Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Treasures All Over
Weir watched the situation nervously, worried for the fighting knights.
By now, the Ice Armor Bears were in a complete state of rage, seemingly freezing everything around them in their fury.
Three massive crystalline spikes protruded from their backs, emitting a scorching blue light.
The air began to vibrate violently from the distortion of intense heat, shaking the knights nearby to the point they could hardly stand.
The arrows from the archers could no longer reach the skins of the Ice Armor Bears, as the icy flames in the air evaporated them mid-flight.
"Initiate second phase of the plan!" Louis commanded loudly.
The commander waved a flag, sending out the signal.
The knights quickly divided into several small groups, starting to encircle the Ice Armor Bears.
They quickly moved out of the bears’ line of sight, each provocation causing the bears to grow more agitated.
Their hexagonal eyes flashed with angry red light, as cold flames continuously leaked from their bodies.
"Keep luring them, don’t let them get close!" Lambert, the on-site commander, shouted.
Each time they approached, the knights swiftly turned away, skillfully dodging the attacks of the Ice Armor Bears.
They swung their giant claws madly, but no matter what, they always struck empty air.
Frustrated roars tore through the silence of the mountains.
The crystalline spikes released ever more intense heat waves, and the air was filled with deafening energy waves.
"Their energy is about to burst!" Lilia shouted, her eyes filled with worry.
"Be patient a little longer, don’t let them stop!" Louis kept his eyes on the Ice Armor Bears, observing the crystals on their backs.
At this moment, any detail could determine the outcome.
The knights’ movements became increasingly precise, their provocations pushing the bears’ berserk energy further each time.
The implementation of the kiting strategy continuously drove each of the nine Ice Armor Bears into a frenzied state of frenzy.
The energy within them began to overflow uncontrollably, the furious air currents almost collapsing the surrounding trees and rocks.
Rocks began to roll down, and even the distant mountains could feel the vibrations.
"Now’s the time!" Lambert’s eyes lit up as he saw that fleeting opportunity.
Lambert led six Elite Knights and twenty-three Official Knights to swiftly separate and charge at each berserk Ice Armor Bear.
Each bear was desperately releasing powerful cold flames, the raging air currents sweeping all around.
Temperature rose sharply, cold winds and heat waves interwove into a deadly barrier.
Lambert gripped his longsword tightly, leading his team to advance, with a clear target—the core of the berserk Ice Armor Bears.
"Slash!"
The longsword stabbed fiercely into the core of a berserk Ice Armor Bear’s back.
Meanwhile, the other knights were not to be outdone, quickly concentrating their strength in successive attacks.
As the knights attacked, the crystalline spikes on the bears’ backs flickered and violently shook, unleashing powerful energy like a torrential downpour.
A massive shock wave erupted instantly, almost tearing apart the entire battlefield, cold flames forming a giant storm that swept everything away.
"Retreat! Quickly retreat!" Lambert’s voice was almost drowned out by the explosion’s roar.
The knights swiftly retreated, avoiding the uncontrollable explosive energy.
The battlefield was shrouded in smoke, with flames scattering in all directions.
The energy burst from the nine Ice Armor Bears created a terrifying disaster, shaking the air into distortion.
The ice crystal shells shattered in the flames, fragments flying everywhere.
As the smoke cleared, in the chaos of the battlefield, the bodies of the nine surviving Ice Armor Bears lay quietly.
Although their berserk explosive force was enough to tear apart everything around, thanks to the ice crystal shell, their remains were not reduced to ashes.
Their crystalline spikes remained hard, though some had shattered, still conveying a powerful threat.
It was over, Louis stood at one side of the battlefield and surveyed the area, finally breathing a sigh of relief.
Although it was a fierce battle, his troops emerged unscathed, not even their warhorses suffered any harm.
Weir and Lilia stood aside, their eyes gleaming with longing.
They looked at the knights on the battlefield, aspiring to one day stand there as they did.
To be able to stand on the battlefield, slaying these powerful enemies for Lord Louis.
"We can do it too, right?" Lilia asked softly.
Weir didn’t speak, just nodded vigorously.
With the battle concluded, the knights began to methodically collect the spoils of war.
The once feared behemoths now lay quietly on the ground, turned into trophies.
Moreover, each Ice Armor Bear was practically a treasure trove.
The knights carefully cut off the bear meat, which was firm and elastic, exuding a unique aroma.
Ice Armor Bear meat was considered a valuable tonic, selling for high prices in the South.
It effectively enhanced the knights’ bodies, increasing their Fighting Energy reserves.
Every piece of meat could provide the knights with significant assistance.
There were even knights specialized in dismantling the crystals from the bears’ backs.
These crystals could be turned into potent potions or magic items in the hands of an Alchemist, with prices that couldn’t be matched in the market.
Louis looked at the bear corpses, his gaze tinged with a hint of regret.
If it weren’t for the Ice Armor Bears being so dangerous, even unstable, he would have long considered opening an Ice Armor Bear farm.
These massive creatures, every inch of them was well worth utilizing.
Bear meat, crystals, ice armor, even bear claws and teeth held immense value, like a natural resource chest.
But it could only be a thought, any attempt to raise them might result in the Red Tide Territory being blown sky high in no time.
He glanced at the busy knights, looking at the spoils, and couldn’t help but smile.
This was indeed a magnificent victory, so he prepared to reward the knights.
"Alright, everyone, stop!" he shouted loudly.
The knights all paused their work, turning to look at Louis.
"I’ve decided to hold a feast tonight with this Ice Armor Bear meat!" Louis announced.
As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding knights erupted in cheers.
The tense atmosphere after the battle instantly dissipated.
"Lord Louis, this is so generous!" a knight was the first to cheer loudly.
"Indeed! This bear meat is precious, it’s the warrior’s boon!" another knight’s eyes gleamed.
The surrounding knights raised their hands and shouted in unison, "Praise the great Lord."
Listening to the joyous laughter around him, Louis felt very satisfied.
After all, these knights weren’t trained directly by him, only by providing enough resources could he ensure their real loyalty.
With sufficient rewards, a knight performing six strikes per second wasn’t the limit.
Moreover, with imminent danger, the Ice Armor Bear meat could provide his troops with additional strength, giving him greater confidence in facing the upcoming bandit-clearing challenge.