Blood Holy Scripture: True Ancestor Charlotte de Castel
Chapter 118: Good evening, Count -106-

Chapter 118: Good evening, Count -106-

Accompanied by his attendant, the Tulip Count, wearing his mage robe and donning his exclusive mask, entered the grand hall of the Drunk Dream Saloon.

"Yo, isn’t this our dear Count? You’re looking particularly dashing today."

"Haha, good evening, Count, last time you found a real sweet treat for me! Is she here today as well?"

"Count! A toast to you!"

"..."

Upon the Tulip Count’s arrival in the hall, the nobles gathered around, eagerly greeting him.

Basking in the admiration of the crowd, the Tulip Count was in a cheerful mood and responded in kind:

"Hehe, distinguished guests, you too are looking quite stylish today."

"Sorry, our little darling only provides her company once, but... if you require, I can arrange someone with a similar style for you."

"A toast! My dear friends!"

"..."

With the Tulip Count’s responses, the atmosphere among the nobles grew even livelier.

And watching the hall filled with nobles, the Tulip Count couldn’t help but smile slightly.

Most of these nobles were unaware of his true identity, knowing him only as the Count they loved to address him by.

But as the host and the one who personally sent out the invitations, he knew every single secret of those present!

Ten years...

He had been at this for a full ten years!

90% of the noble families in the Bold Duchy had representatives attending the masquerades he organized!

Although most of these people weren’t the decision-makers of their families, united, they formed a formidable force.

Many among them were the future heirs to their families!

He had become friends with these nobles and also held leverage over them.

This was the network and resources he had amassed in secret!

Behind the mask of the Tulip Count was a face smiling with amusement.

Yet, his gaze flickered with a cold sharpness.

Hehe, dear brother.

Thanks to you, the whole Bold Duchy thinks I, Anthony, am a worthless fool...

But I, this fool, will sooner or later reclaim what is mine!

Both the Count Castel Domain and the Bold Duchy.

Soon, they will all be mine!

Thinking this, the Tulip Count quickly concealed the sharpness in his gaze.

Raising his glass with a smile, he downed the ruby-red wine in one go.

The hall immediately erupted in cheers.

He made a subtle gesture, signaling for silence, and then said warmly:

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Drunk Dream Saloon is about to begin. I’m off to check on the main attraction for tonight; see you all later."

"Haha! See you later!"

"I hear tonight’s highlight is a Transcendent?"

"Yes, so young and already on the Transcendent path, definitely a genius even among commoners."

"Suddenly, I’m even more excited about tonight’s saloon."

The nobles chattered among themselves.

The Tulip Count, smiling, made his way through the hall toward the iron door at the end.

However, upon reaching the iron door, his brow quickly furrowed.

"No guards on duty today?"

Looking at the unguarded entrance, he turned around to ask, his voice filled with dissatisfaction.

The attendant behind him instantly broke into a sweat and hurriedly said:

"There should... there should have been someone on duty. Perhaps... perhaps they had to leave for a moment?"

The Tulip Count’s frown deepened.

Although he knew that the dungeon below was heavily guarded, with sentinels stationed every five steps and watchmen every ten, such that even a mosquito could not slip through undetected, the Blood Demon Church members ultimately operated in the shadows.

If some inebriated noble accidentally wandered through the wrong door and saw them, recognizing their identities, it would invariably lead to complications.

"Even if there’s something going on, one must stay on guard!"

"Find out who’s on duty today; I want them to see me later tonight!"

He snorted coldly as he spoke.

After saying this, he pushed open the iron gate and walked in alone.

Entering the underground corridor, his vision quickly darkened.

However, Tulip Count had long been accustomed to it.

In the cells lining the hallway, the offerings for tonight were still deep in sleep, utterly silent.

He wasn’t surprised at all.

The effects of the potion on these girls hadn’t worn off yet, the deeper they slept now, the more energetic they would be later.

And one of his purposes for coming down was to help them shake off the potion’s effects.

"It’s about time, administer the energy potions to wake them up. Soon... it will be their stage."

Tulip Count ordered the Blood Demon Cultist on guard.

However, upon hearing his words, the Blood Demon Cultist did not respond.

Tulip Count, ready to move further in, stopped in his tracks.

He turned around, looking at the Blood Demon Cultist he’d just instructed, and frowned slightly:

"What are you dawdling for? Did you not hear me?"

The Blood Demon Cultist slowly turned around but didn’t answer. Instead, he performed a rigid bow, his voice devoid of emotion:

"Count, the master... is waiting for you in the study."

"Hm? The High Priest arrived quite early today."

Tulip Count was somewhat surprised.

He nodded slightly, dropped a reminder "Remember what I said," and then headed towards the study at the end of the corridor.

Today’s dungeon was exceptionally quiet.

Not only the sleeping girls, but even the Blood Demon Cultists on guard were more silent than usual.

They stood still, one by one, in perfect posture, like statues.

This made Tulip Count somewhat puzzled.

What’s with these usually slack fellows today?

Did they cause some trouble and anger that guy, the High Priest?

Muttering to himself, he arrived in front of the study.

Two Taboo Blood Servants of Starry First Tier stood ramrod straight and saluted, then opened the door for him.

Tulip Count strolled in casually, as if returning home.

As he entered the study, the two Blood Servants closed the door behind him.

Tulip Count didn’t mind.

He always preferred to discuss matters with the High Priest without being overheard, even by the Blood Servants.

His gaze swept around the study looking for the High Priest’s figure.

However, after scanning the room, not a shadow was to be seen.

Instead, he noticed the alchemical chair behind the desk, which could swivel, was facing the bookshelves.

The high backrest concealed everything; only the sound of pages turning could be heard.

Tulip Count immediately chuckled.

No wonder he couldn’t find anyone; the person was sitting in the chair!

Although he had been wanting to make a remark for some time, this High Priest of the Blood Demon Church was naturally short and stooped over. Now seated in his alchemical chair from behind, you couldn’t even see his head!

"Ha ha, Count High Priest, since when have you been interested in my collection of magic books?"

Tulip Count took off his mask and placed it on the shelf, smiling as he spoke.

At the sound of his voice, the page-turning stopped abruptly.

The chair slowly turned to face forward.

A silver-haired maiden in a maid’s outfit appeared before Tulip Count.

She sat in the chair with a stack of parchment in her hands, her crimson-gold eyes full of amusement:

"Good evening, Count."

Tulip Count was instantly stunned.