Raylo's eyes lit up.
It was the Tier One Demon Bird mentioned in the previous intelligence report: the Gray-headed Goose. Its meat was succulent and delicious, a rare delicacy.
"Ed."
"Here, my Lord!"
"Take two Knights with good Archery skills and hunt a few Gray-headed Geese."
"Yes, my Lord!"
Moonlight excitedly circled Raylo's horse twice, a low purr rumbling in its throat, eager to join in.
"You want a taste, too?"
Moonlight immediately brought its head closer and rubbed forcefully against Raylo's leg.
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
Several sharp arrows shot through the air, precisely striking a few Gray-headed Geese at the edge of the flock.
HONK! HONK!
The struck geese let out piercing cries, collapsing to the ground with a flutter of wings.
The sudden attack startled the entire flock. Honking loudly, they flapped their wings and flew a hundred meters away.
Moonlight excitedly joined the hunt, relentlessly chasing the fattest Gray-headed Goose. Just as the large goose was about to take flight, Moonlight quickly spat out a bolt of Lightning, stunning it.
Clutching the large goose, which was a size bigger than itself, Moonlight returned with its head held high, as if presenting a treasure.
"That's enough!"
Seeing that they had already hunted over a dozen plump Gray-headed Geese, Raylo immediately ordered a stop. "Gather the prey. We're heading back!"
The Knights quickly moved forward, collecting the geese that had been shot or "captured" by Moonlight.
Meanwhile, Moonlight proudly carried the largest Gray-headed Goose over to Raylo, set down the prey, and tilted its head up with a look that clearly said, 'Praise me, praise me!'
"Good job."
Raylo patted Moonlight's head.
The dozen or so heavy Gray-headed Geese were tied up and slung over the horses' backs.
As evening fell, several bonfires were lit in the open space at the center of town.
Everyone was full of praise for the delicious taste of the Gray-headed Geese.
Two whole geese, roasted to a crispy, golden brown, were placed in front of Moonlight.
Moonlight didn't hold back. It opened its mouth wide and ate until grease dripped from its jaws, a contented gurgle rumbling in its throat.
One, then the other... Soon, nothing was left of the two large geese but a few scattered bones.
The night grew late and quiet as the clamor died down.
Raylo returned to his room. Moonlight, content, was sprawled at the foot of his bed, fast asleep and snoring softly.
He toyed with a Brass Ring in his hand. The Ring was old and worn; it barely gleamed in the firelight, and the Gemstone that had once been set in it was long gone.
This was the Ring Raylo had bought at a general store for three Silver Eagles.
He took out a Magic Stone and carefully set it into the Ring. Through his enhanced Spiritual Perception, he connected the Magic Stone's energy to the Ring, and the worn-out artifact faintly began to change.
「The next morning.」
It was another fine, clear day.
[Daily Intelligence Refreshed]
[1: Attracted by abnormal Element fluctuations in the abandoned mine, a nearby Earth Sloth has chosen the mine as its new den.]
[2: A group of sand rats is approaching Black Stone Town. Sand rats are Tier One Magical Beasts that excel at burrowing. They have low combat Power, live in groups, and have a short reproductive cycle. Once they reach a large enough population, they can cause devastating damage to crops and grain reserves in the area.]
[3: A herd of Pegasi has been spotted at the edge of the Mist Forest, west of the Black Stone Mountain Range. The Pegasus is a Tier One Magical Beast with a strong physique and extremely fast running and flying speeds, making it an excellent mount for a Knight. The herd has appeared here because a large patch of Magic Alfalfa Grass is growing at the edge of the Mist Forest. Magic Alfalfa Grass is the favorite food of Pegasi and other Herbivorous Magical Beasts; long-term consumption can strengthen their bloodline and physique.]
[4: An Armored Rhinoceros is wandering the area on the south bank of the Black Water River. The Armored Rhinoceros is a Tier Three Magical Beast with a volatile and irritable temperament. This particular rhinoceros has just given birth to two calves and is in a berserk state, making it extremely aggressive.]
[5: The blacksmith of Black Stone Town, Old Hook, seems to have mastered an ancient Dwarven Forging technique, but he rarely shows it to others.]
[6: Upstream from the river valley where the Gray-headed Geese nest, the current has formed a small waterfall. There appears to be a hidden cave behind it.]
[7:]
[8:]
...
[10: Your Knight training is nearing perfection. The Knight Seed is sufficiently robust. Perhaps today is the day you break through to become an Official Knight.]
"Ed!"
Ed appeared at the door almost instantly, looking sharp and energetic.
"Go find Old Buck."
"Yes, my Lord!"
Before long, Old Buck, his hair gray but his spirit vigorous, walked in behind Ed.
"My Lord, you sent for me?"
"Mayor Buck, have a seat." Raylo pointed to a nearby chair. "During their patrol yesterday, the Knights discovered signs of sand rats within the territory."
Old Buck's expression immediately grew grim.
"Sand rats? That's not a good sign, my Lord. Those things breed incredibly fast and are experts at ruining grain. The town has suffered from a rat plague before, and the losses were devastating."
Raylo said, "I want you to immediately organize the townspeople, especially the experienced old Hunters and farmers. Have them set up more rat traps around the town's perimeter, particularly near the granaries and residences. Whether it's burrow clamps, cages, or any other method, the more, the better. Also, strengthen the guards and inspections at the granaries to ensure there are no weak points."
"Understood, my Lord!"
Old Buck stood up, his expression serious. "I'll go make the arrangements right away. Sand rats are a nuisance, but as long as we are well-prepared, we can keep the losses to a minimum."
"Go on. Tell the townspeople there's a reward for catching sand rats. Each one can be exchanged for ten Copper Sparrows."
"Yes, my Lord!"
Old Buck hurried away.
After arranging this urgent matter, Raylo returned to his room and sat down cross-legged.
Raylo closed his eyes and sank into his mind.
He could "see" that deep within his body, the formless Knight Seed was pulsing faintly, emitting a gentle yet tenacious light.
The key to breaking through to Official Knight was to completely "ignite" this seed, allowing it to take root and sprout. It had to integrate tightly with his own flesh, spirit, and even soul to form a self-sustaining Energy Core.
This process required a massive surge of energy and the guidance of a resolute will.
He took a deep breath and mobilized all the Fighting Spirit within him. Like a raging river, it began to assault the poised and waiting seed.
Once, twice...
Each impact made the seed tremble slightly.
Time passed bit by bit. The room was so quiet that the only sounds were Raylo's steady breathing and Moonlight's occasional soft whimpers.
Suddenly, Raylo felt a slight tremor in his body, as if something had shattered.
The Knight Seed abruptly erupted with a dazzling radiance—no longer a gentle, opalescent white, but a bright silver that carried a sense of sharpness and Power!
A powerful and pure force surged out from the seed, instantly flooding every corner of his body.
His bones made soft cracking sounds, his muscle fibers grew tougher, and the flow of his blood quickened, as if suffused with a stronger Life Force.
His perception also became sharper. He could even clearly "hear" Moonlight's heartbeat and feel the faint fluctuations of Magic Power emanating from its body.
Official Knight!
'I've finally broken through!'
An indescribable sense of joy and satisfaction washed over Raylo.
This wasn't just an increase in Power; it was a leap in his very level of existence.
Just then, something unexpected happened!
He felt a cool, mysterious power transmit through the contractual bond between him and Moonlight. Like a trickling stream, it flowed into the Knight core he had just formed.
This power carried Moonlight's unique aura, full of nimbleness and Magic Power.
It didn't clash with his Knight's Power. Instead, it was as if it had found a kindred partner, and the two merged together seamlessly.
The originally pure Silver Knight core began to show a faint, moon-white halo around its edges.
As his Fighting Spirit circulated, it seemed to have taken on an imperceptible magical quality.
'What is this...?'
Raylo's eyes snapped open, and he looked at Moonlight beside him.
Moonlight was also looking at him, its head cocked to one side. Its pale gold eyes sparkled, and a comfortable purr rumbled in its throat, as if it too was enjoying this fusion of energies.
"Moonlight, it seems you've completely accepted me now." Raylo couldn't help but reach out and rub Moonlight's fluffy head.
Moonlight closed its eyes in comfort, nuzzled his palm with its head, and wagged its tail happily.
Feeling the Power surging within him and the deeper connection with Moonlight, Raylo stroked the creature's small, fuzzy head.
"Moonlight, show me your true form!"
Moonlight just stared with wide, innocent eyes, putting on a cute and dumbfounded act as if it didn't understand.
"Dragon!"
"I know you're a Silver Dragon!"
Raylo called it out directly.
"Let me see what your real body looks like!"
Moonlight just went "MEOW, MEOW," swishing its big, fluffy tail as if to prove it was just a big cat.
Raylo couldn't win against Moonlight's act and, in the end, didn't get to see its true Silver Dragon form.