Charlotte wasn’t insistent.
In this world, who doesn’t have secrets? As long as there was no malice or deceitful betrayal, she didn’t mind her followers having their little secrets.
With that thought, Charlotte set aside the blueprint and turned to Sebastian beside her:
"Sebastian, how are things progressing with Violet and Bold?"
Sebastian bowed and replied with respect:
"Master, Violet Duchy has been quick. They have already delivered the first installnt of the ransom, and the related nobles have been released after handover. The second and third installnts should also be in place next month."
"And Bold?"
"Bold is further away. The Mage Tower sent a ssage a few days ago; their team is already on the way."
Charlotte nodded slightly:
"Right, let’s make sure all handover tasks are arranged before we leave."
"As you command."
"And the horses from Northern Territory Grand Duchy..."
"Please rest assured, I have also arranged that. The stables are ready to receive the horses at any ti; it depends on when Northern Territory sends them."
"Good."
Charlotte went through the tasks one by one with her companions, a man and a cat, making sure everything was arranged in advance.
The central council eting at the Royal Capital was imminent, and with this journey, it would be at least a couple of months before they could return. She had to make sure all follow-up matters were dealt with in advance.
It was at this mont that a Personal Guard Knight knocked on the study door:
"My Lady Count, Priest Lotti from the Church has co to visit."
Charlotte felt a stir in her heart:
"Lotti? Let her in."
The door opened, and Priest Lotti, dressed in a white Divine Robe, quickly entered.
She glanced at Sebastian and Nisi beside Charlotte, then bowed to the young girl and handed over a parchnt scroll:
"Lord Charlotte, there’s news from the diocese."
Charlotte took the parchnt scroll and read it carefully, raising her eyebrows slightly.
"Master, what is it?"
Sebastian asked curiously.
"Nothing much, just an internal docunt from the Church, instructing the Castel branch to prepare for reception. The New Moon Diocese’s Investigation Team will be coming down."
Charlotte explained.
"Investigation Team? Are they coming to investigate that incident from a few days ago... um... the disturbance?"
Sebastian chose his words carefully.
Charlotte nodded slightly:
"Yes, the God Suppressing Bell rang, and it was within the diocese, so they have to send soone to check."
Hearing the girl’s words, everyone couldn’t help but give her a look, their expressions indescribable.
Her words made it sound like the ringing of the God Suppressing Bell had nothing to do with soone in particular...
"Preparing in advance, tsk... it seems the identity of these priests coming down is quite significant, to warrant an internal docunt. Lord Charlotte, may I see who is coming?"
Nisi asked curiously.
"Here, take a look."
Charlotte handed it over.
Nisi took the parchnt scroll, glanced over it briefly, and after only one look, his cat eyes widened:
"ow?! ow! The Great Judge of the diocese?! And a cardinal?! This... this... two legendaries?! Damnation! There are only five legendary characters in the New Moon Diocese, and now two are coming?!"
"Does the New Moon Diocese only have five legendary characters?"
Charlotte was sowhat surprised.
"Five is already quite a number! Ah, no, no... that’s not the point, the point is that the Great Judge is coming! Lord Charlotte, the Great Judge of the New Moon Diocese has a record of ’God Slaying’ in the past!"
Nisi exclaid.
"Was it the Old Gods resurgence event at the Moon God Coast city-states twenty years ago? Just a newly revived Old God, and from what I know, that God’s strength hadn’t even recovered to the level of the Blazing Sun," Sebastian reflected upon the Church scriptures he had read in Bold.
"But that was God Slaying! God Slaying and banishing are two entirely different matters!" Nisi said.
"Lord Nisi, there’s no need for so much concern; we have already prepared disguises and have inford the Blood Wolf Tribe to keep a low profile for now. The faith across the Northern Land is mixed; even if the Church cos to investigate, everything will point toward the Blood Demon Sect and those odd religions."
"How fortunate! I really am grateful for the Blood Demon Sect’s sacrificial ritual! However, Lord Charlotte, we need to set off quickly and avoid the sa route as the Investigation Team, to avoid a direct encounter with them! Who knows if they’ll carry Divine Artifacts blessed by the Divine Lord, capable of sensing the presence of deities!" After hearing Nisi’s words, Charlotte nodded slightly.
Strictly speaking, when the Church sends an investigation team, the local Lord is certainly expected to et with them.
However, who could fault the Royal Capital’s central assembly for summoning her as well?
The Church and Royal Authority of the New Moon Kingdom had been at odds for many years now. As a Noble Lord, she could legitimately avoid them by attending the Capital’s convocation.
Besides, the Investigation Team’s inquiry was related to disturbances in the God Suppressing Bell, which the Blood Demon Sect had stirred up. What did it have to do with her, a devout Lord faithful to the Holy Royal Court?
Thinking of this, Charlotte turned to Sebastian:
"Sebastian, is everything ready for our departure?"
"My Lord, everything has been prepared—the carriage, supplies, guard team, and gifts are all arranged."
"Good, the ti is nearly upon us; we should set off. Notify Sherry, Rena, and Odosia that we are leaving imdiately."
Having finished speaking, Charlotte then addressed Nisi:
"Nisi, you won’t accompany us to the Royal Capital this ti. Stay behind and take care of our ho, and prepare for the post-battle ransom work. You are most familiar with the inner workings of the Holy Royal Court. It’s better to stay on the estate to deal with the Church’s Investigation Team."
Upon hearing Charlotte’s words, Nisi suddenly pulled a grim face:
"I... I’ll do my best! I haven’t had much interaction with the Great Judge, to be honest... and I’m sowhat intimidated."
Charlotte smiled:
"Be confident, Nisi, you are an important person in the Church."
Nisi: ...
"Alright, it’s about ti we go; if we leave early, we might even get out of the Northern Territory tonight."
Charlotte checked the ti on the Magic Clock and said.
After ensuring everything at ho was in order, Charlotte left the Count Mansion.
Today, the sunlight was brilliant, and Charlotte watched the splendid sun with a rare smile on her face.
She didn’t use an umbrella.
After rging with the Divine Statue, her constitution had subtly changed, and though not immune to the weakening power of direct sunlight, she had developed a respectable resistance.
At least... a short ti under the sun was no longer a problem.
Outside the Count Mansion, the Castel family’s convoy was ready to depart, a grand procession of twenty carriages. In addition to the accompanying Nobles, Officials, and servants, they carried a vast amount of goods.
Especially Mithril—in twenty carriages, almost a third were loaded with Mithril of different qualities and various accompanying ores.
This trip was not only for Charlotte to attend the central eting of the Kingdom and et King Louis V but also to interact with many Lords of the Kingdom—so of the goods would serve as gifts for building relationships, while others were commodities for trade.
Opportunities for Nobles from various regions to gather in the Royal Capital were scarce, and for Charlotte, this was also a chance to expand the Castel family’s transcendent material trade channels.
Surrounding the convoy was an escort of one hundred and fifty Armored Knights, still commanded by Baron Sharon.
Not far off were Noble Lords and Officials from the Directly Administered Domain who’d co upon hearing the news to bid farewell.
"Count!"
Upon seeing Charlotte, the Knights, Nobles, and Officials all saluted in unison—an impressive display.
Charlotte acknowledged everyone with a slight gesture. Then, under the watchful eyes of all present, assisted by Sebastian, she climbed aboard the last of the three most luxurious leading carriages.
Sherry, Rena, and Odosia, now dressed in Castel maid uniforms, also followed into the carriage, accompanying her in the guise of personal maids.
Once everyone was seated, Baron Sharon called out:
"Depart!"
With his command, the Knights began to escort the slow-moving convoy out of North Port City, under the awed yet curious gazes of the citizens...
(The second volu, end)
Reviews
All reviews (0)