75: Dragon Scale Horse

The night curtain, like heavy velvet, slowly covered the New Moon Plain. At the edge of the forest, the warriors of the Star Sea Territory silently chewed on hard, dry rations, washing them down with clear water from their skins, afraid of startling the horse herd into fleeing.

Linn, Elise, Clay, Angus, along with the two army deputies, Deputy Alexander, Evan, and other core personnel, sat around a natural hollow formed by the roots of a giant ancient tree, discussing the next day's operation in low voices, using the faint starlight filtering through the gaps in the forest.

Evan spoke first, his voice very low. Having followed Angus, Evan had grown rapidly, and his personality had become increasingly steady. He spoke with the unique calm of a hunter: “My Lord, my observation is that although this herd of Dragon Scale Horses is scattered while grazing, they always center around the largest Head Stallion. The social structure of the herd should be very tight. As the saying goes, to catch the bandits, first catch their leader. If we can find a way to control or... subdue that leader, the entire herd might collapse without a fight, or at least fall into chaos, making it easier for us to divide and capture them.” He made a lasso gesture.

Elise gently shook her head, adding her detailed observations from the daytime: “Deputy Evan's line of thinking is correct. But we must have a clear understanding of the target. That leading Dragon Scale Horse, judging by the elemental fluctuations it emits, its size, and the imposing manner of its movements, has strength roughly equivalent to a Rank Three Demonic Beast, which corresponds to the human... Silver Rank, and it is likely Silver Intermediate or Advanced. The scales on its neck are the most lustrous, and the fire patterns on its four hooves are the most distinct; its Bloodline is likely purer. Forcing a capture, even if we manage to trap it, could easily provoke fierce resistance, even a mutual destruction. Dragon Scale Horses are proud and fiery, especially the Head Stallion.”

Clay stroked his chin and said in a deep voice, “In other words, a brute force approach carries great risk and could injure the valuable horses, especially the leader. We need a plan that can both demonstrate power to intimidate the herd and give the Head Stallion a... less humiliating 'way out'.”

Everyone's gaze turned to Linn. Linn had been listening quietly, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the breath of life Ring, seemingly calculating various possibilities. A moment later, he raised his head, his eyes shining with decisive light.

“Evan's 'Catch the Leader' strategy is the core, but it cannot be simple violent capture.” Linn's voice was steady and clear. “Tomorrow at dawn, when the herd begins to gather to forage, we will proceed as planned. Angus will command the Divine Arrow Army, using the terrain and arrows to slowly apply pressure from three directions, creating momentum, and driving the herd toward the relatively narrow grassland on the east side of the river valley, which is backed by a cliff face. Clay, you will lead the elite of the Guard Army to form ranks at the bottom of the pre-set 'pocket,' constructing a defense line with shields. You must block the herd's first charge, but remember, unless directly attacked, no lethal weapons are allowed; the goal is primarily deterrence and containment.”

He paused, his gaze sharp: “As for me, when the herd is compressed and its attention is diverted, I will go directly for the leader. I will use the difference in strength to suppress it as quickly as possible, but without severely injuring it. Then...” A strange light flashed in Linn's eyes, “I will attempt to communicate with it.”

“Communicate?” Angus was somewhat surprised.

“Yes, a special method of Soul Communication, which I was fortunate enough to learn a little of.” Linn did not elaborate, but his tone carried undeniable confidence. “The goal is to reach a certain 'agreement' or 'recognition,' rather than simple enslavement. Of course, that is the best-case scenario.” He changed tack, his tone turning cold, “If communication fails, or if it chooses death over submission... for the sake of the entire herd and the future Dragon Scale Horse Cavalry Regiment, I will use a Soul Contract to forcibly subdue it. This is the last resort, but if necessary, it must be done.”

Hearing this, everyone's expression grew solemn, but they also understood Linn's determination and consideration. He was prepared for both conciliation and an iron fist.

“Remember,” Linn emphasized finally, “Our goal is to capture the entire herd as intact as possible, especially the mares and foals, as they relate to future breeding. During the operation, prioritize personnel safety, and the horses second. Now, go rest and conserve your strength.”

The next day, just as the Sky brightened, the morning glow dyed the Sky a faint golden-red. As expected, the herd of Dragon Scale Horses gathered at the richest grassland by the riverbank under the guidance of the Head Stallion and began to feed. They lowered their heads to graze on the tender grass covered in morning dew, appearing peaceful, but their pricked ears and frequent, wary glances around showed that they had not lowered their guard.

“Begin the operation.” Linn gave the command after seeing the herd was settled through his Monocular Telescope.

Angus waved his hand, and the warriors of the Divine Arrow Army dispersed like phantoms along the edge of the forest. They did not show themselves, but instead used the vibration of bowstrings and specially made “Driving Arrows” that produced a sharp whistling sound without lethality, firing them intermittently toward the open ground or bushes outside the herd from the west, north, and south directions.

The sudden strange noise broke the morning calm. The Dragon Scale Horse herd immediately became agitated, and some young foals neighed in alarm. The Head Stallion raised its head and let out a loud, angry whinny, trying to stabilize the herd and determine the source of the threat.

But the increasingly dense whistling sounds and faintly visible moving figures coming from all directions made the herd uneasy. Led by the Head Stallion, they instinctively moved toward the east—the only direction from which no obvious threatening sounds were coming—toward the slightly narrower grassland backed by a low hill, seemingly seeking a safer foothold or an escape route.

Just as the herd moved eastward in slight panic, their attention largely drawn by the peripheral “noise” and Clay's Guard Army unit, who were slowly advancing with large shields and gradually revealing themselves, a figure galloped out from the woods on the flank!

Linn was riding an Elk, moving extremely fast, his target clear, heading straight for the conspicuously Cyan Head Stallion in the center of the herd! He did not conceal his aura; the magical fluctuations of a Gold Intermediate Rank Mage spread out, instantly triggering the Head Stallion's extreme alertness.

“Whinny—!” The Cyan Head Stallion let out a whinny full of warning and challenge. Instead of fleeing, it reared its front hooves, then stomped the ground fiercely, actively charging toward Linn! The short horn on its forehead aimed at Linn, the scales on its neck slightly flared, and the fire patterns on its four hooves faintly glowed. Its speed instantly increased, like a streak of cyan lightning. As the King of the Horses, its dignity could not be challenged, especially by a biped clearly targeting it!

Linn's eyes narrowed. He leaped from the Elk's back, and simultaneously, his Staff flashed into his hand. Facing the colossal creature charging rapidly toward him, he showed no panic. The incantation in his mouth was completed quickly, and the Staff pointed at the ground in front of the Head Stallion.

“Fifth-Tier Wood Spell—Forest Entanglement!”

Instantly, the grassland on the Head Stallion's charging path writhed wildly. Dozens of giant vines, ten times thicker than those used in the test yesterday and shimmering with deep green magical luster, burst from the earth. Like enormous living pythons, they not only wrapped around its four limbs but several also covered its neck and torso like a net! The sharp wooden thorns on the vines glittered coldly but cleverly avoided vital spots.

The Head Stallion was shocked and enraged, trying to break free with brute strength and speed, but it was, after all, only equivalent to the Silver Rank, and the strength gap with the Gold Intermediate Rank Linn was obvious. The vines, imbued with powerful magic, were incredibly tough and quickly tightened, abruptly halting its charge and firmly binding it in place. No matter how hard it struggled, neighed, or roared, it only caused the vines to tremble slightly, unable to break free.

Linn landed lightly a few meters in front of the Head Stallion and put away his Staff. He did not attack further but slowly raised his right hand. A layer of soft, peculiar milky white light swirled around his fingertips. That light seemed to contain rich breath of life and tranquil mental fluctuations.

“Relax... I bear no ill will.” Linn's voice was not loud, yet it seemed to carry a rhythm that pierced the Soul. He was casting the “Natural Spirit Speech,” a Communication Secret Technique taught by Dolia, originating from the ancient Elf Race, used to communicate with Highly Intelligent Creatures or Elemental Life. This was not control, but building a bridge of understanding.

The milky white halo at his fingertips spread out like ripples, gently brushing against the fiercely struggling Cyan Head Stallion. The angry whinny gradually subsided, and the extent of the Head Stallion's struggles diminished. However, the wariness in its large eyes, which had been filled with rage and defiance, did not lessen; it was replaced by doubt, scrutiny, and deep-seated pride. It stared intently at Linn, sensing a certain invitation on the Soul level, and also sensing the powerful strength, the natural aura originating from long-term immersion in the breath of life space, and... a rare sense of equal communication emanating from the human before it.

Linn closed his eyes and focused his mind, carefully transmitting intentions of comfort, friendliness, and the desire for a powerful partner, mixed with scene fragments showcasing the Star Sea Territory's rich pastures, safe environment, and future battles fought side-by-side, through the fragile channel constructed by the “Natural Spirit Speech.” At the same time, he clearly felt the emotions transmitted from the other's Soul: the instinct to defend its territory and herd, an extreme love for running free, the pride of the Dragon Bloodline deep within, deep distrust toward unknown humans, and... a hint of potential curiosity about greater power and wider horizons.