Gospel of Blood

Chapter 268: The Third Prince's Conspiracy

Viscount Roman-Four provided the records obtained from a Violet Underground black market merchant.

They had attacked the merchant’s ship, plundered its cargo hold, and captured the merchant for interrogation, obtaining this information through pure pirate means.

The records were extensive, covering some underground dealings between the Violet and Borde. These deals primarily involved war supplies such as food, extraordinary materials, and weaponry.

Additionally, the records included details about the distribution of some industries within Castell, even mentioning Castell’s mithril mine.

In the latter part of the records, the informant revealed a cooperation plan between the Violet and Borde duchies. They planned to join forces and, along with the rebels, attack Castell and divide the northern territory.

The records even mentioned specific plans for dealing with Charlotte, the Countess of Castell. Borde demanded she be captured alive if possible, while the Violet forces intended to deliver her to the Third Prince, Philip.

If the informant had been an ordinary black market merchant, the contents might have seemed fanciful. However, the informant was a direct descendant of the current ruling family of the Violet Duchy, responsible for facilitating underground trade between the two duchies.

Furthermore, Viscount Roman-Four attached numerous investigation reports from his family, detailing recent fleet movements in the Violet Duchy and price changes of war supplies at the two duchies’ coastal ports.

All this information indicated that the two duchies were indeed preparing for significant actions.

Charlotte asked as she picked up the parchment to review it again.

Viscount Roman-Four respectfully bowed and replied.

“Countess, you can rest assured. We are very professional in these matters. During the attack, we didn’t fly Castell’s flag but used the privateer flag of the Starfall Kingdom, leaving no trace back to us.”

Charlotte: …

“I wasn’t asking about that. What I want to know is where your initial information came from.”

She suppressed her urge to retort and inquired.

The Old Viscount responded.

“Countess, the information allowing us to ambush the merchant ship came from within the Royal Navy… Count Vere, the commander of the Star-Moon Strait Fleet of the Royal Navy, is an old acquaintance of mine. He provided the intelligence.”

Charlotte’s interest was piqued.

“Count Vere?”

“A royal court count, and the previous royal court teacher.”

Viscount Roman-Four said.

“A court teacher? An ally of the Second Prince?”

Charlotte paused, holding her teacup halfway.

Viscount Roman-Four subtly nodded in affirmation.

Charlotte felt a headache coming on.

As a mere countess, she had no interest or desire to get involved in royal disputes. However, her territory of Castell was too strategically important for both Borde and Crescent. From the moment she inherited this wealthy domain, it seemed she was destined to be drawn into the vortex of conflict.

“No wonder Viscount Remisio hinted I should beware of the Third Prince. He probably had some intelligence as well.”

Charlotte thought.

After some consideration, she looked at Viscount Roman-Four, her sapphire eyes gleaming slightly.

“Viscount Roman-Four, your intelligence is crucial. From now on, the Roman-Four family will need to coordinate with Castell to handle the rebellion and any potential invasions.”

Viscount Roman-Four, trembling, knelt on one knee, performing an old northern submission gesture.

“Of course, the Roman-Four family will always stand with you and follow your orders.”

Seeing his gesture, which had a distinctive Starfall Kingdom style and seemed to carry hidden meanings, Charlotte pondered.

…

After leaving the bound Borde messenger and the records, Viscount Roman-Four departed.

Before leaving, the Old Viscount stated he would remain in Northport until the rebellion was quelled, ready to follow orders. Meanwhile, the Roman-Four privateer fleet would continue patrolling the strait, gathering intelligence.

The Borde messenger was utterly terrified. This unlucky soul clearly knew nothing of these secret plots and genuinely believed he was merely representing Borde with goodwill.

Charlotte didn’t even glance at him, leaving him aside.

Sebastian cast a sound-blocking spell around himself and Charlotte, then spoke gravely.

“Master, if the Violet Duchy also joins the war, we’ll be in real trouble. Though poor, they have built a formidable army through decades of war with Starfall. They have at least a five-thousand-strong elite standing force that poses a significant threat even without mobilization.”

“With rebels threatening from the north, Borde troops poised for a sneak attack in the center, and the Violet Duchy stirring in the south, our situation is beyond dire.”

“Moreover, when a Duchy-level lord joins the fray, it’s almost certain that Blazing Suns will get involved. Although they are restricted from directly engaging in front-line battles, they can exploit many loopholes, inevitably pressuring us.”

“If we continue to adhere to conventional methods within the bounds of mortal rules, we… will find it very difficult.”

Charlotte looked at him, her thoughts stirred.

“You’re suggesting we use powers beyond the ordinary limits?”

Sebastian slightly bowed, indicating agreement.

Charlotte thought for a moment and said,

“This is an era that respects rules. Even I must tread carefully until I gain an absolute advantage to deal with the rule-makers behind the scenes…”

“The same goes for the rules of war. Millennia of development have established a set of war codes in Myria.”

“Below the Legendary tier, each power tier has its place and constraints. For instance, Blazing Sun tier beings cannot actively intervene in lower tier battlefields; extraordinary beings cannot slaughter ordinary beings; many dark, necromantic, and psychic magics are forbidden…”

She then chuckled softly.

“But you’re right. When others are ready to break the rules, I don’t need to stick to conventional methods either, especially against predetermined enemies.”

With that, she stepped out of the sound barrier and approached the trembling messenger. A crimson light flashed in her eyes, and she spoke calmly.

“Messenger, I have a question. If I accept your proposal, what happens next?”

“No… I know nothing! I’m just a messenger… just a messenger…”

The messenger trembled, clearly terrified.

Charlotte frowned slightly.

She smiled faintly, casting a calming spell, and gently said,

“Tell me, can you?”

Under the spell’s influence, the messenger gradually calmed down, his expression dazed. He replied dreamily.

“Co… Countess, Lord Gaston said that if you agreed, you would be invited to meet at a place between Tulip County and Northport to discuss the rebellion.”

“Gaston? Count Gaston?”

Charlotte’s mind recalled an elderly face she had met at the Duke of Borde’s birthday banquet, whose son, Jordan, had died in her undead summoning at the Dreaming Salon.

Thinking of this, Charlotte turned to Sebastian and smiled.

“Sebastian, it seems the commander of Borde’s troops is our old acquaintance.”

Then she turned to the dazed messenger, her sapphire eyes fully turning crimson.

“Go back and tell Count Gaston that I accept his proposal. I will attend his invitation.”