Chapter 1052 - 503: Shattered Dreams

"Welcome to Warren Castle, brave warriors. I am Cedric Valentine, the Lord of this land."

Despite a hint of disappointment in his heart, the Baron still went up to greet them. When he walked up to Gauss, who was leading the group, he subconsciously took a deep breath. The man before him gave off a contradictory sense of being both mysteriously powerful and young.

"I’m Gauss, commander of the Red Dragon Team." Gauss reached out and shook the man’s hand.

Hearing Gauss’s introduction, the Baron was taken aback for a moment, feeling the name sounded rather familiar. Suddenly, a bolt of realization flashed through his mind. His eyes widened as he looked at Gauss again. Even though he, as a small-town Lord on the Lengcui Border, had never met Gauss before, it didn’t stop him from recognizing the name from the newspapers.

He remembered the newspaper headlines clearly.

An Extraordinary Strong Person.

He had killed the Extraordinary Centaur that once occupied Black Water Town.

He had fought against ten thousand and slain one of the Four Great Generals of the Jade Forest’s monsters—the Lord Demon goblin Snaz, who stood at the apex of the Extraordinary. He had led the human defense force to a great victory.

These numerous achievements had quickly spread to the rear through battle reports and newspapers. Baron Cedric Valentine immediately stowed away the disappointment he had initially felt.

"I didn’t expect it would be you coming to our aid, Mr. Gauss."

If not for the presence of an esteemed guest and so many of his soldiers, the Baron would truly have wanted to throw his head back and laugh out loud. Gauss was here; victory was secured.

As a castle town, Warren Castle’s layout was relatively cramped and confined. The commoners and serfs who originally lived on the wilderness farms had all flooded into this stone town for refuge, leaving a faint, lingering stench in the air. Baron Valentine looked slightly embarrassed, but he still led Gauss on a brisk walk through the commoner district and straight to the Inner Castle.

Of course, five hundred people couldn’t pour into the main keep all at once. Most of the men were taken by other military officers to temporary lodgings to enjoy a feast, while Gauss and his companions entered the castle together. All the maids in the castle began to busy themselves.

"Baron Valentine, would it be convenient for you to brief me on the current situation?"

"Of course, Mr. Gauss. You and your companions must be exhausted from your journey. Let’s eat and talk."

Gauss appeared very composed facing the Lord of Warren Castle. This was the confidence that came with strength. A Professional who could kill a level 15 Demon would be treated as an honored guest no matter where he went. If he were willing to join the military and earn a noble title through military merit, he would surely obtain a barony or higher very soon. Moreover, with his Talent, other noble families would be more than willing to win him over. He might even become a great noble.

Baron Valentine clearly knew his place and didn’t put on airs in front of Gauss. Even though Gauss didn’t hold any noble title and was theoretically just a commoner, the Baron still acted with deference, treating Gauss as the leading figure. There was a gap even among Adventurers.

Soon, plate after plate of food was brought out from the bustling kitchen. In the castle corridor, a few light-brown-haired children of various ages watched this scene, flashes of curiosity on their faces.

"My little masters, the Baron ordered that you cannot leave your rooms. We need to head back quickly! If the Baron finds out, you’ll be grounded again," a maid whispered from the side, reminding them.

"I smell egg tarts! I’m hungry!" The Baron’s youngest son thought he could barge into the dining room by crying and making a fuss like he usually did, but the maid and servant blocking his way didn’t yield an inch, standing like a solid wall before him.

The older sons and daughter merely cast curious glances toward the distant dining room, watching stacks of high-end plates—rarely used on normal days—filled with food and carried into the room.

"Have esteemed guests arrived?"

"Yes, the Baron is hosting a few esteemed Adventurers."

The noble children grew even more curious at this reply. After all, their arrogant father wouldn’t normally entertain ordinary Adventurers with such solemnity. Just what kind of status did these Adventurers arriving at the castle possess?

Gauss happened to be a bit hungry as well, so he picked up his knife and fork and dug in heartily. Even though it was a time of war, the Baron’s standard for hosting esteemed guests hadn’t been downgraded. A variety of main dishes, desserts, and fruits quickly covered the dining table.

Through their conversation, Gauss also gained a deeper understanding of the situation around Warren Castle. Currently, there were still many monsters burning, killing, and looting the farmlands, manors, and villages around Warren Castle, causing a massive number of commoners to be displaced and forced to flood into this military fortress. Most of the villages had already fallen and turned into ruins. Only a few large villages and manors had received support from the soldiers and Adventurers sent by the Baron, temporarily preserving them from the iron hooves of the monsters.

"This vicinity has become a hunting ground for those damned monsters!

"Every night, hordes of monsters roam about.

"They set fires at will, burning farmlands and buildings, destroying roads, and killing every human and livestock they see..."

Speaking of the situation around Warren Castle, Baron Valentine forcefully suppressed his anger. The property damage these monsters had brought him recently was incalculable. It was a massive blow; even his favorite wine estate, which brought in substantial revenue, had been reduced to ashes in a raging fire.

He was only a Baron. Although he was an untouchable noble lord in the eyes of the commoners, his wealth couldn’t compare to that of the true great nobles. The loss of every single manor pained him deeply.

"Rest assured, Baron. We will do our best to provide you with protection."