Gospel of Blood

Chapter 323: Castell's Ambition

“Clearing the undead is very necessary. Considering the difficulty of the task, I suggest hiring a Blazing Sun mage. To reduce costs, we could promise them a forest where they can continuously collect magical beast materials.”

“Don’t worry about the undead cleansing. We have a professional team for that.”

“Oh, I see. I forgot about your good relationship with the Holy Court… Then there’s no problem with that. Also, regarding the road construction, I fully support this proposal, but I have a slight concern. Why extend the road directly to the border with the Roman Duchy? While it facilitates trade, it also seems a bit dangerous…”

“This concerns Betel Barony’s trade and is related to Castell’s next phase of planning. As for security issues, Betel is easy to defend and hard to attack, so we can just strengthen the fortress.”

“I understand. And regarding sustainable forest management, I know a few friendly elven druids…”

“That’s excellent, Baron. Can you introduce them to me?”

“Of course, I’d be happy to serve.”

“And don’t worry about the funding. Castell will cover the costs.”

“That’s wonderful. It’s impossible for Betel to gather enough funds on its own…”

As the conversation progressed, Baron Betel and Charlotte became increasingly engrossed and detailed in their discussion. Eventually, Charlotte called over her maid, Sherry, who made immediate changes to the parchment whenever they concluded a measure.

Unnoticed, time flew by, and when Baron Betel and Charlotte finally finished revising the development plan for the barony, it was already dark.

Charlotte picked up the parchment and reviewed it again, feeling very satisfied.

She looked at Baron Betel with a smile.

“Indeed, having the person involved improve the plan makes it much more feasible. Thank you for your support, Baron.”

Baron Betel quickly waved his hand.

“Countess, you are too kind. This is all for the sake of Betel Barony. Compared to that, I should be the one thanking you.”

At this point, Baron Betel hesitated for a moment and then asked with some confusion.

“However, I do have one question. Why are you so focused on Betel? Despite its strategic location, it’s still just a small barony. Yet you’ve invested so much effort into designing a development plan…”

Charlotte smiled at his question.

“The key lies in Betel’s unique situation. It is a crucial trade route that has declined over the years due to historical reasons. It’s very suitable as a pilot for revitalization and development…”

Baron Betel’s mind clicked.

“A pilot? Do you mean that… Betel is just a trial, and if successful, you plan to apply a similar model to other parts of the territory?”

Charlotte nodded slightly.

“Exactly. With its small size, Betel Barony is easy to manage and steer. Given its location and resources, it seems the best choice as a highlight for promoting our plans. It’s also likely to yield noticeable results.”

She sighed.

“Castell may have a solid foundation, but in my year as lord, I’ve discovered numerous issues: food production, urban development, public safety, education, military supplies, the wealth gap… The list goes on. Nobles act independently, and territorial power is fragmented. As a lord, my influence over the entire territory, aside from my direct domain, is quite limited.”

“However, Castell has benefited from its prime location and trade, masking some of these issues temporarily with prosperity.”

“I hope to have a long-term development plan for the entire territory. But drafting such a plan and implementing it across all the fiefs is extremely difficult under the current noble system. It’s also unrealistic to rely solely on Castell family funds.”

“Castell is not a centralized county. To get the nobles to support and invest in the development plan, we must show them the benefits…”

Understanding dawned on Baron Betel.

“I see. You want to use Betel Barony as a starting point, create a long-term development plan for the entire territory, and gain the nobles’ approval and cooperation.”

“On closer thought, it’s feasible. As long as the plan brings significant benefits to the nobles, binding their interests with Castell’s development, they are likely to support it…”

Halfway through, Baron Betel suddenly stopped, realizing a deeper implication.

If Castell’s long-term plan gains noble approval and is genuinely implemented, it would gradually enhance Castell family’s control over the entire territory.

This would be inevitable because executing such a comprehensive plan requires meticulous management of the whole territory.

Initially, Castell might need the nobles to execute the plan and win their approval. But over time, as the plan is successfully implemented, Castell’s influence would grow accordingly.

Once the nobles become accustomed to a Castell-led development model, Castell could potentially replace the nobles’ roles step by step, reshaping the entire territory’s management model around this plan, possibly even rendering the nobles obsolete.

This isn’t impossible. In fact, if Castell strives for this direction, it could be achieved.

And if managed properly, if the nobles enjoy the benefits of Castell’s development plan, they might unknowingly fall into this sweet “trap.”

There aren’t many far-sighted nobles, most are short-sighted. Baron Betel was certain of this.

Reflecting on this, Baron Betel grasped the broader significance behind the plan…

It’s not just a development plan for Castell. It’s also a move towards future centralization of the Castell family!

However, to achieve Castell’s goals, the family needs a highly respected lord whom the nobles trust and a sufficiently long reign.

Does Castell have such a lord?

Absolutely.

To Baron Betel, the young woman before him fit the bill perfectly.

A wise, powerful, and young lord who meets all the criteria.

The only minor issue might be succession, but given her youth and the unpredictable future, Baron Betel didn’t see it as a major problem, even if she had once vowed celibacy before the God’s statue.

With these thoughts, Baron Betel’s gaze towards Charlotte changed completely.

Meeting his complex gaze, Charlotte smiled.

“Baron Betel, would you be willing to assist me in completing this first step in Betel Barony?”

…

Baron Betel ultimately could not refuse Charlotte’s request—or rather, the lord’s demand.

He was indeed swayed by her words. Even knowing that Castell might be trying to strengthen central authority through a “boiling frog” approach, he was moved by the plans and the vision for the future.

Strengthening central authority might be a future possibility, but the transformative changes for Betel Barony were certain if the plans were followed.

Such comprehensive development could not happen without the higher-level lord’s guidance, layout, and support. Even if the nobles knew how to develop their lands, they couldn’t do it alone, bypassing the lord.

To gain something, one must give something or bear some burden.

After the audience, Baron Betel accepted Charlotte’s invitation to dine at the Count’s mansion and stayed overnight in one of the guest rooms.

It was the best sleep environment he had experienced in over a month, yet he couldn’t sleep well, tossing and turning.

The reason was simple: the guest bed in the Count’s mansion was too soft for him, who was used to the hard wooden bed in his castle.

The Castell family was indeed as wealthy as rumored.

Betel had never been to the capital, nor had he seen the royal palace or the prosperous, wealthy Luna Coast City-states. But compared to the Violet Duchy mansion of the Veillet family he remembered, he even thought the Castell Count’s mansion seemed wealthier.

This wasn’t entirely a bad thing, as he knew Castell’s wealth didn’t come from exploiting their people but from having mines and a trade center at the Star-Moon Strait, collecting “passage fees.”

Only with enough money could the young Castell Countess support her ambitious development plans.

When Baron Betel left the Count’s mansion the next morning, the young lord didn’t see him off personally but sent a steward.

“Baron Betel, the Countess is busy with official duties and asked me to see you off on her behalf.”

“The Countess has also arranged for officials to implement the development plan in Betel Barony. They will accompany you and assist in your work.”

Vincent de Roman-Four, in his black steward attire, smiled as he spoke.

Baron Betel was not surprised. As a vassal granted a fief, especially one that had experienced war, it was normal for the lord to send officials to enhance control.

“Cooperation” was one way to put it; it was also a form of surveillance.

Seeing the red lilac crest on Vincent’s chest, Baron Betel realized that the steward before him was likely from the Castell branch of the Roman-Four family, a failed faction from the Lilac War.

This crest could only be worn by direct descendants.

“Are you a member of the Roman-Four family? What’s your relationship with Viscount Roman-Four?”

Baron Betel couldn’t help but ask.

“I am Vincent de Roman-Four, the new second steward of the Count’s mansion. Viscount Roman-Four is my father.”

Vincent replied with a smile.

The son of a viscount…

Baron Betel nodded.

It was normal for a lord to have vassal offspring serve as attendants in the mansion.

It represented the lord’s closeness to the vassal family. Only the most trusted vassal families had their children enter the lord’s mansion, serving as stewards, cupbearers, or attendants.

Clearly, the young Countess had already gained the Roman-Four family’s support, evident by the Borde-Castell War.

Even in Betel, Baron Betel had heard of the defiant Roman-Four family. The previous Count hadn’t fully subdued them.

To have the rumored “pirate” family under her wing, the young Countess’ prestige in the north was remarkable.

With these thoughts, Baron Betel admired the young Countess even more.

He gave a slight bow to Vincent, then turned to board the carriage prepared for him by the Count’s mansion.

However, he was stunned when he stepped inside.

“Hey, Brother Guillaume, you finally came! I’ve been waiting here for so long!”

Inside the carriage, Agnes greeted him excitedly, her delicate face brimming with joy in her noble dress.

“Miss Agnes? Why are you here?”

Baron Betel asked in surprise.

Thinking of something, he quickly looked at the coachman, who smiled at him.

“Guillaume, judging by your expression, the discussion went well.”

The coachman said.

“Sir Lahel…”

Baron Betel’s expression became even more colorful, followed by confusion.

“What is this all about?”

“Of course, we’re going back with you.”

Agnes replied.

Baron Betel was stunned, then even more surprised.

“You… you’re the officials Countess Castell mentioned?”

“Correct! And remember, you’re now a vassal of the north. Even outside the lord’s presence, you must address her as the Countess.”

Agnes gestured as she spoke.

Sensing the respect for Countess Castell in her words, Baron Betel’s expression became even more peculiar.

“You… have you really sworn allegiance to the Castell family?”

“No, not to the Castell family, but to Charlotte de Castell.”

Agnes corrected.

Is there a difference?!

Baron Betel wanted to retort.

“Aren’t you going to revive your family? The Castell family is just a Count. Even if you reconcile and forget past hatred, if you want to reclaim the duchy…”

“She’s a Count now, but that doesn’t mean she’ll always be a Count. And… you’ll realize one day how fortunate you are to follow her.”

Agnes said meaningfully.

Seeing the reverence mixed with awe and gratitude on her face when she spoke of Charlotte, Baron Betel’s expression grew more peculiar.

Clearly, the Veillet family’s most legitimate heir had already become a part of Castell.

But he didn’t mind following such a lord—in fact, he even looked forward to it.

…

In the study of the Count’s mansion.

“Have they left?”

Charlotte asked.

“Yes, they have.”

Sherry replied.

“Did Baron Betel ever wonder about Agnes’ unchanged appearance over the years?”

Charlotte asked again.

“Agnes said she would explain it as the blessing of the elves.”

“The blessing of the elves? That’s a good idea.”

Charlotte mused before nodding with a smile.

Then she waved her hand.

“Close the door for me and make sure no one disturbs me.”

Sherry respectfully left, and after ensuring no one would interrupt, Charlotte immersed herself in her consciousness, communicating with the Gospel of Blood.

Just this morning, Sebastian had reported through prayer that the rebellion of the Lagrisse family was about to be quelled.