According to the intelligence Closfia had "read," over the past hundred-plus years, an "Ancient Castle Trial" had been held every twelve years at a certain location in the Antars Mountain Range.
The participants in the trial were all young members of northern noble families. They could be ordinary people who had undergone knightly training, or low-Sequence Beyonders of Sequence 7 and below.
However, mid- and high-Sequence individuals were not permitted to enter the castle. Otherwise, they would be killed by the castle's defensive measures.
There had once been a count who, relying on his Sequence 4 strength, forcibly barged in—only to never come out again.
Additionally, the organizers of the "Ancient Castle Trial" were extremely mysterious. Most participating nobles did not know their origins. Only the great nobles of the Einhorn family were aware of some inside information.
"There's no so-called 'trial' in Mr. 'Gluttony's' memories. What's going on?" "Greed" Ksenia looked toward Ebner in confusion.
Although she was also a noble of Feysac, she belonged to the Empire's eastern border and knew nothing of the northern nobles' secrets.
At this moment, Ebner, who had roughly "discerned" the situation, came back to his senses and considered his words before saying, "'Gluttony' last came here several hundred years ago, while this so-called 'trial' has only existed for about a hundred years, and it has only reached its current scale in the past thirty years…
"My guess is that some force has grasped the trajectory of the 'Observer Castle' and is attracting low-Sequence Beyonders under the name of a 'trial.'
"As for the rule that mid- and high-Sequences cannot enter, that was likely added by the organizers behind the scenes. Even that Sequence 4 who tested it with his life was either a plant, or he was killed by those behind the curtain.
"After all, according to 'Gluttony's' memories, although he couldn't ascend to the second floor of the castle, and while the first floor was indeed fraught with danger, there weren't actually many fatal threats—at least not ones that would certainly cause a demigod's death.
"As for their purpose, it is nothing more than fulfilling the requirements of some ritual, or sabotaging the conditions of some ritual."
Closfia nodded, agreeing with Ebner's inference, and said, "From the information I just 'read,' many people die in every 'trial.'
"But those who return alive more or less obtain some treasures. Some have even brought out Grade '1' Sealed Artifacts!
"So while the northern nobles strictly guard the secret, they are also extremely enthusiastic about this 'Ancient Castle Trial.'
"After all, those great nobles don't care if a few low-Sequence collateral members die."
As she spoke, a trace of disdain appeared on Closfia's face—a disdain for the nobles of the Feysac Empire.
Unlike Intis, Loen, and Feynapotter, whose industrialization levels were already quite high, the organizational structure of the Feysac Empire still retained many shadows of the Fourth Epoch.
For example, nearly all Feysac nobles were families that possessed potion formulas, and their fiefs were all "actual fiefs" like Ebner's!
In Loen, nobles like Ebner who possessed actual territories were already extremely rare. The vast majority had sold their lands and turned to establishing factories in major cities, or like Earl Hall, entered the financial sector, because the income from land could no longer sustain their extravagant lifestyles.
After all, even someone like Duke Negan—who, outside the royal family, possessed the most land, reportedly over 12 million pounds worth of fields, pastures, and forests—had an annual income of only 850,000 pounds last year. That figure was only a little more than twice Audrey's dowry.
Meanwhile, if Earl Hall wished, he could easily "loan" that amount from his own bank.
Overall, although Feysac called itself an empire, it was not the kind of centralized Eastern-style empire, but rather more like the German Empire—a federation composed of multiple states. However, as the imperial core, the Einhorn family was powerful enough that no single state could challenge Their status.
So on the surface Feysac looks like Russia, but in essence it's more like an incomplete Second Reich.
Ebner complained inwardly for a few moments before saying, "I already have some clues about the organizers of the trial… But for now, there's no need for us to confront them head-on. Why not disguise ourselves as members of some family and sneak in? What do you think?"
Both "Sloth" and "Greed" had no objections to Ebner's suggestion and nodded in agreement.
…
The Iris family's title originated during the "Twenty-Year War." Although it was also an "ancient" family with several hundred years of inheritance, as it only held a barony, its presence among the northern nobles was not strong.
By the time the title passed down to the current Baron Iris, only he remained as a Beyonder in the family—a Sequence 9 Hunter.
Not long ago, his fief had attracted the attention of a certain count for certain reasons, causing him immense pressure and threats.
According to the unspoken rules of Feysac nobility, once a noble family no longer had a Beyonder, its fief would be reclaimed, and its title would no longer be hereditary. Within a few generations at most, they would become commoners…
Thus, the "Ancient Castle Trial" had become his only opportunity. As long as he could obtain a powerful item or treasure, he could exchange it for the protection of another count or even a marquis, forcing the count coveting his lands to back down.
For this reason, Baron Iris spent a considerable sum hiring three well-trained mercenaries to protect him during the castle expedition.
At low Sequences, well-trained soldiers armed with weapons were not necessarily weaker than Beyonders. After all, even a "Warrior" known for defensive capabilities would die if shot in a vital area by a large-caliber revolver.
After checking his weapons one last time, the baron left his bedroom and entered the sitting room of the inn's private suite, where he saw the three mercenaries he had hired—one man and two women—chatting and laughing.
He couldn't help but frown. Such a relaxed state was not a good sign.
But soon, the baron's brow smoothed out. He felt that these three were bound to die in the castle tonight anyway. Letting them enjoy themselves for now wasn't wrong. He shouldn't be overly harsh.
No matter how well-trained, ordinary people were merely "cannon fodder." Throughout history, those who returned successfully from the "Ancient Castle Trial" were always the nobles themselves. There was no record of servants or mercenaries surviving.
After waiting for a while, the baron glanced at his watch and finally said, "You three, it's almost time. We should set off.
"Are you ready?"
The leader of the three-person team looked over. He patted the strap holding his guns and smiled.
"Don't worry, sir.
"We're the best mercenaries in the northern border. Dealing with some fellows with little combat experience will be easy."
Three demigods beating up low-Sequence kids would naturally be easy… the man—Ebner—thought to himself.
(End of Chapter)