"Oh, I thought you were very loyal to your father. Tell me, what do you think I want to know?" Walter asked.

"You want to enter the emperor's shed. The emperor's shed only opens once every year and father has already opened it for this year. A lot of people seeking owners.h.i.+p of the shed have died. The geniuses of large families and even people sneaking in from Other-side, all have died." Hayin said.

"But you have a way around this, right? Or do you think I will let you go?" Walter asked, his eyes turning cold.

"Of...of course, Lord Steinhouse! Many people don't know that the shed is opened ones in a while for those who pay the right price. But it is much more dangerous entering when it is not the designated time. If you offer my father something, he will let you pa.s.s." Hayin said.

"What does your father want?" Walter asked.

"I don't know...." she started to say and Walter twisted the post.

"There is something! There is something! My father has always wanted the Valchana fruit sitting in the west of the west side forest in the valley." she said hurriedly.

"Then why has he not taken it?" Walter asked.

"Because it is in the spirit of the emperor's shed's resting ground. Our tribe is not allowed in there. We will be killed if we enter; turned to dust." she said.

"The spirit?" Walter asked.

"Yes. It keeps the shed protected until someone takes the inheritance. I can't tell you what is inside because I don't know. No one from our tribe nor the many outsiders my father has tricked to go there has ever survived." she said. Walter was silent for a moment.

"Are you sure if I bring this fruit, the shed will be opened for me?" Walter asked.

"Yes, father does not mind opening it as long as he gets what he wants. After all, many die in the trial of owners.h.i.+p." she said.

"Tell me about the shed. Since you say it can be opened multiple times, that means your tribe must have entered the grounds before." Walter asked.

"Yes, but only to strengthen our martial arts. We go to solidify our core. For that, we only pa.s.s through the first five tests. And there are ten more before one is qualified to enter the inheritance room, I hear. The first five test is a test of will. You will only climb the stairs of pain and if you survive, you can go unto the next test. While climbing, you will be put under a lot of mental tests." she said.

"How many people survive the test in your tribe?" Walter asked standing up.

"Three out of ten." she said and Walter sighed inwardly.