Episode 324 Preston Castle
– Isn’t that your student?
‘It’s changed a little, but it’s true. It’s Dapp.’
Baek Woo-jin nodded. Although he had brown hair, not blond hair, and was dressed as a traveler, that young man was Dapple, the lord of Linden Castle, who went around saying he was his student.
-Why is that guy here?
‘Did I come here because I was thinking of Dapp in the end?’
-You were thinking about Dapp when you cut down the dimension?
‘I met many people when I came to the Marutun Continent, but the person who left the most impression was that guy.’
Deple fell into despair after seeing his father, Linden Seongju, killed by the Shingeom Demon right in front of his eyes.
He was oppressed by the pressure of suddenly becoming the lord of the castle, the fear that the demon of the new sword might attack at any moment, and the sense of duty to avenge his father, until he met himself.
‘You knelt before me.’
Although Dapple held the title of lord of the castle, he knelt down without hesitation and asked to know the sword.
At first, I thought I would just watch his posture, but I was moved by his enthusiasm and effort, so I did my best to teach him how to use a sword.
-He was a guy who had a taste for teaching.
Darkness nodded. Even though Dapple held the title of castle lord, he showed up before the general prosecutors and was the last to return.
After going through many battles, he shed the skin of a despairing young castle lord, became a proper castle lord who knew the battlefield, and even received Baek Woo-jin’s recognition.
-So you’re not going to stop me? I’m going to follow your disciple and your guard?
‘I need to stop you.’
Baek Woo-jin nodded and stood up.
“Master!”
After seeing that he had woken up, Dapp lowered his sword and ran towards me.
“Where are you going?”
Moon Joo-young shook his head and blocked his path.
“Move!”
“stop.”
When Deple and Moon Joo-young struck down their swords again, Baek Woo-jin appeared in between them and grabbed the swords of the two.
“Master! Are you okay?”
“Matriarch! “You’re awake!”
The language was different, but both of them said they were worried about themselves, which made me laugh.
“Stop it, both of you. “You are not enemies.”
“As expected, it had something to do with the head of the family.”
Moon Joo-young nodded. Because Baek Woo-jin’s scent was felt on the blond young man’s sword, he deliberately did not make a lethal attack.
“Master! Who are these people? And when did you come back? If you came, you should have come straight to Linden Castle….”
“You still talk a lot.”
Baek Woo-jin laughed while looking at Deple. The man’s face showed the spirit of the battlefield, and both his auror and sword skills had grown significantly.
-You haven’t let go of training.
‘It looks like you lived hard.’
Dapple, who kept his promise to practice every day before leaving, smiled proudly.
“You were continuing your training, right?”
“of course! “I never miss a day!”
“Good work.”
“Thank you!”
Dapple bowed at a right angle with an ecstatic expression on his face, then stood up.
“But who are these people? “Master had fallen, so I ran in to save him…”
“You are my guard.”
“Oh no!”
Deple patted his cheek and bowed his head to Moon Joo-young as an apology. Moon Ju-young and Moo Young-gaek received the greeting with a shocked expression.
“Matriarch. “Who on earth is this young man?”
“I’m the guy who taught me how to use a sword. “The name is Dapple.”
“Huh!”
Moon Joo-young opened her eyes the size of a lantern and turned her head to Dapple.
“My student? Then you are a master! “I need to apologize right away…”
“I didn’t say I was a disciple.”
Moon Joo-young tried to kneel down to Deple, but Baek Woo-jin waved his hand to stop him.
“I just looked at the sword and posture, so I have no reason to become your master. “I also give birth to one castle.”
“castellan?”
The person who reacted to the word Seongju was not Moon Ju-young, but Mu Young-gaek.
“You gave me the castle! For some reason, I felt so cute! Hello! “I call everyone’s friend Muyounggaek!”
Muyounggaek smiled and greeted Deple. Dapple didn’t know what that meant and just smiled awkwardly.
“Ha, everyone sit down. “Because we have a lot to talk about.”
Baek Woo-jin rekindled the extinguished bonfire and sat down on the floor. The three followed him and settled down around the campfire.
“First of all, this is a place called Marutun Continent. “It’s not Earth.”
“Eek?”
“As expected…”
“I disappeared once after cutting off the black neck, right? That’s when I came here. If you think of it as a fantasy world, you will be able to understand it easily…”
First, he briefly explained the previous events, saying that he came here to repay his debt to Moon Ju-young and Moo Young-gaek.
He told Dapple that he had returned to stop the Empire. Of course, I did not bring up the story of darkness and the system to anyone.
“I see. To repay a debt. After all, you are the head of the family! “I will go with you!”
“Wow fantasy! Wow treasure! Wow elixir!”
Moon Joo-young muttered that she was the head of the family, and her eyes showed admiration, and Moo Young-gaek could not hide his laughter as if he was already thinking of stealing.
“They are unusual escorts.”
Dapple laughed as he looked at Moon Joo-young and Moo Young-gaek.
“don’t mind. So where are we? “It’s not like the Seiran Alliance, is it?”
“It’s near the north face.”
“North wall?”
“This is the place.”
Dapple took out a map from his luggage and showed his current location. It was a place skewed to the north, quite far from the Rhine Forest where the World Tree was planted.
“Why are you here alone?”
“I came to Preston Castle.”
“Preston Castle?”
“It is a place called the ruler of the North. “It’s right in front of the North Sea, so it’s extremely cold and full of powerful monsters, but it’s never been penetrated.”
Dapple pointed to Preston Castle on the map with hopeful eyes.
‘It’s really the northern end.’
Preston Castle was located at the northern tip of the continent. It is so deep that even if the empire tried to invade, it would not be easy.
“Why did you build a castle in a place like this?”
“It is said that the beginning of Preston Castle was when Preston, the first lord of the castle, defeated the demons who ruled the frigid land and built the castle together with the humans who were ruled by them. “Well, it’s an old legend, so I don’t know what it’s like in reality.”
“So why are you going to that legendary castle?”
“I’m coming to ask for an alliance.”
“alliance?”
“yes. The empire’s armies and dark demons, which had stopped, are starting to move again. “I came to ask for Preston’s help before the battle.”
Dapple clenched his fists as if he had to do it.
“How long has it been since I left?”
“Five years.”
“5 years…”
There seemed to be a time difference of about 2.5 times compared to Earth. The time axis has changed again from before.
“As the World Tree grew, the Rhine Forest nearly doubled in size. Thanks to this, a forest was created connecting the Seiran Alliance and Linden Castle, and many people gathered there. All of this is thanks to Master. Everyone in Linden Castle and Rhine Forest was missing you, Master.”
“Don’t be rude.”
“It’s real. Especially Sylvia, she always talks about Master…”
“That’s later.” “What I’m curious about is why the guy who wanted to form an alliance came here alone.”
Dapple is the lord of Linden Castle. Even if the value of Linden Castle has decreased due to the alliance with Seiran, it makes no sense for the castle lord to move alone.
“We have requested an alliance from Preston Castle several times, but we keep hearing rejection. “I’m so angry that I’m going to visit him myself this time.”
“Is the reason you are going alone to take advantage of the Empire’s carelessness?”
“you’re right! “They probably don’t expect me to go alone.”
Dapple clapped his hands and laughed. Baek Woo-jin was still the same as he was able to understand the inside story just by hearing his own story.
“Not a teacher. And it’s just visible to the eye.”
Baek Woo-jin chuckled. Dapple changed his hair color from blonde and wore a mercenary uniform. Anyone will be seen as a mercenary or traveler.
“It was just dangerous.”
“yes?”
“The Empire’s eyes are brighter than you think. “I was just lucky that this worked.”
I’m not trying to scare you. If Murian had been watching Dapple, he would not have been able to reach this place and would have been captured.
“Having the ability to take action does not mean that everything will work out well. “If you, the owner of the castle, die, what will the remaining people do?”
“I’ll keep that in mind!”
Instead of frowning at Baek Woo-jin’s worry, Dapple smiled brightly.
“Anyway, since it’s come to this, let’s go to Preston Castle or something together.”
“Are you serious?”
“okay.”
“thank you!”
Dapple smiled broadly and lowered his head.
‘It would be better if we go together. Take a look at North Korea. how is it?”
-….
Unlike usual, the darkness looked only at the north without saying a word.
‘What are you doing?’
-A place called Preston Castle.
Darkness turned the blade of his sword to look at himself and spoke.
-This is the place I built.
**
Following Baek Woo-jin and Dapple, we headed to the north wall surrounding Preston Castle and heard an explanation from Heukam.
– To be exact, it was set up by my third owner.
‘A man named Preston?’
-okay. Unlike you, he had absolute talent from the beginning. As Dapple said earlier, it is true that the demons who ruled the North Sea were eliminated and Preston Castle was built.
‘I see.’
The legend that Dapple spoke of appears to have been created by Preston and Darkness together.
‘After that?’
– Built a northern wall surrounding the castle and protected its residents from monsters from the North Sea and the North. Although he wasn’t as good as you, he was very kind to the general public because he had a medical association. Just….
‘Just?’
-As my abilities were added to his outstanding talent, he was unable to understand other martial artists.
‘You didn’t understand?’
-When he taught me martial arts, if I couldn’t do it after watching him, he would yell at me and criticize me for not trying my best. Although he was good, his personality was not very good.
‘I was just an old guy.’
Baek Woo-jin chuckled. All the world is the same. Old men existed everywhere.
-That’s it. Maybe he didn’t want to appear weak in his later years. He asked to terminate his contract with me and left.
‘Can I cancel the contract?’
-If both you and the owner system agree, it will be cancelled.
‘I didn’t know that again.’
-Anyway. It feels strange to hear that Preston Castle still maintains its reputation.
Darkness looked longingly toward the white-covered north.
‘It’s not just about being maintained, it’s about being the ruler of the North. But why are you rejecting the alliance?’
-I don’t know about that.
“Deple.”
Baek Woo-jin called out to Dapple, who was walking ahead.
“Why is Preston Castle rejecting the alliance?”
“I don’t know either.”
Dapple turned his head and frowned.
“They know that Preston Castle is bound to collapse in front of the Charon Empire no matter how much they are the rulers of the north, but they refuse the alliance every time without even giving a reason. The reason I came in person this time was to find out why…”
“Even so, it was too much for me to come alone.”
“I’m sorry. ah! excuse me!”
Dapple lowered his head and pointed to a small village in front of him. The village was covered in pure white snow and looked like a picture.
“That’s Runan, the last village you can stop by before going to the North Wall. “Let’s go straight to the inn.”
Dapple, without hesitation as if he had done some research in advance, led everyone to the only inn in the village.
“Hmm…”
Baek Woo-jin followed Deple into the inn. The fireplace was burning so it was quite warm inside. Several people who appeared to be mercenaries and hunters were drinking at the counter and table.
“uh?”
A mercenary looked at him and raised his finger.
“Baek Woo-jin? “Is it Baek Woo-jin?”
“Oh really? “It’s Baek Woo-jin!”
-Eh?
“uh?”
Baek Woo-jin widened his eyes. My heart is beating fast. I couldn’t understand how men I met for the first time knew my name.
“Hahaha! “It’s been a while since I saw a fake.”
“It’s similar, but the weapon is wrong. Baek Woo-jin uses a black sword, not a white sword. “It’s also used without a sheath!”
“You don’t have enough sincerity. “It’s not enough.”
The mercenaries were looking at themselves and talking unknown words.
“You bastards!”
“stop.”
Moon Joo-young knew that ridicule, so he gritted his teeth and tried to come forward, but Baek Woo-jin stopped him.
“Deple.”
“yes.”
Dapple was smiling slightly as if he had expected this situation.
“The rumor that Master defeated the Master of the Divine Sword and Ifrit spread throughout the continent. Rumors spread that he was a handsome man with a black coat and black hair, and he was given the title of the Black Swordsman. Since then, a number of fakes have appeared wearing the same impression as Master.”
“So they think I’m that fake?”
“yes. “There is no way a black swordsman would appear here.”
Baek Woo-jin nodded at Dapple’s whisper. Now I understand their laughter. The men were making fun of him, thinking he was a fake Baek Woo-jin.
-There’s really something going on. They say you’re a fake. Clack.
‘In a way, it’s natural.’
He defeated the master of the divine sword and Ifrit, planted the world tree, and the name Baek Woo-jin spread widely across the continent, but people do not know his face. It is natural for fakes to spread.
‘If I’m good at this, there might be something I can take advantage of…’
Baek Woo-jin sat down at an empty table, thinking about a few things. When they didn’t pay much attention, the mercenaries muttered that it wasn’t fun and started drinking again.
“Luckily, there is a room. “Why don’t we rest here today and leave tomorrow?”
“Do it that way.”
“All right. “Then I will order dinner and come back.”
Dapple approached the counter again to order a meal.
“Oh, it’s hard because I can’t communicate.”
“I really don’t know what you’re saying. Prosecutor, when did you learn the language of this place?”
“I understood from the beginning.”
“As expected, you are the head of the family!”
“It’s really a scam… Ah!”
Moon Joo-young was impressed, and Moo Young-gaek frowned before pulling out a strange, crushed can-like object from his subspace pocket.
“What is that?”
“wait a minute.”
Muyeonggaek put the strange object on his mouth and followed the mercenaries who were talking. He smiled, nodded, and returned.
“It is a unique interpretation item. It’s ugly, but I can understand what they’re saying. Hey, try it too.”
“Wow, it looks so…”
Moo Young-gaek chuckled and offered Moon Ju-young a respirator, but he frowned and refused.
“But it’s better than being stupid!”
“no! “You should write about this bizarre thing!”
“What if you can’t attend the prosecutor because you can’t hear properly?”
“That…”
“Use it quickly!”
Moon Joo-young lowered her head while wearing that bizarre interpreter, as if there was nothing she could do, and Moo Young-gaek smiled happily.
-Looking at those two, I don’t know if this is Earth or the Marutun Continent.
‘It’s peaceful.’
**
Baek Woo-jin finished his light meal and entered his room.
“It’s an unexpected return.”
When I saw the cold seeping into the room, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“But since you built Preston Castle, it must be convenient in many ways. “You know a lot.”
-It was several hundred years ago. I don’t know how it would have changed.
“It’s a place that values authenticity and radish. “There will be some left.”
-hey. It’s done. Let’s check that out.
“that?”
-Status window!
Darkness flew in front of Baek Woo-jin’s eyes. I thought it would be refreshing to find out what the message about gaining Cain’s fragment and changing abilities meant.
“Oh, I see. “There was that.”
Baek Woo-jin nodded and brought up the status window.
-Ugh!
As I was going through the characteristics and looking at the stats, I heard a sound like a deathly scream coming from the darkness.
“Overdoing it again…hehe!”
While looking at the stats while mumbling why I did that, I screamed the same thing without realizing it.
< Abilities >
Body: 91/105 (Superlative) (+92)
Swordsmanship: 93/105 (Superior) (+139)
Mana: 92/105 (Superior) (+117)
Intelligence: 91/105 (Superior) (+57) )
Physical Strength: 91/105 (Superlative) (+108)
Mental Strength: 91/105 (Superior) (+103)
Points: 12000 points.
It wasn’t a problem with the characteristics. The ability limit was raised from 100 to 105.
“What is this!”
-Gurgling….
