Blood Holy Scripture: True Ancestor Charlotte de Castel
Chapter 427: Departure

Chapter 427: Departure

Baron Betel ultimately couldn’t refuse Charlotte’s request, or rather... the Lord’s demand.

Of course, he was indeed persuaded by the affectionate pitch.

Even knowing that Castel might want to strengthen central authority through a boiling frog approach, he was still moved by the various plans in the development stage and the future they heralded.

Strengthening central authority may be a future event, but if developed according to the plan, a revolutionary change in the Baron Betel Territory was inevitable.

Such an overarching developmental strategy was inseparable from the layouts, guidance, and support of higher-ranking lords; even if the nobles knew how to develop, they couldn’t do it without the involvement of the lords.

To gain something, one must always give something up, or rather, take on something.

After the audience had ended, Baron Betel accepted Charlotte’s invitation to dine with the young Count at Count Mansion, and he spent the night in a guest room there.

This was the best sleep environment he had experienced in over a month, yet he tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

The problem was that Count Mansion’s guest bed was too soft, which was not at all suitable for a poor Baron like him who was accustomed to sleeping on a hard wooden bed in his own castle.

The Castel family was indeed as wealthy as the rumors suggested.

Betel had not been to the Royal Capital, seen the Royal Palace, or visited the affluent and famous Moon God Coast City States.

But even compared to his recollection of the Violet Duke Manor during the Willert Family era, he felt... Count Castel Mansion might even be wealthier than the Duke Violet Manor.

This was not entirely a bad thing because as far as he understood, Castel was not amassing wealth by exploiting their subjects; rather, the family had mines and benefited from being at the trade center near Star Moon Strait, conveniently collecting "tolls."

And only with enough money could the young Count Castel support the developmental plans he envisioned.

When Baron Betel left Count Mansion, it was already the next morning.

The young Lord didn’t see him off in person and instead sent an Attendant.

"Lord Betel, Count is currently dealing with official duties and has asked me to bid you farewell in her stead."

"The Count has already arranged for the Officials who will carry out the development plans for Betel Territory. They will accompany you and assist with your forthcoming work,"

said Vincent de Roman Fuer, dressed in a black Deacon’s outfit, with a smile.

Upon hearing the Attendant’s words, Baron Betel was not surprised.

As a transferred vassal who had been through war, it was utterly normal for the Lord to strengthen control by having some Officials keep watch.

Working together is one way to put it; surveillance is another.

Noticing the Roman family’s characteristic Red Lilac crest on the Attendant’s chest, Baron Betel immediately realized that the Count Mansion Attendant before him was probably a member of the failed Red Lilac branch in the Lilac War, from the Roman Fuer family within Castel’s support line.

And such a crest was only worn over the heart by direct family members.

"Are you a member of the Roman Fuer family? What relation are you to the Viscount Roman Fuer?"

Baron Betel couldn’t help but ask.

"I am Vincent de Roman Fuer, the new second-level Attendant at Count Mansion, and the Viscount Roman Fuer is my father,"

Vincent replied with a smile.

A Viscount’s son, huh...

Baron Betel nodded.

It was quite common for a Lord to take the offspring of their vassals into their manor as Attendants. It signified closeness between the Lord and the vassal families, and only the most trusted vassal families would have the chance for their offspring to enter the Lord’s manor to serve as stewards, Attendants, wine pourers, or Attendants.

Clearly, the young Count had already secured the support of the Roman Fuer family, as could be seen from the Bold Castel conflict.

The indomitable nature of the Roman Fuer family was something even Betel Territory had heard about, and even the previous Northern Land Count had not entirely won their allegiance. To have subdued such a rumored "pirate" family, the young Countess’s prestige in the Northern Land was clear.

Considering this, Baron Betel’s respect for the young Countess grew.

He gave Vincent a slight nod in recognition, then turned and climbed into the carriage prepared by Count Mansion; however, as soon as he got on, he was startled.

"Yo, Guillaume brother, you finally arrived; I’ve been waiting here for ages!"

In the carriage, dressed in a noblewoman’s gown, Agnes greeted him with an excited little face.

"Miss Agnes? What are you doing here?"

Baron Betel exclaimed in surprise.

It seemed that something occurred to him, and he quickly looked at the coachman, who also lifted his head and gave him a slight smile:

"Guillaume, judging by your expression, it must have gone smoothly."

"Lord Rahael..."

Betel’s expression became even more vivid, and following the traces of excitement was puzzlement:

"You... are going back with me?"

"Of course, we’re returning with you,"

Agnes said with a smile.

Baron Betel was stunned for a moment, then became even more surprised:

"You... are the official mentioned by Count Castel?"

"That’s right! Also, you are now a vassal of the Northern Land; remember to address him respectfully as ’Count,’ even when not in the presence of your lord,"

Agnes instructed with a hand gesture.

Feeling the implicit respect for Count Castel in her words, Baron Betel’s expression grew increasingly awkward:

"You... have really sworn loyalty to Castel?"

"No, not to Castel, but to Charlotte de Castel,"

Agnes corrected.

Is there even a difference?!

Baron Betel wanted to complain.

"You don’t plan on restoring your family? The Castel family is only an earl; even if you shake hands and forget past hatreds, if you wish to reclaim the duchy..."

"She is an earl now, but that doesn’t mean she will always be one, and... one day you will realize how fortunate it is to be able to follow her..."

Agnes spoke meaningfully.

As Betel watched the young girl speak of Charlotte with a mix of reverence, awe, and fortune, his expression grew more peculiar.

Clearly, the most legitimate heir of the Willert family had taken on the likeness of Castel.

Of course, as for following such a lord, he held no aversion—in fact, he even harbored some anticipation.

...

Inside the study room of Count Mansion.

"They’ve already left?"

Charlotte inquired.

"Yes, they’ve left,"

replied the maid, Sherry.

"Baron Betel didn’t wonder about Miss Agnes’s appearance, which hasn’t changed for over a decade?"

"Miss Agnes said she would explain it as a blessing from the elves,"

answered Sherry.

"A blessing from the elves? That’s indeed a good explanation,"

Charlotte mumbled, then smiled and nodded slightly.

After speaking, she waved her hand:

"Please close the door for me; don’t let anyone disturb me."

Sherry respectfully withdrew, and after ensuring that Charlotte would not be disturbed, Charlotte sunk into her consciousness, connecting with the Blood Holy Scripture.

Nothing else mattered because, earlier that morning, Sebastian, who was tasked with quelling the rebellion, had sent a message through prayer.

The Legris family’s rebellion was about to be suppressed.