Chapter 32: The Northern Wind's Eagle Guard (Part Three)
"Screech—"
The giant eagles let out piercing cries as they formed ranks, diving down toward the retreating Chimera.
But just as they were about to catch up from behind, a red figure appeared at the cave's entrance.
The fleeing Chimera, upon seeing the figure, felt like it was granted mercy and shouted in the little Draconic it knew:
"Master, save me!"
Cassius observed the line of giant eagles trailing behind the Chimera, his gaze filled with curiosity.
Spotting the knights in thick armor with eagle emblems on their chests, his confusion deepened.
"These are the Eagle Guards?"
He'd only been underground for a few days.
How had the Eagle Guards made it to his lair?
Could it be that Langpu had been so blinded by the "Grand Vision" that he launched an attack on the Northwind Fortress?
But seeing the formation of eagles diving down, he could only prepare for battle.
"Forming such a tight formation,"
"Are they just waiting for me to barbecue them?"
Having gone without a proper fight for a while, Cassius licked his lips, releasing a breath tinged with sulfur.
The savage instincts deep in his dragon bloodline were awakened.
Alger, originally commanding from high above, directed the Eagle Guards' assault with his sword.
But the instant he saw the red figure in the distance, his expression changed drastically, his voice betraying his first signs of panic and tension.
"Dragon!"
"It's a red dragon!"
Alger shouted with urgency.
Dragons, no matter the type, were the last enemies he'd ever want to face in battle.
Be it their armor-like scales, endless breath attacks, or myriad spell-like abilities, they were the stuff of nightmares for the giant eagle riders.
"Scatter! Scatter!"
Yet not everyone possessed his sharp instincts and refined riding skills to detect danger at high speeds and halt the charge.
The Eagle Guards were already in formation, advancing toward the cave entrance.
It was too late.
Cassius slightly opened his jaws, his unique draconic blood vessels channeling flame energy from his entire body to his lungs. Those searing elements gathered in his chest and throat, glowing like molten lava—a sign of an impending dragon's breath.
"Fire Breath!"
In an instant, a torrent of scorching flames erupted from the red dragon's mouth, and the raging fire mercilessly engulfed the front line of the Eagle Guards, turning the entire cave entrance into an inferno.
The flames consumed everything, and those in the front ranks barely had time to see the reflected firelight in their eyes before they were turned to ash.
Compared to some of their companions, they were even considered lucky, as their deaths were at least swift.
Behind them, however, over a dozen Eagle Guards were also ignited, each turning into a blazing fireball.
"Ah!"
"I'm on fire!"
"It's so hot!"
"Help! Help!"
They could only scream and struggle, some burning to death, others falling from their eagles to meet fatal impacts, all unable to escape the deadly clutches of the red dragon.
The red dragon, unhurried, flapped its wings, hovering above to watch the Eagle Guards being consumed by flames.
The Chimera cowered behind the red dragon, shrinking its neck as it watched the slaughter, feeling the satisfaction of revenge and realizing that resisting its master was now unthinkable.
The wyverns raised their heads in unison, screeching in celebration of their master's return.
The ogres cheered, wielding clubs and hammers. Goblins raised short spears in jubilation.
Kobolds prostrated themselves as if before a deity, witnessing the immense power of their master.
In an instant, the tide had turned completely.
Seeing dozens of comrades perish in moments, Alger's eyes reddened slightly, yet he held his composure, directing his eagle higher while raising his sword.
The wind whistled through the eagle-engraved grooves on the blade, creating a piercing, eagle-like cry.
With a commanding shout, he ordered, "Retreat! Everyone, retreat!"
"Disperse and retreat!"
The remaining twenty or so Eagle Guards, having witnessed the hellish carnage, knew they stood no chance and wasted no time scattering in all directions.
Eagle Guards required extensive resources to train, so from a young age, they were taught the importance of preserving lives.
Hovering high above, Cassius beat his wings slowly.
Watching the Eagle Guards flee, a barely perceptible smirk crossed his face.
"They've attacked my lair—"
"And now they think they can just leave?"
"Isn't that underestimating a dragon a bit much?"
The red dragon ascended to the highest point, filling his lungs with fire energy again. However, this time, he didn't concentrate it as he had before.
Alger, watching the dragon from below as he retreated, instantly recognized the danger.
"Dragon breath!"
"Another dragon breath! Get out of the way!"
He shouted with all his might to warn his comrades.
Cassius only slightly opened his jaws, releasing a stream of blazing light.
"Directed breath weapon!"
This time, instead of a wide-area breath attack, the red dragon fired several concentrated fireballs.
Each fireball precisely targeted the fleeing Eagle Guards, shooting out with scorching energy toward their marks.
"Boom!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Explosions rang out as fireballs hit, with several knights plummeting in flames.
Alger, targeted as well, narrowly avoided the blasts by making swift rolls and sharp turns in the air.
"What is this…?"
This wasn't just a breath—it was as if the dragon wielded fire magic with surgical precision.
Watching one companion after another fall, Alger took a deep breath, speaking decisively:
"You all retreat first!"
"I'll draw the dragon's attention."
Alger stroked his eagle's singed feathers gently, whispering, "Igor, this may be our final charge."
The eagle understood, letting out a sorrowful cry.
They weren't just knight and mount; they were lifelong companions.
"It's a shame we never repaid the Duke's kindness or rid the world of those damn devils."
Alger murmured to himself.
Years of training had made him intimately familiar with every aspect of flight, every air current, making him and the eagle one seamless entity.
He expertly guided his eagle, ascending higher and higher until they were above the dragon, becoming a tiny black dot to onlookers.
Alger began a dive from the highest point.
He aimed directly at the mighty red dragon, charging toward it like a modern-day Don Quixote tilting at a windmill.
"Screech—"
A commanding eagle cry echoed through the sky.
Cassius lifted his gaze, noticing the Eagle Guard's descent, his golden pupils widening slightly.
"Interesting."
"So, you're a high-level warrior?"