Chapter 1291: War Merit Level, Entering the Inner Castle_2

Originally at the end of the adventurer group, he has now come to the military merit counter.

“Here we need you to register your name for recording war merits.”

Under normal circumstances, a hunting mission targeting a demon with a Challenge Level like the Layered Armor Elephant at Lv5, its war merit rewards depending on difficulty usually fall within the range of 50-100 points.

But if, like Xia Nan, one encounters and slays it halfway through an adventure and returns to the fortress with related loot but doesn’t have a corresponding task, the final war merit reward will be reduced by a zero.

“It’s a total of 20 points, sir.”

The receptionist behind the counter took the ivory tusk from Tal’s hand and said.

“Shall we register them all under Mr. Xia Nan’s name?”

“Of course!” Tal replied obsequiously before Xia Nan could answer.

On one hand, without Xia Nan’s assistance, he couldn’t have returned at all, possibly dying under the Layered Armor Elephant’s shovel trunk days ago;

On the other hand, although their squad indeed participated in the battle and caused some damage to the Layered Armor Elephant, the main part of the battle and the final conclusion were still led by Xia Nan.

Also considering the impression he left on Xia Nan, and his future plans, Tal had no complaints about awarding all these war merits from the Layered Armor Elephant to Xia Nan.

20 points, that many?

Xia Nan felt slightly surprised, then thought about it, and found it reasonable.

After all, he was no longer that low-level adventurer tangled in the forest with a few goblins.

A demon with a Challenge Level of Lv5, not to mention the Level 1 “Newbie Killer” Bear Goblins, even the Lv3 Bear and Petrified Lizard that repeatedly placed him in dire situations could not match it.

For such a demon with this level of strength, it’s only proper for the officials to grant more war merit points.

Seeing these 20 war merit points directly recorded under his name, Xia Nan felt a subtle emotion.

From the perspective of war merits alone, it’s enough to exchange for the Chain of Conquest.

But to elevate his war merit level to the stage of “Fortress Guard”…

While thinking of asking the receptionist in front about related matters, suddenly a commotion echoed from the door of the military merit counter behind him.

Turning around, he saw two soldiers dressed in the official armor of Blood Castle squeezing through the crowd, peering inside the military merit counter.

Upon spotting Xia Nan, their gaze paused slightly on his dark eyes and the two longswords on his back, recognizing his identity, and then they approached to inquire:

“Are you Mr. Xia Nan?”

“Captain Swent and Sir Fugang need you to come to the Inner Castle.”

…

…

Tal, whose identity was just an ordinary adventurer, very sensibly did not follow up further but took the initiative to say goodbye, giving Xia Nan his residential address and saying that if there’s anything he needs to command, he can find him anytime.

Xia Nan then took Winter Wolf Fanny and went with the two soldiers towards the Inner Castle of the fortress.

With no change in expression on his face, his gaze scanned left and right to observe the surroundings while thoughts flickered in his mind.

If before, Blood Castle didn’t mean much to him, it was only because Barbarian Fugang brought him here.

Now, when he found the “Final Reversal Scale” such “Proof of Diligence” accessory among the exchange items at the military merit counter, his short-term goal also changed.

Or rather, he gained an additional development direction.

He would still primarily focus on developing battle skills, but at the same time, he hoped to stay at Blood Castle a little longer.

While searching for ideas for self-developed battle skills through actual combat, he would try to raise his war merit level as much as possible to meet the conditions to exchange for the Chain of Conquest.

If Fugang, as mentioned in the previous letter, would stay here until late autumn… then there should be ample time.

Slightly increasing task efficiency, with the strength of his power, accumulating war merits shouldn’t be too slow, entirely timely.

Thinking this way in his heart, Xia Nan followed the two soldiers, passing unobstructed through the Upper City District, arriving at the true core area of Blood Castle.

“Weng Long…”

The iron-clad castle gates stood open, with fierce winds rubbing and colliding with them, producing a dull sound.

The walls inside were similarly built with bricks seemingly imbued with blood, revealing a mysterious dark red under flickering torchlight.

The inner corridor was spacious enough to accommodate several people walking side by side, and the environment was fairly clean, evidently regularly maintained, for throughout the path, no obvious dust or spider webs were seen, even in the most inconspicuous corners by Xia Nan.

But it was precisely because of this, that the sword marks left from battles unknown became prominently apparent on the surrounding walls, like scenes of battles that once took place here.

“The two gentlemen are inside, Mr. Xia Nan.”

The soldier leading the way stopped before a wooden door, making way, turning his head to inform Xia Nan.

He pushed the door open and entered.

Before his eyes appeared a simply arranged reception room.

Unlike the lavish castle decor, Blood Castle’s reception room was very straightforward.

The three tall windows on the west wall cast the dusky twilight into the room, serving as the room’s primary light source at the moment; the wall remained unpainted, leaving the dark red bricks exposed to the air, the only thing that could be termed “decorations” was a map of the Kingdom’s northeast border defenses hanging centrally on the eastern wall.

A plush carpet laid in the center of the reception room, slightly coarse in texture but clean; above the carpet was a large oak table, flanked by several small sofas for guests.

Right now, Barbarian Fugang and the man referred to by the soldiers as “Captain Swent” were seated on sofas on either side of the table.

“Hahaha, I suppose this must be Xia Nan that Sir Fugang mentioned!”

Upon entering the room, without having the chance to speak.

Captain Swent enthusiastically greeted him from a distance.

“So young indeed, at his age, I’d likely still be doing chores in the logistics department.”

“Sit, sit!”

Glancing in Fugang’s direction, seeing no reaction, Xia Nan smiled graciously at the warm Captain Swent and stepped forward to sit down.

“Haha, nearly forgot to introduce myself.” Captain Swent said with a smile, carefully keeping an eye on the Barbarian Fugang beside him, explaining to Xia Nan.

“I’m Captain Swent of Blood Castle Garrison, currently acting as the Deputy Garrison Commander due to some special reasons.”

“If you need any help, you can find me in the Inner Castle anytime!”

… Acting Deputy Garrison Commander?

Xia Nan couldn’t help but ponder.

Recalling how Ranger Tal had mentioned that Blood Castle’s Commander, the Black Cliff Baron—who went to church for daily worship—was suspected to have disappeared for days.

Now confronted by an Acting Deputy Commander, however due to “special reasons”…

Having consumed a plethora of literature and entertainment in his previous life, Xia Nan’s imagination ran wild, envisioning numerous contradictions and conspiracies.

Of course, regarding Blood Castle, he was merely a passerby after all.

Whoever takes the helm of this fortress, as long as they don’t interfere, is none of his concern.

Xia Nan had no interest in getting involved.

Moreover, it’s not just him alone here at the moment.

With Fugang up ahead handling things, considering his personality, the troubles won’t reach him.

His keen perception ability made Xia Nan aware of this Acting Deputy Commander’s attention on Fugang.

Knowing this warmth was entirely due to the Legendary-level Extraordinary Barbarian beside him.

Thus, no matter how enthusiastic, Xia Nan maintained a calm demeanor, responding politely.

It was at this time, since Xia Nan entered the room remaining silent, as always, Fugang suddenly raised his eyebrows; his gaze briefly lingered on the Winter Wolf at Xia Nan’s side, then those ice-blue eyes shifted onto Xia Nan.

Slowly speaking:

“Xia Nan, what do you think… of Fenney?”