Gospel of Blood

The northern conflict ended, and Castell returned to peace.

Of course, it would take time to settle everything thoroughly; rewards and punishments couldn’t be decided immediately.

However, this wasn’t something Charlotte needed to worry about personally. She delegated these tasks to the newly formed Count’s Cabinet.

The new cabinet followed Castell’s old system, with Charlotte making only minor improvements. The three most important positions—Minister of Military Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Treasurer—were held by Viscount Roman-Four, Viscount Leon-Castell, and Sebastian, respectively.

There weren’t any drastic changes; the only significant shift was replacing the Lagrisse family with Sebastian, or more accurately, reclaiming that position for the Castell family.

Interestingly, Charlotte also gave Nice the title of Magic Advisor, placing him in the cabinet.

The idea of a cat in the cabinet might seem absurd, but the northern nobles did not oppose it.

The reason was simple.

Firstly, whether they liked it or not, Charlotte’s authority had been firmly established through two wars in the territory. She had gained the fealty of her vassals and become a true lord.

Secondly, no one in the territory truly saw Nice as just a black cat.

After all, where in the world would you find a pet cat capable of designing magical blueprints, creating magical items, and possessing more theoretical knowledge than the most renowned northern mages?

Some northern mages speculated that the Countess’ black cat might actually be the alchemical incarnation of a famous mage.

In addition, Charlotte selected capable nobles and heirs from secondary and emerging families to fill various roles in the Count’s estate.

Positions ranged from maids and attendants to butlers and overseers.

This was how Myria’s noble lords maintained relationships with their vassals.

With the rebellion quashed, only two of the three viscount families remained, but some knightly families that had distinguished themselves were poised to receive lands and become the new nobility of the north under Charlotte’s promise.

Charlotte might not remember all their names, but the cabinet would, integrating them into the northern nobility management system through positions in the Count’s estate and subsequent intermarriages among families.

Overall, despite some noble families rising through military achievements, the nobility’s power in the north was significantly diminished after two wars, while the lord’s power was greatly strengthened.

Not to mention, Charlotte’s direct domain almost doubled in size, mostly due to lands reclaimed from the Lagrisse family, which significantly strengthened her control over the territory.

Especially the Castell silver mine, the control of which had completely reverted to the Count’s estate, eliminating any chance of nobles usurping it as before her arrival.

After everything ended, Yurst did not stay in Castell but quickly returned to the Starfall Kingdom.

Although curious about the whereabouts of the True Ancestor, he had duties to attend to within the Nez Clan. Pressed by Duke Yorok, he had to hurry back.

This was a relief for Nice, who no longer had to face those who knew his true identity.

Nice did not disappoint Charlotte, recording the techniques and inscriptions for the Nicholas magic formation and presenting them to her within a few days.

Charlotte’s magical expertise wasn’t particularly high, mostly relying on the Gospel of Blood. Even so, she could see that the magic formation techniques Nice provided far surpassed those of the Borde Duchy and even the Crescent Kingdom.

“Of course, Crescent only got the stuff I researched centuries ago. Although my power has declined, my theoretical knowledge has continued to improve. The version I gave you has been refined countless times.”

In the study, Nice, in a human-like manner, placed his hands on his hips and boasted proudly.

Charlotte leisurely sat behind her desk.

Today, she wore a noble silk gown suitable for travel, black with intricate gold patterns and the Castell family crest embroidered on it, making her look more dignified and mature than usual.

She sipped sweet milk and browsed through the blueprints, smiling.

“Not bad. So, in terms of technology, can I trust you to handle the creation of our territory’s extraordinary army?”

Nice seemed very pleased with the word “our.”

He proudly glanced at Sebastian, who was serving tea and milk, his tail curling higher.

“No problem. Leave the technical aspects to me!”

“By the way… I’m curious, how did you become so proficient in extraordinary military formations? Did you ever plan to create your own extraordinary army back in the day?”

“Ahem… Lady Charlotte, those were the impetuous days of youth. Better left unspoken…”

Nice scratched his head, looking slightly sheepish.

Charlotte raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further.

Although she knew Nice was the Legendary mage Nicholas from centuries ago, it was clear he had many secrets.

For instance, how he offended various churches and how he became a cat were still mysteries.

Charlotte didn’t force him to reveal more. In this world, everyone has secrets. As long as there was no malice or betrayal, she didn’t mind her followers having their own secrets.

With this in mind, Charlotte put down the blueprints and turned to Sebastian.

“Sebastian, what about the follow-ups with Violet and Borde?”

Sebastian bowed and replied respectfully.

“Master, the Violet Duchy has been swift. They’ve already paid the first batch of ransom in full, and the related nobles have been released. The second and third batches should arrive next month.”

“And Borde?”

“Borde is farther away. The Mage Tower sent a message a few days ago that their delegation is on the way.”

Charlotte nodded slightly.

“Good. Arrange for the handovers before we leave.”

“Yes, as you command.”

“And the horses from the Northern Grand Duchy…”

“Rest assured, everything is arranged. The stables are ready to receive them at any time, just waiting for the North to send them over.”

“Excellent.”

Charlotte went over each task with Sebastian and Nice, planning the necessary arrangements in advance.

The central meeting in the capital was imminent, and the journey there and back would take at least a month or two. She had to handle the follow-ups in advance.

At this moment, a personal guard knight knocked on the study door.

“Countess, Priest Lottie from the church is here.”

Charlotte’s heart stirred.

“Lottie? Let her in.”

The door opened, and Priest Lottie, dressed in white robes, entered.

She glanced at Sebastian and Nice beside Charlotte, then bowed and handed her a parchment.

“Lady Charlotte, there is news from the Diocese.”

Charlotte took the parchment and carefully read it, raising an eyebrow.

“Master, what’s the matter?”

Sebastian asked curiously.

“It’s nothing. It’s an internal document from the church. The Castell branch needs to prepare for the arrival of the investigation team from the Crescent Diocese.”

Charlotte replied.

“An investigation team? Are they here to investigate that recent… um… disturbance?”

Sebastian chose his words carefully.

Charlotte nodded slightly.

“Yes, the divine warning bell rang, and since it was within the Diocese, they have to send people down to check it out.”

Hearing this, the people around her couldn’t help but glance at her, their expressions inscrutable. It sounded like the ringing of the divine warning bell had nothing to do with a certain someone…

“Preparing in advance… it seems the officials coming down this time aren’t simple. They even issued an internal document specifically. Lady Charlotte, can I see who’s coming?”

Nice asked curiously.

“Here, take a look.”

Charlotte handed it over.

Nice took the parchment and glanced at it. Just one look and his cat eyes widened.

“Meow?! Meow! The Chief Inquisitor of the Diocese?! And an Archbishop?! This… this… two Legendary?! Damn! The Crescent Diocese only has five Legendaries in total, and they’re sending two?!”

“There are only five Legendaries in the Crescent District?”

Charlotte was somewhat surprised.

“Five is already a lot! No, no… that’s not the point. The point is the Chief Inquisitor is coming! Lady Charlotte, the Chief Inquisitor of the Crescent Diocese has a record of ‘slaying God’ in the past!”

Nice exclaimed.

“Are you referring to the Old God’s resurgence incident in the Luna Coast City-State twenty years ago? It was just a newly resurrected Old God. As far as I know, that God’s power hadn’t even recovered to a Blazing Sun level.”

Sebastian recalled from church records he had read in Borde.

“But that’s still God-slaying! God-slaying and banishment are two different things!”

Nice argued.

“Nice, there’s no need to worry so much. We’ve disguised everything and notified the Blood Wolf Tribe to keep a low profile. The beliefs in the north are diverse, and even if the church investigates, all signs will point to the Blood Demon Cult and those other strange religions.”

“That’s a blessing! We really have to thank the Blood Demon Cult’s sacrificial rituals! But, Lady Charlotte, we need to leave quickly and avoid the investigation team’s route to prevent you from meeting them directly! Who knows if they might carry divine artifacts blessed by the Gods that could detect divine presence!”

Nice said.

Charlotte nodded slightly.

Strictly speaking, a local lord should meet the investigation team sent by the church. However, the central meeting in the capital had summoned her.

The Crescent Kingdom had long seen a power struggle between the church and the monarchy. As a noble lord, she could reasonably avoid meeting the investigation team by citing her attendance at the central meeting.

Moreover, the investigation team was looking into the divine warning bell’s disturbance, which was caused by the Blood Demon Cult. How could it relate to her, a devout believer of the Holy Court?

Thinking of this, Charlotte looked at Sebastian.

“Sebastian, are the preparations for departure complete?”

“Master, everything is ready. The carriage, supplies, escort team, and gifts are all prepared.”

“Good. It’s almost time. Notify Sherry, Reina, and Eudoxia that we are departing immediately.”

Charlotte then turned to Nice.

“Nice, you won’t be coming to the capital this time. Stay here and oversee the post-war ransom work. You’re most familiar with the mechanisms of the Holy Court, and you’ll be useful in handling the church’s investigation team.”

Hearing this, Nice made a wry face.

“I’ll do my best! I haven’t had much contact with the Chief Inquisitor, to be honest… I’m a bit apprehensive.”

Charlotte smiled.

“Have confidence, Nice. You’re a bigshot in the church.”

Nice: …

“Alright, it’s about time. Let’s head out early, we might leave the North by tonight.”

Charlotte said, glancing at the magic clock.

…

After handling affairs in the territory, Charlotte left the Count’s mansion.

The sunlight was bright, and Charlotte smiled as she looked at the sun, something she hadn’t done in a long time.

She didn’t use an umbrella. After merging with the ancient statue, her body had undergone some changes. While she wasn’t entirely immune to the weakening effects of direct sunlight, she had developed considerable resistance. At least… short walks under the sunlight were no longer a problem.

Outside the Count’s mansion, the Castel family’s convoy was ready, a grand sight with twenty carriages. Besides the accompanying nobles, officials, and attendants, they carried a large amount of cargo.

Especially mithril—about a third of the carriages were loaded with various grades of mithril and associated minerals.

On this trip, Charlotte not only aimed to attend the central meeting of the kingdom and meet King Louis V but also to interact with many of the kingdom’s lords. Some of these goods would serve as gifts for building relationships, while others would be traded.

Opportunities for the nobles of different regions to gather in the capital were rare. For Charlotte, this was also a chance to expand Castell’s trade channels for extraordinary materials.

The convoy was surrounded by armored knights, 150 in total, still under the command of Baron Sharon.

Nearby, nobles and officials from the direct dominion had come to see her off.

“Countess!”

Seeing Charlotte, the knights, nobles, and officials saluted in unison, creating quite a scene.

Charlotte nodded to them and then, under everyone’s gaze, boarded the most luxurious of the three main carriages, assisted by Sebastian.

Sherry, Reina, and Eudoxia, now dressed in Castell maid uniforms, also boarded the carriage, accompanying her as personal maids.

Once everyone was seated, Baron Sharon gave a loud command.

“Depart!”

With that, the knights escorted the convoy as it slowly moved out, leaving Northport under the respectful and curious gazes of its citizens…