After seeing off the old butler and his attendant, Sylutia and Lining returned to the mansion.
Looking at the small white chess piece on the table, the girl grew curious.
"Lining, do you know how much this chess piece is worth?"
"I don't know, Miss Tia," the maid replied coolly.
"However, compared to those twenty gold coins, which aren't much use, this chess piece is clearly rarer."
Lady Falan had no shortage of gold coins—or money, for that matter. But she had few chess pieces like this in her collection. Given Lady Falan's usual preferences, she would surely favor the piece.
"I see." The girl nodded slightly, then tried to pick up the small white piece, sensing the "Castle" Aspect Power sealed within it.
"Can all nobles make chess pieces like this?" It was the first time she had seen one.
"Only nobles with real power—that is, nobles who own territory," Lining replied.
"Ordinary nobles may have the status that comes with owning land, but they aren't skilled in extraordinary arts like this. They need a Scholar to assist them before they can condense and make chess pieces like these."
"Still, nobles usually don't do that. They generally confer the title in person, granting the 'Castle' Aspect Power directly. It's simpler, and they can also establish a loyalty pact with their subordinate."
"That's why these kinds of chess pieces are rarely seen on the market," Lining explained.
"If that's the case, doesn't that mean nobles can mass-produce soldiers or Knights with a 'Castle' Aspect of a certain rank?" Sylutia asked.
"They can, provided their territory is vast and their own status is powerful enough," Lining continued.
"For example, a Baron can confer the rank of 'Second Order Castle' on his personal guards, while a Viscount can confer 'Third Order Castle'