Chapter 438: 137th Scene: Gift (2nd update, asking for votes)
A mere squad of noble cavalry naturally had no authority to bring them to meet the local lord, a baron of Erune.
Although Brand claimed to be ‘Viscount Steingang’——a noble traveling from the North, and the Limp Man had provided him with impeccably forged seals and documents, even more exquisite and genuine than those issued by the Kingdom’s Noble Council, nobles had their own pride. A period of waiting was necessary for both sides.
The streets of Fir City spread out like a web. The South often used reddish-brown clay for their tiles, so from a bird’s eye view, the roofs appeared in clusters of vermilion. The baron’s castle stood at the center where all the streets converged. From an inn called the ‘Brave Fist’ in the city center, one could see the high, sharp spire of the gray-green castle. Since the era of Ansen, humans had frequently built such castles.
In the barbaric lands, humans relied on castles and fortresses to defend against attacks from beasts, monsters, and barbarians.
After Brand and his party finished their meal at the inn, Baron Gruding’s official invitation arrived. Led by a squad of noble private soldiers, they entered the castle. However, the banquet was not welcoming. As soon as they entered the castle gates, they were met with two rows of elite guards in heavy armor, holding long spears, standing solemnly and expressionlessly.
Brand looked around and thought, “Such a grand display, clearly meant to intimidate us.” But it was laughable; they had even seen the ancient guard of the Silver Elf, so what was this?
The young man walked past as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Suddenly, a big man with a scar on his face stepped forward, reaching out to grab Brand’s shoulder as if to detain him. But before he could lay a hand on him, his wrist was gripped tightly. The red-haired girl behind Brand had already caught his wrist, her amber eyes locking onto him as if he were prey. She coldly said:
With a yank, Qian threw the instructor as if tossing a sandbag. Everyone heard a muffled thud followed by a low groan.
The two rows of heavy-armored guards’ faces changed, and they immediately blocked his path with their shoulders pressed together. They attempted to stop the advancing young man, but their intentions could not match the harsh reality. Brand moved forward, and anyone who touched him was instantly sent flying.
It was as if they were not facing a cultured young noble but a giant dragon.
With a strength of 70, classified as Silver Upper Rank, during the era of Ansen, Brand would have been a member of the Kingdom’s Youth Knight Order. Just a step more, and he could enter the power core of the upper circle. But being born in a time of chaos, the path was different now.
Nevertheless, it was an unstoppable path.
Brand moved forward, and for a moment, the courtyard echoed with the clanging of armor, and the heavily armored guards fell backward, collapsing in a heap. The young man ignored the groaning figures on the ground, heading straight for the second gate of the castle.
The gate was tightly shut. Perhaps the person who was supposed to open it was now lying on the ground moaning. But that didn’t matter. Since no one opened the door, Brand didn’t hesitate to kick it open. He remembered how he used to enter the guild’s meeting hall the same way.
With a resounding ‘bang’, the empty hall appeared before Brand.
… ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ NoveI[F]ire.net
From behind an arched window in the upper part of the castle, a middle-aged man in a robe peeked through a corner of the curtain, watching the scene below with keen interest. Though he seemed to sigh, his gray-green eyes glinted coldly. He held a goblet, the crimson liquid inside clear and bright like blood. He swirled the glass, causing the liquid to undulate and merge with the previous ripple.
If Brand were here, he would instantly recognize that distinctive hooked nose, a trait unique to the Jendener Family, producing such a sinister face. The middle-aged man’s eyes were sunken, his skin bearing the same pale and sickly hue common to nobles, lacking vitality. However, his beard was thick and vigorous.
“At least Silver Lower Rank strength, around twenty years old.” Baron Gruding stroked the slightly curled edge of his goatee and asked, “What do you think?”
The tall man behind him shook his head, “He didn’t use all his strength, and the red-haired girl is not simple either. If we engage, it’s roughly an even match. But it’s best not to engage.”