"We just need to protect you and the flag for ten minutes, right…" Ulric eyed the foot-long flag in Leone's hand.
According to Daedalus, the size of the flag would increase as soon as he thought about planting it to the ground, allowing him to set it properly.
"Yes," Daedalus replied. "You need to protect Leone for only ten minutes. But before we get started, allow me to scout the gryphon first. I need to check its rank. If it's Rank 5 or higher, we leave. Otherwise, we'll push through and fight it."
"Rank 4?" Ulric frowned. "What do you mean?"
Knowing the importance of this information, Daedalus didn't hide anything and explained everything Ulric and the warriors needed to know before fighting.
He also told them their current ranks, which garnered complicated expression from them.
Aside from Ulric, a Rank 3 Berserker, everyone else was Rank 1 like Yuni.
"If you can defend Leone for ten minutes, we might just stand a chance. Setting the flag will activate the power of his territory," Daedalus explained. "His buffs will not only increase your stats, but also buffs your fighting abilities. With it, we might successfully defeat or drive away the gryphon.
"But you have to remember—we'll only engage after I confirm their rank. If it's Rank 4, we fight. Above that, and we'll leave right away! In any case, a Rank 5 Monster is too powerful for us right now. Fighting it is suicide!"
"Then how will you know the monster's rank, Sir Daedalus?" one of the Warriors asked.
"It's really simple," Daedalus replied. "I just need to see it. As long as I can take a good look at it, I can see its Status Page."
Just as Ulric was planning to ask what they should do to help the grimoire, a scream from a woman reached their ears, followed by the neighing of their horses.
Ulric and the others immediately went to check what was happening and saw the creature they were looking for.
The gryphon had appeared and attacked one of the horses of their tribe.
The warriors immediately used their bows and arrows to shoot it down, but their target was faster. After grabbing the horse using its claws, it flew upward and used the body of the horse as a shield.
The horse neighed in pain as the gryphon flew toward the mountain, leaving the Barbarians behind.
"Is anyone hurt?!" Ulric asked. "Did someone else get attacked by the gryphon?!"
Fortunately, the members of the Alborin Tribe were inside their wagons when the attack happened.
Since the first thing that the monster saw was the horses, it focused its attention on them instead of the humans.
Unfortunately, the horses that belonged to the Alborin Tribe were spooked and ran away in fear after one of their brethren was nabbed by the gryphon when it raided their camp.
"Daedalus, did you get a good look?" Leone asked.
"Yes," Daedalus replied. "It's a Rank 4 Monster."
The grimoire then opened its pages and displayed a projection, allowing everyone to see the stats of the monster they were about to face.
———
[Astravor]
Race: Gryphon
Grade: Rare
Strength: 235
Agility: 280
Dexterity: 236
Vitality: 275
Intelligence: 226
Skills: Sky Assault [Level 2], Claw Attack [Level 3], Peck [Level 5]
Signature Ability: Zephyr Mantle [Level 5]
— Increase Magical Resistance by 50%
— Increase Elemental Resistance by 50%
— Increase resistance against Debuffs by 50%
———
"Damn…" Leone couldn't help but curse after seeing that the monster's stats were all above two hundred.
The gryphon's Signature Ability was also strong, but it was geared toward magical attacks.
No one in the Alborin Tribe could use magic, so the Monster's special defenses didn't matter to them. But it didn't change the difficulty of beating the enemy to face.
Even Ulric, the strongest among them, had a grim expression after seeing the monster's stats. The numbers only reminded them how dangerous the upcoming battle would be.
No matter what they thought, one thing was certain. They will protect Leone and the flag to their last breath for the sake of a slim chance of victory.
"Let's pull the wagons near the trees first so the gryphon couldn't see us in the open," Ulric said after heaving a deep sigh.
Losing their horses would be a great loss, so he asked the other warriors to coax them back to the camp.
Meanwhile, he used his strength to manually pull the wagons in a defensive formation under a cluster of trees.
He hoped that the gryphon would not attack them for a while since it was currently busy eating something.
Two hours later, the warriors returned with half of the horses. The beasts were still scared, but they had been with their owners for many years. Their bonds allowed them to calm the horses down for the time being.
"It's getting late. Let's have dinner first, then we can hold another meeting to strategize how we'll face the gryphon tomorrow," Yuni said after all the warriors had returned.
No one voiced any complaints, quickly leaving to help their families prepare their dinner.
Everyone was still shaken by what had happened earlier. However, they also understood that they had no choice but to fight for survival.
When Yuni entered the wagon that belonged to her family, she saw Leone eating the soup that she had prepared earlier. He was talking to Daedalus, asking him for pointers on how to face off against a gryphon.
"Gryphons dominate the sky," Daedalus explained. "As long as they are in the air, it will be an uphill battle. However, if you could force them to the ground, they will lose their aerial superiority.
"As long as we can force it down, Ulric can deal damage to it. The other warriors should just focus on hitting it with their bows and arrows."
"Then does that mean Sir Ulric should prioritize targeting the gryphon's wings so it can no longer fly?" Leone inquired.
"If he manages to target the joints of its wings and deal enough damage, the gryphon can't fight to its peak strength anymore. That is how we will win this battle."
Leone's White Kobold, Maximus, nodded its head in agreement. Tomorrow, it would do its best to protect its master from the gryphon.
"So the best strategy we can use is to keep the gryphon at bay with bows and arrows, then wait until the ten-minute cooldown ends," Daedalus explained. "After that, you will immediately use the active skill 'Call To Arms!' and boost everyone's fighting power."
This was the only hope they could cling on before fighting against an opponent that could potentially wipe out the entire Alborin Tribe should they fail to subjugate it.
Intelligent beasts, especially Apex Predators like gryphons, carry grudges.
"Don't worry, we will win," Leone said firmly.
"And where are you getting that confidence of yours?" Yuni asked in curiosity.
"It's because everyone is fighting to protect their tribe," Leone answered. "When someone is fighting to protect, they understand that they mustn't fall. If they did, those behind them would be the one to suffer.
"I believe we have what it takes to win. No… we will win no matter what. That is the only way I can become the Hero King!"
"Wow, you got me in the first half," Daedalus commented. "You ruined it in the end, though."
Leone chuckled because he did get carried away with his speech. However, he wasn't aware that his silly attempt to make himself look good had calmed the anxiety Yuni felt at that time.
'He's right,' Yuni thought. 'We are fighting to protect our tribe. We will not fail.'
The young lady clenched her fists, fully knowing that she could die tomorrow.
But she would not back down and give it her best so the people whom her father wished to protect could keep smiling, even if it meant sacrificing herself in the process.