Chapter 177: The Road to Sampo (1)
"Kill the elf, and Save the Man."
—Record No. 444 from the Second Western Frontier Era, slogan of an unknown forest dweller.
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The moment Balagu and his group stepped inside the castle walls, he turned to the guards waiting behind the gate.
“Find a suitable place for the wretches following behind us. And if anything disgraceful happens that tarnishes my reputation... I won’t let it slide. Understood?”
When a superior gives an order, you obey—especially when that superior is a bad-tempered noble.
The guards quickly ushered away the children and women, disappearing into the depths of the castle. Balagu, meanwhile, proceeded toward Namgung Jeongbaek’s court, bringing only Josef’s men and Pinel with him.
Dovan offered to lead the way, but Balagu deliberately walked ahead.
As soon as he entered the inner castle, he headed straight for the lord’s office. If Namgung Jeongbaek was still inside, they had to strike first.
Pinel and Josef, fully aware of this, didn’t let their guard down for even a second as they approached the office.
Dovan, trailing behind them, looked like he was about to drop dead from the tension.
Fortunately, the office was empty.