconsciously curling up, like two quails being stared down by a predator.

The presence and reaction of the Diamond Elder made Galos perceive severe danger.

Galos himself was naturally cautious, without the usual arrogance and conceit of the Dragon Race, and he was very aware that his cautious and careful nature, aside from his Evolution Talent, was a major reliance for his survival in the wilderness.

Therefore.

Facing another character who was clearly powerful yet cautious and suspicious, Galos felt an even stronger threat.

The Giants are similar to Dragons.

Born with great power, they act simply and directly, preferring straight and forward behavior.

The Stone Giant is no exception.

However, the Diamond Elder’s unusual cautious manner made Galos take things seriously.

The cautious understand the deadly weaknesses of the cautious.

An enemy possessing great power yet still advancing carefully is far more fearsome than those arrogant challengers a thousand times over.

The night wind swept past the Dragon’s spine, Galos’ pupils nearly contracted into two thin lines.

He slowly unfolded his wings, the fine scales on the wing membrane rubbing against each other, sparking flashes, while the explosive scales on his outer layer slightly opened and closed, not a pre-battle charge but an instinctive reaction of a predator under threat by its kind.

When two cautious hunters meet on a narrow path.

The one to first display a flaw will become the stepping stone of the other.

This time, fairy scale powder wasn’t even needed.

Stimulated by the sense of danger, Galos’ mind focused intensely, thinking quickly like electricity, pondering the upcoming decisions and responses.

“My advantage lies in mobility, and more importantly, I am hidden, the Stone Giant Clan being newcomers, still unaware of my existence.”

“The longer time drags on, the clearer the Stone Giants will explore the surroundings, and the more unfavorable for me.”

Galos squinted his eyes slightly.

“Stone Giants are societal groups that value their kinship and group bonds.”

The Diamond Elder’s caution might be due to the burden of guarding the clan, therefore carefully considering before acting, unable to act recklessly.

“They highly value the clan, helping each other mutually—this is their strength; however, in some situations, it becomes their biggest weakness and flaw.”

Strength and weakness.

Sometimes the boundaries between them are not so clear-cut, even completely blurred.

After thorough contemplation, Galos deeply inhaled, pressing down his emotions, making himself calmer and more rational for the upcoming assault on the Giant Camp.

He decided to raid the Giant Camp overnight.

Strike first to gain the upper hand!

Since dragging out time becomes increasingly unfavorable, then be decisive, be swift, attack the Stone Giant Camp! Destroy them before they can secure their footing!

This Stone Giant group had already constructed the Earth Vein Symbiotic Pool, spoiling and cultivating Giant Stone Guard. Moreover, they were ostentatiously recruiting followers and expanding their size.

They must not be given the time to develop.

Galos carried the two Giant Eagles, breaking their wings so they couldn’t fly temporarily, throwing them into the Bone-Chewing Clan Camp, while rallying the legion located behind the hills.

Bloodtooth Commander, Jackal-Wolf Folk Mage.

War Lizardfolk Concealer, Stealth Hunter.

Giant Wolf Knight, Werewolf Mage.

These units gathered together, merging within the Ogre territory, collectively forming a sizable monster army.

“First bind and imprison these two Giant Eagles, take them down.”

With a simple command.

Galos retracted his Dragon Wings, slowly descending onto the towering rock platform.

His gaze swept across each uplifted face—Ogre’s muddied single eye, Jackal-Wolf’s flickering green pupils, Werewolf’s erect pointed ears—then spoke in a deep voice, like thunder rolling across the land.

“Monsters of the wilderness! The Stone Giants have established a foothold on the northern highlands, glaring with hostility at us; war is unavoidable.”

“Today, I urge you to fight for me, to fight for honor.”

“Before those Stone Giants wage war, first destroy them!”

“I want your claws to chisel through the Granite chest cavity, teeth grinding every moving stone! Dig out their stone hearts! Bite, crush, swallow them down!”

Speaking as the Red Iron Dragon unfolded its wings, resembling a massive flag.

The Ogre’s roar exploded first, pounding their axes on large shields, Werewolves extending their sharp claws, leaving a blood-marked cut across their chests, howling at the sky…different monsters responding in various ways.

“For the great Galos!”

“For the clan’s honor!”

They called out, their blood-red eyes almost blending together under the night.

The four tribal followers of Galos paid great respect to him, occasionally even showing a naive, honest, somewhat cute demeanor, but do not forget, they are followers of Galos.

In other creatures’ eyes.

War Lizardfolk, Jackal-Wolf Folk, Gray-haired Werewolf, Ogre.

Without exception, all, all are creatures of the Evil Faction! Bloodthirsty, ferocious, warlike.

“Kalu, you command the army.”

“Blood Fang Hodgson, you assist Kalu.”

Galos entrusted the position of general to the crude yet cunning Gluttonous Demon, allowing the other Bloodtooth Commander skilled in army leadership to assist, assigning them the task at hand.

–Raid the Stone Giant Camp.

As for Galos, he will take step ahead at the opportune time, before the Clan Legion, finding ways to distract the Diamond Elder, allowing the Diamond Elder’s clan to become constrained by their own weakness and flaw from the reverse.

Following immediately.

Galos flapped his wings, soaring into the sky, while the monster army commenced their march on the surface.

Several mages alternated casting enhancement magic.

With the Commander’s Enhancement Aura influencing, their marching was swift.

Some time later, the time had reached late night.

From high above, Galos could already make out the high ground where the Stone Giants had camped. After confirming the direction for his followers, he stopped waiting for the Clan Legion, and with a flap of his Dragon Wings, he flew towards the Stone Giant Camp at a faster speed.

Meanwhile.

Inside the house of the Diamond Elder at the Stone Giant Camp.

The Diamond Elder Aibadan, with its hard and heavy body, sat cross-legged on the ground, frowning slightly.

The Kola Giant Eagle had been gone for a while and had not yet returned.

This made the Diamond Elder feel a bit uneasy.

Initially, the Diamond Elder had decided to go alone to the Bone-Chewing Clan.

However.

As the strongest and leader of the Stone Heart Clan, tasked with the mission of continuing the clan, its decisions would affect the survival of the group and thus had to be cautious and careful.

So, it seriously dismissed distractions and thought repeatedly, then captured the anomaly.

The behavior of the ogres in recruiting the giants seemed somewhat too resistant, and they lacked a sense of awe.

Under normal circumstances, due to the bloodline roots and hierarchical disparity, ogres always felt awe in the presence of giants and were willing to submit and pledge allegiance to them.

The reason given for the strongest giant to go alone was respect.

In the legacy of the giants, there has never been a known ogre race with such a habit.

Unless, this was a trap.

With the worst in mind, the Diamond Elder did not go alone. It sent the Kola Giant Eagle for reconnaissance.

If there was a trap or ambush, it would surely be today.

Once the Kola Giant Eagle gathered more specific intelligence, it would decide whether to continue subduing the Bone-Chewing Clan or to crush it.

But now the Kola Giant Eagle had not returned.

It was already past the return time the Diamond Elder had set for them.

Exceeding this time meant an unexpected situation had occurred.

No, it wasn’t an accident.

There must be an ambush in the Broken Ridge Hills! And it’s enough to cause trouble for the Dancer in the Wind, preventing them from returning smoothly!

The Diamond Elder abruptly opened its eyes.

A crystalline sharpness flickered in its eyes, full of vigilance and caution.

“Targun!”

It called out in a deep voice.

“Elder, what’s the matter?”

The Granite Giant entered the room, looking at the Diamond Elder in confusion.

“Awaken all the sleeping members of the Demon Race! Take three young clan members and patrol the guards together.”

The Diamond Elder said solemnly.

“What happened to make you so serious?”

The Granite Giant asked.

“I suspect there’s a dragon behind the Bone-Chewing Clan!”

The Diamond Elder said, word by word.

Only having seen, or already pledged allegiance to, a dragon on par with giants, or other stronger creatures, would the ogres lack awe for the giants.

For something to trouble the Kola Giant Eagle, the likelihood of it being a flying creature is high.

All things considered, the Diamond Elder believes there is a dragon behind the scenes.

Wisdom and caution, along with nearly four hundred years of life experience, led the Diamond Elder to guess the truth.

“You’re overthinking it.”

The Granite Giant scratched its head and said, “Those lowly, filthy ogres are just greedy and unappreciative.”

It thought that the elder might be overreacting due to psychological shadows left by the war with the Blue Dragon.

The Diamond Elder slowly said, “I hope I’m just overthinking it.”

“But in any case, it’s always better to be cautious.”

It said solemnly, “The Stone Heart Clan is all that’s left of us, and we bear the heavy responsibility of regrouping and strengthening the clan. Any potential danger must be nipped in the bud.”

The likelihood that there is a dragon behind the Bone-Chewing Clan is very high.

It may not yet realize that it has been exposed and is probably still figuring out how to respond now.

This is an opportunity.

While it’s still hesitating, find a way to hunt it down and kill it!

As for getting along, trying to negotiate, coexist peacefully.

Ridiculous.

Neither Galos nor the Diamond Elder of the Stone Giants had ever considered this option.

“Wait, Targun.”

Just as the Granite Giant was about to move, taking with it the clan members and followers for patrol and guard, the Diamond Elder stood up with its mighty, strong body, stopped it, and said in a deep voice, “I’ve changed my mind. If there’s a dragon behind the Bone-Chewing Clan, now is the best time to launch a surprise attack with our followers immediately!”

Strike first to gain the upper hand!

The attacking side always has more initiative than the passive defensive side.

No matter if there’s a dragon or other creature behind the Bone-Chewing Clan, the Stone Heart Clan must resolve it to settle here.

Since the other side hasn’t shown themselves right away.

It means it definitely isn’t an adult dragon or creature of that level, and they’re wary of the Stone Giant’s power.

The Granite Giant felt the Diamond Elder was making a mountain out of a molehill.

But it didn’t question the elder’s decision and nodded heavily.

However.

As the Diamond and Granite Giant just stepped out of the stone house, before they could gather the followers and clan members to issue commands.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sound of countless blades unsheathing and scraping against each other rang out in the sky, awakening the demons, making the young Stone Giants playing accidentally fall to the ground with panic on their faces.

A red ominous star, trailing a long tail, streaked across the sky, tearing apart the night, rapidly approaching.

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