The "Two Wings" served as the aerial division of the Dragon Horned Gryphon. Their primary mounts were gryphons and dragon steeds.
Even within the sheltered world of the Little Garden, however, creatures like gryphons and dragon horses—true fantasy species—were exceedingly rare.
The massive beasts that had once appeared on the streets of the South District might have resembled gryphons at first glance, but in truth they had merely been hybrid offspring—crossbreeds between gryphons and other creatures. Their bloodlines were impure, diluted beyond recognition.
The gryphons and dragon steeds belonging to the "Two Wings," on the other hand, while not entirely pure-blooded, possessed lineages that were remarkably close to the original strain.
For such an elite gryphon squad to vanish without so much as a complete report…
It could only mean one thing.
The enemy they had encountered was no ordinary foe.
"Immediately contact all combat personnel of the Dragon Horned Gryphon. Place them on Level One alert.
"And as for the leaders present—would you accompany me, Sara Teldoreik, to investigate the location where the gryphon squad disappeared?"
To make an entire gryphon squad disappear without a trace, the adversary had to be formidable beyond measure. Naturally, Sara had no intention of bringing a large force into such a perilous situation.
This investigation could very well result in a direct encounter with a Demon Lord. If too many people went, they would not serve as reinforcements—they would become liabilities.
As the strongest alliance community in the South District, the Dragon Horned Gryphon's power was undeniable. Leaving aside Sara's own strength, the other communities within the alliance each possessed combat capability ranked in the five-digit class.
With such a lineup, even if they were to encounter multiple Demon Lords head-on, they might not win—but retreating safely should not be impossible.
Just as Sara and the other leaders of the Dragon Horned Gryphon prepared to depart, the alliance's ever-silent strategist, Gabriella, suddenly spoke up.
"Chairwoman Sara, esteemed leaders… are you truly planning to leave for the World's End together?"
Her sharp gaze swept across the room.
"If all of you—our primary combat strength—depart, then what becomes of the South District's defenses?
"The Dragon Horned Gryphon's core power is gathered here. If you all leave at once… and if this has been the Demon Lord's plan from the start…"
She did not finish her sentence.
She did not need to.
Everyone present understood her meaning perfectly.
If their main forces marched out, what would happen if the Demon Lord chose that exact moment to strike their base?
"And what do you propose, Gabriella?" Sara asked evenly. "The gryphon squad sent to investigate was wiped out. That alone proves the enemy's strength is extraordinary.
"If we send a weaker force, we risk another slaughter. But if we sit here and wait, knowing nothing of the enemy's capabilities, that would put us at an even greater disadvantage."
Gabriella's concerns were valid. Everyone knew it.
But the harsh truth remained: the Dragon Horned Gryphon had only so much power to deploy. Any action required risk.
"Earlier, most of what Lord Griffith of the Two Wings said lacked substance," Gabriella continued calmly. "However… there is one point of his I must agree with.
"Chairwoman Sara, let us not forget—our alliance is not the only powerful community currently gathered in the South District."
She folded her hands before her.
"When we communicated with Lady Shiroyasha, she advised us not only to remain vigilant regarding the South District's situation, but also mentioned something else.
"If the South District were to fall under a Demon Lord's assault, we could request assistance from No Name and Ghost Travel.
"These two communities were among the principal forces that helped repel the Demon Lord in the North District. I have already confirmed that both accepted our invitation to attend the upcoming Harvest Festival."
As soon as Gabriella finished speaking, Sara's eyes lit up.
The proposal was sound.
In fact, Sara knew more about No Name and Ghost Travel than Gabriella did.
After all, Sara was the elder sister of Mandara and Sandora of the North District.
Mandara had never forgiven her for what he saw as irresponsibly abandoning her post and relocating to the South. But young Sandora had maintained steady correspondence with her sister. Upon learning that the South District might also become a target of the "Demon Lord Alliance," Sandora had contacted Sara repeatedly.
"What?!" Griffith burst out. "Ghost Travel is one thing—but No Name? That's a community without even a name or banner!
"We are the South District's strongest alliance community—the Dragon Horned Gryphon! And now you're suggesting we seek help from some third-rate group that doesn't even have a proper name? What of our honor?!"
Griffith, a so-called "third fantasy species" born of gryphon and dragon steed blood, took immense pride in lineage. To him, inferior bloodlines were contemptible—and a nameless community was beneath notice.
"This is no time for stubborn pride," Sara replied sharply.
"Whether No Name or Ghost Travel, both are undeniably powerful communities. That is a fact.
"And the Dragon Horned Gryphon needs additional strength.
"So I have decided—we will follow Gabriella's proposal and formally hire Ghost Travel and No Name."
Her gaze hardened.
"Unless, Griffith… you are confident you alone can defeat the Demon Lord who annihilated an entire gryphon squad?"
Griffith opened his mouth.
He desperately wanted to answer, "Of course."
But the words would not come.
He was arrogant, yes—but not dishonorable. Nor was he a braggart.
If he were to investigate alone and encounter a Demon Lord, the odds of victory were… uncertain at best.
When no one voiced further objection, Sara concluded:
"Very well. By the authority of the Dragon Horned Gryphon, we shall hire No Name and Ghost Travel.
"Now the pressing issue is whether they have already arrived in the South District. The Harvest Festival is imminent, and the Demon Lord stirs in the shadows. The situation grows more urgent by the hour—we do not have the luxury of waiting."
As her words fell, a knock sounded at the chamber doors.
Gabriella's lips curved into a knowing smile.
"I anticipated that you would accept my suggestion, Chairwoman. I dispatched envoys to locate both communities in advance.
"Quite coincidentally, though they arrived in the South District only recently… they have already caused quite a stir."
Her tone held a trace of wry amusement.
"Apparently, due to a Gift Game, they created such an uproar that an entire street collapsed. That section of the district remains paralyzed even now.
"As Lady Shiroyasha and Lady Sandora both warned—though they are powerful, they are hardly the sort to give others peace of mind."