Soldiers in shining silver armor stood like statues, holding longswords, guarding the iron cage.
Light Fury watched the surrounding soldiers warily, her light blue vertical pupils contracting slightly when they caught the glint of sunlight on the longswords.
Light Fury paced back and forth inside the iron cage, eventually curling up in a corner, licking her wounds.
At the same time, in Light Fury's view, a grand fleet departed from Devil's Bay.
Rog stood on the battleship's lookout, his white beard swaying in the sea breeze, his cloudy eyes seemingly filled with confusion about the future.
"Captain Rog, we've hoisted the sails to their highest point; we should reach Green Town in three days at most."
Rog slowly turned to look at the slightly hunched old warrior behind him, then shifted his gaze to the warriors below.
Not only were these warriors' faces etched with the marks of time, but they were also covered in the glorious scars of battle; many old warriors even had only one eye left, their faces disfigured by gruesome saber scars.
Rog shouted loudly, "We are the experienced warriors of the Savage Dragon Hunting Group! Our bravery makes enemies dare not meet our gaze, and our roars are enough to pierce their souls!"
"As long as we complete this mission, we can have our own territory in Green Town."
When territory was mentioned, every old warrior's eyes filled with fervor.
For these pirates, having a safe territory, a bed that didn't rock with the waves, and food cooked over a blazing fire were the luxuries they yearned for their entire lives.
Though the warriors' glory would forever remain on the boundless ocean, the legend of Rog's team of the Savage Dragon Hunting Group would never be extinguished.
This time, they were fighting not just for glory, but for survival.
Rog took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the warriors below as he shouted, "Rog's team, charge forward, never retreat!"
"Rog's team, charge forward, never retreat!"
"Rog's team, charge forward, never retreat!"
The warriors echoed his shouts with fervor, their half-brown, half-white beards fluttering in the wind.
...
Green Town.
Hiccup sat on Night Fury's back, surveying the scenery of Green Town, while sketching a map with a charcoal pencil in his hand.
Behind Hiccup, the most striking sight was the Berk Island battle flag.
It had a blood-red background and a pitch-black Dragon Knight, and if one looked closely, they could make out the figures of Hiccup and Night Fury.
There was no helping it; the painting skill of that era was like this—very abstract; being able to draw a rough outline was already the limit.
Below the battle flag were the Dragon Riders of Berk Island.
They maintained their usual combat formation, firstly to guard against sneak attacks, and secondly to declare their sovereignty to the people of Green Town, telling them who the new masters of Green Town were.
Night Fury lazily spread his wings and glided, occasionally glancing sideways at Hiccup behind him, while Hiccup continued to revise and draw.
"Green Town has dense forests; the eastern terrain is low-lying, and the western side is full of scattered rocks, where not a blade of grass grows."
"Only the south and north are suitable for cultivation, and there are a few farmlands, mostly planted with wheat."
As Hiccup was deep in thought, a Dragon Knight suddenly appeared beside him; his Dragon companion looked at Night Fury with fear, not daring to come close.
So, this Dragon Knight could only make a fist with his right hand, salute Hiccup, and shout, "Lord God-Envoy, we have thoroughly searched!"
"The south and north of Green Town are teeming with countless venomous snakes and fierce beasts."
"These beasts are enormous, capable of even fighting Dragons."
"Furthermore, there are Raptor populations among them."
"These small fellows are not afraid of high temperatures or flames, are incredibly fast, and excel at teamwork; the venomous stinger on their tails can petrify humans and Dragons for several hours."
"Although they sleep during the day, they all hide in caves; should we lead the Knights of Green Town to attack them together?"
The image of a Raptor flashed in Hiccup's mind—weren't those the Dragons that could run on walls, sprint across the sea, had short forelegs, and venomous stingers that could petrify?
These Raptors served as assault troops in the Dragon Knight Legion.
Hiccup was quite familiar with their habits.
So, Hiccup waved his hand without speaking, leading the Dragon Knight Legion directly to land within Count Jonaf's castle.
Count Jonaf twisted his corpulent body and walked over, bowing respectfully.
"Greetings, Lord God-Envoy."
Hiccup nodded faintly, casually tossing the map to Count Jonaf and saying, "All the circled locations, clear them out. If any royal remnants dare to resist, execute them on the spot."
Count Jonaf made a fist with his right hand, bowed, and lowered his hands, saying, "As you command, Lord God-Envoy."
"However, Lord God-Envoy, there is something I need to report to you."
Hiccup stretched, yawning as he said, "Tell me, I'm listening."
After some thought, Count Jonaf said, "Reporting to Lord God-Envoy, in Green Town, there are not only three Earl territories, but also hidden forces operating in the shadows."
"A few days ago, when we attacked Draeger, that despicable fellow ambushed a village in my territory, stealing dried meat and grain."
Hiccup turned his head in confusion, looking at Count Jonaf.
"Someone who dares to plunder grain in your territory should not be an ordinary person."
Count Jonaf bowed, "Lord God-Envoy, this despicable fellow is named Xiuer. I don't know what method he used, but he is able to control Raptors."
"Although the Raptors' stingers cannot pierce the Knights' armor, our Knights' warhorses simply cannot keep up with the Raptors."
"Each time, we can only watch helplessly as that despicable fellow rides a Raptor and escapes."
"Moreover, this person is very arrogant; every time, he shouts loudly, 'Count, remember, my name is Gejie Xiuer.'"
Hiccup was somewhat speechless.
Isn't this just pure chunibyo?
Unable to defeat a regular Knight Legion, he just snatches some food and runs, then leaves his name, and it's uncertain if that name is even real.
Hiccup asked in a deep voice, "This Xiuer shouldn't have been in Green Town for just a day or two; why didn't you directly encircle and suppress him?"
Count Jonaf lowered his head awkwardly, "Reporting to Lord God-Envoy, before your arrival, Green Town had three Earls and more than a dozen Viscounts."
"If my Knight order suffered losses, it would be difficult to continue guarding the territory. Therefore, all forces in Green Town tacitly allowed Xiuer's existence."
Hiccup smiled faintly and said, "Small problem. Immediately assemble the soldiers and surround Xiuer's lair."
Count Jonaf looked at Hiccup with fervent eyes, making a fist with his right hand and striking his chest in a salute, "As you command, Lord God-Envoy."