Gospel of Blood

Chapter 262: The Countess is naturally safe

It had been some time since Charlotte arrived in Castell.

Including the months of her slumber, Charlotte had been back in her territory for six months.

During this half-year, the number of her followers had also increased, growing from around two hundred to about seven hundred.

To be honest, this growth rate was quite slow.

Charlotte currently hadn’t figured out the exact purpose of faith and followers, so she hadn’t prioritized spreading her faith or developing followers. Consequently, she hadn’t actively promoted her faith.

The increase of several hundred followers was due to the Blood Wolf Tribe, which had migrated from Borde to Castell, secretly developing under the leadership of the werewolf Luff.

Of course, although it was done covertly, Charlotte would occasionally use the power of the Gospel of Blood to do things a “God” should do.

Except for the months she was asleep, she would spend time each week focusing on her followers, sometimes listening to their prayers, performing “Divine Blessing” to show “miracles”, and bestowing divine favors…

This was a world with extraordinary power, where Gods truly existed. Without some miracles and benefits, it would be hard to convince people through preaching alone.

However, since the main force for developing followers came from the Blood Wolf Tribe that migrated from Borde, most of the new followers Charlotte developed in the past six months were still mainly werewolf miners from the Castell Silver Mine.

Fortunately, as one of the Crescent Royal Family’s sources of wealth, the Castell Silver Mine was protected by the Kingdom’s army.

When the rebels launched their rebellion and moved south, they didn’t dare touch the Castell Silver Mine, only cutting off the connection between Northport and the mine.

As a result, the silver mining area centered around Silver Mine City became a sort of “paradise.”

Charlotte’s hundreds of followers were thus fortunate not to be caught in the crossfire.

Now, with the connection between Northport and the mine severed, no one was more suitable to gather information at the Kingdom’s garrison camp in the Castell Silver Mine than her followers in the mithril mining area.

Thinking of this, Charlotte focused her mind on the hundreds of light spots representing her followers, seeking out the one that represented the werewolf Luff.

She gently touched it, extending her consciousness over…

…

Northeast of Castell, Silver Mine City.

As a famous mithril mining area in Western Yunette, Silver Mine City was even noisier than usual.

In the city, ragged, emaciated beggars could be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys, and outside the city walls, large and small makeshift tents were set up along the city perimeter.

These were refugees fleeing from the north as the flames of war spread.

War has a devastating impact on order. The armies and mercenaries led by the nobles had no so-called military discipline, leaving chaos in their wake.

Even though the rebellion in Castell was only a localized one, the spread of conflict still triggered a wave of refugees.

As the Castell Mithril Mine area was protected by the Kingdom’s army, it naturally became the best refuge for those fleeing the Castell war zone.

In the month since the war broke out, refugees from all directions had almost filled Silver Mine City to the brim.

Refugees also brought pressure on security. To maintain order, the city hall of Silver Mine City had to seek help from the nearby Kingdom’s army, dispatching troops to maintain order.

Only then was a larger chaos in Silver Mine City avoided.

Outside Silver Mine City, on the side of the Castel mining area.

Outside a rugged tent, emaciated refugees formed a long line, eagerly watching the front of the queue.

On the table in front, a pile of black bread was stacked like a small mountain, and next to it was a large clay pot filled with thin porridge.

Behind the table, several towering werewolves and humans in Castell Mining Workshop uniforms were busy distributing food to the queuing refugees.

From a distance, the loud, rough voices of the werewolves maintaining order could be heard.

“Don’t rush! Don’t panic! Everyone will get their share!”

“Each person can only take one bowl of porridge or one piece of black bread. No extra portions, and no stealing!”

With the intimidating appearance of the werewolf miners and the fully armed Castell guards maintaining order, although there were many refugees, the scene was orderly.

Watching the refugees receive their food one by one, gratefully praising the benevolent Lord of Castell, Hank, the acting manager of the Mining Workshop, looked emotional as he spoke to the tall werewolf miner beside him.

“Sir Luff, we truly must thank you for your help. Almost all the guards from the mine have been reassigned to the city. Without you, it would have been chaotic long ago.”

Luff smiled warmly and said,

“Mr. Hank, it is our duty. Every refugee is a subject of Castell. As followers of the Countess, it is our duty to help.”

“This has always been the Countess’ priority. When I was still in Borde, I had already participated in many relief efforts for the poor under the Countess’ guidance.”

Hank nodded slightly and sighed.

“Yes, the Countess is benevolent. When she left the Mining Workshop, she repeatedly hinted that I should take care of the lives of the poor and miners in Silver Mine City.”

“Although Silver Mine City often has refugees due to its proximity to the Northern Grand Duchy and Eastern Yunette, I have never seen so many… I really hope the rebellion ends soon…”

Luff nodded, his expression resolute.

“It will end. All those who betrayed the Countess will eventually pay the price!”

Hank sighed.

“Ah, I hope the Countess is safe. There have been many rumors in the north recently, causing unrest in the city. I wonder what the situation is outside.”

Luff comforted.

“The Countess is naturally safe. We just need to do what we can, looking after the Castell Silver Mine for the Countess. With the Kingdom’s garrison here, the rebels dare not act recklessly.”

Seeing the confident look of the werewolf miner, Hank felt a surge of curiosity.

“Sir Luff, it sounds like… you have news of the Countess?”

Luff shook his head, speaking meaningfully.

“No news, but… the Countess is no ordinary person. She is a divine representation walking on earth, and is certainly safe.”

Hearing Luff’s words, Hank thought for a moment and then nodded.

“You are right. The Countess is a living Saintess. Even the rebels of the Lagrisse family wouldn’t dare anger the divine!”

Luff smiled slightly.

He didn’t explain that the “divine” he referred to was different from what Hank understood.

Although Hank was personally appointed as acting manager by the True Ancestor, it wasn’t yet time for him to know everything.

Let this ambiguous misunderstanding remain as it is.

However, despite having confidence in the great True Ancestor, even Luff, who was essentially the tribe’s priest, had not received any new oracle for three or four months.

Even though the True Ancestor had foreseen this several months ago, as time passed, Luff began to feel uneasy.

“Your Majesty, the True Ancestor… Castell is in turmoil. I still follow your divine decrees, spreading your faith in the mining area, but… when will you awaken?”

Luff sighed inwardly.

Just then, a very familiar sensation suddenly descended upon his heart.