Chapter 023 Storm Well

Soon after, the gate of the manor opened wide.

The knights led the way.

The servants surrounded him.

Baron Holdman, dressed in a splendid outfit, came out. When he saw the young Gawain, his excited expression suddenly subsided. However, due to his good upbringing, he did not say anything bad to him. Instead, he said:

"Stranger from afar, please explain your purpose."

Gawain took off the short bow he was carrying. The knights were like they were facing a great enemy. They shouted to protect Baron Holdman behind them. Gawain did not explain and casually drew out three arrows.

With the sound of the bow being released, three feather arrows flew in succession and hit the flagpole flying above the tavern in the distance almost at the same time.

"How is it possible?"

The knights widened their eyes in shock and felt a chill in their hearts. If this arrow was shot at them, even if they were wearing iron armor, they might not be able to defend against it. Baron Holdman pushed the knight in front of him away.

They were equally shocked.

He had seen sharpshooters, but he had never seen one with such outstanding skills. This was a master of archery, and it was definitely not a level that ordinary people could reach.

Gawain put away his short bow, bowed and saluted, and smiled:

"I think... I should be qualified to be the guest of the Baron, right?"

"Of course!"

Baron Holdman came back to his senses and said seriously: "This is an honor for the Holdman family."

He quickly asked the knights to disperse, and ordered the servants to bring bread and honey water, and personally presented them. Gawain didn't know much about the etiquette between nobles, so he symbolically ate a bite of bread and drank some honey water, and then entered the manor under the enthusiastic greeting of Baron Holdman.

Baron Holdman took the opportunity to leave.

After changing a set of clothes, he brought his son, Little Holdman, to formally meet Gawain in the main hall. After the two sides exchanged greetings, they talked about business.

Baron Holdman said with a frustrated look:

"Storm God, I am a sinner. I have failed the honor of the Holdman family. Since leaving Saltfish Castle, I have had nightmares almost every night. If Mr. Gawain can let the Holdman family return to Saltfish Castle, I am willing to pay a hundred... no, two hundred gold dragons for it."

Gawain shook his head: "Baron, before that, I think you should tell me what happened in Saltfish Castle."

"Sorry, I was too impatient."

Baron Holdman reacted and apologized quickly, then explained: "It all started a few years ago... I didn't want to convert to the God of Life, but under pressure, I couldn't refuse directly, so I had to put forward three conditions to the priest... The third condition is that the storm well in Saltfish Castle is dry. I wanted him to give up, but he insisted on entering the storm well."

"It's obvious ...He never came out again. "

"I remember that was the seventh night that the priest entered the Storm Well. It was very dark at that time. I was telling little Mary the story of the dragon Xalatas in the room. Suddenly I heard a strange sound. I followed the sound to the Storm Well and found many fish floating on the water. "

"Yes, they are all dead!"

"Soon after, the Storm Well began to boil, and a large amount of well water overflowed from the well mouth. At that time, the whole Saltfish Castle was in chaos. It was not until dawn that the well water returned to the well. After I asked someone to count, I found that three servants were missing. "

"Later, the Storm Well would overflow every night, and people would disappear every night. I suffered for a month and finally fled from the Saltfish Castle in a mess. This is what happened. This is my nightmare. "

Baron Holdman covered his cheek painfully and sobbed softly. It can be seen that the other party is a person who has been pampered since childhood and is not good at hiding emotions.

Gawain pondered for a moment and asked:

"Do you know what is causing the trouble?"

"I don't know. Some say it is the evil ghost hidden in the well water, and some say it is the demon in the well. But I haven't seen it with my own eyes. I think... it must be the dead Father Field who is taking revenge on the Holdman family. Yes, it must be like this."

"Evil ghost?"

"Demon?"

Gawain was thoughtful. He had learned about these two things in "General Knowledge of the Wizarding World".

Evil ghosts are afraid of soul attacks, and [Psychic Shock] is the nemesis.

The demon in the well is a little more troublesome. This thing is often transformed by the strong resentment of people who died in the well. Although it is also restrained by [Psychic Shock], it is almost immortal.

Only by finding the remains of the deceased and destroying them can it be completely killed.

Gawain then asked some more questions. He felt that he should have some confidence in his own means, so he said: "I will take this matter, and I don't need to be paid, but as compensation, there is a small additional condition."

"Please speak!"

Holdman straightened his back and his face became excited.

"My condition is very simple. I need to pick one thing from all the collections of the Baron."

"What is it?"

"I don't know what it is. I will pick one that I like when the time comes."

In order to avoid complications, Gawain chose to keep some things. Even if Baron Holderman regretted it later, it would be too late.

As for why he didn't just rob it.

Of course, it was because Gawain had concerns. The rune stones owned by the Holderman family were not picked up, but inherited, which means that the Holderman family may have a wizard background.

Until it is absolutely necessary.

Gawain will not take risks.

Baron Holderman thought for a while and said seriously: "I swear by the God of Storms and the glory of the Holderman family for three hundred years. As long as I can return to Saltfish Castle, all the treasures of the Holderman family will be at your disposal."

"Okay!"

Afterwards, Baron Holdman planned to invite Gawain to a banquet, but was politely declined. Gawain did not intend to waste time and decided to go to Saltfish Castle to investigate immediately.

Baron Holdman prepared to ask his knights to help, but was also rejected.

As long as the gods are alive, wizards will find it difficult to live in the sun. Even if there is no church in Lighthouse Town, Gawain will not dare to be careless. If he asks the knights to help, he will inevitably be tied up, which is far less comfortable than being alone.

At the baron's gift, Gawain left the manor.

After having breakfast, he took Crow No. 7 out of Lighthouse Town, met with the skeletons waiting outside the town, and rushed to Saltfish Castle together.

Saltfish Castle is located on a low mountain three miles southwest of Lighthouse Town. It is like a military fortress with a dangerous terrain. It is not only backed by the sea, easy to defend and difficult to attack, but also can be mutually supported with Lighthouse Town.

Even if it is besieged by a large army, as long as there is enough fresh water and food, it will be no problem to persist for a year or two.

"It's a pity that it's already abandoned."

It was not even noon when Gawain appeared at the foot of the low hill. He looked up a few times and began to climb the mountain. Crow No. 7 on the skeleton's shoulder seemed to dislike Gawain's slow pace.

It screamed and flew towards the castle first.

"Be careful!"

Gawain shouted and quickened his pace. He soon arrived outside the Salted Fish Castle. At this time, the Salted Fish Castle was indeed abandoned. The peeling walls were covered with various plants and the ground was covered with weeds.

Even the arrow tower at the highest point collapsed a little due to years of disrepair.

Although the baron said that there was no danger in the castle during the day, Gawain did not dare to be careless and ordered the skeleton beside him:

"Go and explore first."

The skeleton walked across the suspension bridge without saying a word, turned around, and returned safely.

"Let's go."

Gawain was relieved and walked into the Salted Fish Castle with a short bow. The soil under his feet was wet, which should be the water stains left by the overflow of the well last night.

He walked around the castle, and it was dead silent everywhere. He didn't see a single living creature or valuable item. It was obviously not a scene left behind after a hasty evacuation.

But it made sense when he thought about it. The Baron must have sent someone to come afterward, and all the useful things were naturally moved away.

"So, the [Rune Stone] should be in the Baron's hands, so next I just need to get rid of the dirt in the Storm Well."

Gawain stopped wandering around and went straight to the back garden.

"Quack~~"

As soon as he entered the back garden, he heard the cry of Crow No. 7. He walked forward and found that the crow was standing next to a well, holding a stone and throwing it into the well.

And this well was the rumored Storm Well.