124 Mourning Day

Trevon and his family came to Bandeira Castle. Most young masters and ladies were waiting outside in a teahouse.

The castle was empty. Sign of yesterday battle still showed on the scratch on the walls and furniture. Several servants looked busy to removing the broken things.

The Bandeira Castle was similar to Ironlaw Castle in design, but it was smaller. While its decorations were less detailed than the ones in Ironlaw Castle. Trevon went to the large hall.

Many pictures were displayed in the hall. The showed young and old faces. All had a small incense vase where people could place their respects. Some people came and prayed on many pictures. Several people were crying, but most were cold as if the death wasn't their relatives.

From the many pictures, only a lone handsome man was sitting between them. He was Ainsley.

Ainsley was kneeling in the front with a beautiful lady picture on his knee. The girl was smiling, but Ainsley didn't show either a happy or sad face. He was alone in the display area looking empty at the floor in front of him.

"McArthur Family came to pay their respect!" One of the guards shouted. Everyone looked at McArthur entourage. Most were whispering why McArthur family came to this place first.

Bandeira family's branches from nearby small cities and villages had come to the city. Trevon could see they were both happy and afraid because of the problem. They finally became the main branch again, but their family was no longer the same.

Some elderly and middle-aged men came and received McArthur family entourage. They saw McArthur family insignia and smiled.

"McArthur family's arrival brings great honor for our small families." One of them quickly fawned Grand Elder Lance. "We hope Masters and Ladies could understand our limited reception."

"You are too kind. We came here to offer our condolences." Grand Elder Lance nodded. He didn't even know the name of this elder.

"Please this way!" The elder bowed and led Lance toward inner room. They walked past several paintings. Several family members from Goldcave branch paid their respects to the people they knew. While the rest followed Grand Elder Lance toward the only person in the hall.

"It is our condolence, Young Master Ainsley." Grand Elder Lance led the McArthur delegation. He stopped in front of Ainsley.

"Thank you for your presence." Ainsley bowed. He wore a simple gray mourning robe. It seems he had acted like a robot. That was probably from repeating the same sentences too many times.

One by one McArthur family paid the respect to Ainsley who represented Bandeira family's main branch.

"It is my condolence, Brother Ainsley!" Trevon paid respect to Ainsley. Ainsley only nodded while smile weakly. That was another expression for Trevon.

McArthur family group continued to pay their respect to several pictures at the end of the path. Trevon believed they were the important leaders of Bandeira family. Their larger pictures showed that.

Trevon then went with his elders to one of the guest tables. He saw his Grand Elders were talking about the inheritance dungeon with several Bandeira elders.

In short, Bandeira family agreed to give the right to the inheritance dungeon to McArthur family in return for a protection for fifty years.

While it seemed simple, the Bandeira needed several times to gather their group and discussed. They made a temporary elder assembly of the elders of their family branches.

Actually, the Bandeira didn't have any choice. Without their main family or Ironlaw family to protect them, they might not survive the upcoming troubles. No cultivation families were without fault. Their enemies would use the weakness as the chance to attack them.

Trevon wasn't interested in those discussions. His eyes were heavy because of the cat. He had sent several people to find the cat while he fell asleep. [Hwehwehwe.] The young master thought about the beautiful lady on the novel's cover.

"Trevon…" He felt someone nudge his body.

[Wait! I am about to open the veil!]

"Trevon!" This time it was stronger.

"Eh?" Trevon was awakened from his beautiful thought. He wanted to shout his anger, but he saw a Grand Elder. "What happened, Grand Elder Pieter?"

Grand Elder Pieter was looking at Trevon with a frown. "You didn't hear?"

"I am sorry. I felt a bit unwell. Perhaps it is because of the dungeon." Trevon made some excuse.

"We will go to the mine." Grand Elder Pieter said. "Do you want to return to the pavilion?"

"The mine?"

[Hm… I haven't fulfilled Master's request.] Trevon decided to do the mission while he was at it. "No. I want to go to the mine."

"Fine. Let's go!"

Grand Elder Lance led the group to give the last bow toward Bandeira family. Several elders were separated to visit other families. While the young masters and ladies were waiting at a McArthur Family restaurant. Trevon used the chance to fulfill his lack of sleep while the Rabbink enjoyed some samples.

[Why these McArthur young masters and ladies looked like hungry beggars?] Some staffs continued to refill the foods non-stop.

Other than the foods, many lunch boxes were prepared for those young masters and ladies. The dungeon was dangerous and they might need some foods inside. While cultivators wouldn't need food to survive, they might find a situation where they found no spiritual energy in a test.

The family had prepared for various scenarios since nobody knew the exact tests for each inheritance. Ragam's inheritance was already taken by Trevon. While Ainsley took another one from the dwarf knight. Everyone would face new inheritance inside.

After lunch, several McArthur family elders came to the restaurant. They didn't eat, but quickly took the young masters and ladies toward the mine.

Outside the mine, it was no longer the city guard. Instead, several McArthur family guards protected the mine. Trevon even saw an elder meditated before the cave door. He believed he had seen the elder during the battle in Ironlaw castle.

[He must be a Guardian Elder.] Trevon thought.

Grand Elder Lance talked a bit with the elder who guarded the door before the elder looked at the young masters and ladies of McArthur family.

"Now, everyone has to follow the person before you. Do not separate! We may meet with wild demon beasts inside." Grand Elder Lance spoke with his spiritual sense.

The group entered the dungeon.

"Trevon McArthur?" The meditating elder stopped Trevon when he was about to enter the mine. He looked at Trevon carefully. His eyes seemed to try to uncover Trevon's defense.

"Yes." Trevon felt a bit uncomfortable.

"Good." The elder closed his eyes again.

[What?] Trevon didn't know why the elder suddenly talked about that. However, Grand Elder Pieter who stood next to Trevon gave a bow to the elder. The elder didn't even bowed back and just nodded at Grand Elder Pieter.

[Eh? Why did a Top Rank 3 Grand Elder bow?] Trevon used his Scout ability to check.

[Name: Luca McArthur]

[Age: 1.986 Years]

[Sex: Male]

[Species: Human]

[Potential: 75/77]

[Determination: 84]

[Cultivation Speed: 86]

[Loyalty: 84]

[Decision Making: 76]

[Talent: Fighting - Sword, Fighting - Spear, Beast Taming, Training]

[Affiliation: McArthur Family]

[A Peak Rank 3 warrior?] Trevon didn't know the family had this powerful warrior. He hadn't seen the elder.

Trevon walked toward the mine while still feeling confused.

[It is good Ancestor Elder Luca took notice to you.] Grand Elder Pieter said in the spiritual sense.

[Why is it good, Grand Elder?] Trevon asked.

[We think it is dangerous for you without a proper protector. At the same time, I am responsible for Purchasing Department in McArthur family. I can't always be around you. Especially since you will be stationed in the Capital.]

[What does Grand Elder mean?]

[Ancestor Elder Luca is one of the family powerful warriors. In the past, he had made many legends in this continent long before my era. He was your grandfather's Cultivation Protector.] Grand Elder Pieter said.

Trevon was speechless. [The old man was actually a famous hero.] He tried to look back at the mine entrance.

He could only follow behind Grand Elder Pieter and entered the narrow mine path which could only be passed by one person.

He still saw the same 'Goldcave Eternal Star Shining Moss' which gave a light blue color of the mine grew on the mine. Even the place where he grabbed some was still bald.

Trevon walked deeper while thinking about the Grand Elder Luca. He remembered the old man's gaze.

A Cultivation Protector or often called as a Protector was a position for a retired elder to protect a younger generation. They would follow a younger generation from one region to another. Nevertheless, they were not bodyguards who would follow a young generation twenty-four hours. Their main duty was to give a protection status through their prestige.

With a famous powerful warrior supporting him, Trevon would be safer in the capital. His opponent would think twice for the consequence before attacking him.

[That is not bad.] Trevon thought. While he had his grandfather or grandmother for the prestige. They often didn't stay in the same city as Trevon. Their impact was not as powerful as an elder who stayed in the same city.

[Does this mean I am a chosen now?] Trevon asked Grand Elder Pieter using his spiritual sense. Only a chosen would have a protector.

[No. You are not. If you want to become a chosen, you have to perform well in the tournament.] Grand Elder Pieter smiled. [Finally, this Trevon had started to return to his old himself.] He thought.

[Fiuh…] Trevon breathed a bit longer. He felt a bit relaxed. [This is great. I just need to fight a few rounds before losing again. Hehehe.]

Grand Elder Pieter would vomit blood if he knew Trevon didn't want to become a chosen.

[The family leader wants a protector to protect you since you are an important connection to Master Creator. Ancestor Elder Luca has retired from the family management. He also didn't have someone to protect at this time.]

[Hahaha. Thank you for the family's care for me.] Trevon laughed.

Grand Elder Pieter smiled. He knew Ancestor Elder Luca wanted to reject being Trevon's guardian. The ancestor only agreed to consider Trevon during this Travel because of Douglas.

Nevertheless, Trevon's success to conquer an inheritance dungeon made the Ancestor Elder saw Trevon's potential. A report had been sent to the capital for this achievement.

[This is the time for him to turn again into a dragon.] Grand Elder Pieter thought. He believed it wouldn't be long for Trevon to become a chosen after he conquered an inheritance dungeon. Everyone who managed to get a powerful inheritance like Trevon would never become a common warrior. Otherwise, the dungeon wouldn't select them.

Trevon arrived at the first chamber. Grand Elder Lance stood before the younger generation. An elder activated some formation plates to produce some privacy barriers. The younger generation lined up making several columns.

"The family has given a secret information to you." Grand Elder Lance used spiritual sense to talk. He looked at the face of the determined youngsters.

"Yesterday, Trevon McArthur, son of Alvaro McArthur, grandson of Douglas McArthur, grandson of Issabella McArthur, great-grandson of…" Grand Elder Lance mentioned Trevon's ancestors "…has found and conquered this dungeon."

Every young masters and ladies looked at Trevon. Trevon could see a sense of awe from their gaze. Some looked determined and squeezed their hands. This was the reason a dungeon conquer was a big deal. It would give pride to a branch.

Trevon enjoyed that. He raised his chin and tried to look cool.

Grand Elder Lance looked satisfied with the reaction. He had to fire the ambition of these younger generations. "He found this dungeon yesterday and took one day to conquer this. While this dungeon doesn't have penalties. Trevon almost lost his life in the dungeon. You should consider your decision. No dungeon is safe…"

He stopped his speech. This allowed the younger generations to think.

"You are free to stop here if you think your preparations aren't enough. Being hasty is a stupidity. However, this is a competition. If someone obtained the final inheritance, nobody could get that again. This new dungeon gave the biggest chance for you to get an inheritance."

Every young masters and ladies spoke to each other. However, nobody quitted the challenge. The people who weren't brave or prepared enough already joined the caravan toward the capital. Only the braver young masters and ladies were here today.

"Good. Follow me!" Grand Elder Lance walked toward the right road.

[Isn't this road dangerous?] Trevon thought. [Well, with a Rank 3 warrior. This should be fine.]

He followed his family toward the passage. Trevon and Grand Elder Pieter were the people who stood at the back of the group. The path was large with people could freely group into smaller groups. Some people looked at Trevon, but nobody dared to come close and chat with him since he was next to a Grand Elder.

Trevon already felt a barrier between him and those young masters and ladies. He was one of the common young masters yesterday. But conquering a dungeon made his status increased higher. For most people being a chosen was given for Trevon after he mastered the inheritance.

They arrived at another junction. The group had the option to move between the left path or the right path. This time Grand Elder Lance picked the right path again.

"The left path had demon beast, you should not go to that place alone." Grand Elder Lance's voice was spread using spiritual sense.

They walked a bit before they arrived at a large chamber. There was another exit in the left side of the chamber. The group continued before they walked a short passage and arrived in a smaller chamber. Trevon saw the only other passage from the smaller chamber.

This time the passage was a bit longer. Grand Elder Pieter continued to ask more detailed information about the dungeon from Trevon. Trevon felt it was like an interrogation, but he answered everything. He had got the inheritance from the dungeon.

They arrived at a junction and the group took the right path and arrived at a chamber.

[This is…] Trevon found he was in the place where he could get a Red Iron. He even saw the proof of his battle with the Metal Mole demon beast. [Is it this short?] He wondered.

The group continued to walk toward the other hole in the chamber, the direction where Trevon escaped before. They arrived at another junction. Trevon knew the way. It was to go forward.

The group continued to go forward and arrived at the place where Trevon ended the Metal Mole. The stone which covered the dungeon entrance was already put aside. Only a hole showed the way toward the dungeon.

There were some McArthur family guards on the chamber.

Grand Elder Lance went to the front.

"This is the entrance to the dungeon. Everyone here had sworn an oath to keep this dungeon information secret. We will keep this secret for a year."

"Yes, Grand Elder." Everyone shouted.

"Here is a very basic information for you. Since this is a new dungeon, we only have Trevon's story as preliminary information. Our elders had checked the basic information from the dungeon's monoliths."

Some elders came and shared a jade slip for the young masters and ladies. Those young masters and ladies started to whisper, the new dungeon had too many rules and most were strange. They bitterly smiled after they read the dungeon rules.

"You will fight alone in this dungeon. The difficulty of this dungeon we put at Star level for now." Grand Elder Pieter said. "Those who are not confident could surrender here."

Some young masters and ladies started to whisper. Grand Elder Pieter still stood before them.

Trevon was asked to tell his story. He bragged about his achievement.

"So, I entered toward a deep labyrinth. I faced many dangerous creatures in it. However, I slashed them into pieces." Trevon told his story. "Even a giant golem couldn't survive my sword technique. I used my brain to sense his weakness and in desperate attempts…"

Everyone nodded, hearing Trevon's story. Some young ladies looked at Trevon with glowing eyes.

Received an inheritance was a big step forward as a warrior. While Trevon had bad images, this achievement would affect his success in the future. This also showed his capability and bravery to face danger.

[Poor ladies...] Master Rabbink thought when it saw those glittering eyes. Trevon forced the dungeon master to ban him by giving him an inheritance.

"…I faced a castle maze, so I traveled from one room into another... However, I crushed every challenge with my iron fist..." Trevon proudly declared.

"WHAT? You lost in a castle. The castle has no challenge at all." Master Rabbink corrected, but Trevon didn't care. He continued his story, but Trevon had to replace the legendary Ragam with another hidden warrior that the family had prepared.

"That is my dungeon conquest." Trevon took his fan and fanned himself. The only one who could declare his lies was already bribed. He had offered some spirit foods to Nana in place of her silence. Her master took all her contributions. Yet, the glutton mouse happily agreed for the spirit foods.

"So… If you still think your preparation is not enough, you can try again with another batch after the tournament. We will have more information for you." Grand Elder Pieter said.

Some young master looked into each other. They knew if they entered later, the family chosens also would visit the dungeon after the tournament.

After McArthur family obtained the dungeon right from Bandeira, they could monopolize the entrance. The custom of finder ownership was decreed by a Heavenly Phoenix country. The country followed the tradition from the Central Continent.

A dungeon would allow warriors to practice their survival and faced real combat. Other than that, it would also give the chance for inheritance. A powerful warrior would mean a stronger country.

Rather than making the dungeon hidden and kept it to oneself, this tradition would make the finder become a rich person. For a cultivation family, they would also have the privilege to enter the dungeon first before other people. In the future, they could trade the entrance right with other sects or families.

Some families and sects even requested the test taker to share half of the inheritance if they obtained one. Only a destined one could take the inheritance. Therefore, rather than having an unobtained share, they would settle for half the treasure.

Trevon saw his brothers and sisters entered the hole. He also entered the dungeon again.

[NO!!!] The dungeon master saw the most annoying person again. He hadn't fully repaired the maze used by Trevon.