The Safety Guidelines of The Duke’s Haunted Castle – Chapter 1 – Prologue

Author: arnlian

《Visitor Guidelines for Belmond Ducal Castle》

Introduction

Welcome to Belmond Ducal Castle, a place renowned for its eternal history.

The Belmond family was once known as the wealthiest noble house in the Tritan Empire. However, centuries ago, the castle fell into ruin due to a mysterious accident.

During that incident, the castle’s owner at the time, Duke Edwin Belmond, along with all 172 of his servants, vanished without a trace.

You are now invited as a special guest to stay at Belmond Ducal Castle. For your comfort and safety during your visit, please carefully read and follow the guidelines below.

Main Guidelines

※ WARNING!

These rules are strictly in place to maintain order within the castle. Failure to comply may result in unexpected harm or consequences.

Disclosing these guidelines to outsiders is strictly prohibited. If you fail to adhere to them, you will be held fully responsible for any physical or psychological harm, death, or other misfortunes that may occur as a result.

I. The working hours of the castle’s servants are from 4:00 AM to 2:00 AM the following day.

II. Between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM, even if you hear footsteps or sense a presence, do not react. The servants of the castle strictly operate only during their designated hours.

III. Do not draw back the curtains covering the windows. The light from outside may strongly provoke ▲▲.

IV. During designated mealtimes, you must remain seated in your assigned place. However, it is strongly advised that you do not eat or touch the food that is served.

V. Several key figures still reside in the castle, apart from Duke Edwin Belmond himself. Among them, you must exercise particular caution when dealing with the Duke’s attendant.

He maintains a stringent standard of etiquette. If your behavior even slightly violates the expected conduct, the aide will become furious and begin reciting passages from 〈Noble Etiquette〉.

〈Noble Etiquette〉a notoriously harsh doctrine that states any noble who shows disrespect must be executed immediately. It is said that in such situations, jumping out of the window might be a better choice than enduring his endless lecture.

VI. Although the designated servants thoroughly maintain the castle’s cleanliness, you must personally double-check the hygiene of anything you eat, drink, or examine.

VII. Absolute silence must be maintained inside the castle’s library. The librarian, who takes great pride in meticulously organizing the books, may react with extreme anger even to the slightest unintentional mistake. Should this occur, you may suffer irreparable mental or physical harm.

When the empty space beneath the final clause of the guidelines is stared at intently, faint, almost imperceptible words are slowly seen emerging, hovering just at the edge of visibility.

Conclusion

As of this moment, the only person who holds the special invitation to Belmond Ducal Castle is you, and only you.

However, if you feel you cannot endure the incidents and dangers that may unfold here, you are advised to jump from the carriage and return the way you came.

Be warned: should you choose to leap from the moving carriage, serious physical injury, psychological trauma, or even death may occur. Even so, at the very least, you will never arrive at the castle.

But if the carriage has already come to a complete stop, it means you can no longer leave Belmond Ducal Castle. From that point forward, you must faithfully follow all the guidelines provided.

Whichever path you choose, I wish you the best of luck.