Blood Holy Scripture: True Ancestor Charlotte de Castel
Chapter 290: -55- Using public resources for private purposes

Chapter 290: -55- Using public resources for private purposes

Leaving the Count Mansion, Viscount Lien Castel sat in his family carriage, his mind heavy with worry as he returned to the family’s residence at North Port.

As soon as he got off the carriage, Derek de Lien Castel hastened over, surrounded by servants, and asked with concern on his face,

"Grandfather, how was it? Did the young Count Castel give you any trouble?"

Old Viscount Castel frowned and glanced at him, chiding,

"What young count? That is our Lord, the respected Count Castel!"

Derek was taken aback, seemingly puzzled by the sudden change in his grandfather’s attitude,

"Grandfather, weren’t you..."

Old Viscount Castel glared at him, his eyes sweeping over the surrounding servants, and whispered,

"Come with me to the study."

Once in the study, Viscount Lien Castel dismissed the butler and maids, while Derek took the initiative to pour his grandfather’s favorite West Yonette honey wine.

Old Viscount Castel picked up his wine glass and took a light sip, his expression easing slightly, while Derek couldn’t help but ask,

"Grandfather, why have you suddenly started to show such respect to the young... I mean, to Count Castel?"

Old Viscount Castel looked at him and said lightly,

"We are vassals of the Castel, and being loyal to our Lord is our duty. Naturally, we should respect Count Castel."

"But... but didn’t you previously say that Castel had no future left and would soon be swallowed up by other Great Nobles?"

Derek couldn’t help but say.

He furrowed his brow, unable to understand the change in his grandfather:

"Without the protection of Blazing Sun and having lost the protection of family Bold, even though Castel remains a vassal of Bold’s, it is clear that they are on the brink of collapse. As a branch of the Castel, we must make early preparations, and the Falling Star Bloodline is a power we can invest in..."

Hearing his grandson’s words, Old Viscount Castel looked at him deeply:

"Those words, did your friends from the Falling Star Kingdom tell you that?"

Derek paused, quickly bowed his head and said,

"You... worry too much, I don’t have any friends from the Falling Star Kingdom..."

Old Viscount Castel waved his hand, saying,

"Enough, although I am old, I am not blind. There are things I haven’t asked about, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know them. Usually, I just don’t want to ask too much, because sometimes, preparing multiple ways out is never wrong..."

"Rest assured, the Lien Castel family will eventually be yours. I no longer have the energy to foster another heir. Although you don’t have your father’s talent, you are better than your wasteful uncles. Given the family to you, at least it will fail more slowly."

Hearing his grandfather’s words, Derek’s face turned from pale to red,

"Grandfather, I didn’t..."

Old Viscount Castel sighed,

"I know you had no ill intentions. I’ve always been strict with you, and each of your uncles has his own territory. It’s quite normal for you to worry about your inheritance. Making connections with the Transcendent to solidify your position is understandable..."

"Rather, even I have implicitly endorsed your actions. The Northern Land is no match for the south. If the Bloodline from the Falling Star Kingdom wants to extend their reach into Castel, our small Lien branch wouldn’t have the power to contend... Rather than that, it might be better to join them, perhaps even use the change of power to preserve and even enhance the family’s status."

"Then, have you changed your mind now? Why?"

Derek couldn’t help but press on.

Old Viscount Castel looked at him,

"You must already know about last night’s attack on Count Castel, right?"

Derek instinctively wanted to deny, but seeing his grandfather’s penetrating gaze, he ultimately nodded earnestly,

"Yes, I know..."

However, after nodding, he quickly added,

"But I didn’t know they would use Arles as a decoy, nor did I expect Arles to suddenly thrust our Lien Castel into the spotlight! This wasn’t what was agreed upon at the beginning!"

Old Viscount Castel scoffed,

"Have you still not understood? The Falling Star Bloodline is forcing us, the Lien Castel, to take sides. After all, among the three viscount families, we are the closest to Castel, have the best reputation, and the greatest influence in the Count Territory—easy to use the familial connection to enhance our own power after issues within the Castel family arise..."

"New Moon is not Falling Star, nor is it Coria. Those Bloodline members ultimately wouldn’t dare to brazenly rule the Northern Land; they would still need to rely on the nobles of the Northern Land!"

At this point, as if reminded of something, Old Viscount Castel suddenly asked,

"Derek, after yesterday, the Bloodline from the Falling Star Kingdom hasn’t continued contacting you, have they?"

Derek looked as if caught off guard, slightly embarrassed,

"You... You know about that?"

"Not to hide it from you, yes, they indeed haven’t contacted me anymore. They clearly promised it would definitely succeed, but it seems... but it seems..."

"But it seems that they failed, and immediately lost contact afterward, right?"

Viscount Lien Castel asked.

"Yes."

Derek answered earnestly.

Looking at his not very bright but always arrogant grandson, Old Visant Castel felt deeply tired.

He sighed deeply and spoke earnestly,

"Derek, stop contacting the Falling Star Bloodlines."

"The Bloodlines of the Falling Star Kingdom might not be a match for Count Castel. Count Castel’s foundation is also far beyond our imagination. After all, she is that princess’s child. Even if the family has fallen, she would still hold some cards in her hand."

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