The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 17



Only Krnovel

Episode 17 Demon Baron (3)

I passed through the iron bars, passed through the large door, and entered the castle. Crowds of terrified villagers and soldiers were visible. Kadim gently put down the two people he was holding.

A group of soldiers rushed forward.

“Baron! Are you okay? Where are you hurt…?”

“Ah, ah, don’t worry. “Because I’m safe.”

Although the soldiers were relieved, they could not hide their anxiety. Because of that vicious visitor who brought the Baron with him.

He was a savage with a rare, large frame. He was also covered in blood, as if he had committed a massacre on his way here. If I had to fight him, I would never be able to stop him… … .

An even more serious problem arose immediately.

The soldiers’ gaze turned away from the barbarians and toward the gate.

“Huh, huh? What are you doing up there! Hurry up and close the gate!”

Good, good, good, good –

The soldiers were desperately turning the knob. However, the iron bars were caught on something and would not come down, probably because they had not been in operation for a long time and were rusty.

Adlen’s soldiers captured the incident. The faltering, faltering steps changed in an instant. A strange light emanated from its eyes and it began to run away like a mad animal.

“Keuhehehehehe!”

“Kaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

The soldiers on the ramparts and watchtowers shouted in terror.

“The enemy is coming!”

“I think the handle is broken! “I can’t turn it around, Baron!”

“Oh my god… … .”

Baron Malden touched his forehead in contemplation. The appearance of the enemy soldiers going berserk was visible through the gap in the unlocked castle gate. The faces of the soldiers and residents also became pale.

Kadim slowly stepped forward.

If those soldiers invade, we won’t be able to conduct business smoothly within the castle. Since the buff from drinking blood still remains, I decided to help out a little.

The soles of my feet were firmly fixed. Tight biceps and forearms. He grabbed the iron bars with all his might and pulled them down with his immense strength.

Clutter, clang, clang –

An iron bar that descends stiffly and eventually falls to the floor.

thud!

“… … .”

“… … .”

The approaching soldiers stopped dead in their tracks like dogs chasing a chicken. Kadim decided to close the gate manually while he was at it.

Geekygeekygeekygeek – Boom!

The massive steel gate, as massive as a giant, was closed by the power of just one person.

“… … .”

The audience in the castle froze in astonishment.

“Wow, that’s ridiculous… … .”

“How, how do you get that kind of power…” … .”

“That savage, is he really a human…?”

He easily completed with his bare hands a task that would have taken more than a dozen men without a pulley. It was superhuman strength that could not be attributed to a single person.

I was already afraid, but now I couldn’t control my emotions. People were so scared that they backed away without realizing it.

Baron Molden looked at the peddler with a hollow laugh.

“Ha, hahaha… … I still can’t believe it even after seeing it. What exactly are your group? No, they’re still people, right?”

Duncan shook his head helplessly.

“Honestly, I don’t know, Baron… … .”

*

Malden’s Resistance. Although it is called a banquet hall, it is more like a slightly larger restaurant.

The Baron sitting at the head table spoke to the guests.

“Hahaha, there isn’t much to prepare, but please eat a lot!”

Baron Malden did not forget the ‘custom of hospitality.’

It was an honorable thing to treat a guest who came to one’s residence with great hospitality, regardless of the reason. Even though he had lost the chance to die because of this uninvited guest, there was no exception. The Baron emptied his stockpile of food without sparing any effort.

Duncan devoured the stewed salted chicken and hot bean soup. Although it wasn’t a special food, it was a superb delicacy compared to the food at the camp that wasn’t even salted properly. As soon as he finished emptying his bowl, he lifted it up and asked for another bowl.

But Kadim didn’t even put food in his mouth.

“Hasn’t it been a while since we were surrounded? “There is no way there will be enough food.”

The Baron smiled bitterly.

“Never mind. All you have to do is starve for a few meals with Gasol. “Even if I have to cut off my thighs and serve them, I can’t commit the dishonor of starving my guests.”

“… … .”

Duncan, who realized what was happening belatedly, had soup flowing out of his mouth. Three wrinkles appeared between Kadim’s eyebrows.

“Is that why you tried to go out of the castle and die? honor?”

“… … Yes. That’s right, that’s right.”

“I want to hear the inside story of what happened. Why did those soldiers surround Molden? Why did you, Baron, try to die?”

“… … .”

For some reason, ever since they met, the barbarian had naturally treated the Baron poorly. Some soldiers who did not see what was happening at the gate raised their spears.

“No, this guy! How can safety be so cruel… … .”

“Stop it, stop it.”

But the Baron had seen the power of the barbarians firsthand. There was no point in threatening such a strong man with force. He waved his hand to stop the soldiers and even sent them out.

A banquet hall with only two guests and the owner of the castle left.

The Baron told his story candidly.

“Whew, this story is going to be a bit long. As you can see, Molden has been surrounded by Adlen’s men for four months. It’s like a rat trapped in a cage.”

Originally, not many people lived here because the land was barren and public security was poor. Baron Malden became a lord by order of the emperor, and he decided to somehow make this place a better place to live.

Decades later, the Baron’s dedication paid off. Thanks to their hard work defeating bandits and cultivating the land, Malden has become a fairly prosperous and peaceful place. Because it was so remote that there was no room for conflict, Malden’s prosperity and peace seemed like it would last forever.

But one person’s greed and jealousy changed everything.

“Adlen is a territory in this area, and originally it was better off than Molden. However, as Molden gradually developed and became a better place to live, the lord became jealous.”

The lord of Adlen, Viscount Adlen, spread rumors. Baron Malden developed his territory with the help of the devil, and he is called the ‘Devil Baron’ who made a contract with the devil.

Of course, at first, it had no effect. Who would listen to such rumors from the outskirts without evidence? The people of Molden took the lead in eradicating such rumors for their lord.

But things changed a while ago.

“His Highness the Fourth Prince, while touring the border area… … met the second daughter of Count Adlen.”

Thanks to his small steps into the imperial family, Viscount Adlen quickly became the most influential lord in the area. Now his words were no longer mere nonsense. The residents of the territory still didn’t care about the rumors, but other people in the vicinity did not.

Then, finally, the emperor gave his tacit approval to punish the impious lord who had joined hands with the devil… … .

“The reason I didn’t call the paladins was simple. “When they come, it will be revealed that the rumors are false, and the church will have to take a considerable portion of its share.”

… … The siege based on a false justification continued for four months.

The Baron could no longer watch the people of Malden suffer. If only he dies, his wrong cause will lose its legitimacy. So he tried to end the battle today by sacrificing his own life.

But there was something puzzling. Kadim interrupted the Baron.

“How many enemies are there in total?”

“About four hundred. On the other hand, there are only about a hundred soldiers in Malden… … .”

“Something is strange. Malden was under siege for four months, and it got to the point where the lord had to starve to serve guests. But how can Adlen send out four hundred soldiers and feed them for four months without any income?”

“… … .”

Kadim did not miss the moment of confusion that flashed across the Baron’s eyes.

It was certainly strange. No matter how well supplied, supplies do not come from digging. A territory like Molden would not have raised such a large army and procured supplies for four months unless it had decided to go bankrupt.

‘Besides, those soldiers weren’t in a normal condition… … .’

The Baron vaguely explained the matter, saying that there must have been help from the imperial family. Then he naturally changed the topic.

“Okay, now that I’ve told you everything about the situation here, please tell me about the situation there as well. “Who are you and what brings you to Malden?”

“… … There is something I am looking for in Molden. Is there a fist-shaped rock in the center of this castle?”

“How did you know that? Surely there is such a rock underground in the castle… … .”

“Good. If you guide me there, I will finish my business and leave quietly. “I have no other business other than that.”

“That can’t be.”

“… … .”

“Entry into the basement is prohibited.”

A firm tone, as if striking with a sword.

Kadim raised his eyebrows.

“… … “What is the reason?”

“I can’t tell that to outsiders either. “I’m sorry.”

Unlike his words, his tone was sharp as if he had been rude. The Baron’s lips gradually hardened. Even his eyes, which had been filled with only goodwill, had a strange light.

Silence as if walking on thin ice. Kadim quietly glared at the Baron. The Baron did not avoid his gaze either. Duncan was startled by the sudden change in atmosphere and became restless.

Oh, yeah. I thought things were going well.

It was enough to get here. He didn’t want things to get any more complicated. Kadim leaned back against the backrest and then leaped up like lightning, slamming the table.

BAM!

A dagger that pierced the thick table and was deeply embedded.

There was a torn bug underneath it.

Kadim muttered earnestly as he lifted the still writhing bug.

“You said there were about a hundred soldiers in the castle?”

“… … .”

“Everyone will be like this tomorrow.”

Suddenly, the Baron felt his heart sink.

“You can’t run away. Because outside is surrounded by enemy forces. If you hide, you may be able to survive for a while longer, but you won’t last long. “You will not know why you are dying, and you will be crushed like an insect and lose your life in vain.”

“… … .”

“There is no need to explain why entry is blocked. “I’ll just give you a chance to choose.”

“… … .”

“Choose your choice, Baron. “Are you going to obediently guide me underground, or are you going to lead me there, staining Malden with innocent blood?”

Suddenly, the back of the Baron’s hand trembled slightly.

Even though I was subjected to outrageous threats, I couldn’t help but laugh it off.

The author did not really believe that he could kill all the soldiers. However, if he tried to stop them, he would definitely see a lot of bloodshed. The barbarian’s strength, which alone broke through the camp, closed the gate, and pierced the table with a dagger, was by no means human.

‘It was my mistake. We didn’t want to let in outsiders whose purpose we didn’t know… … .’

The Baron closed his eyes tightly. The current situation was not good enough for me to have such dishonorable thoughts.

There was no other way to do it now.

“… … Okay. I’ll guide you underground.”

“… … .”

“But not right now. “There are conditions.”

The Baron stated his conditions quietly. Kadim raised an eyebrow.

“… … After you surrender and die, when Viscount Adlen attacks the castle, do you want me to help you defend the castle?”

“exactly. His son, Viscount Ren, who has lost his cause, may launch an all-out offensive against Ifan-Sapan… … . “Once the attack is stopped, I will ask the head deacon to guide you to the basement.”

“This is ridiculous. “Do you really think that is an honorable death?”

“… … .”

“Do you really think it is an honorable death to leave everything behind and run away, leaving everything to a stranger?”

My pupils, which had never doubted that it was an honorable path, shook violently.

The Baron’s gaze eventually slowly fell downward. Kadim narrowed his eyes.

Sacrificing oneself for others. At first glance, it seems noble and honorable. However, simply giving one’s life is relatively easy compared to fighting to the end against a truly powerful enemy.

Leaving the rest to others and throwing away one’s life in vain is the way of a coward. Atallain’s method is different. This is the honorable death that those who forge their weapons with blood throughout their lives in a dry land, under the precepts of the wilderness, hope for.

“… … .”

Like this bug that chews on a thick finger even after it has been cut in half.

My limbs are twisted, my ribs are crushed, my intestines are flowing, and my bones are shattered.

Even if it is a formidable enemy that seems completely unwinnable, fight to the end and die.

Kadim put down the bug, which slowly stopped moving. Then he bared his teeth fiercely.

“I have a better idea. Listen, Baron.”

*

The conversation is over.

The Baron was deeply troubled, but eventually accepted Kadim’s offer.

“Okay… … . “Don’t do that.”

There was still a lot of time left before the plan could be put into action. Kadim and Duncan left the banquet hall. The two followed the servant’s instructions to the inner chambers.

Since the barbarian chose to rest on the stone floor, the loose straw beds were for the peddlers. Duncan sat down on the bed and finally sighed.

‘Whew, I thought things might go a bit wrong in the middle…’ … Still, I’m glad it worked out well in the end, Nauri.”

“… … .”

“But, Your Majesty, why did the Baron prevent us from entering the basement? He doesn’t seem like the type of person to refuse a guest’s request for no reason… … .”

The reason was obvious.

Kadim lowers his gaze to the floor and thinks dryly.

“The devil.”

“… … yes?”

“Baron Molden is hiding a demon in the castle’s basement.”

Duncan’s face hardened like a statue.