Gospel of Blood

Chapter 264: The King's Command

“Dammit! A communication crystal isn’t that expensive? Only someone as wealthy as you, Countess, could say such a thing.”

“A poor viscount like me can’t even gather enough tana to fix the roads!”

Looking at the ethereal girl in front of him, Viscount Remisio couldn’t help but complain.

Charlotte smiled slightly.

“Oh? Really? But from my perspective, it doesn’t seem like you’re that short on money.”

Hearing Charlotte’s words, Viscount Remisio fell silent. He glanced at Charlotte with a complicated expression and sighed.

“Lady Charlotte, you don’t need to test me.”

“I understand your intentions. You went through the trouble of using a communication crystal to talk to me because you want to know why, even though I promised to send troops, I have remained neutral in the Castell rebellion, right?”

Charlotte nodded.

“I thought the terms I offered were quite generous. Even after deducting the commission for hiring kingdom soldiers, you could still earn at least fifty thousand gold tana from this war…”

“Yet now, you’ve chosen neutrality.”

“Although we didn’t sign a formal contract, given the long-standing relationship between the Castell family and the Remisio family, I hope for an explanation.”

Hearing Charlotte’s words, Viscount Remisio sighed.

“Yes, at least fifty thousand gold tana.”

“Just by changing a flag and participating in the battle, I could earn so much money by cleaning up conscripts who don’t even have many extraordinaries. Even the best mercenary groups in Myria can’t earn that much.”

“But…”

“But… I can’t do it!”

Saying this, Viscount Remisio looked pained. His expression was as if he had just lost a golden opportunity.

“Hmm? You can’t do it?”

Charlotte frowned slightly.

Viscount Remisio sighed.

“Yes…”

“Lady Charlotte, you may not know, but I had already prepared the family banners. However, before setting off, I received a ban from the military…”

“His Majesty the King has ordered a strict investigation into the misuse of kingdom troops by noble officers. Violators will not only be stripped of their command but could also face severe charges!”

“As you know, my Remisio Viscounty is even more impoverished than the poorest regions of the Borde Duchy. Most of my income as a kingdom commander actually subsidizes my territory…”

“The Remisio family absolutely cannot afford to lose the position of legion commander.”

“In this situation, even if I wanted to earn your fifty thousand gold tana, I’m powerless…”

Hearing Viscount Remisio’s words, Charlotte frowned even deeper.

“His Majesty’s order? Why would His Majesty suddenly issue such a ban? As far as I know, noble commanders privately using kingdom troops is an open secret.”

Charlotte was genuinely puzzled.

After all, although the Star-Moon War was a victory, the Crescent Kingdom barely managed a win. The Crescent Royal family didn’t have enough funds to maintain a large regular army and had to rely on the nobles to some extent.

In fact, many of the kingdom’s troops had ambiguous statuses, often having both regular army status and a certain noble private army background.

In such a situation, the Crescent Royal family had always turned a blind eye to noble commanders privately using kingdom troops.

After all, a portion of the maintenance costs for the regular army was covered by the nobles.

Charlotte, who had studied the politics and military affairs of the Crescent Kingdom, was well aware of this. This was also her confidence in hiring regular troops from Viscount Remisio.

Viscount Remisio smiled bitterly.

“Yes, in the past, His Majesty always turned a blind eye, but now it seems that those good days are over.”

“It’s well-known that His Majesty wants to strengthen his authority, and military power is the most crucial aspect. This ban is likely a signal that His Majesty is ready to reform the military.”

“Lady Charlotte, His Majesty has decreed that from now on, the mobilization of regular troops must go through formal military orders. Without orders, commanders cannot mobilize troops privately.”

Hearing Viscount Remisio’s words, Charlotte felt helpless.

The kingdom’s regular army ultimately swore allegiance to the king. The major expenses for equipment, extraordinary supplies, and salaries were all provided by the royal family.

As for the nobles’ contribution to the maintenance cost, it was mainly for logistical supplies, which was a small part compared to the major expenses of the regular army.

If the Crescent Royal family was determined to reform the military, there was nothing she could do.

“So, from now on, you need formal military approval to mobilize your troops?”

Charlotte asked.

“Yes, it won’t be as free as it used to be.”

Viscount Remisio sighed.

He then smiled wryly.

“But it’s not all bad. At least… all future expenses will be covered by the royal family, so we commanders won’t have to worry about military supplies anymore.”

“As for other things… there are always ways around policies. We’ll see once the dust settles. For now, I really can’t provide any help to Castell.”

Hearing Viscount Remisio’s words, Charlotte sighed slightly.

“I understand. If it’s His Majesty’s decision, there’s nothing to be done.”

“Lady Charlotte, though I can’t offer direct military support to Castell, as the commander of the Castell silver mine guards, I can at least ensure the safety of the Castell mining area.”

“I can promise that as long as the Castell family’s rule remains, the mithril mine will not fall into rebel hands. This is the best I can do.”

Viscount Remisio said.

Charlotte nodded.

“Thank you for your promise, Viscount. Securing the mining area is a great help. After the rebellion is quelled, I will still pay you a certain amount of gold tana as thanks.”

Viscount Remisio cheered.

“Hehe, then I’ll gratefully accept it when the time comes.”

Then, his expression became serious.

“By the way, Lady Charlotte, there’s one more thing… be cautious of the Third Prince.”

“Cautious… of the Third Prince?”

Charlotte’s heart skipped a beat.

Viscount Remisio nodded, speaking solemnly.

“Yes, Lady Charlotte. Do you know why His Majesty decided to reform the military at this time?”

Charlotte’s eyes flickered.

“Could it be related to the Third Prince?”

Viscount Remisio nodded.

“Rumor has it that the proposal to reform the military came from the newly appointed military director, Duke Orton, who is closely aligned with the Third Prince.”

“It’s said that in Duke Orton’s proposal, he specifically mentioned the kingdom troops stationed around Castell, including my mining guards. Nearly all commanders that Castell might contact were listed.”

“Because of this, I dare not move the troops from the mining area at all.”