Tome of Blood

Charlotte was not surprised by the king's summoning.

Although she was paddling at the central meeting, the territory of Castel was actually independent from Boulder. As the richest territory of the Principality of Boulder, the royal family's partner in the Castel Mithril Mine, Louis V The world is bound to see her.

Charlotte can probably guess what the other party will talk about.

After all, the source of the Boulder-Castel War originally had the acquiescence of His Majesty the King.

However, it was Charlotte who won in the end.

Charlotte is also not hypocritical.

She generously accepted the Wang Order from the Royal Knights, and then, accompanied by Sebastian, boarded the carriage prepared by the Royal Knights.

However, in addition to the royal carriage that came to pick them up, Charlotte also sent another carriage to follow.

"Your Excellency, this..."

Looking at the bulging carriage, the royal knight was a little puzzled.

"This is a gift from meeting His Majesty, and it is also a special product of the Northland. If you are worried, you can check it."

Charlotte smiled.

When meeting the king, it is better to bring some gifts than empty hands. Although Charlotte does not intend to get closer to the royal family, at least the other party is not her enemy now.

Louis V's acquiescence to Philip's war was actually because she "turned" to the church first, and after her victory, the king did not embarrass her.

After hearing what Charlotte said, the royal knight who led the team saluted and said "sorry", and then ordered the other knights to check the vehicle.

After a while, the knight inspecting the vehicle nodded, and the royal knight who led the team said to Charlotte:

"Your Excellency, there is no problem, we can go."

"Let's go then."

Charlotte nodded slightly and closed the curtains of the carriage.

The carriage moved slowly, carrying the girl towards the palace.

...

The Palace of the Crescent King is located in the center of Lutetia, the capital of the kingdom. The Royal Square is conveniently in front of it, facing the Central Council Hall and Lutetia Cathedral.

As the political center of the New Moon Kingdom, the New Moon Palace is quite magnificent. The main body of the palace is a magnificent palace, known as the New Moon Palace.

This is a typical building of the Crescent Kingdom, which is very similar to the Baroque style known to Charlotte in her previous life. The entire Crescent Palace is built of huge stones, with exquisite sculptures and decorations on the walls, and magnificent spires on the roof. with luxurious dome.

The Crescent Palace is not surrounded by city walls, but is surrounded by large gardens and lawns. The gardens are decorated with symmetrical flower beds, neatly trimmed shrubs, clusters of flowers, lush greenery, and decorated marble sculptures and corridors. .

However, what attracted Charlotte's attention the most was the huge fountain in front of the main entrance of the Crescent Palace, which could be seen from a distance.

This is the largest fountain Charlotte has ever seen. The height is probably close to thirty meters, and the width is almost fifty meters. The sound of the water is like thunder.

In the center of the fountain is a huge marble sculpture, which depicts the scene of Louis V riding a horse and leading the Knights of the Crescent Moon to charge in the decisive battle of the Star-Moon War...

The sculpture is lifelike, just like Louis V himself. It is said that it was made by the most skilled half-elf craftsman of the city-state of the Luna Coast for Louis V. It can be called a work of art.

No, not just fountains.

In fact, as far as Charlotte knows, the entire Crescent Palace was rebuilt by Louis V on the ruins of the old palace, and the scale is much larger than the old palace that was burned down by the fallen star army during the Star-Moon War. Much, much more luxurious.

Although there is no city wall to protect it, fully armed royal knights can be seen everywhere inside and outside the palace.

In Charlotte's perception, these patrolling royal knights are quite powerful, even the weakest ones have stars, most of them are silver moons, and even the blazing sun.

Although these knights are "royal knights", many of them are actually nobles with other titles, and most of them are the direct descendants of the new moon noble lords, or simply the lords themselves.

For the nobles of the new moon, it is also an honor to join the royal knights and become a knight of the royal order.

In addition to the patrolling royal knights, Charlotte also vaguely sensed the flow of magic power.

She followed the flow of magic power to perceive it calmly, and soon found the magic inscriptions decorated with various patterns on the steeple of the palace.

That is the inscription for constructing the magic circle, which should be some defensive and warning magic circle.

Obviously, although the Crescent Palace is no longer surrounded by walls like the castle-like old palace, it also maintains the security of the palace on another higher level.

Charlotte looked at the palace curiously through the window until the carriage finally stopped in front of the main entrance of the Crescent Palace.

"Your Excellency Count Castel, we have arrived."

The respectful voices of the royal knights came from outside the carriage.

Charlotte nodded, and then got out of the carriage with the help of Sebastian.

She looked at the luxurious tall arches of the Crescent Palace, and then entered the palace accompanied by the royal knights.

Sebastian was stopped and was not allowed to enter.

It was Charlotte, not him, who was summoned by the king. In a place like the palace, no one else had the right to enter without a royal order.

"Master, I'll wait for you outside the palace, and it's time to hand over the gift to His Majesty."

Sebas said.

Charlotte nodded, acquiescing.

Under the leadership of the Royal Knights, Charlotte entered the Crescent Palace. The interior of the Crescent Palace was even more luxurious, the palace was resplendent and magnificent, and the Unet-style decoration reached the acme in every sense.

The hall has a high ceiling, decorated with gorgeous murals and exquisite chandeliers, and the walls on both sides are covered with gorgeous fabrics and silks, and the crescent royal family's coat of arms is drawn; all the furniture and decorations are full of luxury and luxury. The fine details are so beautifully ornate that they are works of art.

Even the windows and curtains are extravagant. The curtains are made of exquisite Far Eastern silk and embroidery, and the colors are bright and atmospheric, while the glass on the windows is exquisitely carved, reflecting the light in the room and sprinkling colorful colors.

However, the most eye-catching thing is the banquet hall. Charlotte happened to pass by when crossing the corridor to the living room. She only felt that it was quite similar to the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles in the previous life. It was also inlaid with a large area of ​​mirrors and carved. With exquisite murals and luxurious gold decorations, there are also dazzling large crystal chandeliers...

No, or to put it further, the luxury of the entire Crescent Palace reminded Charlotte of the Palace of Versailles in her previous life.

The same luxury, the same magnificence, the same grandeur, the same grandeur.

Rather... the entire Crescent Palace is even so large that it is a bit deserted.

Thinking about it, the current population of the Varwa family is withered, and it is still a question of whether they can make up 30 clan members.

And such a huge palace, not to mention thirty royal families, even if the entire Lutetia nobles are packed in, Charlotte feels that it is more than enough.

Charlotte also subconsciously compared the Crescent Palace with her own Earl's Mansion, and soon came to the answer that this comparison was self-defeating.

Castel collar is rich.

But no matter how rich they are, they cannot compare to the Crescent Royal Family.

Especially the current one, who has been subtly strengthening the centralization since he succeeded to the throne, and the nobles of the New Moon died and were injured in the Star-Moon War. The territory has already surpassed before the Star-Moon War.

Among other things, some data can explain the problem very well.

As far as Charlotte knows, before Falling Star, there were more than 20 duchies in the New Moon Kingdom alone, but now there are only nine left, and the theocratic duchies have also been reduced from five to now. of three.

Although the territory of some duchies has now expanded compared to before the war, overall, the Crescent Royal Family has gained more territory.

Looking at the entire kingdom, some duchies were even directly destroyed, leaving only earls and barons in pieces.

More than 500 noble lords can participate in the central council, and probably half of them are such small and medium lords.

With more direct-controlled territories, the income will naturally be higher, not to mention that the Crescent Royal Family also dominates the extraordinary resources of the entire kingdom. Although it is not a monopoly, it still accounts for the majority.

Being able to build such a luxurious palace, which can be called a "spectacle", shows the wealth of the Valva family.

Louis V dared to challenge the nobles collectively, and implemented the policy of strengthening centralization openly, which was originally based on the strength of the royal family.

Looking at the essence through the phenomenon, and appreciating the magnificence and luxury of the Crescent Palace, Charlotte has a somewhat deeper understanding of the power and wealth of the royal family.

Unknowingly, she was also brought into the reception room of the New Moon Palace by the royal knights.

"Your Excellency, please wait here for a while. Your Majesty is washing up and will be here soon."

The royal knight said respectfully.

Charlotte nodded slightly and smiled sweetly:

"Well, thank you."

Seeing her smile, the young knight of the royal family was slightly taken aback, and suddenly lost his mind.

However, he quickly reacted, his cheeks flushed slightly, and he hurriedly saluted and left in a flustered manner.

Charlotte withdrew her gaze and touched her tender little face.

I don't know if it's because the divine power of blood has the effect of transforming the body. After merging with the faceless idol, her already excessive appearance has become more excessive.

The change in temperament is outstanding, and every word and smile seems to be more perfect and moving.

Shaking her head, Charlotte sat down in the living room, and the maid of the royal family quickly served her refreshments respectfully.

The tea is elf black tea that has been popular from the Far East in recent years, and the dessert is the traditional pastry of Siunite.

Charlotte is more interested in the tea set instead. The tea set is made of porcelain and is quite exquisite. It should also be a treasure from the Far East, and it may be very valuable.

There is also a set in her Earl's Mansion, which is more streamlined than the set in the palace banquet hall, and is worth more than 50,000 quintana.

The set in front of me will only be more expensive.

Charlotte looked at the porcelain curiously, thinking that the Far East in this world is really close to people. It is also made of tea, porcelain, and silk. It really resembles the hometown of the previous life.

She heard that there is also the country of elves, but it is too far away, and few people really set foot in it.

I don't know what kind of elf it is.

I don't know if it is also black hair and yellow skin?

And just when Charlotte was thinking wildly and her thoughts were flying, an old voice suddenly sounded behind her:

"This set of tea sets is the royal porcelain of the Sun Empire. It is said to have a history of two hundred years. It is said that there is only this set in the entire Siunite. There is also a sister set, which seems to be stored in the Kolia royal family."

"If Mr. Castel likes it, you can take it back later."

Charlotte was taken aback when she heard the voice behind her.

She stood up quickly, only to see that King Louis V had walked in at some point.

The legend is worthy of being a legend.

When the breath was not exposed, Charlotte was completely unaware of the other party's approach!

Of course, this is also because Charlotte didn't use the divine power of blood, she didn't use the divine power of blood, even if she was considered a "half-god", she was just a "false god".

"Your Majesty is safe."

Following the etiquette in memory, Charlotte pinched the corner of her skirt and bowed to Louis V.

Today's Louis V is dressed more casually, wearing a loose and gorgeous aristocratic robe, but still wearing a dark blue crescent shawl, which is covered with golden crescent coat of arms.

He didn't look as serious as yesterday in the Central Council. Although he was still majestic, his expression was a little more approachable.

However, some fatigue could still be seen in his brows and eyes.

"Don't be restrained, sit down."

said Louis V.

Charlotte saluted and sat down again.

Louis V also sat down on the throne that belonged to the king. He picked up a glass of still wine from the tray of the royal maid, took a sip, and said gently:

"This should be the first time that Mr. Castel has come to the Crescent Palace. What do you think of my Crescent Palace?"

Charlotte was taken aback for a moment, not expecting that Louis V's first topic would be this.

Facing the expectant gaze of the king, she thought about it for a while, and then began to praise her heartily according to her true perception:

"Luxury, majestic, and majestic, it is the most magnificent palace I have ever seen. It perfectly displays the glory of the crescent moon. It can definitely be called the pinnacle of Myria's court culture..."

"The architectural style and decorative art are even more breathtaking. Rather than saying it is a palace, it is more like a work of art that can be called a spectacle."

"It not only reflects the majesty of the royal family, but also reflects the style of the royal family!"

After listening to Charlotte's praise, Louis V laughed, and seemed to be quite pleased.

His laughter was thunderous, unrestrained and rough.

After laughing, he continued to ask:

"Is there any more?"

This is... don't want to just listen to the good points? Want to hear the cons too?

Charlotte's heart twitched slightly.

She thought about it and made a look of hesitation.

Louis V glanced at her and said:

"Don't hesitate, just say what you have, I just want to hear a comprehensive evaluation, and I won't blame you."

Charlotte paused and said:

"Your Majesty, then I will be offended."

After finishing speaking, she looked solemn and said:

"Majesty is majesty, grandeur is grandeur, but presumably...it also cost a lot of money when it was built, and it cost a lot of money."

"Not only that, the scale of the entire palace is also too large, far exceeding the needs of the royal family to live in..."

Saying that, Charlotte looked at Louis V, and then she was a little surprised to find that Louis V was not angry because of her remarks, on the contrary... the king nodded in agreement.

Noticing Charlotte's gaze, Louis V paused and sighed:

"You're right. Even the royal family spent a lot of money to build such a magnificent palace. Even the daily maintenance is a huge expense."

"In a sense, it's really too extravagant, and it's also too big."

Saying that, Louis V looked at Charlotte again.

The aged king smiled slightly, and suddenly asked:

"Mr. Castel, do you know why I built her so magnificently, so luxuriously and magnificently?"

Charlotte's heart moved slightly, and she had some guesses.

However, she didn't say it, but shook her head:

"The subject doesn't know."

Louis V put away his smile.

His eyes fell on the enfeoffment map of the New Moon Kingdom in the living room, and he said calmly:

"Because this palace was not built just to accommodate members of the royal family."