Kaito left the goods behind, giving them away for free.
For him, as long as there were gold deposits in the ground, he could obtain them effortlessly.
Even without, he could conjure gold directly.
He could have as much money as he wanted!
Whether suspicious or not, it didn't matter. They were already inside Stormveil Town.
First, they saw a rural area with farmhouses and fields.
Further ahead was another, more majestic wall. But the soldiers here weren't as strict; they mainly stood guard against intruders and lawbreakers.
Passing the rural area, Kaito, the Fire Keeper, and Melina smoothly entered the actual town.
Those living here were considered townsfolk; those outside were country folk.
Regardless of their status, they were interdependent.
If war came and the outer gate fell, they would flee into the town.
"Sigh, just as I thought."
Upon entering the town, Kaito had expected it to be somewhat cleaner, but it was like medieval European civilization.
Strewn with garbage and feces, swarms of mosquitoes buzzing in corners.
But the townsfolk were used to it; it was no problem.
Even if there was an inconspicuous sewer system, it was largely useless.
"My Lord, what should we do now?"
Melina walked to Kaito's side and asked.
Looking at the town center, a hill with a large castle built on its slopes.
That was where Godrick lived, where the nobles resided.
"Let's find an inn nearby. We'll scout for a couple of days. If there's no other way, we'll force our way in."
Kaito didn't want to overthink it. They had time.
Deciding on the best inn in the area, Kaito shamelessly rented only one large room.
The innkeeper, seeing the two beautiful women behind Kaito, smiled knowingly.
He wasn't greedy, just envious.
The town had its rules, and Kaito clearly wasn't ordinary—probably some noble's son slumming it.
After settling into the large room, Kaito tossed his pack into a corner. Melina, seeing two large beds pushed together, knew she couldn't escape her fate.
For the next two days, Kaito took them around gathering information, talking to commoners, merchants.
Learning there was no normal way into Godrick's castle, Kaito gave up.
Time to force his way in.
The castle had few ordinary people left; mostly soldiers, knights, and slaves.
Making full preparations, this time, instead of the Fire Keeper replenishing his magic, Kaito had Melina do it.
Though inexperienced, she persevered.
Kaito was her Lord.
Her Lord was about to fight the powerful enemy Godrick the Grafted to the death. His death would benefit her in no way.
Since her Lord wanted her to replenish his magic to prepare for battle, she had to do it.
"My Lord, please..."
"I know."
They spent the night replenishing magical power, with the Fire Keeper assisting.
After that, Melina had grown. She had become a qualified Maiden for Kaito.
They rested for a day, eating and sleeping.
When night came again, they silently left the inn and headed for the castle gate.
"Hey, stop! Strangers aren't allowed past here, or I'll have reason to attack!"
The soldiers on duty and patrolling knights noticed Kaito and the two Maidens behind him. Since a Tarnished typically had one Maiden, seeing two women made them suspect Kaito was a Tarnished.
Why else would someone come here in the middle of the night?
"Greetings. I am a Tarnished."
"Now, you have two choices. First, you die here, and I walk in. Second, I walk in, and avoid unnecessary bloodshed."
Kaito flicked his right hand, and a rock spear materialized.
Seeing this, the soldiers and knights immediately rushed into the castle and raised the alarm.
Soon, the entire castle blazed with torches, commotion erupting.
"A Tarnished! Damn, those gate guards are useless!! Another Tarnished got in!!"
Clearly, this wasn't the first time, but they showed no fear.
If they let Kaito in, they'd likely be dead anyway.
"So, no negotiation. Sorry."
Kaito sighed, raised his spear, and charged into the castle gate.
Facing these soldiers, it was like mowing grass. The knights posed a bit more of a challenge.
But they all became Kaito's experience.
It seemed killing these soldiers did give experience, though very little.
The Fire Keeper and Melina followed Kaito, using magic to attack archers.
"My Lord, more soldiers are coming!"
Melina shouted nervously. The Fire Keeper silently prepared her strongest magic.
"I know. It's fine."
Kaito smiled. As soldiers swarmed from inside, he slammed his rock spear into the ground. Rock spikes burst through the stone floor beneath their feet.
Brutally, they impaled them like skewers.
When the spikes retracted, the soldiers collapsed.
Dozens dead in one move. The knights in the distance turned pale. Kaito pressed on, expressionless.
Soon, the Lion Guardian from the game appeared, leaping from within the castle (Stormveil) and roaring at Kaito.
'Damn, its breath stank!'
The Lion Guardian was forced into servitude through brutal means, so to survive, it went berserk against the intruder, Kaito.
It charged.
The Lion Guardian was massive, yet agile.
It was a BOSS in its own right, wasn't it?
How many points would it yield?
Kaito pondered as he easily evaded its frenzied attacks.
With a strong kick, he sent it flying, then stomped the ground, leaping into the air, and hurled his rock spear at its head.
Bam—!!!
The Lion Guardian's massive body was impaled, pinned to the floor.
The cheering knights nearby were dumbfounded.
'Was this Tarnished this strong!?'
'It seemed he was another one who could directly face our king, Godrick.'
Involuntarily, they quietly stepped back.
They shouted fiercely, but didn't attack too enthusiastically.
They had experience with strong Tarnished. Just get 'injured' and fall back.
Godrick was their king, but they valued their lives too!
If the Lion Guardian couldn't stop Kaito, what chance did they have?
"Heh, smart."
Kaito noticed their hesitation, smiled, and continued deeper into the castle.
After smashing through another gate, a massive figure landed before him.
"Base mortal! Who allowed you to enter the great royal castle!!"
Boom—!!
Grotesque, bloated body, several arms sprouting from its back.
It stood before Kaito like a spider.
Seeing it, Kaito knew: this was the Grafted Scion, the first BOSS many players encountered.
It was normal for other nobles to reside in the royal castle.
Their duty was to protect their king, Godrick the Grafted.
Watching it wield the Ornamental Straight Sword and Beast Crest Heater Shield that players could obtain, Kaito felt nothing.
Junk.
In the game, they had special effects and skills because it was a game.
In reality, without enchantments, it was just ordinary equipment.
Facing this Grafted Scion, another elite BOSS?
Kaito smiled calmly, ignoring its fury. He formed a rock greatsword and charged.
A spear wasn't suitable now; cleaving it with a sword was more satisfying.
The Grafted Scion clearly had some combat skill. Though bloated, this form granted it power it lacked as a normal human.
Otherwise, why would anyone become such a monster?
Godrick was the same!
This Grafted Scion was essentially a weaker version of Godrick the Grafted.
"Base mortal, die——!!!"
The Grafted Scion slammed its forelimbs repeatedly, following with sweeps, unleashing a storm of attacks.
Seeing Kaito evade effortlessly, it grew enraged. Leaping high with a tenfold power charge, it crashed down like a mountain, kicking up clouds of dust.
In the dust, the Scion's hideous face smiled. It circled behind Kaito for a sneak attack!
"Oh, sneaking isn't a good behavior."
Clang—!!!
Kaito calmly pivoted, his greatsword blocking the Scion's attack.
Bam—
"Bastard. Who gave you the right to look down on me? Kneel!!"
The greatsword forced down.
Kaito's strength attribute wasn't enough, but his divine power compensated!
Under this pressure, the Grafted Scion's massive form was pinned to the ground. It struggled with all its might, face contorted.
If it failed to resist, Kaito might kill it with one blow!!
"Damn it! Why do you have such power! You're no ordinary Tarnished!!"
"Who told you I was ordinary?"