Gospel of Blood

The Northern Grand Duchy, a northern neighbor of the Crescent Kingdom, was a newly established feudal serfdom.

A few decades ago, it was a tribal alliance, but recent reforms under a visionary leader transformed it into a feudal state.

For hundreds of years, the Northern people were synonymous with pirates, bandits, and barbarians in the eyes of the Yunette populace, primarily from the Crescent Kingdom, the Starfall Kingdom, and the Western Yunette Empire. They represented barbarism and backwardness.

This perception remains, despite the Northern Grand Duchy’s modernization. They still clash with many central and southern countries of the continent, not just due to technological differences but also geographical and cultural conflicts.

In the human world, a hierarchy of contempt always exists. People habitually distinguish between “us” and “them”, deriving a sense of superiority from their identity.

Nobles despise commoners, city dwellers look down on rural folk, the Western Yunette Empire looks down on the Crescent and Starfall Kingdom, and the Crescent and Starfall Kingdom look down on the Northern Grand Duchy.

Just as the war ended, the Northern Grand Duchy sent an envoy, making this timing quite sensitive, as Castell had recently declared independence from Borde but had not yet sworn allegiance to the Crescent Kingdom.

Legally and nominally, Castell was a direct vassal of the Crescent Kingdom, but without an oath of allegiance, the relationship remained ambiguous.

Historically, there were instances of border lords declaring independence through successful uprisings, only to later pledge allegiance to neighboring countries.

In the feudal era, law is law, but reality is reality. With weak royal power, noble lords had significant autonomy. Strong lords could effectively create states within states.

The Northern Grand Duchy’s delegation wasn’t there to woo Charlotte, but like the Violet Duchy, they came to negotiate.

Charlotte wasn’t surprised. She still held thousands of Northern Isaac Lancers as prisoners, including many nobles, which was a significant number for the North.

The Northern people’s adventurous spirit drove them to become pirates or mercenaries, even after the country had been feudalized. Many Northerners, including nobles, were still eager for adventure.

This was why the Lagrisse family could recruit so many Northern mercenaries for their rebellion.

This time, the Northern Grand Duchy’s delegation came for these captives.

“Merciful, wise, wealthy, and beautiful Lord of the North, Countess Castell, the envoy from the Northern Grand Duchy, Hamid Casimir Novak, extends his highest regards.”

“Apologies for the trouble some of our compatriots caused during the Castel War…”

In the Count’s mansion, the bearded Northern Grand Duchy envoy, dressed in Yunette-style noble robes but retaining a rough overall look, bowed with a standard Yunette noble gesture to Charlotte.

From her lord’s seat, looking at the towering Northern representatives, Charlotte nodded slightly.

“Welcome, Sir Hamid Casimir Novak. I understand your intentions. Castell has no intention of retaining the Northern prisoners.”

“However, prisoners are prisoners, and your support for the rebels caused significant losses to Castell.”

“If you wish to ransom those nobles and warriors, you must offer a satisfactory price.”

The Northern envoy became more respectful.

“Of course, Countess, we are willing to offer magical beast materials at a rate higher than the usual ransom to redeem our reckless compatriots…”

Charlotte’s heart stirred at the Northern envoy’s words.

The Northern Grand Duchy, with its vast and sparsely populated, often harsh, regions, and expansive forests, wasn’t wealthy but had abundant magical beast resources.

If not for its remote location and harsh environment, the Northern Forests could qualify as the fourth adventure paradise for free mercenaries.

Charlotte was satisfied with the proposal, as Castell lacked extraordinary materials, not mundane currency.

However…

“Sir Hamid, if you wish to ransom those Isaac Lancers, this alone won’t suffice.”

Charlotte shook her head gently.

The Northern envoy frowned and asked in a thick Northern-accented common tongue.

“Countess, what do you find unsatisfactory?”

“Compensation.”

Charlotte paused and said,

“You mentioned only ransom but not compensation for the damages caused by the Isaac Lancers’ involvement.”

The Northern envoy pondered this, discussing briefly with his companions before bowing again.

“I understand, Countess. Then… in addition to the ransom, we could offer an additional 20% in mineral materials as compensation?”

Charlotte shook her head.

“Castell doesn’t lack ores. Your compensation must come from elsewhere.”

“Oh? What do you suggest?”

Asked the Northern envoy.

“Horses. I need warhorses.”

Charlotte paused and demanded boldly,

“All warhorses captured during the civil war will belong to Castell. Additionally, the Northern Grand Duchy must compensate Castell with 1,000 suitable standard warhorses, including 100 young and strong male dragon-scaled horses.”

This was indeed a bold demand. Strictly speaking, most horses ridden by the Isaac Lancers during the rebellion barely met the standards of warhorses. They were just better than Castell’s own horses.

Lancers, being light cavalry, didn’t need high-quality warhorses. But the standard warhorses Charlotte demanded were different.

A standard warhorse refers to a horse capable of carrying heavily armored cavalry, each one signifying the potential to form an extraordinary cavalry unit.

Dragon-scaled horses, infused with dragon blood, are exceptional and cannot be compared to ordinary warhorses.

They are practically magical beasts. Many elite knights do not even possess one such horse. Requesting a hundred, all male, is a steep demand even for the resource-rich Northern Grand Duchy.

Moreover, considering the historical tensions and border conflicts between Castell and the Northern Grand Duchy, providing such a substantial number of horses might be seen as “aiding the enemy.”

Charlotte’s bold demand was indeed a classic example of aiming high, not expecting full compliance. She would be content with acquiring 300 standard warhorses and 20 dragon-scaled horses suitable for breeding.

Upon hearing Charlotte’s terms, the Northern envoy frowned, turning to discuss with his delegation in their native language, even engaging in heated exchanges.

After a while, the envoy bowed again and respectfully responded.

“We understand, Countess. We accept your terms.”

Charlotte: …

Huh?

Did they really agree so easily?

She was momentarily confused, unsure if the envoy was bluffing or if her demands were within their acceptable range. A thousand standard warhorses could significantly influence a mundane war, let alone 100 dragon-scaled horses, which could potentially transform Castell’s cavalry into formidable units within a few years.

“Sir Hamid, are you serious? Can your decision represent the Northern Grand Duchy?”

Charlotte inquired.

Despite the envoy’s immediate agreement, she doubted they would comply so readily.

Either it was a trick, or they had ulterior motives. The envoy nodded slightly, replying,

“Indeed, Countess. Although your demands are stringent, the Grand Duke is sincere in fulfilling them. This decision aligns with his will.”

“However, we also have a precondition, or more accurately, a transaction or invitation.”

There’s a catch…

Charlotte raised an eyebrow, asking with a subtle smile.

“Oh? What condition?”

The Northern envoy took a deep breath, then bowed again respectfully.

To Charlotte’s slight surprise, he drew a ringed cross on his chest, a sign of devoutness, with an exaggeratedly pious expression.

“Praise be to the Holy One, esteemed Countess. As you can see, I am a devout believer. Not only I but also our current Grand Duke, Stefan Sobieski, is devoted to the Holy Court’s teachings.”

“The Grand Duke admires the Holy Court’s doctrine and has long wanted to adopt it as the Grand Duchy’s official religion. However, our Northern faith is chaotic, with Old Gods’ beliefs lingering…”

“The Grand Duke highly regards and admires your devout faith in the Holy Court. Your status as a Saintess is renowned in the North.”

“The Grand Duke seeks your assistance, inviting you and your clergies to visit the Grand Duchy and deploy experienced priests to help spread the Holy Court’s faith among our Northern believers.”

Charlotte was even more surprised.

She had speculated various conditions from the Northern Grand Duchy but hadn’t anticipated an invitation to propagate the Holy Court’s faith.

“Thank you for the Grand Duke’s invitation. However, I am merely a small Countess. My fief’s church has only one First Tier priest. Why doesn’t the Grand Duke request priests from the Theocracy?”

“To my knowledge, many priests and bishops in the Theocracy are keen on spreading faith in the North.”

Charlotte inquired calmly.

The Northern envoy respectfully bowed, saying,

“Countess, you jest. The Grand Duke seeks the Holy Court’s faith, and no one represents its doctrine better than you, the walking Saintess. You are more likely to be accepted by believers and the populace.”

Charlotte raised an eyebrow thoughtfully, understanding the deeper implication.

While the Northern Grand Duchy wanted to adopt the Holy Court’s faith, they likely didn’t want the strict control exerted by the church as seen in other Yunette nations.

The chaotic Northern faith was detrimental to governance. Feudalization increased religious conflicts, and the brutal Old Gods’ beliefs were no longer suitable. Choosing the benevolent Holy Court to stabilize rule was logical.

However, religious power could compete with the ruling class for authority, something the Northern Grand Duchy’s leaders wanted to avoid. Therefore, they sought Charlotte instead of the Theocracy.

After pondering, Charlotte smiled.

“I understand the Grand Duke’s intention. Deploying priests to assist in spreading the faith is feasible, and I will consider the invitation, though I cannot leave the Crescent Kingdom within the next six months.”

“Of course, Countess. Inviting you as the Saintess is ideal, but if you are unavailable, sending your trusted priests is also acceptable.”

The envoy replied respectfully.

Negotiations with the Northern delegation proceeded more smoothly than Charlotte anticipated. Once the main points of ransom and compensation were settled, Charlotte concluded the meeting, leaving the details to her cabinet to handle with the Northern delegation.

After the envoy left, only Charlotte and her butler Sebastian remained in the council chamber.

Sebastian couldn’t help but ask.

“Master, will you really accept the Northern Grand Duchy’s invitation and help spread the Holy Court’s faith?”

“Why not? It’s just deploying some priests. Besides, it’s a way to keep the overly energetic priests in my domain occupied.”

Charlotte smiled.

She then added with a sly grin.

“And isn’t it also an opportunity? The Northern faith is chaotic. If we include some of our own teachings, it could work out.”

Sebastian’s eyes widened.

“You mean… you intend to spread your faith in the Northern Grand Duchy as well?”

Charlotte smiled.

“If possible, why not?”

Sebastian pondered her words, his eyes reflecting deep thought.

Charlotte glanced around and asked.

“By the way… where is Nice? I haven’t seen him much since our return.”

Sebastian’s expression turned odd.

“Nice… if I’m not mistaken, he’s probably playing hide and seek with Sir Yurst right now…”

Charlotte: …?