Gospel of Blood

Chapter 213: Contractor, you should feel lucky

Charlotte certainly wouldn't let two people who knew part of her core secrets roam freely under her watch, nor would she naively believe that Agnes and Lahel would truly pledge their loyalty to her.

Her inaction didn’t mean others wouldn’t act. Being the first to proactively sign a contract with her, Nice had always been eager to ensure others experienced the same treatment it once did.

Of course, this time it wasn't a servant's oath but rather a secrecy contract. Leaking secrets would result in death, but betrayal would only lead to curses and marks.

The servant's oath was too domineering, and the bond between master and servant was much deeper. Charlotte didn't sign such contracts with just anyone.

For Agnes and Lahel, a general contract was sufficient. Charlotte didn’t want to be a tyrant who maintained control through contracts alone.

Moreover, Agnes and Lahel were already bloodbornes. With Charlotte holding the Gospel of Blood, she had absolute dominance. As long as there was a link between them, they couldn't escape her grasp.

After the contract was signed, these two, like Reina before, would be handed over to Sherry for training. Once Sebastian returned, he might also be involved.

Charlotte didn’t have high expectations for them. She simply thought that their disguised identities as Count Hol might be useful and had a certain fondness for them as fellow bloodbornes, perhaps harboring hopes she hadn’t even recognized herself.

Although she didn’t fully understand the relationship between gods and their followers in this world, she knew God needed believers. Since she might become a God to the Bloodbornes, it was best to recruit as many potential bloodborne followers as possible.

After the contract, she returned Agnes' Book of the Dead. Holding the Gospel of Blood, it wasn’t beneficial for her to keep an already claimed sacred object. It was better to give it back to Agnes.

"That's... returned to me?"

Agnes was stunned as she took the Book of the Dead from the maid. She had come to Northport to retrieve this book, but she hadn’t expected it to be returned after being forced to submit.

The ethereal book spirit floated above the book, arms crossed, in its usual arrogant manner. It looked down at her, as if it were the true master.

"Contractor, now that you've become a subordinate of that existence, serve her well."

"This is a great opportunity for you. Do you know how many have longed to meet her, let alone be granted a contract?"

"You should be grateful to the supreme existence for giving you, a humble ant, endless possibilities..."

The spirit's voice was arrogant, making it seem like Agnes had gained a tremendous advantage by being forced into submission.

However, Agnes ignored its high and mighty tone.

"Her? Supreme existence? So... she really is a resurrected God? You even know which God she is?!"

"Who is she? Tell me! Tell me now!"

She looked excitedly at the book spirit.

But the spirit proudly raised its head, revealing nothing.

"The supreme existence has her reasons for not revealing her true identity to you. As her servants, we naturally won't go against her will."

Seeing the spirit’s “I know, but I won’t tell” attitude, Agnes clenched her teeth.

"You! Don't forget, you are my contracted spirit first. I am your master!"

"Hmph! Even if you don't say, I’ll figure out who she is sooner or later! I'll know her identity one day!"

The girl waved her fist angrily at the spirit.

Watching the girl bickering with the spirit, much like she used to in Count Hol’s castle, the middle-aged knight Lahel sighed, unsure what to say.

Miss... seems to have completely forgotten her recent vow to never submit.

...

Perhaps due to the will of the Nez Clan’s higher-ups, after the remote meeting ended, Leon-Castell's inspection task faced fewer obstacles.

Although there was still some resistance, it came mostly from nobles and rarely from actual bloodbornes.

Without the Nez Clan’s support, those infiltrated nobles were clearly no match for the Castell family. Under the Countess’ will, the inspection plan proceeded more smoothly.

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No bloodbornes were found in Castell’s direct domain.

Actually, there were bloodbornes. When she used the Blood Summoning to project the Dark Night Castle to spy on the Nez Clan’s remote meeting, Charlotte discovered many crimson light clusters nearby, clearly bloodbornes hiding in Northport's direct domain.

It was normal to find bloodbornes hiding in human territories where the Holy Court’s influence was weak. In a sense, Agnes and Lahel could be considered such bloodbornes.

However, the infiltrators belonging to the Nez Clan did retreat.

Charlotte felt both satisfied and disappointed.

Maybe she subconsciously hoped the Nez Clan would resist, giving her an excuse to uproot all potential dissenters in her territory...

As for the hidden bloodbornes in the north, Charlotte had some plans, intending to act after consolidating the power of Castell County.

Viscount Leon-Castell left after completing the direct domain's inspection.

This was not the end, but the beginning.

Inspecting the direct domain took less than three days. The real task was to inspect all the nobles in the county.

Before leaving, the old viscount formally met the Countess’ designated professional assistant.

"The Countess’... cat?"

Seeing the black cat Nice, fluffed up and with his tail high, served by Castell maids, the old viscount’s expression was priceless.

Nice puffed out his chest and cleared his throat.

"Viscount Leon-Castell, I am Nice, the contracted being of Lady Charlotte and a devout contract follower."

"I will accompany you for the upcoming inspections."

A talking extraordinary intelligent being!

Seeing the talking black cat, the viscount’s eyes widened.

Indeed, Castell’s foundation was not to be underestimated!

...

The viscount and Nice left Northport together.

With the departure of the last major noble, Northport returned to its usual calm.

The inspection targeted only nobles, and Charlotte’s control over her direct domain was strong, so the operation didn’t significantly disrupt the commoners' lives.

However, Northport’s bureaucratic system underwent a major shake-up, and for the next few days, even Charlotte couldn’t afford to slack off and had to be busy.

As the Count of the North, Charlotte soon found herself buried in a sea of documents from various parts of her direct domain, tasks previously handled by Madoc.

"Perhaps, it’s time to appoint a new mayor for Northport."

Looking at the growing pile of documents, Charlotte rubbed her temples in frustration.

"Lady Charlotte, the milk is warmed."

At her desk, the maid Sherry respectfully poured her a glass of milk.

Charlotte took it, sipping lightly, but then looked at the maid who seemed to have something to say.

"Sherry, you seem to have something on your mind?"

Sherry hesitated, then slowly nodded.

She suddenly knelt on one knee, surprising Charlotte, and held up the vial of blood Charlotte had given her to become a blood follower.

"Lady Charlotte, regarding your earlier proposal... I’ve made up my mind."

"I... I can’t drink it and become your follower."