Chapter 387: The Earl’s Ancient Castle

Earl Kelfeid’s Troubles was merely a routine quest. Was there any connection between the information of that quest and the one Nie Yan currently had?

In his previous life, Nie Yan had accepted the quest “Earl Kelfeid’s Troubles” intending to earn some money, but suddenly some unexpected events occurred. He was chased by members of the Triumph Empire and ultimately had to abandon the quest, never getting a chance to complete it afterward.

Nie Yan could only guess randomly while riding swiftly across the plains on his horse.

The mighty Falkner warhorse galloped like the wind and lightning.

Passing several leveling spots, Nie Yan noticed Faith had become livelier than before. More and more players had entered Faith, becoming part of it.

Based on Nie Yan’s past experience, Faith would continue to attract more and more players and remain popular for over a decade.

A journey that should have taken half an hour, Nie Yan completed in just ten minutes. In the distance, an ancient castle came into view. Entirely constructed from bricks and stones, it stood majestically halfway up the mountainside like an invincible fortress. Though now in ruins, its former glory was still faintly visible. At the top of the castle were some ominous-looking cannon mouths—goblin-made magic cannons with formidable destructive power, although now rusted and inoperable.

Around the castle was a beautiful garden, filled with patches of purple flowers. When the wind blew, the sea of flowers rippled and their fragrance wafted far away, although parts of the flower field were now in disarray, having been destroyed.

The flower field was enclosed by iron railings, with a gate at the front and a narrow winding path leading to the ancient castle.

Nie Yan rode his Falkner warhorse to outside the iron railings and jumped down.

He glanced around. There were no signs of monster activity, and everything seemed calm. He strode forward.

System: You have discovered Earl Kelfeid’s Castle.

He received some new quest information.

Quest Progress: Talk to Earl Kelfeid. Below were additional quest details: Earl Kelfeid’s Castle is full of danger. Since evil creatures began appearing in the castle, the servants dared not stay there and left, bidding Earl Kelfeid farewell. Earl Kelfeid had no choice but to hire some militiamen. However, recently, some strange occurrences have taken place in the castle. One night, Earl Kelfeid suddenly walked out of the castle in the middle of the night. The next morning, someone found him sleeping in the flower bushes of the garden, covered in dirt. From that day on, Earl Kelfeid had been in a daze, constantly murmuring a name: Aina, Aina…

Seeing this quest message, Nie Yan’s eyebrows lifted. The Wandering Princess Aina!

It seemed this was a series of related quests!

Nie Yan needed to find Earl Kelfeid to obtain the next clue. With determination, he strode toward the distant castle.

The castle walls were somewhat eroded, giving off an ancient and desolate feeling. A cold wind blew through the flower field, carrying a chill and a stench of decay.

This smell made Nie Yan frown. It was the scent of the dead.

Usually, after accepting Earl Kelfeid’s quest, skeletons would spawn in this garden.

Approaching the castle, a chill filled the air. Before him stood a gloomy iron door, its paint somewhat peeled. Nie Yan slowly pushed it open. Inside was a dimly lit hall. Outside, the sun shone brightly, but its rays could not penetrate here.

At that moment, from the shadows beside him, two figures emerged.

Nie Yan’s heart startled. He tightened his dagger, ready for battle.

He saw clearly the appearance of these two individuals. They wore thick leather armor, carried round wooden shields in their left hands, and slightly worn battle axes in their right. Nie Yan realized they were NPCs and relaxed.

He cast a Super Insight on these two NPCs.

Militiaman Brecken: Level 45.

Militiaman Bernard: Level 46.

Brecken was stout, like a bear, but his face looked honest and kind, showing no sign of ferocity. Bernard was slightly shorter, a sincere young man.

“Honored Demon Hunter, Great Scholar, and Master Thief, greetings,” Bernard stammered after seeing Nie Yan’s title.

“Greetings,” Brecken, obviously not much of a talker, finally managed two words after a long pause.

Nie Yan nodded and said, “Greetings. I would like to ask for your help. Could you please take me to meet Earl Kelfeid? I believe I can assist him.”

“Yes, we will take you there immediately. Please follow us,” Bernard replied respectfully.

The two militiamen led Nie Yan inside.

“Respected Earl Kelfeid is a good man. He has lived in this castle for over sixty years. After those accursed evil creatures arrived, many advised Earl Kelfeid to leave, but he refused. His servants all departed, leaving only us two,” Bernard looked at Nie Yan pleadingly. “Honored Demon Hunter, Great Scholar, and Master Thief, please help him.”

“God will protect every kind and righteous person,” Nie Yan nodded. He organized the information Militiaman Bernard had revealed. Earl Kelfeid’s refusal to leave the castle must have some reason. He could question Earl Kelfeid to extract some clues.

Led by the two militiamen, Nie Yan passed through long corridors and entered a spacious hall. A long table stood at the center, adorned with candlesticks. A red carpet lay on the floor, giving a very formal impression.

Looking toward the distant window, some old floor-to-ceiling windows were draped with bright red curtains. A ray of sunlight shone through the window, illuminating a lounge chair placed before it. An elderly man, frail and aged, lay on the chair, gazing out the window. His eyes were filled with loneliness and sorrow.

This was Earl Kelfeid!

Nie Yan’s gaze swept from Earl Kelfeid to the wall in the distance. Hanging there was a slightly worn picture frame. Inside was none other than Aina, the Wandering Princess, whose image Nie Yan had once stolen using his pickpocket skill.

Earl Kelfeid turned his gaze toward Nie Yan.

Nie Yan saw his appearance clearly. He looked extremely old, wearing a grayish-white fur coat. His hands resembled cracked tree bark, showing no sign of vitality.

Through Earl Kelfeid’s gaze, Nie Yan seemed to see the sorrow hidden within.

“You’ve come,” Earl Kelfeid said, revealing a childlike, bright smile, as if experiencing a sense of liberation.

Seeing Earl Kelfeid’s smile, Nie Yan was momentarily stunned. The way Earl Kelfeid greeted him was not normal; there must be some mystery here.

“Honored Earl Kelfeid, greetings,” Nie Yan replied, walking toward Earl Kelfeid.

Militiaman Brecken and Militiaman Bernard respectfully withdrew.

Earl Kelfeid gazed into the distance, his eyes distant, as if wandering far away.

Nie Yan looked at the picture frame on the wall. Judging by the time, this frame should have been placed here for decades. He spoke, “Is she your wife? She looks very beautiful.” This was Nie Yan’s guess. Regardless, he needed to find some topics to trigger the quest.

This picture frame here was a ready clue!

“Yes,” Earl Kelfeid glanced at the picture frame on the wall, sighed deeply, and said, “Young man, would you like to hear a story?”

“I would like to be a listener,” Nie Yan nodded, everything unfolding as he had expected. He had triggered Earl Kelfeid’s story.

“When I was young, I was wealthy beyond measure. All the farmland around the castle belonged to me, and many villagers lived here, working for me. This castle was built during the Co-governance Era. Since my grandfather purchased this castle, it has been passed down to me. Many people said this castle was cursed by a wizard, but I did not believe them. Until one year, a band of bandits stormed into the castle, killing my father and stealing much of my wealth. I began to doubt everything. Aina was my wife. She was an orphan, raised in the Granado Orphanage, and she was close friends with her companion, Persis. They were both hired by me as maids. Her sweet smile was as pure as an angel’s, capable of making one forget all troubles. The moment I saw her, I fell deeply in love, captivated by her intoxicating smile. She was the most beautiful gift from heaven, and I wished to die peacefully in that smile.” Earl Kelfeid recounted slowly, his eyes filled only with endless memories.

Nie Yan listened quietly, making no sound, as if feeling the deep love from Earl Kelfeid.

“Aina became my wife, and I wanted to make her the happiest woman in the world. The sweetness of love made me forget the pain and sorrow of losing my father. Three years later, we had our first child, a daughter named Nia, as beautiful as Aina. I thought everything would continue like this forever, until the winds from the Siso Plains flattened the Morcos Mountains, until this ancient castle collapsed into ruins, becoming ancient and eternal. However, everything changed. As love gradually settled, I felt a demon slowly growing within my heart.

Persis, that seductive woman, was like a siren singing a lullaby, deeply enchanting me. I squandered my wealth endlessly, depleting all my savings. One day, Aina discovered my affair with Persis. Her sorrowful expression while crying tore at my heart painfully, making me feel unbearable agony. What had I, a scoundrel, done!” Earl Kelfeid closed his eyes painfully, a drop of murky tear sliding down from the corner of his eye.