Tome of Blood

In the end, Baron Betel failed to refuse Charlotte's request, or rather... the lord's request.

Of course, he was really moved by what was said.

Even knowing that Castel might want to strengthen the centralization of power in such a way like boiling a frog in warm water, he was also moved by the various assumptions in the plan and the future.

Strengthening the centralization of power is something that may appear in the future, but if it develops according to the plan, the earth-shaking changes of Baron Bettel are inevitable.

This kind of overall development is inseparable from the layout, guidance and support of higher-level lords. Even if the nobles know how to develop, it is impossible to do it alone without the lord.

If you want to get something, you have to give something, or bear something.

After the audience, Baron Bettel accepted Charlotte's invitation, had a dinner at the Earl's Mansion, had dinner with the young Earl, and rested for one night in the earl's mansion guest room.

This was the best night for him to sleep in more than a month, but it was a night when he tossed and turned and couldn't sleep.

Without him, the guest bed in the Earl's Mansion was too soft, so that he, a poor baron who was used to sleeping on hardwood beds in his own castle, couldn't adapt at all.

The Castel family is indeed as rich as rumored.

Betel has never been to the royal capital, nor has he seen the royal palace, let alone the Luna Coast city-state known for its prosperity and wealth.

But just comparing it with the Violet Duke's Mansion in the era of the Willett family in his memory, he even felt that... the Earl of Castel's Mansion was even richer than the Violet Duke's Mansion.

This is not entirely a bad thing, because as far as he knows, Castel did not earn money by exploiting the people of the province, but because his family has a mine and a trade center in the Xingyue Strait, which is convenient for collecting "tolls".

And only with enough money can we support the development plan conceived by the young Earl of Castel.

When Baron Betel left the Earl's Mansion, it was already the next morning.

The young lord did not see him off in person, but sent a butler instead.

"Your Excellency Betel, the Earl is dealing with official business, let me see her off on her behalf."

"The Earl has already arranged officials to implement the development plan of the Bethel Territory, and will go with you to cooperate with your next work."

Vincent de Romain-Fore, who was dressed in a black deacon suit, smiled and said.

After hearing what the butler said, Baron Betel was not surprised.

As a vassal who was transferred or a war broke out, it was normal for the lord to send some officials to keep an eye on him in order to strengthen his control.

Cooperating with work is a way of saying, and it is also a kind of monitoring.

Looking at the iconic red lilac coat of arms of the Roman family on the opponent's chest, Baron Bettel suddenly realized that the butler of the Earl's House in front of him was probably the branch of the red lilac branch in Castel that failed in the Lilac War. A member of the Fall family.

And this kind of coat of arms can only be worn on the chest of the direct line.

"Are you a member of the Roman-Fore family? What is the relationship between Viscount Roman-Fore and you?"

Baron Betel couldn't help asking.

"I am Vincent de Romain-Fore, the new second-level steward of the Earl's Mansion, and the Viscount Romain-Fore is my father."

Vincent replied with a smile.

The son of the Viscount...

Baron Betel nodded.

It is normal for the lord to accept the heirs of the vassals as servants of the mansion. This represents the closeness between the lord and the vassal family. Only the most trusted vassal families have the opportunity for their heirs to enter the lord's mansion and serve as the steward , steward, cupbearer, attendant and the like.

Obviously, the young Earl already had the support of the Romain-Fore family, which can also be seen from the Boulder-Castre War.

He had heard about the unruliness of the Roman-Fore family even in Betel, and even the last Earl of the Northlands could not completely win the submission of the other party, and he was able to subdue this rumored "pirate" family, the young Earl The prestige in the north is evident.

Thinking of this, Baron Bettel admired the young female earl even more.

He greeted Vincent slightly, then turned around and boarded the carriage prepared for him by the Earl's Mansion. However, when he boarded the carriage, he was stunned.

"Hey, brother Guillaume, you are finally here, I have been waiting here for a long time!"

In the carriage, Agnes, who had changed into an aristocratic dress, greeted her with excitement on her delicate face.

"Miss Agnes? Why are you here?"

Baron Betel looked surprised.

As if thinking of something, he quickly looked at the coachman, and the coachman raised his head and smiled at him:

"Guillaume, judging by your expression, the conversation should go well."

"Master Rachel..."

Betel's expression became even more exciting, and after the excitement, he was puzzled:

"You guys are..."

"Of course I went back with you."

Agnes laughed.

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

"You... are the official that Earl Castel said?"

"Correct answer! Also, you are already a vassal of the Northland, remember that even if you are not in front of the lord, you still have to address him as the Earl."

Agnes gestured and said.

Sensing the vague respect for Earl Castel revealed in the other party's words, Baron Bettel's expression became more and more strange:

"You...really swore allegiance to Castel?"

"Wrong, not Castel, but Charlotte de Castel."

Agnes said.

Does it make a difference? !

Baron Betel wanted to complain.

"You don't plan to revive the family anymore? The Castel family is just an earl, even if you shake hands and make peace, forget about the hatred, if you want to take back the principality..."

"She is an earl now, but it doesn't mean she has always been an earl, and...you will realize one day how lucky it is to be able to follow her..."

Agnes said meaningfully.

Seeing the girl's expression of respect mixed with awe and luck when she talked about Charlotte, Baron Bettel became even more weird.

Obviously, the most orthodox successor of the Willett family has changed into Castel's appearance.

Of course, he didn't object to following such a lord, or even looked forward to it.

...

In the study of the Earl's Mansion.

"They're gone already?"

Charlotte asked.

"Yes, already gone."

The maid Shirley replied.

"Hasn't Baron Betel ever wondered about Agnes's appearance that hasn't changed for more than ten years?"

Charlotte asked again.

"Miss Agnès said she would explain it by being blessed by a spirit."

"The blessing of the elves? This is a good idea."

Charlotte froze for a moment, then nodded slightly with a smile.

After all, she waved her hand:

"Close the door for me and don't let anyone disturb me."

Shirley resigned respectfully, and after ensuring that no one would disturb her, Charlotte sank into consciousness and communicated with the Holy Tome of Blood.

Without him, just in the morning, Sebas, who was ordered to suppress the rebellion, sent a message through prayer.

The rebellion of the Legris family is about to be put down.