Gospel of Blood

Castell County, Northport.

In the blink of an eye, a month had passed since the Battle of Northport.

Although some southern territories of Castell had yet to be fully reclaimed, this northern gem had already returned to its former peace, free from the ravages of war.

Northport’s harbor was once again bustling, with a constant flow of merchant ships and a variety of goods filling the docks.

If not for the unpatched cannon marks on the coastal fort and the uncleaned ruins of the Shallow Water Streets outside the city, it would be hard to imagine that just a month ago, this vibrant city was surrounded by tens of thousands of troops and a massive fleet, constantly on the brink of falling.

As Count Wittray, Violet’s envoy, disembarked from the sailboat and stepped onto the harbor, he was greeted by this bustling scene.

“I’ve always heard that Northport is the most prosperous city in the northern part of the kingdom, and it truly lives up to its reputation. It might even outshine Linte City…”

He couldn’t help but marvel at the busy port.

“Thank you for your compliment, Lord Wittray. The Count has been informed of your arrival and is waiting for you at the Count’s mansion. Please board the carriage and follow us.”

Viscount Leon-Castell, flanked by two rows of fully armed Castell knights, smiled as he spoke.

Count Wittray glanced at the gleaming chain mail of the Castell knights, nodded slightly, and boarded the carriage.

The carriage set off towards the city.

Count Wittray lifted the curtain to look outside and found the city’s prosperity rivaling that of the port. The bustling carriages, dense crowds, vendors, and performing minstrels all painted a lively and thriving scene, reminiscent of his visits to the capital.

At this moment, Count Wittray finally understood why the Third Prince had gone mad, attacking Castell even at the risk of violating the Holy Code and the Royal Covenant.

For an ambitious lord, such a wealthy territory, not under his control, was indeed intolerable.

“I used to hear that Castell’s contract taxes to Borde accounted for half of the duchy’s vassal taxes. It seemed exaggerated, but now it might still be an understatement…”

Count Wittray thought to himself.

The carriage drove to the Count’s mansion.

After stopping, Count Wittray, assisted by an attendant, disembarked and followed Viscount Leon-Castell into the reception hall.

Charlotte was already waiting in the Count’s mansion.

Today, she wore a black silk dress with gold trim and patterns, her golden hair smoothly draped behind her, and her sapphire-blue eyes clear as the sky.

This was Count Wittray’s first time seeing the legendary young Countess.

And she truly was “legendary.”

Every time they docked overnight on this journey, Count Wittray heard stories about this young Countess at the pier.

A saintess performing miracles, a lord turning the tide, a brilliant young woman… He had heard these so often that they became a refrain.

Especially the Battle of Northport, which shook the entire Violet Duchy. Castell’s victory over two elite coalition armies with fewer forces was legendary.

It was said that even the capital was shaken, and the King himself inquired about the internal strife in Borde and remembered the name of Charlotte de Castell.

Thinking of this, Count Wittray couldn’t help but scrutinize the young Countess, finding her even younger than the legends suggested—practically a child.

If he didn’t know what she had accomplished since inheriting her title, it would be hard to connect this young girl with a noble lord.

“Countess, the envoy from Violet, Count Wittray, has arrived.”

Viscount Leon-Castell bowed respectfully to Charlotte.

Count Wittray keenly noted the genuine reverence in the Old Viscount’s words and demeanor towards the girl.

He also noticed that all the other Castell nobles in the council hall were equally respectful and cautious.

Even the personal knights standing behind the girl stood straighter, seemingly proud of their duty.

This young Countess had already earned the respect and reverence of her vassals and followers.

Count Wittray quickly concluded this.

His demeanor became more serious as he bowed slightly to Charlotte.

“Envoy from Violet, Bertrand de Wittray, greets the Countess of Castell.”

Count Wittray’s posture was very respectful.

Though both were counts, there were significant differences between them.

Not only was Castell’s territory three times larger than his own, but the wealth gap was also incomparable.

In a way, Castell had the potential to stand on par with a duchy, with the Battle of Northport being the most significant proof.

“Welcome, Sir Wittray. Are you here on behalf of Violet to negotiate with me?”

Charlotte nodded slightly and smiled.

Her exquisite face and gentle smile seemed to have an extraordinary charm, causing even the experienced Count Wittray to pause in admiration.

He quickly recovered from his lapse, awkwardly clearing his throat, and took a gold-embossed parchment from his pocket.

“Yes, Countess. I am here on behalf of the Duke to negotiate. This is a letter from the Duke for you…”

Charlotte raised an eyebrow, signaling a personal knight to take the parchment from Count Wittray. The soldier took it and quickly presented it to her.

Charlotte read the parchment carefully.

After a moment, she put it down and chuckled.

“So, the Duke of Violet wishes to cease hostilities and exchange the Third Prince for Count Linte and the Violet soldiers we have captured?”

Count Wittray nodded slightly and said respectfully.

“More precisely, Countess, we wish to ransom them.”

“We hope to exchange the Third Prince for Count Linte, and in addition to the Third Prince, we are willing to pay ten gold tana per ordinary Violet soldier and one hundred gold tana per extraordinary soldier you have captured…”