Tome of Blood

Eleanor?

So, she is the daughter of the Duke of Boulder?

Charlotte's heart twitched slightly.

With Leno leaving the family and giving up the right of inheritance, the only legal heir of the Duchy of Boulder is Eleanor, the only daughter of the Duke of Boulder.

If you don't count age but seniority, the other party is still her niece.

Eleanor concluded a marriage contract with the Crescent Royal Family when she was young, and moved to the Royal Capital to study and live more than ten years ago. Charlotte inherited the memory that she was not familiar with the other party, and she had hardly even met her a few times.

She didn't know the other person's personality or appearance, but looking at the other person's stiff smile at this moment, she felt a strong sense of déjà vu...

However, this sense of sight comes and goes quickly.

Eleanor's smile quickly returned to normal, as if the inexplicable emptiness just now was just Charlotte's illusion.

Charlotte intends to investigate carefully, but the Duke of Moonguard, who is an archmage, is nearby, making her afraid to act rashly, and Eleanor and the third prince obviously have some kind of magic item that can cover up the breath, Charlotte Can't even feel their strength.

At the same time, the third prince Philip, who was standing side by side with Eleanor, looked at Charlotte with a flash of surprise in his eyes.

He smiled brightly, and said elegantly and kindly:

"I have long heard that the Pearl of Boulder, Miss Charlotte of Castel, has a beauty that even the gods are jealous of... What I see now, really lives up to her reputation."

As soon as these words came out, the nobles around couldn't help casting their gazes at the girl and the prince.

Charlotte's heart skipped a beat.

The words of the third prince sounded like praise, but they put her together with the gods, and there was even a feeling of putting her on the fire...

After all, in a world that truly has gods, how can mortals be compared to gods?

Although Charlotte knew that the Crescent Royal Family was at odds with the church, she did not expect that even a prince would dare to speak like this in public.

It seems that the differences between the royal family and the church are greater than she imagined, and the open and secret struggle between the monarchy and theocracy may be more intense.

"Your Highness, you are too serious. Everything Charlotte has is a gift from the gods."

Charlotte said piously, and did not forget to draw a standard cross on her chest.

The third prince was obviously taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said:

"It seems that you are indeed a true holy believer as the rumors say... Sorry, I was a little presumptuous."

With that said, he looked at Sebastian next to Charlotte again, and said curiously:

"So, this Elf, is it Mr. Sebastian, the 'Blade of Crimson Flame'?"

Crimson... Crimson Flame Blade?

What kind of title is this in Japanese light novels?

Charlotte was visibly taken aback.

She glanced at Sebas beside him strangely, and Sebas froze for a moment, then said gracefully:

"Your Highness, it's all a thing of the past, and it's a good name that's been passed around in the mercenary world. I'm just Lord Charlotte's steward now."

The third prince looked stunned and nodded slightly.

Instead of continuing on the subject, he turned to chatting with Charlotte:

"Miss Charlotte, I heard that you are going north to the territory?"

"Yes, I have just inherited the title not long ago, and there are still many things in the territory that I need to deal with myself."

Charlotte replied with a smile.

"How many days do you plan to stay in Anluo? Castel is Polder's backing, and I am Eleanor's husband, so you are naturally my friend."

"I have a winery in Anluo, and I am going to hold a wine party in three days. At that time, many lords in the kingdom will come. If you are interested, I would like to do my best as a landlord and invite you to taste Anluo. Best wine ever.”

The third prince spoke enthusiastically.

As he spoke, he pampered his wife Eleanor's hand, and Eleanor also looked at Charlotte, showing a gentle and bright smile.

Even Duke Yuehu laughed and said:

"Miss Castel, it seems that His Royal Highness is really looking forward to meeting you."

"The wines of our Yuehu Principality are unique in Siunite, and the wines produced by His Highness the Third Prince's winery are well-known even in our Principality, and even His Majesty the King is full of praise."

Naturally, Charlotte heard that the third prince wanted to win him over.

The Castel family is the leading noble in Boulder, if they can get Castel's support, the duke position under Eleanor will be more secure.

Of course, judging from the meeting situation, it is obvious that Philip is in charge of the relationship between Eleanor and the third prince Philip. It is hard to say who will control Bold at that time.

However, in any case, she did not intend to wade into the muddy waters of Boulder's upcoming power dispute.

She just wanted to go back to the territory and live in the house.

Thinking of this, Charlotte pinched the corner of her skirt and bowed to the third prince, and said slightly apologetically:

"Sorry...Your Excellency, there are some important matters in the territory. I am in a hurry. I can't stay in An Luo for too long. I have to leave early tomorrow morning."

Hearing Charlotte's refusal, the third prince was not angry, but said regretfully:

"That's such a pity. Eleanor and I are also going south to Boulder. Once you go, you won't know when we will meet next time."

Charlotte's heart moved slightly, and she immediately heard the temptation in the other party's words.

It was turning a corner to find out when she would return from the territory.

The Castel family has great influence in the Principality of Boulder, and they have money in their hands. No one can ignore such a force.

Charlotte was too lazy to go around with these nobles, but said frankly:

"His Royal Highness, I'm afraid I will be stationed in Castel when I return to the territory this time."

"You know, I'm too young, and I'm a woman, and I'm not interested in serving in the Principality, so there's no need to stay in Boulder City."

"However, as a vassal of Boulder, Castel will strictly fulfill his contract, and it will not hinder Lady Eleanor's succession to the territory."

Charlotte broke the words all of a sudden, which made the third prince feel a little uncomfortable.

He smiled slightly and said:

"Miss Charlotte, thank you for your support to Eleanor. Since you have already planned and have a long future, I will not force you to stay."

After the invitation failed, the third prince did not continue this topic, but instead chatted with Charlotte about what he had seen and heard on the road.

It has to be said that the third prince is really well-informed, and through her, Charlotte has learned a lot about the customs and customs of the New Moon Kingdom.

At the same time, as members of the royal family, there are countless nobles who want to get close to the third prince.

This made Charlotte inadvertently get to know a lot of nobles, and even negotiated two business deals by the way, which was a small windfall.

The banquet lasted until the wee hours of the morning.

I have to say that this group of nobles, almost all of whom are extraordinary people, is really energetic, and they don't feel tired after dancing for such a long time.

Charlotte is very tired, heart tired.

During the first half month of attending banquets, I seldom met nobles with higher titles than her. She was the protagonist of all kinds of banquets, and almost everyone revolved around her.

There were six or seven earls present at this banquet, and it was really tiring to chat with these old foxes.

Duke Yuehu took good care of her and left her the best guest rooms in the Duke's mansion.

After returning to the guest room, Charlotte closed the door and looked at Sebas:

"Sebas, what do you think of the third prince and Eleanor?"

Sebastian was stunned for a while, he didn't really understand what Charlotte asked, he thought for a while and said:

"It seems that, as the rumors say, the third prince has not given up his succession to the throne, and has been secretly expanding his power. Great master, you are right not to accept his invitation."

"No, I want to ask if there is any problem with their mental state."

Charlotte shook her head.

"Mental state?"

Sebas frowned.

Then, he looked serious:

"Master, could it be that you found something?"

Charlotte: ...

It seems that Sebastian didn't realize that Eleanor's state was wrong.

No, in fact, except for the first moment when they met, Charlotte didn't feel the familiar emptiness in the following time, as if her initial impression was just an illusion.

Charlotte trusts herself not to be delusional for no reason.

But she didn't want to continue to delve into this issue.

One side is the heir of the Principality of Boulder, and the other side is the pretender to the throne of the kingdom. No matter what tricks there are in it, she doesn't bother to wade into the muddy water anymore.

However, Sebastian's words aroused Charlotte's curiosity:

"Sebas, you said that the third prince did not give up the inheritance of the throne, but I remember that the New Moon Kingdom implements the primogeniture system, right? The right to inherit the kingdom should not fall to the third prince anyway, right?"

Sebastian replied respectfully:

"Master, the New Moon Kingdom is indeed a system of primogeniture, but the eldest prince of the New Moon Kingdom died long ago in the Star-Moon War."

"Now, the king of the New Moon Kingdom is old, and the second prince in line is very close to the church. It is said that he is not favored by the current king, and the fourth prince is too young, so...you understand."

Charlotte understood immediately.

Although the nobles and the church are separated by a narrow strip of water, they are not easy to deal with at the same time.

Not to mention the prince of the kingdom, she was so close to the church that she caused dissatisfaction among the lower-level nobles in the Castel territory. Even the envoys and representatives sent by the coming-of-age ceremony were not of a heavyweight, let alone those who had a rift with the church. king.

In this way, the issue of the succession of the New Moon Kingdom may also be undercurrents.

"So, he invited me to the reception three days later, and the lords of the kingdom at the reception should all be supporters of the third prince?"

Charlotte asked curiously.

"I'm afraid it should be like this. Not only that, the third prince wants to rely on the Boulder family to control the Boulder Principality, and I'm afraid it is also preparing for the fight for the succession to the throne in the future."

Sebas said.

After finishing speaking, he looked a little hesitant:

"Master... there is one thing that I think may need to remind you."

"explain."

"The associated mithril mine in Castelland is the largest mithril mine in the New Moon Kingdom, and its output accounts for 70% of the kingdom's mithril output. And mithril is an important extraordinary material. If the New Moon Kingdom breaks out in the future I am afraid that we will not be able to survive the war alone."

"But as far as I know, most of the mine veins are controlled by the royal family, right?"

"It is true to say so, but the mine vein is in Castel. If a war breaks out, whoever can control Castel will control Mithril."

Sebastian said quietly.

Charlotte's heart moved slightly, and she nodded slowly:

"I see."

Sebastian continued:

"Of course, I believe that with your great power, no mortal can harm you, but if you want to fight steadily, spread the faith, and avoid the eyes and ears of the holy royal court, I think a stable Castel is necessary."

"Castel is originally the border of the kingdom, where the power of the Holy Royal Court is relatively weak, and it is even further north to the Northern Grand Duchy where the beliefs are chaotic..."

"At the same time, through the dark forest in the east, you can reach the black land of East Unet. There are mercenaries everywhere, there are many ethnic groups, and the beliefs are even more chaotic..."

"These two places are very suitable for you to spread the faith! And there are a lot of blood races!"

"As long as you gain a firm foothold in Castel, your faith will flow like a river to the north and east!"

Charlotte nodded slightly:

"I know about this."

Although she is still not sure what the purpose of faith is, whether it is useful or not, she will pass it on after returning to the territory.

...

Have a good night's sleep.

Early the next morning, Charlotte bid farewell to Duke Moonguard and continued to head north.

At the same time, news of Castel's convoy departure also reached the winery of the third prince.

"She's gone already?"

Sitting on the silk chair with his legs crossed, the third prince Philip took a sip of the wine and asked lightly.

"Yes, master, they are out of town."

In front of the third prince, the guard knight knelt on one knee and replied respectfully.

"Have you checked out their strength?"

The third prince asked again.

"I found out that there are more than 270 superhumans, of which 120 are Castel's armored cavalry, and there are 23 advanced ones, including one of the second level of Silver Moon."

After finishing speaking, the guard knight hesitated for a moment, and asked cautiously:

"Master, do you want us to ambush them in advance?"

The third prince shook his head:

"No, if you make a move, anyone can guess that I did it."

As he spoke, he chuckled, took out a ring from his bosom and threw it to the guard knight:

"Tell the news to our friends in Violet. I don't want to see the little Earl of Castel return to the territory alive. The ring is a reward."

"Of course, if they can bring the little earl to me in person, the reward can be doubled... I can even grant them the honorable title in the future, and let them walk in the sun."

The guard knight took the order to leave, while the third prince drank the wine in the crystal cup and said with a sneer:

"Since she is unwilling to accept my kindness, I have no choice but to express my kindness in my own way."

After finishing speaking, he pulled the chain in his hand, stepped on Eleanor who was crawling on the ground, and said with a smile:

"Honey, you said... If Castel's heir is gone, will Castel's inheritance rights also fall on your head?"

"Wow!"

On the ground, Eleanor stuck out her tongue, wagging her fake tail, and licked the tip of the third prince's shoe flatteringly.

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