Chapter 200

Chapter 200: Attack on the Gilded Valley

At dawn the next day, pale golden light spilled from the sky, rousing all life in the Gilded Valley from slumber.

Beneath the cover of trees and boulders, two thousand Dragonkin warriors silently converged at a hidden gathering point outside the valley. Through recent trials, these once individualistic fighters had learned the value of teamwork. Their string of effortless victories had forged absolute trust in Midi’s orders.

Though now facing the toughest Elemental Giants – metal giants – in terrain favoring large combatants, the warriors moved without hesitation. Such was the law of the Sea of Trees: strength and results ruled supreme, untainted by politics or deception. Follow the strongest victor without question.

This ironclad loyalty enabled Midi to launch this bold attack on the heavily defended valley so soon after taking command of the Lightning Fire Wing tribe.

At magical communications’ signal, the Dragonkin split into four columns. The first three vanguard units formed a triangular formation armed with standard anti-giant weapons. The rear column carried specialized pure magic weapons from Sigmund and Lilian of the Hawk Brigade’s magic research department – tools of extraordinary lethality against metal foes.

"Treat this valley as a fortress we must breach!" Midi’s whip cracked like thunder. "Follow my blade!"

The war standard dipped forward. Gray-clad warriors surged from cover like a tidal wave toward the valley mouth.

"Halt, foolish creatures." A metallic rasp echoed from the cliffs.

The Dragonkin charge never slowed. But before reaching the entrance, the earth shook violently. Four ten-meter-tall Black Iron Giants emerged, their granite bodies streaked with reflective black iron armor. Each step left craters in the ground as they formed living battlements across the pass.

Even Tanius, the fearless Dragonkin warrior, felt unease staring up at these living fortresses. The Sea of Trees folk rarely clashed with Elemental Giants, possessing only outdated tactics against such foes.

Only Midi remained calm. The Demon Swordman’s twenty years of reincarnation experience included countless skirmishes against Elemental Giants and their lords during past mineral wars. Four Black Iron Giants meant nothing to this veteran.

Precise orders flew. The first three columns fragmented into swift teams swarming the giants’ legs like ants. Midi’s plan was brutally simple –

Knock them down.

The Dragonkin wielded massive hammers and jagged axes, relentlessly striking the Black Iron Giants’ feet. Sparks flew when weapons glanced off metallic armor, but each solid hit on rocky areas tore away chunks of stone.

"Little pests dare strike me?" the lead Black Iron Giant rumbled, stomping downward.

The earth-shattering impact left a massive crater, but the Dragonkin had already dodged. When the giant kicked up dirt clouds, the reptilian warriors raised tower shields. Though several shield-bearers got knocked flying, the protection spared them heavy injury.

Frustration boiled within the giants who’d expected easy prey. Meanwhile, the Dragonkin’s morale soared at blocking these colossal foes. Their attacks intensified – while outmatched in raw power, the slow-moving giants couldn’t land hits unless cornered. This tactical advantage drove Midi’s bold strategy.

The giants soon adapted. Crouching low, they swung massive fists faster than any kick. Gale-force punches scattered warriors, crushing slow evaders into bloody pulp. One Dragonkin got squashed into a crimson smear.

Unfazed, Midi signaled sharply. Rear-line warriors hurled adamantine hooks trailing steel cables at the crouching giant. Dozens anchored into its torso as hundreds of Dragonkin and ground-spikes pulled taut. The trapped giant roared, unable to rise.

"Strike now!" Midi’s starry eyes glinted coldly.

Warriors swarmed the immobilized giant. Daring climbers scaled its crumbling head, hacking at stone features until the colossus resembled a melting mud sculpture.

The remaining three giants charged recklessly, each stride devouring distance as they shattered formations. One clasped its hands, conjuring a magic vortex between palms – the Iron Rain skill, summoning lethal meteors to blanket the battlefield.

But Midi moved faster. His Demon Shadow Flash carried him smoke-like onto the giant’s shoulder. The Starfall whip crackled with lightning as it constricted the thick neck.

"Power means nothing without combat wisdom," Midi muttered. His golden small sword pulsed as the whip thundered tighter.