Gospel of Blood

In the north of Castell, about 120 kilometers away from Northport, there was a forest.

Under the trees, Violet soldiers in various outfits were gathered in groups, resting against the tree trunks.

There were about five hundred of them, most of whom were conscripted peasants, though there were also a few armored elite soldiers. At the forest’s edge, hundreds of horses of various colors were tied up, most of which had been stolen from different parts of Castell in recent days.

Not far from them were more than two hundred soldiers dressed in distinct northern-style attire, wearing Isaac light cavalry uniforms, forming a loosely connected circle with the Violet soldiers.

These Isaac soldiers clearly did not get along well with the Violet soldiers, each looking fierce and as wild as untamed wolves.

But when their eyes fell on the middle-aged man at the forefront of the Violet troops, their expressions turned to respect and fear.

This man, appearing to be in his thirties or forties, wore a battered suit of armor with a violet crest engraved on the breastplate, marking him as a noble.

“Baron, our food supplies are running low. We can last for only three more days at most. We need to find a way to replenish them.”

Before the middle-aged noble, a Violet knight responsible for logistics spoke with concern.

“There is another baron’s castle thirty kilometers northeast. That will be our next target.”

Hearing the noble’s words, the knight hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said,

“Baron, there is confirmed news from the south that the war is over. We… no longer have any reason to fight against Castell.”

The middle-aged noble gave him a glance.

“Are you questioning my decision?”

The knight quickly lowered his head.

“I wouldn’t dare…”

Taking a deep breath, he continued, gritting his teeth.

“It’s just that… the Duke has already negotiated peace with Countess Castell. Even if we continue to fight, it’s pointless.”

“Baron, over these days of following you, I’ve seen firsthand how you’ve rallied the defeated troops bit by bit, trained us into a brave force despite our low morale, and led us to repeatedly break through encirclements and launch surprise attacks on Castell’s nobles…”

“In these days, you’ve led us to win against larger forces, nearly crossing a third of Castell, turning the northern region upside down, scaring those incompetent nobles into wetting their pants when they see us.”

“Moreover… under your righteous and benevolent military strategy, even though we are striking at Castell’s rear, the northern commoners are willing to hide our whereabouts…”

“Baron, you are the most remarkable commander I have ever seen and the most upright, brave, and kind knight I’ve ever known. It is my honor and pride to fight alongside you.”

“But… please look at everyone. After so many days of battle, everyone is too tired. The Duke has already ceased hostilities, and everyone longs to return home.”

“With the war pressure gone from Castell, more and more troops are coming to hunt us down. If this continues, we could be surrounded and wiped out at any moment.”

“Baron, this is meaningless. We… have no reason to keep fighting.”

Hearing the knight’s words, the middle-aged noble fell silent.

His gaze fell on the Violet soldiers, seeing their weary expressions and the confused looks upon hearing about the peace talks.

He sighed deeply.

“Yes, the war is over.”

“You… indeed have no reason to continue fighting.”

Seeing the complex expression on the middle-aged noble’s face, the knight hesitated for a moment and said,

“Baron, it’s not just us. You too…”

“I know you fight for your lord and honor, but the Duke has already transferred you to Castell. Legally speaking, your lord is now Castell.”

“Recently, Northport has sent multiple messages saying that the young Countess seems to appreciate you greatly. Once this conflict is over, you will surely be valued highly by Castell!”

“Valued highly by Castell…”

The middle-aged noble’s eyes flashed with mockery at the knight’s words.

“I, Guillaume de Betel-Veillet, can bow to anyone but will never bow to Castell!”

The knight hesitated.

“Are you still resentful over the fall of the Veillet family?”

“Baron, forgive my bluntness, but the Star-Moon War was decades ago. The past is past, the future is what matters most.”

“In these recent battles, you must have seen that the current Countess of Castell, though a young girl, is absolutely qualified to be a wise ruler!”

“I think… if you follow her, there will certainly be a chance to rebuild the Veillet family and let the Violet flag fly again!”

“Rebuild the Veillet family…”

The middle-aged noble murmured, then shook his head.

‘It’s no longer possible. The Veillet family has vanished. The remaining members have become accustomed to a commoner’s life and no longer have the qualifications to revive the family.”

“But, isn’t there still you? You are also a collateral branch of the Veillet family!”

“Me?”

The middle-aged noble shook his head again.

“I am not of true Veillet blood, only a child adopted by the late Duke back then…”

“That’s all the more reason you shouldn’t be fighting against Castell! The Veillet era has passed, you should look forward.”

The knight couldn’t help but say.

The middle-aged noble glanced at him and shook his head once more.

“The Veillet family showed me great kindness. My life belongs to the Veillet family, and I will never betray them…”

“Castell is the Veillet family’s enemy, and thus, my enemy.”

He continued, addressing the knight.

“You are right, there is no meaning for everyone to keep fighting. When we reach the nearest town in Castell, you can take everyone to negotiate peace with Castell.”

After saying this, the middle-aged noble turned and walked into the forest.

“What about you? Aren’t you coming with us?”

The young knight shouted, watching the noble’s retreating figure.

“I will follow the oldest tradition and put an end to the grudge between Veillet and Castell…”

The knight’s expression changed.

“The oldest tradition?! You plan to engage in a knight’s duel?!”

“Are you out of your mind? Countess Castell’s strongest follower is the Crimson Blade, Sebastian! He is a genuine pinnacle Silver Moon knight!”

Despite the knight’s desperate shouts, the middle-aged noble no longer responded.

As the soldiers finished their rest and prepared to depart, a soldier on patrol came stumbling in from the outside.

“Baron! Baron! Cavalry, likely from Castell, are flanking us from outside the forest!”

Upon hearing the scout’s words, the soldiers began to stir.

“Castell’s cavalry?”

“Ridiculous, how did they find us here?”

However, Baron Betel’s concern lay elsewhere.

“Likely?”

He asked with a frown.

“Baron, they… they are carrying the Violet flower flag!”

The soldier responded.