210: Chapter 210 Strange Events in the Town

After three days of flying, the group had arrived at the border of the Wilbes Republic.

Further ahead was the Kingdom of Lairamon.

However, due to its remote location and lack of resources, only a few scattered soldiers guarded the border.

The Crimson Feather Fire Demon's passage caused a stir among the soldiers on both sides, but they quickly found a place to hide.

Because strange beasts like this, covered in flames, were generally not low-ranked.

As everyone continued forward, a small town soon appeared before Nie Ning and the others.

After some discussion among the three of them—though in reality, only Nie Ning spoke—it was decided to rest here before continuing their journey.

Nie Ning and the others landed near the town, changed clothes with Heloise, and, with longswords at their waists, dressed up as adventurers.

Sensen hid in a backpack, while the Crimson Feather Fire Demon retracted its flames, shrinking into a white-feathered bird the size of an ordinary hawk.

Their arrival did not cause much of a stir.

Nie Ning took Heloise for a stroll through the town.

Compared to the Wilbes Republic, although the living habits were vastly different, the atmosphere here was much more oppressive.

This was a monarchical country where the interests of the nobility were paramount, and even this small town belonged to a lord. Ordinary people had very little power of choice.

Just as Nie Ning and Heloise were enjoying the local delicacies, the backpack on Nie Ning's back suddenly moved. Immediately after, a vine stretched out, pointing towards the west side of the town.

Nie Ning looked towards the west of the town and couldn't help but frown.

He hadn't come out this time to deal with Corruptors, and Sensen didn't really need to rely on Corruptors to grow stronger.

Just then, a young man with golden hair, a warm smile on his face, and clad in armor, walked up to the two.

"Hello, are you also here to claim the lord's bounty mission?"

The golden-haired man, acting familiar, waved and asked the two.

"Bounty? What bounty?"

Nie Ning asked, somewhat puzzled.

"I heard a Corrupted Creature appeared in town. Viscount Carter is offering a reward of 100 gold coins and two very precious medicinal herbs to whoever can deal with it."

The golden-haired man smiled and explained.

Upon hearing about the reward, Nie Ning immediately became interested and asked what the medicinal herbs were.

If they were herbs he lacked, he could make a brief stop here. After all, finding the advancement herbs for knights was one of his goals for this trip.

The golden-haired man didn't hide anything: "They are empty cicada fruit and Snow Owl Demon Sand."

Nie Ning's eyes lit up. The empty cicada fruit was exactly the herb he needed.

"I want the Snow Owl Demon Sand."

Heloise suddenly spoke up.

Nie Ning recalled carefully that Snow Owl Demon Sand was the excrement of an exotic beast, which could increase the hardness of forged tools and was highly favored by knight professionals.

"Alright, we were supposed to leave, but since you need it, we'll stay and take a look."

Nie Ning said, putting on a difficult expression.

Heloise nodded thoughtfully, then looked up at Nie Ning: "Then the empty cicada fruit is also for me?"

Upon hearing this, Nie Ning suddenly remembered that he had taken out all his books earlier for Heloise and Sensen to study.

This naturally included the Blood Flame Knights Association's books.

This brat must have read that recipe book!

Nie Ning pouted and said irritably, "Are you the teacher or am I the teacher? Do you even know how to use it if you take it?"

The golden-haired knight looked at the two with some surprise.

They were already discussing distribution before even dealing with the Corruptor. Did these two not know how powerful Corrupted Creatures were?

"Ahem, Corrupted Creatures are very powerful. I advise you two not to get involved."

Finally, the golden-haired knight's conscience kicked in, and he began to caution the two.

Originally, he just wanted to find someone to team up with, which would increase their chances of success.

But seeing how confident these two were, he felt that even if he went, it would just be throwing their lives away, and he might even be dragged down.

"Thank you for the information. Once we get the reward, that 100 gold will be your thank-you gift."

Nie Ning said to the golden-haired knight, then grabbed Heloise by the collar and walked towards the west side of the city.

The golden-haired knight stood dumbfounded, completely unable to understand what these two were thinking. Had they not heard what he just said?

Or perhaps these two were young masters or ladies from some noble family, out to experience life?

When the golden-haired knight came to his senses, he quickly chased after them.

"That Corruptor is very dangerous. You'll just be throwing your lives away if you go. Hey, hey, are you even listening to me?"

...

Following Sensen's guidance, Nie Ning arrived in front of an ancient castle.

Guards stood at the castle gate, and a group of people dressed as knights waited nearby.

Seeing this, Nie Ning stepped forward to inquire and learned that this was actually Viscount Carter's mansion.

He had originally intended to deal with the Corruptor and then directly claim the reward, but he hadn't expected the Corruptor to be in this very place.

Upon further questioning, Nie Ning learned that the Corruptor had been present for some time, but no one in the lord's mansion had died. Instead, many knights who came to accept the mission had perished.

Nie Ning glanced at the ancient castle and could indeed feel a faint malice, indicating that the Corruptor was inside this ancient castle.

Strange!

Very strange!

Could Viscount Carter be concealing the deaths in the castle?

Otherwise, according to the Corruptor's killing rules, the first to die would only be those closest.

Even with initial corruption, if it sought revenge, it wouldn't only target these knights.

"I've said so much, did you two hear me? This isn't where you should be."

At this moment, the golden-haired knight caught up and said to Nie Ning and Heloise.

Nie Ning and Heloise simply ignored the golden-haired knight.

Just then, a commotion arose in the crowd. As the castle gate opened, a middle-aged man dressed in butler's attire walked out.

The middle-aged man waved his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down.

"I am Achilles, Viscount Carter's butler. Thank you all for being willing to accept the mission. My master has specifically prepared a lavish dinner for everyone, and we can discuss the mission in detail then."

After Butler Achilles finished speaking, everyone entered the castle one after another.

The castle's interior was luxuriously decorated, with oil paintings of figures or flowers hanging on the walls, and a massive crystal chandelier above.

As soon as he entered the castle, Nie Ning felt the malice intensify.

Strangely, this malice was very evenly distributed, and Nie Ning constantly felt as if someone was watching him.

He scanned his surroundings but didn't detect anything unusual.

Following the crowd towards the side hall, he saw a huge long table set with some dinner plates.

At Butler Achilles' invitation, everyone sat down at the long table according to their strength.

...