Chapter 356: Bellon Castle

Ferenc Viscount’s domain, Bellon Castle.

A defensive structure composed of uneven walls, towers, and sturdy gates stood atop a hill, overlooking the rushing river below.

A moat and drawbridge blocked access to the castle, guarded vigilantly by the Viscount’s soldiers, with the massive portcullis protecting the entry to the lord’s wealth.

For over a thousand years, the Northern nobles waged wars over land, grain, livestock, and population. The frequent wars led to the construction of ever-larger and more fortified castles to protect their territories.

Bellon Castle had been passed down through generations of the Lot family, and its current owner was Viscount Horace Lot.

"What?"

"Are you saying even Vichy City has fallen? And in less than two days?"

"Are you sure this information is accurate?"

"Count Okot is dead, killed in his own mansion."

Hearing the knight’s report, Viscount Horace was left speechless, frozen in long silence.

As a fellow noble under the Duchy of Otto, Horace was well aware of the strength and height of Vichy City’s walls—far superior to Bellon Castle, which could barely qualify as a pile of rocks in comparison.

If such a stronghold could fall so quickly to the Ember Kingdom’s army, how long could his castle hold out?

After a long pause, Viscount Horace finally spoke: "We must stay quiet."

"It’s best not to draw their attention."

"Understood, my Lord."

Faced with a seemingly invincible foe, Viscount Horace could only bury his head like an ostrich, praying he wouldn’t be noticed.

After all, the Northern lands had many such castles, and even the Ember Kingdom wouldn’t have the resources to clean them out one by one.

"I’ve heard there’s a mage in the North skilled in teleportation and willing to aid nobles. Perhaps we could use his help to escape Anzeta."

Viscount Horace thought to himself.

What he didn’t know was that within the Ember Kingdom, there were tireless and fearless Starfall Masters.

Nor did he realize that his so-called "escape route" was a trap-filled dead end, long since sealed off.

"Roar—"

Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed from the skies.

Viscount Horace hurried to the castle window and looked up, only to see several wyverns soaring above, circling the castle.

On the backs of these wyverns were humanoid figures.

"It’s the Crimson Scaled Conquerors."

Knight Mitra’s face darkened, and his tone grew grave.

Feeling the terrifying power in the roars, Viscount Horace asked shakily:

"W-what are those creatures?"

Knight Mitra knelt on one knee and recited in a low voice: "When the dragon’s roar echoes from afar, the Crimson Scaled Conquerors will ride their massive, brutal draconic beasts to descend from the skies."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"Bringing endless flames and total annihilation to their enemies."

This tale had circulated in the Northern lands for many years, said to have originated from an adventurer who narrowly escaped the Ember Kingdom.

Knight Mitra’s expression grew even more serious: "My Lord, those are the Ember Kingdom’s deadliest scouts. I fear... we’ve been targeted."

"Oh, gods..."

Viscount Horace stared at the small black dots in the sky and murmured in despair.

"Woohoo, let’s go!"

Meanwhile, the Crimson Scaled Conquerors, dubbed "the deadliest scouts" and "bringers of death," were cheerfully shouting in the skies, showing none of the rumored apocalyptic gravitas.

Even the wyverns seemed infected by the lively atmosphere, letting out ear-piercing screeches, only to have their gaping mouths hastily covered by the annoyed players.

"Finally found a decent-looking castle. We might actually make some money this time."

"Yeah, it’s about time."

"Damn, that baron’s shabby estate from before had nothing but a stockpile of grain. His coin purse was emptier than my pockets."

"We even had to open the grain stores and distribute it to the serfs. Selling it would’ve been too much hassle."

Mantou wiped the drool from his mouth, his eyes gleaming with greed. "This time, I’m going to rob the hell out of this place and redeem my honor!"

"I heard Lang Bastard looted a Count’s mansion and got goods worth 100,000 gold coins. It’s killing me to see him make money while I don’t."

Singo commented casually: "Don’t set your expectations too high. He got lucky that time, catching the Count mid-asset transfer and taking everything in one swoop."

"I heard that was supposed to be Magic Coin’s job, but Langli Baitiao snatched it, leaving Charlotte so mad he wanted to challenge him one-on-one."

Mantou’s mouth twitched slightly. "Knowing Charlotte’s terrible luck, getting hit by a car just buying groceries wouldn’t be surprising."

"But this castle looks pretty sturdy. Can we really take it with just us?"

Singo replied, "We’ve got plenty of reinforcements."

"Roar~~"

With a slight squeeze of his legs, Singo’s wyvern let out a roar, circling in mid-air before descending to the ground.

Mantou patted his wyvern’s neck, landing right behind Singo on the hillside.

"Wow, so many people."

The area was bustling with noise, with over a hundred players gathered.

"When do we start?"

"Damn, it’s Holy Light Bro again!"

The players’ outfits clashed wildly with the surroundings, their styles ranging from absurd to bizarre.

Some wore armor, others donned pink dresses, and a few were completely naked, their muscular bodies glowing with a holy light.

A strange mix of siege engines, from primitive trebuchets to magical cannons, cluttered the area.

"Yo, you made it!"

Born Battle Maniac raised his axe in greeting, using his other hand to rub his glossy, polished bald head.

Summer Night Autumn Rain smiled and waved, conjuring a dazzling burst of flames as a signal.

Mantou dismounted from his wyvern with practiced ease and muttered under his breath, "Damn, with this many people, there won’t be much loot left for us."

Born Battle Maniac sighed, "Not my fault. They’ve also set their sights on this Viscount’s castle."

Singo said, "This is just how things are in the Northern Kingdom right now. Players are storming castles everywhere, and if you’re too slow, you get nothing."

Summer Night Autumn Rain nodded in agreement: "I heard the Royal Authority group has already captured thirteen cities. At this rate, the Northern lands will be picked clean in less than two months."

Mantou sighed. "Fine, let’s just try to grab whatever scraps we can."

"I’m going to loot some teeth!"

"Hand over all the gold!"

"For cleaning up after Lord Cassius!"

The wyverns, each carrying a knight, took to the skies once more. Players pushed their assortment of strange siege engines, shouting nonsensical slogans as they charged toward Bellon Castle in the distance.