Gospel of Blood

Chapter 315: The Missing Baron

Violet acted quite swiftly.

Perhaps due to the internal instability caused by the war’s failure, Duke Violet was very efficient in fulfilling the treaty’s terms.

Within less than half a month after the peace negotiations, Violet delivered the first batch of extraordinary equipment redemption materials to Castell, along with a third of the ransom.

In addition, contract documents concerning the Betel Barony and the related transfer documents were also sent to Northport.

From that moment, the Betel Barony was effectively ceded by Violet to Castell.

A week after Castell and Violet signed the peace treaty, envoys from the capital arrived in Northport, bringing two significant pieces of news.

First, five of the Nine Dukes of the Crescent Kingdom, along with three public officials and twenty-eight kingdom vassals, had jointly submitted a petition to the Noble Council and the Holy Court. They sought a central meeting to discuss the legitimacy of the Third Prince, Philip de Valva, in light of his blatant violation of the Holy Code and the Royal Covenant.

Clearly, with the war’s failure, the Third Prince had lost most of the nobles’ support. King Louis V’s attempt to use the Third Prince to weaken local noble powers and strengthen central authority had backfired.

The envoy announced that the central meeting would convene in the capital in a month and a half, and Castell needed to attend as an important representative.

Second, King Louis V issued a decree, ordering Borde, Violet, and Castell to end the war and restore peace within a week.

Of course, this ceasefire order came a bit late, as Castell and Violet had already negotiated peace a week prior.

And as for Borde, after Eleanor was captured and the expeditionary force was wiped out, the war had effectively ended. What remained was the post-war negotiation.

“Lord Boite-Linte, the war is over. You may leave here with the knights of Violet.”

In the Count’s mansion, Viscount Leon-Castell smiled as he spoke to the confined Count Linte.

Count Linte, meditating on his bed, slowly opened his eyes and remained silent for a long time before speaking.

“The negotiations… are over?”

“Yes, they ended a week ago. Violet has already sent your ransom, and you can leave now.”

“The ransom… what is it?”

“2.43 million gold tana and extraordinary materials equivalent to 20 million gold tana. Of course, this is for the soldiers, other nobles, and enchanted equipment. As for you, the Countess’ price was the Betel Barony.”

Viscount Leon-Castell said.

“The Betel Barony…”

Hearing the Old Viscount’s words, Count Linte’s expression was complex.

He closed his eyes gently and let out a helpless sigh.

Viscount Leon-Castell continued.

“Lord Boite-Linte, news from the capital has arrived. The central meeting will convene in a little over a month to investigate the Third Prince Philip’s actions in the Castell-Borde war.”

“This war was essentially due to the Third Prince Philip’s unilateral actions. You know well what kind of person the Third Prince is and what he did to Lady Eleanor…”

“We’ve all heard of your reputation as a true knight. The Countess hopes that at the central meeting in a month, you can stand up and expose the Third Prince’s crimes.”

Count Linte fell silent after hearing the Old Viscount’s words.

“Of course, whether you stand up or not is your choice. The Countess only hopes you will. You know well whether the Third Prince is suitable as an heir to the throne.”

Viscount Leon-Castell added.

After a long time, Count Linte sighed.

“Let me… think about it…”

“Of course, there is still some time before the meeting. You have ample time to consider.”

The Old Viscount smiled.

He then glanced at the time and bowed to Count Linte.

“Lord Boite-Linte, the Countess’ knights will escort you to join the Violet team. I must report to the Countess now, so I will not accompany you.”

With that, the Old Viscount turned to leave.

“Wait…”

Count Linte suddenly called out to him.

“Lord Boite-Linte, is there something else you wish to say?”

The Old Viscount asked.

Count Linte hesitated before saying,

“Please tell Lord Castell that Baron Betel… is a vassal worth recruiting.”

“He is an excellent commander and a true knight.”

Hearing this, Viscount Leon-Castell raised an eyebrow slightly, surprised that, as the heir of the Boite-Linte family, he would speak so highly of the last bloodline of the Veillet family.

“I will, but… Baron Betel has been missing for many days. Some soldiers said they saw him being knocked off his horse and falling into the Dorn River that night. He is likely already dead.”

Recalling the news from a few days ago, Viscount Leon-Castell said.

Hearing this, Count Linte opened his mouth but ultimately sighed deeply.

“Perhaps… this is fate.”

…

After Violet handed over the contract documents, Count Linte and the other first batch of captives were released.

During this time, Castell had not mistreated them. The captives were mostly put to work clearing the war debris in Northport and repairing the city walls.

As for the nobles, they were well-fed and cared for, as they were walking tana for the victors.

“Has he been sent away?”

In the nobles’ restroom at the Northport Church Hospital, Charlotte elegantly sipped sweet milk as she asked.

She had come to the Church Hospital today specifically to see Eleanor.

Although her consolations had improved Eleanor’s mental state, she was still severely traumatized and needed rest and treatment.

In this regard, the Holy Court was more adept than she was.

So, Eleanor had been receiving treatment from Lottie at the Church Hospital for the past few days.

And today was the final treatment session.

“Yes, Countess. Count Linte has already been taken back by the people of Violet. However, he did not clearly state that he would expose the Third Prince’s crimes at the central meeting in a month.”

Viscount Leon-Castell said respectfully.

“No matter. He is not the only witness. It is better to have more, but not necessary.”

Charlotte said indifferently.

“By the way, Countess, Count Linte said a few words before he left, asking me to convey them to you.”

Viscount Leon-Castell hesitated before saying respectfully.

“Oh? What did he say?”

Charlotte was curious.

“He said that Baron Betel is a vassal worth recruiting, an excellent commander, and a true knight.”

The Old Viscount replied.

“Baron Betel…”

Charlotte mulled over the name and pondered.

“If I remember correctly, a report a few days ago mentioned that this baron fell into the Dorn River and went missing?”

“Indeed.”

The Old Viscount nodded.

“I’ll keep that in mind. We will see if any news comes up. That battle was chaotic, and many nobles went missing. Given how much time has passed, he is likely already dead.”

Charlotte said.

She then seemed to think of something and asked.

“By the way, how are things up north?”

The Old Viscount replied respectfully.

“The northern campaign is progressing smoothly. Our troops have advanced to the last direct territory of the Griss family. Viscount Roman-Four and the mercenary group’s support have also arrived, and we should soon quell the rebellion completely. However…”

“However what?”

“However, we have encountered some issues near Northport. Many fleeing soldiers from that night have not been captured. Their attacks on towns have become more frequent recently, causing significant distress to the nobles and commoners…”

Charlotte frowned.

“After all this time, they still haven’t caught a few deserters?”

Seeing Charlotte’s displeasure, the Old Viscount quickly bowed his head, sweat forming on his forehead.

“I have dispatched cavalry units for a sweep. I assure you, within a week, we will have a satisfactory result for you!”

Charlotte nodded slightly in approval.

At that moment, the ward door gently opened, and Priest Lottie, dressed in priestly robes, walked out, looking exhausted.

Seeing Charlotte, she bowed respectfully.

“Countess…”

Charlotte waved her hand to waive the formalities and asked.

“How is the treatment going?”

Lottie sighed and said,

“The situation… is not very good.”