Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 521 The Current Power of the Air Cavalry
Upon hearing Erstein's confident report, Su Li's lips curled up into a smile.

“My Marshal, Commander-in-Chief,” his gaze swept over his two most trusted generals, his tone filled with undisguised praise, “you always put my mind at ease. Whether it’s building defenses on the battlefield or dealing with these extraordinary troubles, you always come up with outstanding tactics.”

He stepped forward, his gaze returning to the mist-shrouded swamp: "So, what is the specific solution? I'm very interested to know how you intend to break the current stalemate. What are the detailed tactical arrangements?"

Orstein bowed slightly and stood behind Su Li, asking, "My lord, do you remember the 'Sky Horn' that the adventure team reported to you about the gift they received from the ancient Titan Aeolus?"

Su Li nodded; he did indeed remember that horn, which looked ancient but contained an extraordinary aura.

Orstein explained, “As Lord Aiolos said, although the era of ‘Sky Mountain’ that created it is now a legend, and most of the horn’s power has been lost, a trace of the ‘original imprint’ of Sky Mountain still remains within it. Blowing it, while unable to summon mountains, is very likely to cause small-scale changes in celestial phenomena in a specific area, dispelling fog and miasma, or calming storms. In short, it is a strategic relic that can locally reverse the weather.”

He pointed to the thinning mist in the distance and the unusually dry swamps: "Over the past period, we haven't just been passively defending or launching small-scale raids. We've been cautiously and regionally testing the effects of this horn. The ecological decay of the swamp and the uneven mist concentration you see today are largely the result of the horn's continuous interference. It has disrupted the inherent chaotic energy balance that this swamp relies on to maintain."

"You mean..." Su Li's gaze sharpened, "that it's now confirmed that this horn can suppress the fog here?"

“Indeed, my lord,” Orstein affirmed. “We plan to cease our piecemeal probing. Our next step will be to assemble all our griffon riders and aerial units, led personally by Lady Hilder, carrying the ‘Sky Horn,’ and launch several sweeping attacks across the heart of the swamp. We will not merely disperse small patches of mist from time to time, but rather unleash a brief but thorough celestial purification that will engulf the entire Green Moss Swamp!”

He elaborated: "When the dense fog is largely dispelled, even for just a few hours, the swamp monsters hiding within will lose their greatest protection, and their mobility and stealth will be greatly reduced. More importantly, a mobile castle, no matter how bizarre its magic, will have nowhere to hide under a clear sky. Our scouts will be able to pinpoint the exact location of Mudcrown Castle, or at least pinpoint the approximate area where it will appear next."

“Then,” Orstein’s voice was resolute, “will be the time when all our elite forces will be deployed to strike at the heart of the enemy. Under the sunlight, we will wage a decisive battle against Litanel and his monstrous army. This will completely prevent us from getting bogged down in an endless war of attrition in the swamp.”

After listening, Su Li pondered for a moment, a sharp glint in his eyes. This plan fully utilized their unique advantages, turning a passive situation into an active one, and reversing the battlefield environment in their favor.

“Very good,” he said in a deep voice. “Execute this plan. Hilde, you are in charge of sounding the horn; make sure to choose the best time. Orstein, prepare for a general offensive. Once the location of Mudcrown Castle is confirmed, I want the forces of the Hessian Territory to strike its heart at the very first moment!”

"Yes, sir!" the two replied in unison.

Su Li and Hilde then descended from the watchtower, preparing to inspect the forward camp and inspire the soldiers who were about to engage in battle. However, they had not gone far when a powerful and urgent horn blast shattered the relative tranquility of the swamp's edge—a signal indicating an urgent military situation.

Immediately afterwards, the camp erupted like a disturbed beehive, bursting into a tremendous roar and clamor. Under Su Li's watchful eye, the powerful air force of the Black Forest Territory was mobilized on an unprecedented scale.

A colossal crimson dragon took flight first, its crimson scales glowing like burning embers against the grey sky, its aura awe-inspiring. Close behind were twelve Warhammer helicopters belonging to the dwarven allies, their rotors roaring deafeningly, their side-mounted gyro-cannons and sulfur guns already in position. Nearly sixty griffin riders formed a moving cloud; these birds of prey, a blend of griffin and warhorse features, emitted piercing cries, their riders holding lances level, exuding a menacing aura.

Five or more Chosen Knights riding real griffins circled low in the air, each flap of their wings creating a powerful gust of air. A small squadron of Pegasus Knights and Giant Eagle Knights provided agile flank cover. The largest contingent, however, consisted of hundreds of Swan Knights, their upper bodies clad in uniform, fine leather armor. The giant swans beneath them moved with elegance and swiftness, like a cloud of sharp blades reflecting the pale light of the sky.

The sheer size and imposing presence of this mixed air force were enough to terrify any enemy on the ground, perfectly demonstrating the formidable strength that the Black Forest Territory had accumulated over a long period of time.

Just then, Marshal Orstein, riding his griffin, swiftly swooped down and landed in front of Su Li, kicking up a cloud of dust. He quickly reported, "My lord, our forward outpost at 'Deadwood Pass' has been ambushed and besieged by the main force of the Swamp Territory! It's a large-scale attack; Litanel has likely deployed a full-scale army!"

Su Li's eyes narrowed, and he immediately gained a clear understanding of the situation. This was exactly the tactic that Earl Litanel had mastered, as Hilde had previously introduced—using the swamp as cover to launch a swift attack on the tentacles reaching out from the Black Forest Territory.

This is exactly the same situation he faced when dealing with the Green Dragon Legion's siege of Black Forest Territory. It is essentially a reproduction of a classic strategy in military history, which can be called "active defense" or "offensive defense".

The core of this tactic is that the defender with a geographical advantage (such as the Hessian Territory in the past, and the Litanel Territory today) will never remain entrenched in the open. Instead, they will rely on strongholds or complex terrain (cities, swamps) as an impenetrable "shield," while simultaneously dispatching mobile elite troops as a flexible "spear" for attacks.

Its strategic objective is very clear: to prevent the attacking side from resting and recuperating in peace by continuously launching surprise attacks and harassment, targeting the enemy's supply lines, patrols, or isolated outposts, and keeping them in a state of constant mental and physical exhaustion.

Then, small victories accumulate into a major triumph. Each successful raid can result in losses of personnel and equipment for the attacking side. These seemingly minor losses accumulate and gradually weaken the overall strength and morale of the attacking side.

More importantly, it is about seizing the initiative on the battlefield. By taking the initiative, the defender forces the attacker to react passively, thereby turning the tide psychologically and in terms of rhythm, making the opponent feel as if they are fighting an omnipresent ghost.

In this way, through continuous contact, the defending side can figure out the attacker's weaknesses and command patterns, creating an opportunity to launch a decisive counterattack.

Just as Su Li had expected, this was a complete replication of his original strategy. However, now the roles had reversed. Litanel had become the defensive force, constantly launching attacks from the "swamp city," while Su Li's Black Forest army was playing the role of the "Green Dragon Legion" back then, with a long battle line and the need to be constantly on guard against sneak attacks from the fog.

Having personally experienced and deeply understood the power of this tactic, Su Li snorted with even greater certainty: "Litanell is deliberately trying to intimidate me. Tell me, does he also have special means to see me coming?"

“This is exactly the opportunity we’ve been waiting for!” Erstein’s voice was urgent but firm. “They’ve left their most familiar swampy area and appeared relatively close to our main force. I request that the air cavalry be dispatched immediately to deliver a crushing blow, and we must not allow them to retreat back into the fog after their success!”

Without the slightest hesitation, Su Li decisively declared: "The military command at the front need not consult me! Marshal, everything remains the same. You have full command authority, and all decisions are yours to make!"

He understood the principle that professional matters should be left to professionals, and had absolute trust in the abilities of Orstein and Hilde.

Immediately afterwards, he gripped the Spear of Oath tightly in his hand, his gaze sweeping over the imposing army assembled in the air, and said in a deep voice: "Furthermore, tell the soldiers that I will personally go to the battlefield and fight alongside you. The lord of Black Forest Territory will greet victory together with his army!"

His words were resolute, clearly defining command and demonstrating his determination to stand with his soldiers through thick and thin.

This is not only an affirmation of the tactics, but also the most powerful boost to the morale of the entire army.

Once Su Li gave the order, he did not hesitate for a moment and looked at Ariria, who was following behind him in the queue.

She maintained her elegant human form, a dark green, high-slit robe outlining her graceful figure, with glimpses of her long, slender legs, covered in pure white silk, peeking through the slits. Her exquisite face held a faint air of aloofness, her long, emerald-green hair cascading down like a waterfall, and a small, delicate jade crown atop her head, adding to her unapproachable nobility and aloofness. She simply stood there quietly, naturally exuding an ancient aura far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world, causing the surrounding soldiers to dare not look directly at her.

When Su Li's gaze fell upon her, without a word, a simple exchange of glances caused Arielia's dignified and noble demeanor to waver slightly. A complex emotion flashed swiftly in her clear, spring-like eyes—helplessness, resignation, and a deep-seated, irresistible submission. Of the three dragons in the territory, the red dragon Drake was the least subservient, merely a vassal of Su Li, and essentially confined to the Twilight Mountains. Su Li didn't expect it to exert itself; simply guarding the border and preventing monsters from wreaking havoc on the plains would be enough for it.

Therefore, Su Li would not conscript him for ordinary battles. Unless both sides mobilized tens of thousands of troops for a decisive battle of life and death, Drake would have no choice but to join Su Li's army and fight to the death for him.

Crimson Dragon Morkana's subservience is moderate. Because Su Li is like her father, as long as he promises her a small amount of gold crowns before the battle, such as the 2000 gold crowns he gave her in this battle, she can't wait to join in and even wants to perform well to try to overpower that damned green dragon with its "tea-like" attitude.

Ariria's submission was undoubtedly the highest, even bordering on complete domination. Her dragonly nobility, pride, and resistance were almost entirely eroded by Su Li. After all, the title of 'Dragon Abuser' wasn't given lightly. When she transformed into human form, her delicate wrists bound by a hairband, she uttered countless pleas for mercy and submission, using every shameful phrase imaginable. In front of Su Li, how could she possibly maintain any semblance of dignity?
So Su didn't need to speak; he simply nodded slightly to Ariria. The two were instantly in sync, and in the next instant, the space around her began to distort and fluctuate, and intense magical light burst forth from her body! The emerald crown transformed into a stream of light and disappeared between her forehead, and the noble humanoid illusion rippled and shattered like waves.

Amidst the suppressed gasps of the surrounding soldiers, her form rapidly expanded and transformed—her skin turned into hard emerald scales, her limbs extended into sharp claws and powerful dragon limbs, and her elegant neck became long and full of power.

In the blink of an eye, the aloof and noble humanoid queen vanished, replaced by the true form of the ancient dragon, the Green Dragon Eliria, who lay prostrate on the ground like an emerald mountain.

This green dragon was already terrifyingly large, far surpassing the size of its ordinary kind. When she raised her long and strong neck, it was tall enough to overlook most of the towers. The scales covering her body were not simply emerald green, but a deep, azure color, like the deep blue accumulated in the heart of an ancient forest, with edges that gleamed with a cold, metallic sheen.

She was simply breathing calmly, and the faint breath emanating from her mouth and nose carried the strange scent of plants growing and decaying rapidly, demonstrating the immense vitality and ancient dragon might within her that approached the legendary realm.

When she opened her molten gold-like vertical pupils and indifferently swept over the air force gathered in the sky, even the fierce griffins and horse vultures became restless, an instinctive awe stemming from the difference in their life levels.

Su Li stepped effortlessly onto the base of the dragon's wings and skillfully secured himself to the saddle. The moment he gripped the reins and completed his mental link with Ariria, an invisible pressure emanated from them. Man and dragon became one, their aura perfectly natural.

"Ariria, let's go!" Su Li shouted in a low voice.

The green dragon let out a deep, powerful roar. The sound wasn't sharp, but it reverberated throughout the camp like rolling thunder, even briefly drowning out the clamor of all the flying units. Her enormous wings suddenly spread, casting shadows that instantly covered a large area. Then, with powerful hind legs pushing off the ground, she soared into the air with the force of a thunderbolt.

This scene became the final spark that ignited the morale of the entire army.

"My lord! It's the lord and the dragon!" On the ground, a soldier pointed to the sky and shouted excitedly.

"Look! The dragon is attacking!"

"For the Black Forest Territory! For Lord Su Li!"

Cheers erupted first from the nearest camp, spreading like ripples from a stone thrown into a calm lake throughout the sprawling encampment. Whether it was the spearmen holding their posts, the engineers inspecting their ballistae, or the cavalry awaiting orders, everyone gazed up at the figure of their leader riding the forest dragon, brandishing their weapons and shouting deafeningly. The pent-up tension from the long preparations transformed into a boiling battle fervor.

The air cavalry in the sky reacted even more directly. Seeing their lord personally riding such a powerful legendary creature and ascending alongside them, an unparalleled sense of confidence and pride filled their hearts. The griffin riders pounded their shields with their warhammers, producing a rhythmic boom; the horse-eagle riders blew sharp whistles; and the swan riders held their bows to their chests, paying the highest tribute to their lord. Their already high morale surged even stronger, coalescing into an indomitable belief.

Su Li piloted Ariria, soaring above the legion. He didn't need to say anything more; his very existence was the most powerful pre-battle mobilization.

Su Li's gaze sharpened towards the direction of the "Deadwood Pass," the Spear of Oath gleaming coldly on the dragon's back. He abruptly raised the spear high above his head, channeling his bloodline power into his voice, which resounded like thunder across the sky:
"Air Cavalry Legion, all troops—attack!"

Once the order was given, the will to fight surged like a tidal wave!
In an instant, the Black Forest's aerial forces, which had been assembled and waiting, moved at the command. With Su Li and Eliria as the vanguard, the massive air cavalry formation surged forward like a long-awaited dark cloud. The crimson dragon spread its giant wings, the rotors of the dwarven helicopters roared even louder, and the mixed formation of horse vultures, griffins, pegasus, giant eagles, and swan riders blotted out the sky as they swooped down toward the Deadwood Pass.

This "dark cloud," however, was not devoid of light. On the contrary, the knights' gleaming armor and fluttering banners reflected a continuous stream of gold and silver light in the dim sunlight, like a flowing metallic storm, or a river of dawn tearing through the gloomy sky. Countless battle flags embroidered with the Bauhinia family crest fluttered in the wind, stretching endlessly, proclaiming an unstoppable military might.

The column swept across the land below, the scene a horrifying sight. The already barren border region was further desolate by years of war and the erosion of swampy miasma. Villages were reduced to scorched earth, fields were overgrown with weeds, and the few remaining woodlands were a sickly gray-green. Occasionally, abandoned watchtowers and collapsed fortifications could be seen, silently telling the story of the suffering this land had endured. And the closer they got to the Deadwood Pass, the more obvious the traces of war became—the scorched earth, scattered arrows, and unburied corpses all foreshadowed the fierce fighting ahead.

When the massive air cavalry finally arrived above the Deadwood Pass, the scene below was laid out before them.

The Black Forest stronghold, situated at the pass, was now completely surrounded by a surging tide of enemy troops. The simple yet sturdy wooden and stone walls were breached in many places, and the defenders atop them had clearly been fighting for a long time, their arrows and rolling stones seemingly running low. However, when the deafening flapping and roaring of wings filled the air, and when the overwhelming figures of reinforcements appeared on the horizon, a tremendous cheer, as if a survivor had been given a second chance, erupted from within the stronghold! The exhausted defenders waved their tattered flags and weapons with renewed vigor, their morale soaring, as if infused with new strength.

The size of the enemy forces besieging the stronghold was truly alarming; a rough estimate suggested they numbered well over three thousand! This was a large army of extremely diverse composition: its core was undoubtedly the swamp territory's elite troops. Most of them wore simple, mud-stained leather armor or studded armor, and their weapons were a motley collection, ranging from rusted swords to enormous bone clubs.

Mixed among them were numerous swamp-dwelling demon warriors with smooth skin, burly physiques, and single eyes on their foreheads, emitting hoarse roars that made them appear particularly ferocious. This army exuded a damp and putrid stench, the same as that of the swamp, and its formation appeared loose and chaotic, yet it possessed a savage vitality.

On the edge and periphery of this chaotic "quagmire," another group of troops with a distinctly different temperament gathered. Their equipment was more varied, but clearly bore the hallmarks of the "civilized" world: there were mercenaries in chainmail, carrying various banners, their eyes greedy and wary; there were wandering knights and rogue knights riding inferior horses, their armor tattered, appearing both arrogant and destitute; there were even groups of raiders, resembling bandits, brandishing scimitars and axes, restless and agitated. These were clearly outlaws from outside, attracted by Rittanel with money or promises.

However, what truly made Su Li frown was a group positioned on the enemy's flank. They numbered several hundred, relatively uniformly equipped, wearing dark red robes trimmed with black trim, wielding identical spears and broadswords, and maintaining a remarkably disciplined formation. Although they deliberately concealed any prominent family banners, their well-trained bearing and relatively superior equipment contrasted sharply with the surrounding rabble—they were definitely not mercenaries or wanderers, but a regular army from another territory within a border princely domain!

“As expected…” Su Li sneered inwardly, “Litanel is not fighting alone. Some people have already become restless and have begun to secretly lend him a helping hand.”

The situation instantly became even more complex. But this did not shake Su Li's resolve; instead, it intensified the cold glint in his eyes. No matter who the enemy was, or how many there were, those who dared to stand in the way of Black Forest Territory must be prepared to be crushed!
The next moment, his voice, infused with the power of his bloodline, roared like thunder from the heavens, clearly reaching the ears of every air cavalryman, even drowning out the clamor of the battlefield:

"Warriors of the Black Forest Territory! These rats hiding in the mud dare to challenge our might!"

"Let their bones pave our road to victory! Let their cries herald the conquest of the Black Forest!"

In my name—

"Crush them!"

(End of this chapter)