"Sorry, my master didn't give us orders to reveal anything. He only told us to use it in times of danger… you can contact him in the future for more details." Peon refused directly, but he wasn't afraid to reveal the existence of the talismans. He knew his master was making these talismans to reveal them to the world sooner or later.
The elder was about to say something when Billy's voice came from behind, "BACK OFF, uncle, we wouldn't risk Robin becoming angry with us because of this, would we?"
The elder sighed and went back to his seat. Regardless of Robin's wondrous talismans, just his ability to create monsters capable of reaching advanced Saint levels—or even becoming sages—made his place in the family incomparable.
Billy looked back at Caesar, "Are you still adamant about not finding other followers for your team?"
"Yeah. I doubt you can find anyone who can keep up with us. Whoever you find will slow us down, and that will only harm us."
"Forget it, Billy. It's not like we can find good candidates anyway. Those damned people from Dolivar are blocking every path, and there's nothing left but trash!"
"Hey, I have an idea! Let's send the guy we bought to one of the other expeditions of our kingdom, and even look for more candidates for them. That would be a good way to make some connections with the ducal families."
"That's a good idea, I'm also very supportive of it."
"I totally agree. We can use this opportunity to get involved among the big families." The elders' voices rose, and they had already forgotten that a while ago they were discussing leaving to protect Caesar.
"Hey! Is there anything else you want from the three of us?" Caesar asked.
"No, you can leave. During the next two days focus on training in teamwork and coordination between you."
"Alright." Caesar nodded and then turned to leave, taking Peon and Theo with him.
The vision of the three from behind made everyone present fall silent for a few moments, until one of them finally spoke, "If Caesar is right, and these two are as strong as him… I don't mind voting for Robin to become the family patriarch."
"Hahaha, Patriarch Brian won't like what you're saying." Everyone in the room burst out laughing.
"Actually, I don't think the patriarch would mind either…"
"I agree with what Callie said. If their words are true, and Robin gets them to fight for the name of the Burtons as well, I would marry Robin to all my daughters. If he wanted my wife, I'd give her to him!" Someone shouted seriously.
"Shhh, old fools. If Robin cared about the patriarch's seat or these mundane things, he wouldn't have left us in the first place. Have you forgotten he was already a running candidate for patriarch more than a century ago? If you want to link him to the family, think of other ways…" Billy said calmly.
Everyone present sank into thought again. It was a very emotional gathering.
The other two days passed quickly.
Most of the members of the Black Sun Kingdom were still in a frenzy. Not a single one of them had rested during the past days, and even at this moment many were still scattered across the capital searching for candidates. They even started luring Dolivar citizens with gold—but to no avail.
But the main members of each expedition, as well as the geniuses and followers they had found over the past three days, were now on their way to the launch site of the hunting event, praying the rest would find more candidates before the last hour arrived.
The hunting event would be held this time in the Sool Mountain region. Dolivar chose this area because it was already packed with beasts of the desired levels.
Eight gates had been constructed in different spots around the area so that each kingdom's squads would enter from their own gate, preventing those who wanted to monitor and plot against others. This was one of the conditions of the event, agreed upon two thousand years ago.
There was no fear that the geniuses of the kingdom would work together to falsify results and raise one person's status. Dukedoms were always in internal competition at every time and place.
And even if one tried to help another duchy's genius, that was fine too. If a duchy decided to surrender, why would anyone care? The first stage's purpose was to clear the weak, not determine the final ranking.
After the hunting event was announced three days ago, the locations of each gate were sent to the expeditions, and now they began to gather in front of their respective entrances.
Each duchy tried to show off the good followers they had brought or their rare geniuses…
But the fighting spirit was missing in front of the Black Sun's gate. Seven out of the ten expeditions had arrived, all gathered together, trying to assess the situation.
"How's it going with you? I found four so far, at the eighth and ninth levels."
"I got three—two at the ninth level and one at the tenth!"
"We managed to find the required five, but none at the tenth level…"
"Sigh~ we only found four, and none of them are good enough."
Prince William stood in the middle, listening carefully. His expression worsened with each report. "No slaves, no assassins, not even mercenaries? It's illogical that the capital of a strong kingdom like Dolivar lacks cultivators of decent level. This is a plot against us from the start."
"So what do we do? We can't send our youths inside to die uselessly!"
"…Just wait until everyone arrives. Then we'll decide what happens." the prince said calmly. Two duchies and the Burtons had yet to arrive.
Not long after, one of the two missing duchies appeared, followed by the Burtons, then the last.
When everyone had arrived, the prince began to speak again, "Of course I don't need to tell you how dangerous this is. Something strange is happening, and we are forced through it against our will. But the difference is—we don't have to follow the traditional rules as long as they don't either!
According to the rules, each genius must enter with five followers and immediately begin hunting beasts, cutting and collecting tokens—like a fang or an eye—from each kill to carry back.
The event will run for three days, and the ranking will be based on the number of tokens and the level of beasts they came from.
Even under normal circumstances, this is not easy. Entire squads have disappeared during past events—said to have been eaten by beasts, though everyone knows most were killed by other squads.
Killing other candidates is forbidden… but if there is no evidence, there is no crime.
Listen carefully: prioritize your safety. Stay close together. Do not hesitate to ask for help if needed. Anyone who refuses to help another in trouble will be severely punished. And none of you will be blamed for bad results, even if you don't hunt a single beast. Youngsters, is that clear?"