Lord blessed by the elves

Chapter 100 Shock
Seeing Gareth's solemn expression, Viscount Clyde frowned, his displeasure replaced by a hint of doubt. He waved his hand, signaling his adjutant to halt the march, then spurred his horse and rode with Gareth to a secluded corner a little distance from the main army.

"What exactly happened? Stop beating around the bush!" Viscount Clyde asked in a deep voice.

Gareth took a deep breath, as if the words he was about to say carried the weight of a thousand pounds. He raised his head, looked directly into Viscount Clyde's eyes, and said, word by word:

“A dragon has appeared in the Hornashire Mountains. Baron Hiddink and his allied forces are likely doomed and have been completely wiped out.”

"what?!"

Even though Viscount Clyde was a seasoned veteran with a steady personality, upon hearing the word "dragon," he was struck dumb, his eyes widening in shock and disbelief.

He even instinctively tightened his grip on the reins, causing the warhorse to thump its hooves restlessly.

"A dragon?! Are you sure? Gareth, this is no time for jokes!" Clyde's voice rose involuntarily, with a tremor he himself was unaware of.

How could such a terrifying being as a dragon suddenly appear in Campnor County and the Horner Mountains?

Could it be a test by the dragon knights from the neighboring country?
“Absolutely true!” Gareth said with unwavering certainty. “It was Kruze of Lionfang Territory who witnessed it firsthand and risked his life to report and dissuade us. My scouts and I also confirmed the destruction caused by the dragon's breath from afar… Vast swathes of forest were instantly vaporized, leaving huge craters on the ground. That destructive power is beyond the capabilities of any known magical beast or human! Baron Hiddink and his men were in that area at the time, and their chances of survival… were extremely slim.”

He quickly and clearly reported to Viscount Clyde the details he had heard from Kruse, as well as the findings of his own scouts.

As Gareth recounted the events, Viscount Clyde's face went from shock to ashen, and finally to a heavy, gloomy expression.

He no longer doubted the veracity of the news; Gareth's character, his current behavior, and the undeniable signs of sabotage left him no room for doubt.

“A dragon…it really is a dragon…” Viscount Clyde murmured to himself. He looked up toward the Horner Mountains, and even from a great distance, he could feel the suffocating pressure emanating from them.

He was originally ordered to lead his troops to reinforce and wipe out the rebels in one fell swoop, but now... the target has become a legendary dragon that can rival the gods? How can this battle be fought?
“You did the right thing, Gareth.” Viscount Clyde finally came to his senses, his voice hoarse and heavy. “A rash advance would indeed be suicide. This matter… is far too great, far beyond our capabilities. We must report to the Earl immediately!”

He abruptly turned his horse around and roared at the waiting army behind him, "Order! The entire army to halt and stand by! All commanders, assemble at headquarters immediately! Gareth, you come with me to see the Earl right now!"

The army, which had been solemnly preparing for battle, was thrown into turmoil and confusion by the sudden order, but under strict military discipline, it quickly carried it out.

Although Count Campino has not yet returned to his territory, Viscount Clyde, as one of his most important retainers, knows very well where the Count is at this moment—on the border, carrying out a "lucrative" plundering operation and preparing to leave with the spoils.

Although it was some distance from Campino, such a momentous event as the appearance of the dragon could not be delayed and he had to report it to him in person.

Without pausing for the journey, Viscount Clyde and Sir Gareth, with a small squad of elite guards, finally found Earl Campnor's large army, laden with spoils and brimming with the joy of victory, in the border region at dusk the following day.

As they were led near the central command tent, they saw Count Campino and "Lion Knight" Reyes riding side by side, surrounded by numerous knights, chatting and laughing as they returned to camp. Both men wore the smug smiles of victory, their armor stained with the dust of battle, yet they exuded high spirits.

"Reyes, this time the harvest is even more abundant than expected!" Count Campno's voice boomed as he patted Baron Reyes's arm, which was covered in gauntlets, forcefully. "Once we get back and digest these spoils, your Lion Fang Territory, as well as the territories of my men, will be able to develop significantly!"

Baron Reyes's usually rock-hard face now showed a genuine smile, a rare sight indeed.

However, unlike the Earl's pure joy at the gains, he felt a greater sense of anticipation for his territory and family. He nodded slightly: "It's all thanks to Your Excellency's strategic planning. I only hope that everything is well in the territory."

His three children involuntarily came to mind.

The news that his eldest son Kruze and second son Rezael had both broken through to become apprentice knights had greatly pleased him. In a recent letter from Kruze, he mentioned that his youngest daughter Elena's talent for cultivation seemed to be exceptionally amazing, and she might be able to reach the level of apprentice knight before she turned fifteen.

This news made him, as a father, feel both incredibly proud and somewhat conflicted and helpless.

He was proud of his daughter's excellence, but regretful that Elena was a girl; if she were a son, it would be perfect.

Just then, Viscount Clyde and Sir Gareth strode through the crowd and came before the two lords.

The solemnity and travel-worn look on their faces, so out of place with the celebratory atmosphere around them, immediately caught the attention of Count Campino and Reyes.

“Clyde Gareth?” Count Campino’s smile faded, his brow furrowed, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes. “Shouldn’t you be…” Before he could finish speaking, he saw Viscount Clyde make a gesture indicating that they needed to speak privately, and his expression became even more serious.

Baron Reyes' heart sank as well. He saw a bad omen in Sir Gareth's eyes, and this omen seemed to resonate ominously with the faint worry in his heart.

Count Campino immediately gestured for the surrounding knights and officials to step back, creating a private space.

Viscount Clyde took a deep breath, and before he could even finish his bow, he spoke urgently in a voice that suppressed a storm of emotions:

"Your Excellency, Baron Reyes, something terrible has happened! A dragon has been confirmed to have appeared in the Horner Mountains! Baron Hiddink and his allied forces... have likely met with certain death, and have been completely wiped out!"

"what?!"

As if doused with ice water, the color drained from Count Campino's face instantly. His previous smugness vanished, replaced by extreme shock and a barely perceptible fear.

(End of this chapter)