Fang Zhen cut straight to the point. "So, how do we get into the Ancient Castle?"
"I an, now is the perfect ti to kill Ellick. But if we can't even get into the Ancient Castle, it'll all be for nothing."
Gwendolyn, growing accustod to Fang Zhen's sowhat fervent and aggressive manner, explained, "There are only two ways into the Ancient Castle. It's situated on a mountain, and the main approach is through an extrely treacherous pass. Ellick's soldiers guard it, making it nearly impossible to breach. The terrain is so perilous that a single misstep ans falling off a cliff. Even with just ten soldiers on watch, a Curse Sealer would have no chance of getting through."
"The other path is through the caverns inside the mountain. They lead into the Ancient Castle's underground passages, and from there, into the castle itself."
"It's a vast system of underground caves, incredibly complex, and it's also a monster's nest."
"The aberrant monsters around Ellick Territory use those caves as their nest, which naturally prevents anyone from entering. Trying to get into the Ancient Castle through the underground caves is just as difficult as a frontal assault."
Fang Zhen raised an eyebrow.
'So that's where the na of the dungeon, the Ancient Castle Caverns, ca from,' he realized.
"Master, I have a question," Fang Zhen said.
"Go ahead."
"Master, Ellick Town is part of the Vampire Lord's territory. And as for your identity... anyone with the slightest bit of insight should be able to figure it out."
"How have you been able to operate here? Hasn't anyone from Ellick's side taken notice of you?"
"If you've managed to bribe so of Ellick's soldiers, Master, why not push a little harder? Bribe the ones at the pass and go straight into the Ancient Castle to see what's going on?"
Fang Zhen finished.
This was a question that had occurred to him earlier.
"Sir, I can answer that for the Master," Mark said.
"In Ellick, nearly everyone harbors resentnt, even hatred, for Count Ellick. He has ruled this land for far too long, and the 'devotions' have never ceased. He brings nothing but suffering to everyone here."
"The townspeople may lack the courage to rise up against the cruel and wicked Count Ellick, but if soone else is willing to fight back, they are more than happy to see it happen."
"They may not risk stepping forward themselves, but they won't turn anyone in, either. Instead, they secretly hope for soone to free them from this cruel rule and are willing to lend a hand when the risk is low."
"I was born and raised here in Ellick. Please, believe . I know exactly what they're thinking because I used to be one of them," Mark said.
He paused, a pained look crossing his face. His voice grew heavy as he added, "At least, that's how I felt before my younger brother was chosen for the 'devotion'."
Fang Zhen understood.
'So, Ellick's rule is tyrannical, but everyone here is just waiting for soone else to stick their neck out.'
'A typical mindset.'
'Still, it explains a few things. For instance, just how truly despised the Vampire Lord is.'
"So of the soldiers in the territory feel the sa way we do. But they need to earn a living, and they're terrified of Count Ellick's cruelty and his reputation for having an Undying Body, so they don't dare to actually rebel. Even if they know the Master is here, they choose to turn a blind eye, so long as we don't go too far."
"Besides, it's true that Ellick hasn't shown his face in ten years."
"As for the soldiers at the Ancient Castle, that's a different story. They are Count Ellick's personal guard. I don't know what happened to them, but they're utterly loyal to Ellick and faithfully carry out that monster's orders, including organizing the 'devotions'."
"So, we're relatively safe hiding here in town. But if we were to launch a rash attack on the Ancient Castle without being certain of victory, we'd face severe retaliation. The Master is also waiting for the right mont."
"We're also desperate to know what condition Ellick is in right now," Mark said.
Fang Zhen understood.
'So Gwendolyn's presence is sothing the common folk, and even so of the soldiers, support. They want her here, and they want her to kill Ellick.'
'But even though everyone wants it, no one dares to say so openly.'
'And they're all held in check by the Vampire Lord's long-established terror and the existence of Count Ellick's elite guard.'
"Alright, one last question."
Fang Zhen looked at Gwendolyn.
"Master, you ntioned earlier that Nick's Gang Zan Seal was immature."
"I'd like to see your Gang Zan Seal. Would you be willing to demonstrate it for ?"
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