Porter, Let's Sleep Together!

"Another master? Heh, does this ancient castle perhaps harbor yet another ancient legend?" Du Chen chuckled, waving a hand to reassure everyone. "I think we should go eat first. Let's not allow a few paltry female ghosts to dampen our spirits. We are Battle-Warriors, aren't we?"

"Indeed! We are all future Battle Gods! Are we truly to cower before a few anti-vegetation spectral lifeforms!?" Sem thumped his chest, striding confidently into the dining hall and leaping onto the special chair the butler had prepared for him—a chair, mind you, identical to Beibei's child-sized high chair!

Observing Sem, who was barely taller than Beibei, perched in the child's chair, everyone naturally suppressed their laughter. To openly mock him would have been rude, but this small, amusing interlude subtly dissipated much of the terror that had settled in their hearts.

Yes, they were all Battle-Warriors. With Brook, a powerful Battle God, protecting them, what was there to fear from a few mere Undead?

Captain Brook had already proven he could effortlessly deal with that female Undead.

Du Chen instructed Harry to serve the meal, then invited the ancient castle's butler to join them at the dining table. Upon inquiry, they learned the butler's name was Peter.

"Alright, Mister Peter, pray tell us the history of this ancient castle," Du Chen requested with a smile, spoon-feeding Beibei as he spoke.

"As you wish, my Lord!" Peter rose, producing a rolled scroll from his sleeve and placing it before Du Chen. "It is said this ancient castle bears the name of its first mistress, known as Julie's Ancient Castle, and its history spans a full millennium. Its inaugural owner, legend has it, was a renowned female general of the Human Alliance during the War of Fallen Gods!"

"Wow! So it was General Julie, the Battle Goddess!" Sem exclaimed, his mouth agape. "What? Francis, aren't you surprised to hear the name Julie?"

Du Chen looked utterly bewildered. A glance at the others confirmed they, too, seemed to have no idea what Sem was talking about.

Suddenly, Porter, seated opposite Du Chen, spoke up, surprised. "Classmate Francis, your ancestor, Sigurd, and General Julie were once close comrades-in-arms! According to the Chronicle of Gods and Demons, your ancestor, Sigurd, and the Goddess Julie fought side-by-side on the McAllen Great Plains! And they both fell in the same battle!"

"Cough!" Jason, from beside him, let out a pointed cough. *Damn you, Porter, you lack all social grace! We are guests in Francis's ancient castle, yet you bring up the precise manner of his ancestor's demise? Is that how you conduct yourself?*

Du Chen was taken aback. Having no sense of belonging to the Saint Sigurd Cain Estate, he naturally knew little about the purported ancestor, Sigurd, let alone his "close comrades-in-arms."

"Oh, now that Porter mentions it, I remember too!" Annie nodded. "General Julie, the Battle Goddess, is one of the many Titled Battle Gods enshrined by the Holy Church. Francis, the Holy Church venerates so many deities, it's perfectly normal to forget one or two."

Sem pursed his lips. He had wanted to say that while researching Sigurd, his idol among the Fire Battle Mages, he had discovered the extremely close relationship between Julie and Sigurd. Francis, if he had thoroughly read his own family history, would undoubtedly know of the Goddess Julie. But the words died on his tongue—though he was a boisterous dwarf, he wouldn't display such a lack of tact as Porter.

This minor interlude was quickly smoothed over amidst the chatter. Du Chen, however, discreetly noted that this ancient castle belonged to an ally of his ancestor—General Julie, the Battle Goddess!

"Peter, please continue!"

"Yes, my Lord. I entered Julie's Ancient Castle as a servant forty years ago. I know little of its history before then, save that from the day of its construction, tales of female ghosts have plagued it. Furthermore, every one of its past masters has met an unfortunate end!"

Peter's gaunt face remained utterly expressionless, as if recounting the most mundane of affairs.

"Since my arrival, Julie's Ancient Castle has been infamous as a 'haunted fortress' within aristocratic circles. No noble, even if they acquired it, would choose to reside here. Over the years, a few masters did invite High-level Battle Gods to investigate, but those Battle Gods all vanished, never to return! Gradually, no one paid the ancient castle any mind." Peter's voice held a chilling undertone.

"Until half a year ago, Mister Rogliff won Julie's Ancient Castle from Grand Duke Rye. However, his holdings are so vast that he never once visited this ancient castle. Subsequently, he lost it to you, Lord Francis."

Listening intently, Du Chen unfolded a structural map of the ancient castle he held. "This ancient castle boasts twenty-seven rooms, spanning three floors including the attic... yet I've noticed that every single room contains at least one Portrait. Peter, do you know anything about these Portraits?"

"To be precise, there are forty-eight Portraits in total. If Your Lordship observes closely, you will also find that these Portraits, whether single or group depictions, all portray young, beautiful maidens—one hundred and two of them in all!"

"Over a hundred maidens?" Annie gasped, covering her mouth, an unpleasant premonition stirring within her.

It was unclear if the strange butler Peter was being deliberately provocative, but he stared at her with an unsettling gaze. "Beautiful maiden, there is another legend concerning this ancient castle. It is said that Julie's Ancient Castle slays every beautiful maiden who enters it, and then... the maiden's shadow appears upon those Portraits on the walls! Cackle, cackle! Perhaps, you might be the next one!"

"Please don't make such jokes!" Annie's face paled slightly as she instinctively pressed closer to Du Chen. For some inexplicable reason, whenever she felt danger or unease, she always found Du Chen's side to be the safest.

Meanwhile, Porter, across from Du Chen, had lowered his head, his expression equally grim, though it was somewhat obscured by his watermelon-shaped haircut and large eyes. *Heavens, over a hundred maidens... if Annie truly became the next unfortunate sacrifice, then after her, it would surely be...*

He glanced at Annie with a touch of envy. Sometimes, being a woman wasn't so bad; at least one could legitimately demand protection.

Du Chen laughed heartily several times. "Alright, I broadly understand the issues with this ancient castle. It seems even you don't know the true origin of these female ghosts!" He folded the structural map he held and suddenly asked, "Then, knowing this ancient castle is haunted, why do you dare to live here? And without harm for decades?"

"Who knows?" Peter shrugged. "I've actually seen the female ghosts several times myself, but they've shown no intention of harming me. Perhaps they, too, require a servant to clean this ancient castle. After all, girls appreciate cleanliness! Even female ghosts are no exception!"

Du Chen rubbed his nose, observing the gaunt-faced butler, Peter, and smiled. "Very well, I have no more questions!"

*This servant is as peculiar as Julie's Ancient Castle itself!*

"Classmates, you are now fully appraised of the situation. What are your intentions? Do you wish to depart and return to the port, or..."

"We shall stay here! And I demand that *all* students remain here!" Jamis and the Old Charlatan chose that opportune moment to return. Jamis seized a bottle of red wine from the table, took a deep swig, and chuckled. "I overheard your discussion. Since Captain Brook can protect us, why should we not view this incident with The Undead as an excellent training exercise? Very well, I declare: anyone who stays a single night in this ancient castle will receive full marks in the Anti-Vegetation course! Conversely, those who decline will fail!"

"Whoa, full marks! Francis, let's stay in the ancient castle for a night! At least *I* choose to remain!" Sem loudly declared.

All the male students were considerably swayed. Annie, though visibly frightened, saw Francis choose to stay and, to everyone's surprise, also decided without hesitation to remain. The last one to waver was Porter, but with everyone else committed, he reluctantly had no choice but to stay!

The matter was thus settled. Jamis continued, "Additionally, starting tomorrow, you'll have another task related to future practical training, but we'll discuss that tomorrow. Francis, first arrange the sleeping quarters. How shall we sleep tonight? *Cough!*" He paused, then added, "I suggest, for safety's sake, that everyone sleep in the vicinity of Captain Brook's room, using it as a central point. Furthermore, no one is to sleep alone; at least two people per room!"

Two people per room? This... Annie felt a surge of unease. *What should I do? I'm the only girl here!*

Porter was practically driven mad. *Heavens, who am I supposed to sleep with!?*

Aside from these two, everyone else found Jamis's suggestion perfectly reasonable. Du Chen pondered for a moment, then said, "Sem and Jason can share a room. Old Gambler, you and Old Charlatan can find your own arrangements; I won't meddle! As for... Annie and Beibei can sleep together. Your room will be next to Brook's and Harry's rooms. That way, it's safest!"

Du Chen inwardly mused, *With Beibei's Spiritual Power, she'll surely detect any danger early and alert Deboning. This way, Annie, the only girl here, will be perfectly safe.*

With that thought, Du Chen turned his gaze to Porter, the most useless member of their group. He sighed inwardly, *Alas, this hapless fellow. I suppose I'll have to personally protect him. After all, he is my junior; it's only right that I look after him! I'll make an exception for him this time!"

Under Porter's bewildered gaze, Du Chen declared, "Porter, you shall sleep with me! I won't mind in the slightest!"

*Heavens above!* Porter was on the verge of tears. He hastily protested, "No, I mind *very much*! I'm not accustomed to sleeping with others..."

Jamis patted his shoulder firmly, displeased. "Classmate Porter, Classmate Francis's arrangement is excellent! Understand this: the more dispersed you sleep, the wider Captain Brook's area of protection must be, and thus, the greater your danger! Therefore... hehe!" Jamis's laugh was strange and suggestive. "Tonight, you shall sleep with Classmate Francis! Unless, of course, you wish to fail all your examination subjects..."

With their professor making such a despicable pronouncement, what room did Porter have to refuse? He had no recourse whatsoever! After dinner, Du Chen took Porter by the arm and led him into the bedchamber.