Castle Banquet Mystery/Story

Event

Story

Below is the Castle Banquet Mystery Story, uncovered through the Event in the form of Investigation Conclusions unlocked by collecting Clues hidden throughout the Castle's chambers.

Introduction

	Where... is this? You wake up in a mysterious castle with no recollection of how you got there... A mysterious castle, notes in hand, strange paper remnants, and the grand banquet... distorted memories echo in your mind... I have to figure out what's going on here.
Strange questions were written on the mysterious remnants... this strange circle... changes its pattern as I answer.
After exploring some scenes, the Candlelight gradually burnt out... and something seemed different. The mirror! Everything in the mirror is getting clearer! It's the Candlelight... I need to collect more Candlelight.

Investigation Clues

Count's Banquet

Count's Banquet	1 - A Count's Reclusive Life in the Castle
	Clue	Missing Remnant (1)
	The Count's life duty is to guard the Bloodline's treasure - The Tome. Over the years, the Tome has driven the Count to prey on others in order to expand the Bloodline. However, the Count grew weary of the fear and hatred of his prey, and started to grow frustrated of his blind obedience to his natural instincts. In the end, he chose to seal off the Tome, banish the clan, and hide away from the world in the castle. Other than loneliness and emptiness, he had nothing else.
	2 - Even Without a Beating Heart, a Spirited Character Remains.
	Clue	Missing Remnant (2)
	Through the ancient mirror, the Count received news of the Crimson Bride, but felt nothing. Her greatest mistake was to disregard the mundane prejudices. But does he never desire change? How can you show that your taste and style is not influenced by rumors and stories? How can you erase all prejudice, fear and disdain, even if it lasts for a moment, so that the clan will no longer endure loneliness? He is not a monster, nor a demon of the night. The moment the banquet candle is lit, he is but a humble master in the service of guests.
	3 - The Night has Arrived. Time to Wake Up, Old Friend.
	Clue	Torn Letters (1)
	A castle banquet during Halloween will be the perfect opportunity to break new grounds. For this reason, the Count has awoken the old Butler, who lies deep asleep in the Secret Chamber. It's easy to persuade old friends to join, but it'll be difficult to remove their prejudices against outsiders. The Count broke the seal on the Tome, using it to represent the Bloodline in the first banquet of the castle. With the invitations sent out and the tabled laid out with fine wine and food, why are the guests still hesitating to come?
	4 - Guests are Arriving, Each with Their Own Purposes.
	Clue	Torn Letters (2)
	It has been a long time since the Count faced breathing flesh in this manner. But now, he is more concerned with making his guests feel at home compared to his... The Huntsman below the mountain, the Reservist, and even distant travelers... the Count could read their minds using the Tome, but has not done so. He believes that with his own sincerity and demeanor, he can use this opportunity to make all guests disregard their past and reservations and simply enjoy the banquet. However, if anyone sets out to betray the Count's goodwill, he will surely not spare them.
	5 - What Will Remain After the Banquet?
	Clue	Banquet Cup
	No one knew when the banquet ended. Its guests scattered and the castle fell back into silence. Since then, no one mentioned the banquet, nor has anyone seen the Count again. Only the symbol of identity, the Banquet Cup, was left on the table. Whether his wish came true or not, and no matter how long before he returns, the castles knows it's only master and the Bloodline will always reserve a place for the Count.

Reservist

Reservist	1 - Is the Reservist Attending the Banquet?
	Clue	Unsigned Invitation (1)
	It looks like the Count did not mind where his guests are from. He would never refuse anyone invited, just like a butcher who would never refuse to slaughter the lamb. As the Reservist had expected, except for a few travelers, the villagers kept themselves away from the ill-fated banquet. Even if the Count hid his fangs and pretended to greet his guest with grace, his true evil intentions cannot be hidden from the Reservist. After all, he is born bloodthirsty!
	2 - The Reservist is from the Church
	Clue	Unsigned Invitation (2)
	She lurks in the village at the foot of the mountain and is responsible for monitoring the castle's every move. Throughout the years, the Reservist has become ignorant as the pedantic villagers. Glimpsing often at the castle through the mirror, this routine has almost become her silent prayer. After all, she has stayed too far from the sanctity of the church and too close to the seclusion of the castle. It is absurdly ironic that she can now walk into the tainted place. But the mission continues. Perhaps the Butler's key is connected to some sacrilegious secrets.
	3 - There is more to this Banquet than meets the eye
	Clue	Torn Letters (3)
	That evil Tome must be the root of the Count's schemes. Watching the words spread like blood across the page, her fear and curiosity intertwined. The Tome is actually able to read the secrets of a human heart! But the Reservist cannot read the secret of others. She could only watch her thoughts appearing on the pages: The banquet cup is filled with fine wine and the plates are laden with delicious food, but the evil intentions of the rotten castle can clearly be seen. Even though the Count is well-dressed, his sinister side is always waiting to spy on the hearts of people, enjoying an inner joke on his prey.
	4 - It's Not a Coincidence that Old Acquaintances are Gathered Here.
	Clue	Randomly Placed Ancient Book
	The Reservist met the Huntsman of the village. Whether by choice or by force, the Huntsman should understand his situation now that he is here. During the banquet, the Count will surely abandon all pretense and get rid of the village's guardian, and then the entire village... The Count will never stop as long as the Tome's exist. So the only question is: why wait until the banquet? Perhaps, it's time to inform the church to start taking action.
	5 - It's Time to Leave...
	Clue	Abandoned Skull
	The Reservist is determined not to leave the Tome in the Count's hands. The Tome holds too many secrets, and secrets are the key to controlling the heart. Yes, she should have taken the Tome, or maybe... No, she must be able to put its power to real use. She opened her heart to it, and it whispered her deepest secrets. If the Tome is unsealed by her hands, miracles would be more than just the fabled gospel, and she would no longer lose herself.

Lady in the Mirror

Lady in the Mirror	1 - Who Dares Disturb the Lady in the Mirror?
	Clue	Blue Candlelight
	The bloodline never used the mirror for introspection, therefore, the Lady in the Mirror has always been isolated from the ancient mirror world. During her spare time, the Lady in the Mirror would often observe village life through the ancient mirror. Through the broken mirror, she watched villagers work in the same dry field every day, eat at the same table, and even sleep at the same hour... And this was their entire world. Even then, it was better than living in a stagnated old castle. The lady in the Mirror was disgusted with the ordinariness and hopelessness of her surroundings and began to dream of a different life.
	2 - A Strange Figure in the Ancient Mirror
	Clue	Shimmering Ancient Mirror
	Has the once-mighty Bloodline fallen so far as to allow their prey to sit on equal footing? Look at these uneducated people! Self-proclaimed "guests" are devoid of manners, behaving like fools in front of the Lady's mirror. The sight of those ugly and shabby reflections in the mirror was the last straw. What's even more ridiculous was that the arrogant Count stood by and did nothing, and instead, was trying his best to change the world's view and seek their approval with a banquet. It appears the fears of his clan was not unfounded.
	3 - Each Banquet Guest Carries An Ulterior Motive.
	Clue	Shattered Glass
	Uncovering secrets is the Lady in the Mirror's favorite pastime. When the Lady in the Mirror overheard the argument between the Reservist and the Huntsman, she also discovered the church's plan. It seemed that if the Count continues in his naive illusions, the Tome and the castle would soon be replaced with new masters. But the Lady in the Mirror never belonged to the castle. She didn't even belong to herself. The mirror world was her all, but it was also her prison. So, wherever the drama goes, she'll always find an opportunity to cause havoc.
	4 - There are Always Unwelcomed Guests at a Banquet.
	Clue	Missing Remnants (3)
	What a sly old man! He noticed the change in the Lady in the Mirror and graciously invited her to the banquet. In fact, he only wanted to subdue her. But the once eccentric and surly Count was now letting her come and go as she pleased. The Lady in the Mirror felt more and more confused by the master of the castle; in order to protect his Bloodline, he had given up his freedom. Now he's even hiding his fangs and wings, giving up his identity for this meaningless banquet. How foolish the Count, and yet, how envious she was! What he had given up was the freedom and power that she had longed for but could not obtain in her mirror world!
	5 - New Opportunities Arisen in Chaos.
	Clue	Ancient Mirror Pieces
	The reservist has gone off the beaten path and is even targeting the Lady in the Mirror. Perhaps she never understood the real purpose of the Lady's existence in the castle. The mirror world is interconnected, and the eyes that look into it are also being watched by others. A request made in front of a mirror can always be heard by someone with an ulterior motive. But, there's no harm in making the situation a little more interesting. However, what is about to happen at the banquet will definitely not stay buried.

Castle Butler

Castle Butler	1 - A Butler's Duty is to Serve.
	Clue	Brand New Fresco
	However, serving does not mean absolute obedience. When the Butler was awakened, he could detect weariness in the Count's tone. The master had lost his charm during his long solitary watch. Had it not been for this, he would not have consented to the whimsical idea of a banquet. After all, there are plenty who covet this castle. What's more - Why does the noble Bloodline have to entertain its prey?
	2 - Sumptuous Food is Essential for a Banquet.
	Clue	Illuminating Candlelight
	Out from the Tome's influence, the bloodthirsty Count had long since fallen out of love with mortal blood. The Butler is still driven by hunger and thirst, but in keeping with his master's habits, he also abandoned inferior products filled with blood lipids and other diseases. Instead, it's a sweet, mellow red wine, the new favorite at banquets. It's a pity that his old fangs may never be used again. As for the guests... Before the Butler fell asleep, the pantry should have been well-stocked...
	3 - Unanswered Invitations.
	Clue	Missing Remnants (4)
	It's all been for nothing! The villagers were truly an ungrateful bunch. Those worms were only fit to squirm in their holes, and if they enter a house, they'll turn into moths! It's natural for worms to fear the Count. If anyone can overcome the fear spanning back thousands of years, he must be driven by an ulterior motive. But a Butler can never fail his master, even if it means taking special measures to "invite" the guests.
	4 - Guests are Arriving, and the Banquet is About to Begin.
	Clue	Missing Remnants (5)
	The Butler of the castle was not in the habit of bowing and scraping to outsiders. However, his elaborately decorated hall is far form the castle's usual dark and gloomy state. The traditional old man believed that mastering fear is far greater than being feared. But if... there was no fear in the eyes of these outsiders, what else could it be? Watching the guests' uneasiness, each assailed by their own thoughts, the Butler realized that this banquet was going to be even more unpredictable than the most difficult hunt ever.
	5 - An Intruder in the Secret Chamber!
	Clue	Old Wine Bottle
	Just when the Count was about to make his entrance to the banquet, someone attacked the Butler. Taking advantage of the Butler's dizzy state, the attacker stole the key to the secret chamber! When the walls of fear crumble, the malice that comes out of the cage will spread unchecked. The prey will use it as a trap, and the enemy will regard this as a battlefield. The Butler finally realized that the banquet did not actually require fine wine and food, but mutual acceptance and honesty - and that is what the Count really wants.

Nidhogg

Nidhogg	1 - A New Directive Means Abandoning the Previous Goal.
	Clue	Classical Fresco
	Let the unclean bride live a few days in repentance. The once bloodthirsty Count had unusual actions, and the church could not ignore the fact. Surrounded by the village, the old castle seemed calm, but it was always at the center of events. The originally devout Reservist did not understand what she was getting herself into. Not only was the message delivered through normal means, she even delivered it through an unorthodox manner through the mirror.
	2 - The Lion, the Lamb, and the Shotgun.
	Clue	Old Phonograph
	What a joke. Is the lamb now eating at the same table as the lion? In the face of the absent-minded Reservist and the confused Huntsman, the Executor believed that the corruption of the mind by the Bloodline no longer required physical transformation. In order to avoid further contamination, she must destroy the banquet and erase all evidence. The scandal of the Reservist and the rumors of the village will be completely buried. Cowards will choose to cower and compromise, but she never will.
	3 - Deadly Shooters Only Need One Lucky Break.
	Clue	Knight Statue
	The duel had yet to begin, and the Reservist had already confronted the Butler. The Executor paid no attention to it. No matter the disruption of the banquet or the theft of the Tome, either was enough to bring forth the Count's fury. This was the best chance! She would send the bullet into that cold heart that had stopped beating - If it weren't for that damned Huntsman, everything would be over by now.
	4 - An Unexpected Ending...?
	Clue	Hellguard Statue
	A silver bullet blessed with holy water's faith was more than enough to penetrate the Bloodline's body. But, it was deflected by the falcon's feathers and struck the Tome hidden by the reservist! The words of the Tome poured forth from its pages with the obsession of everyone's hearts. Everyone was shocked by the frenzy of emotions, leaving the mind blank and scattering thoughts... After that, no one could tell how the banquet would end.
	5 - The End of the Castle Banquet
	Clue	Falcon Feathers
	The true power of the Tome lied in understanding the reasons for obsessions and eliminating them. This precious book was used to unite the Bloodline, but it could also serve as a gospel for the church. However, on that night, the Tome did not become a tool for either side, but allowed a banquet to return to its original purity. In that moment, everyone forgot their identities and put down their prejudices, not caring why they were there or where anyone else had come from. It was time to simply let go and enjoy a Halloween banquet in a mysterious castle. No one noticed after the banquet that the Tome and the Count had both disappeared.

Experienced Huntsman

Experienced Huntsman	1 - Upon Receiving the Invitation, the Villagers Were Gripped with Fear.
	Clue	Celebration Trophy
	The villagers were both afraid to answer the invitation and unwilling to flee their farms, so a scapegoat was chosen to represent them at the castle. The Huntsman stood on the mountainside, watching the villagers trembling while knocking on his door, yet remaining undisturbed. He knew that ultimately, everyone would choose him, not because of his power, but because of his loneliness. With the cry of a falcon, he stepped through the gates of the castle.
	2 - Before the Banquet, the Huntsman Meets the Reservist in the Village.
	Clue	Church Fresco
	The Huntsman knows that the Reservist is the eyes of the church. The church was secretly controlling the village, restricting the villagers' actions and feeding them as food for the Count. He even heard rumors from travellers that the village had become a source of infection for the Bloodline. The Huntsman tried to persuade the villagers to find a way out, but his efforts were repaid with disdain and isolation. The timid and ignorant villagers have long been abandoned by the church, and he was seen as an outcast of the village.
	3 - In Order to Protect, One Must First Destroy?
	Clue	Torn Letters (4)
	The Reservist proposed to disrupt the banquet with the Huntsman. When the Huntsman questioned her reasons, she avoided answering and instead insisted that there must be a plot underfoot at the Count's banquet. The Huntsman had witnessed the demeanour and sincerity of the castle master, and even through War Falcon's feral instincts, he could not detect an ounce of hostility. Eventually, what started out as fear turned into rumors of trepidation. Perhaps the real source of conflict was not the good or evil between races, but the prejudices against one another. Eliminating prejudice can never be achieved with destruction.
	4 - The Last Guest, and the Worst Nightmare.
	Clue	Torn Letters (5)
	The Reservist was right. The banquet has brought danger to the village, but the threat came from the church! Church reinforcements arrived at the castle threatening to destroy the entire village to coerce the Huntsman into fighting the Count. The Huntsman has absolutely no interest in the powers of the mysterious Tome or the plots of the Bloodline. But, letting the villagers down was the hardest thing to accept as an outcast. After a lifetime's journey, the War Falcon's eyes had become dull and even the most experienced Huntsman found it difficult to distinguish between friend and foe.
	5 - Guest Etiquette is to Respect the Master's Wishes.
	Clue	Empty Silver Gun
	The moment the Church's reinforcements confronted the Count, the Huntsman made his choice - and his War Falcon deflected the deadly silver bullet. Between the Count, the Church, and the village; he chose his own path; without hurting anyone and without abandoning hope. The one who can best understand loneliness is another lonely soul. Someone will always bridge the gap and take a brave step forward.