Knights and Magic Wand -
Chapter 503 - 503 237 Military Exploits and Glory _2
503: Chapter 237: Military Exploits and Glory _2 503: Chapter 237: Military Exploits and Glory _2 “Hey, that impressive?!”
Leon looked at Lokhak in surprise.
He knew his brother had been growing stronger, but he hadn’t expected him to have reached such a level.
Lokhak touched the scars hidden beneath his clothes and said no more, only smirking at Leon: “With you in that state, how could I not lose my head out of anger?
I took both old and new grudges out on those bastards.
Looking back, I almost got myself killed.
If not for the army charging in after the victory, I might have collapsed from exhaustion and died in the enemy ranks.”
“So you do know how reckless you were?” Azeryan sighed in exasperation, then turned to Leon: “He really wasn’t thinking straight.
After you were carried back, this guy cried himself to sleep by your bedside every night.
During the day, he’d storm around like a madman, yelling at me about taking revenge.
He wanted nothing more than to single-handedly charge into the Southern Army’s base.”
“Hey!
Hey!
When did I cry?
Stop making things up.”
Lokhak hadn’t expected his moments of grief to be witnessed and blushed furiously with embarrassment.
Leon felt a surge of warmth in his heart but couldn’t help laughing at the thought of this big, burly guy shedding quiet tears, like little pearls falling one by one.
“You fool, I’m not dead.
Save the tears for when I’m truly beneath the ground.”
“I didn’t cry!” Lokhak protested, his face turning an even deeper shade of red.
Leon chuckled, raising his right hand to ruffle the big guy’s hair.
Fortunately, he was tall himself; otherwise, he’d have to ask Lokhak to stoop down like Lola did.
Turning serious, he said, “Remember, no more recklessness like this.
Do you want Elena to lose the last family she has?
Even when taking revenge, you need to make sure you come back alive.
If I truly die in battle, and you dare follow me down, I’ll come back and smack you in the afterlife!”
“…Oh.” Lokhak, meeting Leon’s earnest gaze, nodded reluctantly.
“…I’ll remember.”
As the three of them continued chatting, they finally arrived at the courtyard where the griffins were kept.
Hawk, Zabron, and several Avalon Knights stood guard inside.
In the courtyard stood a partially opened large tent.
In one corner, fresh bloodied horse bones—not yet cleaned up—were piled high.
Death Claw lay curled up on a thick bed of straw, sleeping soundly under the shelter of the tent that shielded against wind and rain.
Sitting under the shade, the griffin’s wing feathers were smeared with salve, its massive wings fixed at specific angles by a giant support frame.
Exposed wounds peeked through its molted feathers, making Leon’s chest tighten at the sight.
The poor beast had endured so much suffering from their bond, stepping onto the battlefield together.
This time, it had truly suffered a dire fate.
While the injuries weren’t as fatal as the time a rune-marked giant crossbow pierced through it, the accumulated pain of these wounds rivaled that agony and perhaps surpassed it in torment.
Leon recalled Balfe once advising him: never grow too attached to one’s warhorse.
Those who did would inevitably face soul-crushing grief when their trusted companion fell in battle.
But Death Claw was no mere “mount”; it was a true partner through thick and thin.
No matter what, Leon couldn’t disregard the sacrifices it had made for him.
Just as he walked closer, Death Claw opened its sharp, eagle-like eyes.
It didn’t just sense the familiar presence—it recognized it.
As Leon approached, their bond deepened once more through the magic of their contract.
Letting out a soft rumble, the great beast, filled with happiness at seeing its friend, attempted to rise.
Leon quickly stepped forward, crouching to soothe its massive head.
“Big Fat Bird, just stay put.
Don’t try to stand.”
Understanding his companion’s thoughts, the griffin nuzzled its head against Leon, closing its eyes once more.
Sitting down on the straw next to Death Claw, Leon ran his hand along the griffin’s neck, smoothing out the messy feathers that had been ripped and torn by enemies.
Turning to Lokhak and Azeryan, he said, “If there’s something pressing in the camp, you two go handle it.
I’d like to spend some more time with Death Claw.”
“Our troops are under the watchful eyes of Sir Filipo and the others, and the army’s departure is still two days away.
Lord Eriv is busy dividing the spoils of war among the families.
There isn’t much going on,” Azeryan shook his head.
“Our biggest concern is you.
Let’s all take it easy,” Lokhak said, sitting himself down on the straw as well.
Realizing they wouldn’t leave him alone, Leon didn’t insist.
He leaned back against the griffin’s neck, finally exhaling as a sense of calm washed over him.
Death Claw, with its eyes half-closed, tried to extend its wing to cover Leon but had to settle for placing a massive forepaw gently on him due to the pain and the restraints.
Leon lazily patted the enormous claw resting nearby, chatting idly with Azeryan and Lokhak.
Before long, sleep overtook him as he lay nestled against his griffin companion…
Leon had no idea how long he dozed by Death Claw’s side.
He was gently woken by Lokhak shaking him softly.
“…Wake up, the Earl is here.”
Opening his bleary eyes, Leon saw his Sealing Lord and several of his followers striding briskly into the courtyard.
With the help of his two companions, Leon got to his feet, brushing stray straw from his clothes as he hurried out of the tent to greet his lord.
“…I heard you’d awakened, so I came to check on you.”
Lord Eriv smiled warmly.
“Even after suffering such severe wounds, you’re still this spirited.
It seems not even Death itself can claim you.
You and your griffin are truly unyielding.”
“I was simply lucky.
I thought I was as good as dead.” Leon paused briefly, then offered his Sealing Lord a helpless smile.
“However, I must apologize, my lord.
The sword you bestowed upon me was damaged in the battle.”
Eriv waved a hand dismissively, smiling.
“Oh, nonsense.
What’s there to apologize for?
You brought honor to my sword—it struck down a Great Knight.
For both the blade and myself, that’s a distinction beyond measure.
I couldn’t be more pleased.”
It was no ordinary knight who had fallen to Leon’s blade.
It was the Peacock Knight, Valensis, famed throughout the realm.
Though aged and riddled with heavy injuries at the time, his legendary renown as a warrior still stood unshaken.
According to the testimony of Baron Kellan, who witnessed the events firsthand, Leon had come within a hair’s breadth of delivering a fatal blow to the knight, nearly piercing his throat.
Unlike drunken boasts claiming the defeat of some “Legendary Knight,” this account came with evidence—Valensis’s damaged knight helmet and greatsword were trophies of the encounter.
Thanks to Leon, the Farolis Family’s influence and prestige in the kingdom were immeasurably elevated.
Turning a somber gaze to Leon’s left arm—hidden beneath his cloak—Lord Eriv said resolutely, “Do not worry, my boy.
As long as the Northern Wizards have the means, no matter the cost, I will ensure they mend your arm.”
“It’s a pity you missed the victory feast.
But I’ve already handed over the deeds for your newly rewarded lands and your 5,000 gold crowns to Azeryan.”
“Is there anything else you need?
I heard from him that your Knight Order is short on warhorses.”
Leon, caught off guard by his lord’s eagerness, nodded hesitantly.
“Uh, yes.
I’m finding it difficult to procure good military horses in Grey Robe Valley at reasonable prices.”
“How many do you need?”
“Uh, eighty…”
“Eighty?
That’s not enough.
Isn’t your Knight Order a full roster of five hundred?”
“Forget eighty.
I’ll send you three hundred prime Urian Warhorses.” Lord Eriv, switching his right hand to place his left, patted Leon’s shoulder.
This…
Leon was stunned by his Sealing Lord’s generosity.
What he’d needed were “military horses.” Yet, based on Eriv’s wording, he was gifting him “warhorses”—a far superior breed and caliber.
A grin spread across Leon’s face, so wide it began to feel awkward.
So this was the kind of reward one could expect for exceptional military service?
It was incredible.
Not only would he not need to spend a single coin on these high-priced mounts, but their numbers had also quadrupled…
The lord and his knight shared an amicable and lively conversation.
That evening, they enjoyed a dinner together with others.
By the following morning, after finishing breakfast, Leon planned to visit Death Claw again.
However, he encountered an envoy sent by Lydwen III, bearing a summons to meet the King.
Leon froze briefly, and a realization slowly donned on him; the extra warmth Lord Eriv had shown yesterday, almost overly affectionate, made perfect sense now.
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