The ones disguised as the Iris Baron's mercenaries were precisely Ebner and the two ladies, "Greed" and "Sloth."
In reality, the baron had not hired any mercenaries at all. Given his family's current financial condition, he couldn't have afforded experienced ones anyway. Everything was merely false memories implanted by "Sloth."
However, the baron wasn't at a loss. At the very least, by following Ebner's trio, his chances of survival were much greater.
Soon, the three followed Baron Iris out of the inn and arrived at an old villa outside the town.
The place was permeated with a gloomy aura. The ancient and decaying scent seemed almost tangible, as if one could breathe it in directly through the nose.
They had arrived relatively early. There were not many people yet in the villa's main hall—only four "organizers" and two or three minor nobles similar in status to the Iris family waiting there with their attendants.
Of course, the organizers were hidden behind the scenes and did not show themselves… but their presence could not escape the eyes of Ebner and the other two.
Seeing Baron Francis of Iris, dressed in a black knight's uniform and standing straight-backed, walk in, one of the hidden "organizers," "Duke of Gray Castle" Wimbledon Einhorn, smiled and said:
"The Baron of Iris actually came in person? It seems he's been driven into a corner by your junior."
Standing beside him was an elderly gentleman with white hair and beard. He was a Sequence 4 "Undying," formerly a Beyonder of the Church of the God of Combat. During conflicts with the Church of Evernight, he had been awarded the title "Dim Starlight" for his contributions.
That title was somewhat arrogant, to say the least, and as a result he was once driven into a desperate situation by a Saint of the Evernight Church, prematurely entering a "death" state.
Due to that accident, he regained his memories late and unknowingly left the Church, eventually becoming a northern noble of Feysac.
The Church of the God of Combat did not pursue the matter much.
At this moment, this demigod who had lived multiple lifetimes replied indifferently, "Heinrich has nothing to do with me. His ancestor was merely a child I adopted in one of my previous lives."
Heinrich was the count who had forced the Iris Baron into desperation.
"In fact, I had some friendship with the first Baron of Iris. So in this trial, I won't deliberately target him. You can rest assured." The "Undying" naturally understood the Duke of Gray Castle's intention and thus gave a clear stance.
Seeing that the other party understood him, Wimbledon smiled and then sighed. "Although I was the one who expanded the scale of the 'trial,' I don't actually like its current style… It's somewhat too cruel."
"Dim Starlight" laughed upon hearing this. "Only experiencing a life-and-death battle once every twelve years—by that measure, the young noble brats nowadays should feel fortunate!"
The two chatted for a few more sentences, completely ignoring the third "organizer" not far from them, as if that one did not exist at all.
Because they knew that was not a human at all, but a "Devil." Conversing with it carried too much risk.
Meanwhile, in the hall, Baron Iris stood alone to one side. The other minor noble families treated him rather coldly, clearly aware of his conflict with the count.
After a while, seeing that representatives from each noble family had all arrived, the "Devil" behind the scenes finally revealed itself. It swept its gaze around, and its cold aura instantly rendered the hall "silent."
Ebner, however, frowned slightly, because this "Devil" was somewhat unusual. It was actually emitting an aura of "frost"!
One had to know that "frost" should belong to the "Prisoner" pathway. "Criminals" were supposed to prefer playing with "fire."
Unless this is a 'Succubus'… Because it has mixed in 'Witch' characteristics, it would then possess frost-type abilities.
Still, three demigods hiding behind the scenes is somewhat unfavorable for me beating up the kids after entering the castle…
While Ebner was thinking, he heard the "Devil" speak in a hoarse voice:
"Each of you will now drip your blood onto the floor of the hall. When the full moon rises, those in the hall will be randomly teleported to various locations within the ancient castle.
"When the full moon disappears, those of you still alive will be teleported back…"
We have to drip blood… Ebner exchanged glances with "Greed" and "Sloth," and all three frowned.
Blood could sometimes be extremely fatal to a Beyonder, as it might become a medium for divination or curses. One would not hand it over lightly, much less in a villa that might very well be a "Devil's" lair.
Yes, judging from the timeline of the trial beginning just over a hundred years ago, the location of Lasting Town, and the appearance of the Duke of Gray Castle—who had ties to the Andariel family—
Ebner could conclude that this so-called "Ancient Castle Trial" was most likely orchestrated by Roselle's adopted son, the "Duke of Terror" Yaldabaoth!
Although his exact purpose was still unclear, Ebner had already grown vigilant and had secretly instructed Alva to prepare contingencies.
No wonder those great nobles only sent illegitimate children or collateral relatives. They clearly understood that once blood was dripped here, the life and death of these trial participants would already be in the hands of Devils… Heh, which means all the trial participants—even those lucky enough to return with treasures—are actually already "dead men"… No wonder news of this "trial" could be concealed for so long, to the point that even Miss "Greed," also a Feysac noble, knew nothing about it…
As his thoughts raced, Ebner and the two demigods of the "Spectator" pathway simultaneously used their abilities to fabricate the illusion of dripping blood. Even the "Devil," along with the two hidden "organizers," failed to notice anything amiss.
As for the upcoming "teleportation"? Having obtained "Gluttony's" memories, the three of them already knew how to locate the Sanguine Duke's ancient castle.
Moreover, with Ebner holding the "Door" card and possessing memories of a lifetime as a "Wanderer," it was all a minor issue.
Soon, when crimson light streamed through the windows into the hall, the blood that had just dripped onto the floor suddenly swelled, enveloping their respective "owners" before disappearing together with them.
During this process, Ebner's trio simulated similar effects and followed the hundred-plus nobles and their attendants in the hall into a state akin to "spiritual world traversal."
After everyone had "left," about a dozen hooded figures entered the hall. They varied in height and build, but shared one common trait: each radiated a dense aura of "evil."
The "Devil" swept its gaze over them and said hoarsely, "The prey is in place. You may go as well."
"Yes! Clan Leader!"
At that moment, the crimson moonlight happened to shine upon the "Devil's" face, illuminating her features.
If Ebner had been present, he might have recognized the "Devil's" true identity… She was the Succubus clan leader of the Beria family who had sold off most of her "Desire Apostles" in Lynn City!
(End of Chapter)