It was the "Wild Heart" Ring Raylo had given him, capable of temporarily boosting all of the wearer's stats.
Facing the python's lunge, Ed didn't dodge or evade. Instead, he took a step forward, and the very ground seemed to tremble beneath his feet.
He infused his Long Sword with earthy-yellow Fighting Spirit, making it feel immensely heavy as he viciously slashed at the python's lower jaw!
"CLANG!"
A massive sound, like metal striking metal, rang out!
Ed's Long Sword struck the python's hard scales, yet it only left a shallow white mark as sparks flew everywhere!
The python's immense impact forced Ed to stumble back three steps before he could regain his footing. The arm holding his sword was numb.
'Such hard scales!'
Ed was shocked.
The python seemed enraged. Its massive tail whipped across like a steel lash, whistling as it tore through the air!
If that blow landed true, not even a Knight's Armor could withstand it.
At the critical moment, the bracelet on Ed's right wrist glowed with a soft white light, and an ethereal silver shield instantly materialized in front of him.
It was the Shelter Bracelet!
"BANG!"
The tail slammed viciously into the shield, producing a deep, muffled boom.
The shield shattered on impact, dissolving into specks of silver light. But Ed used the opportunity to steady himself, the glint in his eyes growing sharper.
'This beast is incredibly strong!'
The Shelter Bracelet could only activate a Tier One Magic Shield. It was no surprise that a single strike from a Tier Three Magical Beast would shatter it.
The Frost Fang Python clearly hadn't expected its attack to be blocked. It paused for a moment, a trace of savagery flashing in its serpentine eyes.
It opened its great maw again, and an icy chill began to gather in its throat. The surrounding air temperature plummeted, and a thin layer of frost even formed on the rocks.
Ed, an experienced fighter, reacted at once.
He moved at that very same instant!
He didn't retreat. Instead, he charged forward again, his steps firm and powerful, as if nailed to the ground.
Aided by the burst of power from the "Wild Heart" Ring, his speed was a notch faster than before.
His Earth Knight Fighting Spirit flared to its maximum. An earthy-yellow light nearly enveloped him as he lowered his center of gravity, his Long Sword angled toward the ground like a charging Barbarian Bull.
Just as the python was about to spew its icy breath, it saw Ed charging straight for its face instead of retreating. It instinctively reared its head back slightly, trying to adjust its angle of attack.
'Now's my chance!'
A sharp glint flashed in Ed's eyes as he seized the fleeting opportunity!
The momentum of his charge suddenly shifted. His body twisted at an unbelievable angle, dodging the python's closing fangs. The Long Sword in his hand, infused with all his Fighting Spirit, was no longer slashing. It followed a cunning trajectory, stabbing viciously toward the python's relatively soft vital spot!
That was a snake's weak point!
"PFFT!"
This time, there was no clang of metal on metal.
Infused with the profound Fighting Spirit of an Earth Knight and amplified by the Power of the "Wild Heart", the Long Sword finally pierced the tough serpent scales and plunged deep into the python's body!
"HISS—!"
The Frost Fang Python let out a shrill, pained hiss. Its massive body began to writhe madly, its huge tail flailing wildly against the ground and the cliff walls, sending rubble flying and kicking up a cloud of dust.
The gathered icy chill instantly dissipated.
Having landed the blow, Ed immediately pulled his sword free and retreated. His movements were clean and decisive, not daring to linger for a second.
He knew that a dying Magical Beast was often the most dangerous.
And just as he expected, though severely wounded, the python's ferocity was undiminished. It twisted its bleeding body and lunged toward Ed again in a final, desperate counterattack.
But having lost its accuracy and speed, the lunge was futile.
Ed calmly sidestepped, watching the python crash heavily to the ground. It struggled a few more times before the light in its serpentine eyes quickly dimmed, and then it moved no more.
Only its ice-blue scales still seemed to radiate a cold aura in the dim light.
For a moment, the only sound in the canyon was the heavy breathing of the Knights.
"Well done, Ed."
Raylo's voice broke the silence, a smile of approval on his face.
Not only was Ed's strength improving quickly, but his combat awareness was also outstanding. The two Magic Items had played a significant role as well.
Ed sheathed his sword, took a slight breath, a hint of excitement showing on his face.
Slaying a Tier Three Magical Beast by himself was a major breakthrough for him.
"It was all thanks to the Treasure you bestowed upon me, My Lord."
Ed said humbly, handing back the two Magic Artifacts.
"You were the one who seized the opportunity."
Raylo waved his hand, taking back the Shelter Bracelet but gifting the Wild Ring to Ed.
The Shelter Bracelet wasn't a huge help to Ed, but the Wild Ring provided a significant boost. He was currently the most suitable user for it in the territory.
"Alright, clean up the battlefield. Process this thing—the snakeskin and Poison Fangs are good materials. Then, carefully dig up that Dragon Thorn Fruit Tree for me. Be careful not to damage the roots."
"Yes, My Lord!"
The Knights responded with a roar, the earlier tense atmosphere vanishing completely, replaced by excitement and joy.
A few Knights went forward to deal with the python's corpse, while the others began to carefully dig away the soil around the Dragon Thorn Fruit Tree.
At some point, Moonlight had jumped back onto Raylo's shoulder. It licked its paws, seemingly uninterested in the recent battle, and instead cast a covetous gaze at the bright red Dragon Thorn Fruits.
Raylo stroked its head.
Soon, the Dragon Thorn Fruit Tree was excavated whole, its roots protected by a large ball of earth, which the Knights carefully wrapped in thick cloth they had brought along.
The python's skin was stripped off in one piece, and its Poison Fangs were carefully collected.
"My Lord, everything has been taken care of," Ed reported.
"Excellent. We're heading back."
Raylo nodded and turned his horse around.
The night deepened, with starlight dotting the ink-blue velvet sky.
Moonlight remained perched on Raylo's shoulder, occasionally sticking out its pink tongue to lick its nose. Its limpid eyes sparkled in the darkness, as if contemplating some great cat (dragon) life matter.
As they neared Black Stone Town, they could see bright lights in the distance on the outskirts, near the burgeoning silhouette of the castle under construction.
Unlike the quiet that blanketed most of the town, that area was bustling with voices and brimming with the energy of hard work.
"Looks like Old Buck is very efficient."
Raylo reined in his horse, gazing at the patch of bright lights.
When the party arrived at their destination, they saw Old Buck just as expected, busy at work with several dozen of his people.
Piles of processed tough vines and hemp ropes were stacked in an open area. Men and women, young and old, were all pitching in, weaving huge Beast Capture Nets and Rope Traps under Old Buck's direction.
Seeing Raylo's party return, Old Buck quickly put down his work and hurried over to greet them.
"My Lord, you've returned!"
Old Buck's voice was a bit hoarse. "Everyone is working hard to finish the items you ordered!"