Gospel of Blood

Chapter 396: Return

“Achoo—! Which jerk is bad-mouthing me behind my back again?!”

“It’s definitely that bootlicker Sebastian talking bad about me in front of… um, Lady Charlotte. That elf-faced, demon-hearted guy is always up to no good!”

After saying that, Nice’s eyes rolled around.

“Speaking of… it’s been more than ten days since we heard that Lady Charlotte is returning. By my calculations, she should be back soon.”

“I need to prepare early and head out to the outskirts to greet her, and make a good impression!”

Thinking this, Nice felt that after almost two months of leisurely time, it was time to pull himself together. At least he couldn’t let the sycophantic nobles of the territory outshine him.

“Jennifer, prepare the carriage for Lord Cat. I need to go out and welcome Lady Charlotte!”

Nice said to the maid cleaning the room.

The maid paused slightly, about to respond, when suddenly a young mage in a robe rushed in, followed by two personal guard knights.

Upon hearing the young mage’s words, Nice jumped up immediately.

“Huh? What? So soon? She’s already entered Northport Viscounty?”

“The leading knight said that Lady Charlotte was eager to return and declined the invitations of the nobles along the way, without stopping.”

The young mage of the count’s residence said.

“Got it. Quickly make arrangements. Prepare the carriage to head out and welcome her immediately. We, as the trusted followers of the Castell family, cannot be outdone by those northern nobles. We must be the first to see Lady Charlotte!”

Nice commanded swiftly.

Hearing this, the mage’s expression became a bit odd.

“Ahem, Sir Nice, it seems that the nobles of the city had already left to wait a day ago…”

Nice: …

“Damn it, a bunch of shameless bootlickers. Quickly! Immediately! Prepare the carriage!”

Nice glared with his cat eyes, cursing.

…

Outside Northport City.

The convoy bearing the Castell’s crest was approaching grandly under the protection of armored knights.

On both sides of the road, nobles awaited eagerly.

At a glance, including family members and servants, there were likely no fewer than a thousand people. Nearly all the well-known nobles of the North had come.

Among them were the two major viscounts under the northern counts, Viscount Roman-Four and Viscount Leon-Castell, both present with their families, standing at the forefront of the crowd.

Nice stood in the very front with the trusted followers of the Castell family.

This guy, for once, wasn’t lounging on a chair but stood proudly on the back of a tall horse, with a fully armed knight of the count’s residence sitting behind him.

Seeing the approaching convoy and the swirling dust from afar, Nice felt a bit nervous.

He coughed lightly and turned to the knight behind him.

“Hey, do I look spirited enough?”

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The personal guard knight nodded.

“You look very spirited.”

Nice immediately let out a sigh of relief.

However, looking at his ball-like figure, the personal guard knight hesitated and then cautiously added.

“Only… have you gained some fat recently?”

Nice: …

“Fat? What fat? This is called prosperous! Prosperous, you understand?”

He retorted with a glare.

But after saying that, he touched his round belly with his chubby paw, his gaze wandering a bit.

“Seems like… I have gained some.”

“No way, I need to lose some weight. Otherwise, even scratching an itch is hard.”

Personal guard knight: …

“Alright, I get it. Lady Charlotte’s convoy is here. Let’s go greet her.”

Seeing the count’s convoy getting closer, Nice rubbed his paws and said.

…

This was Charlotte’s second return to the territory.

After crossing the last hill leading to the Northport Viscounty, Charlotte saw the welcoming crowd outside the city, far exceeding what she saw the first time.

Not only that but during the half-day journey after entering the North, the vassal territories along the way also welcomed her with families, inviting her to stay in their castles or manors.

Of course, she politely declined them all.

The convoy gradually halted, and the nobles enthusiastically approached.

Charlotte signaled her dragon maid Eudoxia to lift the curtain, and upon seeing Charlotte in the carriage, the nobles smiled joyfully. Led by the two viscounts, they respectfully said,

“Lady Charlotte, welcome back to the territory. Congratulations on becoming the kingdom’s direct lord!”

Looking at the nobles bowing to her, Charlotte sighed inwardly.

She recalled how, over a year ago, when she first arrived in the territory, almost no nobles paid her any heed. The local vassals were nearly all perfunctory.

But now, after quelling the Lagrisse family rebellion and the victory in the Borde-Castell war, Charlotte had proven herself. She had used various methods to suppress and win over the nobles, greatly improving the Castell’s situation.

Perhaps she couldn’t yet claim absolute authority in the territory, but she was already recognized and loyal as a lord by the northern nobles.

Of course, nobles were nobles. To gain the broader recognition of the common people, she needed to continue working hard. If one day those welcoming her included many common people, it would mean she had truly won their hearts.

“Meow! Lady Charlotte! You’re finally back! I missed you so much these days! Couldn’t eat properly every day!”

A flattering, coarse voice came from the side. A large black ball rolled to Charlotte’s feet.

Charlotte looked for a moment before recognizing it was the black cat Nice.

In almost two months of absence, this guy seemed to have gained weight again.

“Hah, not eating well? Sir Nice, you should look in the mirror and consider whether you blush when saying that.”

Sebastian sneered, speaking sarcastically.

Nice immediately glared back.

“What do you know?! This is depression fat! I was so down every day without seeing Lady Charlotte, I had to rely on eating to cope!”

“Depression fat? Or just getting lazy and gluttonous without Master’s supervision?”

“Meow! Slander! That’s sheer slander! You elf with a belly full of bad water, always talking bad behind people’s backs! Absolute disgrace to elves!”

“No, I never talk bad behind people’s backs. I only state facts, about the lazy and gluttonous pet.”

“You! Meow—! This cat is furious!”

Nice’s cat mouth couldn’t outmatch Sebastian, getting so angry that he felt his lungs would explode.

“Meow… Lady Charlotte, he’s bullying me again. Where am I lazy? I’ve been diligently guarding the house, guiding the family’s mages in my spare time, and even wrote a secret method for awakening bloodlines for them. I’ve been working so hard!”

Nice pounced in front of Charlotte, tears and snot everywhere.

However, his overly fat body and coarse voice, trying to act cute like a kitten, were somewhat eye-searing.

However, Charlotte didn’t mind much.

She only darkened her face upon hearing the words “secret method for awakening bloodlines”, recalling something.

“Alright, enough. Quiet down, let’s head back to the city.”

Charlotte said.

After speaking, she looked at the two old viscounts.

“Viscount Roman-Four, Viscount Leon-Castell, please accompany me.”

Upon hearing Charlotte’s words, Viscount Leon-Castell’s face lit up, and the normally stern Viscount Roman-Four showed a respectful attitude. They bowed to Charlotte, then mounted their horses on either side of her carriage.

Being able to ride alongside the lord signified recognition and closeness. Although older, both viscounts were extraordinary individuals, more than capable of riding a horse.

“Let’s continue.”

Charlotte ordered.

She didn’t spare Nice a glance, closing the curtain once more.

“Hey.”

Sebastian cast a taunting glance at Nice, lifting his chin proudly.

Nice’s already dark face seemed to darken further. He glared at Sebastian, muttering a few curses under his breath, but when his gaze fell on Charlotte’s carriage, his eyes betrayed a hint of guilt.

Could it be… had he been caught doing something wrong again?

Nice’s mind raced, quickly reviewing recent events to see if there were any hidden misdeeds.

Meanwhile, Charlotte had already stopped paying him any attention. The Castell convoy resumed its journey, with the welcoming nobles joining the procession, heading towards Northport.

…

“Countess, the post-war reconstruction of Northport is nearly complete. However, the northern territories still need time. Despite support and aid from the Count’s Cabinet, there remains a significant funding gap. It will take local lords a long time to recover on their own.”

“Thanks to the previous naval battle, Northport’s Shallow Water Street was destroyed in the war. The city hall has taken this opportunity to demolish most of the buildings there and has already planned a new Northport district on the land outside the island, which is currently being developed.”

“Castell Academy has been officially established, using the Lagrisse family’s manor in the city as the campus. The first batch of students, totaling 67, have been enrolled, mostly from common backgrounds. Due to a lack of foundation, the nobles are not very enthusiastic and prefer to hire private tutors.”

“Additionally, about half a month ago, the northern investigative team from the church completed its survey of the Castell territory. As per your instructions before leaving, we reported everything about the ruins. The church concluded that the Blood Demon Cult was responsible.”

“The ruins remain under our control, but after the investigation, it was found that there was nothing significant left, just some debris.”

…

Northport, Count’s Cabinet.

Charlotte, back in her domain, didn’t rest much. Instead, she listened to Viscount Leon-Castell’s report in her study.

Although she had only been away for two months, much had happened in the North.

Everything proceeded according to her original plan. The nobles proved quite capable, with ample resources and manpower. Northport showed little sign of recent warfare, and the Shallow Water Street slums had the opportunity for redevelopment due to the destruction.

After hearing the report, Charlotte pondered for a moment and said,

“The funding gap for post-war recovery can continue to be filled by the Castell family, but the remaining funds should be loans, not gifts. Of course, local leaders can use land or other assets as collateral or for exchange.”

“Ensure the proper resettlement of the slum residents during the redevelopment of the Shallow Water District. Prioritize hiring from the poor for the new district construction, providing work in exchange for relief. Compensate for the buildings in the Shallow Water Street that were not destroyed in the war.”

“There’s no need to rush with the academy. Starting is always difficult and lacks foundation. I’ll donate the Castell family’s collection of books, as well as those confiscated from rebellious noble families, to form the academy’s library. Any teacher who has worked at the academy for over a year can freely browse the collection.”

Viscount Leon-Castell’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Donating all the books? Countess, this is unthinkable! Extraordinary knowledge is the foundation of nobility. If we donate everything… Castell…”

“The Royal Library has tens of thousands of books available to students of the Royal Magic Academy. Why can’t we do the same in Castell?”

Charlotte interrupted him.

Viscount Leon-Castell hesitated, then Charlotte continued.

“It’s decided. We must offer knowledge to attract true talent, both teachers and students alike. Of course, access to the library won’t be granted to just anyone. Only those who prove their worth can enter. Follow the Royal Library’s management model but ensure to favor the commoners over the nobles.”

Viscount Leon-Castell sighed deeply.

“Countess, your generosity is humbling…”

After speaking, he felt a sense of admiration. The Castell family had a vast collection accumulated over centuries, especially extraordinary knowledge with deep roots.

Viscount Leon-Castell considered that once the library was established, his family could send members to teach at the academy or even enroll some offspring as students.

No other noble family in Myria would make such a sacrifice!

He pondered whether to view the Countess’ decision as magnanimous or somewhat extravagant.

However, Charlotte didn’t care much for the Castell collection. Compared to the emptied Royal Library in her mind, the Castell collection was insignificant.

When combined with the Gospel of Blood’s bloodborne heritage and Nice’s magical knowledge, it was even more negligible.

But for the northern nobles and commoners, it was a different matter. Rather than let the books gather dust in the Count’s residence, it was more efficient to put them to use.

As for the Royal Library’s knowledge in her mind, it was reserved for her future followers. It couldn’t be taken out even if she wanted to.

After spending half a day, Charlotte finished her audience with the nobles and understood the territory’s situation over the past two months.

After everything was concluded, Charlotte sipped some sweet milk brought by Sherry and then smiled knowingly at Nice, who stood quietly to the side, trying to appear as inconspicuous as possible.

This rascal had finally realized that something was amiss and had likely implicated him.

“Nice, is there something you’ve been hiding from me all along?”

Charlotte looked at him meaningfully.

Nice, feeling guilty under her piercing blue gaze, forced a laugh.

“What are you talking about, Master? We’ve been contracted for two years now. I’m your cat through and through, in body and spirit. There’s nothing I could be hiding from you.”

Charlotte remained silent, still staring at him calmly.

Nice’s scalp tingled. He coughed, his eyes becoming more evasive.

Running over to Charlotte, he looked up with wide, innocent eyes, hugged her leg clad in white stockings, and said ingratiatingly yet cautiously.

“Master, um… regarding this matter you think I’m hiding, could you give me a hint?”