Gospel of Blood

“The Violet Flower flag?”

“Veil… Veillet?”

The Violet soldiers were stunned by the scout’s words.

Although the Star-Moon War had ended over a decade ago, the prestige and legends of the Veillet family, which had ruled the Violet Duchy for nearly a thousand years, were still deeply ingrained in their hearts.

Baron Betel was no different.

He pondered for a moment and then suddenly realized something. He began searching through his pockets and quickly found a string of badges tied together with a cord.

The badge was shaped like a Violet flower, engraved with intricate patterns and complex magical runes. At this moment, it was faintly glowing as if responding to something.

Seeing the light of the badge, Baron Betel’s expression changed instantly.

This was the family crest of the Veillet family. Only the direct descendants and recognized members of the Veillet family would possess it, and they could sense each other.

“Baron, should we try to negotiate with them or withdraw in another direction?”

A Violet knight, who had been following Betel, couldn’t help but ask.

Baron Betel stared at the Violet badge in his hand for a while, then glanced suspiciously towards the outside of the forest, his expression hesitant.

Soon, another veteran on guard duty brought more news.

“Baron! Baron! Their troops have stopped about five hundred meters outside the forest! They’ve signaled they want to meet with you! And… they’re using signals from the Star-Moon War period!”

“Signals from the Star-Moon War period?”

Baron Betel’s eyes narrowed.

After a brief hesitation, he spoke in a low voice.

“Everyone, get into battle positions and prepare for both combat and retreat…”

“Some of you, come with me to meet them.”

Selecting a few volunteer knights and soldiers, Baron Betel walked out of the forest.

Outside the forest, heavily armed Castell cavalry were stationed about five hundred meters away, numbering perhaps a thousand or two.

They held high the Violet Flower flag and a leading knight waved a white battle flag, signaling a ceasefire for negotiations.

Baron Betel motioned for his accompanying soldiers to stop, then stepped forward, looking towards the Castell army, his gaze moving among the cavalry.

In a deep voice, he said,

“I am Guillaume, the Violet’s Commander.”

“Who is it? Who wants to see me?”

Upon seeing Baron Betel, a fully armored knight from the Castell side rode out from the ranks and approached Baron Betel.

He was tall, nearly two meters in height.

Seeing the approaching knight, the Violet soldiers immediately became wary.

As a First Tier extraordinary individual, Baron Betel’s vision was better.

He immediately noticed the same violet flower crest on the chest of the other knight’s equally weathered armor.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

The Castell knight soon stopped a short distance from Baron Betel. He halted his warhorse, standing in the shadow of a tree, his weathered gaze behind his helmet falling on Baron Betel, sighing.

“Little Guillaume… it really is you.”

Hearing this long-forgotten nickname and the somewhat familiar voice, Baron Betel’s expression became dazed.

He looked at the tall knight before him in surprise, his voice deep.

“Who are you?”

The Castell knight slowly removed his helmet, revealing a weathered and resolute face.

Upon seeing that familiar face, old memories instantly revived in Baron Betel’s mind.

“Sir… Sir Lahel? You… you’re still alive!”

Recognizing the person, Baron Betel’s eyes widened.

Lahel de Raine.

The last knight commander of the Veillet family, a loyal knight to the direct line of Veillet, and the riding and swordsmanship instructor for the last batch of Violet knights, including Baron Betel, trained at the Violet castle.

Lahel smiled slightly and said,

“Guillaume, it’s been a long time.”

“After all these years, you have become an excellent commander who can hold his own.”

Looking at Lahel, Baron Betel’s expression became dazed, and he couldn’t help but sigh.

“Sir Lahel, it has been a long time.”

“You… look almost the same as back then…”

After speaking, as if he thought of something, Baron Betel’s expression changed again, becoming instantly alert.

“Why are you in the Castell army, and why are you deliberately displaying the Veillet flag?”

“Could it be that you have pledged allegiance to Castell and betrayed Veillet?”

Hearing Baron Betel’s words, Lahel shook his head.

“Betray Veillet? No, of course not.”

“I have always been a loyal knight to Veillet. I was, I am, and I always will be.”

“The reason I am here is that my young mistress wants to see you. She was once your young master too.”

“Young mistress?”

Baron Betel was stunned.

After speaking, Lahel turned to look towards the Castell army and shouted.

“Miss, it is indeed Baron Betel! Guillaume de Betel-Veillet!”

Upon hearing Lahel’s words, the Castell army stirred slightly.

The cavalry parted, making way.

Soon, a young woman on a black warhorse, dressed in a black noble gown and cape, appeared in Baron Betel’s sight.

The mysterious young woman rode up to Lahel’s side, and the already dismounted Lahel respectfully stood a step behind her.

“You… who are you…”

Looking at the noble attire adorned with the Violet flower on the young woman, Baron Betel’s confusion deepened.

Then, the young woman, also in the shade of the tree, removed her cloak, revealing her true appearance.

She was a beautiful young girl, around seventeen or eighteen years old.

She had the beautiful flaxen hair unique to the direct line of the Veillet family, and her amber eyes were full of smiles.

“Brother Guillaume, long time no see.”

Seeing the beautiful young girl before him, old memories fully revived.

Her image overlapped with a distant memory, and Baron Betel’s eyes widened, his expression filled with disbelief.

“Miss… Agnes?!”

“You… you’re still alive too?!”

But soon, his gaze narrowed, his expression turning puzzled.

“No, is it really you? How can you look so young, just like back then?”

“And… why are you standing with the Castell army?”

Hearing Baron Betel’s words, Agnes sighed.

“It’s a long story…”

“The feud between the Veillet family and Castell has ended. The current Castell is a force helping to revive the Veillet family and the suzerain the Veillet family follows.”

Saying this, Agnes looked at Baron Betel and earnestly said,

“Brother Guillaume, Veillet is no longer your lord. Your knightly contract with the Veillet family… is also over.”