Ashen Dragon

Chapter 100: 30: Northwind Castle Log (1)

Chapter 100: Chapter 30: Northwind Castle Log (1)

The disheveled, tattered Swashbuckler finally saw the towering city walls in the distance.

“Finally—Northwind Castle.”

Tears immediately streamed down his face.

These past few months had been exceedingly tough for him, but somehow, he had managed to stay alive every time. First, he was knocked out by a Hill Giant from the Stormy Ridge’s outskirts with a club and taken as food stock. Just as he was about to be roasted, he used his Wanderer’s Handy Proficiencies to untie the ropes and escaped with the Blur Technique.

But barely out of the frying pan, he found himself back in the fire. Half-Orcs robbed him blind on the road, stripping him of all his equipment and dragging him away to be a slave. He toiled in the mines for over a month before he finally escaped and made his way to Northwind Castle.

Thinking of these unbearable experiences, the Swashbuckler gritted his teeth.

“This time, in Northwind Castle, I have to make a name for myself!”

At the city gate, dozens of Guards were patrolling. The emblem on their chests featured a crossed eagle and sword—signifying the City Defense Army of Northwind Castle, the Rackman Duchy’s Guardians—the Eagle’s Shield. It was a time of war preparedness, and every entrant had to undergo inspection and questioning.

Merchants driving carts and hurried travelers bustled by.

The Swashbuckler quickly pulled his hood down further and tried to blend into the crowd, hoping to slip through unnoticed.

However, a spear was suddenly thrust in front of him.

“Halt!”

“Five silver coins for entry.”

The Swashbuckler froze. He had no money left; everything he owned had been stripped by the Half-Orcs. Even this hooded robe was something he snagged from a merchant convoy. He was as broke as one could be.

Thinking this, he put on a fawning smile:

“Sir, my money was stolen outside the city. I have to go back…”

The Guard’s face turned hostile, the spear tip pointed at his nose. “How do we know you’re a legitimate resident? Don’t even think about sneaking in!”

The Swashbuckler’s smile faded, and he turned to leave reluctantly, only to be stopped again.

“Halt!”

“Sir, what now?”

“Who said you could leave? What if you’re a spy?”

The Swashbuckler was on the verge of tears.

Is there no justice? They wouldn’t let him in, nor out. What was he to do—

He thought about taking a gamble by using the Blur Technique to escape. But then again, he had come so far. Using the Blur Technique would confirm him as a spy. If he got skewered by spears and returned to the Respawn Point, all his struggles would be for nothing.

He might even face ridicule from those haters with jabs like “Rogue Beast is back” “Welcome home, Rogue Beast” already echoing in his mind.

Thinking of this, the usually reckless Swashbuckler gritted his teeth, thinking to himself:

“I’ll just stay here! Even if they throw me in prison, at least I’ll be inside!”

He was really learning not to court death this time!

The Swashbuckler made small talk with the Guard.

“Sir, the weather is nice today.”

“Have you eaten?”

“Your uniform looks mighty sharp!”

However, the Guard remained indifferent, busy catching other refugees and beggars trying to slip through. The number of people gathered around the Swashbuckler kept growing.

Soon, another squad of Guards arrived.

The refugees were handed over to this new squad and finally, they were inside the gates of Northwind Castle.

Inside the city, the streets were bustling and prosperous, but the refugees were escorted down a little-known alleyway.

The Swashbuckler felt puzzled and asked:

“Where are we going?”

“Why don’t you answer?”

The leading Guard Captain didn’t even look back, treating him as if he were already dead.

The deeper they went, the eerier the atmosphere became. Finally, the Swashbuckler saw a large stone building adorned with a battered wooden sign that read “Refugee Shelter.”

The area was surrounded by dense, dark forests. Besides the Guard at the shelter entrance, it was just them.

“I hope this isn’t another sweatshop…”

The Swashbuckler shivered at the thought.

He followed the refugees into this so-called “shelter.”

The place was lined with rusty iron cages, often stained with dried black blood, and traces of uncleaned urine and feces. The air was thick with the stench of blood and metal.

The Swashbuckler was escorted deeper underground and thrown into a cage.

“Where is this place?”

“Damn it…”

In the darkness, the torchlight flickered.

As he looked around, he saw that the cages were filled with frail, pale humans.

They were all in rags, their emaciated bodies covered in filth, either curled up or lying down in the cages. Some cages held more than ten people, emitting a faint rustling sound.

They no longer looked human, more like animals awaiting slaughter—or perhaps that’s exactly what they were.

The Swashbuckler hesitated for a moment before softly asking.

“Hey, do you know where this is?”

“Do you know how to get out?”

As expected, there was no useful response.

Those emaciated “humans” all turned to look at him, their pupils glowing red in the dark, eyes hungry like they were eyeing a meal.

“Damn it, if you don’t want to answer, just say so. No need for this.”

The Swashbuckler was startled.

“F…Food…”

“B…Blood…”

“I want blood!”

“I want to drain you dry—”

“Clang! Clang! Clang!”

Those “humans” grasped the iron bars of the cages, shaking them. Their faces were pressed tightly against the bars, leaving red marks.

But they didn’t care, their gaunt, sunken faces twisted and crazed, expressions like travelers dying of thirst in the desert finding water, filled with primal greed and desire.

The Swashbuckler furrowed his brow at those ravenous gazes:

“Are these Vampires?”

“I didn’t expect to find such creatures here. Does that mean—”

“Tap, tap, tap…”

Rhythmic footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor, gradually drawing closer.

All the Blood Slaves immediately fell silent, trembling as if faced with a natural enemy.

“What disgusting creatures.”

A cold female voice sounded.

A noblewoman in an elaborate gown walked slowly towards them. Her face was pale, and her exquisite features showed undisguised disdain for the “beasts” around her.

“Lady Alexia, it is him.”

The attending Guard indicated the Swashbuckler, speaking respectfully.