"My heavens..."
The young Knight who had previously complained about the foul smell was now staring wide-eyed, practically drooling.
"These bandits... they sure know how to hoard!"
"It’s more than hoarding, it’s outright plunder."
Ed picked up a Ruby as large as a baby’s fist, weighed it in his hand, and put it back.
"This is likely the result of decades of raiding caravans, extortion, and even excavating certain ruins."
"Take all the Gold Coins, Silver Coins, Gemstones, and all this Enchanted Equipment. For the ores and materials, pick out the most valuable ones. Seal up the other supplies. We’ll come back for them after we take care of the Blood Wolf Corps."
The Knights sprang into action. They took out the sturdy bags they carried and began excitedly packing the spoils of war.
Gold Coins were poured into the bags with a CLATTER, and the Gemstones were wrapped up carefully.
The atmosphere immediately grew lively. The tension and fatigue from the earlier battle vanished, replaced by the joy of a bountiful harvest.
In a corner, a Knight dug out a ridiculously gaudy coronet studded with low-quality Gemstones. He couldn’t resist placing it on top of his helmet, drawing a roar of laughter from his comrades.
"Hey, Charlie, wearing that, you look just like a nouveau riche King who just got robbed!"
"It’s still better than your empty hands!"
Charlie shook his head smugly, the Gemstones on the coronet clinking.
Even the ever-serious Ed’s lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.
The rewards from this operation had far exceeded their expectations.
For the fledgling Black Stone Territory, which was just starting out and needed everything, this wealth was a godsend.
The packing continued for nearly an hour.
The Knights did their best to pack the most valuable and portable items. Several large chests were emptied, and the gold, silver, and jewels filled several large bags, with the load distributed among a few of the sturdier Pegasi.
The Enchanted Weapons and Armor were also tied securely and hung from the sides of the saddles.
"My Lord, it’s all taken care of."
Ed came to report.
Raylo took one last look around the plundered treasury and the chaotic cave outside.
"Good. Give the order to prepare for withdrawal. Seal the cave entrance completely. Leave no trace."
...
The next day, the midday sun was a bit blinding.
Raylo and his Pegasus Knights descended from the sky, landing steadily in the town’s central plaza.
Raylo didn’t linger in the town center, heading straight back to the Lord’s Mansion with Ed.
The Knights moved all the spoils of war to the Lord’s Hall.
Inside a spacious room in the mansion, the floor was covered with a coarse Beast Hide rug.
Several heavy bags were opened, the glint of Gold Coins and Gemstones once again dazzling the eye, but Raylo and Ed’s gazes were fixed on a few other carefully wrapped items.
Ed personally undid the thick linen wrappings.
The first things to be revealed were three sets of armor.
The first was a set of full Plate Armor. Its style was slightly old-fashioned, but it was extremely well-maintained, gleaming with a deep metallic luster.
In the center of the breastplate was an inscribed, indistinct shield-shaped rune.
Ed reached out to touch it, and a steady, heavy fluctuation of energy traveled through his fingertips.
"Guardian Plate Armor!"
Ed announced his assessment after a moment of inspection.
"A standard Knight Enchantment. It significantly boosts physical defense, and it’s especially effective against bludgeoning and slashing attacks. While wearing it, you’d be hard to injure with ordinary swords and blades."
The second set was also Plate Armor, but it looked cruder than the first. The pauldrons and vambraces were especially thick, connected at the joints by large rivets. On its surface, one could faintly see some runes symbolizing power.
"This one... is interesting."
Ed frowned, examining it closely, even rapping it with his knuckles.
"Giant Power Plate Armor. The Enchantment effect amplifies the wearer’s strength, but at the cost of being much heavier. It has extremely high stamina requirements."
He looked at Raylo.
"An ordinary Knight would probably find it difficult to handle."
Raylo nodded, his gaze shifting to the last item.
It was a set of dark brown Leather Armor. The material seemed to be some kind of tough Magical Beast Leather. It had a smooth surface, flowing lines, and was much lighter than Plate Armor.
On the edge of the Leather Armor’s inner lining, Ed found a circle of fine, feather-like runes.
"Spiritual Leather Armor!"
A hint of approval flashed in Ed’s eyes.
"It increases agility and muffles footsteps. Perfect for a Scout or any unit that needs to fight at high speed."
Raylo picked up the Spiritual Leather Armor, feeling the suppleness of the Leather and the faint Magic Power flowing through it.
Next were the weapons.
Ed picked up a Long Spear.
The shaft was made of some kind of hard Magic Wood, while the tip was Refined Steel that glinted coldly. Its design was simple yet deadly.
Where the tip met the shaft, there was a spiral-shaped Enchantment pattern.
"Armor-Piercing Spear."
Ed ran his finger along the spearhead, and a sharp aura seemed to almost emanate from it and pierce his skin.
"The Enchantment effect enhances its piercing power and deals extra damage to heavily armored units."
Raylo took the Long Spear and gave it a casual twirl, producing a faint tearing sound in the air.
’What a fine spear!’
Finally, there were two Knight Swords.
They were laid side by side on a wooden table.
The first sword had a long, slender blade. Its silvery edge reflected the light with a liquid sheen. The handguard was a simple cross shape, and the hilt was wrapped in non-slip Leather.
Ed drew the sword from its sheath. The blade hummed pleasantly as it cut through the air.
"Sharp Sword. The Enchantment keeps it sharp and solid, making it resistant to chipping and breaking."
he commented.
"A very reliable Weapon."
The second sword looked slightly different.
The blade was a bit wider and darker in color. Near the handguard, one could see some faint, blue, frost-like patterns.
Ed gripped the hilt, and a faint chill crept up his arm.
"Frost Blade."
He exhaled a puff of white breath.
"It has a chilling effect on attacks, which can slow an enemy’s movements and even cause frostbite in their wounds."
Raylo picked up the Frost Blade. The icy touch from the hilt was invigorating.
He could clearly feel the cold Power contained within the blade.
After taking inventory of all the Enchanted Equipment, the atmosphere in the room became even more charged.
"Three sets of enchanted Armor, three Enchanted Weapons."
Ed neatly arranged the weapons and Armor again.
"There aren’t many, but the quality is quite high. The Giant Power Plate Armor and the Frost Blade, in particular, are rare types of Enchantments."
Raylo looked at the spoils of war, his heart stirring with excitement.
For the fledgling Black Stone Territory, this equipment was like rain in a drought.
Although the Knights under his command were brave, their equipment was generally simple. When facing powerful enemies, they often had to pay a greater price.
With this Enchanted Equipment, he could arm a small, elite force.
"Ed."
Raylo looked at his most trusted Personal Guard Captain. "The Guardian Plate Armor and the Armor-Piercing Spear are for you to use. In the coming battle with the Blood Wolf Corps, you must cut down the leader of those bandits."
Ed did not refuse.
As the commander of the Knights, he needed the best equipment to handle any unexpected situations.
"Thank you, My Lord."